We were both tired from our four hours drive and our Friday night dancing. To-day we had walked around all the exhibits again and we had used the Spa facilities and spent time in the steam room. Alex had a short nap while I did my nails in preparation for the black-tie dinner dance.

Now he looked suave and debonair in his black tux and I wore my red dress with red sequined heels. We started making our way down to the Mallard Suite where the dinner-dance was being held.

We had met some of the people last evening at the Friday night function. And there were some new-comers here tonight. Deb was one of the women I met Friday night. The singer in the band tonight is her boyfriend. So she is here with him, yet alone. She worked the floor Friday night dancing her booty off in her little black dress, stockings and heals. Her hair is brunette and shoulder length. Tonight she wears a peach coloured dress that just barely covers her rear. It has rows of ruffles and is low at the front. Deb has been dancing up a storm since the band began.

We got up and danced some but the music was just not as great as the performers last night. They were two gay guys and they were really great. Alex and I seemed to be working to have fun tonight. And many of the others left soon as dinner was finished. We carried on dancing when the band returned for their last set. Deb carried on dancing round the room and tried to coax a couple up that were at our table. No one was game and the female partners were showing obvious possessiveness of their men. Deb then decided to jump up on the empty table next to us and begin dancing on the table in her stilettos on the white table cloth. The table did not look all that strong. We could see it giving in the middle from her weight. Alex pulled the camera out and held it up to take a photograph.

“If you take that photo I will delete it.”

He put the camera in his pocket and said quietly, “time to go I think.”
We said good bye to Nick and Janet sitting beside us and walked past Deb dancing on the table.
She leaned down to speak. “Are you leaving?”
As we walked through the lobby and down the hall, Alex was silent.

Back in our room the air was thick was his unspoken anger.
We both undressed and put on the terry robes. I washed my face and brushed my teeth ready for bed. It was now midnight.

Alex spoke. “Don’t ever say that to me again.”

Was he over reacting? Was I oblivious to what had just happened?
Alex sat in the chair and I lay on the bed.
After five minutes Alex came to the bed and lay beside me.

“Do you want to tell me what is going on?
I didn’t think you needed to be taking photos of her. We already have photos of her from last night.

Alex spoke. “And last night you were dancing with her and enjoying yourself. What is different about tonight?” You don’t need to be jealous of anybody. I’ve been dancing with you all night – I was sitting beside you. Were you not getting enough of my attention?”

He went on…”and who takes the photos off the camera?”
“Well, I do.” I said. “I wonder if you would have thought it entertaining if it were me who got up to dance on the table.”
“I would have thought great, I would have been thrilled to see you enjoying yourself and being free.”

“Well, I was embarrassed for her and thought she was over the top in seeking attention”

“I think you were judging and I think you were jealous that she had a bit of my attention. Don’t ruin our relationship based upon habits from your past relationship. Do you not want me to love you any more? I am with you and I was sitting beside you when I was pointing the camera. You don’t need to worry about me. When I am away from your or when I am with you. I think you are just overtired – we are both tired and I don’t think we need to discuss it any longer tonight. We may talk about it on the way home tomorrow, when you have time to reflect and when we have both had a good sleep.

I reflect upon it all today. It now seems trivial. Do I have anything to learn from my actions? I do have a tendency to fall backwards…into insecurities…into thinking I need to compete with others…compare myself with others. Alex has never said to me; don’t take a photo of whomever or whatever. Was I being controlling when I spoke out to him and in the process revealed my own insecurities and jealous streak? Sadly yes. I thought the green-eyed monster was long buried and this incident lets me know old bad habits need consistent vigilance and awareness. I am lucky I have a confident man who knows me and reassures me daily. I am thankful I have a partner who can discuss things with me and not go into a rage if he doesn’t like something. I will keep working on my subconscious insecurities and work at acknowledging the love that comes my way daily.