Smoke And Mirrors, Part 23

This fictional story contains adult themes and descriptions. If such offends
you, read no further.  All persons and situations depicted are fictional, any
similarities to real persons or events is purely coincidental. All rights
reserved. This story cannot be reproduced without the written prior approval
of the author. You can notify the author at del999@yahoo.com.

Smoke & Mirrors
Part 23: Signs of Things to Come: That Sunday, after Danielle had left.
Giselle lit up one of her own cigarettes. The VS did taste similar to the
Misty's, just as unpleasant, she laughingly thought to herself. Except
somehow she noticed that the VS had a bit more of a creamy taste. In fact she
decided that she preferred her brand to Danielle's. Her brand, she thought to
herself. Yeah, sure. She hadn't really liked smoking, but had done it partly
to appease Danielle and to try to get over the initial stages of starting
that Danielle had alluded to.

Danielle had left at about three o'clock. Despite her dizzying afternoon,
Giselle had enjoyed herself immensely. It was nice to talk to a new friend
about things that were happening in the community. Danielle had an easygoing
personality. She always seemed so relaxed. Nothing seemed to faze her. She
was so unlike Giselle.

Giselle reminded herself of the white lie to Danielle about smoking to
overcome stress. She wondered if there was anything to that idea. After all,
Danielle had started during her period of grief to relieve her own stress.
She just couldn't see how it could help. In fact, smoking those two
cigarettes had actually made her feel a bit nervous, not relaxed at all.
Maybe it was just that she had been reluctant to smoke in front of Danielle.

Well, she had done it. It hadn't killed her. She reminded herself of the
revelation that Father John smoked. That was a bit of a relief, she thought.
About 20 minutes after finishing her second cigarette, she started to again
feel like herself. Sadly, she started to think; I have to smoke three more of
these cigarettes today. This thought did not appeal to her, as she recalled
the dizzy queasy feeling she had experienced during her smoking lessons that
afternoon. She began to think to herself. I'll have one at 5 o'clock, before
Serge gets home, then one after dinner. Then maybe the last one later on in
the evening. At least she would space them out. She wondered when it would
get easier. It still made her feel very uncomfortable. Oh well, she would do
her best.

Giselle did laundry and started to plan her Sunday dinner. After reading the
paper, she was surprised to see that it was already 5:15 PM. Well, I might as
well get this over with. She walked over to the sliding door off the kitchen,
and opened the door. I don't want the house to smell like there was a poker
game going on in here. She had already washed the ashtray, which was still
propped up in the dish rack. She saw her cigarettes and lighter, still lying
there where she had left them when Danielle had left earlier this afternoon.
She again started to feel tense, not looking forward to what she knew she had
to do. She picked up the lighter and lit it a few times, playing with it like
it was a new toy. She liked the lighter somehow. It seemed so decadent, so
stylish. Most people had those disposable lighters. But this was a beautiful
piece of jewelry.

She brought the ashtray to the table. I might as well pick up a new ashtray.
This one just doesn't go with the decor, she thought smiling. She knew
Danielle was sure to accept her invitation. It would be appropriate to have a
crystal ashtray that they could both use. She could always use the ashtray
later as a candy dish, she thought. Yes, tomorrow she would pick up a proper
ashtray.

She seemed to be avoiding what she knew was inevitable. She marveled at the
way Danielle smoked. Her drags were always feminine and deep, not desperate
like some of the women that she had seen at various cocktail parties that she
had attended. Danielle seemed to smoke with such a relaxed style. It seemed
to be part of her. It somehow looked good on her. She couldn't believe that
she had thought that. But, yes, Danielle actually looked good smoking. She
wondered if after she finished practicing, whether she would look as relaxed
and competent with her smoking. She would have to be more convincing, if she
were going to smoke in front of her daughter.

At that moment she wondered what Suzanne might be doing, glancing at the
phone that had remained silent all day. Her eyes started to fill with tears.
Oh come on, grow up Giselle. Be strong, things will get better. With that
thought, she removed a cigarette and carefully lit up. She sucked a little
harder than usual, and breathed in. She remembered Danielle's advice. Breath
in as deeply as you can every time. It will help you get used to it a lot
faster. To her surprise, she no longer felt any discomfort in her throat.
This time the smoke had slipped down rather easily. She looked down, watching
as she slowly blew the smoke from her mouth. The sunlight was streaming in
making the smoke look far more substantial than it really was. She continued
to exhale, as she was surprised to see that smoke continued to come out of
her lips in a long stream. My God, she thought, this is getting easier. No
tickle in her throat. No ringing ears. She did start to feel the dizziness
return, but this time it was mild. More like being a bit light headed. It
didn't even taste half as bad as she remembered. She concentrated on the
sensations in her body. She waited a moment. She tried again. The effect was
the same. She smiled. I'm actually smoking. Giselle Leblanc is actually
smoking. Its not that hard, I can do this.

She smoked the entire cigarette slowly and deliberately, watching each exhale
with a bit of awe. After the cigarette was nearly two-thirds finished, she
crushed the cigarette out carefully. She felt only slightly woozy, not at all
like she had felt this afternoon. She felt totally proud of herself as she
washed the ashtray, destroying the tell tale evidence.

She wondered whether she should smoke in front of Serge. The thought of this
was just unimaginable. After all, she had always been very critical of anyone
who smoked. How could she now sit there in front of her husband and light up.
She wasn't sure what he would say. But of course, this was his idea. He might
want to see how she was doing. She would play it by ear.

She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and remove the tell tale taste
from her mouth. Well, at least my teeth will get frequent brushing if I keep
this up, she thought.

Serge was in a jovial mood when he returned from his golf game promptly at
6:00 PM. He must have played well, she thought to herself. Giselle had always
been a great cook, and Sunday was the day when she usually splurged. She had
been preoccupied most of that day, but had decided that they would have a
casual back yard dinner, with a couple of thick rib eyes, béarnaise sauce,
baked potatoes, and a Caesar salad. She unconsciously planned to have an
after dinner cigarette outside on the patio.

Serge started to nose around the kitchen. "What's for dinner, mon petite
choux?" he said, coming up behind her and placing his big arms around her.

"Stop it, Serge! I'm busy!" she said, laughing. "We're having steaks and
Caesar salad, outside on the patio."

"Hmmmm, that sounds great. Are you up for a bottle of red wine tonight?

"Yes, that would be nice," Giselle said. "If you're so frisky, why don't you
put some of that energy to work and light the barbecue?" she said as she
pinched him affectionately on the rear end as he passed her on his way out
the sliding door.

As she watched Serge go outside, she was surprised that he had not mentioned
anything about how the visit had gone with Danielle. Maybe he was nervous and
didn't want to place any pressure on her? Well, she would tell him about her
success at an appropriate time during dinner.

The meal had been delicious. Uncharacteristically, Giselle had consumed two
large glasses of wine during the dinner. It was a lovely evening; the sun was
just starting to set.

Finally, Serge found the courage to bring up the topic. "How did it go with
Danielle today?" he said casually.

Giselle paused as a big smile came across her face. "Well actually, I think
it went pretty good. Danielle was really good about the whole thing. She gave
me a few tips on how to smoke. In fact she was rather excited that I was
interested in learning. I think today I've made a new friend. I really like
her. In fact, she invited me over tomorrow morning to watch All My Children.
She likes the soaps as much as I do." Giselle said smiling.

Serge didn't know whether it was the wine, or whether it was the news of her
new friendship, but Giselle seemed extremely relaxed and happy for a change.
She hadn't even complained which was usually was her custom. He didn't want
to dwell on the smoking too much, but he was curious. "Giselle, what was it
like to smoke? I hope it wasn't too difficult for you?" he said
sympathetically.

"Oh, Serge, the first one was a totally disgusting. It tasted terrible. But
it got easier when I tried the second one." she said continuing her upbeat
attitude

"The second one?" Serge said surprisingly.

"Well, Danielle insisted, that I try another. You know, you have to get over
the initial stages. It takes a bit of practice to get used to," she said. She
deliberately did not share with him that she had smoked a third cigarette by
herself in the kitchen or her plan to smoke at least five cigarettes a day
for the next six weeks. He just wouldn't understand. After all he didn't know
a thing about smoking and she didn't want to have to explain everything to
him. It would be her secret.

"I see. So do you think you'll be able to go through with the plan then?" he
said calmly.

"Yes, I think so. I'll have to keep at it. I've learned to inhale, and I
don't take very big puffs, and it only makes me a bit dizzy." Serge smiled.
Giselle was talking quickly like an excited teenager.

He was actually curious to see Giselle smoke. He just couldn't imagine his
wife smoking. The thought of her holding a cigarette would be an entirely new
image. It sort of excited him in an odd way.

Serge broke the moment of silence. "Did I tell you, Frank Perrier, you know
the fellow I golf with, he and his wife had a baby boy last week. He gave me
this. As Serge pulled out a large cigar with a wrapper that said `Its a Boy'
from his shirt pocket. I don't usually accept cigars, but Frank was so
excited and proud. I thought maybe for a change, I would accept his kind
gift. Maybe I should light this up while you had one of your cigarettes.
"\What do you think?" he said smiling. "Do you want to practice? I mean have
one of your cigarettes."

She reached over and poured herself a bit more wine. How kind she thought,
Serge wants to make this easier for me. She smiled, "Yes, maybe I should
practice." This would be a good opportunity, she thought.

"Yeah, sure why not? As long as you promise not to make fun of me. I'm really
new to this smoking thing."

"I promise, Giselle," he said smiling, not knowing how he would react to
seeing his wife smoke a cigarette in front of him.

She got up from her chair and went into the kitchen to retrieve her lighter
and cigarettes. She nervously placed one of her cigarettes in her mouth and
slowly lit up. She took an aggressive drag, her inhibitions loosened by the
wine. Serge watched her every move. As he looked up at his wife, exhaling a
long plume of smoke silhouetted by the setting sun, an odd thing happened. He
started to get an erection. Hmmm, he thought, that's a bit odd. That had
never happened like that before. It must be the wine. His penis remained hard
as he continued to observe his wife's new image.

"Serge! Stop watching me. You're making me nervous." She laughed as the
deeply inhaled smoke escaped from her lips with every word.

"Sorry Giselle, its just- how can I put this. You already look like you
really know what you are doing. You are inhaling and everything. Danielle
must be a good teacher."

"Serge, don't under estimate me. It's more like I've been a good student. It
still makes me dizzy. Don't forget, I'm doing this for you, you know? Now
quit watching me and light up your cigar. I don't want to smoke alone," she
said, grinning.

Giselle was surprised that this after dinner cigarette actually didn't taste
that bad. The creamy taste in her mouth was actually enjoyable. It somehow
was satisfying after a large meal. It seemed to go well with the wine too.
She continued to inhale deeply, enjoying the pleasant sensations. Despite the
fact that she was taking much larger drags, she was relieved and surprised
that she felt no ill effects. This was actually enjoyable. Danielle was
right. It had gotten a lot easier, and sooner than she had expected.

Serge awkwardly picked up Giselle's lighter, and lit the large stogie. He
puffed pensively and was surprised that the taste wasn't all that bad.
Giselle thought that Serge looked like a rich successful banker.

Giselle could not resist. "If only Suzanne could see us now. She just
wouldn't believe it." She said laughing. Serge had never seen Giselle so
relaxed and happy. He wondered if there was some truth to the premise, that
smoking relieved stress. He quickly removed the thought from his head. What
did it matter; this would only be a temporary situation. It would all be over
soon. He puffed again on the thick rich tasting cigar.

They continued to sit out on the deck as Giselle quickly consumed her
cigarette. The cigar was substantial. It was going to take a while before
Serge was finished. The third glass of wine had pretty well dissolved any
discomfort that she might have had smoking in front of Serge. She casually
reached over and shook lose another of her cigarettes. Without raising her
eyes, she lit up again. This was not lost on Serge. He could see that she was
actually enjoying her smoking. This surprised him. He had never expected her
to take to it like this. Of course, he liked the effect it seemed to have on
her. She seemed so happy, so relaxed. That night he had gently kissed his
wife on the cheek as they had prepared to roll over to go to sleep. Fortified
by the wine and the two cigarettes, the new Giselle began to kiss Serge
passionately. He had always been the partner to initiate their love making,
always being the aggressor. Over the years, their sex had become mechanical.
But this night, his wife was like a tigress. He immediately became aroused,
surprisingly as images of Giselle exhaling a long plume of smoke back lit by
the setting sun came into his head. It was like he was in bed with a new
woman. Sort of naughty, he thought, her long cigarettes making her somehow
seductive. He became instantly hard as a rock. The sex that night was like it
had once been during their first year of marriage. He did not know what had
come over her, but whatever it was he liked it. He could not remember when he
had been so hard and lasted this long. When they were finished, they both lay
there sweating from the exertion of their passionate lovemaking. It had been
glorious.

A strange thought entered Giselle's head. She recalled one of those old
Hollywood movies, where the couple lit up there post lovemaking cigarettes.
What an odd thought. Oh well, I must have had far too much wine. Giselle
started to anticipate her morning get together with Danielle. Danielle would
be impressed to see how her smoking had improved. She looked forward to
showing her that she was now taking larger puffs and was able to inhale more
deeply. She slowly fell asleep, with her body fully satisfied from the food,
the wine, the sex, and her last cigarette.

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