by Vandemonium1
This one shouldnāt offend anyone, sorry guys, Iāll try harder next time. There are absolutely no new concepts in this one but I think Iāve packaged it in a way no one else has.
There are conversations about sex below but nothing graphic.
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Dave Brown sat in his formal lounge room, in his recliner. Facing his chair was an empty couch. Between his chair and the couch was a coffee table with three champagne flutes on it, one full, two empty. Next to the table was a bottle of the stuff in an ice bucket. Anyone observing him, as he relaxed at 7.02PM that night, may have been slightly worried when he spoke clearly, āRight, I hear her car in the driveway.ā But there were no observers. Dave was alone in the room.
He continued to sit there looking relaxed as the front door opened. It wasnāt within sight of where he sat, but he immediately heard his wifeās voice.
āWhere are you Dave?ā
āIn the formal lounge Deb.ā
Dave stood abruptly as his wife entered through the archway. She was gripping the hand of a man perhaps five years younger than her 49 years. He was slim, of about average height and wearing a business suit. In her other hand she held an A4 orange envelope.
āUm, Dave, this is Michael. Michael, this is my husband Dave.ā
Noting her averted eyes and generally nervous demeanour, Dave took three steps and shook the intruderās hand warmly.
āIām very pleased to meet you Michael. Do you mind if I call you Mike?ā
āNot at all Sir.ā
āOh please, Dave will be fine. Can I offer you a glass of champagne? Please, wonāt you both take a seat.ā
Dave watched as two very confused people sat on the couch and took the offered glasses after he filled them.
āCheers. Now, do you mind telling this simple soul whatās going on.ā
Deborah and Mike looked at each other. Mike gave an almost imperceptible nod and squeezed her hand.
āUm, Dave, thereās no nice way of saying this, so Iāll just come straight out with it. Michael and I have fallen in love. I would like a divorce so we can get married.ā
She stopped; waiting to feel her husbandās wrath. Raising her gaze from the floor so she could see the expression on Daveās face. This was going to be ugly, she just knew it. It canāt have sunk in yet; his face remained neutral. Unconsciously, she moved slightly closer to Mike.
āOkay Deb. Are those the divorce papers?ā
Deb looked up again, stunned. Sheād rehearsed this scene many times in her head, but never in her wildest dreams did it ever go like this. She looked at Mike and tried to convey with her eyes, āI donāt know what to say.ā Michael stepped up to the plate. He took the envelope from Deb and placed it on the table.
āYes Dave, they are. I think you will find them very reasonable. Deb is asking for nothing from you but her car. In the packet is her quit claim on this house, your car, all your joint assets and your retirement fund. Everything is signed and notarised from our side. I should warn you that I am a lawyer and so everything is watertight, but feel free to engage your own representative to reassure yourself.ā
āWell, I must say, you have both been very generous.ā
Deb was still looking very nervous; like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
āThat was Mikeās idea Dave. In fact, he insisted. He said it was bad enough that he was stealing your wife, without taking your hard earned assets as well. It was in no way my motivation, but Mike is quite wealthy. Even without your money, we will have more than you and I would ever have owned Dave.ā
āHmmm, maybe that might have been different if youād got a job after the kids were old enough and helped out with the finances Deb.ā
Deb just dropped her eyes again.
āSo, Mike, is your wife going to get a similar speech to this one, or has she already received it?ā
āNo. My wife died eight years ago, Iām a widower.ā
āIām sorry to hear that Mike, really.ā
āThank you Dave. It hurt like hell for a year or so, but time heals all wounds, as they say. Look, Iām really sorry about this, but I met Deb and she was like the missing half of my soul. I didnāt think I would ever be complete again. I wanted to tell you that I loved your wife months ago but she talked me out of it.ā
āThatās fine Mike, Iāve never been one to harbour grudges. Please marry her with my blessing.ā
Mike and Deb exchanged bemused looks. Deb because it was so different to what sheād expected. Then she felt a huge sense of relief. Months ago, sheād led Michael to believe that her marriage to Dave was on the rocks. That they were trying to save it, but hopes werenāt high. She knew that the weak point in her plan was Daveās reaction making Mike see that wasnāt exactly true. Thatās why sheād begged Mike to do all this without a face to face confrontation. Mike insisted that true men sorted out problems face to face. He refused to be swayed.
Mike was bemused because, even with Deb telling him that her marriage was on its last legs, heād expected an angrier reaction to the announcement that it wasnāt going to be saved. Heād developed a mental picture of Dave from Debās descriptions. From what she said, he was a big, uneducated man, used to sorting out problems with his fists. Mike had tarried with the idea of bringing a bodyguard along tonight, but finally dismissed that thought. In the back of his mind was that if the aggrieved husband roughed him up a bit, it may ease his own conscience slightly. His own feelings of decency were giving him a very hard time with all this.
āSo Deb, I presume you met Mike at one of your girlās nights out?ā
Deb nodded at the coffee table.
āOne of the girlās nights out that you assured me were totally harmless and no threat to our marriage when I raised concerns.ā
Deb nodded at the floor this time.
āI think thereās a lesson for you there Mikey boy.ā
Mike glanced at Deb. Debās eyes moved to a section of floor a little further away from Mike.
āSo, what happens now people? Come on, you must have a plan. Youāre giving me the house, so I presume you were going to pack your things, Deb, and move to his house. Please, donāt let me stop you.ā
āI was going to do that tomorrow, while you were at work.ā
āBy tomorrow, the locks will be changed. Iām sure your lawyer friend will agree thatās a wise thing for me to do. Simpler if you do it now donāt you think?ā
Deb and Mike rose to go upstairs to get started.
āHow about you stay and we can talk Mike. Deb can make a start on the packing. Come on Mike, letās chat. I think you owe me that at least.ā
Deb was torn between her desire to escape this really uncomfortable situation and the need to witness anything said. In the end, her decision was made for her by Mike sitting back down.
āOff you go Deb; I promise not to hurt him. I just want to chat. Until we are divorced, I will feel responsible for your safety still. I just want to assure myself that he has your best interests at heart. Besides, youāve made your decision to leave me. I really donāt see the point of trying to talk you out of it. Our marriage is dead, obviously.
Both men watched her mount the stairs and disappear.
āI must say, youāre being very reasonable about this Dave.ā
āThatās fine Mike. Between you and me, there hasnāt been much love coming my way from Deb for about a year now. I presume thatās when you met. Itāll be a relief really; I have no desire to consign either of us to a loveless marriage.ā
āItās still very decent of you Dave.ā
āYouāre welcome Mike. Now, as a lawyer, you will know that whenever you sell a car or a house, you are legally bound to point out any known faults to the new owners.ā
Mike laughed.
āWell, slavery is dead and I donāt think Deb would appreciate being thought of as property that needs a transfer of ownership, but I know what you mean Dave.ā
Dave smiled as well. Heād guessed right that Mike was an intelligent and decent man.
āOkay. Now please believe that what Iām about to tell you is not motivated by malice. I simply want to point out some flaws in Deb that may not be apparent after only knowing her for a year. Also, believe it or not, her future happiness is important to me; Iāve loved her for 27 years after all. Iād also just like to share with you all the things Iāve tried, to make her happy, but obviously failed. That way youāll know not to waste your time doing the same.ā
Mike nodded. He knew what was to come probably wasnāt going to be all altruistically intended, but he did feel he owed it to this innocent man to listen.
āRight. I assume Deb has gone back on the pill?ā
Mike nodded again, slightly uncomfortable. It was tantamount to admitting that heād slept with the guyās wife.
āSheās on the pill, yes. Iād no idea sheād ever been off it. Apart from when you had your children of course.ā
āShe was on the pill when we met, but about 6-12 months after we got married, she begged off them. She said they depressed her sexual appetite and made her not want sex. From then, till I presume she went back on them for you, it has been condoms for me. Canāt stand the bloody things. They take all the spontaneity out of it and I donāt know about you, but I struggle to get off in them.ā
āYes, I know exactly what you mean Dave.ā
āThen, after we decided to stop at two children, she started using the condoms as an excuse not to make love as often. She pointed out their known failure rate. I begged her to go back on the pill but she refused, saying she didnāt want to have to swallow artificial chemicals every day. Since then our lovemaking has dropped from several times a week to several times a month, to nothing, aboutā¦yes well, about a year ago.ā
Mike didnāt say anything. He knew Deb was very careful about what food she ate and wherever possible, chose chemical free options. Sex with her was still exciting and happened at least three times a week, even with the restrictions on their meetings.
āI know this is a very ungentlemanly question Mike, but does she swallow your, well, you know?ā
Mike found this a very uncomfortable question. People of his class didnāt talk about such things. He couldnāt help his eyes averting.
āI see. Yes, I remember what she was like when Deb and I were dating. Now please remember, I donāt say any of this from malice. If I sold you are a car that I knew was going to throw a wheel six months after I got rid of it, I would warn you about that as well. Deb hasnāt swallowed for me since shortly after the wedding. In fact, I donāt think Iāve had a blowjob since about 18 months after we married and doggie style dropped out shortly after that. I didnāt realise that weād stopped having sex totally until quite recently. I just got sick of getting knockbacks and gave up asking. Maybe you might like to write in your diary to watch for any sudden drop offs every month or so.ā
Dave paused to allow Mike to add anything but he didnāt take the opportunity.
āNow, another thing I didnāt notice until a couple of years after we were married. I looked around one day and suddenly realised that just about everything Iād owned pre Deb, was gone. Bed, clothes, couch and photos of old girlfriends, although to be fair, I did find those in the attic. I donāt know if all women do that, or itās just Deb, but itās like she wanted to clear the nest of previous female influence.ā
Again, Dave paused and again Mike didnāt comment. He was thinking of his brand new bed and sheet sets. Then he thought of his conversation with Deb a week ago, about the portrait of his first wife. A woman heād loved dearly until sheād been forcibly removed from his life.
āI hope youāre better at picking up her lies than me Mike. Only three weeks ago, I asked if she still loved me and if we were still good. She looked me right in the eyes and said āyesā. She even did that same thing she always did, looked into each of my eyes in turn until I was the one to break eye contact. I canāt believe it took just three weeks to fall out of love so thoroughly.ā
Mike was reeling a little from the unexpectedness of this conversation and from all the information Dave was trying to get him to absorb. Something about those last couple of sentences was setting off alarm bells, but heād no time to pinpoint the source. So he focussed on the one aspect he could absorb.
āNo worries there Dave. Iām a lawyer. Iāve spent 20 years learning how to spot liars. They always give themselves away.ā
āGoodo. Again, just some advice you can take or leave. Watch out for her removing her rings when she goes to āvisit her sisterā. You might want to check her underwear drawer, thatās where sheās been putting them here for the last few weeks that I know of. You might also want to follow her on any girlās nights out. I suggest you donāt blindly trust her like I did. I thought she was totally incapable of being deceptive, but Iām obviously a schmuck. Now what else can I tell you? Oh yeah, if sheās true to form, sheāll probably stop going to the gym in about 6-12 months and stack on a bit of weight.ā
At this point, Dave stood and retrieved a photo album from a shelf and leafed through the pages.
āHereās a couple of photos from two years ago, when she started going for her girlās nights. As you can see, her face and ass get a little chubby. She never could lose the little pot, but after two kids, who would be surprised at that?ā
Mike flipped a few pages and saw a chubbier version of his fiancĆ© with far less makeup on than heād ever seen. He was slightly stunned at the difference a little makeup made. He continued flipping back through the pages.
āIs this Debās mother? I can see the strong resemblance.ā
āYes it is. Hang on a minute.ā
Dave stood again and retrieved a few more albums and flipped through them.ā
āAs you can see, she was a fine looking woman. This is her when she was about 50. She was a very striking woman still.ā
Dave picked up another album and opened it to a page. He waited for Mike to state the obvious.
āGod, how old is she in this one?ā
āAbout 55. She was one of those women that as soon as she hit menopause, around 52 or 53, rapidly lost her looks. She took it very gracefully though, just said that she thanked god for the outward beauty sheād been blessed with for so long.ā
Dave watched as Mike alternated staring at the two photographs. He remembered two months ago, when heād celebrated Debās 49th birthday early because she wanted to spend her actual birthday weekend āwith her sisterā. He did notice that Mike seemed to have lost his easy smile and pushed home his advantage.
āNow I promised to tell you all the mistakes I made that failed to get her to stay in love with me. I suggest you try a different approach, mine was obviously flawed.ā
Dave paused to pour them fresh glasses of champagne.
āNow, if itās anything like 25 years ago, sheāll want a flash wedding like ours. I tried to object, saying weād be better putting the cash into a house, but she guilted me into it. She said that if I had faith that we were going to be together forever, then I wouldnāt resent splurging out on a big day for her. Iāll hunt you up a copy of our wedding vows if you like. From memory, we stuck to the traditional love, honour, obey and forsaking all others. If you try something different, you may do better than me.
āNot really relevant for you, but donāt bother working your fingers to the bone and do crap loads of overtime so she can get the flash house she always wanted. That obviously didnāt keep her legs together. While Iām at it, donāt bother nursing her for two months if she gets Glandular Fever again. It didnāt do me any good. Nor did going into debt so she could have the breast implants and tummy tuck she wanted two years ago. Actually, thinking about it, weāre probably right here because I refused to pay for the face lift she wanted, preferring to put the money into our retirements. She can be quite persistent when she has her heart set on something. Youāve probably noticed.ā
Mike nodded, while wondering if that characteristic of Debās was really the admirable quality heād hitherto thought.
āNow, I thought I was being smart by taking her on a date night every month and making a point of inviting her to discuss anything about me or our relationship that was starting to niggle, you know, causing the slightest resentment type of thing. Our last date was less than a month ago and she didnāt say anything. A man of your calibre will be able to think of a better way Iām sure.ā
At that point, Mike noticed the twinkle in Daveās eyes and suddenly realised what he was up to. Nevertheless, heād made some good points. The point of Deb being completely free from guile resonated strongly with some thoughts of his own in recent times. He was so put off by Daveās apparent amusement at this whole scenario, that he ignored his internal alarm bells again.
Dave kept talking, despite the fact they were both obviously aware that Deb had stopped descending the stairs; easily within earshot.
āKeep an eye out for lists of things she intends removing from the house when you separate. That is a good clue that sheās already treating your marriage with contempt and meeting your replacement. It wonāt change what will happen that much, but it will allow you to mentally prepare for the endgame that she has planned and spur you to start digging elsewhere for other evidence.ā
Mike blinked and looked around. For the first time he saw the three champagne glasses and ice bucket. Clear evidence that all three persons present knew about todayās meeting beforehand, when it should have been just two. In the high intensity of his entrance, his normal highly observant nature missed the clues. Dave watched Mikeās eyes flicker around the scene.
āYes, I knew it was tonight. Deb rang me twice today to make sure I was going to be home by seven.ā
Mikeās eyes left Daveās and flicked towards where Deb was half way down the stairs. Deb restarted her descent, obviously pretending that she hadnāt overheard the last few minutes of conversation.
āDave, do you want to talk about which of the family photos I can take now, or do it some other day.ā
Dave ignored her and leaned towards the couch opposite, keeping eye contact with his rival.
āThe last thing I think I may have done wrong was to forgive Deb the first time I caught her cheating on our marriage.ā
āWhat,ā from Mike.
āNoā, from Deborahās mouth as it retreated at speed with the rest of her, into the kitchen.
āYes, it was just after the birth of our second child. I forgave her because she and our counsellor, convinced me it was a one off mistake, brought on by postnatal depression. Iāve often wondered if I was too soft on her. Maybe a harder line at the time may have prevented it happening again. I justified my actions at the time as being in the best interests of the kids. Theyāve grown up to be fine adults, so hopefully I did the right thing by them. For her sake, I hope youāre generous enough to forgive her when your time comes.ā
āIā¦I donāt know what to say Dave.ā
āNo need to say anything Mike. Just answer me this. Look in your heart and ask yourself if you would have forgiven your late wife if youād caught her humping someone in your own bed.ā
For the first time in almost an hour, Mike lost his cool. He leaned forwards. Dave saw movement out of the corner of his eye and glanced to see an ashen faced Deborah standing in the kitchen doorway.
āMy wife would never have disrespected me like that. We loved each other tooā¦Hang on a minute. You said, āthe first time Deb cheated on youā, were there other times?ā
āNo, just the two times. Then and now.ā
Deb launched out of the kitchen. She shouted desperately.
āIāve finished packing Mike. If you grab my cases, we can get out of here now.ā
āBe quiet Deborah.ā
This last was said in a low but implacable voice. Surprisingly, the voice was Mikeās. Deb stopped dead in her tracks. Mike turned back to face Dave.
āDeborah assured me that she wasnāt cheating because you had an open marriage, Dave.ā
āDid she look you in the eye when she told you this Mike?ā
Mike looked at Dave, then at a cringing Deb, then back to Dave. Dave saw in Mikeās eyes the sudden realisation that he wasnāt as good at spotting liars as heād believed.
āWhat did she tell you about the state of our marriage Mike?ā
āShe said itād been shaky for a few years Dave. That youād been going to counselling for a while but neither of you were that hopeful.ā
Dave didnāt say anything. Just looked at Mike until he kept talking to fill the void.
āNow I think of it, thatās not really consistent with what you said about still having date nights and asking if she still loved you.ā
Dave again just kept looking in Mikeās eyes. He picked the exact moment that Mike realised heād been played for a complete sucker. A look, easily interpreted as self-loathing, washed over the smaller manās face. Mike turned to a frozen Deborah.
āYou fucking bitch! Youāve turned me into the type of person I despise the most. A man that screws other menās wives without their knowledge.ā
With the force of this statement, Deb sank to her knees. Mike was suddenly at a loss for words and took an interest in the same patch of carpet that Deb found so fascinating before. He finally rallied and looked back at Dave.
āPlease Dave, you have to believe me, Iād no ideaā¦ā
āDonāt sweat it Mike. I told you she was a good liar. Christ, I wish sheād told me we had an open marriage. That way I may have got laid in the last year.ā
The deliberate use of humour in the very intense situation seemed to work. Mike relaxed a little but remained silent.
āDoes this mean the engagement is off?ā
āEr, yes, definitely.ā
āIn that case, thereās a couple of people I want you to meet. John, Alice.ā
At that moment the door to the basement opened. At the noise, Mike turned to see a young man and woman approaching.
āMike, Iād like you to meet my son John and daughter Alice. Theyāve been listening to our conversations via a microphone. John finished law school two years ago and Alice finishes a science degree this year.ā
Both John and Alice shook a bewildered Mikeās hand. John then grabbed the envelope off the table and started perusing the contents emotionlessly. Dave turned to his daughter.
āDo you believe me now Alice?ā
āYes Dad. Thereās no doubt she is one cold, conniving schemer.ā
All eyes turned towards the groan. Deb was still on her knees, but now her head was in her hands, resting on the floor. When she sensed the silence, she looked up into four accusing stares. She jumped up and ran out the front door. No one made any attempt to stop or follow her. John calmly finished flicking through the contents of the envelope.
āThis all seems to be in order Dad.ā
āGood, thanks. Now, who would like a beer. That fizzy catās piss is fine, but I need a beer to get the taste out of my mouth.ā
āUm, I think I should go.ā
āYou stay right here Mikey boy. We still have some things to sort out.ā
āLike what?ā
āWell, I can forgive you for sleeping with the dopey bitch, her claims of having an open marriage and all that, but Iāve still to decide whether to rip off your head and spit down your neck for trying to steal her away.ā
Mike looked at the other man, noting he was a head taller and much bigger, due to his manual job. Then he looked into the eyes and saw the now familiar twinkle. Mike was starting to regret not bringing some muscle with him. He could have asked them to belt their own client, until the lesson that heād been stupidly naĆÆve was firmly entrenched. He had no idea where he stood now. Dave decided to ease his confusion.
āJohn is in the same line of law as you are Mike.ā
By this time, Mike was not at all surprised that Dave knew so much about him. Then the penny dropped.
āHowās your current job, John.ā
āThe hours are crap and the salary sucks.ā
āWould you like to come and work with me?ā
āShit yeah.ā
Dave smiled.
āThen thereās the matter of my ex-wifeās upkeep until she can find a job. Thanks to your excellent work, she no longer has a house or any money.ā
With a growing feeling of relief, Mike entered into the new spirit.
āIām sorry Dave. As soon as she lied to me, she breached the implied contract we had. In cases of breach of contract, ownership reverts to the previous title holder.ā
āYes but morallyā¦?ā
āDonāt talk to me about morals, Iām a lawyer. John, do you have a dictionary? Look up the word morals will you. Iām a bit hazy on what it actually means.ā
Everyone laughed.
āNo, seriously Mike, I think you owe it to me to look after her till sheās back on her feet. If you play your cards right, you can pretend to be considering keeping her and get the shit spoiled out of you in bed for a while.ā
āUgh, no, I couldnāt go there. I will see sheās right though. Not for her, but for you. I admire skill wherever I see it and Iāve been totally outclassed tonight havenāt I? Have you ever considered a career in law Dave? The way you kept me off balance by posing negatives as positives and never giving me time to think, was worthy of the best prosecutor Iāve ever seen.ā
Dave smiled modestly but didnāt answer. He loved his job and the people who surrounded him at work.
āRight, thatās four beers then, is it?ā
For the first time, Dave looked away from everyone. Until he was sure the tears forming in the corners of his eyes were gone, there would be no more eye contact.
By this time, Deborah Brown was 700 metres away, on foot and still accelerating away from the burning bridges.
The end
I am pleased to say that despite being married for 17 years, I still have a full, rich and satisfying sex life.
Shit, sometimes my wife even joins in.
Smile! If for no other reason than it makes people wonder what youāre up to. ;
I think this one scored so well because itās clever. Everyone loves a smartass when theyāre lampooning someone else.
I read this one a while back but it is still very funny
Glad you thought it was fun. I had the most fun writing the light-hearted ones, ‘The Death of a Modern Man’, ‘Frustration’, and the one you comment on. In the outline, the wife’s lover was going to be a bad guy, like the rest. Then it hit me. Could I make him an innocent good guy? I thought I pulled it off, a few commenters disagreed.
Having said that, I have no idea why this is my 2nd highest rating story. When this blog has a few more followers, I’d like to ask the question why some score really well and some poorly. I gotta say the scores seem harder to pick than a broken nose.
The author known as Van1