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Danny's Den

By: R_U_Romantic



My job takes me to all parts of the northeast region. I normally don't like to drink and then drive, but this day was unusually hot and more than a little stressful. So I decided to stop for a drink and spend an hour cooling off and relaxing before I drove the rest of the way back to my home base. 

Not knowing the area very well I wasn't to sure what I was in for when I pulled into the parking lot of the Danny's Den Lounge and Motel. The lot was almost completely empty so I expected to have a drink or two and relax in quiet surroundings. 

As I opened the door and stepped inside I could feel the cool air of a dimly lit lounge engulf me. My eyes had not yet adjusted to the dim lighting inside as I approached the bar and took a seat. The bartender who apparently had become accustomed to quiet late afternoons, what sitting on a bar stool next to the break in the oval shape bar reading the newspaper. When he noticed that I had joined this lively party he stood up and slowly walked over to me.

"What'll ya have"? He asked. 

I hesitated for a moment trying to decide between a lager and bourbon. I opted for bourbon and replied. "JD and water."

As the bartender placed my drink in front of me he asked "Run a tab?" I agreed and he said. "Ok" and quickly turned and returned to his newspaper. 

Taking less than a minute or two from when I walked in the place to having a drink in front of me was just what my stressed out brain needed and I took a healthy gulp from my glass. 

My eyes were now becoming accustomed to the dim lighting of the Danny's Den Lounge when I heard a door squeak open behind and to my right. I didn't notice any change in the amount of light in the place so I assumed it was an inside door. I was seated about mid way along the long side of the oval shaped bar and I heard footsteps coming from my right. I glanced over my right shoulder and to my amazement the most gorgeous woman was slowly walking toward my seat. I smiled as she approached and said. "Hello."

She said "Hello." and smiled as she walked behind me.

My head turned to the left as her hand slipped over the bar stool next to me. She was sporting the longest most sexy looking red fingernails I'd ever seen, and I watched somewhat disappointed as that hand went from stool to stool as she walked further away from me. 

I was able to take a very long look at her from behind as she walked away. Her wavy blonde hair was shoulder length. She was wearing a pure white silk blouse, which did little to hide the black bra she was wearing under the blouse. A very clingy black skirt which came to just about mid thigh and to my complete delight seamed stockings and spike heels. Her heels and the seams of her stockings accentuated her calf muscles. 

I didn't want her to notice my staring so I returned my attention to the JD and water as she rounded the end of the bar and slid into a stool where her drink glass sat half full. 

Another healthy gulp of Jack and my drink was nearly gone. The clinking of ice in my nearly empty glass caught the bartender's attention and he asked from his seat this time, "Would ya like another"? 

I said "Sure but take you time, I'm in no hurry." 

As I talked with him I couldn't help but notice the flick of a bic to my left which gave me a reason to glance in the direction. This vision of loveliness in black and white with red trim to my left. As she lit her cigarette I was able to get a second look at her face in the brighter light of her bic. 

Not only did she have red fingernails, but also wore matching color on her lips. My interest began to peak and the first JD was starting to take effect so my inhibition about staring began to wane. I thanked the bartender for the second drink and took a much smaller sip this time, knowing I'd want to nurse the second Jack and water. I began paying much closer attention to this woman and noticed that she would occasionally run her index finger along the edge of her blouse from the collar down the front to where it was buttoned. 

Every time we made eye contact I would smile at her, and she would return the smile. I allowed her to finish her cigarette and then I asked. "Can I buy you a drink?"

To my complete amazement she nodded yes the said. "Only if you join me." 

Smiling from ear to ear as I walked to the end of the bar where she was seated. I walked behind letting my finger tips slide along the back of her stool and across the silky material of her blouse where it met the bar stool back. I took at seat beside her and offered my hand. Her handshake was so soft, so pleasing.

She smiled and said "Hi, I'm Sandi."

I responded with a smile and told her my name. 

As I settled into the stool beside her Sandi turned her hips toward me uncrossed her legs and then crossed them again toward me. Her skirt rode up a perfectly formed thigh almost to the point where the darker top hem of her stockings was visible.

The bartender arrived with a fresh white Russian for Sandi and then turned quickly to leave us along and get back to his paper. 

Sandi wore the most heavenly perfume and I complimented her on her taste in not only perfume, but also clothing nail and lipstick color. 

She explained. I'm in sales and find that it helps my success rate."

I nodded my agreement and asked her. Why do you choose the Danny's Den as a place to wind down?"

She replied. Late afternoons it is always quiet and I can relax with out the pressure of some of the busier meat markets that run happy hour specials with free food." When I told her I had never been there before she smiled and said "Lets hope you enjoy your self and come back often" 

Now I'm not usually a smooth talker, but the affect of the Jack Daniels and the intoxicating demur of this woman really made me open up. 

I leaned close to her and said, "How do you mean enjoy myself?" 

With that, Sandi lifted her top leg and ran her foot up the back of my calf. I don't now how she was able to do it but she didn't stop until her shoe was in the bend of my leg behind my knee.

This motion caused her skirt to ride up even more and I discovered that she wasn't wearing panty hose but instead silk stockings and a black lace garter. 

As she lowered her leg her hand dropped to my thigh and she turned sliding her hand across the top of my leg until she reached my already hardening cock. 

She smiled and said "I think you know exactly how we're going to enjoy ourselves" 

I agreed saying "I believe I do" 

Sandi asked me to turn a little toward her and as I did she also turned so that her left leg was between my legs. She began giving me the most sensual leg massage I've ever experienced lifting her leg and rubbing her silk covered calf against my crotch. 

Ever time she did this her skirt rode up a little higher. I was sure that very soon I'd have the answer to my mental question of is she wearing panties or not? 

All the while her leg was moving her fingers continued to trace the outline of the v in the front of her blouse. She wasn't extremely busty, but the cleavage that did show was a creamy smooth color that I had trouble keeping my eyes from. 

Eventually her fingers somehow opened the top button of her blouse and she exposed the most incredible contrast of color between her skin and her bra which was outlined in black lace with a tiny red ribbon where the cups connected in the middle.

I was fully erect by the time she dropped her hand into my lap and began massaging my cock very skillfully. She dropped her leg and spread her thighs for me and I knew it was an invitation for my hand to explore. 

I leaned close to her and whispered. "Here?" 

Sandi looked me straight in the eye and smiled saying. "Here and NOW" 

My hand slowly moved across her thigh reaching the top of her stocking I paused to enjoy the contrast between silk and soft flesh with my finger tips. 

"Hmmmmm." She moaned softly as I caressed this part of her leg. 

I could tell this was one of her special spots and made a mental note of that. My hand continued toward her upper thigh and as I did she spread her legs even further giving me total access to her crotch. 

By this time her skirt was almost completely gathered at the top of her legs and as I looked down my eyes took in the most incredible image. 

In the dim lighting of the Danny's Den her creamy while thighs stood out like moon light against the black tops of her stockings and the hem of her skirt. 

Sandi leaned back lifting her butt a little and somehow had her skirt out from under her. My fingertips reached their goal and to my very pleasant surprise she was wearing a black lace open crotch thong. 

As my middle finger slipped between the lacy sides of her thong Sandi moved her hips forward and my finger slipped inside her. Her eyes closed and she let out another throaty moan this time a little louder. 

I began moving my finger up and down reaching her clit with each upward motion. Each time my fingertip touched her clit she would moan again. 

Her skillful hand had somehow found a way to unzip my trousers and before I could react her fingers were running the length of my hard cock. She used her nails to tease the rim of my cock head and traced its outline with the very tip of one finger. Then she would wrap all her fingers around my cock and move her hand down the shaft to its base. 

Releasing it from her grasp her fingers slid down and cupped my balls gently squeezing them and then slide just the tips of her nails up my scrotum sending a shiver up my spine that she noticed bringing a smile to her lips. 

While Sandi used her exceptional hand skills on my cock, I continued to finger her pussy running my finger along the outside of its moist lips and slipping it inside each time it reached the opening to her pussy. 

She smiled and said. "You have very soft and gentle fingers I love the way they teased her clit."

I complimented her on her hand skills also and that had the affect of making her increase the pressure with each stroke on my cock. 

I leaned close to her and said "I want my mouth where my hand is." 

She responded to that by saying, "So you're starting to enjoy yourself." 

I just smiled and nodded my agreement. 

Sandi looked over at the bartender who must have been either reading the most interesting article or was completely brain dead but he was paying us no attention. 

Sandi looked back at me and said, "Why not just slip down off your stool and eat my pussy right here?" 

She released her grip on my cock and I didn't hesitate to kneel down between her legs. As I did Sandi spread her thighs even more and I was inches away from the most beautiful sight. 

Her pussy glistened with moisture. The lips protruded between the lace fabric of her thong and I could see her erect clit swollen and pulsing with desire. 

I leaned forward kissing along her silk covered thigh, remembering her reaction to my finger caress of the spot just above her stocking I flicked my tongue at the same spot and she moaned again placing her hand on my head. 

As I continued to kiss and lick at this spot she began moving her hips ever so slowly back and forth toward my face. I knew she wanted me to give her pussy and clit the same treatment and I didn't want her to wait much longer. 

Slowly I moved closer to my target, kissing licking and nibbling on the skin of her inner thighs as I approached. Finally my tongue was within touching distance of her pussy. I flicked it toward the perfect lips and let it slip between them. 

Sandi moaned louder, and increased the pressure of her hand on my head urging me to give her more. My lips circled her clit sucking on it gently at first and then with increasing pressure. 

Sandi pushed my head tighter against her and I used my tongue to part her pussy lips and slipped my tongue inside. I felt another hand against the back of my head and she began controlling the tempo of my tongue fucking of her hot sweet wet pussy. 

Sandi's pussy tasted so good. Her juice flowed onto my tongue and lips and I sucked it into my mouth drinking in her flavor. As she increased the pressure on my head I began to sense that she was about to cum. 

I opened my mouth wider and pushed my tongue as far inside her as possible as she exploded in orgasm. Her pussy became a flood of juices and I sucked every drop from her as she moaned her pleasure. Her hips quivered her fingers grabbed my hair and she held my head in that position until her orgasm began to pass. 

A very deep but almost inaudible moan of pleasure escaped her throat as she started to release my head from her grasp. She used her exquisite fingernails to comb my hair back into place, and as I knelt there before her I looked up at her face. 

Her eyes were moist, her lips shimmered and her smile assured me that she was completely satisfied. As I stood up I peaked over the top of the bar to find that the bartender was still just sitting there. I thought to my self this guy is not only brain dead but deaf to boot. 

As I straightened up Sandi pulled me close to her and kissed me deeply on the mouth. A soul-searching kiss that proved to me that Sandi's tongue was as talented as her fingers. 

That kiss sent a chill down my spine and brought goose bumps to my arms. Her lips were so soft her mouth so moist and her eyes told a story as old as time. 

I knew she had more passion more sensuality more lust in her little finger than any woman I'd ever had the pleasure of giving oral sex to before. Standing there I still had the taste of her in my mouth and didn't want to lose that so I didn't bother reaching for my JD again. 

Sandi lifted her white Russian to her lips and took a sip. Placing the glass back down on the bar she looked at me and said. "I want you to go to the men's room and wait for me."

I was spell bound by this vixen and would have gone any place she asked. I smiled and said, "Your not going to run out the front door are you?" 

Sandi smiled and said. "No way babe. I'll be right behind you." 

Trust is something that you just have to have sometimes, so I straightened my shirt and zipped my trousers and touching her hand walked behind her bar stool and toward the men's room. 

As I did the bartender finally woke up. He asked if I was leaving and I said no just going to the men's room. 

"Ok" was all he could muster from his limited vocabulary. 

As I approached the men's room door I heard those same footsteps I'd heard earlier but this time I knew it was Sandi following me. As I opened the door I glanced back at Sandi and she just blew me a kiss and turned into the ladies room. 

Well I can tell you seconds seemed like hours and minutes like weeks as I stood in the men's room waiting. Finally after what seemed like hours the door to the men's room opened. 

Sandi entered and quickly closed the door placing the lock hook over the loop she turned and said "Now it's your turn babe" I took a step back and leaned against the sink. I quickly discovered why Sandi had stopped in the ladies room. She had removed her bra and let her blouse open to the middle of her belly. 

As she approached me she turned around and slid her long fingers across her butt grabbing her skirt she lifted it showing me the back of her thighs and her creamy ass cheeks framed by two lace garter straps that pulled her silk stockings up the back of her thighs. Her legs were perfect and she knew it. 

Slowly she slid the skirt down and turning again to face me she licked her shiny red lips with the tip of her pink tongue. She cupped her breasts with each hand and spread her red tipped fingers across each. The combination of the pure white silk blouse those incredible fingers and nails and her fully erect nipples showing through the silk material made my heart skip a beat and my cock swell to it limit. 

All I could say was "Oh my god." 

Now this men's room wasn't the biggest place but in the space of maybe 5 or 6 feet this vixen made me feel like she was walking down a 60-foot runway toward me. Her legs moved so slowly, her hips shifted with each step. She probably only took 4 or 5 steps but in that space of time and distance I became fascinated with the way she moved. 

Had I not known what was about to happen I would have asked her to walk back to the door again. But I was speechless at the time. 

As Sandi approached me she lifted her hands and placed them on my shoulders. Running her hands down my chest she allowed her finger nails to scratch the material of my shirt.

When she reached my hips she moved her hands to mine and placed each one on the side of the sink and behind me. 

She smiled and said. "Hold on and what ever happens don't let go."

I understood exactly what Sandi meant. She wanted to be in total control of the events that were about to unfold and I couldn't agree with her more. I was hers to use in any way she saw fit. 

Sandi kissed me lightly on the mouth at first then increasing the pressure of her kiss she parted my lips with her tongue and began kissing me deeper her tongue encircled mine her lips sucked my tongue and she traced the outline of my mouth with the tip of her tongue. 

All the while her fingers were moving teasing barely touching my skin sending shiver after passionate shiver up and down my spine. She slowly unbuttoned my shirt and with each button her fingers and nails performed a dance of pleasure on the newly exposed flesh. 

Once she had reached the button closest to my belt she gently pulled the shirt from my trousers and opened it completely exposing my chest and nipples. 

She smiled and said "I love a man with hair on his chest." 

I smiled and nodded my approval. She ran her fingers all over my chest, circling my nipples with one nail and finally leaning down licking sucking and kissing each nipple. 

This woman understood the art of seduction. She knew what it is about a woman that men have dreamed about for centuries. And she was showing me that she was the most skilled lover I've ever had the pleasure of being with. 

Inaudible sounds began coming from my throat. Sandi continued kissing and teasing my chest with her mouth and fingers until she had reached the trouser belt. 

With one hand she loosened my belt and opened my trouser button. Unzipping my fly she pulled me forward just enough so my pants fell into a heap around my ankles. My hard cock strained to be released from my jockey shorts and she used her fingers to tease my hard on through the material. 

Stepping back Sandi pulled her blouse from the top of her skirt and unbuttoned it very slowly letting the silk material fall to each side of her creamy white breasts. Her nipples were perfectly round and hard. I wanted to take one between my lips and suck it but I would have had to remove my hands from the sink which I vowed I wouldn't do. 

She was in control and I wanted it that way. 

As she stood there letting me admire her beautiful breasts she again cupped them with her hands but this time her hard nipples protruded through her fingers and she used her fingernails to tease her nipples and offer me a vision I'll not soon forget. 

As she moved forward again she allowed her blouse to fall where it wanted and her breasts were half covered by the white silk of her blouse. With her hands on her hips she stepped to with kissing distance and I leaned forward and kissed her deeply on the mouth. 

A moan escaped her throat as we kissed and I knew she wanted more than my tongue in her mouth. Slowly ever so slowly she used her lips tongue and mouth to track down my chest and stomach.

She never got down on her knees but rather just crouched down until she had positioned her face directly in front of my crotch. Her fingertip again teased my cock through my shorts and finally after what seemed like an eternity she hooked two fingers in the waist band of my jockeys and slowly peeled them down across my thighs allowing them to join the heap of material around my ankles. 


Danny's Den



My rock hard cock sprang forth completely erect. And she blew hot breath on it first. As she brought her hands back up from my ankles she ran her fingernails along the front of my thighs. My body shivered and a devilish grin came across her lips knowing she had discovered one of the spots that turn my knees to jelly. 

But Sandi had other things in mind and her fingers continued up my thighs until they joined together to cup my balls again her fingernails lightly scratching the surface of my skin sent shivers up my spine. 

As she moved her fingers up they wrapped around the shaft of my cock and she began slowly stroking the length with one hand while rolling my balls in the palm of her other hand. She leaned forward and allowed a stream of salvia to drip from her lips onto the head of my cock lubricating it with her hand. 

All the while Sandi remained in a crouched position keeping perfect balance on her spike heels as she pleasured me with her hands and fingernails. Just as I thought she was about to take the head into her mouth for the first time she leaned back and allowed herself to drop to a kneeling position in front of me. 

Straightening her back she pulled my cock down and began rubbing the now deep purple head first against one erect nipple then the other. She again let a stream of saliva drip from her lips but this time onto her nipples to lubricate them. 

She would first circle the erect nipple with the head of my cock and then rub it directly into the nipple pushing the spot on the underside of my cock where the rim flattens out against her nipple. 

She knew this was a man's very sensitive spot and the pleasure of this contact was incredible. Leaning forward Sandi released my cock from her grasp and slid her hands to the outside of each breast.

My cock slipped between her soft tits nestled in succulent cleavage. Sandi squeezed her tits together engulfing my cock in soft flesh. She began a rocking motion with her chest and once again added a lubricant of salvia from her lips. 

As I looked down each time she rocked forward the head of my cock would part her tits enough for the head to be exposed and as it was she would blow her hot breath down toward it. 

The sensation of this titty fuck was awesome. Sandi kept eye contact with me during this entire intense teasing. I could tell from the expression on her face that she found this all very arousing. Having complete control of the amount of pleasure I would feel from her caresses and the contact with her breasts was something that she enjoyed almost as much as I. 

Sandi smiled at me and asked "Enjoying yourself yet?" 

All I could do was nod in yes and let a hmmmmmm... escape my throat. 

As she rocked back and forth fucking my cock with her tits she lowered her mouth and extended her tongue letting my cock slide sensually along its moist surface. My cock would slide between her tits and each time the head was exposed I could feel it pushing against the tip of her tongue. 

This only lasted a few strokes because she wanted more of me inside her mouth. Releasing her tits she grabbed my cock in one hand and leaning forward she stuck her tongue out all the way and began rubbing the under side of my cock against her flattened tongue. 

Her hot breath again flowed over the rest of my cock warming it. Slowly, almost too slowly she would take more of my cock into her mouth allowing the head to slip further back on her tongue each time she dipped her mouth over my rock hard cock. 

She still had not closed her mouth completely around my cock and I moaned my pleasure as she would cup her tongue as she withdrew my cock and then flatten it as she leaned forward taking it deeper toward her throat. 

The position Sandi was in with her head lifted upward only exposing her tongue to the underside of my cock allowed her to keep eye contact with me since she knelt down.

I noticed that she had dropped one hand down between her legs and she was now fingering her pussy and clit with her free hand. 

Sandi knew her oral technique was something every man dreams about and she enjoyed watching the expression on my face as the pleasure intensified. 

As I stood there holding onto that sink for dear life Sandi slowly closed her eyes lowered her head and opened her mouth as wide as she could. 

At this point I knew she was about to turn the pleasure up a notch. Keeping her mouth wide open she leaned forward and didn't stop until her upper lip touched the pubic hair above my cock. She finally gave in and closed her lips around the shaft. My cock pressed against the back of her oral cavity and I could feel the muscles in her mouth and throat tighten around the entire length. 

Slowly she pulled back until the very tip of my cock was resting against her sweet ruby red lips. Opening her lips wide again she repeated the motion forward until I was again completely engulfed in her mouth. Sandi enjoyed this technique and varied the time it took from my cock resting against her lips until it was against the back of her throat. 

Each time my cock hit its target I let out a moan of pleasure. She must have noticed my moans because she began moaning as my cock filled her mouth but stopped just as it hit her throat so she could hear my reaction. 

My cock swells incredibly as I'm about to cum and this vixen picked up on that as she brought me to the brink two or three times but then slowed her technique and allowed me to drift away from orgasm. 

I could feel my balls filling with sperm, and I knew it wouldn't be long before even Sandi would not be able to stop my ultimate pleasure. 

Opening her eyes she looked up at me and holding my cock just outside her mouth she said "Please cum for me babe. Cum on my lips cum on my tongue and shoot it against the back of my throat"

She opened her mouth slid her tongue out and stroked my cock against her warm wet tongue. I couldn't stand it any longer and I felt the cum boiling up through the shaft of my cock.

That first intense shot hit its target deep inside her mouth and she instantly closed her mouth slightly so the second stream of cum landed on her upper lip and cheek. As I cam she directed my cum all over her lips and mouth until she was coated with my sperm. 

Once her mouth was lubricated with my cum she took my cock inside her mouth and sucked the head hard wanting to get every drop I had to offer. 

As my orgasm began to subside Sandi used my cock to spread my cum across her face. Droplets of cum dripped from her jaw bone down onto her tits and silk blouse. Looking down at her with my cum smeared about her face I knew I had just experienced the cock sucking of a life time and the only words I could muster was "Absolutely Fuckin Incredible" 

I finally released my grip on that sink and lifted Sandi to a standing position. Pulling her close to me I opened my mouth and kissed her deeply on the lips mixing my saliva with cum and sharing the taste with her. Her tongue lapped up every drop I had to offer.

After a long deep passion cum sharing kiss, she smiled and said "Hmmmmm... Such sweet tasting cum you have baby." 

Sandi and I kissed each other for several more minutes until she took a step back and began straightening up her clothing. I offered her a towel I had moistened with warm water to clean up, but she instead used her finger to gather the last few drops of sperm from her face and sucking her finger said "I want to savor your taste while I'm driving later." 

We finished dressing and she unlocked the men's room door. As we walked out I noticed that the bartender was no where in sight. Sandi said she had quite a long drive ahead of her and declined my offer of another white Russian. 

I walked over to the bar and threw a 20 down next to our glasses and caught up with Sandi just as she reached the door to the parking lot. As we exited the Danny's Den I asked her if we were going to keep in contact. 

She smiled took my card which had my cell number written on the back side. She said "The next time we're in town at the same time I'd love to try the Danny's Motel." 

I smiled and said. "I'm there baby!" 

I walked Sandi to her car a cute little Honda Civic full of boxes of samples in the back. She unlocked the door and reached inside pulling a very classy and matching business suit jacket from the hook in the back seat. I helped her with her jacket and she flipped the collar of her blouse outside the collar of the jacket. Running her fingernails through her shoulder length blonde hair and flipping her head to get all in place she smiled and said "I'll call you baby." 

With that she slipped behind the steering wheel and started her car. I leaned down and told her once again that she was in incredible woman she smiled and thanked me for the compliment and offered that I was such a sweet tasting man. 

With that she closed the door put her Civic in gear and began driving off. As I walked slowly to my own car I realized that I would probably never see her again. 

But I'd always have the memory of an incredible stop at Danny's Den. 



Danny's Dilemma



Thanks to the Hip and Knee doctor for editing assistance.

There is no sex in this story...SORRY

*

Okay! Okay! I know that it is the oldest, most contrived situation imaginable, but it did happen. I wish that I could tell you in some sophisticated or unusual way that I discovered that my wife was cheating on me, but I can't. It happened like an old cliché from a bad story. 

I work for an auto parts manufacturer. I make brakes. Somebody has to do it and I am one of the lucky ones. From four to midnight everyday, five days a week, for eight hours, I operate one of the most archaic machines you have ever seen. I get to wear eye protectors, earplugs, steel-toed shoes and a denim apron. I meet my quota ever day, and if I am lucky, I get a bonus at the end of the year.

I have a nice little three-bedroom home, a pretty wife, and two sons, both in grade school. After twelve years of marriage things were looking good, until today.

We have five stations that put the shoes together. They all run off of compressed air. In eight years we have had no problems with the equipment. Today, halfway through the shift, the compressed air system froze up. The air used to operate all our machines has to be perfectly dry. It is filtered and dehydrated by automatic equipment that never fails: well almost never. Tonight the dehydrator system failed to vent the collected moisture. I am not a scientist, so all I know is that when moisture and high-pressure air get together there is freezing, and everything comes to a complete halt.

Rather than have us sit around, they just sent the whole crew home, without pay of course. I guess you could say my whole life was ruined by high humidity.

When I opened the bedroom door, all I saw was a large, hairy, back, bouncing up and down on my wife, Marcie. Of course I instinctively turned on the overhead light when I realized Marcie wasn't sleeping.

"God damn it, Danny. What the hell are you doing home?"

I was expecting her to be scared, apologetic and ashamed, but all I got was a pissed off bitch.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Oh don't be such a jerk. You know perfectly well what is going on. I am sorry you had to see it, but if you had come home when you were supposed to it never would have happened."

"He never would have been here, or I never would have seen him?"

The hairy back had turned over and was now glaring at me with a smirk on his face. Marcie pulled the covers up in a half-assed attempt at modesty.

My big mistake was grabbing the guy. When he came off the bed, he was a lot bigger than when he was lying down. For my foolish enthusiasm, I was rewarded with two very, very hard blows to the ribs. I never got to lay a punch on him and I was on the floor, trying like hell to catch my breath. I am not sure, but I think I got a smash to the side of the head about that time, which put me out.

Somehow or other, I found myself in the hospital emergency room, getting my ribs bandaged by some sort of medical technician. Marcie was sitting on the chair beside the examination table with a disgusted look on her face. The technician finished and left the room.

"Marcie, who the hell was that guy and what was he doing in our house?"

"His name is Tony. He is a friend of mine and I invited him to the house."

"You were screwing him. You were screwing him in our bed. Our kids were just down the hall sleeping."

"Yes, I know. If you hadn't made such a commotion, they never would have woken up. I had to get my sister to watch them so I could bring you down here."

"What the hell was he doing there?"

"How many times are you going to ask the same question? We were having sex. We were fornicating. Is that so difficult to understand?"

"Is this a regular thing or was this the only time?"

"Tony and I have been getting together for about six months now. We were trying to keep it a secret from you. We don't normally come to the house though, but I couldn't get a sitter."

"Is it over now?"

"No it is not over. Danny, you are a good father and a good husband, but Tony is great in bed. I don't see any reason for us to end it just because it is out in the open. I promise you that we will not get together at the house any more. It is not fair to you or the kids."

"I am sorry Marcie. That is not acceptable. It stops now."

"Danny, if you try to stop my relationship with Tony in any way, I can guarantee that you will regret it. You just got the shit beat out of you and Tony didn't even raise a sweat. I can assure you that it will happen again. If you do or say anything, everybody we know will find out that your wife is screwing another man and you are too much of a wimp to stop it. All our friends and neighbors will find out first. I will see to it that your family knows all about what a pathetic loser you are. The guys that you work with will start to call you a cuckold. Think twice Danny. Your life will be hell. I bet even your sons will be embarrassed by you."

"Don't you care what anybody thinks of you? You would make yourself look like a slut just to put me down?"

"I will if I have to, but I am betting that you won't take that chance. Tony thinks you are a wimp and I think he is right. You are going to have to learn to live with it Danny-Boy."

"Who the hell is this guy anyhow? Where does he work?"

"He doesn't work, Danny. He owns Continental Classics, the luxury car emporium on Lancaster Pike. You know, the place you always wanted to go into but never did."

"That's it?"

"Danny, he is richer than you are, he is smarter than you are, and he is better in bed than you are. It also appears, that he is stronger and better with his fists than you are."

"Why don't you just marry him, if he is so damn great?"

"That's why I keep you around darling. Tony doesn't like kids, and I have no intention of giving mine up so I can be with him. You get to play househusband and daddy, while Tony gets all the loving. Why is that so hard for you to understand?"

"I am supposed to like this arrangement?"

"You have no choice. You either live with it or the whole world will find out what a loser you are. By the way, I am moving all your things into the guest room. I don't think it is necessary for us to share the bed any more, since the cat is out of the bag." 

I watched as Marcie got up to leave. I was sort of glad to see her go. "Just curious darling, but who took care of the kids when you were out with Tony?"

"Karen usually watched them, but once in a while I dropped them off at your parents house. Oh, by the way, Karen is the one who introduced me to Tony."

I made a mental note to thank Karen as Marcie left the room.

They released me the next morning. Marcie wasn't there. I had a choice of calling someone or taking a taxi: the taxi won.

The kids were in school and Marcie was not at home. All of my clothing and personal items were piled on the guest bed. I am sure that Todd and Terry would have questions about the arrangements. I was going to let Marcie explain it. It took less than an hour to get my new living quarters in order. All sorts of ideas were running through my head in the meantime. There was no way in hell this was going to play out as Marcie planned it. 

The first thing I did was go to the basement and dig out my old phone recorder. It would only work on the landline phone, but I had no other option. Marcie used her cell phone for almost all her calls. It only took twenty minutes to hook it up and hide it behind some old paint cans. It was a first step.

I was feeling like shit, but I was good enough to go back to work. They gave me a few pains pills, but I wasn't nuts about taking them and then operating machinery. I grabbed a couple of heavy duty Tylenols instead. One thing Marcie had grossly miscalculated was my relationship with the guys who I worked with.

I told them everything that happened the previous evening. They all had ideas: some good and some bad. It felt good to know that friends would be there for you when you needed them. We had an eight hour shift ready to start and each of us was going to spend it thinking up ways to make things right. 

We broke for supper in the middle of the shift.

"Okay. Did anybody come up with an idea?"

Glenn was the first to speak up. "I don't have an idea, but I do have a cousin who works for the son-of-a-bitch. He does all the detailing of the vehicles. From what I understand, he hates Demarco. If you need any information about the business, the buildings, or the work shifts, he can help you." 

"That will definitely be a help Glenn. Anybody else?"

"Danny, I got two shotguns and two pistols. You are welcome to any of them. None of them are registered, so there is no worry there."

Thanks Barry, but that's sounds a little bit more drastic than I was hoping for."

"Well hell, you don't even want to here my idea then."

There was a little laughter at Freddy's remark.

"Tell us Freddy. Come on tell us."

"I thought we could tie him to a tree with his legs spread out and build a bonfire, Indian style between his legs."

Everybody loved Freddy's idea, but it got voted down unanimously. Kyle was the only one that hadn't offered anything, so we all just looked at him while we ate our lunches.

"What? Don't look at me like that. Yeah, I got an idea, but it is sort of flaky."

"Spill it Kyle." 

"I remember reading somewhere about a prison in Arizona that dressed all of the pedophiles and child molesters in pink jump suits. It was supposed to be humiliating. I know this Tony guy isn't a child molester, but something like that would embarrassed the hell out of him."

"You mean put a pink jump suit on him? Wouldn't he just take it off?

"I was thinking that if you could get in there, tie him up, and then spray paint him all over with pink paint that might do the trick. "

"But, he would know who did it."

"You have to make him unconscious first, and then leave him tied to the chair until they find him."

"How? Do we do it with drugs, or hit him over the head? What do you have in mind?"

"I can get a taser. All you have to do is sneak up and zap him."

"You make that sound easier than it probably is. How do we get him when he is alone, and how do we get close enough without him knowing?"

"I don't have all the answers. I just thought it was an idea."

The buzzer rang, and it was back to another four hours on the machines. My quota for the night was down, so the other guys chipped in to even it up. 

Marcie was in bed when I got home. At least she was keeping her word about not bringing the asshole into the house.

I didn't have any clue as to what I would do. Most of the stuff the guys and I talked about were like high school pranks. I might as well put a flaming bag of dog poop on his doorstep. I needed some real revenge. 

It was noon when I got up. The kids were at school and I could hear Marcie moving around in the house. I grabbed a quick shower, shaved, and started out the door.

"Good morning husband. Don't you have a kiss for your wife?"

She was standing by the kitchen sink with her hand on her hip and a smirk on her face. I just turned and walked out the door. Her smart-assed remark did not deserve an answer. I needed some lunch and some private time.

I spent the rest of the afternoon killing time. I was trying to figure out what I could do to my wife's sex buddy, without bringing too much havoc upon myself. I had to finish work tonight and start getting prepared. I decided to stop taking any meals at home. It was about the only time I got to spend with the boys, but I just couldn't force myself to eat Marcie's cooking any more. Before I knew it, it was time for work. 

Things were pretty normal until supper break.

"Danny, I got the taser in the car. I don't know if you can use it for anything, but at least you can have it for self protection." Kyle seemed proud of himself. "Don't forget to pick it up, before you go home."

"Did you ever use the damn thing?"

"No. We can try it out. Who wants to volunteer?"

The only response was a chorus of groans around the table. Nobody had any new ideas, but they all were willing to support anything I came up with. I felt better knowing that I had a few friends.

Things were normal at the house when I got home. It would be a short night for me. Working the graveyard shift sort of screws up your sleeping habits, especially on the weekends. 

I was up earlier than normal. Todd and Terry jumped at the chance to spend sometime at Chucky Cheese. Marcie didn't seem to mind at all, especially when I told her we would be out all day.

"Danny. I am going to need you to take a few vacation days the week after next. Tony's friend Wally is coming in from Detroit, and we are going to be taking a three night, four day cruise down to Cancun. If you can't do it could you see if your parents can?"

"Let me get this straight, you are going to take a sea cruise with two guys? That sounds a little sleazy, even for you." 

"Don't be crude, Danny, it doesn't fit you. Wally will be rooming with Karen. They are old friends for a couple of years."

"Oh. Well golly gee, I guess that makes it all right then." I tried my best to be sarcastic. I definitely would be thanking Karen later.

Of course, I got started on the day way too early. In order to kill some time before Chucky's opened we went to the Hobby Lobby near the house. The boys were big enough to put together most of the plastic models that lined the shelves. The end results were not anything to brag about, but they had a lot of fun. I left them to explore the hundreds of boxes and wandered around amazing myself at all the crap that was available for creative housewives to buy. I guess if Marcie had been into crafts she wouldn't have brought home that hairy gorilla. It was too late now.

My eyes lit up when I discovered rows and rows of designer paint in spray cans. There they were: six beautiful cans of pink paint in aerosol cans. They didn't have as much paint in them as the ones at Lowe's or Home Depot, but they were pink. It was the only place I saw paint that color, in a spray can. Of course, I took this as a sign and bought all six cans. Todd ended up with a monster truck kit and Terry opted for the tugboat. I didn't even know they made plastic tugboat models. 

Before we left, I also picked up a package of ten large plastic cable wraps. They were about eighteen inches long and looked like they would do the job. By that time Chucky Cheese was ready for business. The kids killed about four hours and two pizzas before they burned out. We picked up a pack of cheap bread and went to Pendora Park. The ducks ate it all in the first ten minutes, but we stuck around for another couple hours, before heading for my parent's house. 

Mom and Dad were happy to have us for supper and the evening. Todd and Terry spent most of the night in front of the television, and I took advantage of the time to brief Dad on the situation with Marcie. I realized that I was actually telling people about what was going on before Marcie could. She was threatening to do what I was doing myself. Hell, that almost made her threat worthless. Dad promised that they would be there to take care of the boys no matter what happened. That would make things a lot easier to carry out. I didn't want the boys hurt by the situation. 

About nine o'clock, I called Marcie to let her know we would be staying at my parent's house for the night. I got the machine.

After a big breakfast at IHOP, we arrived home to find Marcie still in bed. I immediately fired up the lawn mower and started in the back, by the bedrooms. Todd and Terry were anxious to start on their models even though it was a beautiful day outside. I let them go. I decided to make a full day of the lawn work. There was edging and pruning to be done. Things didn't go as fast as normal because I found myself stopping to chat a lot. I had a perfectly good pair of hedge clippers, but decided to borrow a set from Mike Fielding across the street. His wife, Mary, was one of the biggest gossips in the neighborhood. I explained to Mike that there might be some unfamiliar cars parked by the house, because Marcie would be entertaining some male friends. Everything should be Okay unless they get drunk and rowdy. If that happens, just call the police. It was hard for me to control things, since I worked nights. 

Larry Finley was on the board of directors at the local church. I borrowed a spark plug wrench from him and apologized for Marcie's recent wild behavior. Of course he wanted to know what I meant. Larry was a bigger gossip than Mary Fielding. Ten minutes later, he had enough fodder to last a month. 

I didn't break for lunch and finished work about four in the afternoon. After a quick shower I went to Rosie's Cantina and ordered the most expensive meal on the menu. I am not sure what it was, but it sure was good. I spent the rest of the evening with my brother Dave, and his family. Dad had already told him what was going on. I spent the night on his couch.

My wife had a great plan. She was going to force me into obedience by threatening to expose me as a cuckold. If I refused to condone and support her infidelity, she would make my life miserable. It was an interesting idea, but it sure had a lot of holes in it. In less than a week, I had already told everybody what was going on. That sort of negated her threat. I was also able to make her look more like a slut then she had ever imagined. I don't think she ever anticipated any backlash.

I stopped by the house the next afternoon to change for work and a fuming Marcie was waiting for me. 

"What the hell have you been telling the neighbors? Karen said that you told everyone that I was running a whore house here at night."

"Oh bullshit. That is not true Marcie. I simply explained to them that you might be entertaining men while I was at work, and that they shouldn't get excited about it. "

"Well that's not how it is going around. Whom else have you been talking to?"

"Everybody. I figured I would tell them before you did. It seemed easier that way. I didn't say anything to your parents or your sisters. You should probably do that before they hear the rumors."

"Damn it Danny. You are making me look like a slut."

"Well, that's only fair. You were going to make me look like a cuckold."

"Bastard."

"I am sorry, Darling, but I have to get to work."

I got to spend a little time with the boys before leaving. The hardest part was not getting the quality time that I wanted with them.

Glenn had the best news of the night. Continental Classics closed down at nine o'clock on Thursday night, so that Tony could personally make out all the paychecks for Friday. He hated to be disturbed while doing the payroll, so even the cleaning crew was gone. 

Kyle took a few minutes and showed me how to use the taser. Nobody would volunteer to test it. The plan was coming together. If I got caught, and I fully expected to, I would be looking at some jail time. I didn't give a shit. Tony Demarco had to be humiliated. If I got arrested, I would make sure that all the newspapers and TV stations got the complete story. Any publicity like that would crush him, or at least piss him off so bad that he did something dumb.

For the next few days, I went home only to sleep, shower, and change clothes. I hadn't eaten a meal at home since that first day. Finally, Thursday arrived. I arranged for my truck to have a dead battery, so Kyle picked me up. 

The floor supervisor never really bothered the brake guys too much. As long as we met our quotas and the quality was good they left us alone. One thing that would work to my advantage was the OSHA requirements for the job. Between the apron, gloves and welding goggles, we all pretty much looked alike. At eight thirty, I slipped out the back door. The guys would be taking turns working my station. One of they're posts would, of course, be vacant, but no one really cared. Toilet breaks were routine and never controlled. The main thing was to give the illusion that I never left.




Danny's Dilemma



I walked into the employee's door at Continental Classics and headed straight for the bathroom. At about nine o'clock somebody made a quick check before turning out the lights. Ten minutes later, I put on some latex gloves and walked out of the toilet into a semi-dark office area. His desk overlooked the showroom area, so his back was to the door. It looked like it was going to be easier that I expected. He had a computer in front of him, but he was pecking away on an old adding machine with paper tape. He never heard me approach.

I hit Tony with the taser right on the back of his neck. His body jerked upright, and I thought he was going to turn around, so I let him have it again. This time he gave a few twitches and then relaxed. Perfect.

I put two plastic cable wraps on each leg and two on each arm. I brought an old necktie along, to use as a blindfold. He was being very cooperative. I wheeled his chair over to the glass window by the showroom. He would be in perfect view when his people showed up for work in the morning. It was a pretty pink color, but I had to use a lot more than I anticipated. The paint was being absorbed into his clothing as fast I sprayed it on. It took at least three coats on any one area to show up like I wanted it to. I had just enough paint, but barely. He looked pretty in pink. 

After I finished, I carefully packed everything back up. I had expected Tony to wake up while I was decorating him, but he never budged. I had also planned to remove the necktie blindfold before leaving. I checked my watch several times. I was well within the timeframe I had laid out, but I still wanted Tony awake before I left. Five minutes later, I was starting to worry. I tried to feel for a pulse with no success. Maybe I couldn't feel it because of the latex gloves. I took a glove off and tried again. There was still no pulse. I tried to find a pulse on his neck, like I saw them do on TV. I still couldn't find anything. I removed the blindfold and then touched his eyeball with a pencil tip. He didn't blink. There was no kind of reflex.

Well, needless to say, I started to panic. I did have the presence of mind to put the latex glove back on and wipe everything that I might have touched. I put the necktie in my pocket and then cut off all the plastic ties. You could see the marks that the pink paint left when I removed them. It looked odd. The white skin under the necktie made him look like a pink raccoon. I took another minute to make sure I didn't overlook anything and then left for work. 

I dropped all the crap that I had with me, including the taser, into a storm sewer on the way back to the shop. Ten minutes later I was back making brake shoes. Nobody noticed that I was absent. As soon as the shift was over, I told the guys what happened. They were all accessories, so I was pretty sure nobody would say anything. Freddy was very impressed. None of them seemed worried. Kyle drove me home and we both made a mental note of the time that he dropped me off.

I didn't get to sleep as long as I usually did. At about ten o'clock, Marcie came barging into my room.

"What the hell did you do? What did you do, you little bastard?"

Of course, I just rolled over and gave her a perplexed look. "What the heck are you talking about, woman?"

"Tony's dead. Karen called and said they found him in his office this morning, dead. I believe that you had something to do with it and I will see to it that you pay, you bastard."

That was the second time she called me a bastard in five minutes. It was pretty clear that I was not going to be getting any more sleep, so I stumbled out of bed and hit the john. I was in no hurry to face the wicked witch of the East, so I took a long hot shower and a slow shave. I even put on a little aftershave, just to aggravate my loving wife.

I never made it to the coffee pot. A tall black man was standing in the living room talking to Marcie. His hair was cut very close and he had on a dark suit. The bitch had called the cops. There was no doubt about it. I shook my head and walked into the kitchen, to get my first cup of the day.

Marcie had a sarcastic little smirk on her face, as I sat down in my favorite recliner. My uninvited guest sat when I did.

"Mister Mercer, my name is Detective Darnell Greene, with an 'e'. I am here concerning the death of Anthony Demarco last night. Your wife indicated that you and Mister Demarco had a disagreement last week, and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?"

"Sure. I have no objections, but not here."

"What do you mean?"

"If you want to talk, lets do it in your office, not in my home. Is that Okay with you?" I couldn't help but notice the frown that came across Marcie's face. I was pretty sure that she had expected to be included in the discussion.

"My car or yours, Mister Mercer?"

"I have a few other things I need to do, so I'll meet you there. Any special office?"

"Second floor rear. Room 206. Just turn right when you get off the elevator. I'll see you shortly."

Marcie was fuming as I put on my shoes. I never got to finish the coffee, so I just dumped it in the sink. I turned and smiled as I walked out of the door. "I guess you are going to get what you wanted, sweetheart."

"What are you talking about? What the hell do you mean, Danny?" 

Ten minutes later at I was sitting with Detective Greene on the second floor in the municipal building.

For the next hour, Detective Greene asked all the right questions and I had all the right answers. He was trying to be discreet about the affair without ignoring it, or rubbing it in my face. Of course, I had to admit that I had a motive, but that I never got a chance to do anything about it. It was a serious situation, but I tried my best to be congenial without being a smart ass. I think he appreciated the fact that I made his job easier, even thought I didn't have an answer for him. 

The most interesting part of the discussion was finding out that Tony died from some sort of heart problem. He had a pacemaker installed a couple of years ago, and I guess it didn't mix too well with the taser. Of course, they knew about the taser from the marks on his neck. I felt bad that Tony died, and yet I was also glad.

Detective Greene gave me the usual 'don't leave town' speech, and said he would get back with me, after verifying my alibi. Wow, I never thought I would need an alibi for anything. It was sort of exciting. We parted on good terms. I got the feeling that Darnell Greene was on my side. It made me feel warm all over.

I grabbed a bite to eat and watched the TV news. There was a segment about the death of a local businessman. It mentioned that there were no know relatives in the area. 

I emptied the bank accounts and then took the time to have a nice breakfast. There were things to be done at home. Marcie was not there when I got back. It took me thirty minutes to move all of my things back into the master bedroom and all of Marcie things into the guest room. The guest room had one small closet and one dresser. I piled everything on the bed, for her to put away. I checked the telephone recorder in the basement and there was nothing significant on it. I gathered up all of the banking and insurance records as well as other important papers. I was glad that I had Marcie's Volvo in my name. That would make things easier. Everything went into a folder under the front seat of my truck. I called work and took two weeks vacation. 

A few hours later, my loving wife showed up. She seemed surprised to find me at home. It was time to get things in order again. I smiled as I led her to the guest room.

"What the hell is this? Who the hell do you think you are?'

Her reply was a big smile.

"Answer me, damn it. What is going on?"

"Marcie, I will be staying in the master bedroom from now on. You can have the guest room. I suggest that you start putting your clothing away. Anything that is not in the closet or the dresser by suppertime will be disposed of. Any questions?"

"I can't get my stuff in that little closet and I have no intention of staying in that room anyhow. What the hell do you mean, 'disposed of'?"

"If you can't get it in the closet or the dresser, you don't need it."

"This is not going to happen, Danny. I don't know what kind of game you think you are playing, but it will not work. You are dead meat."

"I suggest that you start putting things in order. If you have any more questions, I'll check back later."

"Bastard." That was the third time today she called me a bastard. I must be doing something right.

While Marcie was busy in the guest room, I dumped her purse on the kitchen table. I took my time collecting everything that I wanted. I got her cell phone first, and then her car keys. From her wallet, I got her driver's license and all the credit cards, debit cards, and money. I put back everything that was left. 

I got her car title out of the pick-up, and then drove the Volvo across town to a friend of mine who had a car lot. I sold it to him outright, at a good price, with the agreement that he would wholesale it out of town. Even with the payoff, I got a few thousand dollars in my pocket.

I was just going into Taco Bell for lunch, when my cell phone rang.

"You son-of-a-bitch, what did you do with my cell phone, and where the hell is my car?" I was happy that she didn't call me a bastard again. She was calling from the house phone. It was a good test. I could check the recorder when I got home.

"I am sorry, honey. I had to get money to hire a lawyer to defend me from the murder charges. I promise to get you another car as soon as I get out of jail."

She was still cussing on the other end as I hung up and turned the cell phone off. After that conversation, I decided a lawyer would really be a good idea. No matter what happened, I was not going to stay married. It would have to wait, however, because I was next in line to order.

Todd and Terry were home when I got there. I went straight to my sons and ignored Marcie all together. I did glance her way a few times, and noticed that she was not a happy camper. The boys were anxious to show me the models that they had put together.  

When Marcie started to put supper together, I wandered down the hall to the guest room. All of my clothes were back on the bed. All of Marcie's clothes were back in the master bedroom. I snickered to myself, but decided not to fight it. She was hard headed and determined right now. 

Marcie told the boys to wash up for supper, and I went to the guest room to put my things away, again. I would have loved to throw all her stuff away, but that seemed too childish.

Red Lobster was my treat to myself tonight. Money was no object, because I still had cash left over after giving the divorce lawyer a deposit. The shrimp and lobster combo was great but the cheese rolls were still my favorite. When I finished my meal, I turned my cell phone back on. I was hoping that one of the guys from work or Detective Greene might call. No such luck, as the first call was from my wife.

"Danny, how am I supposed to go to the grocery store? We need milk as well as a few other things."

"I'll take you when I get home. Try and arrange it so that we can do the shopping on Saturdays, when I am off work. I'll feel better if you didn't do the shopping by yourself. Oh. I got another call. I got to go. We'll talk when I get home."

The second call was from Kyle. Detective Greene talked to the whole crew: individually, and as a group. All of the stories held up. Tom Tingle, the floor manager was the strongest supporter. He insisted that there was no way I could have missed work. He kept a tight rein on all of his men, and can guarantee that I was there all night. I knew that I wasn't that clever. If some criminal investigator wanted to prove that I killed Tony Demarco, I am sure that he could do it. I was getting the feeling that nobody cared.

I got home just in time to put the boys to bed. Marcie was sitting on the couch with a glass of wine. 

I grabbed a cold Foster's from the fridge and got comfortable in my recliner. The TV was not on, so I figured it was a good time for Marcie and I to talk.

"So Marcie, how is the plan to turn me into a wimp and a cuckold coming along?"

Well that ended the conversation before it got started. She finished the wine, got up, and left for her bedroom. I thought she wanted to talk. I guess I was wrong.

I took my beer and went to check the recorder. The first call was to her sister. There was no cover-up there. It appeared that Marge knew all about the affair with Tony and was supporting Marcie in every way. That was good to know. 

The next call was to Marcie's mom, and was a little different. Mom had no idea what was going on. Her daughter convinced her that Tony was a friend of Karen's, and that I was jealous because I had been trying to have sex with Karen, for years. Tony gave me a lecture about it and I got mad. She never said that I killed him, but she sure did infer it. 

She called the cell phone company to see if she could get a replacement for the phone that I took, and didn't have any success. Then she called the DMV to report that I took her drivers license. They told her to report it to the cops. She called the bank to ask for a replacement credit card, but they told her the account was closed. I will say this: she was busy little girl.

The last call on the machine was to Karen. Karen lived only a few houses away, so I have no idea why they used the phone instead of just getting together. Of course, it was to my benefit. I learned two important things from that call: Wally was still coming in from Detroit, and that Marcie was going to lay low and not make any waves until he got here.

The boys and I were up, bright and early the next day. We were out of the house before Marcie was awake. We got home after lunch and Marcie insisted that I drive her to the grocery store. She needed things and since she no longer had a car or a driver license, I had to take care of it. That night, while she cooked supper, I checked the recorder.

Wally had arrived and the first person he called was Marcie. It was an interesting conversation. He believed everything that Marcie told him and vowed revenge. Wally and Tony grew up together and he would not let this go. He gave Marcie the number where he was staying and told her to call him the next day, when she got a chance. Marcie immediately called Karen and enthusiastically gushed about how happy she was. I could not believe that this was the woman that I was married to all these years. The change was so sudden and so complete. I had no idea that what I did was so bad that I deserved this: other than killing her lover. I went out for a burger before going to bed.

Of course, the lawn needed mowing again, so the next day I had a good excuse to avoid Marcie. About eleven o'clock, Marcie's mom and dad came to pick up the boys. I had no idea that a sleepover with thes had been planned, but decided not to protest it. Tomorrow was a school day, and grand mom Wilcox promised that they would be there on time. I was anxious to check the phone recorder, but lunch came first since I missed breakfast. After a quick shower, I was off to Denny's. Marcie never said a thing about the fact that I was no longer eating at home.

Marcie and Wally had set up a plan to avenge Tony's death. The whole thing was sort of comical. I guess it wouldn't have seemed that way, if I didn't know what was going on. After Marcie and I went to bed, Wally was going to enter the house through the sliding door off the back deck. She promised him that it would be unlocked. If everything when according to plan, it would look as if I was shot during a burglary attempt. Marcie and Karen would both call 911 when they heard the shot. I know it sounds stupid, but at that moment I remembered that I had not changed the beneficiaries on my insurance polices.

I threw my wife a sarcastic kiss as I walked out the door, and got a finger in response. I had supper with my parents and spent the evening there. Before I left, I borrowed dad's snake charmer. The short-barreled twenty gauge would be perfect for the evening party. Marcie was in bed when I got home, but her light was on and I assumed that she was reading. The only call on the recorder was from Karen. She was bragging about the great sex she and Wally enjoyed all afternoon. Before saying goodbye, she promised Marcie that she would be ready later that night. 

It took me about twenty minutes to replace the buckshot in the shells with rock salt. I had a full bag left over from last winter. I didn't want to kill Wally, but just slow him down. Hell, I didn't want to kill Tony either. I was hoping that Wally didn't have a bad ticker like Tony did. 

I wanted to check the door to the back deck, but was afraid that Wally might see me. I had to assume that Marcie left it unlocked. I stripped down to my shorts, and messed up the blankets on the bed. A cup of coffee would have been nice, but there was none made, so I settled for a coke. I waited in my recliner with the cell phone by my side.

He didn't show up until after midnight. As soon as I saw him on the deck, I dialed 911 and reported an intruder in my house. I was careful to say that I was in fear for my life. I didn't hang up the phone. 

The patio door quietly slid open and there was Wally. I waited until he was completely inside the house and then gave him the first blast. I was aiming for the lower part of his body, because I didn't want to accidentally kill the son-of-a-bitch. The first shot knocked him back unto the deck. When the second one hit him, he fell over the side of the deck, breaking the railing. I knew I didn't kill him because he was howling like a stuck pig. Boy, that rock salt must have really hurt. I was astounded by how loud the sound of the shotgun blast was inside the house. My ears were ringing like crazy. I flicked on the lights and in a matter of seconds Marcie was standing in the living room screaming. She was actually yelling words at me, but I couldn't make them out. I walked over to see how Wally was, and saw a Ruger .22 automatic, with a silencer attached, on the floor. Marcie was still screaming, so I pointed the shotgun in her direction. She quickly shut up and ran out of the room. It looked like Wally broke his ankle when he fell. Some guys have all the luck.

Ten minutes later, the first black-and-white arrived. There wasn't a whole lot of discussion. I had laid the shotgun on the floor so that there would be no misinterpretation of what was going on. I pointed to the phone, and one of the officers informed the 911 Operator that everything was under control. They asked who else was in the house and I told them about Marcie in the bedroom. They brought her into the living room and discovered that they made a big mistake. Her mouth was running a mile a minute. I tried to block it out as the police tried to shut her up. Neither one of us was successful. Finally, a larger than life, female, uniformed officer gently took her arm and led her outside. 

I noticed that Karen was standing outside with some others neighbors. I smiled at her and slowly drew my index finger across my throat. She turned and rapidly walked away with out returning my smile.

The EMT unit arrived for Wally at the same time that Detective Greene showed up. He smiled when he saw me and I responded with a big grin. I wasn't trying to be a smart ass, but I just couldn't help myself. The Amazon cop brought Marcie back into the house so that she could get dressed. She had calmed down a little. After I got dressed, we all headed down for police headquarters. I insisted on separate cars, so Detective Greene let me ride with him. We didn't talk on the way downtown, but he did look over at me and smile again. 




Danny's Dilemma



It was daylight when Greene turned me loose. We only talked for about thirty minutes, but they kept me around for the whole night. I felt like I was at Guantanamo because they kept making me drink coffee. One of the black-and-white cars drove me home. I was a little disappointed, because I was expecting to see yellow tape strung around the house. The place looked like nothing happened. The rock salt didn't even break the siding glass door. I guess Wally got most of it. I figured it would take about an hour to fix the busted railing.

I hit the bed and didn't get up until after lunch. After empting my bladder, I staggered out to the kitchen and found my friendly detective sitting at the table reading the paper and drinking fresh coffee, which I assumed he made while I was sleeping. I had all the coffee I wanted the night before, so I settled for a large glass of OJ, and sat down across from him. I have no idea how he got into the house.

"You are one cool dude, Mister Mercer." He never looked up from the paper.

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I said nothing. I couldn't tell if he was playing with me, or what. He finished his coffee.

"Detective Greene. I need a shower, a shave, and some lunch. I'll buy, unless it's against some sort of police policy."

"Take you time, Danny, I got all day." As I walked to the shower, I was wondering when he slept.

Lunch was two big pulled pork sandwiches. Greene even joined me in washing it down with a beer. Neither one of us said anything, and after a while the silence became overwhelming. 

"You are dying to ask me some questions aren't you, Mister Mercer?"

"Funny, but I was thinking the same thing about you."

My detective friend waved the waiter over and ordered two more drafts.

"I spent all night asking you questions. It's your turn now."

"Okay, for starters, where is my wife?"

"We are still holding her. She will be charged this afternoon. "

I finished my beer.

"Your wife's parents got her a lawyer."

I was not expecting that. Now I had a hundred more questions, but the trouble was, that the more questions I asked, the more I risked exposing myself. I decided it was better to back off. It was nice to see that Marcie's family was available for her, because I wasn't going to be there.

"I don't have any more questions, Detective Greene, but if you feel the need to unburden yourself, feel free to start anytime."

He took a big swig of beer and laughed, not loud, but a definite laugh. 

"One more thing. You didn't happen to overhear or maybe tape any conversations that your wife had with Mister Williams, did you?"

"I assume you mean Wally?"

That got me a little sneer.

"If I did happen to have such a tape, would you need it?"

"I don't know yet. If things go as I think they will, it won't make any difference, but if one of them gets a good lawyer, maybe."

"If I had such a tape, wouldn't that get me in trouble?"

"You are right about that. I am just trying to make my job easier. I'll see what I can do without having a tape that may or may not exist."

I nodded a little thank you.

"Danny Boy, I think I should take you home. Your boys will be getting back from school soon, and they need their father."

We arrived at the house just as the school bus dropped off Todd and Terry. They walked over to us and I introduced them to my new detective friend. They wanted to see his badge. Everything seemed pleasant enough until Greene leaned forward and said, "Now which one of you built the tugboat, and which one built the monster truck?"

" I built the truck," shouted Todd with his chest out.

"I did the tugboat. Do you want to see it?" Terry was just as proud.

"Maybe I'll get a chance to look at them next time. I have to go now."

He left me standing there stunned, and walked to his car with a big shit-eating smile on his face. The son-of-a-bitch knew about the pink paint. He had my balls in his hand and I couldn't do a damn thing about it.

We ordered a pizza that night. The boys never asked where their mom was. After supper Marcie's dad called and said he needed some help to raise the bail money to get her out of jail. I tried to be as polite as I could be, when I turned him down. I am not sure that he understood what was going on, but at least he was trying to be a good father. I asked him where she was going to stay. He hesitated a little, and then said that she would be staying with them. The boys and I loaded all of Marcie's things in the pickup and dropped them off. We had no trouble gathering everything up. 

When we came home, I noticed a U-Haul truck in the driveway at Karen's house. It was gone the next morning.

Marcie never called me. I had to read the newspaper every day to find out what was going on. Nobody told me anything; in fact, it was almost like I was purposely being left out of the loop. There was no trial. Marcie placed all the blame on Wally. Wally claimed it was all her idea. Both of them ended up taking pleas. Marcie got three to five years for conspiracy to commit murder. Wally got five to ten years for attempted murder. Some Federal people were called in concerning the silencer that Wally had with him. They decided to wait until Wally finished his first sentence, before bringing changes. Detective Greene didn't need the tape and never mentioned it again.

Karen vanished, and was not seen or heard from again. 

My dad was glad to get his shotgun back, and promised that I could borrow it again if I needed it. He was snickering when he said that. I had Marcie served with divorce papers as soon as she started her jail term. She did not protest anything. I got the feeling that she didn't want anything to do with me, because I hadn't seen her or talked to her since the night I shot Wally. I sold the house and moved back in with my parents. I couldn't work and watch the boys myself. The guys at work were happy to have me back. For some reason, I was offered the chance to change over to the day shift, but I turned it down.

I took the boys up to Muncy women's prison to see their mother every month. I waited in the car, because they usually were there less than an hour. Sometimes, in good weather, the meetings would be outside. I was able to park and watch them through the chain link fence. I never asked them about the visits, and I asked them not to tell me anything. It seemed to work fine for all of us.

Things seemed to be running smoothly until I got the phone call.

"Hello. Is this Daniel Mercer?"

"Yes."

"My name is Angela Hawkins. A detective name Darnell Greene said that I should call you. There are thing that we need to discuss."

"I know Detective Greene, but why would you want to talk to me?"

"Tony Demarco was my brother."

Oh shit. Just when I thought all this crap was behind me, something like this has to happen.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. I am sorry for your loss, but I can't help you." I hung up the phone before she could say anything else.

Two days later, she called again.

"Daniel. I would really appreciate if you could come to see me. There are some things I need to say. Detective Greene said you were a reasonable man."

"Where did you want to meet?"

"I would prefer to do it at the auto showroom, but anywhere you feel comfortable is fine with me."

It took me a few moments to come up with something. "I will meet you Saturday morning at ten o'clock at the showroom. I will be bringing my two sons with me. They like looking at old cars." I didn't know what she had in mind, but I felt safer in a public place, with the boys along. I wasn't using them as a shield or anything like that, but I felt that she would be less likely to try anything if I had them with me. I had no idea what sort or grudge this woman might be harboring. If she was Tony's sister, she must be Italian. If she was Italian, she must be hot blooded. If she was hot blooded, I must be careful. At this point, I decided that I was over thinking the whole thing. I needed a beer. 

I called Detective Greene and asked him what was going on. He laughed and told me to meet with her and stop worrying. Easy for him to say, as he didn't kill her brother.

Continental Classics was a big impressive place. In addition to the main showroom, they had two large buildings in the back holding cars needing restoration or waiting for a place on the showroom floor. I was shocked when we pulled up to see that they were having a grand opening celebration. I wasn't expecting that. There were a lot of things I didn't understand.

Terry and Todd seemed to be torn between the cars and the freebies. The first impression was the smell from the popcorn machine. A guy with floppy shoes and a rubber nose was handing out small bags of the hot popped kernels. Off to the side, was a soda machine and another clown with a hotdog cart. The boys wouldn't need lunch today.

It was not too difficult to recognize Angela Hawkins. I knew immediately, as soon as I noticed her walking directly towards me with a slow and determined gait. Everything about her said Italian: dark hair, dark eyes, olive complexion, and broad hips. I guess a gentleman wouldn't have noticed her hips, but they were emphasized by her height: Five feet even, at the most. Tony was enormous and his sister was short, and wide. 

I felt myself getting a little anxious as she approached, and then I noticed the smaller sized clone by her side. The young girl looked to be about ten and was the spitting image of Angela, except her hair was a tad lighter, and, naturally, she didn't have any hips at all. It looked like my hostess was covering herself the same way that I did. We were a pretty pitiful pair: both using our kids for security.

As she closed the gap between us, her hand came out in a friendly manner.

"Daniel Mercer, I presume?" It was only natural and polite to take her hand and shake it.

"I always wanted to say that: like in the movie about Doctor Livingstone." She was smiling, but seemed a little nervous, which made me feel a tad better.

I stood there like a mute, so she continued talking. "This is my daughter, Carla." Carla smiled at the boys and I. Todd smiled back politely and said his name, but Terry held out his hand with a grin on his face. "Carla, why don't you show the boys around, while I talk to their father?"

Terry immediately followed Carla to the showroom area, while Todd headed for the hot dog stand. I took that as a good sign.

"We can talk down here, or up in my office: it's your choice?"

"I guess the office would be fine." Those were the first words out of my mouth. As we walked towards the stairs leading to the elevated office, I noticed several of the employees looking in my direction and making comments to each other. Angela noticed also, and smiled at my discomfort. The salesmen on the floor, all wore blue bowling shirts for the opening, so they were easy to spot. Unfortunately, they all seemed to have more of an interest in me, than they did the shoppers. One guy, at the far end of building, gave me a big smile and a thumbs-up. I smiled back, but felt a little nervous.

"Did Detective Greene tell you anything at all about my situation?"

I didn't reply: but I just shook my head to indicate that he didn't.

"I don't want to bore you with my life's history, but I think you need to know a little bit. Tony was my brother and only relative. There is no other family. When Tony died, he did not have a will. Since I was the only relative, I inherited his business. The executor took out a big chunk, but I still got more than I ever expected."

I was glad to see that somebody got something beneficial out of the whole mess. While she was explaining things to me, I noticed that she had pierced ears and wore a wedding ring. There was a small silver cross hanging from her neck, but I had a hard time actually seeing it, because my eyes kept focusing on her cleavage. I just started to remember how long it had been since I had sex, when she interrupted me.

"Mister Mercer? Are you paying attention?" It was a trick question. She was smiling when she asked it.

"I am sorry. I was just admiring your crucifix." I was telling myself to look at her eyes only, and to pay attention, when she punched me in the arm. 

"Would you like a beer?"

"That would be a good idea."

There was a mini refrigerator by the desk, and she had to bend over to get the drinks. One minute I was forced to look at her cleavage, and the next thing I knew there was a beautiful butt staring me in the face. She wasn't explaining things to me: just she was trying to seduce me. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but it was damn well working.

She popped the tab and handed me the can, being careful not to bend over.

We each took a few swigs without saying anything.

"Well Ms Hawkins, I am glad that thing worked out for you, but I am not sure why I am here. I should be getting back to the boys, before they start to worry"

"It would be better if you called me Angela. Can I call you Danny?"

"Of course. Are we done here?"

"No damn it. Just sit there and be still until I finish. Detective Greene said you would understand."

I didn't answer. If I kept my mouth shut, she would get done faster.

"Tony was a bastard. He was a no good son-of-a-bitch and deserved to die. As odd as it may seem, I wanted to thank you."

It was trap. That damn detective was setting me up. Was the room bugged or was it her? She could very easily have a bug hidden in her bra. Damn it, I was looking at her cleavage again.

"Are you wearing a wire or some sort of recording device?"

"Of course not. Why would I do something like that?"

I finished my beer, though still not convinced. "Maybe I better go down and see what the boys are up to. I wouldn't want them to get into any trouble."

"Just sit!"

She seemed pretty definite about that.

"There was no love lost between Tony and me. About three years ago, my husband was killed in an accident. He had no life insurance and the guy who hit him had no insurance at all. I had no job skills and a daughter to bring up. Tony was my only relative so I asked him for help. He paid part of my husband's funeral expenses, and that was it. He wouldn't even return my calls."

"You are telling me that his dying was a good thing for you?"

"Yes, and apparently for you as well."

"Maybe we should both be thankful for what happened and let it go at that."

Angela smiled and finished her beer. "You don't want to talk about this anymore, do you?"

I nodded and started to get out of my chair.

"I need a favor from you. You are the only one that can help me."

"What could I possibly do for you?"

"I want you to come and work for me as the general manager."

"Your crazy. I don't know anything at all about the car business, especially fancy cars, like you have down there." 

" I know that. I have people to take care of that stuff."

"What do you need me for?"

Angela seemed to be a little nervous. She was looking at her feet and then at the walls. Her eyes were darting around as she tried to put some words together. 

"Did you see how my people looked at you when you came up to the office with me?"

"Yes. They weren't smiling."

"They all think that you killed Tony. Not only did you kill him, but you also made a laughing stock out of him when you did it. They were all afraid of Tony. It seems that they are now afraid of you. Their fear is similar to respect. Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

"They don't respect you?"

"No. They are going to rip me off right and left and there is not a damn thing I can do about it. I am not smart enough or hard enough to keep them in line."

"What good could I do?"

"For the most part, just be here. After a while, both of us will be able to learn the business well enough to be able to control what is going on. Until then, I need you to intimidate them."

"I am a nice guy, Angela. That is why Tony and my wife tried to take advantage of me."

She seemed a little more comfortable now. "That didn't work out too well for them, did it?"

For some strange reason I found that funny and actually laughed a little.

For the next thirty minutes, Angela and I talked terms. She had no trouble exceeding the pay and benefits that I was getting at the factory. If things didn't work out, I could always go back. I didn't really want to go back. I wanted things to work out.

Todd was not looking to good when we went back downstairs: too many hotdogs and too much soda. Terry, on the other hand, was having a great time. He seemed to be spending more time talking to Carla than looking at the cars. That was definitely a good sign. Todd threw up in the truck on the way home, and he skipped supper.

I started work that Monday. Things went exactly as Angela predicted that they would. I was amazed at how fast I was able to familiarize myself with the operation. I got close to a few of the employees and soon had eyes and ears on the floor. The blue shirt, who gave me the big smile on the first day, was Glenn's cousin, who was my strongest supporter. Most of the employees wanted the business to flourish and were more than willing to rat out the bad apples. Angela let me handle the firings and I discovered that I enjoyed it. I was truly living up to my reputation.

Detective Greene stopped in for coffee several times, but the conversation was usually light and friendly. I finally got him to open up a little.

"Three years ago, I was a cop down in Philly. One day I came home and found my wife in bed with my supervisor. I beat the crap out of him, right on the spot and threw my wife out. The police department gave me the choice of quitting or getting fired. A week later I had a job here. Before I left, I made sure that the son-of-a-bitch that was porking my wife, got let go also."

I didn't push him for any more information. It was his business. At least I understood why he seemed to be leaning on my side. 

The boys agreed not to mention my new job to their mother on visiting days. They made a few remarks about the long drive, but seemed to understand that there was no way out of it. I felt it was important for Marcie to see her sons, not for her benefit, but to allow me to rub salt in the wounds. I know, I know: it is a rotten way to use your kids, but I got some mean pleasure out of it. 

Angela and I were spending more time together, at work and after work. One weekend, the boys insisted that I take her and Carla to Knoebel's Grove. Most of the time, we just stayed closer to home.

The living arrangements seemed to complicate any chance at romance. I was definitely interested in a closer relationship with Angela, but it wasn't convenient. I was still living at my parent's house, with the boys, and Angela and Carla had a small studio apartment. Since the business was doing far better than expected, Angela started talking about finding a house to buy. She spent a lot of time on the computer searching for the perfect one. I got my first wake up call, when she explained why she wanted a four-bedroom place.

"Danny, I think it is important that the boys each have their own room. It is better to take care of things like that now, than have to do it over later. Don't you agree?"

Of course, I immediately realized that the question was a set-up. I also figured out that Angela felt that I was more than just an employee. The potential for romance was looking better.

"Yeah, I think that is a great idea. I also think a split bedroom plan would be a good thing to consider. I don't like the idea of them being too close to the master bedroom." I walked out of the office right after saying that, and noticed a small smile on her face. It was a strange relationship. We had never had sex or even got close to it. We had never even kissed, but I felt closer to her than I did to Marcie in twelve years. 




Danny's Dilemma



Two days later, when my divorce from Marcie was final, we all went to the Red Lobster to celebrate. The kids didn't know the reason for the party, but Angela did. Later, back at the apartment, the kids were watching a PayForView movie when Angela cornered me in the kitchen, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss me. We were hugging and giggling a little, when Carla came into the room.

"Whoops! Sorry, mom." As she turned to leave, she added: "It's about time."

When we returned to the living room, Carla was whispering into Terry's ear and they were both smiling. Angela and I were on our best behavior the rest of the evening, but I was looking forward to whatever was coming next.

The next day, while the kids were in school, Angela and I took a long lunch, and went back to the apartment. Both of us had a lot of pent up energy to burn. We didn't get back to work until just before quitting time. There were a lot of long lunches after that, and Angela started to get serious about finding a house.

Detective Greene would come by to see us on a regular basis, most of the time it was just to chat, but occasionally he would ogle the cars. He fell in love with a Studebaker Hawk that was formerly owned by Roger Ebert, the movie critic. Angela gave him a good price.

"Danny, I need you to take me to see Marcie."

It was an unexpected request. The boys and I were making less trips than we used to, but Marcie never seemed to complain. "Any particular reason?"

"Closure. I need closure."

I never understood what that meant. I knew all the words that described it, but the concept seemed to elude me. 

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"Just drive me up there. You don't have to be with me when I talk to her."

It was a warm, sunny, fall day when we arrive at Muncy. The inmate visits were being held outside, so I parked by the fence. Ten minutes later, Marcie and Angela walked out into the exercise yard and sat at one of the tables. They were both chatting and smiling, as if they were long lost friends. Things got interesting after five minutes. The smile was gone from Marcie's face. She was now leaning across the picnic table and scowling at her visitor. Angela on the other hand, still seemed happy. Marcie suddenly lunged across the table and tried to grab her. The disruption was quickly squelched by several of the guards, as they led my ex-wife back into the building, kicking and screaming. Angela turned, looked at me, smiled, and shrugged her shoulders, before leaving the visitors area. She was still grinning when she got back to the car.

"What the hell was that all about?"

"Your ex-wife sure is a touchy bitch." Angela seemed to be giggling to herself.

We drove for several miles and then she turned slightly, straining against the seat belt. "I introduced myself and she seemed happy to see me. Everything was fine as long as she thought I was on her side. I admit that I sort of misled her a little at first."

"What do you mean?"

"I told her that I came from Baltimore to get revenge. That seemed to make her happy, because she thought I meant against you. Of course all I really meant was that I was going to get even with Tony, by taking over his business. I guess you can still get revenge against a dead person, right?" 

"Okay, but what got her so upset?"

"She wanted specifics, such as when, where, and how. Of course I knew she was referring to you."

Now, I was getting interested.

"I told her that it was going to take a long, long, time, and asked her if she wanted me to keep her informed of the progress. She eagerly agreed and insisted on knowing exactly how I was planning to do it. When I told her how I was going to do it, she blew her stack. She lost it. She went bonkers. It was great."

"Okay. Okay. How the hell are you going to kill me? Now, I want to know."

Her smile got bigger. "I told her that I was going to fuck you to death."

"That was it?"

"Yep. Funny isn't it. I thought that she might get pissed, but I never expected her to go over the top."

Things were quiet for a few moments. We both sat there smiling. I was so proud of her. "When are you planning on starting this assault?"

"As soon as we get to the next motel, silly."

Two months later, Angela and I were married. It was a small ceremony in the back yard of our new home. Angela sent Marcie a wedding invitation with a small note inside.

"Everything is going as planned. He should be dead in forty or fifty years.