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Black & Tan Blues Ch. 01

By: itmgr2010



This is a story that took place in the swinging 70s. The Vietnam War and the draft were coming to an end. Richard Nixon really was a crook. We were still safe from HIV and AIDS. The internet was only a gleam in Al Gore's eye. The first portable phones were just being developed by Motorola. And General Motors, Ford and Chrysler actually made cars that people wanted to buy. Life was good.

This is a work of fiction. But in every story there is a kernel of truth, an incident that really occurred or maybe a character or characters that really existed. With that said any similarities to persons living or dead is purely intentional. My thanks to wildhafer for his editing skills and words of encouragement.

*

It was Monday and the start of a new pay period at the General Motors assembly plant. Most of our section was waiting for the buzzer to mark the assembly line startup. We were short one at our quality control station and it was beginning to look like we might have to pull our relief man or double down to cover the shortage. Just as the alarm sounded, running footsteps were heard behind the parts racks surrounding our location, 

"Hold it guys, I'm here!" cried a voice and Trevor Martin came around the corner, a big smile on his dark face. 

"What's shaking, Trev? Back on nights again? Has it been three months already?" I teased.

He laughed, "Hey Ken! Yep, it's time to rotate again. Breaks the monotony and let's me check out some different ladies." Trev grabbed a couple of torque wrenches and a clipboard and hopped across the moving line to take his station.

Trevor and I had been friends since we both came to work at the plant three years before. Both of us had gotten out of the Army within a few months of each other. And our overseas tours in Germany had overlapped about a year. Ironically we had been stationed within fifty miles of each other but had never met. I had been a buck Sergeant in a combat engineer unit stationed in Schweinfurt and he was a Spec5 tracked vehicle mechanic stationed in Wurzburg. 

We had visited a lot of the same towns, restaurants and nightclubs. We had both spent many miserable training periods in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels; suffering through the cold and snow in winter, and the heat and mosquitoes in summer. 

We had also both gotten married before going into the army. My wife had accompanied me to Germany, Trev's wife did not.

I had met my wife Donna at the local community college. She was a year older than me and was finishing up a two year Medical Technician program. We had started dating and fallen in love within a couple of months. I had drawn a low number in the selective service lottery and when it became evident I was going to be drafted we decided to get married. 

Somehow Donna ended up pregnant before I ever reported for basic training. You know when they say the pill is ninety nine percent effective? Well, we were part of the unlucky one per cent. I did manage to get home for the birth or our daughter, Samantha. And as soon as Sam was three months old, Donna and Sam came to Germany to live with me. 

Trev's wife, on the other hand, had decided she wanted to stay in the States in order to save money. He did make it home on thirty days leave midway through his eighteen month tour, but when he returned home after his discharge he found his wife was six months pregnant and all the money he had been sending her gone. He later found out she had been shacking up with one of his best friends on and off ever since he shipped over to Germany. Apparently saving money wasn't her only incentive not to go with him. Needless to say the divorce was bitter and not in his favor. 

Trevor was a very popular guy with the ladies; black, white or Hispanic. It didn't matter to him. But if there was any hint that a woman was married, separated or even divorced for reasons of infidelity, he would have nothing to do with her. And if you asked him if he ever thought of remarrying, he would just say, "Been there, done that and I have the bite marks in my black ass to prove it." Fact was he didn't trust women much and wasn't shy about letting anyone know it. His relationships tended to burn out pretty fast.

Trev and I would get together for a few beers after work about once a week when we were both on second shift. When we were on opposite shifts we would get together at the local American Legion a couple of times a month. Mostly we talked about our Army days and life in Germany, our progress in school and occasionally labor issues. Sometimes I would brag about my wife and daughter and Trev would brag about all the women he was dating. 

Trevor also had become the assistant union steward for our plant a couple of years ago. He would laugh about that and say it was mostly so he could meet all the women that worked in final assembly. Even though we had a lot in common, we rarely socialized away from work or the legion. Trev had been busy completing his associate's degree at a local community college in order to qualify for the skilled trades program, and I had been working on my B.S. in Civil Engineering at Michigan State.

When I returned to school after getting out of the Army I had decided to pursue a civil engineering degree because of my military experience. Many of the combat engineer officers had degrees in civil engineering and most of my job had been assisting them. I admired their skills and abilities and thought it would be a great career. 

However the reality of supporting a family while trying to go to school full-time set in fast. The VA education benefits and working part time just wasn't enough. I finally decided to take classes part time year round and work nights in the auto plant. Donna had stayed home with Sam until she was about two then she went to work part-time in the hospital as a Cardiac Tech, typically working three or four days a week. While not rich, with both of us working money became a non-issue. Finally I was just about to reach my goal of completing my degree. Our plan was as soon as I finished school and got a job in my field Donna would quit working, get pregnant and we would give Samantha a sister or brother and that would complete our family. Our dream was to buy or build a house in the country on a few acres and give up renting for good.

Donna was a typical Nordic blond. Her family was from the upper peninsula of Michigan where many of the original settlers had been from Scandinavia. In fact her grandparents on her mother's side had migrated from Sweden before WWII. And she had Finnish ancestry on her father's side. Donna was tall, only a few inches shorter than my six feet two inches, slim and athletic. When we had met she suffered from some self-confidence issues. Mostly because growing up she was tall and gawky for her age and she intimated the boys. She claimed she only had two dates before college, but after high school she had filled out, developed grace, style and looks. 

When I met her she was a real catch. While saying someone is the love of your life seems to be a cliché, it makes it no less true when it happens. No one else I ever dated came close to the feelings we had for each other. While neither of us was a virgin when we married we were not very experienced either. Teaching each other what sex and love was all about when we were stationed in Germany had brought us even closer together.

While having Samantha was a surprise to both of us it was the best gift we had ever gotten. Sam had Donna's blond hair and eyes, my nose and chin. We both doted on her. Donna was a good mother and we both were looking forward to adding another child to our family. While it is true most men talk about having sons, secretly I preferred another daughter. I just loved hearing my little girl's laughter and listening to her talk. She was just adorable and it was a real challenge not to spoil her.

As the evening progressed Trev and I would talk across the assembly line as it moved slowly past. With the lunch period approaching, he asked me what I was doing for lunch. I told him I had brown bagged it and would eat on the table by the employees locker room. He said he would join me and we could catch up the latest news.

As we sat down we started to talk about school. Trev had finished his Associate Degree the previous semester and was excited that he had finally gotten accepted into the skilled trades program. He was expecting his notice to begin his apprenticeship in the Machinery Repair program any day now. 

I was equally as excited by the news I had received in the mail from the university before coming into work today. My last elective class had been waived due to my military experience. I had taken two of my finals today and once I passed my last final exam on Tuesday I was done and my degree requirements completed. We both congratulated each other.

Trev asked if Donna was as excited as I was. I said I hadn't told her yet since she had been at work when the mail came. I thought maybe I would wait until I knew I passed that last exam then surprise her. I told Trev that I already had my resume complete and a mailing list of every architectural and engineering firm in the state, as well as every county road commission office ready to start sending them out.

As most conversations between guys tend to do, the subject got around to women. The last gal that I knew Trev had been dating was gone now. They had broken up a couple of months before. He was now involved with a woman named Vicky who worked the first shift over in the paint shop. He didn't know how long that would last with him moving to seconds but he didn't seem too worried about it. We talked a bit about some of the other women who were working in the plant in various departments. Who was fooling around with whom, who was getting married and who was getting divorced.

After a bit, Trev said casually, "Say Ken, do you still have that picture of your wife hanging in your locker? I saw a woman a couple of weeks ago I swear looked just like that picture."

I said, "Sure, but the last one you saw was at least a year old. I have a couple of new ones now. Where did you think you saw her?"

Trev kind of hesitated then said, "I don't remember off hand, but I'll think of it. Do you mind if I look at your new pic's?"

Like a lot of guys I was always proud to show off my family. I had several pictures hanging inside the door of my locker. We had had new ones taken for our church directory just after New Year's. The company that took them took a variety of poses and groupings and you then picked the free one you wanted in the directory and then they would sell you any others you might want. 

I had one of the three of us, one of Donna and Sam and one of Donna alone and a couple of Sam alone. Samantha had just turned four when the pictures were taken.

Donna was wearing a v-neck maroon sweater with her long blond hair hanging loosely to her shoulders. She filled out the sweater nicely and even though you couldn't tell from the pictures Donna had great legs. Samantha was almost a carbon copy of her mother with her blond hair and pale complexion, and they had almost identical smiles on their faces. I didn't look half bad myself wearing a dark sports jacket and an open collar shirt under it. My short dark brown hair and darker complexion was something of a contrast with Donna and Sam.

Trev admired the pictures and made appreciative comments about both my girls. He seemed to study the picture of Donna for a few minutes and finally made up his mind about something. "Ken, you mind if I borrow this picture of Donna? I want to show it to Vicky to see if she thinks this is the woman I thought we saw a couple of weeks ago."

"I guess so, but I don't know what the mystery is Trev. You can't even remember where you saw her," I said.

"I know, I know, but Vicky might remember. I will bring it back tomorrow or the day after."

About that time the buzzer signaling the end of the lunch hour sounded and we hustled back to our stations on the line and I forgot all about the photo.

The next morning I spent about three hours cramming for my last final exam and went over to the university and got it over with. I felt pretty good about it afterwards. I was certain I did well and was anxious to see the results which were to be posted by the end of the week. I looked at my watch and saw how early it was. I had a couple of hours before Sam had to be picked up from pre-school. 

Today was Donna's off day and I thought what a great time to get a little loving before I had to go to work. We had been getting short changed on mattress time the last couple of months. The assembly line was working overtime three, four days a week and usually about six to eight hours, three out of four Saturdays. The money was good but it was putting a strain on us. And I had been carrying three classes this semester which created a huge study load. With her working days and me nights, during the week we only overlapped an hour which didn't give us any quality time. I know she resented not getting the attention she deserved from me but every time we talked about it she told me she understood that we were doing it for our future and that it was almost over.

Truth was Donna had been in a funky mood the last five or six weeks. On the weekends she would be short tempered, lethargic and unresponsive to any overtures I might make, romantic or otherwise. She would improve as the week progressed and by Thursday or Friday she would be back to her old self. Which didn't do us much good since it was the weekends which gave us the time and opportunity to recharge and reconnect with each other. After a couple of weeks I finally confronted her about it and she just grimaced and said she guessed that our schedules were finally getting to her and she would get over it, but that hadn't happened yet. I had decided to let it drop and not press it until the semester was over.

I walked in the door and yelled, "Hello?" 

"I'm in the kitchen!" Donna yelled back.

I walked around the corner and Donna was standing at the sink preparing dinner. The one or two days she was off during the week we would try to have a family dinner together before I had to go to work. It was a routine we hoped to maintain daily when I finally quit the plant and was working a regular day shift.

I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist and started kissing her ears and neck while pressing my groin against her butt.

She twisted away and without turning away from the sink she said sternly, "What do you think you're doing?"

"My last final is over, I don't have to study anymore and I want to celebrate a little with my wife. Anything wrong with that?" I said mildly as I tweaked her breast.

She snorted, "I don't know what there is to celebrate about, you still have one semester to go and you still have to work second shift and I am still home alone with Sam almost every night. I don't feel amorous so keep your hands to yourself!"

I stopped and stood back and looked at her. "Donna, what's with this attitude you have had for the last month or two? What's got into you?"

Without turning around she said, "Not a damn thing!"

"Donna, turn around and look at me!" I said and took her arm and turned her to face me.

She turned and said, "What?" Her eyes looked into mine then slid away. For the first time I was uneasy, this wasn't like her.

"I know this has been hard Donna. But we are getting close to the end. I miss you and Sam terribly during the week. But it will be worth it in the end. Just hang in there. Please?" I pleaded.

Donna just stared out the window, face expressionless. Finally she muttered, "Sure, sure Ken. I'm going to go pickup Sam from pre-school. Finish this will you?" Without waiting for an answer she wiped her hands on a towel and walked away.

I sagged against the counter and shook my head in disbelief. What the hell? This was so out of character for Donna that I was totally floored. I thought about telling her that I was done with school to see if that would improve her mood, but then I thought 'screw it.' I would be better off to wait for her to pull out of this, whatever it was.

After we had dinner, I had a chance to play with Sam for awhile. When I finally got around to leave for work, Donna was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. As I went in to give her a kiss goodbye, Donna put down the paper and said, "Ken, I want to apologize for being such a bitch earlier. I don't know why but I have been on edge lately. Will you forgive me?"

I sat down next to her and took her hand in mine. "Donna, do you know it's been at least two weeks since we have made love? We have never gone that long unless one of us was sick. I feel I'm losing touch with you and I don't like it."

Donna looked down at her hands and said, "I know Ken. We will do better once this is all over, I promise."

Once again her inability to look me in the eyes disturbed me. But I accepted her apology as a good sign and kissed her goodbye.

Work was uneventful, Trev and I didn't speak much and he was gone on some union business during the lunch hour. I got home at my usual time. I was so exhausted from the day I had had, taking my last exam, thinking about my confrontation with Donna and working a full shift I went right to bed. Usually I stayed up for awhile and read or watched TV to unwind. But I cuddled right up to Donna and put my arm around her and pulled her close. She murmured something and went right back to sleep.

I came out of a sound sleep feeling a hand stroking my hard cock through my sleep shorts. I managed to open one eye and look at Donna in the dim light; her eyes were closed as she massaged me with one hand and tried to pull my shorts down with the other. I struggled to turn my head toward the nightstand to see the alarm clock. Shit, I had only been asleep about four hours! 

I lifted my butt and let her pull my shorts off as I slipped my hand under her nightshirt and caressed her thighs and belly. As I rolled toward her she sat up threw the covers off and pulled the nightgown over her head and threw it on the floor. She laid back down and turned her back to me and pushed her ass against my cock. I reached around her and stroked her tits and played with her hardening nipples. She lifted one leg, reached between her thighs, grabbed my cock and placed it at the entrance to her pussy and slowly pushed back. She was so wet I entered her easily. She gasped as I hit bottom and froze for a moment adjusting to my size. She moaned as I slowly pulled back then pushed back in. After a couple of slow deliberate strokes she started rocking her hips and thrusting back at me. 

"Damn it, Ken! Do it to me, do it to me hard!" 

I took a hold of her leg behind her knee in one hand and held it up in the air, spreading her thighs open as far as possible and started slamming into her from behind as hard as I could. Every time I hit bottom she would make a grunting sound. After a few minutes she started to pant, "I'm coming, I'm coming, don't stop, don't stop." 

Stopping was the last thing I had in mind. My balls were boiling and I was going to blow. I wasn't going to last long. With a groan I slammed into her one last time as I blasted two weeks of pent-up need into her pussy. She gave a small scream, and her body went stiff and her legs twitched uncontrollably. In the dim light I could see her neck and shoulders turn a bright red as she came. 

I lowered her leg back down and we laid there spooning for awhile. Finally with a sigh Donna pulled away and sat up. "So good, but I've got to get ready for work." 

She leaned over and gave me quick peck on the cheek, "I love you Ken, and I will try to be more patient." She rolled off the bed and headed towards the bathroom before I had a chance to reply.


Black & Tan Blues Ch. 01



I must have gone right back to sleep. The next thing I knew the alarm was going off. Since I was done with classes it was my turn to get Sam up and ready for pre-school. She and I had breakfast together, and then we cuddled up and watched cartoons for a bit before I finally got her dressed and ran her over to the school.

It was great to finally have a whole day to myself before I had to go to work. I got my resume out and made one finally entry updating my degree award date and re-typed it. I was so confident that I had passed that I decided to run over to Kinko's and get a hundred copies of my resume and cover letter made.

I sat down at the kitchen table and started stuffing and addressing envelopes to the engineering firms I was interested in. Donna and I had talked and since both our parents lived close we decided to try to stay in-state, which still left over one hundred possibilities. As soon as my degree was confirmed I would pop my applications in the mail.

As I worked my mind wandered to Donna's recent changes in behavior. This morning, while the sex was great, if not quick, I could count on one hand the days that Donna had initiated sex in the morning in five years of marriage. And she had never done it on a work day that I could remember. The tiff we had yesterday must have triggered it. But we had had arguments before, some worse than this and I had never gotten that response. I was totally lost trying to account for it.

I finally finished up and put the box of envelopes under the bed. I still hoped to surprise Donna with the news that school was over as soon as I confirmed a successful conclusion to my exams. Later that evening, the three of us had dinner together before I left for work. Donna was in a playful mood for the first time in quite a while and teased me about being tired from our early morning activities. Sam chattered on about what her friends in pre-school had been up to. Just sitting there, the three of us together gave me a warm feeling. I was so looking forward to being able to do this every day.

I got to work a few minutes early and started the usual prep work. Trev came over and we chatted for a few minutes. He seemed to be in a somber mood and I kidded him about burning the candle at both ends. He just smiled and asked if I had any plans for after work, he thought we might get together for a beer. I thought that was a good idea and we went to our stations as the line started up.

The line worked a straight eight hours that night so we got to Gino's Bar and Grill about one forty five. Gino would lock his doors at two in the morning but if you were one of his regulars he would let you stay as late as four. We always made sure to tip the bartenders well for the privilege.

We snagged ourselves a booth and a couple of beers. This was a drinking man's bar so there was just a jukebox playing quietly in the corner and a hum of conversations floating around the room.

Trev reached into his pocket and pulled out the picture of Donna I had given him and slid it across the table to me. 

With a strained look on his face, Trev said to me, "Ken I need to talk to you about this."

I laughed and said, "That's okay Trev, I don't mind that you kept it a couple of days."

Seriously Trev said, "No Ken, what I meant was I wasn't being truthful about where I thought I saw Donna. But I wanted to show her picture to Vicky to make sure I wasn't mistaken."

"Okay, so what's the big deal?"

Trev cleared his throat and took a swig of his beer and put the bottle down. "Last Friday night Vicky and I went out clubbing with Tony Williams and his girlfriend Vanessa. You remember Tony don't you?" 

"Yeah, sure, you guys went to high school together. He worked over here on final assembly before he transferred over to Plant Three a year ago."

"That's him. Anyway we saw Donna that night at a club."

I thought about that for a moment wondering why Trev thought that was significant. Donna had a habit of going out one night a week with a couple of girls from her department. I never faulted her for wanting to get out once in awhile since I had been on second shift for over three years now. They usually went to dinner and on occasion I knew they had stopped at a nightclub for a couple of drinks. Donna would get a babysitter for Sam but she was always home and asleep before I got home from work.

"Okay, I know Donna goes out with her girlfriends occasionally during the week. What's the big deal?"

Trev hesitated for a minute and said, "Ken, this was at the 'Black & Tan'."

I felt my face start to flush and my stomach start to churn as it sunk in what he was saying. The Black & Tan nightclub was located on what was considered the 'dark' side of town down along the riverfront. It catered to a strictly Black clientele, except for some white women who dated black. If you were a white man, you were taking your life into your own hands if you ventured down there. The police were called at least once a week to quell some kind of disturbance. The city council had tried several times over the years to revoke their liquor license because of all the problems but the nightclubs lawyers had managed to fight them off.

Even given this notoriety, the Black & Tan had been one of the most popular Black nightclubs between Detroit and Grand Rapids for years. It didn't matter where you stood in the Black Community, gangbanger, criminal element, businessman or politician. At some time during the year you were seen there.

As what Trev just said ran through my mind, I shook my head side to side, "No Trev, you must be mistaken. There is no way Donna would go there!"

Trev looked at me in sympathy, "Ken, you couldn't mistake Donna in that crowd. With her blond hair and complexion she stands out like a horsefly on white rice. Besides I showed her picture to Tony this morning. He recognized her too. She was there with another white chick, long brown hair, skinny with big boobs."

My mind was spinning. She couldn't have been there. But I knew Trevor wouldn't lie to me. He never had before and he had no reason to now. There had to be some explanation for it. I tried to focus on what Trev was saying about the other woman.

"Long hair, brown, skinny you said?"

"Yeah, almost as tall as Donna, but thin, real thin. And her tits were so big they had to be fake."

Suddenly it came to me! "Tits on a stick!"

Trev's eyebrows went up. "What?"

"Did she look like two tits on a stick?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that, why?"

I started swearing, "God damn it, god damn it! That bitch, that no-good motherfucking bitch!"

"Who?"

"Connie Johnson Felgenhauer Wilkerson! That bitch!"

"I would guess you know her?"

"Yeah, I know her," I said bitterly. 

"A couple of years ago before we moved into the house we are renting now, we lived in a townhouse over on the south side of town." 

Trev nodded, "Sure, I remember."

"Well Connie Johnson Felgenhauer Wilkerson was our neighbor. Her and her two kids. She is about our age but she has been married and divorced twice already. That's why I started referring to her with all three last names. Has one kid by each marriage. Nice kids not that she took that much of an interest in them. Nearly every weekend she farmed them out to her ex-husbands.

"We were quite friendly with her until we got to know her real well. Donna took care of the kids a couple of days a week for awhile. Connie was a cashier for Old State Bank last I heard. But I think she gets most of her income from child support from the two exes'. She had a tendency to go out to party after work occasionally and forget to come home. A couple of times the kids ended up spending the night with us because she didn't show up until morning. When she did finally show up she looked like she had been rode hard and put away wet. After the second time that happened I told Donna no more. Connie would have to find someone else to watch the kids."

"Sounds like a piece of work. Is that why you are still pissed at her?"

I shook my head, "No, a couple of things occurred that last year before we moved. When we first met Connie she wasn't bad looking but had the flattest chest you ever saw. I mean not more than a couple of pancakes with nipples. Anyway somehow she came up with enough money to get implants. Seeing the results I thought she went about two cup sizes overboard. She looked like 'two tits on a popsicle stick.' I told her that once and she got really pissed. But she was so proud of those things she would prance around with the tightest t-shirts she could find with no bra. She liked to come up behind me and rub her tits on my back. Not when Donna was around of course. 

"She talked those implants up like they were gold. She got Donna convinced that she needed them too and before I knew it Donna was making a full-court press to convince me that I would love them if she got them. Well Donna is a tall girl and well proportioned. She is over five feet ten inches and weighs close to one hundred and thirty pounds. Last time we talked about her measurements, she said she was around 35B-25-36. She has nothing to be ashamed of in the chest department. I love her just the way she is. I had to fight like hell to disabuse her of the notion. It was about that time she decided to go back to work and I think it was partly so she could earn her own money and make her own decisions about what to spend it on."

I took a deep breath, "The other thing was worse."

"I had a friend named John Preston. We went to the same high school but he was a year behind me. He was working nights on axle assembly when I came to work in the plant. He and his wife Traci had a little girl Sam's age. The four of us used to get together with the kids once in a while. Traci kind of let herself go after they had the baby, got fat and sloppy. No medical reason that we could tell, just too much fast food and not enough exercise. John and her used to fight about it all the time.

"Anyway John stopped over one day while Connie was over visiting. I introduced them. A week later I was coming home from work about two in the morning and John's pickup was parked in front of her townhouse. Another week went by and John left his wife Traci and moved in with Connie. He told me he was in love with her and wanted to marry her. I thought he was nuts and told him so. Less than a month later John got off early one night, came home and found Connie in bed with another man. They had a big fight and Connie kicked John out. 

"His wife of course filed for divorce and ripped him up in the settlement. John only sees his little girl two weekends a month and can barely afford a studio apartment to live in. Neither John nor Traci have spoken to us since the divorce was final."

I thought back to that episode with foreboding. Was it just coincidence that the man John caught Connie in bed with was black?

"Shit, that's pretty ugly Ken."

"Yeah, shortly after that happened we moved out and into the house we are renting now. I never spoke to Connie again."

"So how did she get back into the picture?"

Angrily I said, "About five, six months ago I came home from work on a Friday night at my usual time. I found Donna curled up around the toilet. She had been puking her guts out. She smelled like cheap whiskey and the inside of an ashtray with a whiff of marijuana. Last I knew she was supposed to have gone out to dinner with her girlfriends from work. I cleaned her up and got her back into bed. She was practically passed out.

"The next morning I took Samantha to my parent's house and then came home and waited for her to stagger into the kitchen. I jumped on her with both feet. She was too hung over to fight with me. It turns out that Connie had called her at work several times trying to get her to go out. Said she wanted to reconnect and catch up on things. Donna finally decided that it wouldn't hurt to spend some time with her so she had Connie pick her up at the house that night. Donna says they went to a couple of bars, and Connie introduced her to some friends who started buying them drinks. Donna has never been a big drinker, usually sticks to wine, and doesn't handle liquor all that well. Donna said she thinks she remembers smoking a joint in Connie's car at some point in the evening. The last thing she remembered was Connie helping her into the house and paying the babysitter."

I shook my head. "I was so pissed! I yelled at her for the first time in our marriage. I told her in no uncertain terms that Connie was a bitch and a slut and nothing but trouble! I wanted us to have nothing to do with her in the future and if she had a problem with that then we were going to end up in marriage counseling for sure. It was the worst fight we ever had. She was crying by the time I finished and said she wished she had never gone out with her and that it would never happen again."

I slumped down in my chair and stared at my beer. "We haven't spoken about Connie since. But it looks like it did happen again and she kept it from me." Then what I had just said hit me. By not telling me she was essentially lying!

As I thought about that a dark cloud settled over me. Donna had never lied to me before, or intentional kept anything from me, at least as far as I knew. I thought we shared everything. After that incident she always made a point of telling me who she was going out with. I never thought much about it since I always trusted her. And last Friday was no exception. She had told me she was meeting her friends from work for dinner. 

I looked up at Trev. He was looking at me with sympathy like he knew what had occurred to me for the first time. And something else, there was something else in his expression that put fear into my heart.

"There's more to this, isn't there?"

Trev nodded and mumbled something under his breath about "Goddamn women!"

He hesitated another minute, finally he said, "Tony is one of the regulars at the Black & Tan. He's probably there nearly every weekend and knows just about everyone who comes in. He said Donna and this Connie have been in there for at least the last three or four Friday nights that he knows of."

I just stared at him in disbelief! "Shit, no! That can't be true!"

Trev took a drink of his beer, and said "It gets worse, Ken."

I put my hands over my ears and looked down at the table. My thoughts were running in circles. Did I want to know anymore?

I sat up and looked Trev in the eyes, "Tell me."

"They have made a couple of friends."

Sickly I said, "Men friends you mean?"

"Yeah, and they are bad dudes. Both are in their late twenties. One of them is Curtis Hallock. He works at United Parcel Service in the sorting facility doing I'm not sure what. But he's also a small time drug dealer. Been busted twice for possession and once for assault and battery. He's known to carry a blade most of the time. He was married and is in the process of getting divorced. 

"The other guy is James Martin. He's a corrections officer in the medium security prison over in Ionia. Off duty, he usually carries a gun, legally. He has been divorced twice and is paying child support for three kids by his second wife. Child support for three kids puts a huge dent in his salary. His first ex-wife just happens to be Tony's sister. The word going around is he is smuggling marijuana and cocaine into the prison and selling it to the inmates. Supposedly Curtis is his supplier. He and Curtis were in high school together."

I was speechless! I couldn't respond.

"I'm sorry, Ken." Trev said. "I know it's a lot to take in."

"What else?" I whispered.

Trev looked miserable. "Curtis has been bragging it around that they are getting some action off of these two white chicks and James apparently dated this Connie before. He says they have been slipping out to the car sometime during the evening and getting it on."

"Do you believe them?"

"I believe Tony. And James is his ex-brother. And he used to party with both of them years ago. Tony doesn't think too much of James since he found out he used to beat his sister when he was married to her. But he's still on speaking terms with them. Curtis may be spreading around bullshit, hard to tell."

"But you think there is something to this?"

Trev looked me in the eye, "Ken, they were acting mighty friendly Friday night when we saw them at the club. I'm sorry."

Suddenly my eyes teared up and I got up and went into the restroom. I sat down in a stall and put my face in my hands and I actually cried. After a bit I got up and washed my face in the sink and stared at myself in the mirror. My face was pale and my eyes bloodshot. Other than that you couldn't tell I was a man whose life as he knew it was falling apart.

I slowly walked back to the table and sat down. I looked at Trev, after a moment I said, "I have to know for sure. I have to see for myself."

Trev stared at me in shock, "That's not a good idea Ken. You know the shit that can happen over there!"

"Doesn't matter, I have to know. I have to know! Will you help me or not?"

Trev just shook his head, "Shit Ken, you know how I feel about women who cheat on their husbands."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, both of us lost in thought. Trev finally said, "Okay, Ken. But you have to promise me to do exactly what I tell you. Can you do that?"

I nodded, "Yeah, it's your world. I can respect that."

"Okay, let me think about it and we will talk at work tomorrow."

As we walked out the door, Trev patted me on the shoulder, "Be cool Ken. I know it's hard but you can't let her see what you're feeling."

I just nodded and left for home. Later, I sat in the dark of the living room for awhile just thinking. Eventually I got up and wandered through the house. I went into Sam's room and looked at her curled up with her stuffed dog under her chin. I kissed her on the cheek and stroked her hair, saddened at the changes I suspected were going to come. I went into our bedroom and looked at Donna sleeping. Her blond hair spread across the pillow shone from the light from the doorway. I looked at that face I knew so well and wondered how she could do the things I suspected her of. I felt my love changing, turning into something cold and bitter, wanting to scream at her and beat her within an inch of her life. I took my pillow off the bed and slowly closed the door.

I fell across the couch and covered myself with a blanket and stared into the darkness. The next thing I knew someone was shaking me. Donna said, "Wake up, Ken. What are doing sleeping out here?"

I mumbled something in reply. Impatiently she said, "I've got to get ready for work. Go to bed and don't forget to take Sam to pre-school." I stumbled back to the bedroom and slid under the covers and was instantly asleep.

Later as I got up with the alarm, I thought about the days ahead, trying to suppress the feelings that threatened to spiral into rage. I decided I needed some time with Sam. I got her up and we did our breakfast routine. I asked her if she would like to stay home with me today and maybe go to the zoo. She got all excited and started to tell me about all the animals. 

I gave her a hug and said, "Then that's what we'll do today."

She said, "Is mommy going too?" 

I said, "No honey, mommy has to work today. " 

She got sad for a minute and said, "Well we can tell mommy all about it when she gets home, can't we?"

I laughed and said, "Yes sweetie, you can tell mommy all about it when she gets home."

We had a wonderful day together. It was a beautiful sunny spring day and we walked through the zoo holding hands and watching all the animals. When she got tired I carried her on my shoulders with her giggling constantly. Afterwards I took her to McDonalds for her favorite happy meal. By the time we got home Sam was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch watching her cartoons.




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 01



I started making dinner and trying to keep my thoughts away from everything that had happened the night before. By the time Donna walked in the door dinner was ready and Sam was awake. She jumped into Donna's arms as she walked in and said, "Guess what mommy, daddy took me to the zoo today! And we had McDonalds and everything!"

Donna' looked at me and then looked back at Sam and said, "Wow, honey that's great! Sounds like fun. I wish I could've gone."

As we sat down to the table to eat, Donna said to me kind of crossly, "You could've waited for the weekend and then we all could have gone together." 

I looked at her calmly, "Well Donna, if you remember, the last few weekends you haven't wanted to do much of anything except sleep, watch television and not be bothered."

Donna face turned pale then red. She looked away from me and didn't respond. She turned to Sam to listen to her talk about the funny things the monkeys had done. I thought to myself, 'think about that bitch!'

A little while later as we were finishing supper, I decided to yank her chain a bit. I said, "I haven't heard you talk about Josie or Mary from work much. What have they been up to lately?" 

Donna kind of looked at me out of the corner of her eye. I'm sure she was wondering why I was asking now, I never had before. Casually she answered, "They are about the same. In fact we are planning on having dinner together tomorrow night."

"Oh, where are you planning to eat at?"

"We haven't decided yet. Why do you want to know?"

"No reason. Just wondering what kind of places you have been going to."

Donna rattled off the names of about a half a dozen restaurants around town, mostly modestly priced up-scale kinds of places with a bar but no entertainment. 

"Sounds like you girls have been getting around. Well I've got to get to work." I got up from the table and gave her and Sam a kiss goodbye. As I left Donna still had a suspicious look in her eye.

I was waiting for the line to start and Trev rushed in at the last minute as he usually did and got the usual ribbing from the rest of the section. As he brushed by he said lets talk at lunch. I just nodded and we started our shift.

We were standing around outside the building with the smokers after we ate when Trev said, "I still don't think this is a good idea, Ken."

Stubbornly I replied, "I've got to know for sure. If it is true some heavy shit is likely to happen. There can't be any mistakes." 

"Sounds like you have been giving this a lot of thought?"

Soberly I nodded and looked at him, "If it's true, then it's something I can't live with."

He sighed, "Okay this is what I want you to do. Call in sick tomorrow and meet me in the parking lot at Gino's at eight. I will drive us over to the Black & Tan in my car. And no hanging around a bar drinking while you're waiting. I want you sober, got it?"

"I got it."

He looked at me, "Good thing you have a darker complexion than your wife. Don't shave tomorrow. The stubble will darken your face even more. You have any dark clothes? I don't want you to stand out, the darker the better. And wear some dark glasses. I don't care if it is night time. Half those gangbangers wear sunglasses in there anyway."

I nodded again.

"You have a dark panama or fedora hat? Something with a brim?"

I shook my head no.

"Okay, I'll bring you something. Tony is going to meet us there. He is going to grease things with the bouncer before we arrive. He and I will keep you sandwiched as much as possible."

"Christ! Sounds like a James Bond operation."

Trev looked at me seriously, "Bad shit happens there every week. I don't want it to happen to you. Not the least of which is if something happens to draw attention to us she will probably see you and you will never get the truth. We will get in, keep a low profile, see what there is to see and then get out. Okay?"

"Okay Trev. And thanks I really appreciate it." 

"Hell Ken, you know my ex-wife screwed me over big-time, I would hate to see it happen to you."

The rest of the night went quickly. I got home as usual. As much as I hated to do it I slept in our bed with Donna. It wouldn't do to get her thinking I was avoiding her on purpose. I never heard her get out of bed, but I remember her saying goodbye when she left for work. Awhile later the alarm went off and I got up and around to start the day.

After taking Sam to school I drove over to the university and the college of engineering. I walked around to the prof's offices and checked the exam results posted on their doors. I scored a 2.5 and two 3.0's. Normally I would have been a little disappointed with the 2.5 but that was the least of my problems. I stopped at the admin office and verified that my credits had been accepted and my degree was good to go. I returned home and retrieved my box of job applications and dropped them off at the post office. Regardless of what else happened I was moving this part of my life forward.

I scrounged through my closet and found the clothes I needed for the evening. I put everything in a sack and put it in my pick-up. Since Donna was planning on going out to dinner I fixed something for Sam and me. Donna was later than usual, and as she rushed in the door she apologized saying she got called to do an emergency EKG on a patient that was just admitted. I told her I still had time but I couldn't miss work tonight. I gave her the story line about there being several people on leave and we were going to be shorthanded. I kissed them both goodbye and headed out.

I decided to go over to the mall and kill some time watching a movie before I had to meet Trev. My mind was running a mile a minute and I don't even remember what I watched. I got to Gino's a little before eight and Trev was already there. I told him I would change in the men's room and be ready in a couple of minutes.

He was standing by his car when I came back out and I asked him if I was dressed appropriately. I had a black sports jacket over a black polo shirt and dark jeans. He nodded and handed me a 'Blues Brothers' black pork pie hat. "See if this fits." It did.

He just grunted and said, "Let's go."

We got to the Black & Tan about a quarter to nine. There were a lot of cars in the mostly unlighted parking lots. There were quite a few people, singles and couples walking towards or congregating around the front of the club. We finally found a spot almost all the way in the back. Trev said, "Wait here while I go check things out." 

He came back in about fifteen minutes. He looked at me and his face tightened, "They're here. Tony is keeping an eye on them. Let's go." 

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat and nodded. I put the hat and sunglasses on and Trev said, "Cover as much of your face as you can with the brim. Try not to look up, Okay?" 

We got into line to go in. I was drawing a few strange looks from others waiting to get in but nothing was said. When we got up to the door to pay the cover, the largest of the two bouncers said to Trev, "Who's your friend, bro?" 

"He's an old army buddy who saved my life in 'nam." Trev said with a straight face.

"Shit, who're you trying to bullshit, Trev? You never made it to 'nam."

Trev grinned and said, "Okay, okay, he's my second cousin on my dad's side. He's the black sheep of the family and we're kind of ashamed of him." 

The bouncer laughed and said, "Go on in, you already know where Tony is sitting."

We walked in and it was nearly standing room only. The only lights were around the band and the bar. The band was playing loudly with a heavy beat and the smoke was so thick you could cut it with a knife. It smelled like cigarettes, stale sweat, booze and occasionally the sweet smell of marijuana. There was a large crowd on the dance floor bobbing up and down in unison with the beat. I followed Trev as he slid over to the left of the room. Once in a while, he'd stop and say something to someone, exchange the lodge handshake and then move on. I ignored the looks and muttered comments I was getting, kept my head down and stuck to his side like a tick. 

We finally got to a table with a couple of empty chairs and Tony sitting there giving us the eye. We both leaned over and Trev said, "Ken, you remember Tony?"

I nodded and we shook hands, "Thanks for your help Tony." He just shrugged and pointed his head over his shoulder.

"They're over there against the wall. They just got here about a half hour ago."

Trev had me sit on the side where I could see them without turning my head. I looked over at their table under the brim of my hat and steeled myself for what I was going to see. Shit, we were only twenty-five, thirty feet away. Donna and Connie stood out like a beacon on a stormy night on the darkest night of the year. The four of them were in a booth with the women against the wall. Donna was sitting next to a big guy, who had to be easily six foot four inches, and weighed maybe two thirty. The other guy sitting next to Connie was probably more my height and size. I whispered to Trev, "Which one is the football player sitting next to Donna?"

"That's Curtis."

I looked him over carefully. Well dressed, shaved head with a moustache and goatee. He talked easily to everyone and was obviously paired up with Donna. He looked tough but gave the impression he was a smooth operator.

The waitress came by and took our drink orders. I could hardly take my eyes off of my wife. She was talking, laughing and acting as if she was as comfortable as in her own home. Curtis had his arm around her shoulders and was occasionally talking into her ear. She had a glass of white wine in front of her that was mostly empty already. Connie was draped all over the other guy whom I assumed was James.

Trev and Tony talked back and forth and occasionally threw a comment my way. I was so focused on the other table I don't remember what they said or if I even replied. During the course of the evening it seemed like a steady stream of men found their way over there to talk to Curtis or James but it was obvious they were more interested in checking out Donna and Connie.

I just sat there and watched as the evening progressed. I could barely stand to touch my drink my stomach was in such a knot. A couple of times the four of them would get up to dance which from what little I could see was mostly of the dirty dancing variety. Curtis had his hands all over Donna and it was obvious she didn't mind. Donna was wearing a low-cut blouse with a short skirt and high heels. An outfit I don't remember ever seeing before. When they walked back to the table Curtis would have his arm around her waist or on her hip and she would be giggling. It was also apparent she wasn't wearing a bra.

Donna was on about her third glass of wine when James kind of turned his back to the floor and took something out of his shirt pocket and lit it. The four of them casually passed around a joint under the table pulling it out to take a hit before putting it back under the table to pass it on. I watched in shock as Donna took a big hit and held her breath with ease. I swear she did it like a pro. We had experimented with marijuana a couple of times when we were in Germany. She always said she didn't really care for it. 

Trev must have seen the look on my face as he leaned over and said, "Are you going to be all right?" I nodded. "If you can't be cool I have to get you out of here." 

Things were heating up and I tried to imagine I was just watching some strangers make out. A couple of times I had to look away. My emotions alternated between rage and overwhelming sadness. I constantly had tears in my eyes as the enormity of what was occurring sunk in. Finally James said something to Curtis and he and Connie got up and walked toward the door. Curtis turned back to Donna and leaned in close. We could see he had his hand under the table and up under her skirt. Donna had this glazed look on her face and had one of her hands in his lap. He continued to whisper in her ear and she just closed her eyes and nodded from time to time. After about an hour James and Connie came back to the table. Connie's face was flushed and they both had a satisfied expression on their faces.

Curtis pulled his hand out from under the table and said something to them and they all laughed. Donna sat up and looked around like she wasn't sure where she was. Curtis said something to James and stood up. He held his hand out to Donna and helped her out of the booth. The two of them walked along the edge of the dance floor toward the door, Donna clinging to his arm and nearly every pair of eyes in the place following them.

Trev leaned over to Tony and me, "This is where we need to get out of here, understand?"

I nodded and the three of us got up and walked toward the door. I followed Trev and Tony followed me. The fresh air hit me like a hammer as we made the door. It was just in time since my head was pounding and I was real close to losing anything I still had in my stomach. As we made our way out from the crowd around the door, Trev said to Tony, "Do you know what he is driving?"

Tony nodded, "Yeah, Lincoln Town Car, four-door, silver. What else would any self-respecting drug dealer drive? He usually parks in the last row of the back parking lot." We walked that way checking out the cars as we went.

Quietly Tony said, "There it is." And pointed over to the right. We stood in the shadow of a warehouse from about four cars away and had a real good view. They were sitting in the front seat with the windows down a couple of inches. We could see the glow from a joint being passed back and forth.

As we watched I held out the hope that this was all there was to this so far. Finally the glow was extinguished and the two of them didn't seem to move. Finally the front doors opened and they both got out and stood talking across the roof of the car. I gave a sigh of relief which gave way to a groan of disbelief as they both opened the back doors and climbed in. 

We could see their heads come together for a few minutes then separate. Then Donna's head disappeared down into his lap. A sudden flash of uncontrollable rage hit me. I started to shake and took a step forward. Trev and Tony both grabbed my arms and Trev hissed at me, "Ken, No! Not here, not now!" 

A sudden burst of clarity hit me and I stopped trying to move. It was over. My marriage was over. The most important thing I had that I thought was mine wasn't. The most important thing I thought I loved, I didn't anymore. Only one thing was left in my life now, and that was Samantha.

We stood still for a few minutes. We saw Donna's head come up and the two of them came together again. Then the two of them disappeared from view. After a few minutes Donna's widespread legs appeared above the seats and started to jerk spasmodically. 

I shook off Trev and Tony's hands and said without emotion, "Thanks Trev, thanks Tony. I've seen enough. It's time to go." 

As I turned and walked away I said savagely, "My marriage may be over but this isn't."

"No," I whispered to myself, "Not nearly over!"



Black & Tan Blues Ch. 02



This is a story that took place in the swinging 70s. The Vietnam War and the draft were coming to an end. Richard Nixon really was a crook. We were still safe from HIV and AIDS. The internet was only a gleam in Al Gore's eye. The first portable phones were just being developed by Motorola. And General Motors, Ford and Chrysler actually made cars that people wanted to buy. Life was good.

This is a work of fiction. But in every story there is a kernel of truth, an incident that really occurred or maybe a character or characters that really existed. With that said any similarities to persons living or dead is purely intentional. My thanks to wildhafer for his editing skills and words of encouragement.

*

I got to Trev's car and leaned my hands against it with my head down, trying to keep my body from shaking. I wanted to scream. I wanted to smash something. I wanted to be anywhere but here. Trev and Tony walked up beside me. Trev said, "You going to be okay Ken?"

I turned around and stared at the two of them, "All my hopes, all my dreams, not to mention the only woman I ever loved, is in the backseat of that car getting fucked! What do you think?" I said bitterly.

Tony cleared his throat, hesitated a moment then said, "Ah, Ken, I'm really sorry about this. If there is anything I can do ..." 

I looked at him and took a deep breath. "Thanks Tony. I appreciate that and maybe there is. Donna will have to leave within the next hour to make sure she beats me home and has time to get cleaned up. Do you think those two guys will hang around the bar for awhile after they leave?"

Tony said, "I wouldn't doubt it. They frequently do if the action is over. They like to brag it up to the guys who didn't score."

"If it wouldn't go against any loyalties you might have, do you think you could hang with them and find out what plans they might have for my slutty wife and her new best friend?"

Tony looked at me curiously and said, "Sure, Ken. James has been on my shit list since he beat on my sister and Curtis is a bigger thug than he is. I don't owe them a thing. I'll call Trev tomorrow and let him know if I find out anything."

"Thanks Tony, that means a lot to me."

We all shook hands and Trev and I got in the car and left. We didn't say much on the way back to Gino's. As we pulled in he said, "You want to go in for a drink?" 

"I don't much feel like it. I am going to head home and stake out the house and see how soon they get back."

"Are you going to get into it with her tonight?" Trev asked.

I shook my head no, "As much as I would like to just beat the shit out of her and throw her out, it isn't that easy. I've got Samantha to think about. Somehow I've got to her out of my life without losing Sam. It would kill me to lose her."

"Okay, don't forget we are scheduled for overtime tomorrow night."

"Yeah, I know. I'll be there. I couldn't stand to stay home with my wife anyway. If you don't have a date or anything maybe we can get together here at Gino's after work. By that time maybe I will have thought of something."

Trev nodded, "Okay, maybe Tony will have something for me by then too."

"Thanks Trev. I appreciate having someone to talk to who has been through this shit before."

I got in my car and drove home. It was nearly one in the morning when I parked on a cul-de-sac street a few doors down from our house. Donna and Connie would be coming from the other way when they came home. If the assembly line worked a straight eight hours and I came home directly from work I would get in around two. As I expected Donna's car was still in the driveway. I already knew Connie was in the driver's seat in more ways than one in the car wreck that my life was becoming.

About fifteen minutes after I got there I saw a car come down the street and pull into our driveway. I could see Connie and Donna get out and walk up the steps. I was too far away to see how well they were navigating but they got to the door and went right in. After about ten minutes I saw Kristy, a high school sophomore who lived down the street come out and head down to her house. I could see Donna and Connie standing and talking on the front porch watching to see she made it okay. After a few minutes Donna and Connie hugged and Donna went into the house. Connie got into her car and drove away.

I had some time to kill until I was due to be home so I decided to follow her to see where she was living now. Surprisingly Connie still lived in the same complex where we had been neighbors. I watched her park and go into her townhouse. I drove through the parking lot and checked out her car. I wrote down the make, model and license number and drove back home.

It was now after two so I pulled in and went into the house like any other night. The kitchen nightlight was the only one on as usual and all was quiet. I turned on the television and watched CNN Headline news for a few minutes. Finally I walked down the dark hallway and listened at the bedroom door. I could hear Donna breathing heavily like she did when she was asleep. I went into our master bathroom, closed the door and turned on the light. There was the faint smell of deodorizer in the air. The shower stall was wet and there was a damp towel hanging from the curtain rod. Donna's hair dryer was on the counter and it was still warm. I glanced down at the wastebasket beside the toilet. There was an empty Massengill disposable douche box in it. I shuddered as the implications of that sunk in. 

I went back into the hallway and thought for a moment. I turned and went down the basement to the clothes hamper that sat under the laundry chute. I rooted around in the dirty clothes but didn't find anything she had been wearing. I looked around the basement and noticed the washing machine lid was down. I opened it up and there soaking in cold water were the clothes she had been wearing earlier. At least her skirt and blouse were there, but no panties or bra. I closed the lid and went back upstairs. After looking in on Sam I got a pillow and blanket and went and lay on the couch. 

I laid there staring into the darkness thinking. All routine for her. Go out and party, get fucked up and get fucked. Get home before your husband gets home from work. Put your clothes into the washing machine to soak to get rid of that nasty smell of cigarettes, stale booze, marijuana and sex. Take a shower, wash your hair and even dry it. And don't forget to douche to get rid of the last possible bit of evidence and leave yourself all fresh for the next day. Then get to sleep before he comes to bed to avoid any conversation about what you did that evening. Easy enough to do when you have had several glasses of wine, smoked a few joints and got bounced around the backseat of a Lincoln Town Car a couple of times by a six foot four, two hundred and thirty pound black dude.

I vowed I wasn't going to cry over her or our marriage again. She killed it, callously, repeatedly and with premeditation. My future no longer included her. I was angry, pissed and just one small step from a killing rage. I knew I couldn't go there. I had to be calm and controlled to get through this. I had to think about Samantha. Donna could not be allowed to have an influence on her. That was my last thought before I fell asleep.

I woke up about eight with Sam pulling on my face. "Daddy, daddy your face is all scratchy. Why are you sleeping out here?"

I smiled sleepily at her, "Good morning, Samantha. Are you ready for some breakfast?"

She looked at me hugging her stuffed puppy and nodded, "Will you eat with me?"

"Sure will sweetheart."

I got up and Sam had I had breakfast and I turned on some cartoons for her. I went back to the bedroom to use our bath. Donna was sound asleep and I didn't expect her to be up or around for several hours yet. Now I knew why she was so out of it the last four or five weekends. I showered, shaved and got dressed. I got Sam dressed and I decided to take her over to see my parents. 

Mom and Dad were retired and spent the winter down in Florida in a trailer park. They had just returned to Michigan the month before. They had an apartment here in town and a house on a small lake in Northern Michigan. They loved to spend time with their grandkids. Every fall they agonized over leaving home and the kids but they just couldn't tolerate the cold and snow anymore. 

We visited for a few hours and had lunch with them. Mom wanted to know were Donna was and I told her she was still sleeping when we left. Mom looked at me questioningly and I just shrugged. Mom, Dad and Sam had a great time while I mostly sat and stared at the baseball game on the tube. Mom kidded me about my lack of attention then started in about when she was going to get another grandchild. My older brother had two kids now and I was getting behind in the count. It was a conversation we had been having on a regular basis for a couple of years. I tried to smile and told her she would be the first to know. It depressed me to think that it wasn't likely to happen now.

It was getting close to my time to leave for work so Sam and I kissed them both goodbye and left for home. Donna was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee reading the paper when we walked in. Sam ran over and gave her a hug and said, "Mommy we went and saw Gran'pa and Gran'ma and had lunch with them and everything!"

'And everything' was Sam's favorite way of ending a sentence.

Donna didn't smile she just said, "That's nice, Samantha." And she looked at me crossly, "You could have told me or left a note." 

I just said, "I could have but I didn't." And walked down to the bedroom to change for work. 

She followed me down the hallway and said belligerently, "What in the hell does that mean?"

"It means it wouldn't of mattered to you if I did. You wouldn't have wanted to go and we would have gone anyway." I said calmly, "By the way did you remember I was scheduled to work tonight?" As I pulled on my work jeans.

"Huh, what?" Donna seemed confused by the change in subject. 

"I am working tonight, remember?" As I walked by her and started yelling for Sam.

She came running and I gave her a big kiss and hug. "Good night Samantha, be good for your mommy, okay." Sam nodded, smiled and I pointedly ignored Donna.

I turned and walked to the door and looked back at both of them, "See you both in the morning." And closed the door. The expression on Donna's face was a mixture of anger, exasperation and maybe a little concern. Whenever I left for work I always made a point of kissing her goodbye. Well, that was a thing of the past now.

As I was preparing for the shift, Trev walked by and said, "How did it go last night?" 

I just shrugged and said, "About what I expected. I'll tell you about it at lunch."

"Okay, I've got some news from Tony too."

Later as we sat at the table eating, I told him about the evening and what I had found out about how she worked her cover up. I also related to him the behavior changes that had been going on with Donna over the last couple of months which I could never explain before. Just talking about it got me angry again. 

Trev looked at me in sympathy, "When this shit happens, you can never believe the person you thought you loved most in the world could do the things they did to you."

He shrugged. "Tony called me this afternoon. He hung with the guys at the bar until closing. Like he said it was pretty much a bragging session about banging these two hot white sluts who couldn't get enough black cock. One of whom is married. Curtis was even waving around a pair of panties he said belonged to Donna. Tony said the talk went downhill from there."

"Anyway before they left I guess James made a date with Connie for next Friday. Apparently that's the way it they have been working it. James makes a date with Connie. Connie talks Donna into going along. Donna hooks up with Curtis. Connie and Donna both get laid and maybe Donna doesn't feel as guilty about it because she didn't instigate it." He shrugged, "Who knows?"

"But they are taking it one step further this time. James told Connie they're going to get a room at the Red Roof Inn off of the Forest Road exit on US-123. Wanted to know if Donna would go along. I guess Connie just laughed and said no problem. So their plan is to meet at the Black & Tan at their usual time. Then when things get hot move the party to the hotel."

"It don't care how they work it, Donna is guilty as hell! Our marriage is over and she killed it," I said vehemently. 

Trev thought for a minute, "Let me give you a word of advice, Ken. Take it from someone who's been where you are now. Don't let the hate and anger consume you like I let it consume me. I wasted a couple of years being angry and pissed. Because of it, I have never been able to sustain any kind of committed relationship with a woman. But I'm starting to be hopeful again. My life didn't end and good things are starting to happen to me.

I'm not saying you don't deserve justice. But do what you have to do for your daughter, for your own peace of mind and to live a healthy life. And not just for revenge." Then he grinned, "But if it results in a little payback, then that's justice!"

I thought about what he had said as we finished the rest of the shift. I knew Trevor was right and someday I probably would get past the anger, the humiliation and the rage. But right now it was impossible to put it out of my mind. Those responsible were going to pay for ruining my life. There had to be consequences for their actions.

As I thought about everything I knew about the situation I had a glimmer of an idea. If I could pull it off then I would have justice and Donna would be gone at least long enough to put some distance between her and Sam and I.

Later as we sat over a beer at Gino's. I started to run it down for Trev. "My problem is how to get Donna out of my life and not lose Samantha. If I divorce her she will get primary custody and her influence could ruin Sam. I can't have that. The only thing I can think of short of murder is to get her put in jail or in so much legal trouble that no judge will ever allow her custody." 

"Makes sense, but how do you do that?"

"I think the drug connection is the key. And we know where all four of them will be next Friday night. Curtis already has a record so a drug bust would be believable.

"If I can figure out a way for Donna and friends to get busted in such a way as to draw maximum attention then Donna would not have a chance in hell to gain custody when I file for divorce." 

I started sketching a plan out, asking Trev to help me fill in the blanks and look for holes or inconsistencies. The best scenario I could think of was to set up a bust for Friday night while they were all at the Red Roof Inn. The Tri-County Task Force on Drug Enforcement operated an informant tip hotline. I could use that to get the police involved. 

To ensure the bust would generate serious felony charges I would need to plant drugs in enough quantity so that it was apparent they were not just for personal use. I would have to plant them in whosever vehicle was at the hotel. If Donna and Connie followed past practice it would be Connie's car. If neither woman drove it would have to be Curtis's car. Then I would phone the hotline and initiate the bust. The biggest risk to me was not to get caught planting the drugs and somehow not be tainted by any ensuing investigation. And timing would be a critical.

"So what do you think Trev?"

"That's pretty ambitious, Ken. Do you really want to take it that far?" He said slowly.

"I don't think there is any other way. And I want them to burn, Trev," I said adamantly.

"Okay, I'll play along. First of all, getting the drugs. We both know half a dozen connections who work in the plant. But getting the quantities you need is going to cost."

I nodded. "I got that covered. Ever since Donna went to work two years ago, I started putting all my overtime pay in a separate account in another bank. I had planned to use it for a down payment on a house or a couple of acres in the country. I was going to surprise Donna with it. It doesn't look like I'm going need it now. I have over eight thousand dollars in it."

He nodded, "Okay, then money is not an issue."

"But I do need some help getting the drugs. If my wife is involved in a drug bust and someone finds out I've been buying, it will certainly throw up a red flag. I know it's asking a lot but can you help me with that?"

He thought for a minute, "Yeah, I know four or five people I trust to keep their mouths shut. I will need to spread the purchases around to keep the quantities reasonable. How much do you think you need?"

"How about five or six dime bags of marijuana? And maybe a quantity of coke or methamphetamines? That should be enough for conspiracy to deliver."

"That should run only two or three thousand."

"And one other thing. I think I would like some Percocet or methadone or any other prescription painkillers still in the pharmaceutical company bottles. I want to put the idea in someone's head that maybe Donna has been stealing drugs from the hospital."

"That is devious! You might want to include some syringes, cigarette papers maybe a roach clip in that stuff too." Trev added.

I nodded, "I think everything else is just details except for one other thing. I am going to need an alibi for Friday night, or at least part of Friday night so I can plant the drugs and call in the police. It would be prefect if I could be working on the assembly line. But if I take leave that blows my alibi. I know people have snuck out from time to time but it would be impossible to hide my absence from the section and I know the foreman would certainly notice."

Trev was silent for a few minutes and then laughed. "I've got it! I will talk to the union steward about scheduling a Friday night union meeting to discuss work rule changes for the upcoming contract negotiations. The union reps always invite a couple of the rank and file to participate. I will ask the foreman to let you be one of the rank and file representatives. He won't be able to say no. He will just have to borrow another relief man from one of the other sections. The meeting will start right after the lunch hour. You can go out the gate like you are going on a pizza run and not come back. The meetings usually don't end until the shift is over. And I'm sure I can punch out your timecard without anyone noticing." 

"That sounds like it could work. I'll bring the cash into work on Monday. Will that give you enough time to get what I need?" 

"Yeah, I think so."

"Thanks. And could you make sure Tony is cool about any crap dropping on James and Curtis without letting on what we have in mind? I don't want him to get jammed up over it."

Trev laughed, "I don't think he sees that as a problem. But I will have a few words with him. I would also like to see what else he can find out about their Friday night plans."

By this time it was almost one in the morning so we finished our beers and left the bar. 

As I drove home I wondered how I could manage to keep my cool for another week. Knowing how Donna was shitting on me and Samantha was eating me up. How could she so blatantly and repeatedly disrespect someone she loves? Did she think she was impervious? That somehow it wouldn't come out? It was going to take a monumental effort on my part not to let on that I knew she was screwing both of us over. 

I was surprised when I got home that there were still lights on in the house. I found Donna asleep on the couch with the television still on and a couple of scented candles burning next to an empty wine glass on the coffee table. I picked up her glass, turned off the TV, blew out the candles and went into the kitchen. On the counter I found a nearly empty wine bottle. I poured it out into the sink and went to throw it in the wastebasket. When I did I found another empty bottle already there. 




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 02



Now I had to stop and think about that. I had never known Donna to drink alone and most certainly not in any quantity. When I went to put her wine glass in the dishwasher, I found another dirty wine glass. I pulled it out and looked at it closely. I could distinctly see the smear of lipstick on the rim. I went back to the wastebasket and pulled out the other empty bottle and looked at it. There appeared to be cigarette butts inside. I shook the butts out of the bottle onto the counter and got the distinct odor of marijuana. That explained what the candles were for and now I was pretty sure Connie had been here. That thought really pissed me off even more. I would bet anything that Connie was here to make sure Donna was on board for their date next Friday. 

I cleaned up the evidence and went to bed. As I lay there the thought occurred to me that not only does Donna have a taste for big black guys but it appears she has developed a fondness for alcohol and marijuana. Sometime in the night I woke up enough to feel Donna get into bed. I turned my back to her and went right back to sleep without another thought.

I woke up in the morning before nine. I got up and around and checked on Sam. She was lying in bed talking to her stuffed animals and playing some kind of game with them. I left her alone and got into the shower. 

After cleaning up I shook Donna a couple of times. Huh, what, what is it?" She said groggily. 

"Its nine thirty. We still have time to get ready for church."

"What! Leave me alone and let me sleep" she said grumpily and pulled a pillow over her head.

"Donna, did you have company here last night?" I asked.

She didn't say anything.

"Donna, answer me. Who was here last night?"

"No one, Ken! Now go away leave me alone!"

"Bullshit, why are you lying to me?"

Donna sat up in bed and screamed at me, "Damn you! Leave me alone!" before she threw herself under the covers and covered her face."

I walked out of the room and went into Sam's bedroom. "Hi daddy, can we have breakfast now?" she said.

"Sure can, how would you like to go to Sunday school today?" 

"Is today Sunday, daddy?"

"Yep, so let's get some breakfast then we will get dressed and go to church, okay?"

Sam nodded enthusiastically, "Okay! Is mommy going too?"

I tried to smile at Sam, "Mommy's tired, Sam. She wants to sleep in."

Sam thought about that for minute, "Mommy doesn't go anywhere with us anymore daddy. How come?"

Sadly I looked at her and said, "I don't know why, Sam, you can ask her when we get home, alright?"

Sam nodded and ran to get her favorite cereal.

The three of us had started attending church a couple times a month after Sam's second birthday. While neither of us was very religious we recognized the benefits of having Sam brought up in a church environment. We had found a Methodist church nearby that we liked and so it became our church even though we couldn't seem to get around to going any more than we did. And with me working nights it minimized our attendance at any other social activities. And Donna didn't seem to want to participate without me. But Sam really enjoyed Sunday school, the Bible lessons and playing with her friends.

Most times the services were informative and many times just comforting. Today's services seemed to fill the need I had to be comforted. I knew what I was planning to do to those who wronged me wasn't the Christian thing to do. But somehow I felt that I would be forgiven in time. At the very least the service calmed me and seemed to give me the strength to get through the days ahead.

The house was quiet when we returned. I peeked into our bedroom but the bed was empty and I could hear the shower in our bathroom running.

Sam and I were sitting in the living room, Sam was watching TV and I was reading the newspaper when Donna came in. I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she looked at me for a moment then walked into the kitchen without saying a word. Sam jumped up and followed her into the kitchen. "Mommy, Mommy, I went to Sunday school and Mrs. Benson read us Bible stories and we played and I had a cookie and some milk!" 

"That's nice sweetie."

"Mommy, why didn't you go to church with us?"

"Mommy didn't feel good and needed to sleep, honey."

There was a pause for a few moments and I could imagine Sam thinking about that. "Mommy, why don't you like to go places with us anymore?"

"That's enough Samantha. I told you I don't feel good now go watch TV," Donna said sharply.

Sam walked slowly back into the living room. She picked up her stuffed puppy and climbed up on the sofa and curled up as close to me as she could get. She just stared at the TV and didn't say a word.

My heart broke for her. All she wanted was her Mother's attention and Donna was too absorbed in her own screwing around to see it. The last vestiges of uncertainty I had over what I was going to do was gone. 

We stayed cuddled on the couch while Donna got something to eat in the kitchen. Eventually she walked back through the living room, down the hall and went into our bedroom and shut the door. She never said another word to either of us.

I turned to Sam and said, "You want to go for a ride with Daddy?"

Sam just nodded and said, "Okay."

I got Sam into some play clothes and we got into the pick-up and took off. I wanted to scout out the Red Roof Inn and the surrounding area. That would keep Sam occupied and both of us away from home. The Forest Road exit was just outside the city limits. Going east from the freeway the Red Roof Inn was on the left and a Best Western Motel on the right. The road ended against a cross road on the other side of which were corn fields and a horse farm.

Sam got all excited when she saw the horses romping in the fields with this year's crop of colts. I pulled off the road and let Sam get out of the truck to stand along the fence to watch. While she laughed and clapped at the antics of the horses, I pulled out a pair of field glasses out of my glove box and checked out the Inn.

The parking lot was partially screened from the road by a line of spaced pine trees. It appeared I could park at the Best Western, walk across the road and hide behind one of the pines. The Inn was an L-shaped two story building and the type where you parked up next to your room and entered directly from outside. Depending on which room they had I could slip up to their cars and plant the drugs and then slip back behind one of the trees fairly quickly. There wasn't much going on in town this weekend so I didn't think the Inn would be too full.

I needed to locate a working payphone fairly close. From a distance there looked to be one outside of the Best Western Motel Office. I finally got Sam back into the truck and I drove over to check it out. I put some change in it and dialed directory assistance just to verify it was working. It did. Sam and I spent a couple more hours driving around the countryside and looking at stuff before we finally went home.

Sam was about asleep so I carried her into the house. When I walked in the door I could smell something cooking in the kitchen and hear Donna rustling dishes and silverware. Donna stuck her head around the corner and looked at us. Without looking me in the eye she seemed to force a smile on her face and said, "Dinner will be ready in about an hour." And she ducked back into the kitchen.

Mentally I just shook my head and wondered if Donna felt as schizophrenic as she was behaving. I carried Sam into her room and laid her down. She just curled up in her blanket and closed her eyes.

I went back to the living room and turned on the baseball game and decided to finish reading the newspaper. If Donna wanted to pretend everything was okay then that was fine with me. Donna poked her head out of the kitchen once and said, "Where's Sam?"

"Taking a nap, she will probably sleep until dinner."

"Okay." She then went back to whatever she was doing.

I watched the game and read the paper. Donna never came out of the kitchen except to set the dining room table. I noticed a couple of photos of crime scenes in the local section. The byline under them had the name of a local photographer, Dennis Thompson. He was kind of a celebrity in that he was a free lance photographer who sold his pictures to several area newspapers and local magazines. And once, one of his photos had gotten picked up by the Associated Press. Our local newspaper had done a spotlight article on him about six months before. He apparently had been accepted by several police and fire departments in the area as their official photographer which got him access to take pictures where others were usually denied. Thinking about him gave me an idea.

Donna finally came out of the kitchen and said, "Dinner's ready. I'll go see if Sam is awake." 

I didn't say anything. I figured she was trying to make amends for being so short with her earlier. She disappeared into Sam's room and didn't reappear right away. After about ten minutes she came back out carrying Sam and whispering in her ear. I could see Sam nodding her head and holding Donna tightly around her neck. Donna sat her down in her chair and said cheerfully, "Dinners ready."

We sat down and it seemed like the three of us were all playing a role. Donna was pretending nothing was wrong and that she was happy and content. I was pretending that I was buying her act. And Sam was pretending that her mother had not hurt her feelings earlier.

We talked superficially about work and school. I finally told a lie of my own. I said I was going to register for classes on her day off this week. The thought of being alone together with her all day was more than I could stomach.

The evening was a typical Sunday night. We played with Sam, watched some TV and read a little. When it came time for bed I pretended to be interested in a movie and Donna went up to bed alone. 

The next day I started my preparations for the week. I decided I needed to lay some ground work with the tip hot-line. I went to a payphone outside the 7-11 down the street. I put a piece of cheese cloth over the mouthpiece and dialed the hotline number. I pitched my voice lower than normal and when the operator answered I said I wanted to report a crime and how did the hotline work? She told me to select a code word or number sequence and that my information would be filed under that code. If a reward should be authorized for the information the money would be paid to the informant that had that code. He also said for legal purposes all calls were being recorded. 

I said, "My code word will be 'Black & Tan'. There is a drug buy being planned on Friday night at an east side motel. The buyer is a corrections officer. The supplier has a police record of drug offenses. I will call later with more information." Then I hung up.

I figured that would get their interest. I would phone in more details later in the week. I also had looked up the phone number of the photographer, Dennis Thompson. I dialed his number and got his answering machine. The message I left was, "I have information that there will be a drug bust at an east side motel on Friday night by the Tri-County Task Force. If you are interested I will call back at four today with more information." 

Later at the designated time I called him back from our home phone and again disguised my voice. "I left a message earlier about a drug bust on Friday night," I said.

"Yeah, I got your message. I checked with Tri-County and they said they had nothing in the works."

"I will provide them more information later. The buyer is a state prison corrections officer. I hear he is selling the drugs inside the prison to inmates. If this goes down you might get some pictures and a story."

"And your name is?" 

"Nice try but I prefer to remain anonymous."

"Okay, if the info pans out I might be interested."

"I will call you back later in the week with details as I get them. I will call this number." Then I hung up the phone.

I reported to work as usual. Trev and I got together during lunch and compared notes. I told him about Saturday night and that I thought probably Connie was there to set Donna up for their Friday night date. I also gave Trev three thousand in cash. I also updated him on my calls to the tip hotline and the photographer. 

He laughed when I told him about Dennis Thompson. "Those guys are like pit bulls. You sic'em on a story and they won't let go."

"That's the idea. I want as much light on Donna and friends as possible. I'm sure the corrections officer angle will get some interest."

"Oh yeah, there is nothing like public corruption and drugs for a good story. The only thing missing is sex."

I nodded, "I may be able to do something about that before Friday too. Is $3000 enough to get what we need."

"It's more than enough. I also spoke to Tony last night. He said not to worry about him. He won't lose any sleep about anything that happens to Curtis and James. He also told me he knows where Curtis hangs out after work a couple of days a week. It's the Airport Tavern over near the UPS Warehouse. He said he drives by there almost every day and if he sees Curtis's car parked in the lot he will go in and see what he's up to." 

"Okay, thanks for everything Trev."

Tuesday was Donna's day off. I left about the time she got out of bed and I told her I was going to the university to register. Instead I drove down to a suburb of Detroit where I knew there were a couple of head shops. I bought a couple of packs of cigarette papers and a roach clip. I drove around to a pharmacy nearby to buy some syringes. As an afterthought I also bought a couple of boxes of different kinds of condoms. 

I got home in time to pickup Sam from pre-school and have dinner before leaving for work. During the shift Trev and I talked briefly. He said he had the Friday night union meeting all set. The foreman knew I would be attending. I asked him how things were going as far as getting what we needed. He said he would have most of it by Wednesday night and it wasn't a problem. 

Wednesday I killed the day by getting some yard work caught up. I also used the day to do some research on divorce attorneys. I called a couple to check on availability and costs without giving my name. I also went back down to the 7-11 payphone and called the Tri-County hotline again. When the operator answered, I said, "My code name is Black & Tan, I called on Monday about a drug buy that is going to happen on Friday night. The supplier's name is Curtis Hallock. He has a record. He drives a silver Lincoln Town car. The deal will go down between eleven and twelve PM. The product is mostly marijuana and cocaine. I will call back Friday night before ten and give you the name of the motel, the room number and the name of the corrections officer who is the buyer." I then abruptly hung up. 

Later just before Donna came home from work, I called the photographer, Dennis Townsend again. I repeated what I told the hotline. 

"Are you interested?" I asked.

"Definitely! I have been talking with Lt. Mason who runs the Tri-County Task Force. Your tip and what you told me was passed to the State Police. They are very interested. It seems that they have been investigating drugs in the Ionia prison. It sounds like your buyer may be a major source on how they are getting in."

"Okay, so how long will it take you to get to the vicinity of east of US-123 just south of the university?"

"Not longer than twenty minutes. But the Task Force will probably need thirty to forty-five minutes to mobilize."

I told him I would call him five minutes before I called the Tri-County Task Force. He said he would be ready to go and I hung up.

Trev came into work whistling and a smile on his face. I kind of looked at him and said, "Something must have made you happy today."

He laughed and said, "Oh yeah, I'll tell you about it at lunch."

As we sat down to eat, he said, "Guess what? Troy managed to hook up with Curtis last night at the Airport Tavern. Curtis had had a few too many and was shooting his mouth off about his latest white piece of ass." Trev stopped and looked uncomfortable for a minute. "I'm sorry, Ken. I guess I wasn't thinking."

I just shrugged, "Don't worry about it Trev. I admit it still hurts but I'll be okay."

"Anyway, Troy told him he surely admired his taste in white women. Curtis laughed and said if he wanted to he could stop by Room 120 at the Red Roof Inn on Friday night and maybe he could get a taste. In fact maybe he would leave the window open and he could check out the action.

"It seems Curtis knows someone who works at the Inn and whenever he wants a room he always gets the same one. It's the last one all the way around the back on the ground floor. Troy thinks that Curtis uses it to do drug business on occasion as well as hooking up with the ladies.

"Troy told him he would like to but he was going to be out of town on Friday night. And in fact I told Troy it might be a good idea if he did exactly that. I didn't tell him anything else but he got the message."

I thought about it for a minute, "Knowing the room number will certainly make this easier. I scoped out the Inn and getting in and out of that part of the parking lot will be fairly simple, lots of cover."

I paused and glanced around, "How about the stuff?" I whispered.

"I've got most of it. We'll transfer it to your pick-up after work."

"Good, I hope you have been careful in handling it. I don't want your fingerprints all over this stuff."

"I've been careful. Still in the original packaging from the suppliers and I wiped it all down after I got it."

I nodded. "I really want to get this over with. The tension at home is starting to build."

"Only two more days. But have you given any thought about afterwards? You had better be prepared for questions, from the police, from family and from friends. Your story has to be airtight."

I nodded, "I haven't thought much past getting a divorce attorney. But you're right. I will think about that between now and Friday."

Part of my Thursday morning was spent on making notes on possible scenarios and how they should be played out. What my responses should be in any given one. I wanted to act surprised, but not be taken by surprise. That night after work I talked them over with Trev and listened to his suggestions and incorporated the ones I thought fit with my personality and my situation. I also made a list of everything I needed for Friday night and a list of actions in sequence I needed to accomplish.

The last few days at home had been routine but tense. I wasn't making any effort to kiss Donna hello or goodbye as we usually did. If she cornered me I didn't try to avoid her but I didn't show any enthusiasm. Donna never gave me any signals that she wanted to make love at any time and I didn't initiate anything either. Our conversations were brief and superficial. From time to time I thought I detected a puzzled look on her face as if she was trying to figure out what was different.

Donna went to work everyday, and Sam went to pre-school. I would pick Sam up from school in time to usually fix dinner or pick-up takeout for the three of us to eat before I left for work. I came straight home after work every night and stayed out of the bars. I never found any more evidence that Connie had been around, but I figured the two of them had been talking on the phone. Thursday night before I went out the door Donna casually mentioned that she was meeting her friends, Josie and Mary for dinner Friday night. I just nodded and left for work. 

Friday finally came and I was up early and started my preparations as soon as Donna and Sam were gone. I went through a drawer of hospital stuff that Donna had collected the last couple of years. I put on a pair of surgical gloves from a box of them she had and also put aside a pair of them for the evening. She had several tote bags with the hospital logo on it that the hospital had distributed to all their employees. Donna used one everyday to carry her work shoes and purse into work with her. I selected an old used one and cleaned some trash out she had left in it. I found several receipts from the hospital cafeteria among the litter and I purposefully left a couple of them in the bottom of the bag. 




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 02



I got the sack of drugs out of the basement where I had stashed them. I put the dime bags of marijuana, the cocaine and the two bottles of prescription painkillers in the bag. I also put the syringes and cigarette papers in with them. I also put an envelope with five hundred dollars in hundreds, fifties and twenties in the bag. As a fitting emphasis I also included about a dozen condoms of various kinds. I rolled and folded the bag tightly and put it inside a backpack and put it behind my seat in the pickup.

As an additional twist I prepared a couple of small baggies to put into an inside compartment in the bottom of Donna's purse that I knew she never used. In one baggie I put three rolled joints and a roach clip. In another I had enough coke for a couple of lines and in a third I put two hundred dollars in twenties and a couple of condoms. I then put the baggies in a larger bag and hid them in my brief case.

For the rest of the afternoon I cleaned the house. I scrubbed down any surface that may have touched the sack holding the drugs. I dusted the furniture, swept the carpets and mopped the floors. I collected the dust bag from the vacuum cleaner, the surgical gloves I had worn and the sack that had held the drugs. I bagged everything up and took it down to the 7-11 down the block and put it into their trash barrel. I then changed clothes, took a shower and washed everything I had been wearing. I couldn't be too careful. 

When it was time I went and picked up Sam from pre-school. I sat down and played with her and tried to relax for awhile. I couldn't help but feel guilty about the upheaval she was going to experience. I knew it was going to be hard on her to lose her mother for all intents and purposes. I hoped and prayed that I would be able to fill the void in her life. 

I got dinner around and Donna was home on time. When she went into the bedroom to change clothes I only needed a minute to open her purse, open my briefcase and transfer the baggies into the zippered compartment. Dinner was uneventful. Donna and Sam were still sitting at the table talking as I started to walk out the door. I stopped for a moment to look at the two of them, knowing this could be the last time I might see them together in any kind of happy care-free setting. I accepted the fact that one of us would probably be in jail before the night was over. While I had a moment of regret I reminded myself that Donna had thrown this away, not me and without another word I turned and went out the door.

Trev and I both got to work about fifteen minutes early. I went over my preparations with him and he nodded and said he thought I had everything covered. When I told him about the drugs I planted in Donna's purse, he looked thoughtful for a minute and said, "One thing you should think about. At some point someone is going to figure out they were set up. And they are going to try to figure out who."

"Yeah, I know. And sooner or later Donna is going to start thinking about who had access to her purse. It will probably come down to Connie or me. But by the time it does I hope to have the divorce and custody arrangements settled and Sam and I relocated. If it comes down to her word against mine who do you think they will believe?"

As planned we worked until the lunch period. Trev then walked me out to the parking lot. I moved my backpack into his car and we traded keys. As a parting gift he gave me the 'Slim-Jim' from the foreman's office. It seemed like every week, a couple of people would lock themselves out of their vehicles and so most of the foremen kept one these handy tools hidden in their offices. We shook hands and with more confidence than I felt I said, "See you at Gino's around two." Trev just nodded and I left.

It took me only about twenty minutes to get over to the Best Western across from the Inn. I parked in a dark corner of the lot where I could see the wing of the building between the trees that held Room 120 with my field glasses. There were two cars parked next to each other near the end of the building, Curtis's town car and a blue Trans Am I knew was Connie's. I looked at my watch it was just past nine thirty. I thought to myself they certainly didn't waste anytime getting over here from the Black & Tan.

I put on my surgical gloves and got my backpack out of the trunk and put it on. As I walked across the street the only cars on the road I could see were up by the freeway intersection. I ducked behind a pine tree and observed the two cars and the rooms for a few minutes. I could see a light coming from the window of 120 but the rest of the rooms on this side were dark. I crouched down and ran across the lot and hunkered down between the cars. I put my hand on the hood of the Trans Am and could feel the heat radiating from it. They hadn't been here long. 

I tried the passenger door of the Trans Am but it was locked. I slipped the backpack off and opened it. I took the Slim-Jim out and slid it down the window glass until I could feel the door latch and yanked up hard and the door was unlocked. I took the hospital tote bag out of the backpack, quietly opened the car door and stuffed it under the front passenger seat. I relocked the door and quietly closed it. 

I felt around the bottom of the backpack for a baggie I had with several roaches, butts from marijuana cigarettes, that I had Trev make up. I spread them out between the two cars beneath the front doors. If the cops didn't have probable cause to search the cars before they certainly would now.

I put the backpack on and as I started to go back across the parking lot, I stopped and looked at the lighted window of the motel room. I knew it wasn't a good idea but something pulled me toward the window. I crept across the sidewalk and up to the window. I could hear the muted sounds of grunting, laughter and moaning. I slowly stood up and as I did so an inch or two gap in the curtains became apparent. Whether it was unintentional or whether Curtis thought Troy was going to show up I don't know. But the scene that unfolded was as pornographic as anything I had ever seen in any stag film.

In the dim light and through a haze of smoke, I could see a naked Donna and Curtis on the closest bed only about five feet away from the window. Donna was on her back with her head toward me and almost hanging off the end of the bed with her legs up on Curtis's shoulders as he pounded his cock into her pussy. Her eyes were clinched shut as she moaned loudly and continuously and her hands scrabbled furiously at the sheets on the bed.

Further away on the other bed James and Connie were fucking missionary style with Connie's legs hooked tightly around his back. About that time, Curtis laughed and exclaimed, "Damn, it's noisy in here! Can't someone shut this bitch up?"

Laughingly, James got up off of Connie and walked over to Donna. Lifting her head up in one hand he stuck his dripping cock in her mouth. I could see Donna's eyes bulge as she felt James try to slide almost his entire length down her throat. As he pulled back I could see her eyes close and her mouth start to suck as he thrust forward again. Behind him I could hear Connie laughing hysterically. Stunned I turned around and slowly slid to the ground with my back to the wall and put my hands over my eyes. I was shocked. Nothing I imagined had prepared me for this. 

In a daze I got up and staggered across the parking lot, across the road and up to Trev's car. I turned and looked back at Room 120. I cursed myself for looking in that window. I would never forget that scene every time I thought of the woman I once loved. If I could have destroyed that building and everyone in it at that moment I would have. I took a couple of deep breaths and remembered what I had to do next. 

I turned away and walked towards the Best Western office and the outside pay phone. I put in some change and dialed the photographer's phone number. When Dennis answered I said, "The drug buy is going down in Room 120 at the Red Roof Inn on Forest Road. The supplier is Curtis Hallock and he drives a silver Lincoln Town Car. The buyer is James Martin; he is a corrections officer at the state prison in Ionia. They are holed up in the motel room with two hookers. One of the hookers drives a blue Trans Am."

"I got it," Dennis said.

"How long will it take you to get here?" I asked.

"About fifteen, twenty minutes."

"You have a five minute head start before I call the Tri-County Task Force."

"Thanks, Lt. Mason is waiting for your call. I'm leaving now." Then he hung up.

I stood there, lost in my thoughts and just stared across the road. Finally I checked my watch and picked up the phone and dialed Tri-County. When they answered I identified myself by the code word and repeated what I had told Dennis with the addition of one detail. I told them that James Martin was carrying a gun and Curtis Hallock was carrying a knife. Then I hung up.

I walked back down to the end of the lot and the car. I stripped off the gloves and put them in the backpack. I drove around to the back of the Best Western and dumped the backpack and its contents in their dumpster. I then drove back to the edge of the lot facing the Inn and Room 120. Standing next to the car I had an excellent view of both sides of the building from about 150 feet away. This part of the parking lot was not well lighted and I was wearing dark clothes so I was fairly well hidden.

I watched the entrance to the Inn and the side of the building holding Room 120 through the field glasses. After about fifteen minutes a car pulled in and parked near the office. Two men got out and instead of going in the office they walked along the line of rooms and turned the corner toward the end of the building. One man stopped at the corner and the other continued down to Room 120. I saw him stop at the window. He didn't move for several minutes and I figured he was getting an eyeful. He had something in his hand I though was probably a camera. He turned around and retraced his steps. The two of them huddled up for a few minutes then went back to their car and waited.

About thirty minutes later six unmarked cars came down the road and as they turned into the parking lot they turned off their headlights. They disgorged about a dozen men in some kind of dark windbreakers. I could just make out 'Police' on the back of them. I watched one officer go into the office and a couple of others open up the trunks of their cars and take out some equipment. Two Sherriff's cars came silently down Forest Road and took up positions on each end of the block. 

The two men I originally observed went over and spoke to one of the officers and pointed down to the end of the building. I figured that was probably Dennis Thompson. About six of the officers headed down toward the end of the building followed by the photographer. Two other officers headed around the back of the building and two others took up stations at the parking lot entrance.

The six officers inched around the corner of the building and up to the window. One officer peered in the window and motioned the others toward the door. Two officers with what looked like drawn guns took up a position on each side of the door and two officers carrying something between them took up a position in front of the door. It looked like the photographer took up a position right behind them.

Even from where I was I could hear someone yell "Police!" At the same time the two officers in front of the door swung what must have been an iron ram at the door which opened with a loud "crash". As the door flew open I saw a flash from the photographer as he held a camera over the officer's heads. All four officers piled into the room accompanied by screams and shouting. I heard someone or something hit the wall and then it got quiet. I saw continuing flashes from the camera coming from inside the room now. 

The screams had been replaced by cursing and yelling. And faintly I could hear someone crying. Several other officers quickly congregated around the room and I saw two other marked police vehicles pull into the parking lot and drive down and stop in front of the room with their lights flashing. A couple of female police officers got out of the cars and went into the room. A couple of other officers started examining the Town Car and the Trans Am with flashlights. 

After a couple of more minutes two officers dragged Curtis out of the room with his hands cuffed behind him wearing boxer shorts. His head was down and it looked like he had been beaten. I could see a red blotch on his chest where blood had dripped from his face. They put him in one car and drove off. James was brought out the same way except he was walking under his own power. He looked shocked and dazed. He was put in another car and driven away. 

Two more police cars and a pick-up marked "Canine Unit" pulled up. And more officers went into the room. One officer came out with what must have been keys and opened the doors and trunks of the cars. Several officers started going through the contents of both vehicles.

Finally Donna and Connie were brought out of the room in handcuffs, each accompanied by a female officer. The two of them had been allowed to dress but it was apparent by their disheveled appearance that their clothes had just been thrown on. I watched Donna closely through the glasses as she stumbled across the threshold being held up by the officer. I could see her clearly. I have never seen such a look of terror and helplessness on anyone's face as she had now. Tears and make-up ran down her checks. She blinked repeatedly into the light and I could see her chin quivering and her body shaking as she attempted to hold back what I imagined were sobs.

As much as I thought Donna and the others deserved this, for a minute I hated myself for doing it to her. Then I remembered the scene in the motel room, and how she had treated me and Samantha and my feelings of guilt dissipated.

I looked on as the two of them were pushed into a squad car and I followed it in the field glasses as it slowly made its way out of the parking lot and down the road. 

My mind numb, I put the glasses down and watched silently as the police strobes were swallowed up into the distance. And I sadly contemplated the uncertainty my future had become.



Black & Tan Blues Ch. 03



This is a story that took place in the swinging 70's. The Vietnam War and the draft were coming to an end. Richard Nixon really was a crook. We were still safe from HIV and AIDS. The internet was only a gleam in Al Gore's eye. The first portable phones were just being developed by Motorola. And General Motors, Ford and Chrysler actually made cars that people wanted to buy. Life was good.

This is a work of fiction. But in every story there is a kernel of truth, an incident that really occurred or maybe a character or characters that really existed. With that said any similarities to persons living or dead is purely intentional.

*

I sat in the car for a couple more hours hardly moving, just listening to the radio, one sad country song after another. From a distance, I watched the police come and go, removing evidence from the room and from the cars. The small crowd from the two hotels quickly dissipated as the commotion ebbed. Eventually a couple of wreckers showed up and the two cars were towed away. I contemplated the events of the last couple of weeks and thought about how much my life had changed in that short period of time. Finally after the last of the police left I started the car and drove over to Gino's. I went inside and got a beer and collapsed into a booth. About ten minutes later Trev showed up from work and sat down.

He looked at me soberly and said finally, "Well you're here and not in jail so it must have gone down as planned. But you don't look happy about it."

I related everything that had happened that night and what I had seen. He shook his head and didn't say anything. Finally after a few minutes I said, "I'm trying to accept the fact that it's really over. In one respect I'm glad, on the other hand I just feel so incredibly lost. Two weeks ago I knew what I had and where my life was going. Now ... now I don't know anything."

Trev just patted my arm and didn't say a thing. We finished our beer and we got up to leave. Trev asked, "Are you ready for your acting job?"

I nodded, "I'm not looking forward to it, but I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Trev smiled sadly and said, "Break a leg!"

We traded keys again and I got into my truck and drove home. I pulled into the driveway and parked behind Donna's car. As I walked toward the house I took a deep breath and went in. I was met at the door by a very worried babysitter.

"Mr. Colville! I thought you were Mrs. Colville."

"Hi Kristie, isn't Donna here?" I said acting surprised.

She shook her head no, "She left about seven and said she would be home by one or one thirty. It's not like her to be late."

"Donna and Josie must have gone somewhere after dinner and forgot the time. Or maybe she's at Josie's house." I suggested.

Now it was Kristie's turn to look surprised. "But, but Mrs. Colville wasn't picked up by Josie or Mary. It was a woman named Connie who came and got her." 

"Are you sure? She told me she was having dinner with Josie tonight."

Kristie nodded, "I'm sure her name was Connie. She sometimes comes in after bringing Mrs. Colville home on Friday nights. And I recognized her car when she pulled up tonight."

"There's only one Connie I know of, and I can't believe she would be going anywhere with her." I said slowly.

Kristie looked uncomfortable, "I don't know anything about that, but she has been bringing Mrs. Colville home for the last several Fridays that I've babysat." 

She looked at her watch, "But it's after two and I've got to be getting home." 

"I'm sorry Kristie; I didn't mean to keep you. I'll call Josie and get to the bottom of this. How much do I owe you?" 

We settled up and I walked her to the door and thanked her for watching Sam. As I watched her walk down the street I hoped I sounded convincing.

I went back into the kitchen and pulled down our address book and looked up Josie's number. I knew she would be pissed about being called this late but I needed to establish an alibi of concern. 

After about six rings, a very sleepy voice said, "Hello?"

"Josie? It's Ken Colville."

"Ken? What, what time is it?"

"It's about two thirty Josie. I'm sorry to wake you but I thought Donna might be there. She isn't home yet."

"Ken, I haven't seen Donna since we got out of work."

"But, but she told be she was meeting you and Mary for dinner?"

"Ken, we haven't gone out to dinner on a Friday night for a couple of months now. 

"What! That can't be!"

"Well it is. A couple of months ago she wanted to change our dinner night to earlier in the week. She said she ran into an old neighbor girlfriend that wanted to take her out. We haven't gone out on a Friday night since."

"Shit! Thanks Josie, I'm sorry to bother you this late." I hung up the phone and thought for a moment.

I picked up the phone book and dialed the city police department. I got a dispatcher on the phone and told them I was concerned about my wife not coming home. As I expected he told me that nothing could be done unless she had been missing twenty-four hours and then I could file a missing persons report. I mentioned her name a couple of times to be certain that he would remember it. After about fifteen minutes I let him convince me to hang up and if she was still missing after the twenty-four hours to call back.

I sat in the darkened kitchen holding onto the phone for a few minutes just thinking. Finally I decided I better get some sleep. I knew the crap would start flying in a few hours and I needed to be ready for it. 

I got dressed for bed and went into Sam's room to check on her. She was sound asleep with a little smile on her face. Probably having pleasant dreams only the young and truly innocent can have. How I envied her. As I gazed down at my little girl, I got a lump in my throat and a burning sensation in my eyes. I realized I didn't want to be alone. I crawled into bed with her and as she turned to me and sleepily opened her eyes I said, "It's just daddy, sweetheart. Go back to sleep."

"Daddy?" She whispered. She closed her eyes and snuggled into my shoulder and was out again. I lay there staring into the dark until, like a door closing in my mind I was out.

I came out of a sound sleep to the sound of the telephone ringing in our bedroom down the hall. I looked at my watch and it was just after eight o'clock. I sat up and gently moved Sam off of my arm and swung my legs out of bed and nearly ran to the phone.

"Hello?"

"Ken, this is Jack, what's going on with Donna?" He practically yelled into the phone.

Jack was Donna's father. Jack and Brenda, Donna's mother, lived in a small town about twenty miles away. He had been retired for several years now. With his small pension, Social Security and their few savings they managed to squeak by. After retiring, they decided to move downstate from the Upper Peninsula to be closer to the medical care Brenda needed for her diabetes and blood pressure problems.

I had liked Jack and Brenda from the start and we always got along well. They always tried to see Sam as often as possible and spoiled her like only doting grandparents could. Their son still lived in the U.P with his wife and their other two grandchildren so Sam got the majority of their attention. I knew that this was going to be particularly hard on them.

"Jack! Donna wasn't here when I got home from work. The sitter said she was supposed to be home at least an hour before. I called the girlfriend she was supposed to be out with but she hadn't seen her. I even called the police."

"Ken, she just called here! She was almost hysterical and wouldn't stop crying. She just kept repeating, 'it's a mistake, it's a mistake', over and over again. I finally managed to get out of her that she's in the Eaton County jail. She couldn't or wouldn't tell me why. And she wouldn't answer me when I asked if she had called you."

"What the hell? Jack, she didn't call me. I'll get dressed and get over there. Can you and Brenda watch Sam for me?"

"Yeah, sure, anything you need Ken."

As I put down the phone I heard a noise at the door. I turned and Sam was standing there with her thumb in her mouth and her stuffed puppy clutched to her chest.

"Daddy, where's Mommy?" She said.

Thinking fast I said, "Mommy had to go to work early this morning, honey. How would you like to go see Grandpa Jack and Grandma Bren this morning?"

She thought about it for a moment and said "Okay, can I have some breakfast first?"

"You sure can sweetheart. We will both have breakfast, how about that?"

We ate and got dressed fairly quickly. I got Sam loaded into the car and we headed over to Jack and Brenda's house. Both of them met us at the door with a desperate hug for both of us. Brenda was pale and her eyes were red and swollen. She had obviously been crying.

"Ken, what's going on? Donna can't be, can't be where she said she was, can she?"

I just shook my head as Jack picked up Sam and gave her a squeeze. "I don't know what's going on Brenda. All I know is that she wasn't with who she said she was going out with last night. And apparently this wasn't the first time according to the babysitter."

Jack put Sam down and said to her, "Sam, I think there's a doughnut with sprinkles on it for you on the kitchen table. Why don't you go see?"

"Okay Grandpa" And Sam trotted out of the living room and into the kitchen.

Jack turned to me and said, "Ken, have you two been having problems?"

I kept a puzzled look on my face and shook my head again, "Not that I know of, Jack. Donna has been acting a little strange and out of sorts the last few weeks. But we talked about it and she said she was just tired of the schedule we've been keeping. Why? Has she said anything to you?"

Brenda and Jack looked at each other and then Jack said, "Ken, we haven't seen her or hardly even talked to her in almost a month. She hasn't called us and if we call her she puts us off and says she's too busy to talk. And it really hurts us that she hasn't brought Sam over in all that time. And that's not like her either."

I nodded slowly and said, "Let me get over there and find out what's happened. I'll call you or bring her back here." 

I turned and walked out the door with Jack right behind me. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Thanks, Ken. I would go with you but I'm afraid to leave Brenda alone right now. I think her blood pressure is going crazy and I could hardly get her to stop crying after Donna called."

"I understand Jack. Just take care of both of them and I'll get back here as soon as I can."

I got into the car and headed out. The county jail was next to the county court house, about twenty miles away. I had driven past it many times over the years but never had the occasion to go in. Fortunately there were several signs directing me to the entrance for visitors. Inside was a waiting area that was mostly empty except for a reception counter with a couple of uniformed officers working at desks behind it. There was a sign of the counter directing visitors to sign in and a clipboard next to it. As I reached for the pen one of the officers looked up and said, "Can I help you?"

Even though I was expecting this, I was at a loss for words and couldn't think of what to say. Finally I said, "I, I think you are holding my wife here. She called my father this morning. I uh, we don't know why." 

Brusquely she said, "Her name?"

"Donna. Donna Colville."

She opened a file in front of him and leafed through several papers. Without looking at me she said, "Yes, she's here." She turned to the other officer and said, "Who's assigned to the Red Roof Inn bust from last night?"

"Detective's Williams and Prescott," The other officer replied.

The first officer picked up a phone and dialed a number. She turned away as she said something into it. She hung up and turned to me. "Have a seat, Detective Williams will come get you."

I sat, staring at the floor for about ten minutes until a man in civilian clothes came out of a security door in the back and looked at me. He appeared to be in his forties, shorter than me but stockier. He had a competent look about him. He walked up to me and said, "I'm Detective Williams, are you the husband of Donna Colville?"

"Yes, yes I am. Is she alright? What's going on? Why is she here?"

"Come on back to my office." He said and motioned down the hallway.

I followed him down the hall and through a doorway marked 'Detectives'. We were the only people in a room with four desks with accompanying chairs and many file cabinets scattered against the walls. He closed the door behind me and pointed at a chair beside one of the desks and said, "Have a seat. Can I see your driver's license please?" 

I handed it to him and he opened a file on his desk and compared it what looked like a photocopy of Donna's license. 

He nodded and handed it back to me. "Mr. Colville, I'm sorry to have to tell you your wife was arrested last night during a drug bust at the Red Roof Inn on Forest Road."

I tried to act flustered and disbelieving. "What! No! There must be some mistake." 

"No mistake, Mr. Colville. Acting on a tip that a drug buy was going to occur, the Tri-County Task Force on Drug Enforcement conducted a raid on a specific room at the Inn." A quantity of illegal drugs was seized within the room and also within two vehicles belonging to occupants of that room. In the course of our search two weapons were also found."

I sagged back into the chair and acted totally dumfounded. Detective Williams looked at me sympathetically for a moment and then said, "I've been reviewing the officers affidavits of the event and I can tell you in general what they observed and what they will testify to. Do you want to know? I have to warn you what you hear may be shocking." 

I looked at him for a minute and I nodded my head yes without saying anything. 

"Okay. Upon forcing entry into the room the officers observed two Black males and two Caucasian females, all unclothed and engaged in sexual activity. A quantity of drugs was openly present. One of the male suspects resisted arrest and assaulted one of the officers. He was subdued and all four individuals were placed under arrest and transported here." 

As he finished I bent over in the chair and put my hands over my eyes and whispered repeatedly, "No, no, no. This can't be!"

"I'm sorry Mr. Colville, but I need to ask you a few questions."

I looked up at him over the tips of my fingers. To my surprise I actually had tears in my eyes and it wasn't an act. Hearing him say what he said brought back all the emotional shock and disorientation of discovering Donna's betrayal the first time. 

"Mr. Colville, you cannot be forced to testify against your wife, but is there anything you would like to add to what we know?" 

I shook my head from side to side, "I don't understand it. I just don't understand it. We have a four year old daughter. How, how could she do this? How could she?" I said as tears ran down my face. 

"Did you have any idea your wife was involved with or had a problem with illegal drugs?"

I looked up at him and shook my head no, "We've never been involved with them. The only time we experimented with marijuana had to be over four years ago. And then she said she didn't like it. We never tried it again."

I hesitated for a few seconds, "But wait, I do remember something. There was a night about six, seven months ago I came home from work and my wife had been out that evening. She was in the bathroom, sick and throwing up. She had been out with an old neighbor of ours named Connie. She admitted to smoking a joint with her that night. We had a big fight over it and she said she would never go out with her again."

I saw the detective's eyes open wide when I mentioned Connie's name. Take that you bitch, I thought.

The detective hesitated a moment and finally said. "Mr. Colville, your wife is going to need an attorney. The arraignment will be Monday morning between ten and eleven. If she doesn't have one present one will be appointed to represent her. Bail will be set at the arraignment."

I got out a handkerchief and wiped my eyes. I nodded, "Can I, can I get a copy of the arrest report and what she is being charged with?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I will make you a copy."

"Can you tell me who she was arrested with?"

"Officially I can't but I have to warn you that a reporter was present at the scene of the arrests and it may end up in the newspaper in the next day or two. He may even have the names of those involved, though the names are not supposed to be released until arraignment."

He took the file and left the room. He returned in a couple of minutes and handed me a couple of copies. I started to read through the form until I got to the list of charges and I stopped. I looked up at him with a shocked expression, "Is this right? Can this be right?"

Soberly he nodded. "As far as we know, some charges may be dropped or added during the arraignment or during the pre-trial. It will be up to the prosecutor assigned to the case."

I looked back at the charges; Felony Drug Possession, Felony Drug Possession with Conspiracy to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Solicitation.

I took a deep breath, "Solicitation? You mean prostitution don't you! What the hell! Damn her. God damn her!" I said angrily. I stood up and headed toward the door.

I stopped and looked at him, "Are we done? I've got to get out of here."

He look at me soberly, "Do you want to see her? Visiting hours start at eleven."

I glared at him, "No! I don't want to see her. Not after what she has done to me and what she has done to our daughter!"

He nodded understandingly, "The arraignment will be held in Judge Brown's court. My partner and I may want to ask you some questions afterwards. Until then, try to stay calm, okay? 

I just turned and walked out the door. As I drove back to mys house I was feeling miserable about telling them about this and how they were going to react to it. 

I walked in the door and saw Samantha, Jack and Brenda sitting on the couch watching television together. Sam saw me and said, "Hi daddy, we're watching 'toons!"

"I see that honey, I've got to talk to Grandpa for a minute then we've got to get on home, okay?"

Sam just nodded and turned back to what she was watching. I motioned to Jack with my head towards the kitchen. He got up and followed me. 

"What is it Ken? Where's Donna? Why didn't you bring her home?" 

I didn't say anything I simply handed him a copy of the arrest report. As he read down the sheet, he turned visibly pale and collapsed onto one of the kitchen chairs. He looked up at me pleadingly, "This, this has to be wrong. This isn't Donna."

I shook my head miserably, "It get's worse Jack. I can only tell you exactly what the Detective told me what the officers on scene will testify to."

I took a deep breath and repeated, "The officers forced entry into the room and observed two black males and two white females, all unclothed and engaged in sexual activity. A quantity of illegal drugs was openly present. One of the men resisted arrest and assaulted one of the officers. He was subdued and all four were placed under arrest." 

Jack's mouth dropped open, tears sprang from his eyes and a groan like a wounded animal came from deep in his chest. He covered his face and cried. I waited silently until he recovered enough to wipe his eyes and was trying to catch his breath.

"Jack, Donna and the others will be arraigned Monday morning about ten o'clock. There's nothing to be done until then."

Jack looked up at me, "Did you see her? Did you see Donna?"

I shook my head and said bleakly, "Jack, I don't want to see her now and I certainly don't want to talk to her. I need to go home and think about all this. I need to think about what's best for Samantha."




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 03



Jack hung his head and put his hands over his eyes and his whole body shook. 

I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "I'll leave it to you to break it to Brenda. I'm sorry Jack, I'm sorry for all of us." 

Jack just looked at me and nodded. We both had tears in our eyes. He got up and followed me out into the living room.

"Come on Sam, give Grandpa and Grandma a kiss goodbye. It's time to go." 

I heard a gasp from Brenda and turned to see what was wrong. She was staring at Jack like he was a stranger. He appeared to have aged ten years in the last ten minutes. She walked over to him and looked into his eyes and he just wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. I gathered up Sam and they followed us out the door. I turned to them before getting in the car, "I'll call you if I hear anything." Jack just nodded and held onto Brenda's arm.

As we drove away, Sam looked out the window and asked, "Daddy, why is Grandpa Jack and Grandma Bren sad?" 

I thought about that for a minute, and wondered if maybe it was time to start preparing her. "Well, sweetheart, we just found out that mommy isn't feeling well. So she is going to stay someplace for a few days where they will help her feel better. That's why they are sad."

Sam was sitting in her car seat in the back and I watched her in the rear view mirror as she started to realize what that meant.

"But daddy, I don't want mommy to go away. I want to see her." She said tearfully.

"You will honey, just as soon as she feels better. But we have to be patient. Do you know what that means?"

Sam started to cry quietly and repeated, "But I want mommy, daddy. Please?"

I bit my lip and desperately thought of some way to distract her. 

"Sam? Would you like to go up to the lake and see Grandpa and Grandma Colville? We can stay overnight?"

Sam stopped crying for a moment and thought that over. Still sniffling she asked, "Can I go swimming?"

"Sam, it's probably too cold to swim. But you can go wading in the lake if you want." It wasn't even the middle of May yet and for sure the lake would be too cold for her.

"Can I go for a 'toon ride?"

"I'm sure Grandpa will take you for a pontoon ride if you want." I assured her.

Excited now she said, "Okay, let's go see Gran'ma and Gran'pa!"

When we got home I told Sam to get out some clothes and toys to take with us and I would help her pack. While she was doing that I got on the phone and called up north. When Dad answered I asked him if he and Mom would like some company since I wasn't scheduled to work tonight and I thought we might drive up.

"Hell yes. Your brother is coming up in the morning to help us put the docks and boats in the water, ours and Harvey's next door. We could use your help."

I assured him we would be up in a couple of hours and hung up. I packed an overnight bag for myself then helped Sam pack hers. I had to smile as she had optimistically included her bathing suit with her clothes. 

"Just in case daddy!" She said brightly.

Sam quickly fell asleep in her car seat as we began the one hundred and thirty mile trip. The quiet gave me a lot of time to think and prepare to break the news to Mom and Dad. They had always been close to Donna ever since the three of us had come back from Germany. If fact, since my parents had never had daughters they doted on Donna and my brothers wife, Sandra almost as much as they did the grandkids. They were likely to take the news as hard as her own parents did.

It was mid-afternoon when we pulled into the driveway. Dad was puttering around in the garage and Mom was raking up the inevitable pine needles from the trees that surrounded the house. They both came over and met us as Sam bounded out of the car yelling "Gran'ma, Gran'pa!" They both showered her with hugs and kisses until she finally couldn't stand it anymore and went tearing off down the side of the house towards the lake and the beach.

They both turned to me and Mom asked accusingly, "Where's Donna?"

I grabbed a hold of the suitcases and said somberly, "Let's go into the house and I will tell you about it."

We sat down on the front deck where we could watch Sam throwing stones in the water and poking at things in the sand. I told them everything that had happened since the night before, coming home to the babysitter, getting the call from Jack this morning and going to the jail and hearing what the Detective had to say. Mom and Dad were incredulous. And if I hadn't been their son I think Dad would have called me an outright liar. I finally got the arrest report out of my bag and showed it to them.

Mom looked up from reading it with tears in her eyes, "Ken, this can't be true. You don't believe this do you? Donna would never do this." 

Dad said, "This doesn't sound like Donna. Are they sure this is what happened?"

I nodded, "The Detective seemed sure. And he even said there was a reporter present during the bust."

"Oh God, I'm so sorry. How could she do this? Jack and Brenda must be totally devastated!" Mom said and got up and ran crying into the house.

We sat silently for about ten minutes until Mom came back into the room wiping her eyes on a tissue. She suggested that Sam come up and help her with dinner while Dad and I went for a walk. She knew I always talked to Dad when I had a problem or a decision to make. I knew he would tell her everything later but it was just the way we had always done things. I yelled down to Sam and Dad and I went out back and ambled down the dirt access road. 

He asked me what I was thinking. I told him that if this was all true, and it appeared it was, I couldn't trust Donna anymore. And I certainly couldn't trust her to be around Sam either. And what she had done had hurt me so bad; I couldn't imagine ever getting over it. The only answer was divorce. And I thought it might be best if I put some distance between us and her. 

I told him I had finished school a semester ahead of schedule and I was being awarded my degree. He smiled warmly and congratulated me. I just nodded and said that given everything else that was happening it was a bittersweet accomplishment. Anyway I had sent out over a hundred resumes and applications all over the state. It was likely I could find a job away from our hometown. I thought the further away the better.

For awhile we talked of other things, their place in Florida, the possibility of putting an addition on the house here at the lake, my brother and his family. Finally he said that he and Mom had decided to give up the apartment in the city. It was just too much to keep up and they really couldn't afford to maintain the house on the lake, the apartment in town and the doublewide in their Florida retirement park. I nodded when he said that. My brother and I had often wondered why they even tried. 

Finally our walk ended back at the house. But before we went in, Dad stopped and said. "Whatever you decide to do about Donna, just be sure you do it for the right reasons. I know you loved her, maybe you still do. You know we don't believe in divorce except as a last resort, but your mother and I will stand by you. Now is there anything we can do to help you and Samantha?"

As he said that, I started to choke up again. "Thanks Dad. Would you and Mom keep Sam for me this week? I have a lot of things to work out about all this and I need to keep working until I can find another job."

"Sure son, I'll talk to your Mom. I'm sure she would love to have Sam around as much as I would."

We spent the rest of the evening having dinner, visiting and playing games with Sam. We avoided any talk about Donna and by Sam's bedtime I was exhausted. I hadn't had much sleep the night before and I was emotionally wrung out. I staggered off to bed with a warning from Dad that we were going to get started by nine the next morning.

At eight I was up and having breakfast when Harvey wandered over. Harvey was in his seventies and had owned the cottage next door for over thirty years. His wife had passed away a couple of years before. Now he divided his time between the cottage and the homes of his three married kids. Only one of his kids, his oldest son still lived in Michigan and he had two college age kids of his own. 

Up until a couple of years ago, these two grandkids, a girl and a boy could be seen up here nearly every weekend. Hanging out with friends, swimming, and water skiing and just having a wonderful time. I called them kids but in fact they were only five or six years younger than Donna and I. But as both of them got more and more involved in college they had pretty much quit coming to the lake

Harvey was a friendly old cuss. He and his wife had been close to mom and dad for years. He sat down with a cup of coffee and we all visited for a bit. Dad and Mom bragged about me finishing my engineering degree from Michigan State. He congratulated me and then volunteered the information that his granddaughter, Casey was graduating from Grand Valley the following week.

"Can you believe it? She is getting her degree in 'Kinesiology'! I can hardly pronounce it, much less spell it!" He laughed.

"She wants to spend some time up here this summer while she is working on finding a job. She hasn't been up here much the last couple of years and misses the lake. She's afraid that once she starts working she might not have the opportunity again for quite awhile."

About that time my brother John showed up with his daughter, Elaine who was a year older than Sam. Sandra stayed home with their youngest since John was only coming up for the day. Elaine went raring off to Sam's room to get her up. 

Dad, John, Harvey and I got to work. With the four of us pitching in the work went pretty fast. By lunchtime we had the docks in. After a short break we borrowed a pontoon trailer from a neighbor down the road and got both Dad's and Harvey's pontoons in the water. We finished up by putting in Harvey's speedboat and Dad's fishing boat. Sam and Elaine couldn't wait to get on the pontoon. We ended the day by loading everyone on the pontoon and doing a short circuit around our end of the lake.

I was pleasantly exhausted but I had managed to put Donna out of my mind for most of the day. At one point I did have to explain to John what was happening. After he got over the initial shock, we agreed to get together for lunch later in the week and talk some more. I approached Sam about staying at the lake with Grandma and Grandpa. At first she was concerned about missing pre-school but I assured her I would call the school and they wouldn't mind if she missed a week.

After a quick dinner, I packed up and said goodbye to everyone. I gave Sam a hug and kiss and told her to be good for Grandma and Grandma. I assured her I would call her every day and Grandpa would bring her home on Friday. As I drove home I reflected on the fact that I was more relaxed than I had been for a couple of weeks. Mentally I was relieved that with Sam being cared for I could concentrate on bringing some finality to my situation.

I got home just about dusk. I collected Saturday's mail and the Sunday newspaper off the porch and dropped them on the kitchen table. I glanced at the answering machine in the den and the message light was blinking. There were three messages. Trevor had called and wanted to see how I was doing. And Jack had called and wanted me to call him back. The third call was from Donna. When I realized whose barely recognizable voice it was my heart started pounding. 

Faintly she said, "Ken? Ken where are you?" 

I could hear her barely suppress a sob and her voice quivered. "Ken, please, please come get me out of here. It's a mistake. I don't know what you think happened but it's not true. Daddy will hardly talk to me and Mom won't come to the phone. I don't know who else to call. Please?" She started crying openly and then the call disconnected.

I stood there for moment. Trying to get my mind back to the moment, to recapture the anger and hate I had felt only last Friday night. Mostly I just felt sad. Sad and bitter. 

I picked up the phone and called Jack. When he answered I said, "Jack, it's Ken. How's Brenda?"

In a tired dull voice, he said "Ken, I tried to reach you but you weren't home."

"I know, I decided to take Sam up to the lake to Mom and Dad's. I just got back. They are going to keep Sam for me this week."

"Brenda's in the hospital, Ken. I took her into emergency yesterday. After I told her everything you told me her blood pressure got dangerously high. She may be having an emotional breakdown too. The doctor says they want to keep her sedated and under observation for a couple of days."

"Damn it, I'm sorry Jack. I'm hope she's going to be all right."

"Me too, Ken. But I wanted to tell you that Donna called again early this morning. I could hardly stand to talk to her! I didn't know what to say. She did this to her mother and right now I can't forgive her for that. I finally just hung up."

"Yeah, I know Jack. She left a message on our answering machine too. Begging me to come and get her out of there. Claiming that's its all a mistake."

I hesitated for a minute, "I'm planning on going to the arraignment tomorrow, are you?" 

"I think I need to be back at the hospital in the morning. If Brenda sees me it helps keep her calm."

"Okay, I'll call you tomorrow afternoon or come by the hospital before I go to work and let you know what's going on. Give Brenda my best, will you?"

"I will, thanks Ken." 

After hanging up I quickly went through the mail. There were a couple of envelopes from engineering firms I had applied to. I opened them and scanned through the letters. One of them said they had no current openings but would keep my resume on file. The other said to apply to the employment agency they used to fill openings when they occurred. No joy there, I thought.

I flipped on the television and opened up the Sunday paper. As the television droned on I sleepily turned the pages and half-heartedly got caught up on the news. Suddenly I was wide awake. There on the bottom of the front page of the metro section was a story titled 'Major Drug Bust on East Side'. It was several columns wide and was continued on an inside page. 

The inside page contained two photos. One photo showed the back half of a Lincoln Town Car with the trunk open and two officers going through it. In the background you could see the open hotel room door and one of the beds with the bedding strewn all over. The other pictured showed a half naked man from behind in handcuffs being put into a police car. I could tell from the profile and the fact he was walking under his own power that it had to be James. 

The story stated two male and two female suspects had been taken into custody. And that the state prosecutor's office was very interested in the fact that one of the male suspects was a state corrections officer. A large quantity of drugs had been seized in the cars belonging to two of the suspects. A gun and a knife had also been found in the room. The suspects were to be arraigned on Monday.

In addition to the reporters byline, there was Dennis Thompson's byline under the pictures. I paused as I considered that. I knew from my previous contact with him that even though he was free-lance he kept an office over in the newspaper building. I thought it might be beneficial to pay him a visit the first thing the next day.

The last thing I did before going to bed was to return Trevor's call. When he answered I quickly brought him up to date on everything that had happened over the weekend. We talked a bit about the impact this was having on her parents and my parents. I told him I planned on being at work all week since Sam was being taken care of. 

I was getting ready to hang up when he said he had some news too. He had gotten his letter from General Motors telling him his start date for the apprenticeship program was in two weeks. I congratulated him and told him no one deserved it more. And I meant it. Trevor was a good guy, hardworking and smart, too smart to spend his life on the assembly line. 

The next morning I got up early. By eight I was on the phone with the office of a divorce attorney I had called the previous week. I was fortunate and able to get an appointment for that afternoon. By eight thirty I was standing outside Dennis Thompson's office in the newspaper building knocking at his door. 

He answered the door and said without warmth, "Yeah, what do you want?" 

He was a couple of years younger than me, tall and thin. He appeared somewhat scruffy looking, like he didn't much care about appearances.

"Mr. Thompson, my name is Ken Colville. I would like to speak to you about the pictures you ran in Sunday's paper about the drug bust."

"Oh yeah? Come on in. Have we met? You sound familiar."

Trying to pitch my voice slightly higher than usual, I said, "I don't think so."

"Okay, so what's your interest?"

"My wife is Donna Colville. She was one of the women arrested at that motel."

That statement got his undivided attention. "I'm sorry to hear that." He said.

"Yes, I'm sure you are. I am filing for divorce. From the pictures in the paper and a comment the Detective made I believe that you may have other pictures that may be useful to my divorce attorney."

"Yeah, there are other pictures. But why should I make them available to you?"

I decided on a direct approach and see what he would do. "Look Mr. Thompson. I will pay you five hundred dollars for a set of any pictures you might have. And I will sign an Agreement that they are for my personal use in any litigation I may be involved in and will not be published anywhere."

He thought about it for a minute. "Like I said, why should I make them available to you?"

"Would you prefer to have my attorney subpoena you and the photos for a divorce hearing? This way you get the cash and will not have to be bothered."

He stared at me for a minute then he laughed, "Yeah, you may be right."

He reached for a pile of manila envelopes on the corner of his desk and started going through them. He finally came to the one he was looking for and slid it across the desk to me. He then reached into a file drawer under the desk and pulled out a couple of printed sheets.

"There are two sets of five by sevens in there. I have to warn you that some of them are pretty graphic. Look them over and make sure they are what you are looking for while I fill out the standard contract forms. Oh, yeah and you can make out a check to me for five hundred and fifty bucks, five hundred for the right to the photos, and fifty for the prints. You return the prints to me and I will refund the fifty, fair enough?"

I just grunted at him as I was sure he knew the prints would never be returned. I gingerly opened the envelope and pulled out a sheaf of pictures. As I quickly leafed through them I felt my throat tighten and I was suddenly dizzy. 

"Yeah, this is what I want. And I, I recognize the other woman too." I said almost whispering as I put them back in the envelope.

He stopped writing for a moment and looked at me closely, "You didn't know anything about this did you? Are there kids involved too?"

I didn't say anything, just nodded. He shook his head and said, "I do some work for a private investigator from time to time. It's amazing how much it hurts when a man or woman finds out their spouse isn't who they think they are."

With my hands shaking I got out my checkbook and wrote out the check. We both signed the contracts, a copy for both of us, and I handed him the money.

As he took the check, he said, "Thanks, I couldn't have used most of those pictures anyway, too graphic and too many chances of a lawsuit if I did."

I nodded. "I may be able to throw some more business your way. The other woman has two ex-husbands who would like to get custody of their kids too. I will let them know about these and I bet they will be willing to pay you for copies."




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 03



As I got up to leave he got up and offered me his hand and one of his business cards, "I wish you luck with the divorce. With those pictures there shouldn't be any question about custody." 

Without another word I turned and walked out. I arrived at the court house well before ten. I wandered around until I found Judge Brown's courtroom. There were about a dozen people waiting already and I found a seat in the back. The benches slowly filled up with what appeared to be family or friends of people being charged, attorneys and some police officers. 

I recognized Detective Williams standing by the door and another man who came in alone and sat down near the aisle. I puzzled over it until it came to me that this was Connie's first husband. I had seen him a couple of times years ago when we lived next door to her. I made a mental note to try and catch him before he left.

The judge and bailiff came in and they called the first case. A steady stream of orange jump suited prisoners was escorted in to stand before the judge one by one to have their charges read and a plea entered. Some prisoners were handcuffed, some not. The judge would look over the arrest file and read the prosecutor's recommendation. He would then set bail and a trial date and the prisoners were then just as quickly ushered out. Then the next group would be brought in.

The third group of prisoners brought in was Donna, Connie, Curtis and James. Curtis and James were both cuffed. Curtis walked with a limp and had a bandage across his nose. He looked angry and belligerent. James looked at the floor most of the time, sullen and subdued. 

Donna and Connie both looked like hell. Hair unkempt, no makeup, eyes red and puffy, and stress lines obvious on their faces. They both looked around like they were hoping to find someone they knew. I made sure to stay behind the person in front of me so she wouldn't spot me. I saw her shoulders sag when she thought she was alone.

Curtis was called first. The charges read included all the drug charges as well as resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. The lawyer standing with him entered a not guilty plea and the judge specified bail of one hundred thousand dollars and set a date for next month.

James was called next and the charges read including all the drug charges and another charge I didn't quite make out. A man stood up and identified himself as the County Prosecutor. He and the attorney representing James approached the bench. After a few words with the judge both attorneys stood back. The defense attorney entered a plea of not guilty. The judge set bail at two hundred thousand and said court date to be determined later. I gathered from the buzz of conversation that arose that the bail amount must have been something unusual.

Connie was summoned next. The usual drug charges were read with an added charge of solicitation. A not guilty plea was entered and bail was set for twenty-five thousand. Donna was next and as she stood to make her plea tears were streaming down her face and her attorney had to hold her arm to keep her standing upright she was shaking so much. Again the same charges were read including solicitation. Her attorney pled not guilty and her bail was set at twenty-five thousand, the same as Connie's. 

The four of them were hustled away and Donna never looked up again. I got up and made my way to the aisle as the next group was led in. I remembered Connie's ex-husbands name was Mark. I called out to him as he went out the door. He stopped and turned around.

"You probably don't remember me, I'm Ken Colville, Donna's husband." I said.

"Yeah, yeah I think I do. Hell of a thing, isn't it?" He said.

I just shook my head in agreement, "I'm meeting with a divorce attorney this afternoon. But I wanted to catch you. I remember a while back you were trying to get custody of your son, right?"

"Yeah, never got anywhere with the court. But I think this will help." He smiled without humor.

"I would think so. Here's a business card of the photographer who took pictures of the bust. They will make your custody battle a slam-dunk. It will cost you a few bucks but it will be worth it. You might want to let Connie's other ex' know too."

"The pictures are that bad, huh? Or maybe I should say that good? Yeah I will let him know. Thanks."

As I turned to leave, Detective Williams touched me on the arm. "Mr. Colville?"

I stopped and looked at him, "Oh, hey, how's it going?"

"Do you have a few minutes to talk to me and my partner?"

He was polite in phrasing it but I had the distinct impression the request was more on the order of a directive. Inwardly I sighed, and thought I might as well get it over with. I said, "Sure."

"Let's go next door to one of the interview rooms."

I just nodded and followed him over to the Sheriff's building. He introduced me to his partner and we sat down at a table with a stack of files on it. He opened one of them and then said, "I have a couple of questions I need to ask you to help with our investigation. You have a right to have a lawyer present if you so desire."

"Well, I don't have one yet. But I am meeting with a divorce attorney this afternoon. Is there some reason I need one?"

"Are you filing for divorce?"

"Hell, yes! I went over and saw the photographer this morning. He showed me the rest of the pictures. He even sold me a set. Could you live with that?" I said bitterly.

He looked at my sympathetically but ignored my question, "I'll tell you what, anytime you get uncomfortable with the questions, you tell me and we'll stop until you can have an attorney present. Is that acceptable?"

"Yeah, sure." I tried not to get concerned. I had prepared for this knowing that at some point someone would want me to tell them what I knew.

"Do you know Connie Wilkerson?"

"Yeah. We were neighbors for awhile. I haven't seen her since we moved out of that townhouse complex a couple of years ago."

"Did you know your wife was going out with her regularly?"

"No, I told you on Saturday that I knew she had been out with her that one time. She told me she wouldn't see her again. It's obvious now, she lied to me."

"I take you weren't friendly with Connie?"

I snorted, "You got that right, she is a bitch and a slut. But then apparently so is my wife so they are in good company."

I then proceeded to tell him the story of our friends John and Traci and her part in breaking up their marriage. How he then caught her in bed with another man after he moved in with her. I also told him now she neglected her kids and used them against her ex-husbands. 

He nodded and then asked, "Had you ever heard of Curtis Hallock or James Martin?"

"Not until the arraignment this morning. But as it turns out I do have a couple of good pictures of them." I said ironically.

"Donna never mentioned them?"

"No, what was she going to say? Thought you'd like to know I'm screwing a big black stud named Curtis Hallock?" I replied sarcastically.

He ignored my comment and asked, "Are you familiar with a night club called the 'Black and Tan'?"

"Sure, everyone in this part of the state knows the Black and Tan. Is that where they hooked up?"

He shrugged, "We think so. We have a witness that puts them there several times over the last month."

I just shook my head in disbelief.

"I know I asked you Saturday but I have to ask you again. Did you have any knowledge of your wife's involvement with illegal drugs?"

"No sir, not a clue. I guess that makes me kind of stupid, doesn't it? Our schedules have been pretty hectic this past semester. I have been attending MSU almost full-time to complete my degree and working nights six days a week at the assembly plant. Donna was working days about thirty hours a week at the hospital and taking care of our four year-old. About the only time since the holidays we spent any time together was Saturdays and Sundays."

"No changes in behavior or problems with attendance at work?"

"I never heard anything about her work but I did notice that she had been out of sorts the last couple of months. And her parents commented on it too. Now I know why. But when I confronted her about it she said the schedules we were keeping were getting to her but she would get over it."

"Okay, I guess that's all the questions we have for now. Here's my business card in case you think of anything. And thanks for your cooperation."

"Can I ask you a question about bail? Someone is going to have to bail her out. How does that work?"

He handed me a list of bail bondsmen in the area and explained that the bond could be secured for ten per cent of the bail amount in cash. As soon as the bond was presented at the jail she could be released in about an hour. 

As I drove away I thought the interview had gone pretty well and was immensely relieved. I decided I had better see Jack and Brenda before my appointment with the attorney. 

I got to the hospital and was directed to Brenda's room. As I went in Brenda appeared asleep and Jack was sitting beside the bed. He got up and put his fingers to his lips and walked over to the door. We stepped outside and I said, "How is she?"

"Good, good. Her blood pressure is back to where it should be. They are going to release her in the morning. The doctor is going to keep her on anti-depressants for awhile. How did it go at the courthouse?"

"The charges where read, her lawyer pled not guilty. Bail was set at $25,000. It lasted all of ten minutes."

"She called again early this morning. She almost got hysterical when I told her mother was in the hospital. She said she misses you, misses Sam and doesn't understand why you won't call her back or come see her. She asked if someone was coming to the arraignment. I said I needed to be at the hospital but someone would probably be there. She begged for someone to come and get her out of there. I told her we would see what we could do."

"Yeah, she looked pretty rough this morning." I said without any sympathy.

Jack looked at me sadly, "What are you going to do, Ken? Are you going to bail her out?"

I looked Jack in the eye, and said, "Jack, I can't have her around Sam, or me right now. I have an appointment to see an attorney this afternoon to see what my options are."

"Is it that bad Ken? Aren't there any doubts left in your mind?" Jack said in anguish.

"You saw the story in Sunday's newspaper?" He nodded yes.

"I went and saw the photographer this morning. There are other pictures, explicit pictures. Pictures that as Donna's father I hope you never have to see. Pictures that as her husband I will never be able to put out of my mind. There is no doubt about the cheating, none whatsoever." I said vehemently. 

Jack wiped his eyes, and said, "Okay Ken, I understand."

"The bail bond cost is twenty-five hundred dollars. If you need help with that I will give it to you. As far as where she goes when she gets out, I don't much care. Maybe she can move in with Connie, the other woman involved in all this. I'm thinking her kids will get taken away from her soon so she will have room."

"No, no, I will talk to Brenda after she wakes up. I'm sure as tough as it will be she will still want her to move in with us. The one thing about being a parent, even though you disagree with, or are appalled by their behavior, even an adult child, you still have to love and support them." He said sadly.

As we looked at each other I was surprised we both had tears in our eyes. "I want you to know Jack, you and Brenda can see Samantha anytime. I don't want this to change your relationship in any way. Or ours either for that matter, I have always thought a lot of you and Brenda."

He nodded and we hugged each other. As he quickly turned and went back into the hospital room I distinctly heard him trying to hold back the sobs. I slowly walked away shaking my head at how much misery Donna had caused. 

My meeting that afternoon with the attorney went pretty much as I expected. I explained the circumstances, provided him with a copy of the arrest report and the pictures. I told him my number one priority was to get custody of Samantha. And I wanted to keep Donna away from Sam as much as possible. I didn't care about the settlement. He said he could file the divorce papers the next morning on grounds of adultery and also seek an injunction to keep Donna away as an unfit parent and a danger to the child. He thought with the arrest and the pictures there shouldn't any problems. I asked him to call me when the papers were ready and I would pick them up. I wanted to give them to Donna myself.

When I got home late in the afternoon the phone was ringing, when I picked it up it was Mary calling. 

"Ken, this is Mary. Donna didn't show up at work today and she didn't call. What's wrong?"

"Donna is in jail, Mary." I said without emotion.

"What?" She said incredulously.

"You heard right, Mary. She's in the Eaton County Jail."

"What? Why?"

"Did you see Sunday's paper about the drug bust at the Red Roof Inn on Friday night?"

"I didn't read it, but I heard something about it."

"She was one of the four arrested that night."

I heard Mary gasp in shock.

"So I don't imagine she will be at work for awhile."

"But, but it can't be true? What are you going to do?"

"I will do what I have to do. I'm sure she will be in touch with the hospital as soon as she makes bail."

"Ken. I'm so sorry!"

"Yeah, me too." And I hung up

I went to work that night as usual. Trev and I talked for a bit and brought each other up to date. After getting home from work I wandered aimlessly through the house, thinking about how much had changed in just three days. I slept in my own bed for the first time since Thursday night, alone and realizing I had better get used to it. This was the way it was going to be. I had been married for nearly five years and hadn't slept apart from Donna since leaving the Army.

Tuesday I got up and started on my list of things to do. I got Donna's luggage and some boxes out of the basement and started packing her things. All her clothes, shoes and toiletries I packed and put into the trunk of her car. All her clothes on hangers I pulled out of the closet and laid across the back seat. 

Just as I was finishing the phone rang. When I answered it was a reporter from a local television station asking if Donna Colville lived there. I told him no and hung up. Immediately it rang again and it was the same individual. He insisted this was the number listed for a Donna Coleville who was arrested the previous Friday night. I asked him where he had heard that and he said it was reported in today's newspaper. I told him there was no one here by that name and hung up again.

I hadn't picked up the paper off of the porch yet this morning. I thought I had better find out what I was in for. On the second page was a follow up story on the bust including mug shots of those arrested. The story detailed the arraignment and stressed the connection between Curtis and James and the drug problem within the Ionia prison. I about dropped the paper when I read the street value of the drugs seized was over one hundred thousand dollars! I thought damn, Curtis must have been packing some serious weight in his Lincoln. I decided to put changing my phone number on the list of things to accomplish today.

Following my attorney's advice I got our checkbook and savings statements and headed over to our branch bank. I opened a separate individual checking account for me and transferred half the money from our joint accounts into it. I then had my name taken off the joint accounts. On the way home I stopped at the post office and submitted a change of address for Donna to her parent's house. I also stopped at the telephone company office and filled a request for a new telephone number in my name only.

When I got home the phone was ringing and the answering machine message queue was full. I went through them quickly. Most of them were from reporters except for three. One was from the hospital wanting someone to call them back about Donna's status and the other was Jack telling me that Brenda had been released from the hospital and that they were home. The last one was from a lawyer that said he was representing Donna and needed to talk to me about her case.

I gave Jack a call and asked if everything was alright. When he assured me it was I told him I wanted to drive Donna's car over with her things in it and was hoping he could give me a ride home. Sadly he said yes and that would give us a chance to talk. I told him I would be over shortly. 

I made a few more calls cancelling joint credit cards and establishing a couple of new ones in my name only. I called the landlord and talked to him about having Donna taken off the lease and made an appointment to come over later in the week.

By the time I got to mys it was the middle of the afternoon. The three of us exchanged hugs and Brenda put her head on my chest and cried. I patted her on the shoulder and told her I felt the same way. Jack and I unloaded Donna's things and put them in a spare room. I gave him her mail and the bank books and asked him to hold them for her.

As we drove back to my house, I said. "I am filing for divorce, Jack. I decided I can't go on after this."

"Yeah, I figured that when you left yesterday." He said sadly.

He continued, "I called a bail bondsman today. I have an appointment to pick up the bond tomorrow at eleven."

"Jack, I would like to go with you to the jail to pick her up. It's my responsibility to tell her what is going to happen. I don't want her to have any doubts and I don't want you to have to deal with it." I said firmly.

"Sure Ken. I guess it will be a hell of a day for all of us." He sighed.

We rode the rest of the way in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts. As I got out of the car I said I would plan on meeting him around noon at the jail and he agreed.

I called the attorney's office and arranged to pick up the divorce papers the next day. I then called up north to speak to Sam and my parents. I brought Dad up to speed on what was happening and asked how Sam was. He said she was having a great time but when it came time for bed she missed me and her mom. 

"Well put her on the phone, I miss her too."

"Daddy? Is that you?"

"Hi Sam, are you having fun?"

"Umm hum! Gran'pa and Gran'ma took me out on a 'toon ride again!"

"That's wonderful baby!"

"Daddy, is mommy there? Can I talk to her?"

"Mommy's not here Sam, but she is feeling better."

"I miss mommy. Can you ask her to call me on the phone so I can tell her about the 'toon ride and everything?"

"I sure will Sam." I said my heart breaking.

We talked for a few minutes more than she decided she had to go back down to the dock to see what Grandpa was doing.

As I hung up, I shuddered thinking what was going to happen when she realized she wouldn't be seeing her mother for a long time.

I went in to work and faced an added twist. The story in the newspaper had gotten around and I had a steady stream of questions from friends and co-workers. When lunch time finally rolled around I told Trev I didn't think I could take it anymore and he nodded and said let's go see the foreman. I explained the situation and the foreman said go ahead and take leave for the rest of the shift. I thanked him and Trev walked me to the gate.

"You know Trev, one thing I don't understand. The newspaper reported the street value of the drugs they found was over a hundred thousand. Where did that come from?"

He laughed. "You know, sometimes the strangest things happen. From what I've heard on the street is that apparently they really were doing a drug deal that night!"

Looking around I said, "Is there any whispers about what really happened that night?"




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 04



This is a story that took place in the swinging 70's. The Vietnam War and the draft were coming to an end. Richard Nixon really was a crook. We were still safe from HIV and AIDS. The internet was only a gleam in Al Gore's eye. The first portable phones were just being developed by Motorola. And General Motors, Ford and Chrysler actually made cars that people wanted to buy. Life was good.

This is a work of fiction. But in every story there is a kernel of truth, an incident that really occurred or maybe a character or characters that really existed. With that said any similarities to persons living or dead is purely intentional.

*

I sat on the edge of the hospital bed holding my newborn son. I gazed in wonder at the dark hair, the scrunched up face and the tiny fists he held up next to his tightly closed eyes. I looked down in awe at my exhausted wife holding an identical bundle. Even as tired as she was she looked back at me with pride and love. Samantha sat as close as she could get on the other side of her smiling ear to ear. Smiling so hard I thought her face was going to crack.

"Well Sam, have you ever see anything so beautiful in your life?" I asked wonderingly.

Sam giggled and said, "Oh daddy, momma. My wish came true! Twice!"

As I sat there taking in my amazing family my thoughts flashed back to how different my future had seemed only eighteen months ago.

I left the county jail that day in May mentally and emotionally drained but determined to start my life anew. That week the responses from my job applications had become a flood. Out of that flood perhaps a dozen invited me to call back to set up interviews. I started setting up appointments as quickly as I could arrange them. 

Out of that handful I received three job offers. The one I liked most was working for the County Road Commission in the Traverse City area. The man I interviewed with, Don Fineout, was a Vietnam veteran and a former Combat Engineer. We had a lot in common and I thought we would really get along. The money wasn't as good as one of the other offers but it was one hundred and fifty miles from home and only thirty miles from dad and mom's place on the lake.

After the interview and on the way back home I stopped to talk to mom and dad about it and spend the night. Sam was still staying with them, it had seemed best with the traveling I was doing in my job search and still working nights at the auto plant. As always the first thing Sam did after jumping into my arms was to ask about Mommy and when she could see her again.

"I hope soon Sam. Mommy is starting to feel better and as soon as the doctor says she is okay she will come and see you, I promise." I said guiltily.

"I miss her daddy. Will you tell her for me, please?" She said tearfully.

"I sure will honey." I said hugging her fiercely.

"And grandma helped me make a get well card for her. Will you give it to her too?" Sam said as mom looked at me sadly over her head.

"Of course I will Samantha. Now tell me about everything you have been doing on the lake." I said trying to distract her.

She proceeded to tell me about going fishing with grandpa and Harvey next door, helping grandma get the house ready for company on Memorial Day weekend and going on a speedboat ride with Harvey and Harvey's granddaughter Casey. She prattled on about Harvey's granddaughter like she was her newest best friend. 

Mom laughed and said that the two of them had really hit it off. They were inseparable on the days Casey was not out job hunting. Later mom told me she thought that Sam was substituting Casey for her mother but Casey didn't seem to mind.

I thought about that and hoped Sam wasn't being a nuisance. I hadn't seen Casey in several years and really didn't know what she thought of kids. 

That night over dinner we talked about my job offer. I told mom and dad that I really liked the man I would be working for and I thought the job would be interesting. The only uncertainties I had was finding a place to live and if it would cause any problems with the divorce or custody. 

Dad looked at mom and she smiled back at him and said, "I know what you're thinking and I think it's a great idea."

I look puzzled and dad laughed. He said, "How about this? You and Sam move in here with us at least until we leave for Florida in the fall. That will give you time to get settled into the area and find something to buy or rent. And we get Samantha all summer." 

"Are you sure?" I asked hesitantly.

"We have lots of room. It only gets crowded on weekends when John, Sandra and the kids come up. And this way you don't have to worry about child care while starting a new job." He said

"Well, it sounds great, but I don't want us to be a burden on you." I said doubtfully.

"Oh now, who's a burden?" Mom said smiling.

She laughed. "Not Sam. And if it makes you feel better you can pay us to stay here. Now that's settled. All that's left is for you to call your lawyer and make sure it's all right."

I got up early the next morning to drive back downstate. As soon as I got home I called my attorney. I explained to him I had a job offer out of town and wanted to make sure it was okay to accept. He told me he didn't think there would be a problem as long as I didn't leave the state. 

I called Don Fineout and accepted his offer. We quickly negotiated a start date and that night at work I gave my two weeks notice. After our shift Trev and I stopped at Gino's for a beer. The realization that this was the end of an era for us was sinking in. The following week he was starting his apprenticeship at Plant Three across town.

The rest of the week I started packing. Jack had been calling me every couple of days to check on Samantha. He and Brenda had been disappointed that she was still up north. But I had talked to mom about that and she insisted that I have Brenda give her a call. My mom and dad and Jack and Brenda had always got along great and mom wanted them to come up north to see their granddaughter. That cheered them up a bit. Donna coming

with them never came up probably because of the court order.

Whenever Jack called he wanted to fill me in on Donnas' situation. I usually let him go on for a few minutes but then I always shut him off when he got to the part about Donna missing Sam and me and wanting to talk. I told him that I was going to wait for my lawyer and the court to settle any issues. 

Donna had even written me a letter which I returned unopened. I still had trouble eating and sleeping over the turmoil and occasionally found myself second guessing my decisions or actions. I didn't want to be reminded anymore than I had to be.

After Jack and Brenda took her home from the county jail after our confrontation, Donna had not left her room for several days. She alternated between crying and sleeping, not even coming out to eat. Finally Brenda had dragged her out and insisted she return her lawyer's calls. And the hospital had suspended her without pay pending an investigation of their own. 

Today when he called and after I had listened to the obligatory update on Donna I filled him in on my relocation plans. He was silent for a few minutes and finally said, "I guess this is really it then. I think we were still holding out hope that you two could get over this."

"No Jack. I told you before; it's not going to happen." I said quietly.

"This is going to put Donna even further in the toilet." He said despondently.

"Can't be helped Jack." I said simply. Which was kinder than saying 'I really didn't give a shit' about Donnas' mental health.

I told him I was getting ready to move but I didn't know what to do with the furniture. There were only a couple of things I wanted to keep. The rest I thought I would leave for Donna. After discussing it a bit I realized she wasn't ever likely to move back into the house we were renting so I offered to put it all into storage and pay the first three months rent on it. Jack thought that might be best.

The next ten days went by pretty fast. I went back up north for Memorial Day weekend. Sam was in her glory with my brother, John, his wife and two kids in residence. Sam only went next door a couple of times. Harvey had Casey's parents and her brother, Jason up for the weekend and they were keeping pretty busy. I never had a chance to talk to Casey and only saw her from a distance when she was out on the lake.

My last week at the plant I only worked two days and took leave for the last three. I borrowed a couple of guys from my section including Trev and we got everything moved out in a day. I met up with Jack to give him the keys to the storage facility and several boxes of Donnas' things that I had sorted out that I thought she might need.

My last full day in town, I met with my attorney to go over a few things. Donna had finally contacted a divorce attorney who had called him. She was still insisting she didn't want a divorce and wanted to try marriage counseling. I firmly told him 'No' and to press on.

On Friday I packed up the pick-up and a u-haul trailer with the last of my things, turned over the keys to the landlord and left town. As I got further and further away it was like a huge load off my shoulders. I felt like I was finally putting things behind me and everything was going to be all right again.

Sam was overjoyed I was up there to stay. She talked a mile a minute for nearly an hour. First asking about her mom and did she miss her, then about Grandpa Brenda and Grandpa Jack who had been up earlier in the week. She finally tapered off talking about boat rides with Casey and that Casey was teaching her to swim.

Later after she went to bed, I asked mom about her fascination with Casey. And was Casey really interested in spending that much time with her. Mom stopped for a moment, and smiled. "I truly think that Casey thinks Sam is the most wonderful child she has ever met. Casey really is a sweet girl."

I was so exhausted that night that I slept until after nine the next morning. Mom was buzzing around the kitchen and told me Sam went with Dad and Harvey to the hardware store. She wanted to make me some breakfast but I declined. I said I wanted to go for a run first. One of my resolutions was to get back into my running routine. It was about five miles around the lake which was a stretch for me in my current condition but I thought I would give it a try.

Nearly an hour later I staggered into the house, sweating profusely from the mid-morning sun and grateful I made it around without stopping. I threw on a pair of swim shorts, grabbed a towel and headed out the front door and down to the lake. I dropped my towel in the sand and walked right into the water and dove in. 

I came up gasping and groaning at the temperature of the lake. I took a few strokes out into deeper water and just floated on my back trying to ignore the cold. 

I became aware of hooting and hollering coming from Harvey's pontoon tied to his dock next door. I looked over and saw mom, Sam and another woman I thought must be Casey pointing and laughing at me.

I walked back onto shore and grabbed my towel and dried myself off briskly. I threw the towel around my neck and walked out on Harvey's dock then down to his pontoon. Sam jumped down off the boat and ran to me and gave me a hug. 

"Oh, daddy! You were so funny!" She giggled.

"I'm glad I could entertain you all." I smiled at her and we all laughed.

Sam took my hand and pulled me onto the pontoon. "Daddy, daddy! This is Casey. She is teaching me to swim and everything!" She was practically gushing.

I looked over at Casey and smiled. "Hi Casey. Good to see you again. It's been a couple of years. Thank you for spending time with Sam. It's means a lot to me."

Casey looked me right in the eyes and gave me what felt like a hundred watt smile. It had been years since anyone, male or female had made such an instant impression on me. "It's my privilege, Ken. Sam is such a wonderful little girl we just have a great time together."

"I couldn't agree more but we can't have Sam hear us talking about her like this. Can't have it going to her head can we?" And I smiled at Sam and rubbed her head as she giggled some more.

As Casey was talking I was looking her over, trying not to be too obvious about it. She was wearing a two piece bathing suit, not quite a bikini but close. She was about 5'6" with a swimmers build. She was well proportioned but couldn't weigh over one ten. 

And she had all the right curves in the right places. Her brown hair was cut short. Her skin had that healthy glow of someone who spends a lot of active time outdoors. And her hazel eyes practically sparkled at me.

I glanced over at mom who hadn't said anything but was smiling knowingly at me. Okay mom, I thought to myself. You just stay out of this.

"Now that you've had your run and your swim, would you like some breakfast?" She laughed.

"That would be great. Everyone else ate already"? I asked.

"You were the only lazy one this morning. Come on, you can catch up with these two later." She said jumping down off the boat.

As I followed mom down the dock I turned back to Sam and Casey and I thought I caught Casey watching me. "Are you staying here Sam?" I asked.

Casey seemed to blush but laughed. "We're just going to hang out for awhile, she will be okay."

As I followed mom into the house she looked at me out of the corner of her eye and said, "So, what did you think?"

"About what?" I said trying to play dumb.

"Don't give me that! I saw the look on your face when she smiled at you. And you were giving it right back. You can't fool me. I've been around the block a few times." She said knowingly.

"Okay, okay. I can't say I didn't like what I saw. But aren't you getting a little ahead of things, mom? It's only been a month or so since – you know." I said lamely.

Somberly she said, "Not if it's really over. And I know you. Once you make up your mind there is no going back. Besides, Brenda and I talked when she and Jack were up here last week. Donna finally confessed and told her the whole gruesome story. And Brenda told me some of the things you didn't want me to know. I can't see you taking her back after that." Mom actually shuddered when she said that.

Not knowing what to say I just shrugged. "Well, I can't see rushing into anything with another woman either. It's going to take awhile to get over this. Besides, who is going to be interested in a single father who couldn't keep his wife from cheating?" I said bitterly giving voice to some of my fears and insecurities.

Mom stopped, turned and looked me seriously in the face. "Now Ken, you put those thoughts out of your head. You have faced your problems like a man, made the difficult decisions you had to make and taken responsibility for your daughter. Anyone can see that. Your dad and I are proud of you. Harvey and Casey know about your divorce, couldn't hide it with you and Sam coming here to live without Donna." 

"As far as someone being interested in you, have you looked in a mirror lately?"

Caught by surprise by her outburst, I just shook my head no.

"Well you should. I bet you lost ten pounds the last couple of months. You were always in shape but now there isn't an ounce of excess body fat on you that I can see. And you never were ugly either. Your face is leaner now with just enough added stress lines to make you look quite mature. With your education, experience and prospects you are quite a catch!"

"Oh mom, you're my mother. You have to say that!" I said looking at the floor embarrassed.

"Go on, go get changed and I'll make you some breakfast." She dismissed me.

The rest of the weekend was uneventful. I helped dad and Harvey on a project in the garage and fished a little with Sam. On Sunday night Jack called to talk to mom and dad about coming up again to see Samantha. Mom handed me the phone after talking to him for a few minutes and said "Jack wants to talk to you."

"Hi Jack. How's Brenda?" I asked.

"She's doing better, thanks for asking. I wanted to ask you something. I gave Donna the card Sam sent down for her. She wanted me to tell you 'thank you'. But she would like to write back to her. I know there is still that injunction in effect but would that be okay?"

I thought about that for a minute. Finally I said slowly, "I think that would be okay Jack. As long as Donna goes along with the pretense that she is ill and seeing a doctor and doesn't write anything about us getting back together or makes promises she can't keep."

I heard Jack audibly exhale on the phone and said, "Thanks Ken. You don't know how much that means to us and her. And the pretense about her being treated isn't that far off the mark. We finally got her into counseling last week for depression. We are really concerned about her safety."

"No problem, Jack." I said uncomfortably.

"Well we are coming up tomorrow afternoon. Your Mom asked us to stay the night so maybe be can talk some more."

"Yeah, sure." I said without enthusiasm and we hung up.

The next day I made the commute over to the county seat to start my new job. The first few hours my boss took me around to meet everyone including the Road Commissioner and a couple of the road commission board members. After that he paired me up with another one of the engineers and we drove all over the county looking at current or proposed road projects to get me oriented. By the time I made it home I was pleasantly exhausted.

When I walked in the door, mom and dad, and Jack and Brenda were all sitting in the living room. Samantha was sprawled across Brenda's lap with her face buried in her chest clutching what looked like several sheets of letter paper. Brenda was stroking her hair and whispering in her ear. Sam looked up when she heard me come in and I could see tear streaks down her cheeks.

"Daddy, daddy, mommy wrote me a letter. See?" And she held up the paper for my inspection.

"That's nice sweetheart. What did she say?" I said gently.

Smoothing the papers in her hands she said. "Mommy says she loves me and misses me more than anything. That she has been sick but is getting better and wants to come and see me. Can she daddy, can she?" And she looked imploringly at me with eyes bright with unshed tears.

I glanced at everyone else in the room and could tell they were all emotionally affected by Sam's reaction. Mom and dad were trying to be casual about wiping tears from their eyes.

I looked back at Sam and picked her up in my arms and said "As soon as she is better we will make sure she comes and sees you okay?"

"Okay. I'm going to save her letter in my notebook and Granma Bren is going to help me write a letter back." 

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Sam." I said.

Mom stood up and said, "Dinner is about ready. Run along and get changed Ken."

That night after dinner and Sam had gone to bed. The four of us sat around the kitchen table. Jack said, "Did you mean that Ken? What you told Sam? About visitation?"

A little defensive, I said, "About visitation? Yes I meant that. I know I can't keep them apart. And if Donna straightens out then whatever the courts recommend I will go along with, but as far as custody goes? I want to make it very clear I will never give up custody of Samantha. Not after what she did. I will use everything I have to prevent that from ever happening. Everything! Make sure Donna understands that!"

Brenda patted my hand and said, "Thanks Ken. Visitation is all she can expect. Sam is better off with you now. We all accept that. Seeing Sam will help Donna to recover."

I relaxed a bit when Brenda said that. My biggest fear was that someone would try to take her away from me.

Jack went on to explain that Donna had asked her divorce attorney to ask the court for visitation rights but he said she it would be better if she settled the criminal charges first. Donna had met that morning with her criminal attorney who recommend she plea bargain to settle the charges as quickly as possible. 




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 04



Her attorney had already been in touch with the prosecutor and was told that something could be worked out. The prosecutor was mostly interested in the two men in the bust and that the case against the women was considered relatively minor. In fact Jack and Brenda expected a deal before the end of the week.

I was a little unsettled by how fast this was going but tried not to show it. I had hoped for several more months of relative peace before I had to deal with contact with Donna again. But I knew for Sam's sake I had to put my reservations and lingering rage behind me.

When I got home from work the next day Jack and Brenda had left. Sam was down by the lake with Casey. Mom informed me that Harvey and Casey were joining us for dinner so if I wanted to get a quick swim in to get at it. 

I changed quickly and ran down to the lake and jumped in. I swam down and back a few times in front of the house and got out. Casey and Sam had their heads together over something in Harvey's pontoon and were ignoring me so I headed back in to change.

The five of us had a wonderful time that night. We talked about finishing school and finding new jobs. Harvey bragged up Casey and mom and dad bragged on me. Every once in a while Casey and I would make eye contact and we would both smile. And every time we did I could feel the electricity. Then one of us would quickly look away and take up the conversation with someone else.

Eventually the evening ended and it was time for Sam to go to bed. Casey gave Sam a big hug and kiss then she and Harvey went back home. 

That got to be a routine over the next few weeks. Several evenings during the week we would all have dinner together. We would alternate between Harvey's and our place. Harvey wasn't much on cooking but Casey seemed to enjoy doing it. Many times we would barbecue which Harvey and dad would compete at. 

Weekends were pretty much taken up with family or friends coming up to visit. My brother and his family were regulars as you would expect. One weekend Trev and Vicky, who was now his fiancée came up to visit. Trev apparently had had an epiphany about not wanting to live his life alone. 

The two of them seemed to be very happy together. And Vicky was quite taken with Sam. I certainly got the idea that kids were in their future. And somehow Sam got the opportunity to introduce Casey to them before the weekend was over.

Trev and I got a chance to talk alone on Sunday before they left. He had been working days since he started his apprenticeship so he and Vicky had been back to the Black & Tan several times. He quickly brought me up to date. Donna had never been seen back at the club but Connie had. She had picked back up with James now that he and Curtis had made bail. 

But Curtis was out only a few days and he had been arrested again. Seems that he got into a fight with his soon-to-be ex-wife about his suspicions that she ratted him out. The police were called and he was charged with assault and battery. His bail was revoked and it looked like he was in jail to stay.

Jack and Brenda came up every week to see Sam. The week following our discussion about Donna wanting to write to Sam, Jack told us that Donna was pleading guilty to one count of possession. In exchange, as a first time offender she would receive a suspended sentence, one year's probation and required to complete a substance abuse program. 

In addition there would be a fine and two hundred hours of community service. She was also required to cooperate with testimony against James and Curtis. The hospital had terminated her and she was now looking for a job. Between her court costs, fines and legal fees Donna was broke and Jack and Brenda were struggling to help her out.

A few days later my lawyer called to tell me that a divorce hearing was scheduled. Donnas' attorney had called him and said that all she was asking for was regular visitation. She would agree to not file for custody and would accept the furniture and the money I had left in our accounts as an equitable distribution. 

My attorney said he was sure we could insist on supervised visitation given her record. If I didn't want to contest it I would not even have to attend the hearing. I agreed and he assured me that a final agreement was possible within a couple of weeks.

That evening mom and dad had gone to play cards with some friends on the other side of the lake and I had put Sam to bed. I wandered down to the lake and sat in mom's big wooden swing and stared at the water and night sky thinking about the divorce and what would happen when visitation began. As I sat there I heard someone approaching from next door and looked up and saw Casey. 

"Hey Ken, could you use some company?" She said cheerfully.

"Hi Casey, not sure what kind of company I am but have a seat." And I slid over and made room for her to sit on the swing.

We sat there quietly for a few minutes and I was acutely conscious of her presence.

Finally she said gently, "Something got you down, Ken?"

I hesitated for a few minutes wondering how much to say. "It looks like Sam's mother will be allowed visitation soon and I'm not sure how to react to that." I said shakily.

Casey put her hand on my arm and said, "Your mother told me a little bit about your divorce. Would you like to talk about it?"

I found myself opening up to her about what had happened and the aftermath. I found that going through it again with her wasn't as painful as I was afraid it might be. Casey was in turn sympathetic, shocked and angry about the way Donna had behaved. She certainly didn't make me feel embarrassed about it.

After an hour or two talking I was exhausted. Casey was holding my hand and whispering encouragement to me. About that time we heard voices coming down the side of house as mom and dad returned home.

Casey leaned in close to me and gave me a gentle kiss on the lips, "Be strong, Ken. Everything is going to work out." She jumped up off the swing and ran back next door.

Surprised and bemused by her kiss I got up and walked back up to the house. In the days ahead it became a habit that every couple of nights late in the evening we would meet down at the swing or at one of our pontoons to sit and talk. Eventually the talking evolved into something more intimate. 

From that point on the summer became magical. Work was fun and interesting and almost every evening and weekend Casey and I would be together, sometimes alone, sometimes with others. Several times a week Casey would join me on my runs around the lake. The best of times was when the three of us, Casey, Sam and I would find ourselves doing something together. 

Sometimes Casey would want to ski and she would get me to drive the boat and Sam would be the spotter, giggling and laughing at Casey waving at her and clowning around on one ski. Other times we would slowly cruise around on the pontoon at dusk or just go walking around the lake holding hands.

True to his word, my attorney called within a couple of weeks and said we had a tentative custody agreement. The divorce would be final within sixty days of both of us signing it. Donna would be granted one four hour supervised visit per week at her expense. It would be her responsibility to coordinate it. 

About a week later I received a call from a Friend of the Court social worker asking to set up an appointment for the first visitation. With some trepidation I agreed to the following Sunday from two until six. The social worker would come to pick up Sam with Donna. Donna had asked if her parents could attend also and I of course agreed.

That night at Sam's bedtime I sat down with her on the edge of her bed to try to explain some things to her. She got all excited when I told her that mommy was coming to pick her up on Sunday for the afternoon. 

"Daddy, is mommy going to pick you up too?" She said breathlessly.

"No sweetie, just you and mommy and Grandma Bren and Grandpa Jack are going to be together."

Sam got quiet and teary eyed. She said. "Daddy, don't you want to see mommy?"

Slowly I said, "Sam, you know when mommy got sick we decided she needed to stay with Grandma Bren and Grandpa Jack until she got better. And you and I would live with Grandma and Grandpa here at the lake and start my new job."

Sam looked doubtful but said, "Uh-huh."

"Well, since then mommy and daddy have decided we are not going to live together anymore. Sometimes grownups do that. If they have kids they still love them as much as ever and they still take care of them together."

Sam started to cry quietly and I hugged her tightly to me trying not to let my tears run down my cheeks. "Now Sam, you can see your mommy every week and as she gets better and you get older you can see her more and more. If that's what you want, okay?"

Sam pulled back and looked at me with her chin quivering, "You mean when I turn five? I can see her all the time?" 

I lay down in her bed with her and we talked until she finally settled down and went to sleep. I slipped out of bed and went into the living room where mom and dad were watching television and reading. Mom looked at me closely and said, "How did it go?"

"Better than I expected I guess. She seems to accept it. I don't now how she will feel after she sees Donna. I'll call Jack tomorrow and ask him to explain to Donna what I've told Sam."

"Why don't you tell Donna yourself?" She asked looking at me closely.

"I'm not ready for that yet." I admitted.

"You will have to talk to her sometime." She said.

I sighed, "Yeah, I know." 

I was silent for a few minutes lost in thought. "I'm going down to the lake for a few minutes."

Mom looked at me knowingly. "Tell Casey I really liked the cherry pie she made for dessert last night."

I glanced around and both mom and dad were grinning at me. "Sure, sure if I see her." I said.

"Son, everyone on this side of the lake knows you two are dating except you." Dad said laughing at my obvious discomfort. 

He added, "Relax Ken. No one, including Harvey or Casey's parents have any objections."

"You two look at each other like you were the last drink of water in the middle of the desert." Mom said.

I could feel myself getting red in the face and didn't know how to respond. 

"Now run along, dear. She's too nice of a girl to be kept waiting long." Mom said cryptically.

I turned and walked out the door, feeling somewhat foolish. Was it that obvious? Being in a relationship scared me. Admitting I was in a relationship scared me even more. But I had to admit Casey was special. When I thought of her I didn't know if I was coming or going. 

I walked down to the lake and approached the dark shape standing by the large maple near the water. As I got close Casey reached out and took my hand in hers. "What took you so long, Ken?" She said concern in her voice.

"I had to explain to Sam about her mother and me. About us not living together anymore and what that meant to her. I stayed in bed with her until she went to sleep."

"Donna is coming to visit her on Sunday." I added.

Casey put her arms around me and looked up into my eyes. "Sam is a strong, strong little girl. And she has you. She will figure out a way to accept it." She said and kissed me softly on the lips.

I pulled back a little and smiled at her mischievously. "Mom and dad just informed me that you and I are dating and I am the only one that doesn't recognize it. Is that true?"

"Well it's about time! Grandpa has been grumbling that you must be brain damaged or something." She laughed.

"Casey, I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you. But it's only been a couple of months since my marriage went to hell. I'm not sure about anything anymore."

Casey took my face in both hands and pulled me down to her and kissed me passionately and I felt her tongue probing my teeth and I responded in kind. She let go of me, and said fiercely, "Well, I'm sure. And as long as one of us is that's enough. I've wanted to take this relationship to the next level for awhile now."

"Are you sure, Casey?" I asked anxiously.

"Ken - I'm not a virgin. I've been in relationships before. Some ended well, some ended badly. It doesn't matter how they end, they still hurt. But for the first time I think I'm in love. There I've said it and I told myself I wouldn't." She pulled away and looked at me apprehensively

I reached out and took her hands in mine. "Casey, I have been trying not to admit to myself my feelings for you. I know I want you, I want you bad. Yet I'm scared. My track record with women took a huge hit, as well as my self-esteem with the way my marriage ended. Can you understand that?"

Casey put her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder and I held her tight. "Yeah, I understand. I hate that woman for what she did to you. But all women aren't like that. Let me show you please?"

"Casey, I'm not sure of anything except I don't want to lose you. Let's plan on doing something together on Friday night. Just the two of us, okay?"

She smiled at me in the moonlight. "It's a date and a promise."

The next evening I mentioned to mom that I wanted to take Casey out on a real date on Friday night, just the two of us, and would she take care of Sam for me? She just laughed and said 'of course.' I told her that I thought we would go over to the 'Blue Gill Grill' on the other side of the lake. You could drive to it by car but they also had docks for boaters to tie up to. I thought maybe we would take the pontoon over as it was going to be a warm clear night.

Friday night at dusk I walked over next door to pick up Casey. She wore a low cut light colored sleeveless summer dress that accented her figure and contrasted with her tanned arms and legs. We motored slowly and quietly across the calm lake into the setting sun. Quietly talking and enjoying each others company.

Dinner was a leisurely affair of local caught pan-fried fish and a couple of glasses of wine. We talked about a variety of things. Sam, college, my job, and her job prospects. She admitted that she had fallen in love with Sam before I ever moved back up north. Until then she had never given motherhood much thought. And then she said she met me again and suddenly she found her thinking taking a decidedly odd turn. I kind of laughed embarrassingly, and changed the subject. 

I commented on how strange it was that she had not been successful yet in her job search. She laughed, reached across the table and held my hand and said, "Ken I've already turned down several interviews down state in the Detroit area. I hope you're not mad?"

Confused all I could say was, "No, of course not."

"I just don't want to move away from up here now. Can you understand that?" She said earnestly.

"Ah, I see." And we looked into each others eyes and smiled. Nothing else needed to be said.

We finished dinner around nine and got back onto the pontoon, turned on our running lights and eased away from the dock. Casey stood beside me as I sat at the wheel. She leaned over and said quietly, "Let's stop at the sand bar for a bit, okay?"

Without answering I turned the boat toward the darker side of the lake. The sand bar was kind of a misnomer. It was actually a sand spit that protruded into the lake about forty, fifty yards from an undeveloped area of the lakeshore. The lake was shallow and sandy for twenty, thirty yards on all sides of it. It was a favorite place for boaters to beach or anchor their boats during the day to picnic or party. Several nights during the summer teenagers would gather there, have a bonfire, drink beer and make out.

There was just enough starlight to navigate across the lake and ease up to the sand. I killed the motor as the pontoons grated on the bottom. I threw the bow anchor onto the spit. The air was calm and the lake like glass so there was little chance the boat would float off. 

I sat down next to Casey and she came into my arms and we kissed. Tentatively at first, then more and more passionately. Suddenly she pushed me away and stood up. "Let's go swimming!" She said.

"Are you sure?" I croaked. Her sudden change in direction and the hard on in my shorts had me confused.

I watched as she reached behind her and unzipped her dress and let it fall around her feet. There was enough light I could see she wasn't wearing a bra and just a tiny wisp of panties. Her nipples jutted out from her breasts prominently. "It's a beautiful night and the water is still warm. Come on!" 

She stepped out of her panties, opened the gate to the water and turned to look at me. "Well?"

I started throwing my clothes off as quickly as I could. She lowered herself down into the water which was only about two feet deep. I sat down on the edge of the deck and followed her in. She was right. The water seemed warm even for the end of July. She stroked away from the boat and the sand bar and I followed closely behind her. Suddenly she ducked under the surface and disappeared in a swirl of disturbed water. I stood up in about four foot of water and turned around looking for her when suddenly she popped up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Gotcha!" She cried. 

Then as her hands wandered lower onto my groin she said. "And what do we have here?" As she grasped my hard cock with both hands and stroked me."

I groaned, "Damn, Casey! Don't do that. You know how long it's been since I've been with a woman?"

Casey giggled. "Well, I think you've got all the right equipment and just the right size to make a girl very happy. Now turn around and let's see how we fit!"

Without breaking contact I turned and she raised her arms and wrapped them around my neck. Her legs came up and around my waist. I reached under her legs and grabbed the cheeks of her ass with both hands and pulled her to me as my cock probed for her pussy. She hissed as I entered her part way and stopped. She backed away for a second and I pulled her onto me again. As I slid into her all the way home she groaned. "Oh God, Ken, I've been waiting so long for this!"

As we held still for a few minutes we kissed and our tongues did a little dance. She gasped into my mouth, "I think we fit perfect."

"All the right parts in all the right places" I agreed.

I pushed her hips back slowly and pulled her back against me. Her pussy was so warm and tight I knew I couldn't last long. And the contrast between our body temperatures and the water temperature heightened the sensations.

I started a rhythm, pushing her away and pulling her back slowly at first and then faster and faster. As I did her legs came up higher and higher until her knees were up against her chest and her feet came out of the water and were waving in the air behind my shoulders.

"Don't stop, don't stop!" Casey cried over and over as I slammed into her harder and harder.

Finally I couldn't hold it any more and I shouted, "Here it comes!" And I slammed into one last time and filled her with everything I had. 

As I did Casey went rigid in my arms and gave one last drawn out groan. If it wasn't for the water holding us up I would have collapsed. She pulled herself tighter around my neck, buried her head into my shoulder and shuddered as the water lapped around us. Finally she lifted her face to mine and tenderly kissed me on the lips. "I knew it would be good." She whispered.

"And you were right." I whispered back.

We rotated slowly in the water, kissing each other and I gently lowered her legs back to the bottom. As I did I slid out of her and the coolness of the water on my groin made me shiver. We held onto each other for several more minutes not wanting to let go. Finally Casey said, "I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to make our first time memorable."

I laughed and said, "My god, Casey. That you did! It was wonderful."

She giggled back at me and pushed me away. She swam a few strokes away and then back. "I hope you have a couple of towels on that boat, we are going to turn into prunes if we stay in here much longer." She said.




Black & Tan Blues Ch. 04



We climbed back into the pontoon and I threw her one of the towels we kept stashed under one of the benches and we briskly wiped ourselves off. I also pulled the cushions off the seats and threw them on the deck. We both flopped down on them and covered ourselves with the towels. 

She lay with her head on my shoulder idly playing with my chest hair and tracing my stomach muscles with her fingertips as I gazed up at the stars, stroking her damp hair and feeling like all was well with the world.

Suddenly I had a disturbing thought. I hesitated for a moment but finally said, "Casey, I didn't even think. Should I have used a condom?"

She looked up at me and smiled. "Thanks Ken. But I'm on the pill. But to be honest, the way I feel about you, I would gladly give Samantha what she says she wants most."

Puzzled I said, "What's that?"

"A baby brother." She said quietly.

Amazed I said. "She told you about that?"

"Um, hum." And she went back to running her fingertips down my stomach until she came to my limp cock. 

She fondled me gently until finally I said jokingly, "I don't think you are going to get much out of him for awhile."

"We'll just see about that." She said impishly as she pushed the towel off me and started kissing me down my stomach until she engulfed the head of my cock in her warm mouth and slowly started sucking.

My head fell back and I groaned as she continued to nibble and suck until I was standing tall and proud once again. I couldn't remember a time I had ever recovered so quickly. As soon as Casey was satisfied I was more then ready, she sat up and swung her leg over my body. Holding my cock in one hand she slowly impaled herself on it. She looked at me with narrowed eyes and gasped as she finally bottomed out.

"I didn't think you could get any deeper than you were before, but I was wrong." She whispered.

She immediately started rocking back and forth as I ran my hands up her slim waist and cupped her breasts in my hands and tweaked her hardened nipples. I gazed in wonder as this beautiful woman rode me. The look of desire and lust on her face was unmistakable. Her whispered chant of 'oh, oh, oh' rose into a crescendo until she shuddered and threw herself down on my chest and glued her lips to mine as she thrust her tongue into my mouth. 

I wrapped my arms around her and rolled her over onto her back without dislodging myself. I ran my hands under her knees and lifted, rolling her hips up and throwing her legs over my head. I started slamming my cock into her as hard as I could. "Oh God, Ken, do me, do me, love me, fuck me forever!" She babbled continuously until with an unintelligible shout I thrust into her one last time and held her hard against me as I came. As I did she started shaking uncontrollably and tears ran down her face and she gave a little scream and suddenly lay still. 

For the longest time we lay unmoving, unthinking. Finally I pulled back and rolled her limply on her side and spooned up against her with my arms around hers and my mouth and nose up against the warm skin of her back. There was nothing else to say, our bodies had said it all. We both dozed off for awhile. When I came to and looked at my watch it was almost midnight.

"Casey, Casey, wake up!" I said gently.

"Hmmm?" She responded as she slowly wiggled her butt up against my groin.

"It's almost midnight. I think it's time to get back."

"If you say so." She said sleepily.

We slowly untangled ourselves and got dressed. I took in the anchor, cranked up the motor and pointed the bow back toward our side of the lake. We silently held hands as we glided through the still water with the Milky Way strung across the dark sky. Only letting go when we had to tie up the boat.

I kissed her good night at her door still without words. As if we were both afraid if we said too much the spell would be broken. As I crawled into bed that night I knew that as much as I had loved before this was so much more. 

The next day was Saturday. Casey's mom, dad and brother had arrived at the house for the weekend while we were out the night before. She was going to be tied up with them most of the day so we didn't get a chance to see each other. Sunday rolled around and Sam was off the wall in anticipation of seeing her mother. On the other hand I was in a funk wondering how the visitation was going to shake out.

Just before two I heard a car pull up and after a few minutes heard Jack yelling 'Hello?' into the house. I went to the back door and Jack was standing there with a middle aged woman I had never seen before. 

"Ken this is Mrs. Christianson. She is from the Friend of the Court for Traverse County. She will supervise the visitation." 

I said hello and we shook hands. Mrs. Christianson explained her role was to observe and report on the visitation. And insure that it occurred in a safe and healthy environment. She would report any observations she had to me and the court.

I just nodded and assured her I didn't think there would be any problems. Jack said Donna felt better about waiting in the car and Brenda was with her. They planned to take Sam over to the county park and have a picnic. Afterwards they would drop Sam back off and drive back home. I just nodded and told them I would get Sam. I walked out on the front deck and yelled down to lake. "Sam, Sam! Grandpa Jack is here!"

Sam's head whipped around from where she was playing in the sand with mom and came running up the walk to the house. "Gran'pa Jack, Gran'pa Jack, is mommy here? Is she?"

"She sure is Sam. She's out in the car with Grandma." Jack said.

We slowly followed Sam as she ran out the back door and watched. We could just see the side of the car around the edge of the garage about thirty feet away. I saw Donna get out of the car and kneel down to catch Sam as she flew into her arms yelling 'Mommy!' Donna grabbed her and stood up in one motion with Sam's arms tight around her neck and her legs around her waist squeezing for all she was worth. 

Donna looked at me across the distance and I could see the glint of tears in her eyes. It looked like she mouthed the words 'Thank you' to me. I could feel my eyes burning and I turned away and said to Jack and Mrs. Christianson. "You all have a good visit and I'll see you around six." 

They nodded and headed over to the car to leave. I went back into the house where dad and mom had come back up from the lake. I felt incomplete and anxious about Sam leaving. Mom and dad assured me that there was no reason to worry. Sam would be back and everything would be okay. I just nodded and stared out the window.

"Thought you'd like to know we are invited over to barbecue with Harvey, Casey, her parents and Jason this afternoon. I figured seeing Casey would cheer you up." Mom said.

I smiled at her and said "Thanks mom that would be great."

Later when we walked over to Harvey's patio to meet everyone, Casey came over to me, took my hand and gave me a kiss on the lips. I looked up at everyone staring and grinning at us. "What?" I said my face reddening.

"Looks like someone came to their senses this week. Where was I when that happened?" Harvey chortled. And Casey's mom and dad laughed with him.

"Grandpa, Mom, Dad! Now be nice or we will go out on the boat and leave you." Casey said sternly.

"Here you two, have a beer and relax." Harvey said unabashedly. 

Everyone laughed and we settled down to enjoy the food and a couple of beers. It took my mind off Sam but Casey could tell I was bothered. Later as it got close to six I excused myself and went back to our house to wait. I heard the car pull up and was waiting by the door when Jack and Mrs. Christianson walked up. I stepped out the door and I could see Donna standing back by the car holding Sam in her arms talking quietly.

"Mr. Colville, Mrs. Colville had a wonderful visit with her daughter. It was affectionate and loving. I observed nothing untoward or any attitudes or behaviors to be concerned about. It was obvious they both missed each other tremendously and I will recommend to the court that the visits be allowed to continue." Mrs. Christianson said. 

I nodded. "I understand and thank you." I said somewhat relieved.

"Thanks Ken, seeing Sam will help Donna a lot." Jack said.

"Sure Jack. When do you want to schedule the next visit?" I asked.

Jack looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Well Ken, we're not sure. You see, having Mrs. Christianson supervising is expensive. And with all her legal expenses Donna doesn't have much money and she hasn't found another job yet. And we have been helping her as much as we can afford to." He said.

"Oh? I'm sorry. I never gave that much thought." I said.

I looked back at Donna and Sam. Talking, smiling and totally engrossed in each other. Lost in thought I forgot about Jack and Mrs. Christianson until Jack cleared his throat and said, "Well Ken, I guess we'll get going now."

Making a quick decision, I said "Wait Jack. Mrs. Christianson, would you have any objection if I had my lawyer drop the stipulation from the custody agreement for formal supervision? I mean, I would be totally comfortable if Jack and Brenda would assume responsibility for being present during any visitations."

"No objections whatsoever." She said.

"Are you willing to do that Jack?" I said.

"Of course Ken! And thanks, that would help a lot." Jack said with a big smile on his face and shook my hand enthusiastically. 

"I'll call him tomorrow and have it done." 

With that the two of them went back to the car. Donna gave Sam one last hug and kiss and set her down. Sam came running down the walk. "Daddy, Daddy! Mommy gave me a new Barbie. She has a bathing suit so I can play with her by the water." And she held up her latest acquisition for my approval. I made all the appropriate comments and held her hand as she turned and waved goodbye to Donna, Jack and Brenda.

A few days later Jack called again. He thanked me profusely for lifting the supervision and said that they would like to return on Friday afternoon. I said that would be fine with me. I no longer felt that I needed to be there when they picked up Sam. 

Jack hesitated a moment then said slowly, "Ken, I know you refused this in the past, but Donna would like to talk to you. It's important. Her counselor says in order for her to get healthy she needs to confront those she hurt."

My first reaction was anger and I started to automatically say 'no'. But then I remembered mom's comment that I would have to talk to her eventually. And then I thought of Casey. I knew I would have to put this behind me to go forward with my life. And I thought I knew where I wanted my life to go.

I let my breath out slowly and said, "Okay Jack. What did you have in mind?"

"We thought we would spend the night at the Doherty Hotel Friday night after her visitation with Sam. Donna was hoping you might meet her in the hotel restaurant for dinner maybe." He said hopefully.

"Okay, I get home from work around five, five thirty. I can meet her at seven. Will that work?" 

Jack sighed, "Yeah, thanks Ken." 

I hung up the phone, trying not to let the feeling of dread overwhelm me. That night as I sat in the swing with my arm around Casey I was hesitant to tell her I was meeting with Donna. I finally blurted it out. She accepted it calmly but I could tell that it disturbed her. 

She assured me without much conviction that she was okay with it. After some discussion she went home earlier than she usually did. I decided to go to bed and try to forget about it.

On Friday I got home from work and Sam was already back from seeing Donna. While Mom looked on, she sat on my lap and happily told me all about it. Finally when she was done she said, "Can I go next door and play with Casey now?"

I said, "Sure."

Mom commented, "Sam and Donna reconnected in a hurry, didn't they?"

I just nodded. Mom hesitated for a moment and they said, "Is this bothering Casey? Your meeting with Donna, I mean. She has been real quiet the last couple of days."

"I think she is uncertain about me. After all, I was married to Donna for nearly six years. I think she is afraid Donna is going to get back into my life, through Sam at least." I said sadly.

"Well, it's something you've got to figure out. You and Donna will have to have a relationship until Sam grows up that's for certain." 

I just grunted and went into my room to change clothes. 

I pulled into the Doherty parking lot a few minutes to seven. I walked into the lobby and saw Donna standing by the entrance to the restaurant. She watched me walk towards her without expression. As I got close I said, "Hello, Donna. You look well."

"Thanks Ken. I know I look better than I did a month ago anyway. But you are the one who looks good. The tan suits you and your face is leaner. It makes you look more mature." She said as she studied my face.

"Yeah well, I spend a lot of time outdoors on the job and on the lake too." I said uncomfortably. In truth, Donna looked thin, too thin. She was pale and I could see the start of crow's feet around her eyes. Her clothes, hair and makeup were done meticulously. And it was obvious she was trying to keep herself composed.

"Shall we take a table?" I asked.

"Sure, I made a reservation for us." She said nervously. We didn't say anything else until we were seated and the waitress had put menus in front of us.

We talked about Sam and my new job for a bit while we placed our order. I ordered a salad and coffee as my appetite had all but disappeared. Donna seemed similarly afflicted and ordered soup and salad with hot tea. As we talked I could see Donna slowly relax as she realized I wasn't going to verbally attack her. 

After we had seemingly exhausted our small talk, Donna cleared her throat and said in a low voice while studying the table service. "Ken I want to thank you. Thank you for several things I guess. Thanks for lifting the supervision for seeing Sam. And thanks for giving the money to dad for my bail. I have been such a burden to him and mom. I know I can never repay them or you. But most of all, thanks for taking care of Samantha. At least she has had one parent who was looking out for her."

Feeling uncomfortable I tried to change the subject, "What are your plans now, Donna?"

Without answering the question she went on, "I know Dad told you I have been in psychological counseling for awhile now. I completed my substance abuse program and I have been doing my community service in a women and children's abuse shelter as part of my sentence. I also went back to attending our old church and have been doing some counseling with one of the pastor's there."

She looked up at me for the first time since we sat down. "It's important to me for you to know how much I've changed."

I nodded, waiting for her to continue.

"The last thing you asked me when you left me at the jail was, 'why?'. My therapist says in order to move on I have to answer that question. I guess there isn't any definitive answer. It was a combination of drugs and alcohol, and something wrong with me. All I can do is explain how it happened and hope you can forgive me."

Tears were running down her cheeks and she was wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. 

"Donna, you don't have to explain anything. It's in the past now." I said.

"No, I do need to explain. Damn, damn, I promised myself I wouldn't do this." She said as she composed herself.

Our food came and we both sat silently as we picked at it. Eventually we both put it aside and just sat with our coffee and tea. Donna sat with a look of sadness on her face looking out the window. Finally she turned to me and said. "Please let me get this over with, okay?"

"After our big fight about my going out with Connie that first time I felt everything was okay between us. But then Connie started calling every couple of days wanting to do it again. I kept telling her 'no' but she kept at me, telling me that I deserved some time to myself. After all I was the one stuck home with Sam every night. After a couple of weeks she started stopping by the house after Sam had gone to bed. 

I would open a bottle of wine and we would talk. She would talk about going out to the clubs, the music and dancing and the men she met. She made it sound like so much fun. The second time she was over she lit up a joint and tried to get me a take a hit but I wouldn't. The next time she was over she lit one up again and this time I didn't say no."

She sighed. "You were deep into your studies trying to finish your degree and still working six nights a week. We weren't spending much time together between my schedule and yours. When you did have time it seemed that Sam was more important to you than me. I convinced myself, with Connie's help that you were ignoring me and I deserved some time for myself.

Every time Connie came over we would have a couple of glasses of wine and get stoned. The next time she suggested we go out I said yes. That next Friday we went out to the 'Bus Stop.' A tableful of black guys was sitting next to us and one of them came over as we sat down. It was James. He and Connie had dated off and on, something I didn't find out about until later. 

I also found out later that Connie had called him and told him we were going to be there. James introduced Curtis to us and the four of us sat together. We danced, talked and had a few drinks and it was fun. Curtis and James were attractive, funny and good dancers. But nothing else happened and we went home.

The next Friday we went out to the 'Bus Stop' we met up with James and Curtis again. After a couple of hours James suggested we go over to the 'Black & Tan' for some real music. I was reluctant at first but I had had a few glasses of wine and a joint and they convinced me it would be okay. Connie and I drew a lot of attention that night. I realized later that Curtis was starting to act kind of possessive. 

He had his arm around me, held my hand, made sure I only danced with him, and kind of kept the rest of the guys away. James and Connie went out to the car for awhile. Later when they came back Connie face was all flushed and she giggled constantly. She whispered to me that they had smoked a joint and she and James had sex in the back seat. For the first time I had some doubts about what I was doing there. 

Later, when Connie took me home I told her I wasn't sure I should be doing this. She assured me it just good fun and I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to do. She repeated that to me a couple of times during that week when she stopped by. By this time I was looking forward to the relaxing buzz the marijuana was giving me.

The next time we were going to go out, Connie said James and Curtis wanted us to meet them at the Black & Tan. Since we had been there before I went along with it. The guys met us at the door and escorted us through the crowd. Connie and I had smoked a joint on the way over and after a few glasses of wine I was feeling no pain. Curtis asked me if I wanted to go out to his car and smoke a joint. I was too far gone to realize the danger and I said sure. 

We sat in the back seat listening to the radio, smoking and talking. When we finished the joint I laid my head back against the seat and closed my eyes as the world spun in circles around me. I suddenly realized that Curtis had his hand up under my skirt and his tongue in my mouth. 

As his fingers found my pussy I forgot everything except how good it felt. The next thing I remember I was flat on my back with my panties off and Curtis fucking me and I was fucking him back. I found out that for me marijuana and sex went together like milk and cookies."

She stopped talking and sat there with a look of pain on her face. "After that I was hooked. I was living two lives. My life with you and Sam was nice and safe. You loved me, and made love to me. The other life was wild, crazy, dangerous and oh so hot. Curtis just wanted to fuck me and he did.