31 comments/ 79648 views/ 9 favorites Nighttime Confessions: Daylight's Exposure Ch. 01 By: Foux Pas Here in is the first part of my sequel to capecodmercury's story, "Nighttime Confessions" 10/3/2005 Ch. 1 Donald Prescott stood staring out his bedroom window, the night time stars were twinkling but there was no moon to cast a comforting light. He listened while the ringing of the telephone in his wife's room continued to go unanswered. He left the third message for her to call him. Unlike the first two times he tried to call at nine pm and eleven thirty his voice gave away an underlying tension. It was now one thirty am and Meg was still not answering her phone. Donald wasn't sure what to think, but he was way past concerned and was headed towards scared. After leaving this last message he hung up and re-cradled the telephone. He headed from his bedroom to the kitchen to get a beer, running his hand across his jaw and neck for the hundredth time this evening. He knew he was giving away how apprehensive he was. Even his co-workers knew that little mannerism as a sign that his emotions were beginning to build and they should give him space. The problem right now was he had too much space separating him and his wife of sixteen years. He needed to talk to her so she could explain her side of that mysterious phone call from last evening. *************** Don remembered that Meg had called him then the kids had supper. She told him all about her old friend Judy Cormier and the group of friends she had with her. Meg was so appreciative that his idea had worked to throw off her boss, Frank Morello. She even went so far as to explain to him just how specifically she was going to thank him when she got home. Then Meg said she was going to be with her friend Judy and the group that evening. Donald was so happy about Meg's excitement in finding a way to deal with her boss. Donald remembered he was sitting in front of the TV watching a tape of his son's last soccer game when the phone rang. He glanced at the clock it was 8:30 PM, "Hello!" He answered. "Hello, is this Donald Prescott speaking?" A deep voice asked. "Yes. Who is speaking?" He replied. "That's not important Mr. Prescott. What is important is whether or not you know what your wife is doing tonight?" Donald felt the hair on the back of his neck raise up and a sickening tightness in his stomach turn into a knot as he replied. "What do you mean? Who is this? Is there something wrong, is Marge OK?" "First off Mr. Prescott your wife is fine as far as I know. I am calling you as a concernded friend," Donald heard a muffled chuckle. "This is not my first year here at the seminar and I have watchded your wife get involvded with a group of people who could cause some problems for her personal and professional life." "What kind of trouble?" Donald said with more anger in his voice than he intended. "Mr. Prescott, I don't know any other way to explain it, so I'll just tell you. The group she has attachded herself with since she arrived, include; Judy Cormier, Dee Dee Evans, Rachel Morse, Art Wallace, Phil Grant, Sam Miller and Wayne Billings. This is a well known swinger's group; some are single, most are marrieded. They've gotten together at every seminar for at least the last six or seven years. I don't know what Mrs. Prescott's relationship with this group is, but you needed to be tolded of her present company. I am sorry to be the one who had to tell you this." Donald was amazed and the asshole hung up the phone faster than he could reply or say goodbye. He sat back and thought to himself, the voice sounded a whole lot like Frank Morello, Meg's boss. Donald had only met the man a few times but he had that quirk in his speech pattern that was very distinct. If it was Morello, it appeared his little games would not be confined to work; he was gunning for her marriage too. When his attempts to fool around with Meg were thwarted it appeared the ass was going to be as petty and vindictive as Meg had thought he might. Don dialed Meg's room knowing she would be out, and about and left a message for her to call home when she got in. He wanted to tell her to watch out for Frank's crap, as he was stooping to new lows. Donald also wanted Meg's take on the mysterious phone call. At eleven thirty that night as Donald was getting ready to go to bed, and Meg still hadn't called back, he rang her room. When she didn't answer he left another message, lay down in bed after setting his alarm clock, put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. He didn't know why, but when Meg wasn't next to him he always had trouble falling off to sleep. Added to that, tonight there was a tickle deep in his mind, and he didn't want to go where that tickle led. When he called at one thirty and Meg still wasn't in her room Donald felt strangely disembodied as his mind tried to suppress "the other," possibility. "No," Donald almost screamed out loud at himself, "She loves me and would never betray us like that." After drinking the beer he went back to bed and fell into a restless sleep. ************* Marge looked at herself in the mirror as she prepared for bed, muttering to herself. "I don't look any different, the same soccer mom. I have some lumps and bumps from life and bearing children. But tonight I felt I was still attractive and desirable, Phil just proved that." Her voice seemed to fall away as she leaned on the vanity and looked into the mirror, "Then why am I so afraid, so conflicted, about what I just did. Damn it!" She yelled with more force than she expected, startling herself a bit. Looking at the sink for a long moment she slowly raised her head until she caught her own gaze in the mirror again, she let out a long breath. "No matter what you think or say, you cheated on Don. You broke your marriage vows. The vows you made in front of God, family, friends, to your husband. You promised 'no others'." A single tear broke and traveled down her cheek falling off into the sink. "I can't deny it was good. In some ways it was the best I've ever had. But in other ways it wasn't near as good as Don and I have shared over the years. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want more though, because somewhere deep inside, I do." Finishing up the last few parts of her nightly ritual Marge flopped into bed. She knew this wasn't going to be a restful night. She drifted off into a fitful sleep two or three times. She dreamed about Don and Phil and even Judy, but with Judy it wasn't anything sexual. But, as soon as dawn's light moved across the top of the far wall driving the shadows of doubt from her mind, she was pretty sure she was ready to face the new day. Marge wanted a couple more times with Phil, but didn't want her marriage to suffer from this desire. She also knew for a fact that a long term affair, even once a year wasn't something she could handle, nor keep from Don. "I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I want my marriage, my husband and my kids." Marge said to herself, "But, since I know... or close enough, that Don stepped out on me twice, I'm going to take my chance at a little on the side, then go back to being the perfect wife." Marge decided to tell the group that she would join their little social club at breakfast this morning, but she had already decided this trip would be the only time she would join them. She wasn't sure how they would take it if she wanted 'in' only for this trip, so no harm in committing fully, knowing she would never be near them again. Her school only allowed teachers to come up to the state convention once or twice in a career. Don and she certainly weren't going to pay for this kind of elegance, and anyway she didn't want to come here with Don and have him see how close these friends really were. As for her relationship with Don, she smiled cheekily then said out loud, "Well what he doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides this will be the only time." She giggled nervously and got ready for breakfast. The seven people comprising Judy's group of 'friends with benefits' were very quiet as she approached them a few minutes later. Everyone at the table was looking at her as she sat in her chair, anxiety painted on all their faces. They were waiting for her to say something, anything to put them at ease. They had taken what they saw as a big risk last night, letting her in on their 'secret.' Little did they realize that there were others in the dining room, those who knew what they were up to, checking out their new recruit, Frank Morello included. A waiter walked over to their table and placed a large bouquet of flowers in the middle of the table then asked Marge, "Is there something I can get for you to drink while you decide on breakfast?" Marge looked up, smiled at him and replied, "Yes, could I have a cup of coffee and large glass of orange juice please?" "Yes maam," came his professional reply as he moved rapidly away towards the kitchen. Watching and waiting for the waiter to disappear into the kitchen Marge turned to face the group. "First off, I want to thank you for considering me for your group. I am still a bit shaky, but I am joining you as of last night." Everyone was cheering and clapping when she told the group she would join them. Phil of course had a huge cheshire cat grin as they all talked about the group and sharing one another now and in the future. Marge snickered silently knowing that all she was willing to give to the group was the last three days and nights of this current conference, period. Since the group was in the dinning area, everyone was acting very platonic and Phil leaned over to pat Marge's hand. "Your decision has made my day Marge, How about I meet you in the Jacuzzi before supper?" She looked at him, his eyes twinkling outrageously and replied, "I'd like that, see you then." Phil got up and left moments later and Judy slid over next to her old friend. "Are you sure you are ok with all of this? You know if you need to talk I am available. You ok with this and Don?" Marge looked at Judy and replied, "Oh I am still a bit tender about it all. But when all is said and done well... What Don doesn't know won't hurt him... or us", raising and lowering her eyebrows a few times as Judy laughed. "I am glad you chose to join us, it really is a fun, caring group." Judy said as she rose to leave. Then, as she moved towards her wing of the building she said, "I need to go make some calls I'll see you in the first session at nine-thirty." Marge stood and began walking for the other set of elevators in the opposite wing. She needed to get back to her room for a minute. When she arrived she went about putting together the information for the day's classes. That's when she noticed the blinking red light on the phone telling her, she had a message. Listening to her husband's voice asking her to call him last night and noticing the times the messages were recorded, she had the sudden sensation of a trapdoor opening in her belly and she was about to fall through it. "Oh God!" She exhaled loudly, "What did I miss? Does he suspect something? What could he know? Can I explain myself to him?" Waiting a few minutes to calm down, she almost called Judy and talked to her. Instead she stood and got a drink of water, pacing around the room until she was sure she was settled, sat down and called Don at work. When he answered "Don Prescott, can I help you?", Marge nearly choked. But held on to her emotions enough to respond, "Yes you can but I'll have to wait until I get home Saturday. Hey baby sorry I missed your calls, I just noticed them when I got back from breakfast this morning. I hope I didn't scare you." Don was hesitant. He licked his lips feeling a bit better, knowing his wife well enough to know she would rather not confront things head on. He would have been more worried if she had been unwilling to talk about things. Or worse yet given him her famous silent treatment. He gathered himself and replied, "Well to be honest with you, I was getting a tad worried. You don't normally stay out that late. Plus I got a weird phone call from an anonymous caller who talks just like your boss. Anyway Frank, and I'm sure it was him, warned me that you were getting hooked up with a group of people at the convention who had less than stellar reputations. Can you explain this all to me, I'm almost sure it was just Frank being petty because he lost his intended target." Don wasn't sure why he didn't say the group was suspected of being swingers. In some ways he felt that was a backhanded way of accusing Meg of playing around. For the moment he wasn't going there. Marge noticed Don wasn't his normal vibrant self. She couldn't be sure, but it was as if he was holding something back - but what it was she couldn't ascertain. She made a quick decision on the spot and replied, "Honey, I was with two other married people and Judy my friend from college last night. Phil, Rachel, Judy and I sat and talked with Sam, Dee Dee and Art because those three worked the hospitality suite. Now, I don't know where those three went after they closed up, but the other four of us stayed up and drank until the wee hours talking about family and the schools we work at. Rachel and I are worse for wear this morning. I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to worry you, I won't let it happen again." Don picked up how halting and almost disjointed her speech patterns were this morning. He sighed, "Well your hangover is plenty of penance for the little bit of sleep I lost, so no harm no foul. I love you and I am glad you're having fun. Please be careful baby, we all miss you, I'll talk to you tonight, I gotta go, bye." "OK honey I'll be careful, love ya too, say Hi to the kids for me." As she hung up Marge realized how unenthusiastic her voice had sounded. She almost lost it when Don said "no harm, no foul." Shit! what she did was a big harm, huge foul.... but no different from Don's former escapades. After thinking everything over again, Marge knew she would still have a little fun with Phil tonight because she already knew in two days this whole thing would be a lifetime behind her. Anyway the Jacuzzi sounded like fun. She had always wanted to get some loving in a hot tub. With that thought she gathered her books and took off for the first seminar of the day. Don sat in his office and thought about the phone call he had just finished with Meg. She sounded... strained, that was it, he finally decided. Maybe a bit out of sorts. Something wasn't right about all of this but he still wasn't accepting that his wife of sixteen years was cheating with a group of swingers. Unfortunately his mind kept nagging at his heart that something just wasn't right, though he didn't know what. *************** Mrs. Peta Grant was in a tizzy as she played the audio recordings of the last twenty-four hours from the Private Investigators she had hired. She became extremely suspicious of what was going on with her husband over the last year. She was very interested in his activities with a group of friends that he had met at his yearly State Convention five or six years ago. She heard Phil talking in his sleep after each of the last two conventions. She'd heard the name Lisa over and over two years ago. Then Rachel had been the woman of choice after last year's events. Peta had heard whispers from other facility members and spouses about a swinger's group that formed and had been recurring at the convention over a few years now. This year at the Christmas party she overheard one of the new female coaches, Miss Simmons, who had a definite persuasion towards all things feminine say: "Well at least if I am going to fuck around at a public convention both me and my chosen partner would be unattached, unlike Mr. 'Holier than Thou'." Peta had almost strung her asshole husband up right then and there. Miss Simmons had gone to State Convention with her hubby last year. This year she had her husband followed by a well connected private detective agency. It turned out the agency was the previous employer of the head of security for the hotel the conference was held in. He would not allow filming as it was too easily traced, but helped them plant plenty of remote bugs throughout the whole suite the group was using. Anywhere the group was likely to be alone or engaged in extra-curricular activities they were watched and the whole area bugged. By nine the next morning Peta had her full report, complete with the sound track of Marge's seduction, and including the revelation of the whole swinging arrangement and its history. Although disheartened, she had prepared herself for this very result for a year. Even so, some tears still fell from her pretty face. Now she had to make a decision. Did she just go to the convention and expose their slimy secrets to each member of the group and explain how much everyone knew about their secret club? Or... did she tell the other spouses involved and then tell the cheaters they were busted. Afterwards she could quietly rip her husbands balls off and gouge out his eyes. There were four married and four single people in the group not counting Mrs. Lisa Manning who had left the state for a better job after last years convention. They were Mrs. Rachel Morse; Mr. Sam Miller; the new comer, Mrs. Marge Prescott and of course Peta's husband, Phil. Peta promised herself that the three women who slept with her husband as well as any others she found out about later were at least going to have to discuss their uncontrollable appetites with their own husbands. She already found out Sam Miller's marriage was just waiting for last rites to be performed. This wasn't going to be fun for any of the innocent spouses, but their partners' cheating had to be exposed, at least in Peta's opinion. At eleven am Don was busy finalizing a project. He had just signed off on the multimillion dollar package when his secretary rang in. "Mr. Prescott?" "Yes Michelle, what is it?" "Sir, there is a Peta Grant on line two who is very insistent on talking to you." "Did she say what she wanted?" "Only that it is very important she talks directly with you." "Well I just signed off on the refurbishing project so patch her through." Moments later his line buzzed, "Don Prescott, Can I help you?" A woman's voice, wooden, almost lifeless sounding returned his greeting and her message made the hair on the back of his neck raise. "Mr. Prescott, I am sorry to have to introduce my self under these circumstances. My name is Mrs. Peta Grant..." Don heard her take in a deep breath before she continued, he was hanging on every word. "I have some audio recordings collected last night in my husband's suite at the State Convention. They are recordings of your wife and my husband having sex. I need to know if you want me to have my private detectives send the recording to your computer for you to listen to." Don felt himself physically deflate as the woman's words sunk in. Gathering himself Don replied in a lifeless monotone voice, "Please give me a few seconds, this is quite a shock." He barely heard her reply, "I can wait Mr. Prescott." Placing her on hold, he tried to strangle the receiver in a death like grip. Slumping forward, elbows on the desk, his hands moving the receiver through his hair in an unconscious effort to relieve the tension. Somehow Don wasn't surprised. Hurt and angry yes, but not surprised. Too many things over the last fifteen or so hours told him something was extremely wrong. "Dammit Meg, why?" He sighed out as he stared unseeing out the window of his office. A tiring day had just become exhausting and now things weren't going to get better for a long time. Suddenly feeling like all the air had been let out of his emotional tank, Don took a deep breath and exhaled slowly then sat up in his chair. Stealing himself he put the receiver back to his ear and pressed a button on his phone reconnecting with Mrs. Grant. Nighttime Confessions: Daylight's Exposure Ch. 01 "Mrs. Grant are you still there?" he managed, his breathing ragged as he struggled to keep his voice more or less under control. "Yes Mr. Prescott I am. I want to say I am sorry I had to bring you this bad news. I'm pretty positive none of the injured spouses did anything to cause this pain." Don caught him self nodding instead of answering, shook his head as if to wake himself from a dream, or in this case a nightmare, and quickly replied, "That's okay Mrs. Grant. I know you weren't trying to hurt me. How did this all start? Was it Meg's first time? I have so many questions." Peta explained that she had only found out about how the group began this very morning after listening to the tapes of the night before. Then she told Don everything she knew about the group up until Marge left to go back to her room early that morning. Don was a bit confused, "Mrs. Grant, how did your private detectives get his information?" "Well, as it turned out the agency I hired is connected somehow to the head of security at the resort. The guy at the Resort used to work for the agency I think. Anyway my Private Detectives were given access to the rooms and suites but no cameras were allowed, only audio listening devices. Apparently it would be too easy to trace who it was that allowed cameras to be set up. So, my people have access to any part of the resort they need to be in. Just this morning one of the detectives acting as a waiter placed an arrangement of flowers on the table they were sitting at. It will be a few hours before that tape is edited for pertinent information and forwarded to me. Funny, but apparently not one of the 'swinger' group noticed the flowers and statues that suddenly appeared in the rooms and common areas they were in. After I was able to secure proof positive that my husband Phil was in fact playing around, I had the detectives find the phone numbers for the other three spouses of the married people in the group. That is how I got your number. I need to know if you would like a copy of the tape with the portions relevant to your wife's behavior downloaded to you?" Don shook his head. This whole thing was so surreal to him. "Yes Mrs. Grant, please send them to my e-mail here at work I'll deal with the information accordingly." Peta knew this was breaking his heart, so she said, "If there is any more information I'll call you. Also Mr. Prescott none of us saw this coming, there was no way we could have." "Thank you Mrs. Grant, and please use my cell number". After giving her his e-mail address and cell phone number Don said his goodbyes and hung up. Don called out to his secretary; "Michelle!" his voice was quavering, taking a deep breath he continued, "Please clear my schedule for the rest of the week... " Quickly reassessing the situation he corrected himself, "Michelle make that the next two weeks I'll call corporate and clear it and I'll explain everything to you when I can, OK?" "Yes Mr. Prescott!" came her professional reply. Don called the corporate office and secured the time off he might need over the next two weeks. He sat back to mull over the conversation he had with Mrs. Grant when he noticed his e-mail indicated a new incoming message. He quickly signed in and found the message from Mrs. P. Grant with an audio attachment. Down loading the attachment to a CD, Don skipped through the recording and it left no doubt about his beloved wife's activities the night before. After listening to the tape he knew Meg lied to him that morning. Would she cheat again tonight? Once, a one time mistake, he might be able to forgive, but if she went back, that would be the end. The only saving grace he could identify was that Meg seemed to be drinking much more heavily than she normally did. He desperately hoped she had just been overly drunk and got carried away. But, try as he might he couldn't completely convince himself that was the case. The pain deep in his heart was almost too much to bear, Meg had been his sun and his moon since the day he met her. Don could still see her pretty face smiling at him as they had explored the river together that summer. He sat lost in his own grief as tears began to roll down his cheeks. It probably wasn't the manly thing to do, but it was the right thing to do. A little while later as he composed himself he made two lists of the things he needed to do. If Meg didn't cheat again he would use list "A". If however Mrs. Peta Grant, called him to say their spouses had teamed up again, 'Well' he groused, list "B" would be put into play. Don called a family lawyer he knew and made an appointment for early morning two days from now, then turned towards his computer to see another message from Peta. She proposed that if Phil and Marge got together again tonight they would both meet at the resort and if possible confront their wayward spouses "in the act" so to speak. But she wanted Don and her to do it together. Don had only to think about it for a few moments before replying to her. He would be very open to that idea if the circumstances warranted it. After replying to Peta's message Don arranged for his parents to pick up the kids from school and drop them off for the next two days, telling them a huge issue had just come up at work. He knew his parents would go to the house to pack for two or three days at least after picking the kids up this afternoon. He figured if nothing happened he could spend a restful night at home. But if things got stupid he would be able to leave quickly for the three hour trip to the State Capital where the convention was being held. He made a few other phone calls to find out prices for certain home improvements he might have to make would cost and was pleasantly surprised at the reasonableness of the services he inquired about. Since he had nothing else to do but wait, Don left the office drove home and prepared an overnight bag just in case. As he stood in his bedroom the memories of the sights and sounds of sixteen years sharing his life with Meg assailed him. Don picked up a picture of the two of them that Meg had on her dresser, taken three years ago on a three day getaway. He was behind her, arms around her stomach, and she was twisting her head around to whisper in his ear. She had told him she was so proud he was her husband. He began to shake as waves of nausea overwhelmed him, and he spoke out loud to himself. "Just how proud of me were you last night, when you allowed that man to lay claim to your body? The body you promised to give to only me at our wedding all those years ago?" Hanging his head, he placed the picture face down on her dresser. Then he said in almost a whisper, "Just how proud of you am I supposed to be now Meg? I can't see myself in this room with you ever again if you go with him tonight." His jaw clenched tight, he left their bedroom for possibly the last time. The emptiness and deep sense of loss made him feel like he was without direction. Placing his bag inside the front closet Don left the house to wait until his mom and the kids got their stuff and left. He parked his blue Saturn SL2 in the front of the house and pulled away in Meg's Toyota van because it had a tow package that he might need later. At four-thirty Peta called to say the situation was going down hill fast. She had just listened to the morning tapes and unfortunately Marge had accepted an invitation to become part of the group. Twenty minutes later Don was sitting at a picnic table in the park when his cell rang, it was Meg. He waited until the call went into voice mail; he couldn't talk to her right now as his emotions were too raw too volatile. He wanted to rip her in two at that moment. Her conscious decision to betray both him and her family was beyond anything he could believe. He thought he knew this woman, how she ticked; obviously he didn't. At five-thirty his cell began ringing again, this time it was Peta. "Don I am sorry to tell you this but my two detectives just called and told me that our spouses had a quickie before dinner in the Jacuzzi. I think we need to get to the resort tonight." Don took a deep breath before he replied, "God I was hoping, but now, well there's going to be hell to pay. I can be at the resort by eleven tonight, but I have some things to take care of first. I'll e-mail a photo so you know who you're looking for. And Peta, despite all of this, thanks." "Thanks Don, I sent the new voice recordings from breakfast to your e-mail earlier. I'll see you at eleven." She hung up and Don began making phone calls. He arranged for the lock-smith to be at his house shortly and then he called the U-Haul rental office to ensure the ten foot trailer was available. His last call was to his kids' middle-school principal. Don explained that he was going on a weeks vacation starting the next afternoon and that he would be removing the kids from school a week early for summer vacation to go with him. The principal assured Don it happened all the time and that paperwork would be ready for him to sign when he showed up the next day. Don drove over to the U-Haul rental site and was soon backing the trailer into the garage. He grabbed his bag and tossed it into the van and headed to the computer. He downloaded the audio files from his work e-mail via his remote access. Making three CDs of both files, he put up one copy, placed a second copy in a mailer addressed to his attorney and put the third copy in a plastic sleeve to take with him. He decided to listen to the second down load on the drive up to the Resort later on that evening. The next hour was hectic while Don unloaded Meg's closet and dresser as well as any books and furniture she had brought into the marriage he could think of. He loaded everything he could think of that is of value to Meg and put it in the trailer, intending to work later with her lawyers if he missed something. After he locked up the trailer he pulled the van with the trailer attached out of the driveway, pulling his Saturn back inside the garage and closed the door. Meg was not going to be allowed back inside his house without police escort for the foreseeable future. Then he loaded the small cooler with ice and bottled water and some chips in the van for the trip. During this time the locksmith had changed all the locks on the doors and the garage, Don even remembered to remove the garage door opener from the van. He threw the keys to the lock on the U-Haul door on the passenger seat. He locked up the house and drove away with plenty of time to make his eleven o'clock meeting at the resort. Arriving with time to spare Don parked across four spaces, and, as his last act, Don removed his wedding band and tied it to the rear view mirror of the van with a piece of ribbon. At ten forty-five Don was standing inside the lobby of the resort where Meg was staying and Peta Grant was meeting him. He just finished arranging for a rental car for his return trip, when a small nicely built woman exited the elevators. She had long mid back length black hair, small wire rimmed glasses and was wearing tan slacks with a nice rose colored blouse. She had a thin but very pretty face, her Hispanic heritage very obvious. She walked directly up to Don and extended her hand, "Don Prescott, I'm Peta Grant. Although I don't think either of us likes the circumstances, it's nice to meet you." "Peta it's nice to meet you, despite this crap." Don replied, in a sarcastic flip. Peta said, "Come on, we're going to be in a room a floor down from where Phil's suite is with the investigators. We will be listening to a live feed so we will know exactly when to break up the party and let the wailing and gnashing of teeth begin." A few minutes later Peta introduced Don to a mousey looking woman in her forties and a man in his late twenties. The woman was Brenda and the man said his name was Jorge. The detectives handed Peta and Don a set of headphones each and they all listened to Marge and Phil. Jorge explained that once they identified that the two people in question were involved in the "Horizontal Mamba," Peta, Brenda and Don were going to go to the room to confront the lovers, 'in the act', or 'in flagrante delicto' as Don remembered hearing it called on TV. Brenda would enter first, take digital video then leave, at which time the two cuckolds could deal with their spouses. For most of the next hour the conversation was about general topics and the conference, then suddenly Phil said, "Hey Marge are you up to another round? 'cause I seem to have a stiff response to that sexy nude body of yours." Marge giggled like a school girl, and cooed back at him, "Oh yeah, you do. I have just the place for you to put him. I have an itch deep inside my pussy, do you think you can scratch it for me." Phil growled and apparently grabbed Marge who giggled wildly again. Don took off his head phones and walked to the window stopping to just stare into the darkness of the moonless night. He knew every thing was over, and he took a moment to grieve for the death of his marriage. Peta came over and touched his arm, "You under control Don?" He turned to face her, a single tear moved slowly down his cheek, "Yeah, I just needed to say goodbye to my marriage before I confronted them. I guess we should go." Moments later the three of them stood outside the door to Phil's suite. Don's hand on the door handle the card key posed waiting for Jorge's signal to enter. Nighttime Confessions: Daylight's Exposure Ch. 02 The second part of my sequel to capecodmercury's story, "Nighttime Confessions" is contained herein. 10/12/2005 Marge sat with Judy at lunch both women enjoying the yummy Greek style salad, the salty bite of the feta cheese was so good. Judy was prattling on about the topics covered that morning during the seminars. Marge's guilt, building since last night, had now become overwhelming as she suddenly blurted out, "JUDY! Could I lose my husband over all of this?" Marge's voice became very low by the end of the question and her head dropped breaking eye contact with her friend. Judy was a bit shocked at how aggressive Marge had been when she forcefully said her name. But, gathering herself, she thought about the question Marge asked. At first Judy wanted to just tell her not to worry everything would be all right. But instead replied, "Yes, yes you could Marge, that is one possible outcome of all this. But if he never finds out, that is something you will never have to deal with. These encounters aren't love affairs they're just intense interactions with friends. None of us wants anyone in the group to get hurt. Or lose the love of their life." Marge looked at Judy; she wanted to say more but realized it would be useless. Judy would just put a spin on the situation to justify the whole thing anyway. At that moment she knew without a doubt this was a one time thing. Marge gave Judy an embarrassed little smile and said, "You're right I am just a bit confused about all of this, OK?" Judy patted her friend's hand and replied, "We all go through it Marge, just relax and enjoy." Marge nodded and the two women enjoyed the rest of their lunch before heading back to the last seminar. Marge had also been worried about Don all morning. His voice sounded a bit strange this morning, and he said Frank Morello called him last night and tried to accuse her of some wrongdoing. She wondered if the silly ass had accidentally found out about the group. She made a note to talk to the group in the morning at breakfast or tonight before they "Turned in." During the afternoon seminar sessions Judy kept passing Marge little notes talking about Phil's abilities and little ways he can drive a woman insane. By the time the last session of the day was over, Marge was looking forward to a little 'Afternoon Delight,' in the Jacuzzi. After heading to her room to change into her swim suit, Marge tried to call Don at work; it was just before five and she hoped to catch him at the office. When she didn't get an answer she tried his cell, a few moments later the voice mail picked up. Surprised, Marge stumbled with what to say, "UH, Don… I guess you're on your way home and the cell is off. Judy, Dee Dee and I are going to get in a swim before supper, then a bunch of us are going dancing. If you need to get a hold of me just call Judy's cell phone." She left the phone number and signed off by saying, "I love you," Her voice started to break and she hung up quickly. Moments later there was a knock at her room door. Marge opened it and there stood Phil and Judy. Marge realized she must have had a surprised look on her face because Judy said, "Calm down this is a front, I'm meeting Wayne in the sauna, I love you to death Marge, but I am straight as an arrow when it comes to sex." Marge blushed as Judy explained her presence, then giggled out an "I'm sorry!" All three of them laughing at the awkward moment, Marge gathered her things and joined her friends as they headed towards the Jacuzzi and sauna areas. As they arrived a young well built staff member was coming out of the Jacuzzi area with some chemicals in his hand. He nodded to the three people, saying as he moved about his business, "You can go inside now, everything is in order." Marge saw Wayne walking towards the saunas. He raised his hand in greeting, as did Phil, Judy and Marge to him. When the staff guy disappeared down the hall Judy moved off in the direction Wayne had gone. All she said was, "See you later, have fun." Phil opened the door to the Jacuzzi and Marge entered. He closed the door behind them and locked it and drew the curtains across the viewing window as well. Turning towards Marge he watched as she removed her bathrobe revealing the tasteful two piece suit she wore. A whistle and a throaty, "Hmmm Huh," were all Marge needed to hear. It had been so long since she had heard those kinds of comments. She felt a chill of excitement run up her spine. Phil dropped his robe and moved over to where Marge stood, taking her in his arms as he whispered, "You are without a doubt the most beautiful and sexy woman I have ever laid eyes on." Then he kissed her and pushed his tongue deep into her mouth, as Marge's tongue fought with his she gave herself over to his fire. Her pussy was wet and her body needed his special touch. She wanted him so bad. "Take me," she whispered as they broke from the kiss. Marge felt Phil remove the top then the bottom of her suit, his hot breath and wet lips moving over her nipples as they hardened and began to ache so good. Somewhere along the way to the Jacuzzi Phil removed his trunks. As they entered the turbulent waters Phil sat down then pulled on his condom. When Phil was ready he moved Marge to straddle him and made sure he slid inside her aching pussy as she sat down. His invasion was as with all couplings Marge had experienced, an exquisite pleasure mixing with the wonderful feeling of fullness. Marge felt his cock at her opening and moaned throatily as she buried him all the way inside her. After a few moments to adjust to the invader Marge almost cooed, "You know you were right, what our spouses don't know won't hurt them." Phil smiled as Marge began to move her hips in practiced strokes up and down the length of his manhood. Soon all the sounds, sights and smells of the room faded into the back ground. All either of them was aware of was the movement up and down, in and out, as each felt their own orgasm begin to build. Suddenly Marge heard Phil take in a deep breath and hold it, she smiled knowing he was near, then her body spasmed and she threw back her head groaning in delight, "Oh yyyyeeesssss, Mmmmmm!" Phil felt Marge's pussy spasm and her body shake just as he exploded. He felt her fall forward onto his chest as the aftershocks of her orgasm convulsed through her body. The lovers stayed in the Jacuzzi for a few more minutes before cleaning up, then they put their suits on to get them wet. Wrapping their robes around their satisfied bodies, they exited the room to wait for Judy and Wayne to reappear. When Judy did show up a few minutes later she also had a rosy red glow in her face. Wayne waved from the Sauna entrance and went his separate way. Judy joined Phil and Marge, all three making their way back to Marge's room. After they finalized plans for supper Phil and Marge left to get ready. ************* The young man in the resort uniform watched the four subjects, waiting until they were in the elevators to go into the Jacuzzi room and remove the four listening devices. One of them had been on the base of the ladder stepping into the pool. His partner had picked up every sound the couple made. He shook his head as he left the room. He liked his job, but he hated the pain his discoveries were sure to cause to someone else. He stopped by the sauna and picked up the two devices from that room also. Now he had to go call his office so the boss could call the client. It looked like it was going to be a long night. ************* Dinner had been wonderful as the eight friends took the time to feast at a Japanese Steak house. Having the dinner prepared in front of them was fun as the guys had interacted and goaded the chef into some risqué interactions. It was about eight thirty when the group arrived back at the resort. All of them had indulged in more alcohol than normal and they quickly paired up in the suite and disappeared into the different bedrooms. Phil hadn't even given Marge a chance to talk. As soon as the door closed he had her nude on her hands and knees, slipped on a condom and was taking her doggie-style. As they had rutted he said, "Don't worry baby, a little later I'll make this up to you, I just couldn't wait." All Marge could do as he pounded into her was to moan out, "Yeah later." After he climaxed, Phil rolled Marge over and treated her to a world class pussy licking, bringing her to three huge orgasms. Marge thought, "I've got to teach Don how to do this." When she could stand again Phil showered with her. Then they lay on the bed naked, talking about the seminars and how they would use what they learned here at work. Both of them were caressing and touching the other, knowing the night was far from over. Phil had a beer and Marge had another glass of wine from Phil's stash; Marge glanced over at the clock Eleven-twenty. 'Hmm!' she thought to herself 'I can't remember the last time I was this awake this late.' She looked over at Phil who was obviously thinking of her as his cock was almost fully erect. She had to admit to herself that Phil's response to her body was a huge turn on. Phil caught her staring at his cock and said, "Hey Marge are you up to another round? Cause I seem to have a stiff response to that sexy nude body of yours." Marge giggled like a school girl, and cooed back at him, "Oh yeah, you do. I have just the place for you to put him. I have an itch deep inside my pussy, do you think you can scratch it for me." Phil growled and grabbed Marge who giggled wildly. Phil kissed her for a long while and maneuvered them into a sixty-nine for some mutually satisfying oral stimulation. Normally it took her longer to reach her climax but her body had already been excited numerous times already this evening so Phil got her off in record time. After Marge orgasmed once, Phil flipped around put on a condom, climbed between her legs and pushed inside of her waiting body. Marge closed her eyes losing herself in the sensations of the multitude of pleasures she was experiencing. *********** Don looked at Peta and whispered, "Let me get inside first, then I'll call for you once the shock wears off, a sort of double barrel whammy." Peta looked at Brenda who simply shrugged her shoulders and nodded to Don. Moments later Jorge used a text message on Brenda's hand set to say the spouses were having intercourse. Brenda showed Don and Brenda the message; both nodded. Don thought to himself, 'having intercourse, shit those two cheating assholes are fucking.' At eleven forty-six Don popped the door keycard into place and opened the door to the room. The music in the room, a Latin mix, was so loud neither of the occupants noticed the door open. Brenda was inside and using a high speed professional digital camera which needed no extra lighting. She began taking a sequence of damning video. As Brenda entered, Phil was on top of Marge and their angle on the bed graphically indicated penetration, and it was obviously full penetration. She took a quick close-up followed by a pan out showing their bodies and faces. Brenda made sure she obtained a number of close up zooms of Marge and Phil. Brenda ended her time in the room by zooming out so there would be no doubt about who was doing what with whom. Brenda left the room and moved quickly back to her own to download and send the video to the agency. As Don followed Brenda into the room his heart sank. He was hoping this was still all a bad dream, but there was enough light in the room to take away all doubt. For long moments he stood just inside the doorway feeling like some one had run a sword through his guts. He watched for a few seconds in revulsion as another man's cock pistoned in and out of his wife's body. He looked away as a deep sense of loss invaded his mind. Brenda bumped him on her way out of the room, Don shook himself out of the mental fog and was suddenly filled with a white hot anger and he charged towards the bed. Don was on Phil in a moment and pulled him up off Meg by his hair and an arm. Don heard Meg scream, "Donnnn, Oh god No…" Meg's voice was silenced by Don's grabbing Phil, because the forward motion of Phil's body jammed his cock deep into Meg's pussy and the quick stabbing pain stopped her warning shout. Then Don pulled Phil up and out of Meg with an audible pop, causing Marge to let out a long groan of pain because the angle of withdrawal was not natural. Don heard Phil yell, "Hey! get off me!", as he picked the bigger man up and threw him hard against the wall. Phil smacked into the wall with a loud thud as Don said in a menacing voice, "Don't get back up asshole until I tell you." Laying on the floor in a heap, a disoriented moan was all Phil could muster. Marge crawled to the head of the bed, pulling a little pillow over her in a vain attempt to cover herself. She was pleading, "No. Please God, please no. Don, no, not like this." Marge had never seen a look of such revulsion on Don's face before; his eyes were afire and she was so humiliated she could hardly speak. He looked quickly around the room and finding her clothes he picked them up and threw them at her. "You disgust me 'WIFE'. At least cover up your cheating pussy before trying to talk to me. I can guarantee you woman, I ain't going to lick his cum out from between your legs." Marge blushed as she wiggled into her skirt and blouse. Don had never used that sort of language to her before. Phil struggled to shake off his stupor and get to his feet. Don said, "I didn't say you could get up asshole, but since you want to be so brave, there's someone here to see you too." Peta, who had been standing in the doorway, marched over to her husband whose eyes were the size of saucers at seeing his wife here. "Honey please… ooof!" Phil's comments were cut short when Peta kicked him square in the balls. He dropped to his knees holding his groin while Peta grabbed his hair and said, venom dripping from her voice, "Don't try to lie, asshole, I've known all about this little group for almost a year. I called your slut's hubby to help me surprise you two tonight. Oh, by the way next time you see Rachel tell her that her hubby is just as fired up as Don and I are, and Lisa's husband was very interested in her activities with your little group over the last few years. Hell, even good old Sam's wife was happy to hear all about your escapades." Marge watched as Phil's wife looked over at her then back to her husband and spat out, "Come on you stupid pussy hound, your slut doesn't need to hear the rest of what I have to tell you." Marge stared as the slender dark haired woman with the wire rimmed glasses snatched Phil by the ear and lead him stumbling into the bathroom. To an uninvolved onlooker it would have been a very funny sight, the dainty woman dragging the ape along by his ear, but the incongruity of the scene was lost on Don and Marge. Turning to look at Don, Marge said, "I'm so sorry, I don't know what to say." She tried to continue but Don cut her off. "Good then don't say anything, because paraphrasing you from earlier today, "What Don doesn't know won't hurt him… or us," well I DO know, and it has killed us!", his voice thick with emotion and accusation. All Marge could do was shake her head as the meaning of Don's words came crashing in on her. How did he know she had said that? Her whole plan, no, her whole life, was undone. Don continued caustically, "Okay slut, here's the deal. Your van is in the parking lot, you can't miss it, because there is a U-Haul attached with all your stuff in it. I brought both sets of keys." He threw the key ring on her lap. "Don't bother going home, all the locks are changed, you won't get in. I'm taking the kids out of school as of this morning and we are going on a camping trip while I tell them what's happened and decide what I'll do. If you ask me right now I'll tell you your chances of still being married to me by Christmas are dismal." "I loved you completely for all these years. I lived with you all these years and never realised how stupid you really are. I would never have believed you could be the slut you've become. To throw away your marriage and your kids for sex a couple of times a year with a piece of shit like him?" Don nodded his head towards the bathroom door, "Or some others like him? You, my slutty former wife are a proper fool!" Marge was crying so hard the front of her blouse looked like a shirt in a wet tee-shirt contest. Marge sobbed out, "Please, Don don't do this. I was wrong, we have sixteen wonderful years, I made a mistake…" "No Margaret," Don almost shouted as he interrupted her, "Last night was a mistake, but when you purposely returned to his bed, when you joined "The Group" today, you were into total, purposeful, absolute betrayal. Today proved this was not 'just a mistake'. It was a planned decision to betray your family." I'll tell you what, you listen to this. If you can say afterwards 'this was all a mistake' then we'll see what happens. I don't think you can expect me to believe the theory about your 'mistake' of fucking around on me once you hear it", Don continued, throwing a CD onto the bed beside her, "There is more than enough in here to make sure you'll never get custody of the children in this state. Rot in hell!", he yelled and walked out. Marge called after him, her voice small and frail, "Don, please don't go. I love you." It sounded false and contrived even to her. Now the shit had really hit the fan, and she knew it was all blowing onto her. Don left the suite and entered the hallway. He saw Frank Morello standing near the stairwell. Frank called out, "Mr. Prescott, a moment of your time please." Don almost flipped off the self serving asshole, but instead walked over. "Yeah what do you want?" he asked brusquely. "Mr. Prescott, I saw you come in and knew there would be trouble. If your wife has offended you and possibly broken the morality code of her work contract, any proof to that effect and I can assure you she will be out of a job." Don stood flabbergasted at the gall of this low, slimy prick. The anger he was feeling when he walked out of the room suddenly boiled over and he grabbed Frank, jerking the bigger man up into the air and slamming him against the wall. Don spat out his words with venom, "You conceited, arrogant, stupid mother-fucker. You try to get my wife into your bed, and when your low end charms don't work you are petty enough to call me at home to tattle on her. My family and I are in enough pain shit-for-brains, and if you try to add to the burden even one iota, I promise you I will destroy your life as you know it. Your games with the staff teachers, single and married, are well known, whether you understand it or not. If you so much as breathe to anyone about what may or may not have gone on here I will hunt your victims down and have them testify against you. First I will go to the principal, then the school board and then to the press. I will openly crucify you and destroy your career. Do you understand me mister?" Frank Morello just nodded his head and the color drained from his face at the revelation that his own games were so well known. Don let Frank slide down the wall and land in a crumpled heap on the floor at his feet. Glaring down at the ass who had begun the chain of events leading to his current almost overwhelming pain, he continued. "Let me give you a bit of advice weasel, now that I think of it. I'll bet when I set the group private detectives I'm hiring on your scent I'll be very surprised if I don't find out you have been with some of the students too. All predators like you eventually believe they are all-powerful, too important to be caught. HA! I can see it in your eyes Frank. You gave yourself away, you piece of shit! You better just go back, resign and get the hell out of this state or I will ensure you fry asshole. The guys in the pen like the slime who play with kids Frank. Bubba will love to show you how used those kids felt." Nighttime Confessions: Daylight's Exposure Ch. 02 Kicking Frank in the ass Don hissed from between clenched teeth, "Get out of my sight and remember, be gone in a week or I will come looking for you." Frank Morello moved away from the madman in front of him to the nearby stairwell and was gone. Don never saw the ass again in his life. Don waited a few moments for Frank to get to wherever he was going then walked down stairs to the room where the private detectives were staying. His anger spent, the only emotions left were loss and pain, and these struck him like a wave after he sat down on the bed in the room. Brenda, who had downloaded and sent the video to the home office, left to go back upstairs and make sure Peta was okay. Jorge was packing up equipment preparing for both him and Brenda to check out. Sometime later Don felt a hand on his arm, "Donald are you OK?". It was Peta. Don replied wearily, "Yeah I'm just emotionally wrung out, all I can feel right now is pain and some deep almost abstract sense of loss. Kinda like I felt when my grandpa passed away." Peta nodded, her smeared eyeliner testifying to her own pain, "I ripped my soon-to-be ex-husband a new asshole, and explained all about how his life had just changed. He was crying, begging me to forgive him, to not divorce him. I think I would have had more respect and willingness to listen to him if he owned up and asked me to just give him another chance. I still wouldn't, but I would have respected him more." Peta looked at Donald and continued, "Brenda and I just helped your wife to her room. She isn't functioning very well and I don't think that Lisa Manning, Rachel Morse or Sam Miller are in any better condition this morning. Brenda told me Rachel's husband had a sheriff serve her divorce papers and a restraining order in Art Wallace's room. Sam's wife just called him, and told him not to come home she would send his clothes and personal belongings to where ever he sets up house. I'm also sure the mood in Lisa Manning's household is very subdued after Lisa's husband got home tonight. He was livid when we talked this afternoon. She did leave the group last year but she was the first one with my husband. Yeah, I am being a bit vindictive, but these women took what was mine and plundered my marriage. I will not allow them to do that and go scot-free. The after effects on the 'single,' people will not be as harsh, but it will be nasty. Rachel has already reamed Judy, and that has started trouble in paradise. One thing I will say to you in Marge's defense Don, she was pulled in by a couple of wolves. Judy and Art are very anti 'closed relationship'. They have both been badly burned in the past and now want to have their cake and eat it too." Don listened to Peta's ramblings. She just kept talking; he could see in her face she was a mess and didn't want to show it to anybody. "Thanks Peta. Well you have my e-mail, we will talk again when I get back from my week of camping." Don stood and, looking at Peta, spoke, "I am so sorry for everyone involved, but sometimes being sorry doesn't fix the problem. I really wish we could all just wake up and find none of this happened. But it did happen and now life is going to be a bitch for a while." He hugged Peta and thanked Jorge and Brenda as they came in looking for Peta. Don found his rental car waiting for him at the front door, got in and headed back to his shattered life. Between the emotional backwash of the evening and just being plain tired Don made the three hour trip home in just over five hours. Pulling up to his parents home, Don came up to the door just as his dad come out to grab his morning paper off the front porch. His dad jumped back, obviously startled, then said, "Oh Donald you scared me, I wasn't expecting anyone." Don watched his father's eyes narrow as he looked hard on hat his son. "Boy you look like hell what's the matter?" Don took his father's arm asking, "Is mom up?" "Yes" his dad replied holding on to his newspaper with more force than he realized. Don sighed as he closed the door, "Good. I only want to explain this once." Over coffee Don gave a very condensed version of the past forty eight hours and the actions of both himself and Meg. As he finished he said, "And now I'm here, a whole lot worse for wear," and slumped down over the table, barely holding himself up on his elbows. His mom and dad sat silently, stunned at what Marge, a woman they considered to be their own daughter, had done to herself and her family. His mother spoke first, "Donald I am so sorry for all of you, and if the details are even close to what you described, this doesn't look good at all. But I am asking you to do one thing honey," Don forced himself to look at his mother tears running down his cheeks. His mother touched his face. Even now after all these years her touch was such a comfort to him. She continued, "Promise me you won't make any long term decisions about all of this until after you've a chance to let the emotions and pain calm down some and you can think straight." Don smiled, "Mom, I'm taking the kids camping with me later this morning for a week, just to clear my head. If or when Meg calls, tell her to leave a number and I will call as soon as I get back from the wilderness." Both his parents nodded, his dad stood and pulled Don to his feet and embraced him. His mom did so next, after which they led him to a overstuffed recliner and told him to rest. The next thing Don knew, a few hours later his daughter was shaking his arm, "Come on daddy grandma says we are going camping and we're burning daylight." Don smiled and looked at his watch, realizing he had slept for four hours. He pulled Sarah to him for a hug and replied, "Ok I'm up!" He borrowed his mom and dads SUV, loaded it and after signing the kids out of school the little group of three headed to the mountains some five hours distant. On the road Sarah asked, "Is mommy joining us later daddy?" Don began to tear up, but was able to keep most of the emotion out of his voice as he replied, "No baby, Momma will be away for a while, so at least for the camp out and for at least a bit when we get home, it's just going to be just the three of us OK?" Don saw Sarah smile as he glanced in the rear view mirror, "That's OK daddy, mommy is such a wimp about camping out. I think she just comes along because she knows we like it." Responding quietly Don said, "Well right now she has some other things on her mind. We'll talk some more while we are at the camp site Ok?" "Sure daddy!" Was Sarah's cheerful answer as she slipped on her head phones and picked up her book. Don glanced over at Brad; he had an inquisitive look on his face, and mouthed the word, 'Problems?' Don quickly looked at Sarah who was lost in her own little world, then looked at Brad again and nodded. Don watched the different emotions wash across his young face. Before he could ask Don said, "All three of us will talk this week, I promise." Brad nodded again, put on his earphones and stared out the window. The first three days of camping out were non-stop activities; rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and exploring different parts of the park. The evening of the fourth day, which was spent swimming near their campsite, they finished doing the dishes and sat down to enjoy the sunset. The kids sat on either side of Don who was lost in his own thoughts. Don didn't see Sarah give Brad a wave of the hand indicating she wanted Brad to talk first. Brad cleared his throat and said, "Dad? Is now a good time to talk to you about mom?" Don felt his shoulders slump and the heaviness of his heart threaten to reduce him to tears. He'd been thinking about little else over the last four days - what did he want to do? What could he do? What to do about the kids? Well, that part was easy for him, he wasn't going to let them stay with Meg. Her warped sense of responsibility in the marriage made him very uncomfortable now about her parenting role. He heard Sarah ask, "Daddy are you ok?" Don put his arms around both kids, "Yeah baby I'm as good as I can be. First off, you know mom and I love both of you very much, right?" Two frightened voices replied, "Yes." "Mom and I have had a situation occur, and at least for the time being she is going to be living away from home for a few weeks. But it could become permanent." Don heard Sarah's soft but obvious sobbing, but, calming herself enough she asked, "Are you two getting a divorce?" Brad interjected, "Yeah that's what we both want to know dad." Don took in a long deep breath and exhaled slowly in an effort to calm himself as he answered. "Kids, your mom has decided she wants to explore a relationship with another man, and for the time being I have asked her to stay away from the house. She will have full access to both of you. I will not keep the three of you from one another. She is your mom and has done so many things, sacrificed so much for the two of you. It is very possible this will end in divorce… but." His thoughts were interrupted by Sarah's now uncontrollable deep sobbing, Don pulled her to his lap and let her cry out her pain. When she had calmed down Don continued, "As I said, but… for the time being I have not filled in any divorce paperwork. I needed this time away to think through a lot of things and to get my head on straight. I won't tell you any more, except when we get back I'll set up a time for your mom and I to talk, OK?" Sarah could only nod and Brad just mumbled a "yeah!" Brad asked, "Dad, who would we live with?" "Son, I would be asking to be the primary custodial parent. I don't know if you will be allowed to go with the parent of your choice or what. But, that is in the future and I want both of you to know I love you very much. I want to make sure you know that I love you, just like mommy does, and I will make sure you are part of both of our lives." All three of them sat and stared at the gathering darkness, Sarah and Brad turned in for bed shortly thereafter. Don, understanding they needed to talk with each other, stayed up until well past midnight, staring at the campfire and thinking. The next morning Brad and Sarah both came to Don and hugged him, Brad speaking for both of them said. "Dad we talked last night, we're scared as we imagine you and probably mom are too. We don't want you guys to divorce and we want you go slow with any decisions. Please! We love you and mom, just remember that." Don hugged and kissed each of them on the cheek, then after breakfast they headed to the lake to rent a boat and go water skiing. The last two days in the park were a lot of fun as the three of them walked, and swam and rock climbed to their hearts' content. The trip home was much quieter than normal as Don and the kids headed back to an unknown future. Don had come to the hard decision that he would probably ask for a divorce, but for the sake of the kids would meet with Meg, ensuring both their lawyers were present. He was hoping against hope that she would give him some reason to salvage their marriage. After they arrived home Don's mom and dad came over because they had letters from Meg for Don and the kids. The kids read theirs and told their dad that mom took full responsibility for the situation but hadn't gone into details about the reason. Don was pleasantly surprised about Meg's confession to the kids. Maybe Meg could convince him to stay in the marriage. But, then when he read her letter to him it rambled and she kept saying he didn't understand everything that went on at the resort. She was guilty of so many things over those two days, that she was so sorry, she was wrong and needed to talk to him. She even said she loved him. She put her lawyer's name and phone number so he could contact her through him if he didn't want direct contact. He read the letter about six times and decided to call his lawyer the next day to work out a time to meet with Meg. He wasn't sure what to think when his lawyer called him back and set up a meeting three nights later. He accepted. Later that first evening home Don looked in his e-mail and found he had two sets of pictures one from Peta and one from the detective agency. He didn't even look at the photos. He downloaded them into a locked file, copied them onto a disk then copied them for his lawyer and made a third copy for Meg's lawyer just in case. He grabbed a beer and went to bed early to try and recover from the week outdoors. *********** Marge sat in her room on her bed, she was trembling. All the tears had run out hours ago. She looked through the curtains leading to her balcony, the first orange red streaks of dawn painting the Eastern sky. In her whole life she could not remember ever being this humiliated, this embarrassed or in this much pain. Everything she had done, everything that had happened in the course of the last thirty six hours was her fault. Everything that would happen from here on into the foreseeable future was out of her hands. She could still see Don's eyes, ablaze with righteous anger and numb with pain as he confronted her earlier that morning. The scene kept playing over and over in her head like a slow motion video replay; her nude and uncovered on the bed being screwed by another man. Enjoying the feelings the married man who was not her husband was giving her body, laughing at the illicit feelings the affair was giving her; then, there was Don, and in seconds her world collapsed. Closing her eyes and bowing her head she could hear his words echo in her mind with stunning clarity. "You disgust me 'WIFE'. At least cover up your cheating pussy before trying to talk to me." 'Disgust me wife', 'cheating pussy', the words Don spat at her with such disgust in his voice rattled inside her head until she felt it would explode. What the hell had she done? Sixteen overall wonderful years destroyed by her own selfish desires? "All because I wanted it", Marge thought, "because thought I deserved to have what Don had, a little on the side? What the hell was I thinking?" The rest of the day was a slow dull ache for Marge, she was tired and the she couldn't comprehend last few seminars of the day. She ate lunch and dinner alone that day, then went to her room and passed out after dinner. When Marge woke up Friday morning she lay in bed and stared at the ceiling; her world was gone. She had broken the heart of her mate as well as her own. All she had to look forward to was a long drive home and a search for a place to live. She hoped Judy would stay away. Marge would probably blow a gasket at her. She took full responsibility for her own actions and foolishness, but Judy had been wrong too, to push her own agenda. On the drive home she became more apprehensive the closer she came to the exit. She pulled up to her house and tried all the doors. Marge was really shocked to find out Don actually had changed the locks; she was crying as she got back into the van. Luckily she worked with a few people whose spouses were in real estate, and by 5:30 she was had signed a month to month lease on a nice two bedroom town home near where she worked. Marge spent that evening and the next morning unloading the U-haul, returning it when she was finished. The rest of her week was spent at school with long lonely nights at her new place, thinking about Don and the kids and wondering if they were having a good time camping without her. She also decided to hire a lawyer in case of a divorce, and to write a letter to Don and her children. Marge was surprised when Mrs. Jordon the principal called her in and asked her, "Mrs. Prescott do you know anything about Mr. Morello's reasons for his sudden resignation? He says that another school from out of state has recruited him during the convention, is that true?" Marge shook her head at the news, replying, "I don't know anything about that Mrs. Jordon, I spent most of my free time with some married friends." Marge noted she had a foul taste in her mouth when she mentioned the group she had been involved with, and her stomach began to hurt. Mrs. Jordon nodded then surprised Marge by asking, "Mrs. Prescott, there are four teachers here at the school who are qualified to be promoted to Mr. Morello's job. Would you be willing to be considered for promotion to Athletic Director?" After thinking for a few moments Marge replied, "Mrs. Jordon, your offer to consider me is like a dream come true. But I will respectfully decline at this time. I have some important issues to deal with in the family and they need to take top priority at this time." Mrs. Jordon looked at Marge as if she wanted to ask something more but instead just nodded. "I understand, balancing the issues of life that come with working and family stresses isn't easy. Thank you for being so honest. I really think you are ideal for the job, Marge. Think about it over the vacation. I won't talk to any of the others until I have your final answer." Standing she shook Marge's hand and saw her to the door. On her way back to her office Marge realized that the first big loss connected with her affair may have just occurred, the job she may have to turn down had real clout and a nice pay increase attached to it. On Friday after work, Marge stopped at hers. There was a definite tension in the air, but Marge's mother-in-law was very gracious, holding Marge and telling her she was praying she and Don would get through this together. Her father-in-law was less congenial, but not nasty. Marge asked them, "Would you be so kind and give these letters to my family for me?" Don's parents agreed, and Marge handed over the letters as she was leaving, "I messed up and am praying for a second chance with Don." His parents nodded, then she turned and left. Marge was surprised when two days later her lawyer called and told her about the meeting with Don. She quickly agreed to the time and date they would be meeting in his lawyer's office. After hanging up Marge sat thinking about everything she wanted to say, needed to say. She knew she wouldn't be sleeping well over the next few nights. She missed her babies something terrible and now the ache to have Don hold her and talk to her was almost beyond reason. For the thousandth time since that night she asked herself, "Why? When I had it all? Why did I play games? Why?" *********** Nighttime Confessions: Daylight's Exposure Ch. 03 The third and final part of my sequel to capecodmercury's story, "Nighttime Confessions" is contained herein. * Don sat in the conference room of his lawyer's office nervously waiting for Meg and her lawyer to show up. He fiddled with his list of things he wanted to go over with Meg one more time, specifically he wanted to address the kids and visitation. He wasn't going to keep the kids from their mother more than he had to. But he was seeking primary custody. Don knew Meg was and had been a great mother to both kids, so he wanted to hold out an olive branch of sorts to Meg in what was almost sure to be a very ugly situation. He was basically convinced of his eventual course of action. It was kinda weird that both his mom and the kids had asked him to make decisions slowly. His mom, he now knew, was asking for him to be careful about making decisions in the heat and anger of the moment. She was smart to say that to him. Initially he was thinking that Meg's warped sense of responsibility in the marriage was a reflection of her parenting capabilities. But after a lot of soul searching he realized he knew she was very good with the kids and had sacrificed a lot for them. He was willing to bend more on letting her see the kids than any other issue. His children had, on the other hand, made a thinly veiled request for their parents to stay together. The kids were as scared as he was, and he imagined Meg also was right now. All of their worlds were about to be turned on their ear. Don thought back to a few nights earlier; his parents asked him to talk to a friend of theirs, a female counselor Ms. Dorothy Nesmitt. He agreed only because they made the effort to contact her. When they met for dinner the Monday night before his meeting with Meg, Ms. Nesmitt asked him point blank, "Mr. Prescott, normally I don't meet with just one of the people involved in a situation like this. There isn't a lot of point to it. I know you probably feel a bit uncomfortable and rightly so. But let me ask a question if I could?" "Ok!" he replied politely. "Since I don't know what happened and because you aren't my client, I don't really care about the details. But, have you made up your mind about what you are going to do?" Don, unaccustomed to sharing the internal workings of his marriage, was taken aback by the directness of the question. He sat and thought for a moment. Then replied, "I am almost sure the relationship is fractured beyond repair." Nodding, Ms. Nesmitt sat back in her chair as she looked intently at Don. Don would have described her as a handsome, middle aged black woman whose eyes seemed to pierce you while she thought. She leaned forward and asked, "The incident that precipitated this current set of circumstances, how long ago was it?" Don swallowed hard, "About ten days ago." "I am impressed, most people act on their emotional fluxes during the hours immediately preceding and following the point of impetus. But I assume you have been thinking this whole thing out over the last ten days." Don nodded. "Very impressive Mr. Prescott, I am of the opinion that if you can get past the emotional turmoil and look at all the facts in the cold sober light of day. You will make a decision based on most of the facts instead of just a few of the facts. That way, if you decide to try and reconcile, or to divorce, you are, at least in my opinion, making an informed decision." She broke contact with Don's eyes and took a drink of water. She continued "So, since you have made what appears to be a final choice, other than a nice meal and pleasant company, is there anything I can help you with?" Dan reached for his glass of water and slowly took a drink. Placing the glass down he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Well Ms. Nesmitt, my dad warned me you were direct and a no nonsense type of person." She nodded then raised her hand in gesture for Don to continue. Don wet his lips and said, "One thing is bothering me about all the information that concerned friends and co-workers and even articles in magazines have mentioned in conversations here and there. I have heard a dozen times you need to stay together for the kid's sake. What's your take on that?" Dorothy Nesmitt smiled as she touched her napkin to her mouth, "Thank you for asking about that. Staying together for the kid's sake is what I'd call "A Fool's Choice". Mr Prescott, your children are profoundly affected by any split in the parental relationship, especially divorce. I am firmly in the camp that says for the sake of the parents, if divorce can be avoided then do so. The children however are a different story, if they have asked you to do everything possible to stay together and you accept their desires to "Try," and work things out, then that is very good. It will give you and your wife one more chance to forgive and work through your current dilemma. However, your children are the most vulnerable in this circumstance. To get back with your wife merely because of the kids, without the loving, caring, respectful relationship you had when you married will cause stress and problems beyond your imagination. Children from homes where the parents co-exist without a true reconciliation are emotionally scarred and usually they will have trouble forming good relationships in the future. They are truly wounded to an even greater extent than children from divorced homes. Without the relationship between the parents being whole again the children will not have any type of quality loving relationship to base their own model of future happiness on. Just as importantly, the strife and stress of the co-existing parents can destroy any hope of future happiness for the mother and father also." Don slumped visibly, his mind in turmoil again. What this woman said made sense, and he came away from the dinner meeting with a deep sense of sadness. Over the next two days Don looked at his life with Meg - the good and the bad. He wavered back and forth. One moment he was in pain over the betrayal and couldn't even breathe; the next wishing he could find a way to forgive Meg and take back his life. When he finally walked up to his lawyer's office Don had made up his mind. For sanity's sake he left a small possibility of reconciliation. He wanted to see if, after almost two weeks, Meg could tell him something to allow him to consider giving her a chance. Don refocused his thoughts on the task at hand. The last two weeks had been hell on his mind and emotions. He reviewed the small list again as he heard Meg's voice outside the door to the conference room. He straightened up and took a deep breath; this was it. The door to the room opened and Meg and his lawyer entered followed by another man Don assumed was her Lawyer. After a quick introduction by Don's lawyer so everyone knew each other, Don was given the floor, he having called the meeting. Don looked over at Meg, her eyes red with bags under them, probably from lack of sleep. Her hair was down and she was dressed in a baggy shirt and jeans. It still was painful to see her sitting across from him at what virtually amounted to divorce proceedings. Clearing his voice Don started, "Meg, thanks for coming; gentlemen thank you also for your time. Meg, you know I will be asking for temporary custody of the kids and to be named custodial parent should we divorce." The first tears rolled down his wife's face at the mention of the "D" word. He steeled himself and continued, "I want to show that I am willing to act with good faith in everything we discuss from the start. We both know a lot of people who are divorced and we have witnessed the 'every other weekend' and 'holidays and summer vacations' thing." Meg nodded and he went on, "You have been a great mother and I want you to know I will allow you as much access to the kids as we can work out between us over and above what the court says. If the kids want to see you, and you agree, we will work it out between us. OK?" Her tear filled eyes met his, as she choked out, "Thank you for not keeping my babies from me." Don felt good, "I will still want custody, but as much as is possible I will always try to work out time for the kids to get to you." Meg's lawyer was nodding. He was studying Don, his face showing an expression of genuine surprise. Don was surprised how dry his throat was; his stomach was in a knot and he was afraid his sparse dinner would make a reappearance. He was also surprised that as volatile as his emotions had been, and with the anger he knew was just under the surface, he wasn't really feeling anything. It was as if, other than his stomach, he was numb inside and out. Looking at the woman who had dominated the past eighteen years of his life he said. "Meg I am not going to kid you, there is a huge void between us and I don't know if you can overcome it. I am devastated by this whole turn of events. I mean one week you're trying to figure out how to keep your slime-ball boss away from you at a conference and then next thing you're jumping into bed with a man you've known for two days." Don's own words struck a cord deep within him as he looked at Meg, "Or is it even true you had only known him for two days. Was this a longer affair than I even imagined." The bitterness in his voice was undisguised as he stared at Meg. Meg, was sitting quietly across from her husband, hands folded on the table in front of her, listening. The look on her face indicated how shocked she was by the sudden change in demeanor and obvious anger in Don's voice, and she shook her head vigorously in denial. She shouted out, "No that's not true!" Then Don watched as she made a physical effort to calm herself. Her eyes shifting as if thinking about what she was going to say, Meg lowered her voice and continued. "Don I never touched anyone in a sexual way other than you since we became an exclusive couple. I am telling the truth I just met Phil that week." Don sat for a moment thinking through her answer, nodding he replied, "Strangely enough Meg, I do believe you, which makes this all the more bizarre." He began to slowly run his hand through his hair indicating the tension he was dealing with increased dramatically. "Meg I thought I knew you, but the fact you gave in the first night after drank the way you did was confusing enough. Neither of us, to my knowledge, have ever allowed ourselves to drink that much without the other around to watch over us. But when you joined that club and gave yourself to him the second afternoon and evening, that is beyond my comprehension. I honestly don't believe I know you at all." Try as he might Don couldn't get his underlying tension controlled and his voice wavered and increased slightly in pitch. Marge fully understood how close to reaching his boiling point her husband was and tried to find the words to answer and calm him. "Don, you do know me, all my little moods, the good and bad traits. You have seen me at my very best and absolute worst." She sucked in her breath at that comment as her mind flashed back to the night Don had walked in on her and Phil. The involuntary shudder that ran though him told her he was probably thinking about the same thing. She continued, "Don, like I said you do know me, and I allowed my self to get into that circumstance. I don't want to try to minimize or trivialize my actions. I made a mistake, one that could cost me everything I hold dear. There is no good reason for what I did. I am sorry beyond words for my choices and actions during those two days and nights. I truly want to work this out, and make this up to you. I want to stay married... to you." Her words were beginning to run together as tears began to flow down her face at a more rapid rate. She waited a few moments to calm herself then forged on, "I honestly had made up my mind Wednesday morning this was the only time I would be with these people. As dumb as it seems now, it was like a blanket I gave myself to cover up my foolishness, this one time. By Wednesday morning I was filled with all kinds of ideas, wavering between guilt and thoughts about how much fun it was. It wasn't better than our lovemaking, but it was different. I could understand how you would enjoy sex with someone other than me." Marge looked at Don, trying to gauge if her words were having the desired effect. She noticed he listened as if he believed her, which was good because she was telling the truth. But towards the end he had cocked his head to the side, and got an inquisitive look on his face, as if he was unsure about something. Don seemed to be about to ask her something, but instead nodded and motioned with his hand for her to continue. "Don I am asking, no begging you to give me another chance, I was so foolish and heartless at the convention. I tasted of forbidden fruit and felt I could get away with it. I told myself you wouldn't know I was playing around and that the group wouldn't know that this would be my only time with them. I felt I was so smart, so in control... I realize now I was a fool. I know I don't deserve it, but please, if not for my sake then for the kids, let me be the wife you thought you had. The wife I can be and always was until that stupid convention." Don listened to his wife as she cried out her pain. It was taking all his self control not to go over to take her in his arms and comfort her. He knew all too well he still loved her and his heart was breaking. She had wounded him gravely and the emotions washing over him at this moment were like waves rolling ashore during a hurricane. It was something you couldn't control or stop, you had to just endure it. "Meg first off, one of the things we are doing here tonight is setting up a plan for our future, whether that future is together or apart. So far I believe most of what you say to be true, or at least true from your perspective. One thing I will say I have come to a firm conviction on is that 'IF' we get back together it will be for us and because of us. I will not stay together for the kids' sake. I have come to realize that without a desire to be part of our partnership, staying together for the kids is just prolonged relationship suicide." Don knew his resolve was weakening; his desire for Meg was swaying his very fragile emotional state. He knew that logic dictated a firm resolve, she needed to prove a lot of things before the thought of getting back together could addressed. He also knew, despite what many people he knew had said over the years, you don't just stop loving someone. Don knew he still loved her, deep down still wanted her back. He also now knew this wasn't going to happen for a long time. Because right there, along side seventeen plus years of love for this woman, was the train wreck of all of the trust and honesty he had ever felt for her. How was he going to put a relationship together when her fidelity would be constantly brought into question? The thing that was really upsetting him was he didn't have any desire at all to touch her physically. "Meg I don't even know where to begin to sort this all out. There is no reference point in our lives for you to draw on to see the pain and turmoil I am in at the moment." The change in Meg's facial features took Don back. She had metamorphosed from a timid fearful woman to an angry hate filled antagonist in just seconds. Don didn't even have to hear what she would say, the twisted mask of rage now etched on her face was all it took. "How dare you say that, especially after you tore my heart out twice in this marriage. I almost left you thirteen years ago when you had your little fling with that... that hooker at the bachelor party for Billy Cantor. Remember him? The guy who worked with you at your last job? Oh, I can see it in your face you remember. The best man, Paul... something or the other, had paid for a little sex toy so everybody at the party could have a little fun. Well Paul's girlfriend told us all about the fun at the party. How the little lady gave all the guys a choice of a blowjob or fucking her." Don noticed that Meg's lawyer had straightened up and was leaning forward a small smile creased his face. Refocusing on Meg, Don noticed she was red in the face and her body leaning towards him menacingly. "I talked to the girlfriend of one of the others. She was just blabbing about how all the guys had their own special private time with the rental girl in question. Even you can't deny you were very guilty when you came back from the party. If memory serves, you wouldn't even answer my questions about the party. "The worst part was I was seven or eight months pregnant with your child, Don. You waited until I was the size of a house then decided to get a little on the side. I went through all the emotions you are now, and did it with the added burden of being almost at the end of my pregnancy. I cried for weeks, but I stayed with you, because I love you. Honestly, I didn't confront you because I was so scared and I didn't need any more stress in the marriage. "But you didn't stop there did you? No! What was it? Five or six years ago when Barb moved in next door? That young sexy divorcee and you were her confidante. I trusted you with her; she was always so attentive to you. Well, Ruth told me about your little liaison in Barb's bedroom the night of her going away party at her house. "Oh yeah! The look of surprise on your face just glows, I know about that time too. Ruth told me she'd been upstairs in the bathroom and heard muffled excited voices. When she made some noise the two of you came out and Barb's clothes were disheveled and her make up smeared, like she'd been fooling around, hmmm? "Funny, when we talked about Ruth's visit a few days later you blew it off, but you didn't explain all the little things that Ruth told me she saw and heard. You even found out later from someone else how big a disparity your story and Ruth's story had. But you never came back to clear it up, to tell me what really went on between the two of you. "How dare you play the hypocrite and tell me I don't know how it feels, I do in spades." Emotionally expended Marge slumped back in the seat looking at Don, her voice a tiny measure of its former self as she added. "Neither of those two times gave me reason nor right to do what I did to you Don. I know you don't believe it but I do love you so very, very much and I am willing to do anything to make this up to you anything at all. All I am asking for is a chance." Don looked at the table in front of him as he ran his finger's through his hair repeatedly. A single tear ran down left cheek as he took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Then looking up at his soon to be ex-wife he answered her. "If you would call Miss 'Nose in every bodies business' Ruth over here and put her under oath. You'd find that many of the embellishments she added to her story about that night's activities at Barb's would disappear from her story. "Meg the reason I didn't feel any need to come back and explain away all the differences was that I told you the truth when you first asked. Isn't it amazing that a known rumor monger, which in reality is all that Ruth is, whose whole self designed purpose in life is to stir up shit in other people's lives just so she can feel important, has more credibility than your own husband! More credibility than your mate? The person you 'say' you love so much? What Ruth did was exaggerate her description of a very meaningless event to make it seem worthwhile reporting. But you apparently accepted her version as gospel and mine as tarnished." Don half stood and leaned over the table staring at his wife, his body trembling, his face flushing with indignation. His voice which had first been a ferocious hiss degenerated into a guttural rasp as he continued. Nighttime Confessions: Daylight's Exposure Ch. 03 "What sort of love is that? Is it the love you expect me to fight for now? Is that the sort of love I can expect from you if we get back together? Should I swallow my pride and go back to that ridiculous idea you have of love? "So you can believe the next stupid twisted old spinster who lies about me? I told you THAT night I never realized how stupid you really are, and you just showed me again. How could I ever have been fooled into loving such a stupid person? I was actually considering the likelihood of us getting back together, getting back to something like our old selves. "Well, that sham I thought was a loving marriage is somewhere I never want to go again - NO WAY! I came into this conference with a degree of hope, and with a lot of love left in my heart for you. Now the only feelings I have for you are loathing and revulsion. I can hardly keep lunch in my stomach, you make me physically sick." Don slammed his open had down on the table making everyone in the room jump. "Damn it all these years I thought I had a loving marriage, had your respect, had your love and devotion. Yet now you tell me it was all a lie, you thought me a cheater and kept me around under some silly false premise of, I don't know what. All the years I thought you loved me I was there with you under your pity. All those words I thought loving words were underlined in your mind with the 'knowledge' I cheated on you. You never trusted me again after you believed whatever stories you heard about the night of the stag party. "If you were worried why didn't you ask me about it? Or was your sick twisted mind happier thinking you held something over me? Something that gave you your 'free pass' when you met some other man you fancied screwing? Well, Margaret, it festered in your polluted mind for all those years and look, now, when the boil burst, what you eventually got. The fact that I did nothing wrong that night is of no matter now, is it? I had an argument with Paul over what he was doing. Billy asked me before the party to look out for him because he thought Paul would try to get him laid but he didn't want to cheat on his fiancée. I managed to be last in the line for the girl before the big finale was to be Billy getting screwed by her. I had only a few beers early in the night so I phoned a cab and took Billy home after a bit of push and shove with Paul. I was the only sober one there and had no trouble pushing him away. Would you really expect any of the others to tell the truth after they all got off with her? I didn't say much to you because I knew you knew some of the other wives, and I didn't see it as my place to cause them trouble. Instead of talking to me you listened to unfounded rumors. Then, when Ruth came to you with her tittle tattle you believed her in the blink of an eye. That's how much you love me. You truly are a most foolish woman." By now Don was standing, and while not quite yelling, was forcefully expressing his thoughts to the three surprised listeners. Marge had her head in her hands and was crying uncontrollably at Don's words. Every ten or fifteen seconds she mumbled "Oh my God" through her sobs. "I can't take any more of this", Don said at last, "The only good to come out of my sham of a marriage to this stranger with her crocodile tears is my two children. They will be my life now. I still won't stop you from seeing them, or them from seeing you any time it is possible for it to happen. I can only pray they do not have to live their lives with your sick, perverted notion of what love is. "These two lawyers are here as witness to what was said today in this room. You can have what you want from the house, take it all if you want, but don't touch one thing of Sarah's or Brad's. I will pay you half what the house is valued at by a property appraiser. "I have no desire for any contact with you ever again, but realize we must meet occasionally over the children. At those times I will be as civil as I can. I hope you enjoyed playing me along all these years. When I came here this morning I thought to myself that, even if we eventually split up, I would have eighteen years of happy memories up to two weeks ago. Now I realize I was living a lie - you never trusted me the whole time, so you never really loved me either. I've got a lot of thinking to do. Goodbye Margaret, and good riddance" Marge heard every word Don said. It was as if she were an onlooker almost, hearing those damning words spoken about a person she did not know. Only, on another level she was painfully aware he was talking about her. Was she this evil woman he was speaking about? His words were cutting away her belief in herself as a good wife and mother. A good wife who had loved him all these years and failed him only at the conference. But now Don was saying she failed him thirteen years ago and every day since. Could that be true? Why did she believe those third or fourth hand rumors about that stag party. Why had she believed it all without question? Without asking Don anything? Did it mean, as Don had just said, she never loved him enough to truly trust him or even ask his version of the events? Marge 'knew' she was not that sort of person, didn't she? But those words from Don's mouth had cut her deeply, had started to strip away some parts of her inner self, her self image. Could Don be right? With all these thoughts throbbing painfully in her head she heard Don say his final words and leave the room seemingly calmly. She heard him vomit in the lawyer's corridor, Marge fell sideways, her chair falling with her as she sprawled in an unconscious heap on the floor. ********** The two lawyers looked at each other in disbelief at what had just played out in front of their eyes. Both were experienced divorce lawyers but neither had been through a meeting like this one. Don walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. All three in the room heard Don vomit outside the door. Then Mrs. Prescott swooned. The two men stared at each other for only a moment then both scrambled out of their chairs and to the fallen woman's aid. *********** When Don arrived home Brad and Sarah were waiting for him, he didn't need anymore stress but one look at him and Sarah bust into tears. Looking over at his son the tears fell down his handsome face too. Don brought sat down on the couch, Sarah sitting on his lap and Bard next to him. He tried to explain with out too much detail that their mother and he were in fact divorcing. After some time Sarah looked up and said, "Daddy you won't leave us will you?" "No baby and like we discussed on the camping trip, your mother will always be allowed to see you. If you want to see her, tell me and we will try our hardest to get you together." Brad asked, "Are you ok dad?" Shrugging Don replied, "I guess I am as good as I can be. This will take a lot of getting used to for all of us. But if we all try things will get better." They sat in silence for a long time each holding on to the stability of one another as they fought with their own emotional turmoil. ********** Twenty-six months later. Don was home on time he moved quickly into the kitchen it was his turn for supper and he had pork chops in the refrigerator. Sarah and her new best friend Mary Beth came in and hugged him. He returned their affection with a hug and a peck on the cheek of each girl. Mary Beth had moved into the neighborhood about three months after he and Meg split up. The bouncy little lady with the deep auburn hair became fast and inseparable friends with Sarah. Both girls had used the other as a buoy during those first few months as Mary Beth's mother Caroline coped with the unexpected relocation of her job to this city. Caroline had helped Sarah over those months while she was coming to terms with her parents' separation, acting like a big sister figure. As the girls headed over to pull out the dishes for supper Mary Beth said, "Mr. P, your wife called and asked not to be treated like a goddess tonight." He grumbled in a mock indignation, "Burn the meal just once and everyone's a critic." Brad sauntered in the front door and gave his sister and her friend a raspberry, tongue out, thumbs in ears. Mary Beth sneered, "Oh Mr. wonderful is home, how do you put up with him, he's gross." "Brad, leave us alone, Daddy you promised he would grow up, will it happen in my lifetime." Sarah's hands were on her hips as she glared at her brother. Don bit back a grin then said, "Brad, treat them with respect and you'll get respect back." Brad's shoulders sagged, "Yes sir." Turning towards the girls Brad said, "Sarah, Mary Beth, I'm sorry." There was a long silence and Don interrupted, "Girls, he said he was sorry." Sarah, gave Brad an evil look and replied, "Ok and thanks." Mary Beth nodded and replied, "Yeah, thanks." Brad almost shot back at the two ungrateful twits but they moved to the far side of the kitchen to set the plates, giggling and talking. Brad looked at his dad, and in a whisper asked, "Respect huh, when?" Don smiled at his son and reached up and mussed up his hair, as he whispered back "I think I was thirty when my sister finally gave me some respect." Brad rolled his eyes and walked away. "Whose turn is it to clear the table tonight?" A distinctly adult feminine voice interrupted the general mayhem of the kitchen. Don whirled and took her in his arms leaning her backwards kissed her deeply. At the sound of the girls giggling he stood her up. Before letting him out of her embrace she looked him in the eyes and Don saw the love and thankfulness in them. Her contentment was obvious, she was in his arms where she belonged. "Love you," he whispered. "I love you too, so very, very much, especially with all we have been through to get here." Don nodded then got a mischievous look on his face. "Well look here kids, we were speaking of the Goddess and here she is." The girls bowed and repeated "The Goddess," in a reverent tone. "Goddess, your meal is prepared for you. There will be no burnt offerings until later in the week", Don said as he flamboyantly showed his wife to her place at the table. "Okay kids, just for tonight, let's call her goddess for the evening. We all need to keep it up though, just for the thrill at least till tomorrow morning. The kids joined in the joke, and "Goddess" it was throughout the meal. That night as they crawled into bed Don said, "I'm glad we overcame all those problems. The kids really are better off with two parents. I love you so much." I love you too Don and I am so happy you took me as your wife." Caroline said as she looked at her husband, his eyes blazing with desire, "How about you remind me of just how much you love me stud." Don pulled her to him and soon moans of pleasure and demanding cries of passion were the only sounds in the room. As Don felt Caroline snuggle into him in after glow, he thought about their relationship. His love affair with Mary Beth's mom Caroline had been both completely unexpected, and yet so important for the healing of both families. They had seen one another from a distance a few times because their daughters were always at the other's house. But until the day he showed up at Caroline's door to collect the troublesome twosome for a hiking trip, they hadn't met. Don had been in an old ball jersey and cut off shorts, she was wearing a pair of old ratty shorts and a baggy paint shirt. When their eyes met it was magic for both of them. Their first date was the next night and they married six months later. That was two months ago and Don was a new man and, very importantly, all three kids loved the new family. Don and Caroline knew there would surely be adjustment difficulties somewhere around the corner, but for now they were newlyweds enjoying their time together. Although she was six years his junior Don felt if Caroline exercised regularly and took her vitamins she should be able to keep up. ********** Marge had been hearing about Don and Caroline for some months through mutual friends and the kids' time with her. Don had been as good as his word and ensured that anytime the kids wanted to see their mom, or if Marge wanted to see them, he would do what was necessary to try and arrange it. She had been in counseling for almost fourteen months being treated for depression and her own personal baggage. Marge had learned a lot about herself and was working on her acknowledged weaknesses as well as improving her strengths. Mrs. Jordon the principal had selected Marge for the Athletic Director's job. The extra money was more than enough to cover her new expenses. Don had specifically petitioned the court to keep Marge from having to pay child support, so she had opened college funding accounts for both kids so that expense could be at least partially defrayed by her. Marge's biggest disappointment about the new job was that Don had not been with her to share in her newfound success. The hardest thing about the job was going to State conference every year. The next year she had stayed in her room and came out only when she had to. Everything she saw brought back very bad memories. This year she went with a good friend, Karen Rollins, and the two of them were having a great time. The third afternoon of the conference Karen was treating herself to a spa treatment and Marge was out by the pool sitting at a table. She watched a shadow fall over her and looked up into Rachel Morse's face. Marge froze unable to speak. The woman who looked like she had aged ten years in fewer than two said in a tentative voice, "Marge can I talk to you for just a few minutes, please?" Marge smiled weakly then nodded as she replied, "Yes Rachel, please have a seat." Rachel seemed about to cry when she looked up at Marge and quietly blurted out, "Marge I am so sorry for what I did to pull you into that horrid group. I am truly sorry that it cost you your marriage. I don't know how much longer mine will survive because my husband demanded, and I accepted, his condition of being able to play around on me for a while. The relationship is slowly dying from both sides." Marge reached over and took Rachel's hand, "I am sorry for that Rachael. I know from my ex that Phil's marriage was destroyed also." Rachel nodded her acknowledgement of Marge's condolences, "Sam's marriage was already on the rocks so this finished it. The only couple who have truly survived it was Lisa and Tom Manning's. I am happy for them; I hope they can do it. Have you contacted Judy since... you know that night?" Marge took in a deep breath and slowly let it out as she shook her head, "No I have been trying to sort out my life and Judy will never be a part of it again." Rachel nodded, "I think I should tell you, she was diagnosed with HIV about a year ago. It seems Sam had a habit of visiting prostitutes and contracted it. He apparently talked Judy into going bare back the year before we were caught. She's gone back to her home town, wherever that is." Marge just nodded in shock as she noted stress lines form on Rachel's brow. "Also Marge, do you realize I was with that slimy ass the year before and he asked me to go bare back. Thank God I said no! But I am still scared every time I go for a check up." Rachel's body shook as she spoke and Marge rose and knelt by her friend, holding her. Rachel slowly regained control and said 'I'm sorry,' once more. Then said her goodbyes and left Marge sitting by the pool contemplating the vast swath of destruction the groups, 'harmless,' actions had caused. But when she got home from the convention the kids told her, "Mom, dad and Caroline are getting married in three weeks." She had smiled then, but when they left she cried for days. As foolish as it seemed, until then she had held out hope that once she got her head on straight she might be able to win back the man who still owned her heart. Marge congratulated Don and Caroline after the honeymoon and honestly wished them happiness and a long marriage. Later that summer Marge took time to review everything in her life. "If I'd just made the right decisions and been more truthful in dealing with Don, in dealing with the problems I was seeing, it would be me in his arms, enjoying the happiness, not his new wife. Instead, I have this heartache I caused and live with daily." She whispered to herself. "But, I didn't do all those things sensibly, so now I have to move on, alone. Hopefully, some time in the future I will find someone new to share my life with. Thinking about it now, Marge realized she finally had the answer to the question she asked herself on the way back to her room after that first night with Phil. 'I cheated on my husband and I don't know what I am going to do.' "Well, now I know what I'm going to do, I'm going to live with the consequences every day for the rest of my life." The End