116 comments/ 76595 views/ 87 favorites Thank You Ronnie Milsap By: adevilru12 I would like to take time to thank all those who read, voted and commented on my first submission, "The Gift." I learned something from every comment, even those that weren't so positive. Many commenters said I needed an editor, so I took their advice. I want to thank HMauthor for all the help and guidance provided. Their knowledge of English, grammar and punctuation are excellent. Responses were quick and accurate. When I saw the number of corrections made I am sure they turned this from something barely readable into something I hope you will enjoy. I never knew I could make so many mistakes! I would like to clear up some questions that were asked by the commenters. Besides a very short story not seen by anyone, "The Gift" really was my first submission anywhere. The second question, who was the girl in the date scene? In my mind it was Grace. I tried to put some clues in; would any woman on a date allow her date to talk with women she didn't know? She also seemed to understand what he was going through. With that finished I hope you will enjoy my next story called ... It was six o'clock Monday morning. I was backing my car out of our garage on my way to catch the six forty five train to my job in Manhattan. We lived in the small suburban community of Nassau Shores on the south shore of Long Island, just outside New York City. I stopped in the driveway to make sure the garage door closed before I pulled away from the house. The one time I forgot to check was two weeks ago. I received a phone call at work from an incensed Loren accusing me of not caring about her. Anyone could have walked in and attacked or murdered her while I was gone. Of course I knew she was right, and I explained I just forgot and would make sure I would not forget again. That calmed her down some but she still went on and on about how careless I had been. Didn't I care about her at all? How stupid could I be? I tried to calm her down reminding her that I had not done it in the three years we lived in the house and I would definitely make sure not to do it again. The last two weeks she seems to still be holding the mistake against me. Things have been decidedly cool at our house and for the life of me I could not figure out why she was still having these feelings toward me. My name is Jeff Carlson and my wife is Loren. I am twenty-seven years old. I am five foot eight inches tall. I have light brown hair that I wear long but not long enough to put in a pony tail and have a closely cropped beard. I run the foreign exchange desk at one of the largest commercial banks in the country. In effect we take advantage of the constantly shifting values of currencies around the world. The basic idea is to buy a currency low and when the value increases to sell and make a profit. It's an occupation not for the faint of heart. In essence we are gambling with the banks money. It calls for a very refined sense of intuition and good timing. Buying too soon or too late or selling too soon or too late could cost the bank hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe even millions. The reason I received two promotions in the last two years is that my intuition is very good. Somehow I can see when to buy and sell. I don't understand how my mind does it. Just looking at the trends I get a feeling it is right to buy or sell and my guesses have been right most of the time. The few times I guessed wrong did not matter when the bank execs figured out how many millions of dollars I actually made for them over the last four years. Loren is also twenty-seven, although a few months older than me. She stands five foot six with jet-black hair worn just below her shoulders. She has a round face with soft Italian features. With her olive Mediterranean skin she is visually striking to look at. At least I think so. I may be prejudiced. She has smallish boobs, 34B with a thin waist, nice butt, not too big, not too small. She works locally in Huntington NY, a town situated on the North Shore of Long Island approximately twenty five minutes from our home. She works for a national medical insurance carrier. They are part of FEHBP. They provide medical insurance coverage to federal and state employees. Most of her job is in the office in Huntington but sometimes they go to gatherings of many insurers and deal directly with employees to try to entice them to sign up during the "open season". She has been there for two years now. Her direct supervisor is Jim Beckman. She has been working for him since she was hired. I have met him once or twice at company functions in the past two years. One was a Christmas Party and the other a company picnic. He was bigger than me, at six foot two inches tall and every bit over 200 lbs. It is quite obvious he works out regularly. He never did anything, but I just did not like him. Something bothered me about him. It was my intuition acting up again. There was something out of place and it bothered me. But not that much to make me mention it to Loren. As I watched the garage door close I tuned my satellite radio to the Country Western music station. The songs there were a little darker, just the right thing to match my mood. They sang about real things, failed marriages, unrequited love and cheating spouses. As I drove down the street the first song was about some guy who loved his bar. Catchy tune but I did not get it. I came to a red light and stopped the car when the second song came on. As I sat at the light it seemed as my eyes were opened for the first time in a long time. The singer sang about the same things that were going on in my marriage with Loren. The staring out the window, seemingly not being in the same room, little slights, and sex that was most unsatisfying. I did not realize it but I was sitting at the light with my mouth hanging open listening to the song when the cars in back of me stated honking there horns. I looked up and saw the green light and started moving forward. I crossed the street pulling into a shopping center parking lot. I sat and listened to the rest of the song play, then started going to the train station. I must have been on auto-pilot as I do not remember driving there. I caught the earlier six thirty train to Pennsylvania Station. As I sat on the train I thought back to when I first met Loren. It was July right after my sixteenth birthday. I would be a junior in high school when school was back. I was mowing the front yard for my dad when a moving van pulled into the driveway of the Millers house two doors down. Old man Miller had died last year. Mrs. Miller was a nice but frail woman. One of her children lived two towns over and wanted her to live with them. Consequently the house was put up for sale. I watched as a new BMW followed close behind the moving van. At the time I did not know their names but Mr. Frank Schiavo got out the drivers side door and his wife Cheryl got out the passenger door. Emerging behind her from the rear seat was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Loren Schiavo was a few months older than me. Her hair was cut short giving her a pixyish look. She wore tight denim short shorts and a halter-top that showed her tanned midriff. She looked over at me and gave me a smile. For me it was love at first sight. A few days later after the move was complete I was casually walking down the street when I saw that Loren was sitting outside with her mom. I don't know where I got up the nerve to go over and introduce myself to them. Cheryl Schiavo was a beautiful woman in her own right. Loren was a miniature of her mom. Mrs. Schiavo was smart enough to know that I really didn't want to talk with her and went inside to get some iced tea for us to drink. After giving us the tea she went back inside leaving us sitting on the stoop talking. I am sure that she listened in to our conversation while we sat on the front step. We got along great, and for the rest of that summer I would hang with Loren every day. I filled her in on the school we would both attend in the fall. There was no hugging, kissing or sex. To be quite frank I was still a virgin and very shy. I was just happy to be in her company. July became August and then school began. We were not in the same homeroom and were not in any of the same classes but we did eat lunch together and ride the same bus home each day. After only a week at school I found out that the school was holding a Harvest dance in the middle of October. The next day was Saturday and I saw Mrs. Schiavo and Loren come home from food shopping. I went down to their home to help bring in the groceries. After the last bag was brought in I asked Loren if she would accompany me to the dance. She glanced at her mom and said yes. Her mom smiled. I found out later she really liked me and thought I would be good for her daughter. As September slipped by into October I began seeing less of Loren than before. She had made new friends with the cheerleaders. I knew she wanted to be a cheerleader from conversations we had during the summer, and she was doing this to get a spot on the squad. I did see her every day on the bus and we always sat together and talked. Finally the big day came. I was going to get to show off "my girl" to all the guys at school. I am sure none of them thought that a girl like Loren would be with a nerd like me. My dad drove us to the school, as I was still too young to get a license. As we entered the dance I saw some guys from the football team look over at us, and some of them smirked and laughed among themselves. I wondered what that was all about but decided to forget it, and went to sit with my friends and have some fun. We had danced a few times and were sitting a few out when a slow song began playing. Before I could ask Loren to dance, Billy Barber, the star linebacker was there with his hand out saying to Loren, "Let's go babe, it's time for everyone to know who you're really here with." Loren popped out her seat and walked away without a backward glance. I sat there with my mouth open. I looked around at my friends and asked, "What just happened?" My friend Jack said, "It looks like you just got dumped." I looked at Loren and Billy and they were glued together as they danced to a slow number. Her hands were around his neck while his were around her waist. It became apparent this was not the first time they had danced together. I could feel the color rush to my face. I felt so ashamed; I'd been made to play the fool. When the dance ended Billy and Loren walked over to the football team's tables. When they sat down Billy had his arm wrapped possessively around her shoulders. Billy Barber was one of the biggest guys in school. I knew I could not best him in a physical confrontation. I could do nothing but sit in my seat. I looked at the football team and they were all looking at me and laughing. Loren at least did not turn around and join them in making a mockery of me. I sat at the table for most of the night, I wanted to run out of there but I would not give them the satisfaction. I did get treated to Billy coming over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder and whispering in my ear "You didn't think that a wimp like you could get a girl like that, did you?" He looked at me and laughed derisively, then walked away shaking his head. Loren never did come back to the table or talked to me for the rest of the dance. I could see she was having a great time with her new friends. I wondered if she was laughing at me too. Finally the dance was ending. I dreaded what I had to do next. I walked over to where Loren was sitting with Billy and his friends. "Loren my dad will be here soon and I have to take you home." Billy responded "Get lost Carlson, she's going home with me." "Loren," I snapped, I really don't care how you get home. If you don't go home with me, my dad will feel compelled to tell your mom that you left with someone else. You can explain to your mom why you came home with Billy." I turned and walked away. At that point I didn't care if she walked home by herself. Soon Loren sat down in the seat beside me. She tried to make some small talk asking, "Did you have a good time at the dance Jeff?" I looked at her with disgust and replied, "Are you from another planet? You dumped me for that asshole Billy Barber. It was obviously planned. You don't say another word to me for the rest of the dance and you ask me that? So to answer your question, no I did not have a good time tonight." Soon I saw my dad's car pull up in front of the school. I stood up and walked towards his car. My sudden movements surprised Loren and she had to almost run to catch up to me. Dad's car had the windows open, as it was a cool and pleasant fall night. As we approached he asked us, "Did you guys enjoy the dance?" I didn't respond and he got a funny look on his face. I think he could sense something was off. As we reached the car together she waited by the rear passenger door for me to open it and for me to get in behind her. I had other plans. I opened the front passenger door, got in and closed it leaving Loren to get in by herself. My dad was furious. He told me to get out and open the door for my date. I told him, "I would if she was my date." I looked at my father and his look said what the hell is going on? As I sat in stony silence Loren opened the rear car door and got in. My dad shrugged and drove us home. Not a word was spoken. When we pulled up to the Schiavos house, Loren's mom was waiting at the door. My father got out of the car as did Loren but I just sat there. Loren's mom also could sense that something went wrong. She knew I would normally walk Loren to the door. As Loren walked past her mom I turned to look at her. I could see her mom look at my dad with a quizzical look. She then looked at me. Loren turned to look back and we caught each other's eyes. We tried to read each other's faces. I could not read Loren's face at all. It was a blank page. If she could read mine it must have been filled with disgust and anger. When dad got back in the car he asked me what happened. I just told him that she found somebody she liked better than me at the dance. I never told him about her deception. He told me "Forget her son; there are plenty of fish in the sea." After that we did not talk much. Sometimes I would walk past her house. She might wave or say "Hi Jeff." I always ignored her. One time I went by while Mrs. Schiavo was out with Loren and they both said hi to me at the same time. I pointedly said "Hello Mrs. Schiavo, nice day isn't it?" I said not a word to Loren. It was if she did not exist to me anymore. Soon Loren stopped trying to talk to me. I would see her being picked up each morning by Billy Barber in his car with a bunch of other kids and being dropped off after school. She made the cheerleading team. I made the honor roll. After graduation she went to work, I went to the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship. My folks gave me a big graduation party. The Schiavos were invited as they had become close friends of my parents. Loren was not invited. My folks wanted to but I told them if she were invited I would not show up for my own party. It was a surprise when Mrs. Schiavo sat next to me. She told me "I was so surprised when you returned home the night of that dance. I thought you two made a great couple. I am truly sorry that something happened between you that night." We made some small talk about the Wharton school and then she finally blurted it out, "What happened between the two of you that night?" I looked directly into her eyes. It was like looking into Loren's face, just the way she would be twenty years later. Older yet still young just as Loren would be with a smoldering sexuality. I had never thought about her that way before, and quickly put it out of my mind. Finally I told her "We realized that we wanted certain things out of life. That night we discovered they were different things." I really wasn't prepared to tell more of Loren's deceit. She looked like she wanted to say more but decided against it. She kissed me on the cheek; wished me luck and left. My new job with the bank started in mid June. That gave me one month to find an apartment in New York City; something close to work, finally settling on a one bedroom, one bath unit in the Soho neighborhood off Hudson square. It was a great location with everything within walking distance. There was no need for a car. My new job was hectic, learning all of the ins and outs of my new position. It had been taking up all of my time. There had been no time for socializing. I was quickly realizing that what you learned in school and what is needed in real life situations is a totally different reality. It had been four months since I saw mom and dad. One evening mom called to ask me home for a weekend. She told me I could stay in my old room. It would be no problem since half of my clothes were still there anyway. Plus I was missing mom's home cooked meals. Taking the train was the easiest way to get to my parents house. They lived only a short eight-block walk north of the train station. Four blocks into my walk a car pulled up next to me beeping its horn. A high school friend named Becca was hanging out the window yelling, "Hey stranger need a lift?" "Heck yeah," I yelled, "its hotter then hell out here!" Hopping into the rear seat I saw my old friend Jack behind the wheel. We sat parked on the side of the road and caught up on what had been going on in our lives the past four years. It was fun to be in the company of old friends. "I didn't know that you guys were a couple, how long has this been going on?" I queried. Becca reached her left hand out to show me her wedding band and engagement ring. "You're married?" I asked astonished. "Two years now," Jack replied with a smile. "I had no idea," I replied somewhat sadly. "I haven't been a good friend these last four years, have I?" "That's crazy," replied Becca. We haven't gotten in touch with you either. It's just life." "Thanks for that Becca," was my relieved response. "Man, it is really good seeing you guys again." With that I could see an idea float up into Jacks mind. The kind of idea that should be given more serious thought but he just blurted it out. If he had said nothing or given it more thought I probably wouldn't be writing this story. What he said next changed my life. "Hey Jeff, we are having a party at our place tomorrow night. Would you like to come?" Sitting in the back seat I could see Becca turn to Jack and give him a look. It was a look men come to understand once they get married. It meant "Are you crazy? Shut up." If I had understood the look I would have declined the invitation. Since I'm just a guy, and not knowing the meaning of the look I guess I made the wrong decision. "Sure, that's great. I'd love to. Are any of our old high school friends going to be there?" Becca turned and gave me a meaningful look and told me, "Yes, there should be quite a few." "Great, I can't wait. I'll bring some beer. What time and where do you guys live now?" Jack piped up, "Seven thirty. We live at 135 Remsom Street. Not too far from your folks." Jack put the car into gear and we continued the four short blocks to my parents' home. I got out of the car saying, "See you tomorrow night." Visiting with my folks was nice but I couldn't wait for Saturday night. Everybody must have changed in the last four years, I knew I had. It would be fun to see old friends and renew friendships. At the party I was talking to Kenny Carter whose father owned a fence company. He had gone into the family business and were we discussing how the company was holding up in the economic downturn when I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard, "Hi Neighbor, long time no see." Thank You Ronnie Milsap Looking over my shoulder I saw her, Loren, and standing next to her a girl I didn't know. She was as beautiful and desirable as ever. Yet the visage of a sneering Billy Barber and Loren's back walking away from me was all I could think of. I turned my back to continue my talk with Kenny, but the other girl pulled me around by the shoulder and sneered, "That was rude Dude." "Not as rude as what she did to me," I snapped back. "Jeff, please, you can't still mad at me about that night. It's been six years," said Loren. "I sure as hell can," I fumed, turning and walking away. From behind me I heard Becca exclaim loudly, "See, that's why." Becca ran off to comfort Loren and her friend while Jack pulled me to the outside deck. Jack told me I would have to make this right by Becca. He asked me to apologize to Loren. He pleaded with me, otherwise no nookie for him tonight. Friends don't let friends go without, so I sucked it up and went looking for Loren. I found the three in the kitchen. "Would you two mind leaving? I want to talk to Loren alone." Loren's friend spat, "No way, leave her alone you bastard." Becca intervened saying, "They are really old friends. Let them talk it out." Both girls left, leaving Loren and I alone. We spent a few awkward moments of silence when I decided to start the ball rolling. "Loren I want to apologize for saying what I said. I know you didn't expect it. What happened that night was so long ago. I have to tell you that my feelings and ego took a serious hit and it came from a place I would never have suspected. I put so much trust in you. Maybe it's time to put it all behind me." "No, you're right Jeff. I did something deceitful. I acted like a little shit, didn't I? I did deserve what you said tonight. I never apologized for what I did. Would you accept an apology from me now?" 'Thank you, Loren and yes, I accept your apology." Loren leapt into my arms hugging me. We looked into each other's eyes and then we kissed. Not a sweet gentle kiss, but a demanding one with just the right amount of tongue. We continued our make out session until Becca and Jack walked into the kitchen, with Becca remarking, "I'll be damned honey; it looks like you did know what you were doing." Jack gave a sigh of relief then puffed out his chest saying, "Damn right, and don't you forget it." We all laughed and rejoined the party. Loren and I started to date, and nine months afterward we were married. The conductor called out the next station bringing me back to the present. As the train began to roll out of the station I reviewed the last three months of my marriage in my mind. When I finally got off the train I was sure of it. My wife was cheating on me, and our marriage. It seemed foolish to conclude that on the basis of a country western song, but everything fit. I was sure of it. Especially when the little voice that I normally found so comforting when it told me to buy this currency or sell that currency was now sounding alarm bells that I could not ignore. As I walked past Howard Goldman on the way to my office he looked at me strangely. I sat down heavily in my chair with Howard hot on my heels. "What's wrong with you this morning?" he asked. "Nothing," was my talkative response." "Bullshit," was Howard's one word answer, "I get paid the big bucks to see that all my people are happy and content when they show up for work. I can tell by the state you are in that I will not let you gamble with the banks money today. So tell me what's up or go home!" I sighed, "Are you sure you want to get involved in this Howard?" He nodded in the affirmative. I looked at him and shook my head no. Then I blurted out, "I think Loren is having an affair!" Howard's face registered shock. "Are you sure?" Howard asked. I answered, "Truthfully, no I'm not. It is just a feeling I'm getting." "Your feelings are usually right," he acknowledged, "therefore you should not ignore them. What are you going to do?" "I am not sure, I just found out today," I replied. "Don't worry about anything. I will back you in whatever you decide. When you figure out what you want to do let me know. My door is always open. I don't want you to spend too much of the banks money today. I don't think you are on top of your game," insisted Howard. Of course I knew he was right. I let my staff do most of the work that day, and for the next two weeks after that. I think that they liked the freedom to work without my input. I guess I had too heavy a presence for them to feel comfortable when I was around. I got up, closed and locked the door. As I sat down tears started to well up in my eyes and run down my cheeks. Some man I was. Not even sure if anything was going on and already I was crying. I thought about a life without Loren. I loved the woman from the first time I laid eyes on her. I didn't think I could go on if I lost her. I put my head on my desk and closed my eyes, wallowing in my misery. I am not sure how long I stayed in that position, but somewhere along the way the pain turned into something else. I was no longer feeling pain; I was feeling anger. I thought about going home and confronting Loren. That would be really foolish, wouldn't it? What proof did I have? I had the lyrics to a country song. No, I would need to get proof. I would need to formulate a plan. I would make her pay. I would make whoever she was doing it with pay also. I wanted them to feel the same emotions I was feeling. They would feel the pain. I would make sure of it. I needed to make a plan; and soon. The first thing I did when I left work was purchase some voice activated digital recorders and placed them in unobtrusive areas around the house. I placed them in bedrooms, bathrooms the garage. Places where she might talk to someone while not on the phone. Then I attached a recorder on the telephones. I figured that was all I would need to catch her. Just be vigilant and she would show her hand sooner or later. I tried to act normal around Loren but I guess I didn't do a very good job. I had installed the recorders on Wednesday and by Friday I had the first proof of Loren's betrayal. Friday's incriminating conversation went like this: "Jim, this is Loren." "Why are you calling me at home? What if my wife answered the phone?" Jim Beckman barked. "Don't worry; I would have made up a work excuse. I think we should back off a bit. Jeff is acting funny." "Has he accused you of anything?" "No, he is not acting normally. He seems cold and distant. Maybe we should just cool it for a while." "OK, if you think that's best," fumed Jim. Then he had an idea. "Loren, you know I am taking a trip to Miami in two weeks. Why don't I try to talk Fred into sending you with me? Then we could spend a week together. What do you think?" he asked. "I don't know. He might not go for that even if he weren't acting funny. The way he is acting might make him, well I don't know, I don't want to make him suspicious. I could ask him and see what he does. If he acts weird I will be able to decide if he knows anything." "Let me run it by Fred and if he goes for it then you can tell Jeff it is a work trip," laughed Jim happily, "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye." So, now I knew for sure. Before this it was just lyrics on a song. Now it was for real. Loren was cheating on me. She is planning to go away for a week of cuckolding me with that asshole Beckwith. As the realization hit, a heavy sadness came over me. I was sad for Loren. I was sad for our marriage. Slowly the sadness turned to pain. That bitch! How could she do this to us? How could she do it to me? Again my pain morphed to anger. If she was cheating I would get proof and divorce her skanky ass! I would need a plan and I didn't have one yet. I arrived home from work at my usual time of 7:30PM. The trading had been unusually hectic. Tomorrow at the market opening would tell how good I was at my job. There were millions of dollars on the line and my mind was not where it should be. My wife was cooking dinner. "How was your day?" she asked giving me a kiss on the mouth. She was acting like she was happy to see me. This was something that had not happened often in the past few months. I was waiting for Loren to come to me with her adulterous lie about her business trip to Miami. Monday and Tuesday I was expecting it, yet it did not come. I had spent long hours outside working on the yard or working on our cars. Anything other than spend time with my wife. I was afraid I would blurt out my knowledge of her cheating. I knew tonight would be the night. I hoped I would be able to pull off my own deception. "It was a tough day. I am glad to see you are in a good mood," I replied. "I am happy and I hope you will be too after I tell you my good news." "My day wasn't that great. You go first," I said. "OK," Loren giggled, "I've been asked to go to South Beach to attend a seminar for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. It's an all expenses paid stay at the Victor Hotel, one of the old art deco hotels on Ocean Avenue, in the heart of South Beach," she crowed again. The bad part is I will be gone from Friday this week to Saturday next week. I'll be gone for nine days honey. Do you mind if I go?" She looked right into my eyes. Her head was cocked slightly, trying to see if I had caught on to her deception, or if I only would be mad that she would be gone so long. As I looked back into her eyes I could see that they were alive with excitement yet, somewhere in there, a tinge of sadness crept through. "Nine days is a long time honey, do you have to go? Is this something that will be held against you if you don't?" I inquired. I don't know Jeff, it might be. I know that Mr. Beckman is depending on me to help out at this seminar. It will be a feather in my cap if I do go," she added. I walked to the front door and looked out at the front lawn. I knew if I said yes our marriage would be over. If I said no it would still be over. In the previous four days I had made a plan and now I made the decision. I quietly whispered, "If this is important to you, or to your job, of course you can go. When will you be leaving?" I asked. "I couldn't hear you? Did you say I could go?" she asked in disbelief. I could not say the words, as I knew my voice would crack. I just nodded my head yes. Loren ran to me and gave me a big hug saying "Thank you. Thank you. This means so much to me. I promise you won't regret this." I already did. Loren would be leaving Friday from JFK airport at ten thirty in the morning. I told Lauren, "I'll take time off from work to drive you to the airport." Loren looked surprised and suggested, "You don't have to take time off honey; Mr. Beckman volunteered to take me." "No way. You are leaving me for nine days and I want to be there to see you off." What could she say? I'm sure she would rather have gone with Mr. asshole Beckman but how would that look to her unwitting cuckold husband, I wondered? Her momentary look of disappointment was quickly replaced with a smile as she sang happily, "That's great Honey; I would love for you to take me." What a great liar she was. I knew I upset the lovers plan just a little bit and felt a small amount of satisfaction. She only let her guard down for a second, letting her disappointment show. If I weren't so aware I am sure I would have missed it. Thursday morning found me flopping into the big chair in Howard's office saying, "It's this weekend. Loren is going on a business trip to Miami. South Beach no less. They are leaving Friday morning and returning next Saturday." Howard had fire in his eyes as he informed me, "Whatever you want to do you're covered. I spoke with Mr. Diamond yesterday about your situation and he gave you carte blanche on the company credit card. You will have to reimburse the bank for any non-business expenses within two weeks of your return." When I asked Howard how I could thank Mr. Diamond he laughed, "A good single malt scotch whiskey will be payment enough. You probably don't know this but he got screwed badly in his divorce last year. He hates cheating wives." I shook my head in disgust. I knew he had gotten divorced, I did not know why, now I knew. "Howard, I need the next two weeks off. I need to get proof of her infidelity." "Take as much time as you need, within reason of course. I will watch over your crew and make sure they don't screw up too much. Somehow I am hoping this is all a mistake. Loren is a great girl. I still can't believe it," Howard confided. "I am having a hard time believing it as well," I thought. I took the rest of the day off to make some purchases. Before I left I went online and purchased a round trip ticket to Miami International airport on Jetblue Airways. I stopped at City Camera and purchased the top of the line Canon digital camera. It will take crystal clear photos and video with audio. It came with a removable optical zoom lens. The salesman said I would be able to see an Eagle's ass at a hundred yards. Next I purchased a small carry on bag. Then a trip to Wal-Mart for some new clothes: shorts, tops, underwear, sneakers and sandals. The last item was a NY Yankees ball cap. As a diehard Mets fan Loren would never believe I would wear a Yankees cap. The tops all had patriotic sayings, flags and eagles on them. I didn't normally wear that type of shirt. The last stop was the drug store where I picked up some new razors and a box of black hair dye. I was now prepared for my trip. I stowed the new luggage in the trunk of my car. All the purchases were on the company card. If Loren looked at our bank accounts she would be none the wiser. I was ready. Let the games begin. At home that night I asked Loren for her trip itinerary. She would be leaving on the ten thirty morning flight from JFK on Jetblue Airlines, staying in room 314 in the Victor Hotel. Mr. Beckman would be staying in a different room I was told. Of Course he was! I would be on the one thirty flight leaving for Miami, three hours behind her. I was also able to get a room at the Victor as well. I would be in room 541. I was hoping I wouldn't get caught checking in. We were up early Friday morning as we wanted to get to the airport by eight thirty so Loren would not have any trouble making it through security. The conversation was quiet on the ride in to JFK. She tried to make conversation but I was not very talkative. The realization that I was driving my wife to the airport to have an affair was having an effect on me. Her actions were breaking my heart and I was very resentful, having trouble hiding my emotions. "Jeff, are you upset? Are you all right with me taking this trip? You said it was OK for me to go." "I know what I said Loren but the reality of you being gone for nine days is just hitting me. I know you have to go. I don't want to be away from you for so long. I will miss you so much. It already hurts knowing you are leaving. I know you can understand that," I answered. Loren replied, "Of course I understand that. I feel the same way. It will be a long and lonely nine days away from you." "Maybe so but I will be rattling around alone in our home while you will be in a glamorous South Beach hotel vacationing with the stars," I groaned. Loren laughed. "Is that what's bothering you? This trip will be mostly work, not too much vacationing, that's for sure." I looked at her and smiled sadly. I knew she was lying. We made small talk after that and soon pulled into the short-term parking lot. We made our way to the JetBlue curbside check-in, checked her bags and picked up Loren's boarding pass. We walked to the roped off security area and saw Beckman waiting for Loren. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Loren give a quick glance to see my reaction to him. Beckman had the balls to approach us, give Loren a quick kiss on the cheek and then offer me his hand. All I wanted to do was deck this guy but I worked hard to appear unsuspecting and friendly. I actually smiled as we shook hands. I knew I would probably get my ass kicked as he was six foot two and much heavier than me. I would at least have gotten in the first sucker punch. Maybe that would have sufficed. However a fight was not in the plan. Jim spoke "Loren, we should start through security now, nice to see you again Jeff. I'll take good care of Loren while she is gone." I stood there and looked at him long and hard. Loren's face blanched. She recovered quickly. "Jeff, Jim means that nothing bad will happen to me while I am gone." I turned to Loren and said darkly, "I know what he means Loren." I smiled at Beckman saying, "Thanks for looking out for her." Thinking I was fooled, their faces brightened and they turned to go through the security gate. Beckman went through the gate first and started to walk down the roped off area. Loren was about to hand her driver's license to the large black female TSA agent when I caught her arm and pulled her back to me. "You're leaving and not saying goodbye to your husband?" I asked. Loren looked at me sheepishly and, giving me a hug and a kiss replied, "Of course how thoughtless of me." I hugged her close to me saying, "I need to talk to you before you leave. We've never been apart for this long before. I want you to know that I love you and have since I was sixteen years old." Loren smiled at me and was about to speak when I began again. "You're leaving on a plane and I will be driving home alone. Anything could happen to us. If for some reason you should never see me again I want you to know that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love you more each day. If anything ever happened to you I could not go on." I kissed and hugged her saying "I love you. Have a good trip and come home to me safely." Loren spoke, "I love you too honey, I have to go now." As she started to leave me I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to me. I had to try one more time to ask her not to go. She had a look of surprise on her face as I turned her to look at my face. "Loren, I know I told you it was all right for you to go. I meant it when I said it. Now that you are leaving, I find that I don't want you to go. It is still not too late. Tell Jim you can't go and come home with me. Blame it all on me. What do you think?" "Jeff, you know that I cant back out on Mr. Beckman at this late date. The tickets are bought and paid for. Besides, he needs me at this seminar." "I know I'm being selfish, I don't want you to go. I need you too." "Jeff, I have to go. Don't try to stop me. My mind is made up. I am going on this trip! I will be a great help to Jim. I can't let him down." She looked in my eyes again, almost spoke, and then thought better of it. She turned; walked to the gate and gave the agent her license. My eyes misted up, as I knew she was lying. I am sure Loren thought it was because she was leaving and I would miss her. I walked down the roped off area to where Beckman was waiting. I watched Loren as she spoke with the TSA agent for a few moments. When she started walking to us I could see she was flustered. I wondered what they talked about that upset her. She recovered her composure by the time she reached where we were standing. They walked to the machines to get their belongings x-rayed. I watched Loren take off her shoes and place them in the plastic bin. She turned to me and shrugged her shoulders in a what-can-you-do gesture. She then turned to walk through the body scanner. By that time I had reached the limit of my endurance and quickly walked out of the building. I was no longer angry, just resigned to the fact that Loren was no longer mine. I was becoming accustomed to the fact that we would soon be apart. Thank You Ronnie Milsap I moved my car from short-term to long-term, retrieved my carry on and went back to the terminal. I waited until the departure board showed that Loren's plane had left and went through security myself. I sat down to eat breakfast and wait for my flight. I arrived at the hotel by cab and checked in with no problems. The on-site barber was open. I had him shave my face and give me a very short crew cut. Once in my room I dyed my hair black. When I was done I looked in the mirror and thought even my Mom would not recognize me. With my sunglasses and ball cap on I could walk through the hotel secure in the knowledge neither Beckman nor Loren would know it was me. The hotel itself was interesting. It was built like a U. The middle of the U faced Ocean Ave. Across Ocean Ave. is Lummus Park and then the Atlantic Ocean. Loren and Jims' room was in the right arm of the U on the third floor. My room was in the center of the U, room 541 with a great view of the ocean. In addition to the check in area the first floor held shops and boutiques. In the middle of the U on the second floor was an outdoor pool. It ran the length of the arms of the U with chaise lounges placed around the pool. Towel and drink service were available. From the balcony of the room I had a view of the whole pool area. Across the street is an entrance to the parks boardwalk. The view of the ocean was magnificent. Under different circumstances this would be a romantic setting. This time it felt anything but romantic. I made the obligatory phone call to Loren around eight o'clock. She picked up with "Hi Honey, I'm glad you called. I rang the house a few times and you didn't answer the phone. I was worried about you. Where were you?' she inquired. "I stopped at one of the local bars with the guys from work. They have been raving about a club and talked me into going. That's all," I replied. She had the nerve to say, "You better not be hitting on any girls there Jeff. Remember you're a married man. I don't think I could forgive you if you did." The balls on this bitch I thought. She's here to continue her affair with Beckman and she then warns me not to start one of my own. "Why do you think I would cheat on you? Have I ever given you any reason to suspect me of betraying you or our marriage? You know me better than that. I could never hurt you by doing something as dirty as that." I laid it on thick now. "I know you would never do anything like that to me. That's why I let you to go on this trip to Florida. I trust you completely. I trust you with my heart, even my life. You know that. You do don't you?" I asked. "Of course honey, I feel the same way too. I don't know why I said that. I know you won't do something like that to me," she stammered. "Listen Jeff, I am really tired from the flight, I think it is making me bitchy. Will you call tomorrow and I'll be in a better mood, OK?" "Sure Loren, we can talk tomorrow," I replied. "Goodnight Jeff, I love you," Loren added. Suddenly tired of the verbal sparring I simply said, "Goodnight Loren," and hung up the phone. Did she catch me not saying I love her too? Would she even care I thought? I spent a restless night in bed. Sleep would not come easily. My mind could only imagine what was going on in room 314. I awoke Saturday morning at the crack of dawn. Awoke is the wrong word as I was already awake and watched the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean. My plan was to follow the cheaters around the hotel, as it turned out my room was all I needed. After a breakfast in my room of scrambled eggs and pancakes I spent some time on the balcony. I was sitting in a chair enjoying the sun when out of the corner of my eye I saw Loren walking to the pool with the asshole. As I snuck into my room an idea came to me. There are two large fake plants in flowerpots in the room. If placed on the balcony I could watch the pool area without being seen. Careful not to make any noise I moved both plants to the balcony and placed a chair behind them. I then went inside to retrieve my camera and tripod and placed it so the lens of the camera protruded through the fake foliage. I was sure the lens would not be noticed. By this time Loren and Beckman were already on chaises and talking. Loren was sitting facing the arm of the U that contained their room. Loren was closest to me and Beckman was on the other side. I realized that Loren had done some shopping for this trip. She was wearing a red bikini with a skimpy top that showed off her cleavage. The bottom was cut so high I was sure half her bottom would be on display when she stood up. I turned the camera on and zoomed in on the cheating couple. I soon realized there was a flaw in my plan. I could not hear what they were talking about. I needed to know what they were saying. I had an idea and would tend to it later. I waited for a half hour before I caught the first evidence of infidelity. Beckman, bless his horny heart, leaned over turning Loren's head with his hand and kissed her on the lips. Loren returned the kiss placing her hand on the back of his neck pulling him in to her lips. The kiss lasted a few seconds then he leaned back into his chair. Over the next hour I saw three more kisses before they stood up to leave. I saw I was right. Half of Loren's delectable butt was on display for all to see. Worse, they strolled off holding hands. Anyone could see they were a couple. As they walked off I turned off the camera. Retreating to my room I fell on the bed. A lonely tear fell from my eye. Sadness overcame me and I was very tired. Seeing Loren's cheating was much worse than suspecting it. The feeling went away quickly. I took out my laptop and did a Google search for spy stores in the South Beach area. Luckily enough there was one on Collins Ave, within walking distance of the hotel. Donning my disguise and with a brisk walk I was soon back in my hotel room with just the thing I needed, another tripod and a top of the line parabolic microphone. It had the capability to plug into my camera allowing me to add audio to the video I was taking. The microphone was placed on the new tripod next to the camera. Next time I would be able to hear what they were talking about. Waking up Sunday morning gave me a start. It was bright and sunny out. I had been exhausted, getting very little sleep on Friday night. After dinner Saturday night I fell asleep and slept the whole night through. A look at my watch told me it was 10AM. Loren and Beckman could have left the hotel already and this could be a wasted day. I went into the bathroom and did my morning ablutions. Getting dressed I stepped out onto the balcony when I saw Loren and Beckman walking out of Lummis park. I turned on my camera and mike, and then made a phone call to Loren. I was listening to what the camera was recording. I could hear Loren's phone ringing. The parabolic microphone was working as I hoped it would. I could see Loren look at the phone when Beckman said, "Who is it?" "It's Doofus." Lauren replied with a laugh. Beckman laughed too. Suddenly a worried Loren said, "I should take this. Something bad could have happened. Why else would he call on a Sunday morning?" She answered the phone. "Jeff, is everything all right?" Has something happened?" she asked. I had an urge to say, "No Doofus is fine," but held my anger in check. I replied instead. "Nothings wrong honey. I was lonely and just wanted to hear your voice. It's nice to know that you're worried about me." "I worry about you all the time Jeff. It is Sunday morning and I thought something bad might have happened. You scared the shit out of me," barked an annoyed Loren. I was getting fed up with Loren's attitude and told her "I didn't know I would be such a bother you Loren. I was feeling lonely. I thought that speaking to my wife would cheer me up. Sorry to bother you." She started to answer but I hung up the phone before she could get the thought out. "Its no bother," she said into a dead phone. I could hear her talking into the dead phone over the parabolic mike. She turned her phone off and walked to a nearby bench. "What did he want? Beckman asked. "He was lonely and wanted to talk to me. Why did I snap at him like that?" Loren asked herself more then Beckman. Beckman gave his opinion anyway "Loren, we have been having this affair for six months now. Maybe you are getting tired of him. It might be time to let him go, you know, get a divorce. Then we could spend more time together. We won't have to sneak around anymore," he suggested. "Right," she snapped, "Your wife wont mind if we go to your house for a matinee, would she? Yeah, she said derisively, we won't have to sneak around anymore." Loren smirked, "Jim, you make thirty eight thousand dollars a year. You have no prospects of doing better. After Jeff's last promotion, with his year-end bonus he makes almost two hundred grand a year. I like you Jim, the sex is incredible, but you're not that good. Jeff is not bad in that department, so I will really not miss out too much. But someday he is going to be the CEO of that bank and I intend to be there to share it with him. So there will be no divorce. Get that idea out of your head. Besides you will never get a divorce from Jane. You will never leave your two kids either. So stop bothering me about a divorce." "You're right," Beckman replied almost sheepishly, "but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy each others company while we are here right?" "Right stud," my wife smiled. Taking his hand in hers she dragged him across the street and walked out of sight. Six fucking months I thought. Fucking for six fucking months. She was only staying with me for the money I might make. I could work my ass off for us and she would have her boyfriends and I would get her leftovers. I could not get the callous remarks out of my head. That was not going to happen. Not if I could help it. I wondered if I had enough. Enough to get divorced on my terms. I thought I needed more. I was determined to get it. Loren and Beckman were more than willing to help me get the evidence I needed. They did not know it at the time. At two o'clock I noticed Loren walking to the pool again wearing a tangerine colored cover up. Beckman was right behind her. I quickly turned the camera and microphone on and swiveled the camera until they were in the viewfinder. Beckman sat down while Lauren remained standing with her back to him. She turned and took off the cover up. I was shocked, and I am sure Beckman was too. Loren had no top on! Beckman stared while Loren laughed and asked, "You like?" "I like." Beckman replied admiring my wife's naked breasts. She was wearing or almost wearing the tiniest tangerine colored bikini bottoms. Loren sensually sat down next to Beckman saying, "The girls need some suntan lotion. Would you be a dear and help me out?" She handed Beckman a bottle of lotion. He took the bottle and poured a liberal amount of lotion on her breasts and started massaging it into her skin. After a while she turned over and asked him to put some oil on her butt, now completely exposed as she was wearing only a thong bottom. Beckman then massaged oil into her milky white ass cheeks. I couldn't believe my good luck to get this on video. Loren turned over on her back again and asked Beckman, "Are you going to lie back and get some sun too?" He replied, "I can't, look what you've done to me," pointing at his crotch. Loren looked at the bulge in Beckman's trunks and reached out and gave his turgid member a squeeze. While running her fingers up and down the outside of his trunks she joked, "Did I do that?" At this point one of the hotel employees approached saying, "Miss, some guests have been complaining about your display of nudity at the pool. Such displays are not allowed on the hotel premises. I must insist that you cover up." Sheepishly Loren looked around and grabbed her cover up and put it on. They had to wait for Beckman's erection to go down before they could retreat to the safety of their room. I checked the camera to make sure it had recorded the action. It had. I felt I almost had enough. If I could only get them in action I would be done. I made no phone call to Loren that Sunday night. I had called earlier. I felt like I had been rebuffed. Then again Loren did not call me either. Monday morning I awoke at 9AM. I ordered breakfast in as usual. I thought I would spy from my vantage point on the balcony and see what I could capture with my new camera. It wasn't until 6PM that I saw anything interesting. The doors to their room slid open and Beckman stepped out onto the Balcony. He was wearing one of the complimentary heavy cotton robes supplied by the hotel. The robe was tied in the front and he was leaning with both hands on the railing looking out over the pool. I aimed my video and audio aides at the balcony and started recording when Loren came out wearing a similar bathrobe. She came up behind him, giving Beckman a hug saying, "Do you think you can get the big guy up for another round stud." "I may need another 30 minutes or so, you've worn me out," he laughed Loren giggled, "We'll see about that," and slipped her hand inside the opening of Beckman's robe. You could see her hand moving up and down as she played with his cock in an attempt to get him aroused again. Soon Loren's hand was not going up and down but forward and backward as her hand did its magic. Beckman was almost fully aroused. His robe had become completely untied and the head of his cock was poking through the folds. At this point Loren removed her hand and pulled the robe off Beckman's shoulders to the floor. This action exposed his cock to anyone that was looking. He turned to his left giving my camera a great shot of it as Loren grabbed it and said while pulling him into the room, "Now let's put this to good use." Beckman disappeared into the room being pulled along with Loren's hand on his cock. This was the piece of compromising evidence I would need to prove adultery. It would not make any difference in court but might make a difference to Loren's mom and dad, maybe to friends and other relatives as well. All this video was shot in public and would be admissible in any court. After watching the scene on the hotel balcony I knew my marriage was over. The balcony video was now proof positive she was cheating. Maybe I should say more proof. She actually admitted it on the Sunday morning phone call. Hearing about it was hard but seeing it was unbearable. I decided I had enough. I would be leaving tomorrow. I used my phone to confirm a flight leaving tomorrow at three. Luckily there were a few single seats available. It was now one half hour since I saw Loren pull him back inside the room by his cock. I wondered if they had done it already. I wondered if they might still be doing it. I decided this might be a good time to make my nightly phone call to my loving wife. I hoped it would be a distraction at just the right time. I dialed Loren's cell, she picked up on the fifth ring. What a surprise, she seemed out of breath. "Hello," she mumbled. "Loren." I asked with concern in my voice. "Are you OK? It took a long time for you to pick up the phone and you seem out of breath." I had to give it to her. Loren was a nimble liar when she replied, "I was in the shower when I heard the phone ring. I grabbed a towel and ran to answer the phone. You should see me sitting naked on the bed all wet. I think you'd get some naughty ideas." "I am sure I would babe. I am calling to see how your day was. Did you have a productive time at the seminar?" "Oh," she said haltingly, "Yes Jeff we had a good day at the seminar." I heard something in her reply. It was in her voice. It took me by surprise. I had never turned down a little phone sex with Loren. It was never really phone sex. Just some titillating talk over the phone. Still, I had never turned it down before. This was a first. Yes, that's what was in her voice. Surprise with shock and disappointment thrown in. She continued, "How was your day Honey?" "I feel down, kind of sorry for myself. I miss your sweet voice. I miss giving you a hug and getting a kiss in return. Most of all I miss you lying in bed next to me at night. That bed gets big and lonely when you are not here to share it with me. But I don't have to tell you that. You're experiencing the same thing. You know what it is like waking up alone in the morning. You're spending your nights alone, aren't you Loren?" There, I finally threw it out there. I was wondering what she would say. All I heard was some muffled talking. "Loren are you there?" I asked. "You are sleeping alone, right?" Then she was back. "Right honey that's right," she lied. Listen Jeff, I'm freezing here, and I'm all wet. I have to go now. I will talk to you tomorrow. OK?" I didn't answer. "I love you" she said. I responded, "Right. Goodbye Loren." I hung up the phone. I packed the tripods and microphone. Next I packed what little clothes I had with me. It had been a while since I had eaten. I put on my disguise and went down to the hotel restaurant to eat. I took the camera with me to review today's footage. As I was taken to a table by the hostess I saw Loren and Beckman sitting in a booth. I walked right by them and was seated two tables away out and a little behind them. I was at Loren's back, facing Beckman. I was able to snap a couple of photos without them noticing. When the waitress came with my food I did see Loren look my way but she showed no concern. She obviously did not recognize me. I must have looked like any other tourist reviewing the day's photos on the camera. I quietly ate my meal, sneaking a peek at the two lovebirds. I did notice Loren look my way one more time, but there was no recognition on her face. I finished eating and left first with them still sitting in the booth. Once again sleep was hard to come by. I was up and sitting on the balcony at seven the next morning. I'd moved the plants back inside the room. I no longer cared if they saw me. I had the evidence I wanted. Not that I actually wanted to find any. I had wanted to find no evidence. I was saddened that I had proof that Loren was cheating. I was looking at the sunrise when I saw a white van with the blue FEHBP lettering on it, pull up at seven fifteen. Loren and Beckman got into the van and it drove off. "I'll be damned," I thought, "they actually were doing some work this week." I had two things left to do this morning. First I accessed one of the two computers the hotel provided for the guests. I printed two pictures that I took since I got down here. Then I went to the check in desk and inquired who would be working the desk on Saturday morning. I found out it was a young man named Carlos. We had a chat and I slipped him two hundred dollars. If all went well Loren and Beckman would have a little surprise when they checked out Saturday morning. I checked out, and flew back to New York to take care of things back home. Loren Why did I start cheating on Jeff? I was bored. I was lonely. I needed some excitement in my life. Maybe it was just because I could. Jeff was gone over fourteen hours a day, getting home between seven thirty and eight. I worked until three thirty. That gave me plenty of time to do whatever I wanted. Jim was such a flirt, and very handsome. Over time, working together, we drew close. We confided in each other when we should have been confiding in our spouses. One afternoon, after a serious flirting session, Jim took me in his arms and gave me a kiss, which I returned. We quickly separated. We drew back; both embarrassed, smiled and then started laughing nervously. I was confused as well. I liked the kiss but knew it was not right. I was a married woman after all.