49 comments/ 71741 views/ 10 favorites That's The Way It Is By: BlBones This story relates what happened to a married couple, deeply in love, who came from entirely different sexual life styles. If you are looking for a lot of explicit sex, go to another story. * * * * * * "I'm sorry honey, but that's the way it is." Mel had just finished a conversation with his wife Susan. He knew the conversation was coming for weeks, no, months now. That's how she had just ended the conversation and followed with, We've got to go or we'll be late." as she rushed out the door, to meet their friends at their condo. He knew she was about to cry but he couldn't help it. He had dreaded it and now that it was here, he found himself feeling just as he knew he would, EMPTY. He shrugged grabbed his keys and followed her out the door. Really, nothing had changed. He knew what he was doing when he married her almost two and a half years ago. He knew then that sex was a very big and very important part of her life. He had hoped that he could satisfy her and overcome her obsession with sex. Now he knew he couldn't, or at least he hadn't. Now he was on the way to a party he really didn't want to go to, in fact, he had been dreading it ever since he knew they were going. As he got into the car he couldn't help but notice again what a beautiful wife he had and how radiant and absolutely sexy she looked as she snapped her seat belt into place, amplifying her cleavage. As he drove, his mind raced back to the first time they met and then to the wonderful years they had experienced – until now. Susan admired her wonderful husband sitting next to her and was anticipating the party. But pangs of conscience and concern were bothering her as they drove. She was praying that Mel would be able to drop his puritan ways and be able to really enjoy the party as she knew she was going to. They had originally met at the wedding of Jack and Jackie, the couple hosting the party tonight. She had been Jackie's maid of honor and Mel had been Jack's best man. Jack and Jackie moved away shortly after their marriage and had just moved back about a month ago. They hadn't seen each other since they came to town for their own wedding in a role reversal. Jack had been best man and Jackie was the maid of honor. For twenty months everything had been all roses. Mel had a good job and Susan enjoyed being the pampered housewife. However, seven months ago Mel had received a substantial promotion and was having to spend more time with his work. He was not out of town much but he often came home completely beat out from that day's routine. Told from Susan's perspective, their sex life had taken a heavy hit. As time progressed, Susan had become frustrated and it showed up in the form of outbursts for no reason at all. Mel was not stupid and knew things had to change. In their discussions he was aware that Susan was not getting the sexual gratification she needed and poor Mel, try as he might just didn't have the energy to deliver at the rate he had for the first two years. They would have their little tiffs and then things would settle down for a while. Lately though, the span between tiffs was never more than for a week. But on top of this, Mel had called Susan down on several occasions at club parties. Susan was drinking more than normal and Mel felt she was letting things go too far with her dance partners, and in truth he was right. Some of the men were taking too much liberty and Susan was doing little, if anything, to stop them. At home strong words were used that fell outside the boundaries of what one would call a tiff. From Mel's point of view, everything crashed a week ago. From Susan's point of view, fresh life was being brought in. On Saturday night they had gone to diner with Jack and Jackie. During the dinner Jackie had invited them to a party (tonight). On the surface, that was great. It would be fun to be with them again. Things went quiet a little later when Jack very delicately made it known that he and Jackie had become swingers and that this would be a swinger party. Mel, after containing his shock, began to try to weasel their way out of going. Susan, on the other hand exclaimed, "Oh that sounds so naughty and exciting. We'll be happy to attend, won't we Mel?" Mel was left without anything to say that wouldn't have been rude or have started a fight. He finally conceded, "We'll talk about it." What he didn't know was that Susan already knew the situation. She had had several talks with Jackie on the phone since they came back to town. Truthfully, Mel had been set up with this dinner. When they got in the car to go home, Mel fired both barrels. He had Susan slightly frightened with his demeanor. "What in the hell do you think you are doing agreeing to go to a swingers party without our having a chance to talk about it? Are you telling me that you want to go and get fucked by someone attending the party?" His use of the word 'fucked' really scared her. Mel had never used foul language around her, let alone the "F" word. She was jolted and began to cry as she realized what she had done to him. "Please honey, not now. Let's wait until we get home and then we can calmly talk about the party. I'm sorry. I love you, I really do. Mel was boiling mad by now but he agreed to wait. But, he noted, and it bothered him, that she had not responded to his question about getting fucked. At home she excused herself to make some coffee. She needed time to think how she was going to present her thoughts to him. She was kicking herself for not having prepared her story long ago, knowing about the sexual orientation of their friends and knowing that when the time came, Mel wasn't going to just jump right in. Once she returned with their coffee and sat, Mel in a rational, but serious tone asked, "Honey, will you tell me what's going on? Are you looking at this party as an opportunity to make up for some of what I haven't been able to give you recently?" With that, she broke into tears. After she had composed herself she tried to look Mel in the eye, but couldn't. Until his outburst in the car she had hoped that he might be sympathetic with what she had to tell him and that they could find a happy solution. Now she knew there wasn't likely to be an easy or happy solution and she knew that what she was going to tell him was going to hurt him. Tears began to trickle again. "Sweetheart, I love you more than anything in the world and I never want to hurt you. But I need to tell you some things and I can't help but know that it is going to hurt." "Honey, I'm sorry that I blew up in the car, but..." She interrupted. "Sweetheart please let me say what I have to say. It's going to be hard so please don't interrupt me. I'm afraid if I can't go right through it, I'll never tell you what I need to tell you. "You knew before we were married that I had been very active socially and sexually. I believe I even told you that I considered myself a nymphomaniac. Right?" "Yes" "Sweetheart, I have to confess that I haven't changed. Until your promotion you did a fantastic job of keeping me satisfied. But recently I have bouts with growing horns and your love and my masturbating are not meeting my needs. I have to be honest and tell you that I need more sex. I have had to fight some terrible urges to give in to some of the men who have hit on me. (Flood of tears) Oh, sweet I don't want to be unfaithful and it scares me to death that some time I will give in. I don't want that to happen." (Uncontrolled weeping) Mel went to her and taking her in his arms, "Honey, I'll do whatever you want. I love you. I know the job has taken a lot of my time, but it should get better." "Mel, you don't understand. I need sex, and I need lots of it. Not only that, but I miss the variety I used to have. Looking back at it, I wish I had never agreed to marry you, or anyone for that matter. Then I wouldn't have to deal with the strong sexual urges and then dealing with feelings of being unfaithful. We could have lived together and I could take care of my needs as necessary." (Another outburst of tears) "Oh why am I doing this? I'm just making us both miserable. Let me just spit it out. Honey, I need more sex than you are able to provide. You have been wonderful these first months of our marriage. But the truth is that you will not be able to keep up with my needs no matter how much time you give me. Not only do I need more, but I need different sex. I can't tell you how much I love you and how much I appreciate all that you try to do. But I have known since before your promotion that we were going to have to find more sex. I contemplated getting someone to join us in bed. But I knew you wouldn't go for that. To be truthful I have torn myself up trying to find a solution. Before Jack and Jackie returned and I found out that they were now swingers, I was seriously contemplating asking you for a divorce." (Through the tears) "Sweetheart, I love you more than anything in the world and the last thing I want to do is cheat. As time goes on I know deep inside that I will cheat in order to handle my sexual desires. It's not a matter of love, it's strictly sex that I need." (Gathering herself) "I was hoping my prayer had been answered with the possibility of us both having different experiences as swingers. I know now from you reaction that that is not your idea of proper marital conduct. Just the same, I had hoped." "So, I'm laying my cards on the table. I see three possible scenarios. We go to the party and join the swingers. I know it would fulfill my needs and I'm sure you would be very happy with some variety. It doesn't do anything to our love but it expands our sexual horizons. We could get a divorce. You go your way and I would go mine. God it hurts deep inside to think that way. I love you so much. I don't want to be without you. Lastly, we could do nothing, just proceed on as we have. This by far the most painful to contemplate. I know that sometime I would give in and cheat. Once that happened I would likely cheat again, and then we would end up with a divorce. This last option I like the least. There would be tons of hurt to have to handle. I love you too much for that. I know that when I reached the point that cheating seemed inevitable, I would ask for a divorce." "There, I've said it. It hurts worse than I ever imagined it could. Oh. Honey, I'm in such a mess and I'm so frightened. Please agree to at least try the party once. I really know you will enjoy yourself." Mel really didn't have much of an option. It was go to the party or start a verbal war that he could not win with her present state of mind. Never-the-less he had to try. "Susan, let me ask a couple of questions and please don't get mad." "Oh honey, I won't get mad no matter what you ask. Our marriage is worth answering any question you can come up with." (A slight smile found its way out) "OK, let's assume we go to the party and I somehow can take it. I didn't say like it because I can't ever imagine liking a situation where you are being fucked by someone else. What is there to say that you won't find someone who can fuck you better than I can? And, ..." She interrupted him. His wording hurt. "Oh darling, that's not going to happen. I know from my past experiences that having sex comes in varieties. Sex is one thing. Love is something else. And please, you have always been so considerate before, please don't use that "F" word. It's so dirty sounding and it doesn't describe either love or gratifying sex." "I'm sorry dear, but the way I was brought up there is love making and anything else is fucking. Your answer really didn't relieve me of any of my feelings. But let's go on. Again, assume that somehow I am able to go along with this swinger partying. How long will it be before you become dissatisfied with what you are getting and you go looking for other groups or couples to fuck with for diversity? Or, how long will it be before Jackie's group begins adding couples and even singles to the mix? How long would it be before I became excess baggage?" Susan was severely shaken now. She didn't have good answers for what he was now asking. Breaking into tears again she implored Mel to stop these questions and to just give it a try. She was sure he would find it pleasant and that all of his questions and misgivings would be unfounded. He looked at her for a long moment with tears running down his cheeks. He reluctantly gave in and she very well knew that he was only trying to keep the peace. They didn't make love that night. They were both too upset to even try. But Mel developed a plan. Beginning the next night he took command and made love to her every way possible. During the week he begged off several important meetings or phone conferences to either get home early, or at least be on time getting home. He bought her a sexy night gown and made love to her at least two times a night, like they used to do. Of course she quickly caught on to what he was doing and loved him all the more for it. Their love making was exquisite all week long. What hurt was that she knew he couldn't keep on giving her this much time and keep his job. And, she would be back to square one. Towards the end of the week she was waking in the middle of the night with thoughts about their future and ended up crying herself back to sleep. Saturday she steeled herself for what the evening might bring. She knew that to be fair she had to remain strong and find an acceptable way to meet her sexual needs. Mel had given his all during the week and used hidden but sometimes not too subtle comments to see if he couldn't change his partner's mind about the party. Saturday arrived and nothing had moved. It was almost time to go and he was waiting in the living room. He heard her approaching and turned to see his sweetheart; beautifully attired. On any other night, looking as she did, he would have canceled their plans and had her for dessert right then and there. Tonight that wasn't going to happen. Susan saw the admiring and loving look in his eye when he saw her and made her want to satisfy what she knew he was thinking. But, she couldn't. "Honey, are you sure that we can't find some other solution?" "Sweetie, we have talked about this and thought about it all week long. No, we have got to give it a try." "Are you going to let someone fuck you? The way you're dressed definitely send the message that you are available." "Mel, please don't do this. You are going to have me crying and then I'll ruin my makeup. But to answer your question, I'm not hunting sex, but yes, I probably will if the opportunity arises. I'm sorry honey, but that's the way it is." We've got to go or we'll be late." and she rushed out the door, to meet their friends at their condo, before she started crying. * * * * * * On the drive over, she kept asking herself how she was going to resolve this situation. By the time they arrived she was feeling better and knew that once things got moving that Mel would join in and have fun. Jack and Jackie were both at the door to greet them and Jackie gave Susan a quizzical look to which Susan gave a slow shake of her head telling her Mel still was not happy about the party. As was the custom, dancing filled the early part of the evening. Susan was not drinking much but Mel noted that she was doing nothing to discourage wandering hands. He was also very sure that she had removed her bra somewhere along the line. He wanted to scream and get out of there but knew he couldn't. He had already rejected offers to dance with any of the four women he didn't know. There were six couples in all. The last thing he felt like doing was dancing, even with his wonderful wife who hadn't come near him since they arrived. Mel's unwillingness to participate reached the point where he had been downright rude to one of the ladies. The word had gotten around and everyone was treating him like he didn't exist. Jack made several attempts to talk with Mel and tried to make him see that this was just a different form of entertainment; how everyone enjoyed the variety and that since the couples were involved it didn't constitute an affair and it certainly didn't affect the marriage vows if everyone consented. On his third try Mel let him know in no uncertain terms that a) he wasn't consenting, b) it was not Christianly entertainment c) he didn't know what vows Jack took but they certainly weren't the same ones he took. Finally he told Jack that obviously their definitions of friendship were different. A friend doesn't invite his friend over so he can fuck his wife. In a loud and menacing voice he then told Jack to stay out of his face unless he wanted the condo rearranged. Susan was becoming very concerned with Mel's attitude and knew that if she was going to get anything out of the evening, she had better act. Her feelings were a mixture of irritation with Mel and shame with herself because she had expected, and wanted, to try some of the variety available. After a while, Susan asked Jackie to go to the kitchen with her. "Jackie, I have danced a couple of times with Sean and I'm dying to get to know him better and he wants it too. But I can't just disappear with Mel watching my every move." Jackie told her that she would see what she could do with him and went back to the dancing. She quickly went to Mel. "Mel sweetie, I'm sorry to have been so busy that I haven't had time for my favorite friend. Would you like to dance?" He gave her a sort of blank stare stare, thanked her, but told her he really didn't feel like dancing. "C'mon Mel, you can at least give your old friend one dance." "Jackie, I'm not sure that I count you as one of my friends anymore." However, he reluctantly let her help pull him to his feet. They began to dance and carried on a rather stilted conversation. She tried to explain to him that nothing had really changed and that there was nothing to hurt their friendship. He didn't even bother to reply to her attempt to soothe things. But, after a few minutes he began to loosen up and dance with some ease. Susan observed what was happening and smiled. Once she felt that Jackie had Mel in control, she quickly found Sean and they disappeared. Jackie was feeling good that Mel seemed to be giving in to the mood. She slowly moved herself closer to him and gently began to rub against what appeared to be a cock that was coming to life. She didn't realize that Mel was just that big and he was actually quite limp. She maneuvered them into a more dimly lit area and then she reached down to stroke his manhood. As soon as she touched his crotch, Mel pushed her away. "Jackie, keep your fucking hands where they belong. (Then sarcastically) And while I have the opportunity, let me thank you ever so much in helping my wife to become a slut like you." With another push he walked away from her. Jackie started to go after him and then thought better of it. His remark had hurt but she didn't want to get into an argument. She would let Susan know what happened when she saw her. The condo was on the ground level and Mel walked out on the veranda, took off his shoes and socks and left them alongside another pair of mens shoes and socks and a pair of ladies heels and proceeded to walk out on the beach. The sea breeze helped clear his head a little, but the truth of it was that he was absolutely miserable. He even entertained the idea of just walking into the sea and keep going. Well, not really but he had to admit that it had merit. He walked down the beach to the fishing pier and then returned to a little public area next to the condo over an hour and a half later. He could sit there without being bothered by the party goers. He would just have to wait for the appropriate time to gather his wife and go home. That's The Way It Is Sean had suggested to Susan that they go out on the beach. So, they grabbed a couple of beach towels, slipped out the door, and walked a short way before Sean took her by the hand an led her behind a dune. The air was calm and they were out of sight from anyone walking on the beach. He pulled her to him and kissed her gently. She didn't resist and soon they were in the middle of a passionate kiss. His hands began to roam and she drifted into her sexual dream world. Her blouse was unbuttoned exposing her breast. She had taken her bra off earlier in order to better enjoy the dancing and the stimulation she felt through her thin blouse. They spread the beach towels and lay down next to each other. It wasn't long before she felt his hand slide under the elastic of her bikini briefs and contact her very wet pussy. She stifled the scream of utter ecstasy as she felt his finger and then fingers entered her. She was doing what she loved to do and any thoughts of Mel and their marriage were in another world. She was about to be satisfied with a new cock and the anticipation was driving her crazy. She loved it. Sean stopped for a moment and she realized he was putting a condom on. In just a moment his cock was seeking entrance which she gave freely. So erotic were the feelings welling up in her that in just a few minutes she had an orgasm. This triggered Sean and moments later he filled the condom with his seed. He kissed her and when his cock fell out, he pulled the condom off, dug a little hole in the sand, and buried it. As he lay back down, she reached down and grabbed his flaccid cock and started to slowly stroke it. There was only some of his semen left around the head and she quickly wiped it clean between her breasts. As they broke a kiss she asked him, "How long does it take this to recharge?" giving his cock a little squeeze. He chuckled and replied, "It all depends on how the recharging is administered." As she slid down and took his cock in her mouth she asked, "How long when it's done like this?" He grunted, "Not very damned long at all. But I don't have another condom." She pulled his cock from her throat and mouth and said, "If you're clean then we won't need one." She sucked him to hardness and then he slipped his cock into her waiting pussy and fucked her until he filled her with his sperm. She hadn't had sex like this since before she married Mel. No, Sean wasn't all that good or extra special. There is just something magic in having a stranger in you. She was ready to make up for lost time and go for yet another round. Sean stopped her saying that they needed to get back or else his wife would come looking for him and she knew where this dune was. His comment and mention of his wife jolted her back to reality. No, she didn't feel guilty, but she did feel sorry. Mel had just shifted his position so that he could see his watch. A little after one o'clock. Another half hour and he could get Susan and call it a night. While sitting there all sorts of things had raced through his mind, even a picture of all five men, including Jack, taking his wife at once. He had lost his dinner long ago and there was nothing more to give. Then he saw them. A man and a woman approaching the condo from the beach. They were holding hands and they stopped at the edge of the veranda, where he had left his shoes with the others. He couldn't hear very well with the roar of the surf, but he could make out the woman saying, "Just a moment Sean. I need to straighten myself up a little." After wiggling and shuffling around for a moment she said, "Do you have my panties?" He said something about keeping them and she wouldn't let him. He pulled them out of his pocket and she steadied herself with one hand on him as she slipped them on. They put their shoes on and walked across the veranda. Mel died. As they reached the door, he could see in the light that it was Susan and some guy, Sean to be exact. He hadn't recognized her voice with the roar of the surf and the wind. Now it hit him that the heels he had seen, when he left, were Susan's. She had been with that asshole for well over an hour; really closer to two hours. That was it. He put his shoes and socks on, went into the condo and found Susan talking very seriously to Jackie. Susan was very disturbed on the one hand when she returned and couldn't see Mel. On the other hand she was relieved because Mel had not seen her leave with Sean quite a while ago and had just now returned. Still, not seeing Mel around was disturbing. She quickly found Jackie and learned that she hadn't seen him since he broke off the dance with her. Jackie told her what had happened and just as she was suggesting that they should look for him, Mel walked in the door. Susan lit up and ran into his arms as soon as she saw him. She tried to kiss him but he was holding her off telling her he couldn't take any more and it was time to go. She was feeling bad enough knowing that Mel had not participated in the activities and even worse knowing what she had done. She said her goodbye's and went for her purse. Mel didn't say goodbye to anyone, he headed for the car. As she ran out the door behind Mel, Jackie called, "See you next week?" "I hope so." Jack, knowing what was going on, rushed out and caught up to Mel just as he reached his car. Grabbing the car door before Mel could close it, "Mel! Wait a minute. We've been friends for a long time. Let's talk. I know you are upset, but I know we can set things straight. "You son of a bitch. You don't know a fucking thing about friendship. All you know about is fucking and that includes the people you call friends. Get your filthy fucking hands off my door before I break your fingers and don't you ever use the word 'friend' again in my presence." About then Susan arrived and Mel told her to get her ass in the car right now. He yanked the door out of Jack's hand and stepped on the accelerator before Susan was fully seated or the door closed. The door caught Susan just above the ankle causing her to cry out in pain. She got her leg in and the door shut before anything else could happen. Her leg hurt and she was going to have an ugly bruise for a while. Looking at Mel and seeing the rage burning in his eyes she knew it was best to be quiet. Most of the drive home was done in silence, each with his own thoughts. Susan kept looking at him and was feeling very bad about what she was seeing. The driver was not at all like her wonderful husband. He had a terrible look in his eyes and she could see little rivulets of tears drop down his cheek from time-to-time. By now, Susan was feeling total remorse for what had happened. But she also knew that she wanted more. The troublesome part was that she had enjoyed Sean. And worse she could not see how any amount of love was going to quench her need for variety and lots of sex. She finally resolved that she would just have to make it up very specially to her dear husband as soon as they got home. When they got home she told him to give her a minute and she would be right back. She reached for a kiss but he ducked her and sat down in the living room. Very troubled, Susan went to the bathroom and douched and then changed into his favorite night gown. She went to the living room and instead of his eyes lighting up like they always had, he just stared at her. "Honey, we're home now. The party is done and it's time for me to show you how much I love you. Let's go to bed." In almost a monotone, "You make a cuckold out of me and then you want me to come to bed with you and take seconds or thirds or fourths or whatever is left after Sean and the others are through. How sweet! You don't need me tonight and I definitely don't want you. Go sleep by yourself, I'll sleep here." Her knees buckled as the tears poured out. How had he known about Sean? She was seeing her marriage collapse around her. Exclaiming she was sorry she made her tearful way to bed. Neither of them slept that night. By noon they both emerged in the kitchen and after a little talk they both apologized for their actions. The sticking point came when Susan mentioned the party next week. She suggested that she would spare him the agony of having to go and she would go alone. He exploded. "Damn it Susan, I am a cuckold whether I go or stay and you are being a slut whether I go or stay. So let's get one thing straight right now. I AM NOT GOING TO BE A CUCKOLD FOR YOU OR FOR ANYONE ELSE. Do you hear what I am saying? Said another way, we are not going to another damned fuck party no matter what it is called." Susan reeled under the shock of his outburst and what he had just said. There was a temptation to argue her point. After a moment she smiled and said, "I'm sorry honey. We won't go and I'll try to make up for my behavior. I love you, I really do. We'll work things out. (She really meant it) He looked at her for a moment and then a little smile came forth and he said, "You know, I haven't had a kiss in a while." She flew into his arms and planted one hot sloppy kiss on him. With that they went to the bedroom together and got undressed. However, everything was not as expected. Susan worked to get him hard several times. But every time, just as he was about to enter her, his cock would suddenly go limp. Every time Mel started to enter her, a flash of Susan under some other man would race through his subconscious thought and he would loose his arousal immediately. He told her what was happening and after numerous tries they gave it up and slept until supper time. Susan grasped the damage she had done very quickly. Of course, he had no idea of what really happened and it wouldn't help anything if she explained it to him. What she had actually done would only, at the best, exchange one bad image for another in her wonderful husband's head. The same scenario happened every night during the next week and neither received any sexual gratification. Susan was trying to think or devise any plan that would change her need (or at least perceived need) for variety and quantity in her sex life. With their talking, Mel could see that Susan was not moving one bit. She was still mesmerized with her thoughts about her sexual needs. She flat refused to consider counseling stating that her condition was physical, not mental. She continued to plead with him to give the swinging route one more try but this time join in. He couldn't take it anymore and had made a decision. After supper on Thursday night he told her that they could go to the party on Saturday. She was overjoyed and again tried everything she knew to rekindle their lovemaking – lovemaking that had always been so exquisite and wonderful - until last week. She had ruined what had always been wonderful and she hoped it wasn't for long. She loved this man and wanted to show him. In addition it was not helping her to rationally think about other possible releases to meet her needs. * * * * * * Saturday night Susan was aglow as she prepared for the party Maybe, just maybe things were going to turn around. She took extra care to see that she looked as attractive as ever and yet was careful not to look like a slut on the prowl. Mel's remark last week had hit its mark and she didn't want to give him an opportunity to indicate she was looking to get fucked; even though she was. As the time to leave drew near, she could see that Mel was not himself but she admired him for swallowing hard and giving it a try. She knew that this was extremely difficult for him and she was going to see to his needs too at the party. He deserved her attention at the party as well as anywhere else. When it was time he softly asked if she was ready. She responded that she was and going to him she gave him a kiss and thanked him. She kicked herself when the thought went through her head that after their disastrous lovemaking attempt this week, a good fucking was going to feel very good. On the drive, about ten minutes before they would arrive, Mel looked at her and asked, "Would you see if you might be able to get a response out of junior? I'm going to be very embarrassed if he won't perform." She laughed out loud and asked, "Are you wanting me to give you a blow job? Right now?" He simply grinned. She was a little reluctant. They were in public and someone might see. But, it was getting dark and she certainly needed to help him in any way she could. She unbuckled her seatbelt and lay down on the seat, unzipping his fly and retrieving his wonderful cock. To give her better access, he unbuckled his seat belt too. A short distance after she took his cock in her mouth, she felt Mel make a turn and asked what he was doing. He said he was using a back street to give a little more time. She smiled to herself and was getting excited because junior seemed to be fully responding for the first time in a week. The only thing that could upset his plan now was for the plant yard to have personnel still there. There shouldn't be at this hour. As he went down the street he could see the gate was closed and chained. The only people were four guys who were just coming out of the bar he was approaching, a good block from the plant. All of a sudden Mel rammed the accelerator all the way to the floor and the car lurched forward. In a panic Susan tried to raise her head but bumped into the steering wheel. By the time she could see out, she could only see a chain link fence, a gate, and a large tank centered in the windshield. The car bucked as it crashed the chain link fence and Mel yelled out, "I love you Susan. I'm sorry." Now she realized what was happening and she let out a scream, "Oh MEL, NO-o-o-o." The scream was lost and ended with a horrible roar as the propane storage tank exploded and a fireball consumed the car and rolled skyward. * * * * * * A passerby standing next to the fire captain said that he heard that the driver intentionally drove into the tank. The captain watched his men working and replied, "That seems to be the story as gathered from four eye witnesses." "What do you suppose would cause someone to do that?" "I've been in this business a long time. There are some things you just never know. (pause) But, That's the way it is." * * * * * * Epilogue: Unfortunately, though Mel and Susan's death ended a very difficult situation, there are those who are also touched by the tragedy. Naturally, their parents were hit the hardest. But so are friends. Jack and Jackie were greeting two of their guest. As they were about to usher them in, a huge fire ball arose from not too far away. A moment later the sound wave of the blast hit; compressing the air and putting pressure on the chest. It rattled windows and caused a potted plant to fall off the railing. Jack noted that the blast wasn't too far off and speculated that it was near the warehouse district about a mile and a half away. About an hour later Jackie, being concerned that Mel and Susan hadn't shown up, called their home number. She only got the answering machine. She tried both Mel's and Susan's cell phones and with both numbers received the automated message that they were either out of range or not turned on. She tried two more times with the same results. She was worried but didn't know what else to do. The eleven o'clock news was full of the explosion story. Everyone in the condo stopped to listen. Apparently a car had been deliberately driven into one of the FlexoGas storage tanks. There were no details regarding the occupant of the car however one witness was sure he saw a second head about the time the car went through the fence. Never-the-less, speculation was that it had been a disgruntled employee. Before going to bed Jackie tried the phones again with the same results. She was concerned enough that she insisted that Jack drive them over to their house. It was three thirty in the morning. They could see that Susan's car was in the garage, but that is all they could determine. No one was at home. Jackie became more alarmed as the morning news confirmed that there had indeed been two occupants in the car which was a late model blue Lexus. Due to th nature of the accident, the examiners were not able at this time to even state the gender of the two occupants. Obviously, no identifications had been made. Mel owned a late model Lexus. She called upstairs to Jack and he confirmed that it was blue. She had that very uneasy feeling that the occupants were here missing friends. She called the police department and told them what she knew. They thanked her and indicated that her information might be a great help. She also informed them how to reach their parents if her fears were confirmed. Sunday evening she received a tearful call from Susan's mother. It was confirmed that Susan was one of the occupants. At this point they could only assume the other was Mel but they had not been able to positively identify the remains of the second occupant but they had determined it was male. Jackie hung up the phone and cried. She became very upset when the evening news stated that according to the evidence and the account of some (they didn't say how many) of the witnesses the car had been deliberately driven into the tank. They tagged it a murder/suicide. She called the news service and read the newscaster off in no uncertain language. Jack tried to calm her and reason with her. Why had the car sped up as it approached the tank? What would Mel and Susan be doing on that street? They couldn't answer the questions. Jack was feeling that the evidence indicated an intentional act. Jackie was determined not to give up on her friends. He, she, they were not capable of such a horrible act. The Monday morning news confirmed the identities of the two victims. However, the news did not tag it again as a murder/suicide. But they were still determined to call it an intentional act. It was settled that night when Jack came home and brought the mail in. There was a letter addressed (hand written) to them bearing a return address label from Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Stapp (Mel and Susan). He opened the letter and they read a one line message that left a scar for years to come: Dear Jack and Jackie: Friends don't kill friends. Mel