17 comments/  37296 views/  6 favorites

Dear Vickie Ch. 01

By: barney69r



Synopsis: A tale of a soldier wronged and how he copes and goes on living despite the hurt.

Author's Notes: This is my second attempt at a cheating story. My first attempt was not the greatest, but it was something that I felt had to be written. I got a lot of bad reviews on it and I am trying to improve my plot and writing about something I know nothing about. That is usually bad for a writer; he should know something about what he writes. So this time I know a lot about my character. He is a lot like me when I was much younger and involved with another undeclared war in another part of the world, one with jungles instead of sand. I hope this is a much better story. 

BR

*

My name is Boyd Cummings and right now I am 26 years old and a TSgt in the USAF. I am currently deployed in Afghanistan as a sniper/spotter, along with SSgt Tony Mancini, my spotter/sniper and very good friend. 

I guess I should start at the beginning and go from there. I enlisted right out of high school to be the fourth generation USAF member of our family. My dad is now retired in central Texas after 26 years in the service. My grandfather and grandmother are now both retired, him after 30 years in the Air Force, and they are living in a retirement community in Central Texas too. My great-grandfather is now gone, but was in the Army Air Corp during WW II. So military tradition was something I was used to. I met and married my darling wife Victoria Shelling, while going to school in Mississippi. Her parents were both ex-Air Force as well and thinking of retiring somewhere in central Florida. 

We were extremely happy when I was transferred to Patrick AFB in Florida as it is near Melbourne and that is where Vickie's parents, Sam and Misty, ended up. Sean, our son was born there about three years ago. This made it very convenient for us to get a great babysitter in her parents that were less than forty minutes away. 

I started a small cleaning service to help save some money for our children's future. It started with me cleaning the small church outside the base that we attended. Then we started cleaning houses when people left base housing and needed a final inspection before leaving. We expanded a few times and we now had about ten to twelve people working for us. We rarely did any of the cleaning anymore as we pretty much ran the company now. Vickie did the accounting and scheduling thing and I maintained the sales and monitoring of the company. We ended up with a small strip center of offices and a three story office building as our clients plus a lot of final inspection cleanings of the homes on base. All of our workers were military connected, like wives or male spouses of military personnel. Yeah, we had a couple of guys working for us too for the heavy work. 

I had been an Avionics Systems Technician for most of my eight years in the service, but recently they were looking for snipers for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since I had qualified expert on my last three firearms qualifications, I was asked if I wanted to try out for a sniper team. The hazardous duty pay was sweet and I wanted to try it. Vickie agreed. By now Sean was three and growing like a weed. I ended up going up to Fort Benning, Georgia to train with the Marine and Army snipers at their training center there. There I met Toni Mancini from upstate New York. Somehow we were the only USAF members there at the school at the time, so we decided to team up and make a USAF only team. Most of the other service members tended to stay with their own service, but we did have a couple Army-Marine teams. At the end of school Tony and I ended up ranking third and fourth behind an Army-Marine team. Tony had been stationed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, but was transferred down to Patrick and then we went TDY [Temporary Duty Station for the non-military out there - BR] to Afghanistan. 

We had been there about eight months of an eighteen month TDY and had been on numerous missions. I was able to talk to Vickie and Sean and both my parents ands either over the phone or using Skype. It made missing my wife and son a little easier, but was still no substitute for being home. 

I was talking to my wife when I saw a shadow of someone in the background of the picture on the computer. I was using Skype on a computer in the communications tent. I asked her if that was Sean I saw in the background and she said that he was at her folk's house for the week. They wanted to have some time with him too. It must have been one of the cleaning people checking in. It was like about 2:00 in the afternoon there so I didn't think anything about it. 

The next day I get a phone call from my buddy Don Sterling. He is a very close friend that sometimes he and his wife help out with cleaning and babysitting. He said, "Boyd, my boy, I have some really bad news to tell you. Vickie is cheating on you." 

"You have got to be joking, right?" 

"No such luck buddy boy, I got proof right here on my phone. I came by yesterday afternoon to check on Vickie and see if she had anything for us this weekend. She didn't answer the door, but I saw her car so I turned the knob and it was open so I strolled in and there in the kitchen I saw her naked and bent over the table getting it from behind from Dick Smothers. I think I know why she was with him. That southern boy is hung like a mule. I hated to be the bearer of such bad news buddy, but I thought you should know about this right away." 

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I almost passed out from the shock. 

"Don, I don't know what to think. I mean I know it has been a long eight months, but she's already replacing me." 

"Yeah, it looks that way buddy. What do you want me to do?" 

"Don, keep an eye on her and make sure he is the only one. If she has others, then I can get Sean away from her as an unfit mother. She said that Sean was at grandma's house over in Melbourne for the week, so keep checking and make sure you get pictures. I want proof positive that she is fucking me over. Wait, remember that office building we do, isn't there an attorney that we clean for there?" 

"Yeah, Boyd, it's Stein and Green something. You want me to see them and see what can be done from here? You should talk to the legal beagles there too and see if they can suggest something." 

"Yeah, Don. You check with them and make sure you give them everything you can get on her."

Dear Vickie Ch. 02



It was like 0230 hrs when I went back to the tent so most everyone was gone. We slept in the midnight to 0800hrs tent because we normally deployed at night, so we bunked down with all the night shifters. I didn't even hear anyone moving around until I glanced at my watch and noticed 10:15. Since I noticed the lighter colored tent wall, I gathered it was daytime now. Even going with a double wall tent, during daylight over here the tents weren't really all that dark, but it did help. Once I stirred, Tony was by my side and asking how I felt now. I had slept eight hours and I felt ok, but mighty hungry. I said, "Let me drain the lizard and we can see about early chow, how about it?" 

"Boyd, you slept through all day yesterday. Today's Thursday, we met with Colonel Lane late Tuesday evening or more properly, early Wednesday morning. It's now Thursday the 15th of March, so I would have to say you needed that shutdown. You and I have an appointment with the Colonel tonight at 0030hrs so let's go and get some grub." 

"I slept the clock around and then some? Wow, I really must have been strung tight to sleep that long. I didn't even sleep that long when we came in from Mission 27 and we had been up what eighty-two hours, wasn't it?" 

"We were awake, eighty-two hours, and about seventeen minutes until we dragged ourselves into our bunks and slept for eighteen hours straight. You just slept a little over thirty-four hours straight. So yeah I think tapping a kidney and eating are definitely in order." 

"Even some of our tent mates were a little worried after a whole day dead to the world. I'll tell you about some phone calls you got while you were out of it. Makes for interesting reading, believe me. I had time to type up the conversations while you got your beauty sleep. I think that is why the Colonel wants to talk to us tonight. I understand he's been burning up the wires between here and Florida." 

We left the tent and hit the latrine after I had put a clean uniform on. As we were walking to the chow hall several of my tent mates said hi and made a little fun about sleeping beauty. When we got to the chow hall we ran into Sgt. Lillian Rester, the cute one from the JAG office. 

"Well, well, welcome back to the land of the living. Are you feeling better now Sgt. Cummings? We were all a little worried about you crashing for so long. I guess it was a healthy reboot for your systems, 'cause you look a whole lot better now than you did when you came in the other night. I'm sure glad you came back to us. Maybe you can start living again. Hey I know that look, no I don't know all the circumstances, but I would guess a 'Dear John' over the Skype. We get a few every month and boy some of the guys and gals don't take as well as you seemed to at first. I guess you were still in shock until you got to talk with the Colonel. He is a great guy and he understands what happens better than some of the other JAG's we have here. I think that is why he takes the later shifts, what with the time difference and all. It seems most crashes occur in the wee hours of the morning here which is afternoon back home." 

"Thank you for your concern Sgt. Rester. I think the reboot analogy was about right. My body and my mind needed a reboot and now I am much better. Would you care to eat lunch with us?" 

"Normally I really would, but I think Tony here has some important info to give you and I'm sure you would rather keep that private. I know some stuff because I have to transcribe a lot of documents and I monitor e-mails and stuff. But don't worry most of all that stuff goes in one ear and out the other. Otherwise I would be a mental wreck and out of a good job too. Maybe dinner this evening we could meet here at six. I'll even bring my friend Amy too." 

"Why would you bring a friend." asked Tony. 

"Well, who would you have to talk to if I came alone?" 

"Boyd dude, I think you found a fan." 

"Well maybe so. I just figure any man that can take a blow like his must have been and come back two days later and be acting normal, has got to be interesting to talk to. Besides what two super secret fly boys are doing on an Army post like this one has got to be a good story. See you tonight, fly boys." 

Sgt. Rester left them there standing just inside the entrance of the chow hall. I shook my head and said, "Was she flirting with me or am I reading more into her banter?" 

"Boyd buddy she is definitely flirting with you. I think I'm going to check out this Amy chick. I don't think I have run across a chick named Amy here before. But I think you were saying that you were starved, right? Well let's see if we can fill that bottomless pit you have there and maybe get back to rest up for tonight." 

I did manage to eat two meatloaf slices, three slices of roast beef, a double helping of mashed potatoes and gravy, four vegetable bowls and two slices of apple pie and one cup of ice cream. During all this eating, Tony told me that Don had called twice and then the lawyer had called and Tony had him call the Colonel. Don got some more pictures of a captain we did some cleaning for and another guy that worked for us every so often. Well that made it better for me getting Sean, but it also pissed me off some more, but I didn't explode or even implode like before. It just proved to me just what a whore I married. 

Tony and I left the chow hall and went to the gym and worked out for a while then we went back to our tent and I took a nap. I wanted to be fresh and awake for our supper. I figured we could make the late breakfast before our meeting with the Colonel at half past midnight. I took a shower and dressed up again and Tony and I headed for the chow hall. We had only been hanging out at the entrance about five minutes when Sgt. Rester and a young Marine Corporal joined us. We went in and got our meal and sat at a table out of the way. Actually the same one I ate lunch at today with Tony. We were introduced to Lillian again and then Marine Amy Stevens. It was kind of funny that Tony took to Amy right off. Both were from upstate New York: Tony from Rochester, and Amy from Geneva near the Finger Lakes. They were born and raised about fifty miles apart as the crows fly. 

Lillian and I just talked about ourselves, our upbringing, what we wanted out of life just about everything. Lillian was from just outside Lexington, Kentucky and I was born at Beale AFB, near Marysville, California and raised in Texas outside Austin. My dad had bought ten acres outside Round Rock and build a house and three outbuildings for his hobbies. I didn't say anything about my current troubles, but I did talk about Vickie and Sean and out life up until my deployment. I couldn't believe it when I looked at my watch and it read 9:15. We had talked for over three hours. 

We said our goodbyes and promises of meeting again for meals or maybe a movie or working out. 

Tony and I went over to the communications tent to see if I could maybe call Vickie on Skype to give her my normal call. It was mid morning at home, about 1030 hrs so she should be home working on the books for Friday's payday for last week. 

There was a free computer and I signed in and got on and called Vickie. She picked up and got on the computer right away. She was dressed in a nice blouse and her hair was alright except for a small patch sticking up in back. I wondered about that but we talked the same loving conversations we normally had. I had Tony say hi too, and we watched the background real carefully to see if there were any more stray people moving around. Right toward the end of the call Tony noticed a shadow on the wall behind Vickie of some naked male rubbing his long cock. The image was very faint like the light from in front of Vickie was not strong, but the image was there. I got a sudden frown on my face and Vickie noticed it.

"Boyd, what's wrong Baby? You got a funny look on your face, is there something wrong there?" 

"No Honey, I thought I saw something behind you on the wall but it must have been an image from a passing car or something. No, I'm fine here, I hope you aren't missing me too much Vic." 

"Oh Boyd, you have no idea how much I miss you darling. I miss your strong arms around me and your lovely kisses. I especially miss your body next to me all night long. I really can't get into that more or I'll start crying about how much I miss you honey. I love you, talk to you soon." And the picture cut off. Since I had called her, the picture might have gone, but the audio was still on and I heard Vickie and some man laughing and then the connections went dead. 

Tony and I were about to laugh out loud ourselves as when Vickie was describing what she was missing about me the shadow in the background was mimicking her speech. Now more than before I really knew just what a conniving horrible bitch my wife was. I made a decision right then that Vickie would never see her son again. I immediately called my parents. 

"Mom, I need you and Dad to go to Florida and get Sean. Say that you really need to spend some time with him. Vickie is cheating on me and if Sean stays at the Shelling's, Vickie is going to try to see him and once she is served she will try to take him away from me." 

My mother put her hand across her mouth and said, "She's doing what? What happened? Of course we'll do it but why so sudden?" 

"Mom, I just found out Tuesday that she was cheating on me. A friend, Don Sterling called me. You might remember him from when you and Dad came down to Florida. He and Marie were the couple you met that lived around the corner from us. Well anyway, he walked in on her and some guy doing it in the kitchen. He called me after he took a picture of them. A divorce is in the works and right now Sean is with Sam and Misty this week and I think Vickie is going to get him this weekend, so you two need to go down quick. I don't want Sean around that back-stabbing whore. I would like to think she would hold off on bringing men into our home when our son was there, but I don't know for sure." 

"Boyd honey, I'll talk to your father and we will get there as soon as we can, I'll try to call Misty and see if we can stay there for a bit and we can be close in case you need us. Will you be coming back to end this soon or are you going to have to stay over there and have to do this long distance?" 

"I'm not too sure Mom, I should know more tonight. I have an appointment with my lawyer over here. He has been super nice and helping me. He had someone break his heart a long time ago so he knows what I'm going through. It sure has helped that Tony has been there for me too. He has been a real rock for me. He says, 'Hi Mom'." 

"He's there with you now? Have him come into the picture, I need to say something to him." 

Tony dragged a chair over next to me and said again, "Hello Mom, I think I can call you that since I really don't get to say Hi to mine too much. She doesn't have a computer with a camera and so I only get to see her when she is at the library." 

"Tony, you can call me Mom anytime. You have been there for my Boyd and you are helping him cope with this tragedy. That in my book tells a lot about a man. You give me your mom's address and we'll get her a camera for her computer so you can see her and talk to her like my Boyd does with us." 

"Mom, please, you don't have to do that I have tried to get her to get a new laptop so we can talk, but I think she doesn't want me to see her new boyfriend. Since Dad died two years ago, she hasn't dated, but the phone was answered a couple of times by a man and then they hung up right away saying I had a wrong number. I know it's not a wrong number because when I call it again either my mom answers or it goes to voice mail. I think she is embarrassed that she has someone and that I won't approve. I think I need to write her a long letter explaining that I think it's time she met someone." 

"Oh Tony, that is what you should do. I'm sure that would allow her to finally come clean with you about this mysterious man who has answered the phone. Sometimes we forget that our baby boys are all grown up and have become men, without us realizing how or when. Now you bo... young men get going I need to get David up to speed and get moving toward Florida. We love you both and Boyd; we'll get through this just like any other problem or crisis, you hear me?" 

"Yes Mom," I answered sarcastically. I love you too, and be careful on your trip. You going to fly or drive?" 

"I think we'll talk with Sam and Misty first and then see what plans we need to make." 

"Mom, don't tell Sam and Misty anything about the divorce or Vickie's cheating. I don't want them to confront her about it until we get everything planned out and in motion. I want her to get the surprise I got when I found out about this too. So please don't say anything, OK?" 

"Alright Son, but I think we may sound them out to see what they would think about infidelity of either of you two. We can bring it up as they know about long absences too. We'll let you know what we find out, and keep us informed too. Love you, Bye." 

"I love you too Mom, bye." 

Tony said then, "Man your mom is so cool about all this, but I bet she is seething inside. I could see some fire in her eyes after you told her about the cheating. When do you normally call yours? Now might be a good time. No one is waiting and I'm sure you want to see Sean, right?" 

"Thanks Tony. Give me a minute to compose myself, I got a little bummed there at the end. Why don't you see if you can get us a beer, I think I need one right now." 

"Yeah sure Buddy. I'll be right back." 

I steeled myself and called the Shelling home on my phone. Misty answered after about four rings. 

"Hey Boyd, how you doing, you want me to get on Skype so you can talk to Sean?" 

"Oh that would be great Mom, I haven't had the chance to talk to him this week. I just found out he was over there." 

We hung up and soon I could see she was online so I called on Skype. "Mom you look great, I hope Sean hasn't been too hard on you older folks this week?" 

"Oh you. Boyd, Sean is never a bother. He is such a sweet child, sometimes I wish you had a dozen more just like him." I saw Sean come into the room and put his arms up so he could sit on Misty's knee. 

"Hi Daddy, I miss you. When you coming home? Mommy misses you too." 

"Hey, I miss you too buddy. I don't know when I will be home but I think I might be able to in a little while, like maybe next month. I think we get a break about halfway through our tour, but maybe not. I think it depends upon where you are and what is going on." 

"Oh goody Daddy, I sure miss you a lot." 

"Are you being a good boy for Grandma and Grandpa?" 

"I been good daddy, huh grandma?" 

"Yes Sean you have been a real good boy from Grandma and Grandpa. Are you OK over there Boyd? Is there something wrong?" 

"Mom, no things are fine here. I think I'll be busy for a while, so it may be a little while before I can get back to you again. So Sean you be a good boy for your grandparents and take care of your mommy for me, OK?" 

"OK Daddy, I'll take care of Mommy for you. Can I go play now?" 

"Yes you can go play. I love you buddy." I think I had tears slowly working their way down my cheeks as I said that last part. Misty noticed that and as she let Sean down he said, "I love you too Daddy, come home soon." 

He jumped down and ran out of the room and I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. 'Please Lord take care of my son and don't let that cheating, lying, backstabbing, bitch harm him in any way except leave him and I alone.' 

"Boyd there is something wrong, isn't there. I can see it in your eyes, what's wrong. Are you hurt or going on some death mission. Hey I know what you are doing over there. You can't think that we don't know and can't piece some things together. So what is going on?" 

"Believe me Misty it is not something I can talk about right now, but I think there is going to be some changes coming. Oh yes by the way I talked to my Mom tonight before I called you and her and Dad are talking about coming down to see you and the family. She thought they would be coming soon. They have been planning this for some time now, but I just got wind of it tonight. Some surprise huh?" 

"Boyd, I know you almost as well as I know my daughter, now what is going on?" 

"Believe me when I say I can't say right now. Maybe next week or the week after I can tell you all about it, but right now it has to remain a secret. OK, please?" 

"Well I think I may do some investigating and see what some of my friends know that I don't." 

"Misty, please," I pleaded. This has to stay a very big secret, even from Vickie, well especially from Vickie. I can't say how much I wish that you didn't even know as much as you do. Please for me, just leave it alone for now, please, I beg of you." 

"For now, OK, but I expect answers soon, understand?" 

"Yes ma'am. I promise you will know pretty soon what this is all about. I love you guys so much, so please wait." 

"Ok Boyd, but I will want some straight answers soon. We both love you a lot too so the sooner the better or I will worry myself sick." 

"I promise that as soon as I can tell you what is going on, I will. I love you guys too, you may not know just how much, but I do. We'll talk soon, I gotta go, bye." 

I shut the Skype down and sat and cried again. I so wanted to trust them, but I just couldn't until I sat face to face with them or Vickie was served, whichever came first. Tony came back with a beer for each of us and we headed back to our tent for a little pity party. We sat, talked and waited until 2330 hrs nursing our beers. We talked a little and but mostly we just sat and contemplated our lives and the people in them. I told Tony about my conversation with Misty and he thought she was maybe headed in the wrong direction, but it was hard to determine. We thought that she might think about me coming home or maybe some special 'do or die' mission that was coming up. But other than that it was still a mystery as to what she thought she might know. 

It was breakfast time now so we left for the chow hall, mess tent, whatever they called it in the Army. We met up with Lillian and Amy and headed in. We sat and talked while we had breakfast. Then it was time to go. Lillian and Amy left first as they were scheduled to be on duty from midnight till eight. So Tony left shortly after them and headed for the headquarters Building to see Colonel Lane.



Dear Vickie Ch. 03



Chapter 3

As we walked into the JAG office I said "Hello again Sgt. Rester, we have a 0030 hrs appointment with Colonel Lane." 

"I believe he is expecting you, I'll let him know you're here. Just a moment please." 

Sgt. Rester went in the door and came back five minutes later saying, "Follow me please, the Colonel is ready for you now." 

Tony and I went into his office and sat at the two chairs in front of his desk. He was on the phone, but about to hang up. We kept quiet and waited our turn for his attention. He soon hung up and turned to us. He had at first acknowledged us and then turned away to complete his call. 

"Sgts Cummings and Mancini. So good to see you again. Boys, I have some good news and some even better news for you. Then I have some great news for the both of you." 

"Let me start with the good news. Your lawyer in Florida will take your case for the divorce pro bono. His name is Walter Groenblat, he does the civil work, and Ernest Stein does the criminal cases. So no worries there. Also from the information that Mr. Sterling has obtained there will be no question of infidelity and adultery. With the evidence so far there should be no contest, especially since you are a military man on assignment overseas. Now for the even better news, your company is not going to be a part of the divorce, except she will have a claim to a part of the company. However that doesn't sound as bad as it sounds. Because her actions are the reason for the divorce, that will be considered by the judge. Now since her name is not on the company as an officer, her claim is fragile. Florida is not a community property state, but it does have a marital and non-marital property clause. Because you started the company while you were married, she is entitled to some compensation, depending upon the ruling by the judge. Mr. Groenblat is pretty sure that the judge will award her some monetary value of her work as an employee of the company. Is your wife paid by the company or do you both share the profits?" 

"Colonel Lane, we both get a salary from the company, all profits go into a trust fund for our son's college. We keep a certain amount out for maintenance and supplies, but the rest goes into the trust. Why?" 

"Son, you have to be the smartest husband I know or have a great advisor. With the company set up like that she can't touch a bit of the assets, they all belong to your son and the executer of the trust. Who is that, you or your wife? Please tell me it is someone else." 

"Actually it is his Godfather Don Sterling. It's in our wills that if anything were to happen to us, he would take over the company, the custody of Sean and be executer of our estate as well as the trust. You know I'm not even sure Vickie remembers that we set up the trust. We can put money into it, but we can't withdraw any until Sean is eighteen." 

"My God Boyd, who had you set this up this way?" 

"My Dad did. He told me that that would be the best way for Sean to have the money when he needed it for college." 

"What a stroke of genius. Your dad was right this trust is foolproof and only the executer or the parent can get the money for college for your son." 

"Well actually it is for any and all of our children. I seem to remember that Dad had it written so that it would apply to all children, born of the union of Boyd and Victoria Cummings." 

"Oh wow, that means that even if Vickie had another child by someone else, they wouldn't be covered by that part," said Tony. 

"So long as we could prove that the child was not yours by a DNA and blood test." 

"Oh my god, I just had a thought, what if Sean is not mine? Oh God, I don't want to even think about that." I broke down then. 

The Colonel was on the phone in a moment, as soon as he found the phone number he was looking for. "Walter, this is Charles Lane again. Is there any chance we can get a DNA test run on the son, Sean Michael? - Yeah, saliva would be good. – check with the birth hospital, see if they did a work-up on him when he was born. A lot of hospitals do that now. - Yeah... do you have a copy of the trust fund set up for the boy's college? - Good, read it through very carefully. I think we got an iron clad document for that and Boyd tells me they both get paid a salary from his cleaning company and all profits go to the trust. – Yeah very smart move. – Uh huh - Yes - No - Alright, you get back to me as soon as you can. - Thanks... you too. Bye." 

"Boyd, I'm more surprised by you and this case the more I find out. Now the great news. You two leave on a mission tomorrow night and you should only be gone about three or four days. You will get to calm way down before you're done with this and then maybe a day here and then you are homeward bound for fifteen days leave. Now I can swing Tony too if you think you will need him home with you. I can tell that you two have bonded into a partnership that is going to be a little hard to break up after this is all over." 

"Colonel, as much as I would like Tony to come too, I don't think that is fair to him and besides Don will be there for me. Don and I met in basic training and we've been together since. He's kind of like my brother or maybe twin. But not like Tony and I, we're like twins for sure." 

"I think anyone can see that is true. So what is the verdict, is Tony going or staying?" 

"Sir, if I may say something on my behalf, I would love to go with Boyd, but I met someone yesterday. We have a lot in common, but I'm not sure where we are going with this, so if it's all the same to you I would like to stay. I don't have a girlfriend back home, either home; McGuire or Patrick and I would hate to lose this opportunity because I left for a while. I hope you understand Boyd." 

"Tony, I would never forgive myself if I ruined your chance with Amy. She seems like the right girl for you. Growing up fifty miles apart gives you guys so much in common to start out with that I can't in good conscience be that selfish. Stay and I hope that there is something good for you to tell me when I get back here." 

"Oh yes before I forget, I need you both to sign this faxed document. Boyd where is says your name and today's date and Tony where it says 'witness name'. I'll fax this back to Walter and we can work on getting Victoria served." 

"Can we wait on serving her until I get home? I think I would like to surprise her with it after I get back home. Like maybe fifteen minutes after I walk into the house." 

"Oh man Boyd, that is cold," Tony said. 

"I just want to see the look on her face when she reads the papers. I think that will be some payback for the surprise I got with Don's phone call." 

"Tony's right that is cold, but I heartily approve. If you can take a picture of her face, I would like to see that. That might give me a little boost in the payback department, even though it will be by proxy." 

"No problem Colonel, I'll make sure that happens, just for you. But if her reaction is like I think it will be, I may blow it up to eleven by seventeen and hang it in the living room." 

"I'm not too sure that would be right, what would your son think of that?" 

"I guess you're right Colonel, but it sure would remind me that not all women can be trusted." 

"I think that is a very true statement. Well I have more work to do, so why don't you two go back to your tent and see about some sleep. You may not get any for the next few days. I don't really know all the particulars of this next mission of yours, but Major Kelly assured me that you two were the only ones to accomplish this one. So good hunting and come back so we can get you on a plane ride back home." 

"Thank you Colonel. For everything you have done so far and everything you still have to do. I'm not sure I really deserve all this help, but I thank you and I'm sure if my son knew, he would thank you too." 

"That goes double for me too Colonel. Boyd is my best friend, like he said we're like twins, so what hurts one of us hurts us both." 

"You both have something special in your relationship. I wonder what will happen once your tours are over and you have to be separated by transfers." 

"Oh we already planned on that. We have talked about that when we are out in the field. We will be best friends for life. We will always know where we are and maybe, once we retire, we'll settle down in the same vicinity. Then again maybe not, who knows. My Dad has friends all over the world. He corresponds with them all about monthly. Some daily since they are all on the internet and e-mailing back and forth. They reminisce about the old days and talk about what they are doing now. Dad says that it really helps to have friends all over, that way you're never lonely or alone." 

"You have a very smart dad, I think I may keep that in mind and see if I can contact some of my friends that I have lost touch with over the years. Since I'm still in the service some of them might be too and I will see if I can trace them down. Thank you, Boyd that is a great idea. Now go get some rest, I'll take care of things here and Walter will keep things working back home. Don't you worry about anything, but coming back mellow form your little outing." 

"Thanks Colonel, for everything. See you soon." 

"Thanks from me too Colonel, my brother needed help and I'm sure glad you were here for him." 

"We do what we can Tony, that's why we are here, to help those needing help." 

We left the Colonel's office and I stopped out at the reception area and told Lillian, Sgt. Rester, we will be gone for a couple of days, work you know. But when we get back, I know Tony here would like to see Amy again. And as for me, well... when I get back from...ah... handling my problem, I hope that you would be available to talk to too. I'm not trying to make any commitments or anything, but I'd like to get to know you better." 

"Sgt. Cummings, I think I would like that a lot. I'm not attached right now and I think I may leave myself open to entertaining a flyboy for a change." 

Tony piped in with, "Oh so no more ground pounders or jar-heads for you?" 

"Now I wouldn't want to commit to that just yet, but I do know one jar-head that kinda likes a certain flyboy she met not long ago. You guys get out of here, I understand that you have some work to do... so go do it." 

"Thank you Sgt, I hope to see you soon," I said as we walked out. 

"Boyd I think we may have stumbled into something we need to contemplate long and hard on. Then either run like hell or stop running, I'm just not sure which right now." 

"I think you are so right brother. Sleep does sound good right about now, though." 

Five days later we are brought back in on a helicopter after our mission. Eight confirmed and four possibles. We hit a cave up in the mountains near Darreh. The insurgents were using a camouflaged tarp to cover the entrance. They would trek down this one valley and then about daybreak they would drive their vehicles into this cave and then wait for nightfall again to move back out and travel down the valley to resupply troops. We counted five trucks full of cargo and we think there were twelve men with the convoy. We followed them by infrared down the valley and then they kind of disappeared. I marked the area and we looked very close in the daylight. The second day we were there I noticed what looked like rock moving. That is when I noticed the tarp. Then it was just a matter of waiting for them to emerge into the night and pick them off. We later learned when the Marines moved in that there was really twelve confirmed dead and a huge cache of weapons, food and even bunks back in that cave. This was definitely a stopping over point for a major pathway down to the A1 highway. 

When we got back we were floating on air we were so calm. I made an appointment to see Colonel Lane and he gave me my flight orders and some additional information. "Once you get back stateside, contact Major Kenneth Riley at this number. He will get you a flight down to Patrick. You will be flying into Atlanta and then to Fort Stewart for a courier flight to Patrick. Once there you will contact Walter Groenblat at this number. He will set you up with the process server. He will drive you home and then knock after fifteen minutes after you arrive. Now the big question is do you want to call your wife when you get to Atlanta or wait and surprise her." 

"I think I would prefer that we be alone when she is surprised by the papers. What about Sean, where will he be?" 

"It seems that your parents have arrived in Florida and are staying with yours and Sean is with them this week, well he will be when you get stateside. They picked up Sean today and are keeping him until Wednesday of next week. You will be getting in on Monday afternoon, and if things go right you should be home by about 1400hrs. So calling her is up to you." 

"Thanks for everything Colonel. I'll make sure I get that picture of her surprise. My cell phone takes good pictures." 

"You have some things to pack and a ride to catch so you can make that surprise happen. I wish you luck." 

"Thank you. I'll be back soon I hope. I'll grant temporary custody of Sean to mys since they are right there." 

"Walter already has that paperwork ready for your signature." 

"Again Thanks." 

"I'm here to serve our military, that what I'm doing." 

I left and headed back to my tent and found Tony there with my bag all laid out and underwear and socks already packed. My extra uniforms were also packed. All I had left to pack was my toiletries and another pair of boots. All my class "A's" were back home. All I had here was my BDU's and some personal items. I hugged Tony and told him goodbye and went outside looking for my ride out of here.

A hummer was sitting outside the tent running and an Army PFC was holding the door open for me. I put my duffle bag in the back and we headed out to the flight line. From then forward the trip was a blur. I arrived in Atlanta at 6:00AM and was escorted to a waiting Army helicopter to take me to Fort Stewart. Once I arrived I had about an hour before my C-130 was due to take off for Patrick AFB, Florida. I had time to call Vickie. 

"Hello." 

"Hi Vickie, I'm in the states, well Georgia actually and I wrangled a flight home. I should be home this afternoon. I'll call when I get there at Patrick. I already have somebody that is going to drive me to the house. Ain't this great?" 

"Boyd, your coming home today, but how, why, I mean wow! You said this afternoon, right? Do you know when exactly, I want to get ready for you. Your folks are here, well with my folks. They have Sean with them... wait you planned this all out to surprise me, right?" 

"No my love, the only surprise I had in store for you was my visit. The other things are just gravy. I'll be home soon. I can't wait to see you and hold you again. I gotta run, see you soon, bye." 

"Bye Baby, I love you." 

I hung up then. I could hardly keep the anger out of my voice. It was hard, but I managed it. I controlled my breathing just like I did when I had someone set in my crosshairs. That calmed me down sufficiently so that I could go on. Now the slow ride to Patrick and then meet the courier to take me to my home. 



Dear Vickie Ch. 04



Chapter 4

We touched down at Patrick and taxied up to the Ops building. I wearily got off and carried my half filled duffle bag down the ramp. There was a civilian van with the name of 'Melbourne Courier Service' on the side. Beside the van stood a man of about twenty-five, six foot and built similar to me, but with a head of bushy black hair. He was dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, and had a gun on his hip. He looked more like an off duty cop than a process server or courier. Well the sign said they were bonded, so maybe a gun wasn't so far out of character. I assumed he was here for me. I walked over to him and said, "I'm TSgt. Cummings, are you here for me?" 

"Yes Sergeant, I am your ride to your home and I have a present for your wife. That present will be delivered exactly fifteen minutes after you walk into your house. You're a little early, I wasn't expecting you for another half hour, but I was called while your aircraft was about an hour out and told of the earlier arrival time. Shall we go?" 

"Yeah, let's do this. I told Vickie I would be home about 1400. Anyway, let's go; I'm tired and need to get this over with." 

"Sure thing, climb in." 

I climbed into the passenger's seat and buckled up. About fifteen minutes later I was getting my duffle bag out of the van when Vickie ran out of the house screaming my name. How could the bitch act like that when she knew what she had been doing behind my back? I dropped my bag and let her jump into my arms. I kissed her and hugged her back. The tears I shed were not tears of joy, only sorrow. I grabbed my bag and we went into the house arm in arm. 

"Honey, I am about parched, military flights don't have flight attendants and no drinks either. Besides I can't remember when I ate last. Can we hold off the rushing to bed until I get some grub so I can fend off starvation in your arms?" 

"Of course Baby, I'll nuke you some leftover casserole and get you a soda. God I'm so glad your home." 

So I sat in my recliner in the living room, I couldn't stand the thought of sitting at the kitchen table. I think I would just sell that table and get a new one, just like the bed. 

Vickie was talking a mile a minute out in the kitchen while she was getting me something to eat and drink. The drink came first and she sat in my lap and kept kissing me, until the microwave timer let her know my lunch was done. After a last kiss she jumped up and ran to the kitchen and was back with a steaming plate of tuna casserole. I had just put the plate on my table when the doorbell rang. Time for me to go into action. 

"That's probably for me, I'm supposed to be getting some orders about when I have to go back, let me get the door." Because of the way the server pulled up to my house, Vickie hadn't seen the driver. So when I opened the door and a stranger was there with a large manila envelope, Vickie didn't seem concerned. 

"Is there a Mrs. Victoria Marie Cummings here?" said the person at the door.

"Honey, this guy is here for you, not me. You expecting anything?" 

"No Boyd, I'm not. I'm Victoria Cummings, you have something for me?" 

I got my phone out and was ready to take the picture. 

"Yes Ma'am." Once he handed her the envelope he said, "You have been served," turned around and ran back to his van. 

"What's that Honey, how come you have been served with papers?" 

"I don't know Boyd; let me see what's in here." She opened the envelope and pulled some papers out and read along the top of them and then looked at me and I snapped the picture I was expecting, and then she fainted. I picked her up and lay her on the sofa and went back to eating my lunch. She came to a few minutes later and gave me one of the dirtiest looks I have ever seen. I snapped that picture too. 

"What? Did you expect me to just sit by and let you cuckold me and not do anything about it? I am really disappointed in you. Did you really think you could do all this behind my back and me never find out? 

"Boyd, Honey, it wasn't like that, I... it was just one time, I never meant to hurt you, but I was lonely. I... I love you so much and I...I'm so sorry that you had to find out. I..."

I stopped her cold when I said, "It was not just one time, it was a lot of times, with a lot of guys and even one girl. Well at least the ones I now know about. I mean I could almost understand Dick Smothers and his huge cock, but Jamie Goodman. God that man couldn't even get a diseased whore to fuck him he's so ugly and dirty. And then there is that Captain that you have been fucking for over a year. No Vickie, I'm just so glad that I found out now. I'm leaving here... No, that's not right. You are leaving here, go pack your bags and get out of my sight. I don't even want to see your lying, cheating, backstabbing, face around here. I'm going to see my son. Oh yeah is he really mine or some bastard son of yours. Do you even know who the father is?" 

Vickie was curled up into a fetal position on the couch with great wracking sobs shaking her body. I picked up the keys to my truck and grabbed my duffle bag and left. I got as far as the corner of the street when I lost it. I sat hunched over the steering wheel and cried. It wasn't but about ten minutes later I saw Dick Smothers turn down our street head for my house. I turned the truck around and drove back home. I came in the house and Dickie was trying to comfort Vickie. 

"Dickie Smothers, leave immediately before I throw you out. Haven't you done enough damage to this marriage without adding to it with your presence?" 

"Hey, there is no call for that. I'm just trying to comfort the lady." 

"Lady my ass, she is nothing but a lying, cheating, backstabbing, whore. Did you think you were the only one? Oh my God you did. Your little bitch has had as many men over here as there are Sunday's in a year. I'm sure she told you that you were the one and only, right?" 

Dick nodded and then look at Vickie and turned around and left. 

"Boyd, that was uncalled for, why are you acting this way? We can work things out, right?" 

"Victoria, our marriage is over as soon as you sign those papers, well actually it was over the minute you fucked your first guy that wasn't me since we were married. Just how far back does this go? I know about Lt. Gregory. That was almost fourteen months ago. Does it go back even further? Well answer me WHORE!" 

"Yes he was the first one. When I found out that you didn't know, I figured I could have more, I just needed to keep it away from the house. Since I was scheduling the cleanings, I could schedule me for some sex too." 

"Was I lacking in my love for you, was our sex life so boring that you had to go find someone else?" 

"No Boyd, it was never about you. You were the best; the best lover, the best husband, the best father. I don't know why it happened, well I know why the first time. Phillip told me I was the most beautiful woman he had ever met and he just had to have me. I fell for it and we had sex that first time I met him. It was so wrong. I didn't do anything more for almost three months. I was so ashamed and I just knew you would find out. He called me again to set up a cleaning and I probably should have sent one of the other girls, but I thought that I could handle it. Well I couldn't he was so charming and forceful. After the second time it began to be easier for me to cheat on you. You didn't seem to have a clue, so I never pressed it. I should have told you right after it happed the first time but I just couldn't. Then after a while it became like a sickness, I needed more. I'm so sorry Boyd. I'll leave now, I'll pack up my things and go to Mom's... oh yeah your folks are there. Let me see if I can go to Suzy Henderson's and I'll be gone. I go get Sean and we will leave you to your new life." 

"YOU WILL NOT touch Sean ever again. DO YOU HEAR ME! I am not letting you near him. You are not fit to be his mother. You are nothing but a lying, cheating, backstabbing whore that doesn't deserve a child or a husband. Now, sign those papers and we all can go on with our lives. My parents are going to take Sean to Disneyworld with them for a little while so you can explain to your parents why we are no longer together. You can also explain why they will be getting temporary custody of Sean until I can return from overseas. But you will have to tell them how much you screwed up. I hope they can forgive you, as I can't; it just isn't in me to do that." 

"Yes Boyd." She pulled the papers out of the envelope and read them through gasping at a few sentences. That must have been where they listed the evidence against her. She signed the last page and put them back into the envelope and walked into the bedroom. I sat drinking my soda and leaving my barely warm tuna casserole on the table. 

Vickie found me hunched over in the chair with my head in my hands, tears flowing freely from my eyes. I thought that I was about cried out by now, but I guess not. I heard her leave and then come back and take more things out to her car. She came back in one last time and knelt on the floor in front of my chair. 

"Boyd, I'm so sorry I hurt you so much. I can never forgive myself for what I have done to our family. It was just sex it wasn't love. You gave me all the love I could ever ask for and then some, but something inside me needed the sex. I think it was the forbidden sex that was the reason. I guess I am just a whore like you said. But I am sorry. Please explain to Sean that I'm sorry I hurt him too. Maybe you can tell him that I died and he can get over me in time. I don't know what I'll do any more. I'm not going to contest this and what you are giving me is more than generous after what I have done to you. If there is anything else you find here of mine, call Suzy or just throw it out. I won't darken your door again Boyd. I still love you, but I understand. Goodbye." She hugged me to her and kissed my head and left. 

I sat there until the next day, not moving, not anything. I was numb, I was all cried out. I went to the bathroom and relieved myself and then came back into the living room and started my phone calls. I called the courier service to come pick up the papers. I called the Shelling home and explained to Misty what all had happened. She was upset that I couldn't trust her to tell the truth the other night, but I think she understood. She hadn't heard from Vickie yet, but she expected a call or maybe a visit today. I talked to my parents and asked them to take Sean to Disneyworld for a couple of days. They said they would love to and that Sam and Misty was going to join them after a couple of days. They would give Vickie time to contact her parents and explain her side. Yeah her side? How could you explain cheating on your husband for over a year with multiple men and at least one woman, without her sounding like a real bitch? 

I called Walter and let him know the papers would be coming to him shortly. I wanted him to get the custody papers ready for the Shellings to sign. Since I was now essentially a single parent, but TDY, I probably didn't rate a house on base anymore, I would need to have my cleaning service clean out the house and put all my stuff in storage. I don't think base housing would let it sit empty until I came back. With someone in the house they could, but since no one would be there they would probably take it back and give it some other deserving family. I hoped they had better luck with the house than I did. 

I downloaded everything from Vickie's laptop. I did find a couple of interesting pictures there attached to some e-mails. I downloaded them onto a flash drive so I could give them to Walter when the courier came by to pick up the papers. Everything else was business related. 

I called Suzy and told her that she could pick up Vickie's laptop anytime. I pulled off all the business stuff. I asked her if she knew what Vickie had been up to. She swore that she didn't know, but that she would let Vickie stay there for a couple days until she found a place to go. 

I called Marie Sterling and asked if she knew anyone who could keep the business running. She said that Michelle Rossi and her could do it. I told her I already had everything loaded on my desk top so she could just have that until I got back again. She told me how very sorry she was that this had happened to me. "Boyd, I never knew until Don told me last week. I always thought you guys were perfect together. I guess you can't always see the forest for the trees sometimes. If you need anything Don or I will be more than happy to help out." 

"Thanks Marie, I think I'm just worn out from everything hitting me at once. Vickie didn't even deny it, although she only started out admitting one time. The first time Don caught her with someone. Then that jerk came over here to try to comfort her until he found out he was not the first or only one. He left in a hurry then." 

"What about Sean, do you have someone to care for him?" 

"Yeah Marie, his grandparents are going to have temporary custody until I get back here in about a year. After that, I'm just not sure, but Vickie won't be around. I made it very clear she is not to be around him. I'll tell him that she had to go away for a while and then maybe when he is older I'll tell him the truth. I don't even want to think about that now." 

"Why don't you come over here for supper tonight? Bring your desk top and all the paperwork for the business and Michelle can get familiar with everything and we can take over from there. You don't want to stay there too long, too many memories and too many ghosts there for you. Come stay with us tonight, OK?" 

"I'll be over for supper, but you might want to have Michelle and you go through the cupboards and the fridge and take what you want. I'll throw everything else out. You're right too many memories, both good and bad here. I'll try to see about getting into the BAQ [Bachelor Airman's Quarters – BR]. At least until I can get everything in storage before I go back. Thanks Marie for just being there for me. You and Don have been life savers for me throughout this whole affair." 

"Hey Boyd, what are friends for if not to help each other when their needed. You would do the same for us it the situation was reversed, so not another word. Just accept our help and love and go on. OK?" 

"Yeah, I think I can manage that. I need to make some other calls so do I need to bring something for tonight?" 

"If you have some beer, that would be great, I think we're low right now. Don has been hitting it pretty hard this past week. You know it has affected him too, you know. Him walking on her just hit him hard. I told him he had to call you right away. He waited til the next day, but I made him call. You needed to know what was going on. I hope you understand." 

"Yeah, I understand perfectly. I'll explain more later tonight when I come over. I had my partner Tony Mancini over there and he help tremendously too. Don, Tony and I are like brother from different mothers, but were tight like brothers. I'm not sure I could have done this without their strength. See you tonight Marie, the courier is here for the signed papers." 

"See you tonight, promise?" 

"Yes Mom, I promise." I said grinning. Marie could always make me laugh when she started that mother hen routine. 

Well there is not much more to tell about this part of my life. I survived the heartbreak and betrayal, Sean lived with his grandparents for the next year. When I came back I had a new girlfriend, Lillian. She decided that flyboys were maybe alright. Her enlistment is up in another couple of months. She has to go back to Fort Hood and then she is headed back here to be with me and Sean. Oh yeah, Sean loves her. He took to her right away. Sometimes when he was cranky or tired, he would say, "I miss Mommy, but she was bad and had to go away. He's four now and smart as a whip. Misty had gotten him into a pre-K program and he can read and write both print and script. He even can count to a hundred. Misty says he'll be smarter that his Dad pretty soon. I wouldn't doubt it; his dad was pretty dumb there for a while. 

Everyone, Sam, Misty, my parents, Don and Marie, Tony, Colonel Lane, even Lillian, especially Lillian have been there for me when I needed them and they all in many ways have helped me get over my cheating wife. I am a whole sane person again all due to their help. I shouldn't forget Walter too. He made things so easy and simple for me with all the paperwork, the hearing with the judge, and all. 

Vickie was at the hearing with a lawyer too. She found a job and is living in Orlando. She's close to her parents, but things have been rough for her. Her mom read her the riot act when she showed up at their house three days after I got home. I still don't think things are very cordial at their home with her, but it is getting better. Vickie is also getting therapy as a condition of the divorce. She doesn't even have a boyfriend according to her mother. Her Mom says that she finally realized what she did and what affect it had on her life, so she has sworn off men for a while. 

As for me, I am slowly getting over the pain and sorrow, but Lillian helps. We are engaged now and planning a wedding after she gets out. Sean helps too, just by being with me. Sometimes he crawls into my lap when I'm in my recliner and he just hugs me and says, "It will get better Daddy, I know it will." Like I said he is very smart for only being four. I'm still working for the launch group as an avionics Technician. I'm also due to sew on new stripes sometime this fall. There is a rumor that some of us avionics guys might be transferred to some place further west. I have heard Barksdale, Tinker, and Dyess. It doesn't matter where I go, my family will be with me. 

Tony went back up to McGuire and Amy still has six months left on her rotation, but she might actually be coming home sooner, rumors again you know. She plans to get out when her enlistment is up next year. They are engaged too, we popped the question to each of them the same night. 

The End