54 comments/ 40835 views/ 13 favorites Requiem for a Fallen Wife By: c1992w Authors note: You guys who gave constructive criticism on my initial Literotica submission, thank you so much. I hope you will find this one thought provoking and follow suit. c1992w * A hired Roommate Finder Service sent a reminder text message to the Condominium owner, Will Johnson, that the 5th of 6 candidates, a Ms R. S. Caldwell, would stop by for an interview at 3:00 PM. Will had purchased this less expensive, lower floor unit in this top-dollar luxury high rise with a goal to purchase PH1 on the top floor someday. Right now the monthly outlays even for this cheaper lower floor unit was a burden. It was imperative that he find a person who was a 'fit' personality wise as a roommate to reduce his expenses. On the other hand Will was a free-lance software developer specializing in Internet security applications by profession. The project he needed to finish today along with the Power Point presentation needed to sell it, was even more crucial. He decided to keep working and take a chance that the messy apartment would not dissuade the next candidate. And, maybe the 3:00 P.M. person would, again, be a no-show like the last one. Will's work area was the living room of the condominium. One wall was a work bench above which 3 monitors displayed data feeds, and below which were computers and their support equipment. Will had sat in his rolling office chair for the past 12 hours working. His bones ached and there was a 3 day growth of beard on his face. It was now 2:00 P.M. His appointment to demo and explain the program tomorrow on an 8:00 A.M. Google+ video conference call was always in the back of his mind. He felt hunger and pissed off at some trivial mistakes he caught and exhausted, and needed sleep badly, but just had to get the presentation ready before he slept that night. He paused his computers and got up from his workstation at 3:00 P.M. After washing his scraggily face and tired eyes, he still felt like shit. He kept reminding himself that the candidate might be here at any minute. After walking into the living area, the doorbell rang. He forced himself to smile and opened the door when a feeling like a fainting spell attacked him. He was looking at his ex-wife whom he had last seen 9 years ago. She had a small boy with her. Then pain hit his body like a spinal tap when he recalled that the youngster was the result of her former boss getting her pregnant while she and Will were very much in love - at least Will thought so then. Being bed ridden from emotional pain for two days, weight loss, insomnia, and once even a thought of suicide was part of the price he paid. So the two just looked at each other, initially speechless. Will then remembered the details of the divorce - it was bitter and ruinously expensive. Will was ordered to pay child support and alimony temporarily. But both orders were rescinded shortly afterwards, however, when a DNA test confirmed that the baby was not his offspring. Shortly afterward that, the biological father, her former supervisor, married her after his own divorce was final, to avoid child support payments for two separate sets of children - at least according to mutual friends. The smiling face said, "Hello, Will Johnson. You seem to have stood up somewhat well for the past 9 years, 7 months, and 5 days since I last saw you. " Rather than answer he asked, "Is the name 'Rachael Caldwell' or the name that was on your profile sheet given me by the agency, your legal name nowadays?" "My legal name is Rachael Caldwell and I fudged the Apartment Share application so you wouldn't reject me out of hand. And this is Billy Caldwell and he is going on ten years old." Will smiled at him and knelt down in front of the youngster and shook his hand and said, "How are you today, Billy?" He smiled back and said, "Fine, Mr. Johnson. I could ride my bike to school from here. May Mom and I live with you?" Will stood up and felt dizzy for a moment, when Rachael spoke up and said, "Please show us the apartment, Will. You know its illegal to discriminate when you advertise a rental." "Of course, right this way." So they toured the 2500-foot apartment. His work space was the messiest room in the unit, with the kitchen being a close second. Then leading off the kitchen he showed her where the person selected would reside. It was a one-bedroom small apartment unit with a small open space that was designed for a domestic live in. It was spotless and had very nice furniture in it. The door leading to it was lockable from both sides, and there was a back exit that would serve as a entrance for domestic Help - or a roommate in this case. Back in the kitchen and attached dinning area, Will said, "We share the kitchen -- the tenant will have this small refrigerator for food storage," pointing to a an economy size refrigerator. They adjourned to the Den and took a seat. "Will, I am in the process of divorcing Mr. Caldwell as he, too, found a sex interest outside our home and could 'no longer stand looking at Billy and me - 'his very words." He offered me a generous divorce settlement, which I signed and am now in the waiting period. But Billy and I need a place to live like right now or within one week. Please share your unit with me on a six-month contract trial." Having dismissed the whole idea as preposterous, Will was paying scant attention to her by now as his mind returned to focus on his project. Noting that he had not spoken, she continued, "I am the managing senior loan officer now at the same bank as before. I can barely afford the payments of the rental rate you listed but I can manage it by using some of my settlement money. What do you say?" "Rachael, my initial response is an emphatic 'NO! Go Away!' But I can not think clearly. I have been at my work station 12 hours straight and must finish the program and give a video presentation in the morning at 8:00 A.M., I am dying of hunger with no time to even prepare left overs - Hell! I barely have time to respond when nature calls. I must get back to work now and ask that you let yourself out and I will meet you for lunch sometime to discuss this. Is that O.K.?" Sensing that it would never happen, she said, "Sure, Will. I am sorry this is such a bad time." The condo owner knelt down again and said to Billy, "Nice to have met you, young man." Will shook his hand again and quietly returned to his office, pulling the door lightly closed. More than anything else in the world a desperate Rachael wanted Will back in her life, and was completely confident she could make up for all the pain she had caused both of them by being so stupid when she was young. Stunned at her abrupt dismissal, she sat for a moment to formulate a plan after Will had disappeared into his work area. At this point, Billy whispered and said, "Mom, I am hungry, do you suppose Mr. Johnson would mind if we eat some of his food?" Her heart beat wildly and she made the decision to put her last chips on the table by doing something nice for Will, who by now had forgotten she existed. She browsed around in his pantry and refrigerator. After finding a snack for Billy and herself, she noticed that there was almost a complete sliced barbecue beef sandwich leftover from one of the best restaurants in the city. So she sat it aside. She sat on the couch in silence reading unintelligible computer magazines while Billy played Angry Birds on his iPod. When she heard Will moving around in his office, she sprang into action. An hour and 15 minutes later Will was satisfied that the presentation would sell his software package. The first to see it would be the 5 people who would watch it remotely in the morning. He put his bank of computers to sleep and stood up to relieve the cramps in his legs. Suddenly his office door swung open and there was Rachael with a barbecue sandwich and French fries on a plate in one hand and with a large glass of ice tea in the other hand. Again, He was dizzy because the sandwich smelled so good and he was so hungry. They both stopped, frozen in place, and looked at each other silently. Rachael said, "Billy and I found some food in your refrigerator and we helped ourselves. This sandwich is the only 'left over' from a vendor inside, so I presume this is what you were hungry for. " Shocked and holding himself erect with an effort, Will said, "I need to go to the bathroom now. I will join you at the dinning table shortly. Thanks a lot for doing this, Rachael." For the first time in years, Rachael felt life stirring inside her as fear gripped her should Will reject her out of hand. So, she and Billy sat at the table to wait. The systems analyst sat on the toilet stool and cried as the full impact of what had happened over the past two hours hit him solidly in the brain! Try as he might, the painful memories could not be suppressed. He wanted to hold this woman so badly but his fear of more pain in the future was the stronger force in his mind. He was resolved to keep his hands to himself. Will dried his eyes and massaged his face with a fluffy towel and felt much better. He walked towards the dining room and his eyes glistened again as he got to the table in time to hear Billy ask, "Why are you and Mr. Johnson both crying, Mom?" When Will sat down, the only words he could say was, "Thank you so much for this, Rachael, " as he poked a French fry into his mouth and continued, "This is very thoughtful of you." Rachael starting talking fast, "Will, if I were your tenant, I would keep your home cleaner than this and cook at least some of your meals. If, for example, you were to offer me a one-third reduction in your rental price I would shock you with just how much of the mundane things I would do. For example, you look awful, with a complexion that looks as if your whole diet is junk food, and I could help you correct that. Will, you need my help! More than that, however, I would organize your bookkeeping, accounts receivable, and other files. This would leave you more time to create, design and code. You would be at least one-third more productive." Will looked steadily into her eyes with his stone face where the only muscle movement was his eating. His silence increased Rachael's sense of terror. After finishing his sandwich and facing his two visitors, Will focused on forcing back his tears every time he tried to speak. Finally, he replied, "Rachael, thanks again for doing this! I would like to continue this discussion at the salad bar near the bank that we frequented in the old days, say 11:30 tomorrow?" She smiled and whispered, "Yes." She stood and took Billy's hand. Looking at Will with glistening eyes she whispered, "Until tomorrow." She quietly let the two of them out the front door. Will sat in his chair unable to move for a full 15 minutes. He was shaving later when he said out loud to nobody, "Rachael is right. You look like a Cadaver, boy. Shape up before you find yourself fat, diabetic, and impotent!" Later that night the analyst fell into bed and slept soundly. He awoke at 6:55 A.M and watched the clock hands inch towards 7:00, which would trip his alarm. He focused on the newly acquired image of Rachael in his mind and felt completely rested ready to log on and sell his package! Will put on his suit and drank an instant breakfast yogurt and meditated to calm himself at his workstation as the clock moved to 8:00 A.M. He was ready! The presentation lasted 30 minutes and the question and answer period another hour. The level of sophistication communicated to Will in the Q&A session said they understood what he had said in broad general terms. For the first time Will had a sense of, 'I will close this deal to sell my package.' The only dissonance he sensed was a nagging question, "What am I going to do about Rachael and her son?" The programmer exited the subway stop two blocks from the famed Salad Bar Restaurant to meet Rachael. Glancing at his cell phone he noted that he would be about 10 minutes early so he slowed down his walk to enjoy the sunshine while his feelings vacillated between elation at seeing Rachael again and flashes of anger at her when remembering her betrayal. The banker, on the other hand, had vigorously worked all morning reviewing loan applications submitted by her staff. Hiding under her work kept her from thinking about the outcome of the luncheon today. But she forced herself to think about what would happen if Will completely refused her application - and then blanked it out of her mind. She absolutely refused to consider that at first. But she had set her iPhone timer to alarm at 11:15. She would then refresh herself and walk to the Salad Bar. While she was walking later she allowed herself the luxury of thinking about the possible outcomes after her determination to win back the only man she ever loved. Her Plan B, if she failed to convince Will, was to move in temporarily with her mother in her small house and try to sort out her life from there. Will's ex-wife walked up and smiled broadly at him. Again, he had a sudden erection just like in the days right after they got married long ago. He needed to lean against the glass entranceway to brace himself for fear of falling, as he returned her smile. She held out her hand and he took it as if it were a perfectly natural thing to do. They walked into the Salad Bar together. With their lunches in front of them, Will asked, "Rachael, exactly why do you want to bunk with me?" "Let me preface my answer by stating that whatever I say to you - or anyone else in the future, for that matter - will never ever be a lie again. I am a different person now than I was when I had recently graduated summa cum laude Accountant CPA extraordinaire. I thought then that I was the most intelligent person in the world - and did so until I met you." Will, visibly relaxed, smiled, and continued to look steadily at Her. He shook his head with his eyes glistening, and said, "You were saying..." "There has not been a single day when I haven 't thought of you at least once." When she paused, Will said, "I don't understand why, Rachael. I still hate parties where the merrymakers have nothing to celebrate, my cock is still just average size, and I still can not make you orgasm 3 times in one session even if I were high on Viagra. You are beautiful, educated, competent in your career field, and can take your choice of most of the men in the 'meet' market. Why me?" "Will, to repeat, I am a different person than I was the last time you saw me. You are my choice now that I am a new person. I told so many people so many lies when I was trying to camouflage my infatuation with Caldwell. Worse, the most grievous lies were the ones I told you. I purposely caused you pain after you found out about Caldwell and me. The reality is, now that I am looking back and analyzing events, the 3 orgasms I threw at you happened the first time and only then with Caldwell, and only because it was so wrong to fuck him! The passion generator was my guilt, not his sexual prowess. In other words, the reason I did orgasm three times came from me, not him, and it never happened again. In fact, after the first time I rarely had an orgasm at all. He was pathetic in bed! It was all showmanship!" "So what did you do to fulfill the desire for sex when your hormones started gushing in your arteries? Seek out others?" "Mostly, I used a dildo while imagining that I had never committed the evil deeds that ended our marriage. I imagined that you still loved me and that it was you making love to me. On two occasions when I was married to Caldwell and out of town on bank business, there were two sex incidents. One was with a bank senior executive -- naively, my motivation was only to enhance my chances to get a major promotion -- and I did not get the promotion, by the way. The other time happened after a happy-hour group of several of our teams broke up. I was tipsy and bedded a new hire. Both only lasted the one night." "Incredibly, Rachael, I believe you. So I will share something with you. When I masturbate a picture of us in the first weeks of our marriage comes to mind - I mentally replay that first long weekend we flew to Bermuda in my mind just like a movie. And, to be honest, I, too, have thought of you almost daily. But then that is history! Since we are both telling the truth today, I have a favorite paid escort who comes when I can afford her and have her relieve my tensions. " Will continued, "What is Caldwell's attitude towards Billy and vice versa?" "He is 'just a brat that is Rachael's baggage, ' which I actually heard him tell someone on the phone once! He knows he is stuck with making onerous child support payments because dead-beat Dads are treated like scum by the state." "But Will, you are a published scholar who earned his first PhD at 21, while I am just an ordinary Accountant CPA. And, as such I could help you grow your business, not to mention help you by doing many of the domestic chores and be a stable companion. We both like the same music and food and lifestyle so there is no adjustment needed. We would fit a lot better than any other candidates you will interview." "At this point, Rachael, even though I love you so much I can feel my blood pressure dropping when I am near you, I don't see how I could ever trust you again even with my property, not to mention my sanity." Will stood up to leave, shaking. Sensing a rejection in Will's face she asked, "Please do not write me off until you have interviewed the last candidate that the agency sends. Will you promise that?" He grabbed his sling pack and said, "Yes. For sure. By the way, I was wondering where is your son when he is not in school and you're at work and if his father visits him? I instantly liked Billy, and apparently you did a good job as a mother under some trying circumstances. " She smiled through her glistening eyes and said, "Thanks for the compliment and for asking. He stays with my mother and after school the bus drops him off over there. As for his visitation, Caldwell has never entered Billy's room. I can not remember a pleasant conversation between the two of them, ever." Standing in front of the restaurant, Will offered his hand and said, "Lunch relieved my stress, thank you. " He looked into her eyes and continued, "You'll hear from me, Rachael, one way or the other." The banker almost prayed, as she walked back to her office, that fate would give her one more chance to find happiness by making this man so happy until her betrayal would become unimportant. Holding on to a strap in a crowded subway car, Will began silently talking to himself. [Remember your goal, Will! You want the Oslo prize before you are 40 and getting involved with a fickle woman would be taking a very big chance. But on the other hand this woman is now organized and focused on her career goals and raising her son - and she could really help you. Consider also that you and her fit like a glove, and you love her. Admit it. Isn't all of life simply taking a chance?] Will was still undecided what he was going to do. The first thing the systems analyst did when he walked into his work space was notice that he had gotten a fax in his absence. He hurried over, and picked it up and read it and jumped up and down: 'Hooray!' It read in part, 'This letter is a confirmation of an intent to purchase certain security software for at least 32 servers at the price quoted by Will Johnson and specified by you in your letter of March 1. Mr. Justin Crab will be our project officer and He will be contacting you. ' As if it were only normal to share this with Rachael, he finally found her direct in office phone number and called Her. She picked it up on the first ring after seeing who was calling and said, "Yes, Will?" Requiem for a Fallen Wife "I just got the big order that I was preparing to demo yesterday when you came by. Today is my day!" "I am happy for you, Will, and thanks for sharing the information with me." He said, "And, more importantly I invite you and Billy to be my roommates on a mutually independent basis for a six month trial." Rachael was obviously relieved and was silent for a moment and finally said, "The essence of what you are saying is that we stay in the domestics apartment and keep our distance from each other - i.e., we promise not to slip into each other's bed during the night and I agree to that. Thank you so much, Will." And then she broke the connection to catch another line. ----------- Nearly six months of being in the same household had gone by. Rachael had developed the habit of getting his mail, filing it in folders marked for Will to look at, and depositing his checks from several clients as payment for licensing fees. Life was going on for the most part smoothly for the three of them, and Will's productivity had shot up and his complexion improved due to better food and deeper sleeping and a return to regular exercising. Both began regularly working out on the gym equipment in the spare bedroom. One such afternoon, Rachael was bench pressing steel where the weight exceeded her maximum capacity. Will, acting as spotter, prevented a serious accident when her arm muscles gave out. She profusely thanked him for preventing her injury. Will made up his mind to a hire a trainer for the two of them." "Rachael, care to renew your lease?" "Yes, Will, I would like to very much." "O.K, lets try another six months - during the first period you have encouraged me to look and feel a hundred times better before you moved in. And, just like you predicted, I am more productive. Thanks." Later that week, It was six in the afternoon and his two roommates had just arrived from their work day, and both greeted him warmly. Will was standing at his workbench remotely troubleshooting his software in a distant installation somewhere. He was near the end of another long work day. He started rubbing his temples because of his blurring vision when suddenly Rachael eased up behind him and started rubbing his neck and shoulders. After three or four minutes of this wonderful break, he turned around and grabbed Rachel's hand, brought it to his lips and said, while looking straight at Her, "Would you like to move to my bedroom and Billy to move to the guest room? I won't molest you tonight because I can barely get it up I am so tired, but just holding you would help me so much. " "Yes. Yes. Yes. I knew we belonged together the first time I saw you tutoring Billy with his homework and he was soaking up everything you explained and you were immensely enjoying it yourself as well. Mind if I move me right now and make a temporary bed on the couch for Billy?" "Be my guest, but wait a minute. Plan for a Trainer to come in on Monday and Thursday evenings for 5 weeks. The building super will have someone move the equipment to the Domestics Quarters Monday morning. He said, "I want to be ripped and I want you to be safe! plus whatever else you want to do." Rachael said, "Thank you, thank you." Will Staggered into his bathroom and took a shower about 11:00 P.M. He smiled afterwards when he saw Rachael peacefully sleeping in his bed and then collapsed onto his side of the bed and slept very soundly. At 7:00 A.M. her phone timer beeped and Rachael silenced it instantly. She got up and went to wake up Billy. She fed him breakfast and took him to his summer camp and returned. Back at home she quietly eased into bed with Will again. Aroused from sleep but still unconscious, Will held her close in his arms. Ten minutes later Will became conscious and gazed at the face of the beautiful woman He was holding. Consumed by desire, he eased out of bed to not awaken her and refreshed himself and eased back into bed. Rachael woke up and smiled as he was holding her in his arms again, Will smiled back. The two then kissed deep and passionately, and she relaxed for her dream just might come true. Two hours later all the cover was on the floor and the two lovers had wet the sheets with their perspiration and other body fluids. Will's alarm went off as He said, "Wow! That was wonderful, and now its off to work I go." ---------- Three months after that Billy had started to school as a fourth grader in the new district. He did not like it at all and hated his classmates. His homework looked about like his 3rd grade homework and Billy was bored. Afterwards He spoke to Rachael, "Have you thought about finding a better school for Billy?" "I think about it everyday, but I can not afford it. I am afraid that public school is all I can afford." Will held her close and said, "I can afford it. If he can qualify and he would like, why not try a private school that an undergraduate chum runs to see if you and him like it? Ah, mention my name to the director and the transfer process might just speed up. "Will kissed Her and went back to work. Two weeks later, the three were at the dinner table when Billy said, "I sure like my new school. Thanks, Dad." He continued to chatter about his first days at school. At the sound of being called, 'Dad', Will had angst for just a moment and then reached over and gently touched Billy on his cheek and smiled, and then faced Rachael and smiled. Her eyes glistened again. ------------ A year later he dropped off Billy at his school when his mother was traveling and then decided to park and call on the director, his old friend Will had once tutored in college. He was ushered into a Spartan office and the two exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, and then Will asked, "How is Billy Caldwell doing in school, Sam?" The director went to a file cabinet and pulled out a folder. He looked up at Will and said, "No demerits, or detention, well behaved, gets along with others, listens in class, but slower academically than some of the other students. Say, what is Billy Caldwell to you?" "Well, I uh...." "Hey! In one impromptu class speech, it says here, Billy said that you are his father. Is that true?" "It's true Sam. I was not the sperm donor, however. But I consider him my son, and he calls me 'Dad.'" "Fantastic! What a fortunate break for both of you!" On Friday of that week Will and Billy were waiting for Rachael at baggage claim when Billy saw his Mom. After he hugged his mother, Riley held her very close and whispered, "Will you marry me?" She shook her head speechless with tears gushing down Her face, and whispered, "Yes." Later after they were exhausted from their get-acquainted-again-after-a-10-day-separation lovemaking and now resting in bed, Will rested his head in his hands looking up at the ceiling, and asked, "Any chance that Mr. Caldwell would approve my adopting Billy after we are married?" Shocked, Rachael said, "It seems that he would gladly be relieved of the need to send me money every month, and I am sure his son hasn't crossed his mind once. He just might. I will write him and ask if you wish." ---------- In June of the following year, Billy Johnson, Rachael Johnson, and Will Johnson along with four close friends walked away from a Justice of the Peace's residence backyard, where Will and Rachael were married quietly for the second time. One evening a few weeks after they were married, only Will and Rachael remained at the table after Billy retired to his room. Rachael said, "There is a command performance black tie dinner to celebrate the Regional Manager's retirement and to toast his replacement, who will be there as well. You are invited." "If your career will suffer if I don't go then I will go, otherwise I would rather not." "No, several of the people in my department are not bringing spouses or significant others." Rachael was quiet for a moment and there was obviously something on her mind. She finally spoke up and said, "Caldwell will be there and will sit at the head table. There is an open bar cocktail party an hour and a half before dinner. Sure you don't want to go?" "Quite certain, unless you tell me you feel inadequate to defend your interest in that 'Shark Tank'" "No problem. I am up to the task." Rachael came into the Computer room stunningly dressed in evening clothes that she wore like a cloud around her petite body where her ripped muscles were highlighted. Will catapulted himself up to stand in front of her smiling broadly and said, "You are gorgeous and I am glad you are mine. Have I told you that holding your very hard body next to me is about as close as I will get to heaven?" "Yes. a half dozen times, but don't stop saying it. Do you like my gown?" "I like." Billy had been on the floor doing his homework on an iPad, but he stood up and simply said, "Wow Mom." Rachael said, "You two men in my life don't need to wait up for me unless you wish to. Will, I love you so much; and you too, Billy." And she was gone. Will was startled to hear her key in the front door, when he noticed that she had only been gone an hour or so. The dinner didn't even start until 8:00. He then rushed to the front door, as Rachael came in shaking. She put her head on Wills shoulder and cried. "Feel like telling me what happened?" "I was chatting with some commercial real estate peers sipping a cocktail when Caldwell came over and loudly proclaimed, 'Hello Rachael! ' He draped his arm around my shoulder and said, 'How is married life treating you on this third time around?'" "I spun away from him and said, 'If you touch me again, Caldwell, you will not walk out of this meeting hall. You are warned.'" "In a few moments the new RM, a woman, appeared and extended her hand to me and asked, 'What is your name, again?' At this point Caldwell again draped his arm over my shoulder and said to the RM, 'Ms Harris, may I present...'" " I spun around and hit him very hard in the gut - much like I hit that punching bag in our gym when I'm working off job frustrations. A quart of bar drinks and finger foods came up and blood poured out his nose and he collapsed. His wife rushed over and dabbed his head with towels and finally two men in his department helped Caldwell to his car. The new RM made sure a path was cleared for them, and I heard her say to him, 'Be in my office at 9:00 A.M. sharp on Monday, Mr. Caldwell '" "She then turned to me and asked, 'Would you like to sit at the head table for dinner, in Caldwell's place after you refresh yourself?'" "I asked her, 'Would it be awkward if I just went home? '" "She replied, 'Of course, not.' She shook my hand and said, 'Drive safely. I look forward to getting to know you in the near future. Good night, Ms Johnson.'" Will held her close and said, "I am proud of the way you handle sharks! Hey Lover, I am hungry care to join me for a PBJ sandwich?" The End. epilogue: Caldwell was unceremoniously fired on violation of the Personnel Handbook rules on 'unwanted touching and other advances to a member of the opposite sex.' Rachael was promoted into his position. Over the years both struggled to keep their magic alive, and were largely successful.