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Menopause, a Chronicle

By: Scorpio44a



**

This story does have sex in it. It is a story about sex and more to the point, about menopause. If a reader is young enough that menopause hasn't impacted their life yet, this can be read as a cautionary tale. For readers who have known a woman who is in peri-menopause or menopause you can thank whatever Gods you believe in that the women you know haven't had it this badly.

This story is fiction, based on what happened in the family next door to us. In this story my wife was Mrs. Clarke. I am a friend of Nick's.

**

Menopause creeps up on the relationships it hits. It doesn't hit all of a sudden like an earthquake and leave devastation behind. Everything isn't perfect on Monday and on Tuesday the husband doesn't get a phone call with his wife saying, "Menopause arrived today. Here's what you can live with for the rest of your life."

No, No. It creeps up on both of you. And, in case you weren't already aware that all women are different, it amplifies some of the differences.

My wife showed signs of the arrival when she was fifty-seven. She and all my male friends told me how lucky we were that it took so long to arrive. The first symptoms were new mood swings. Note the word "new". She already had mood swings. In her forties she had mood swings. She would be in the house doing whatever and singing along with the radio. An hour later she was depressed. Shortly after her fifty-seventh birthday the song stopped in the middle of the chorus and she was pissed off for hours!

I was in the habit of calling her on my lunch hour. Sometimes she would answer the phone and I'd speak to an angel. I learned not to trust the angel. Sometimes in the middle of the call the bitch would kill the angel and bite my head off! That was my first hint that menopause had arrived.

Oh, but it was too sneaky to be consistent. After a month or two of mood swings that threatened the lives of family and friends, they stopped! Three months of "the Angel is back!" She was fun to be with, didn't bite, kick, scratch or carry weapons. I was getting happily laid, kissed and invited to play. I started thinking I was back with the woman I married. Then one day I came home from work and my recliner was gone. Foolishly, I asked what happened to it.

"That crappy thing made the whole house look like crap!" She said. She was in the kitchen holding a large knife when she said it. I went to the garage and stayed there until she called me for dinner. At dinner she showed me pictures of what she bought to replace the comfortable recliner. A man's anatomy was not built to sit in that chair. When I didn't express my happiness in just the right way and at the proper speed she had a mood swing. In her past mood swings would usually go up to a five on the emotional Richter Scale. That mood swing hit seven! At the time I thought it was a nine but later on she actually had a nine and I reevaluated the earlier event.

By the time she missed her third period in a row she was emotionally on a rollercoaster. Yes, it was wonderful to not be having periods. Yes, it was terrible because it was a sign that she was old. Yes, it meant we didn't need to worry about getting pregnant. Yes, it was terrible because it meant she could no longer get pregnant. Those conflicting thoughts and feelings caused more mood swings! I know all this because she told me all about it. Often.

I suggested she see a doctor. She said what she was experiencing was normal and taking hormone therapy causes cancer. It was not a discussion. She did not go to the doctor.

After she missed the third period in a row she convinced herself that they were over. She was depressed and touchy. In an attempt to help her get past the depression, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her. She shoved me away and said I was a pig! An insensitive pig! 

I backed away and sat in the damned uncomfortable chair. The next day, Monday, I passed by her in the hall and she shot me a look that clearly said, "If you touch me I will cut off your arm!" Then, on Friday I came home from work and she said, "I'm not good enough for you any more, Huh? It's been a week since you've even touched me."

It had been four months since I'd been invited to the "Y" so I went and enjoyed my time there immensely. Amanda is a beautiful woman and when she's "in the mood" sex is incredible! I'm pretty sure we'd tested and enjoyed over fifty different positions on a pretty regular basis and she enjoyed them all. Oral had been a favorite before we started having real sex and she loved it both ways, giving and getting. That night she gave, I gave, she even offered her back door and I accepted. Four months in the desert made both of us thirsty.

The very next day she had her period. I got a call at work telling me it was my fault! If I hadn't "forced myself on her last night" she might not be having a period. That night I learned more about menopause. Someone medical had told women they weren't actually in menopause when they had mood swings and other things. They were in peri-menopause, a term that means "the storm before the storm that just may want you to die." She also informed me that menopause only is there after a woman has missed her periods for a year.

She has never been good at waiting. When she was in college she cursed the last three weeks of every semester. Semesters were too long! When she was pregnant she began urging a premature birth in the sixth month. I've seen her stand in front of the microwave urging it to cook faster! Now some book or some doctor tells her she has to wait a year before she gets somewhere she doesn't want to go! We were both upset. I dared not tell her I was upset about something she wasn't upset about.

At least once every three months I recommended she see a doctor. At least four days after each recommendation I was punished by her for saying she "was sick or worse, crazy."

She was sixty when the year was up. Yes, the symptoms started when she was fifty-seven. Yes, it took her three years to quit having periods for a year. On the day the year was over I made reservations at a nice restaurant. I had been paying attention. I knew the year was up. We were in menopause. I almost died that night.

On our way to dinner she asked, "Why are we going out for dinner?"

"It's been exactly one year since your last period. According to that book that means you're in menopause." I smiled. She burst into tears and demanded I take her home. I did. She went to bed and cried. I was banished to the couch.

I looked at the positive aspects of menopause. She didn't. I saw four nights a month that were available for play. I saw the need for birth control as gone forever. I saw no need for carrying tampax in the glove box of my truck anymore. She cried and moped for four days and slept alone for four nights. When she decided to allow me back in our bed it was a Friday night. 

I have always been an optimist. I believed I was being invited back to OUR bed and invited into HER as well. I was wrong. She came to bed in a long flannel nightgown and invited me to snuggle and get her warm. My head and feeble brain heard her say she wanted me to warm her up. I spooned with her and wrapped my loving arms around her for thirty-seven seconds before she pushed me away, threw off the covers and the flannel and dripped sweat as she panted and complained about her damned hot flashes!

For months every time I kissed her, wrapped my arms around her, sat next to her on the couch or in the car she had a hot flash. I tried to put a positive spin on hot flashes. "Honey, you're not having hot flashes, you're having power surges!" The look I got should have melted me where I stood. I apologized.

On her sixty-first birthday I got a present. I didn't want it. I got it anyway. I invited our kids and their families to celebrate with us at a favorite restaurant. I checked before I invited them and Amanda said she would like a party. Each of the families gave her presents. I gave her a present. I remembered some years before when we had talked with our best friends, Mike and Alison, and Amanda said "when the kids are grown I'd like us to go on a romantic cruise". I bought us tickets on a cruise. She acted surprised in the restaurant and I even got a kiss on the cheek in thanks.

On the way home in the truck she asked if the tickets could be sold back. She didn't want to go. I pressed.

"Did I pick the wrong cruise? Would you rather go somewhere else?"

"No. I'd like to go to Mexico, I just don't want to go with you." I was crushed! The rest of the ride home was in silence. When I stopped the truck she got out and quickly went inside our house. I sat in the truck thinking for a long time.

I put the truck in Reverse and backed out of the driveway. I had trouble deciding which way to go, north or south. When I saw another vehicle coming I decided and went north. I drove for an hour aimlessly. I drove around a while longer and found a motel. The guy rented me a room and acted surprised I was alone and that I used a credit card to pay for the room.

I watched an old movie on the TV and eventually slept. When I got up it was daylight. I showered and slowly drove home. It was almost ten in the morning when I walked through the back door. I wondered what the greeting would be like.

Before the door even closed she started, "What the hell was that all about? You didn't even come in the house! Where did you go? Hell of a way to celebrate my birthday! Thanks a lot!" There weren't even pauses between statements and questions for me to respond. So, I didn't.

I walked past her and into the bathroom. I stripped down and took a shower. When I shut off the water she came into the bathroom. "Well?" She asked.

"Well, what?"

"Well, where were you?"

"I was thinking."

"You could think right here. Why didn't you come in the house?"

"What was the last thing you said to me in the truck last night?" I asked, as I finished toweling myself dry.

"That I didn't want to go to Mexico with you."

"Well, I thought about that. When I bought the tickets I bought them for two, assuming that since we've been married for thirty-three years it would be us going on the trip. But... since you don't want to go with me, take whoever you want. When you get back you won't live here anymore."

"What?! Are you nuts?"

"No. You want a vacation without me. What am I supposed to think? Who are you planning to sleep with on the cruise?"

"No one. I know that if we go together it will be romantic and you'll get ideas about sex and I don't want sex. It's not that I don't want sex with you. It's that I don't want sex! With anyone." Lights went on in my head. Bells rang. I heard Strother Martin say, "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

"So, our sex life is over? I'm sixty two years old and my sex life is over because you decide?" She followed me into our bedroom and I dressed. I sat on our bed and put my shoes on.

She sat next to me. "I love you. It just doesn't include sex any more. We had lots of sex over the years, that should have been enough for any man."

"It wasn't. And, you knew it. You didn't even have a conversation with me about it. You just slammed the door without an explanation. I want to go to Mexico, just not with you."

"That's not what I meant!"

"It is what you said. Then you compound it by saying that our sex life is over. Wait! Does that mean just intercourse or everything?"

"Everything? No. I like it when we snuggle and sit close together. I like it when you kiss me hello and good-bye."

"What about when I touch your breasts or touch you down there?"

"I don't like it. When you do it I know you want sex."

"You plan to wear flannel to bed every night?"

"When it's cold."

"And throw it off when you have a power surge?"

"Probably."

"Ok, now I understand. So you know, I'm not planning to go anywhere for the rest of the weekend. I have things to do. I might go shopping for an hour or so, but I'll be back and sleep here in the house tonight." I paused then asked, "Is there any chance you'll change your mind?"

She shook her head and got up off the bed. I got off the bed and went out to the garage. A plan was coming together in my head. Our house had housed and helped us raise three kids to adulthood. While they were in college we kept their bedrooms as their bedrooms. The last one, Kelly, got married two years ago. I went back inside the house and went to the bedroom farthest from the master bedroom. It was also the closest bedroom to the kitchen and laundry room. I looked at the furniture. The queen-sized bed was in good shape. Two nice dressers and a big closet. I took down the pictures and the things Shelly had left on the bulletin board. I boxed them and marked the box Shelly.

I went to the kitchen and got a diet Coke. Amanda, my wife, was there making a list. She asked, "Anything you want from the market?"

"Which market are you going to?"

"Albertsons."

"Nope. We still have four twelve packs of diet Coke in the garage. Other than food for dinners, I'm fine."

"I'll take care of dinners." She made a semi-exasperated noise and went out the back door. I watched her back her car out and head for the market. While she was gone I packed boxes full of all the things Shelly had left at home and stashed them against a wall of the garage. The dressers were empty and so was the closet. I called Shelly and thanked her for coming to the birthday party. She had been called during the night by Amanda asking if she knew where I had gone. She asked why I left Momma at home alone last night. I told her that her mother had dropped a bomb into our relationship on the way home last night and I had spent the night thinking about it. Then I asked her to come over and get all her things that we had been storing for her. I told her I had boxed them and they were in the garage with her name on the boxes.

She asked if the others had to come get their things as well or if it was just her. I thanked her for giving me the idea and I told her I'd call the others and have them come get their things too. Then I ended the call. I drove to a store and got more boxes and tape. Before Amanda got home from the market I had made real progress getting all three rooms cleaned out of kids stuff. I called both other kids and asked that they come and get their things from the garage. The youngest daughter, Kelly, said she didn't have room for it. I said, "Not a problem. Right now it's your stuff. It's in my garage. Next weekend I'm cleaning out the garage. Any boxes with your stuff that are still in the garage will go in the trash. It will be obvious that you left it here for six years while you went to college and got married. You don't want it or need it." She wanted to argue. I repeated what I said and then hung up. I called my son. He said, "Dad what's going on?"

"Spring cleaning in July. I'm cleaning. We've had three unused bedrooms in this house for years. We've stored all your stuff. Enough. You want it, come get it. Next weekend it becomes trash, if it's still here."

"Ok. If I drive over now can I borrow your truck to haul my stuff over here?"

"You come over and load the truck. I'll drive and when we get it unloaded I'll buy you the beverage of your choice."

"I'll be over in under an hour."

Amanda got home before Scott arrived. I helped her carry bags into the house. I helped put things away and while we were doing that her cell phone rang. I kept moving. Amanda sat on a patio chair and talked until long after the groceries were put away. As she came in the house Scott walked in the front door. She stopped and said, "Scott! What brings you by?"

"Dad asked me to come get some stuff from the garage." He looked at me and said, "You're right. We left that stuff here way too long." I smiled and headed for the back door. Amanda asked, "What stuff are you talking about?"

Scott answered, "All the stuff that we left in our old bedrooms." He said it as we walked past Amanda and out the back door.

She said, "All your stuff is in your room."

"No, it isn't. I packed it all in boxes and put them in the garage." I said.

"Why?"

"There have been three storage rooms in this house for years. There may be uses for those rooms but they certainly aren't children's rooms anymore. No children live here."

Tears filled her eyes and she rushed back into the house.

Scott had loaded a number of the boxes while I had spoken to Amanda. I grabbed a box and loaded it in the truck. Back in the garage he asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm not quite sure, yet. I'm going to trust you with what I think. I think your mother doesn't want to be married to me anymore. I'm going to give you a quote from our ride home from her birthday party. She asked if we could sell the cruise tickets back. I asked, ""Did I pick the wrong cruise? Would you rather go somewhere else?" She said, 

"No. I'd like to go to Mexico, I just don't want to go with you." 

I picked up another box. Scott dropped his. He picked it back up and asked, "What else did she say?"

"Nothing. She dropped the bomb and when we got home she got out of the truck and went inside. I had to think so I backed out and went away for the night.

The last box went into the truck. I got in and started it up. Scott walked to his car and I followed him home. He was talking the whole way. I assumed he was on his cell. I wondered if he was talking to his wife or mine.

It was his. She met us in their driveway. Beth helped us unload the truck and invited me inside for a sandwich and a beverage. When she was ready she started the conversation with a question, "Is there any way you could have misinterpreted what she said?"

"Yes. In fact I did, but this morning when she clarified what she meant it was as bad, if not worse. Just leave it that she doesn't want to be married to me. She wants me to be someone else or she wants someone else, but not me. It was not a discussion. It never has been a discussion. I asked her if there was a chance she would change her mind and she said, "No."

Scott asked, "Are you leaving her?"

"My parents bought that house. I brought it into our marriage. If someone is leaving it's Amanda. Leaving or not, some changes are necessary. Cleaning out the old bedrooms is one of those changes." I thanked them for their shoulders and told them I loved them, then I drove home.

Shelly and her husband were in the garage when I got home. Shelly was crying. I walked into the garage and asked, "Shelly, why are you crying?"

"I feel like you're throwing me out!" Her husband, Matt, shot me a quick look that said he didn't understand either.

I said, "You left of your own free will years ago. When was the last time you lived in that room?"

"That's not the point! It was my room and now it's not. Nothing is left in there that's mine except the furniture."

"Thanks for reminding me. If you want any of the furniture get it soon. I'll be painting soon and it's easier to paint an empty room."

Shelly said, "Painting! Why would you paint my room?"

"How about because it's pink? How about because we don't have a little girl living in there anymore? You like pink walls? There's still a full gallon of the pink paint under the workbench. I'll give it to you. You moved out. No little girls live here any more."

Matt put up his hands and said, "We don't need a pink room."

Shelly burst into new tears and said, "I want the paint! When we have a girl I want her to have a pink room like mine!"

Matt took the gallon. They got everything in their two cars and left. I didn't see Amanda once while they were there.

As I opened the back door I saw Amanda walk into the hallway carrying the portable phone. I followed. When she saw me she said, "Gotta go" and hung up. 

I said, "If I ask please would you help me? Please."


Menopause, a Chronicle



"Help you what?" The voice was angry and upset. She was headed into our bedroom so I only saw her from behind.

"Put clean sheets on the bed that was Shelly's."

"Why? Is someone going to sleep there?" The same tone, but she did stop walking away from me.

"Yes. I think clean sheets would be a good idea. The Cinderella sheets on that bed have been there for years. Since no little girls live here anymore I think we should throw Cinderella away."

"Someday there will be granddaughters."

"And they will want Little Mermaid sheets. New sheets, not twenty year old sheets."

"Which sheet s would you like on the bed?"

"Doesn't matter to me. It's your bed."

"What?" She turned to face me and her hands went to her hips.

I said, "I want you to understand something. I have enjoyed sleeping with you for thirty-three years. If you think I'm willing to sleep next to a woman who won't have sex with me, doesn't want sex with me, won't even consider having sex with me then you've totally lost your mind!" I had not intended to get emotional as I spoke, but at the end I raised my voice a little.

She stood in the hallway with her mouth open for a long time. I got tired of waiting and walked into our bedroom. I pulled two drawers from her chest of drawers and carried them to her new bedroom. I put them on top of the dresser already in the room. When I went back for more she was still in the hallway.

I got three more drawers and as I passed her I asked, "Will you at least pick out the sheets?"

She went into action. She got sheets and made the bed. She took her pillow from what was our bed and left the empty pillowcase on the floor beside my bed. She huffed and sighed as she got the bed made. I had all her drawers stacked in her new room. I started carrying her hanging clothes in and hanging them in her new closet. She started putting clothes in the drawers. I brought hanging clothes and took empty drawers back with me. Not a word was spoken.

When her clothes were all in her new bedroom I asked, "How soon can you get all your personal items out of the other bathroom?"

She stopped and said, "I need that bathroom. The light is better in there."

I opened my wallet and handed her three hundred dollars, cash. I said, "Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy the light you want in your bathroom. I'll install it tomorrow morning. My question stands. How soon can you get your things out of there?"

She grabbed the money and said, "Within an hour after you get the light installed!"

"Great. Thank you. If you want to use that bathroom tonight it's ok with me but please wear a robe when you go inside and wear a robe when you come out."

She walked past me and said, "You're being a bastard."

I asked, "What kind of woman stays married thirty plus years to a bastard?"

She kept going. When she left I watched her go. I knew she would be uncomfortable in Lowe's. She had leaned on me for many years for all the things Lowe's or Home Depot sold. While she was gone I spent the time in what was now my bedroom. I reinstalled the drawers in the chest of drawers, got a pillow from the linen closet and put the pillowcase on it, to replace the one Amanda had taken.

I made a list of things to do and another list of things to buy. When I heard Amanda come home I left my list on my bedside table and went to see what she bought.

I saw Amanda carrying the new fixture. Six lights on a bar. It would give her lots of light. She also had a smaller box with a new showerhead in it.

"Can you install them both?" She asked.

"If you're making dinner, they will be up before dinner is on the table."

"I'm making dinner." She said as she walked by me on her way to the kitchen. I tried not to watch her butt walk away. I watched anyway.

With my tools and fifteen minutes both fixtures were up, tested and working fine when Amanda called out, "Dinner!" I carried the trash out to the dumpster in the alley and came back in. My hands and face got washed and I sat down for dinner. She made Angel hair with a marinara meat sauce. She made garlic bread and put a big glass of iced diet Coke in front of me. She had a glass of red wine. I never drank wine, beer, or the hard stuff.

The dinner was good. I said so. She thanked me for saying so. When we were almost finished the phone rang. Amanda looked at me and I said, "Odds are good it's for you. You want to answer it or let it go to the machine?"

It went to the machine. It beeped and Kelly's voice said, "Mom? Dad? Are either of you home? I need to talk about coming to get my stuff." I reached for the phone. As I reached I said, "I think this call is for me."

Amanda reached over and hit the button making it a speakerphone call.

I said, "Hi Kelly. What do we need to discuss?"

"Dad! John doesn't want us to get any of the stuff! He says we did without it for as long as we've known each other and we don't need any of it." I heard in her tone that she didn't agree.

I said, "Ok. No problem. On Saturday I'll toss it all."

"Daddy!" She never called me Daddy unless she was attempting to wrap me around her finger. "That's not what I want."

"Talk to your husband. When the two of you agree, give me a call. I'm not in the middle on this. If you want any of it, come get it. If you need a truck, I'll drive. On Saturday anything left is trash."

"Can't you take care of it a while longer?" Her voice was the whine I hated. It usually caused her mother to cave in, not me. I asked, "It's been here for at least six years. How much longer?"

"I don't know."

"The answer is no. It's been long enough. If you wanted this stuff you'd have taken it years ago."

"I would have, but Mom didn't want us to take it." I looked at Amanda and she knew she was caught.

"All the boxes have your name on them. Scott and Shelly already got theirs." I hit the button and the line went dead. I went back to eating.

Amanda expected a comment or a confrontation about what Kelly had said. I didn't say anything. When I was done with dinner I washed my plate, glass and flatware. I packed the leftovers in plastic containers and washed the pots and pans. When I left the kitchen I said, "Thanks for dinner."

She said, "Thanks for doing the dishes."

She did her dish and then went to check out the new light and showerhead in her bathroom. I knew they worked fine so I didn't need to ask or follow her. I sat on the couch in the family room, not on the uncomfortable chair she had replaced my recliner with. As I looked at it I got angry. She had tossed my recliner without a conversation, a discussion or any consideration of me at all. I got up and went to my bedroom and closed the door. It was all of quarter to eight in the evening.

I sat on the side of the bed for a while, thinking. I heard Amanda walk past the door three times. Then, I heard a single knock. I said, "Yes."

"Can we talk?"

"Sure. Which room would you like us to meet in?"

"Our bedroom is fine."

"There is no our bedroom. Pick again."

There was a long pause. Long enough I thought maybe she had walked away. Finally she said, "The kitchen?"

"Fine." I opened the door and walked out of my bedroom. I closed the door as I left. Amanda stepped out of my way and then followed me to the kitchen. I sat in the chair I sat in for dinner for the last twenty-some years. She sat near me. I didn't speak.

She said, "I don't understand you. Nothing has really changed. It's been months since we had sex and you didn't throw me out of our bedroom. I've been having hot flashes and sweats for years. We still slept together. I still want to sleep with you!"

I didn't say anything. I waited.

Amanda put her hand on my arm. I pulled back and she withdrew it. "Now you don't like my touch? You used to."

"You used to like my touch. At least I believed you did. How did it feel when I drew back from your touch?"

"Horrible! I want to be able to touch you. I love you."

"I'd like to go to Mexico, I just don't want to go with you. Did you even consider how that would hurt me? No. You dropped that bomb and sat there in the truck for three more miles without saying another word! Please listen to me and listen carefully. I'd really like to be touched, kissed and snuggled, I just don't want it with you." I got up, opened the fridge, got a diet coke and opened it on my way to my bedroom.

The door to my bedroom stayed closed for the night. The next day I didn't see Amanda until dinnertime. I was in the garage when she opened the back door and said, "Your dinner is on the table." It was. She had eaten already and left the kitchen. I ate, cleaned up and went into the bedroom that had been Scott's. He didn't want any of the furniture. I got the bed and most everything else out and spent the rest of the evening getting the room ready to paint. A few times I heard Amanda moving around, but I didn't see her.

That was our pattern for the rest of the week. On Saturday a dumpster was delivered and I started getting the rest of the kids furniture into it. There were three beds. One was Shelly's and now Amanda's. I had no way of knowing which was the better, more comfortable bed. I knocked on Amanda's door.

"You want something?"

"Yes. A short conversation."

The door stayed closed and she asked, "Ok, talk."

"You've been sleeping on the bed that used to be Shelly's. There are two other queen-sized beds. Maybe one of the others would be more comfortable for you. If you'd rather have one of them I can make the swap now. Two of the beds are leaving today."

The door swung open and Amanda stood in front of me looking a mess. Her hair was a rat's nest. It was one in the afternoon and she was in a flannel nightgown and barefoot.

She said, "Why are you even offering? You slapped me hard the other day and now you want to be nice to me?"

"I've never slapped you in all the years I've known you. I'll never hit you. I want your life to work for you. You don't want me as your lover, your husband. You think that will make your life better? Ok. You win. I'm coping as best I can. You want to see which bed is best for you? Great. You want to pass? Great. I just offered."

I walked outside and tossed a few more things in the dumpster. She came out and tested both other beds. She said, "The one I have is the one I'll keep. Thanks for asking." She went back inside. I called Goodwill and they came and got both beds. I went to Home Depot and bought paint for the room I was ready to paint. I bought a warm green.

The rest of the weekend was spent painting and cleaning up. On Mondays I don't need to be at work until one. So, I went shopping in the morning. I ordered a flat screen TV, a recliner and a cabinet to hold DVD's and CD's. The recliner I bought was an extra wide. The cute saleslady showed me how comfortable it was, by sitting in it with me. There was plenty of room for both of us.

During the week I bought other things for what I was calling my man cave. I didn't ask Amanda for her opinion once. For all the years of our marriage I had painted every room in the house the color she picked or she and the kids picked. The man cave was mine.

On Friday two guys arrived and installed the flat screen TV. The cable guy showed up and they got it all working perfectly. That afternoon the recliner arrived. Amanda was at work. I closed the door to the cave and went to work myself. I left Amanda a note saying I would be late, no dinner for me.

Saturday I had the chance to sit down and watch a little TV in my cave, sitting in my new chair. I discovered I needed curtains or the TV had glare from the windows. I taped a piece of cardboard over the glass and watched two games.

Amanda had established a pattern of making dinner for us, eating and then leaving mine on the table for me. Two weeks passed without a word spoken between us. I saw glimpses of her, usually either leaving for work or coming home. If it was about dinner time and I went to the kitchen I saw her and any conversation I attempted was answered with as few syllables as possible.

One month after Amanda's birthday I saw her come out of her bedroom dressed in a dress and wearing heels. She looked very nice. I said, "Very nice. I'd guess you're going out."

"Yes. Kelly and Shelly have invited me to dinner. They haven't seen me in a while." She walked passed me and towards the back door. I said, "I'm supposed to be your husband and I haven't seen you in a while either." The back door closed. I didn't know if she heard me. I called Scott.

"What do your sisters think is going on over here?" I asked a few minutes into our conversation. He said, "I don't honestly know. I know Beth went to dinner with Shelly and Kelly tonight and I gathered Mom was invited. John, Matt and I are way outside the loop on this. We don't know anything."

"This has to change. I'm not willing to live the rest of my life like this. Thanks, Scott." I hung up.

When I opened the door to my bedroom it hit me. The only thing different about the bedroom was that only one person slept in there. I backed out of there and got in my truck. Ten minutes later I walked into Bed, Bath & Beyond. I got a cart and found sheets, a comforter, new pillows, and two rugs. Then I saw towels and I bought three. Manly everything. I rolled the cart to the checkout and noticed that the checker was Alison Gray. Amanda and I had known Alison and Mike for many years. She and Mike raised there two sons while we raised our kids. Her husband died of a massive stroke while they were on vacation three years before I saw her in Bed, Bath and Beyond.

She smiled and said, "Shopping alone?" I nodded. She picked up each item and scanned them. As she bagged them she said, "These are very manly. Can I be nosey?"

"Sure. Ask away."

"These are the sheets and things a bachelor buys. Did something happen to Amanda?"

"Yes. Menopause happened. We now have different bedrooms. Since I don't get the bonus of a woman in my bed I don't see the need for pink sheets or little tiny flowers any more. This is what I like, this is what I'll have."

I paid the bill and as I picked up the two big bags Alison said, "I like forest green sheets." I almost dropped the bag. When I got home I carried the bags into my bedroom and heard Amanda arrive home. I closed the bedroom door and unpacked the bags. I started to fold the sales slip when I noticed a phone number written beside the checker's name on the slip. I wondered just what it meant. I knew what I made it mean but did it really mean what I thought it meant?

I left my bedroom and went to the kitchen. If there was going to be a confrontation I preferred the kitchen. I was in the kitchen when she came in. I said, "I hope you enjoyed dinner."

She stopped and said, "We did. Great conversation and no men."

"Does that mean that Shelly, Kelly and Beth have told their husbands there will be no more sex in their lives either?"

"No! It means it was nice being with just the ladies without worrying about what you men were thinking or doing."

"Do you have time for a small conversation with me right now?" I asked.

She started walking and said, "Not really. I'm tired and I want to go to bed."

As she left the kitchen I asked, "Then when?"

I heard her voice, "Tuesday. We can have dinner together."

"Perfect. I look forward to it." I raised my voice so she would hear me. She was walking down the hallway as I spoke.

The bags from Bed, Bath & Beyond were still sitting on the floor of my bedroom. I stripped the bed and bagged the old stuff in the BB&B bags. When the bed was made with all new sheets and things I stepped back and looked at it. It looked good. What looked weird were the other things in the room. I had a manly bed in a woman's room. 

The curtains were white, frilly, with little holes in the material. The bedside lamps were ladylike. I don't know anything about curtains. An idea struck me and I realized asking Amanda to help me re-do the bedroom would be a mistake. I needed professional help. When I reached into my pocket for my cell phone so I could call Scott's wife for suggestions my hand hit the sales slip from BB&B. I saw Alison's phone number. I looked at the clock, decided it wasn't too late to call and dialed her number.

It rang twice. She answered, "Yes?"

"I hope I'm not calling at a bad time. This is Nick."

"No, it's a good time. Got the new sheets on the bed?" I heard a grin in her voice.

"Yes, and they point to a problem I didn't know I had. The rest of the bedroom is too girly. I don't know anything about making curtains, do you?"

"Yes, I do. So does Amanda."

"For reasons I think should be obvious I am not asking for her help. I need curtains for this bedroom and a room I'm converting into my man cave. Can I hire you as my decorator and have you help me set up both rooms?"

"I'll need to come to the house and measure the windows and things. Will you handle the hardware?"

"Yes!"

"Got plans for the morning?"

"No. No plans at all tomorrow."

"You do now. I'll be there at 8:30 in the morning. Amanda needs to know I'm coming, and why." There was a pause between saying, "Amanda needs to know I'm coming" and the added "and why." "You have a tape measure and a step ladder?"

"And almost any tool we might ever need. Want coffee when you get here?"

"No. I'll bring mine, but thanks. See you in the morning." We were done and the phone went dead in my hand.

I noticed the sound of water running and realized Amanda was taking her shower in her own bathroom. I waited until she shut her shower off before I turned mine on. I showered and used a new razor. I was half-way done when I realized that shaving at night was a waste of time. I had shaved twice a day for over twenty years. Once in the morning so I looked smooth at work and once before bed so Amanda wouldn't get whisker burns. I finished shaving and thought about the impact of not having a lover in my life. I thought about the impact on Amanda's life too. She could stop shaving her legs, pits and whatever else she shaved. She could stop checking to see that Scott and I put the seat down before she sat. Hell, she could stop wearing make up unless she was going somewhere.

I set my alarm for eight and went to bed in my forest green bed. I slept good. At eight I got up, shaved, brushed my teeth and dressed for a handyman day. I went to the kitchen and Amanda was there dishing up oatmeal. Two bowls.

I thanked her and sat to eat. When I was at the sink washing my bowl I said, "I've hired help for today to help me with a couple things. We'll stay out of your way."

"Help doing what?"

"I need new curtains in the bedroom. The old ones look out of place now. Oh, and the bedside lamps look strange too. If you want them I'll bring them to your room. I'm getting new curtains for the room that used to be Scott's too. The soccer curtains from 1999 just aren't what I want."

"Who did you hire?"

"Alison Gray. I saw her in Bed, Bath and Beyond when I bought new sheets and things. She says she knows how to make curtains."

"I know how, too. I made the one's that are in there now."

"If you want them, I'll save them for you."

She got up, washed her dish and the pot and walked out of the kitchen. I heard the door to her room close. A few minutes later I heard a knock on the front door. I opened it and saw Alison looking tentative.

I opened the door wide and said, "Come on in. Good morning!" She came in carrying a cup of Starbucks and a notebook. I led her into my bedroom and she stopped just one step inside. I turned and looked at her and said, "Is there a problem?"

"Until this moment it hadn't hit me, this is the first time I've been in a man's bedroom, other than the one I shared with Mike, since I was in college a thousand years ago."

"I understand. This is the first time I've had a bedroom of my own, ever. As a kid I shared with my brother. In the Air Force my bedroom had thirty other guys in it. Then I married Amanda."




Menopause, a Chronicle



"Sometimes life sucks." Alison said, softly.

I asked, "Where do we start?"

She snapped into the present and said, "We measure." For the next half an hour we measured windows and floor space. My decorator decided I needed a couple of throw rugs so we measured the floor space. We talked and laughed as we worked. When we went into the man cave room she asked, "Is this how you want this room?"

We talked and she made some good suggestions. We were ready. We went in my truck and arrived at BB&B because Alison got a discount. She asked lots of questions and I made up answers. I made sure we got bedside lamps, a hamper and all the curtain stuff, two rugs for the bedroom and a long rug for the bathroom. At the check out she carried on a banter with the checker that included the checker asking Alison, "Is this your guy?"

There was a pause and Alison said, "Not yet."

We stopped and had lunch on the way home. As we walked out of the hole in the wall restaurant I put my hand on her back, just as I'd done to Amanda for thirty years, only this wasn't Amanda. I reminded myself that Amanda didn't want my hand anymore.

We spent the afternoon putting the two rooms together. I carried Alison's sewing machine into the dining room and she made curtains. Amanda came out of her room and walked out the back door without saying anything to either of us. As soon as she was gone I turned on the stereo and added music to our afternoon.

It was almost six when we were done and the clean up was done as well. I said, "I know in most employer employee relationships the boss pays and the employee goes home. What I'd rather do is pay you, then take you to dinner."

"What about Amanda?"

At that moment we heard her car. We waited until she came inside and I asked, "Amanda, do you have plans for dinner?"

"No. I ate while I was out." She said it with energy behind it, energy that challenged me to join in a fight. Then she added another round, "Why? Did you want me to cook for your date?"

"I didn't know people on a date spent the day working together. I'll try to remember. I didn't expect you to cook for us. I was about to ask you to go to dinner with us."

"Why would I want to go to dinner with your new woman?"

"Because she might take some of the pressure off you living with a sex fiend. Because we were friends with Alison and Mike for many years. Because she was nice enough to help me today and free you up to do whatever you wanted to do, without me."

Alison said, "I think I should go."

Amanda said, "No. Nick's right. I'm being bitchy. He's changing everything. I didn't expect his reaction to be what it was. I didn't think anything needed to change. He thinks it did. If I don't like the new way things are, I can only blame myself. You two go to dinner, enjoy the evening together and if you're still here in the morning I'll make you breakfast." She moved past us and we heard her bedroom door close.

Seconds passed without either of us moving. Then we heard the shower in her bathroom come on and we moved. Out the back door and to my truck. As I turned out of the driveway Alison said, "Am I staying?" I looked over at her. Her eyes were filling with tears, but I couldn't tell if they were happy tears or sad. I said, "I love Amanda. I love her and I won't live like she wants me to live. I had the hots for you when the four of us were going to school functions, soccer games and the zoo. I still do. I don't want to mislead you."

"She loves you. She believed you'd tolerate the end of your sex life. She believed it because it's so easy for her to give it up."

"Loving me isn't enough."

"So, let me be clear. My panties were soaked when you left the store the other day. When we used to watch Scott, Kenny and Brian playing soccer I'd sit by you and be soaked by the time I took Mike home and screwed his brains out. I envied Amanda. Things have changed for both of us. I cleaned out all the cobwebs from inside me last night after you called. If you're serious about me staying, I'm staying. I want to spend the night in your new bed. I didn't bring a nightgown. I'm willing to sleep on the wet spot but I don't promise to sleep at all."

I parked in front of a 50's diner and we had a quick dinner. At one point I turned to get the waitress' attention. When I turned back two buttons of Alison's blouse were unbuttoned. I paid the bill and we were out of there and headed home.

"What time do you go to work tomorrow?" I asked.

"I need to be there by one. You?"

"One. It's Monday. I won't get off until nine tomorrow night but that's Ok, I'll miss all the traffic both ways."

"I need a shower." She said as I parked my truck in the driveway. 

"Me too. We can share." We got out of the truck and at the back door she turned and we kissed for the first time. I thought there was a real fire danger from that kiss. I couldn't remember a kiss from Amanda that said so much about her wanting more affection, more me from me. I was pretty sure there had been kisses like that in our past, but not in the recent past. I opened the door eventually and we did walk calmly into my bedroom. I sat on the bed, as I had for years, and took off my shoes. Alison watched as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse.

I hurried and when I was down to tented boxers I helped her. My cock stuck out the opening of my boxers as her falling bra uncovered her breasts. "They're very sensitive. I love to have them squeezed and sucked."

"What a coincidence. I'd love to suck, squeeze and hold them for a long time." I knelt and took my time exploring and noting her responses to the various touches, kisses and sucks I gave her. When my hands hooked the waistband of her pale blue panties she whispered, "Do you want me hairy or shaved?"

"However you are is perfect. I pulled her panties down and she was freshly shaved, except for a patch just above her slit. Her patch was trimmed short, dark brown and barely curly. The aroma of turned on woman was evident.

I stood up and said, "Let's shower."

We took our time. Kissing with our entire fronts pressed together while the water heated up and then again when the stream was hitting us. We soaped each other and explored each other. I shaved and she shaved. When we got out we dried quickly and she brought the towel to bed with us. She whispered, "Sometimes I used to squirt."

I folded the towel and she put herself on it. My kisses resumed at her face and worked down towards her pussy. She asked, "Are you going down there?"

"I love eating dessert. May I?"

"I'm sixty years old and you'll be the first man there."

I dove in. Gently at first, barely touching her lips with the tip of my tongue. She said, "Oh my. I want more."

She got more. I used every technique I knew and she grabbed my head with her thighs and her hands. When she put my brand new pillow over her face and flooded my face I assumed she had cum for the first time. I wondered, for a second, why she was explicit about me being the first man who had visited at the "Y". I kept my face to her wetness and when she relaxed her thighs a little I licked her again. Her back arched and she lifted the pillow off her face and said, "Be inside me, please." It was a whisper.

I watched as my cock went inside another woman for the first time in thirty-four years. My brain spun inside my head knowing that Amanda had given permission for this. It wasn't cheating and Alison wanted it as much as I did. She was tight, wet and so hot I was surprised I didn't see steam rising.

As soon as I hit bottom she lifted her head and whispered in my ear, "Pound me so hard I walk funny tomorrow. Please!"

My arms hooked her legs and I slammed into her hard and fast. I felt my own bruises forming and they felt good. When I felt my juices building pressure I said, "Ready?" She held my face to hers and we kissed as my hips thrust me into her. When I felt the first load leave me I stopped moving and kissed her with tongue. She wrapped her arms around me and thrust her hips against mine. She shuddered more than once.

We continued to kiss and stay connected for quite a while. I softened and when I slid all the way out of her she asked, "Can we do that again?"

"I'm not nineteen anymore."

"I'm telling you I don't want this to be a one-time thing. I want to be your lover."

"I thought you already were." I kissed her again. I said, "Don't move." I got up and got a towel and a washcloth. I wet the washcloth and used both to clean her. She used her mouth to clean me. When we spooned with me behind her holding her breast in my hand I was asleep in seconds.

When we got up an omelet breakfast was waiting for us. Amanda was gone. She needed to be at work by ten. She worked in the hospital gift shop. We ate breakfast and talked. Alison wanted to know when I wanted her back. I asked about her work schedule. We decided that three nights a week would be wonderful. Sunday night, Wednesday night and Friday night. I didn't need to make room in my closet. Amanda left lots of room.

"Do I come here at bed time or...?" Alison asked. I thought and said, "Just a minute." My cell was on the nightstand by the bed. I called the hospital gift shop. Amanda answered.

I asked, "How are you?"

"Do you care?" She was at the edge of tears.

"Of course I care. I've cared every day for thirty-four years. Did I leave? Throw you to the curb? Serve you with divorce papers? No. Did I leave the door open last night? Did we scream and yell? No. I care."

"I don't want her in our home again."

"I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm sorry for the way you feel about a lot of things. My being sorry doesn't change things. You hung the closed forever sign on the woman I have loved for half my life. I didn't do that. I'm coping with the cards you dealt."

"It sounds like you're doing well."

"Thank you. I actually hope you're happy with the choices you've made as well. I called to find out how you're doing and I wanted to ask you about Alison staying over three nights a week."

"I hate the idea that you'll be holding her in my bed! I cried for hours last night. Now you want three nights a week?"

"No. What I want is to let you know she'll be there, in bed, on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday nights. For at least the next two weeks she'll arrive in time for bed. Then, we'll see. We'll spend most of our time either in the man cave or my bedroom. I ask that you stay out of both rooms. I'll do my own laundry and cleaning for those rooms. I see no reason to ask you to wash my clothes anymore."

I heard a sob. I said, "I need to go. I'll be home before ten tonight. I'll eat something before I come home. I love you." I didn't wait for a response. I hung up.

Back in the kitchen I said, "On Wednesday, it would be best if you arrived after nine."

"I listened. Amanda doesn't know what she's doing. You love her. You are doing everything you can to be gentle with her. The thing is, I have an agenda too. After I saw you at work I thought I should stay away from you until whatever happens happens. If you stay together there isn't a place for me in your life. If you get divorced I want to be first in line to be your woman. Then, you called. Yesterday was the best day and night of my life since Mike died. I have no idea how to be the other woman and it is who I am! I have an idea. I want you to think about it, consider it and then on Wednesday when you're inside me tell me your answer. We agreed to sleep here Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Pick another night and sleep here alone. The other three nights you sleep in my bed, in my house, with me."

"Is it me making stuff up about what I'm hearing or are you actually telling me you want me, like really?"

"If you were available for 24/7 I wouldn't care which house went up for sale. Marriage or shack up, I'm in. I never want to spend a week without you in my bed. I'd prefer you were with me every night, but let's think about six nights naked with me and one night apart. Don't answer now! Think about it and tell me Wednesday night."

We kissed and got ready for her to go home and me to go to work. When we walked out the back door Mrs. Clarke was on her back porch and saw us. I waved and said "Good Morning." She waved and had a strange look on her face. I hoped she didn't call Amanda at the hospital. At her car I kissed Alison a more chaste kiss good-bye and watched her drive away. 

As I drove I thought about Mrs. Clarke, our other neighbors, the people we knew at church, the hospital, the restaurants we frequented and our kids.

I called Scott. He answered, "You Ok, Dad?"

"I think so. How are things at your house?"

"Pretty good, I think. My wife talked with Mom this morning. Beth thinks you had something going with Alison before Mom's birthday."

"What do you think?"

"Alison's been around our lives forever. We grew up in their house almost as much as they grew up in ours. I never got the idea there was anything between you, especially after Mike died. You were super supportive. You helped fix stuff for her pretty often and you always took at least one of us with you."

"Son, do you guys have plans for Sunday afternoon? Next Sunday afternoon."

"No."

"Come for dinner. I'll bar-be-que and we'll talk. I'll invite everyone and we can get the truth spoken. I've always hated when people get part of a story and make up the rest."

"Ok. We'll come."

I called Shelly and Kelly and their machines answered. My message was an invitation: Come for bar-be-que on Sunday. Be prepared to have all your questions answered. Thanks for getting your stuff out of the garage."

I sent all three kids email invitations and I sent it to Alison. My note with the invitation to Alison said I thought she should invite her crew, too. Speak the truth with everyone and there won't be any misunderstandings. I deleted that line and retyped, "We'll speak the truth and that should, hopefully, eliminate some of the misunderstandings." My finger paused over the send button and I called Alison. We talked and she said, "Hit send. When I get home I'll send it to my kids. Thanks for checking with me."

I called Amanda at the hospital. She answered. I told her what was up and she asked, "You're going to talk with our kids about having sex with Alison?" I said I believed that attempting to hide the truth made it look like I was doing something wrong, like Alison broke up our happy home or something.

Amanda asked, "You're going to talk with our kids about having sex with Alison?" 

"Yes, and her kids are invited too. I'll bar-be-que meats and veggies. Would you be willing to make a big salad?"

"This is not a damned party!"

"No, you're right. We shouldn't eat. We shouldn't drink anything either. Maybe we should all stand in direct sunlight and be as uncomfortable as possible. Amanda, if you're not willing to make a salad it's no big deal. Maybe Kelly, Shelly or Alison would be willing. Worst comes to worst I'll make the salad. It may be more a wake than a party but even at a wake they have food."

"Have a nice time. I won't be there."

"Great. I get to tell your side of the story! That should be interesting." I hung up. I hit send.

When I got home there was a note on the table. "I'll make the salad and I'll be home for your "party."" My cell rang as I took off my shoes. It was Alison. "I have the best two kids on the planet!"

I smiled. Some good news was welcome. "Both of them are happy for us. They both loved both of you all their lives and have thought of your kids as like a brother and two sisters. They are concerned about Amanda, of course. They agreed to come and they want to know what they can bring."

Half an hour later we ended the call. I ended it by saying, "Alison, I love you." She said, "I love you, too."

I pulled off my shirt and then my pants. I emptied the pockets to the top of the dresser and heard a knock on my door. I opened the door. Amanda was standing in the hall dressed in flannel and showing tear tracks on her face.

"I don't like sleeping alone." She said.

"Rule number four."

"Rule number four?"

"Yes. Call our kids and ask them what rule number four is. They can recite it for you. Never complain to anyone who doesn't have the power to change things. Only complain when you have a proposed way to solve the problem."

"You could invite me into bed with you. That would solve the problem."

"No, it would make it worse. This problem you have with sleeping alone is your problem. If you can find a man willing to share your bed without a prayer of having sex with you, do it! The morning after he's inside you, get the hell out of this house!"

"That isn't fair! You've already had sex with Alison in this house!"

"You gave permission. You volunteered to make breakfast for us. I hadn't given a thought to the idea of asking her to stay until you said you'd make breakfast. Your communication has been clear ever since your birthday. So has mine."

I stood still looking at her in flannel and me in boxer shorts. After a full minute I asked, "Is there anything else?" She turned and went down the hall to her bedroom. The next day I stopped by BB&B and bought an electric blanket. I left it on the floor just outside her bedroom door.

She knocked on the door to my bedroom holding the box in her hands. I opened and she said, "What's the message here?"

"You didn't come to my door last night for sex. I assumed you were cold and I understand cold. I love you and want your life to work for you. I bought you an electric blanket so you can stay warm. If you have trouble getting it to work, I'd be happy to set it up for you."

"Oh. Thanks." She turned and went back to her room. 

On Wednesday I stopped at Costco and got a small fridge and two cases of diet Coke and some bottles of water. Just before I got in the checkout I called Alison. She answered and I asked, "When we're hanging out at home in the evenings, what would you like on hand as your beverage of choice?"

"We're staying in, watching a little TV, reading or playing Scrabble then going to bed?"

"Yeah, just about perfect."

"Then don't worry about it. I'd like a glass or two of wine. I'll bring a couple bottles with me tonight and a bottle opener."

"Nine tonight, Ok?"

"If I knock at nine-o-one I'm late. Shall I come to the front or the back door? 

"Back. I'll meet you. Are you bringing clothes and women's stuff for the bathroom?"

"Yes! It's kind of exciting. Oops! I've got to go. I love you."

I checked out and went home. The fridge fit nicely in the cave and I stocked it with beverages and got a bedside cabinet from the garage and used it to hold snacks. I needed another trashcan.

I smiled as I thought about making another trip to BB&B.

Amanda came home and made a meatloaf dinner for us. It was good and I said so. We did the dishes together. She asked, "Is Alison coming over tonight?" I nodded.

"What time?"

"Nine or a few minutes after."

"I'd like to watch a show at nine on channel seven."

"The TV is yours. Not just tonight but always. I have a TV in the cave. If there is something we want to watch we can watch in there and leave you to watch anything you want, without me."

"Do you have to keep adding that?"

"Adding what?"

"Without me."

"I add it so you and I remember that was the sentiment you used to end what we once had. "I want to go to Mexico, just not with you."

"I didn't mean to hurt you."

"By the way, who's going with you to Mexico? The cruise is in three weeks."

"I'm not going! I wouldn't have any fun!"

"Then can I buy the tickets from you?"

"So you and Alison can go?" I heard her voice change. That was a signal that a mood shift was happening.

"You have a problem with that?"

"It's bad enough she's spending the night. I'd rather tear up the tickets than have you take her!" She said "her" almost as a word one would spit as an insult.




Menopause, a Chronicle



"Why are you mad at her? She didn't take me away from you. We aren't cheating. Yet you don't want her to enjoy life. I don't understand you."

"I want you back! I want the curtains back up in our bedroom, the kids rooms put back together and things back like they were!"

"It can't happen. Well over half the stuff from those rooms made it to the city dump. After Alison left I burnt the curtains from both rooms. Those things and those days are gone. Blame me. I'm the bastard who got his heart ripped out. I married a woman I loved. She wanted kids so we had kids. I worked hard to be a good dad and the kids tell me I did well. I didn't want kids. I wanted you. They made you happy so I became Dad and Daddy. I aimed at the day when the last one would pack up and go. They went. Years later I discover you wouldn't let them pack up and go. You wanted a tether, a pull to get them to come back. Shelly was still calling that room "My room" nine years after she left! I waited so I could travel with my girl, my lover my best friend. I hung in there while you went through peri-menopause and entered menopause. What did I get? "I want to go to Mexico, just not with you."

She went to her room and came back with the tickets. She dropped them on the table and walked back to her room. I called the cruise line from my cave. By the time Alison arrived I only needed her passport number, her driver's license number and her date of birth to transfer the booking. I told the booking agent I would call back on Thursday.

At eight-fifty I was in the kitchen waiting for Alison. I watched the lights of her car and went out to meet her. As I stepped to her car I noticed the kitchen curtains at the Clarke's house move a little. I opened Alison's door and as she stood I embraced and kissed her. We carried wine and clothes into the house. We hung the clothes in her closet and she dumped a bag of shoes on the floor of that closet. We kissed again.

She said, "You know the neighbor lady was watching me arrive."

"She watched us kiss too. Sweetheart, I'm not ashamed of us, embarrassed by us or the least bit worried by us. Far as I know we haven't broken a single law. If Mrs. Clarke comes over and tells Amanda about you spending the night, Amanda can tell her to mind her own business."

Her arms went around my neck and we kissed again. We heard Amanda's cell ring. We both sputtered thinking it was Mrs. Clarke. Three minutes later Amanda knocked on our door. I took off my shirt and opened the door.

"Mrs. Clarke just called to tell me that she saw the two of you kissing in our driveway, and it wasn't the first time!"

"I hope you told her to stop watching to see what the neighbors are doing."

"No. I told her I knew about it and I was not going to explain our lives to her."

"Good for you!" I waited. Alison was sitting on the bed with her shoes off. One button undone on her blouse. I said, "Was there something else?"

"No. What do you want for breakfast?"

Alison said, "I can make breakfast for us."

Amanda had a sudden mood swing. With anger dripping from her like venom she said, "This is still my house! I make breakfast. I've made the breakfast here for over thirty-years. I hope oatmeal is Ok, cause that's what I'm making!" She closed our door and a few seconds later we heard her door close, louder.

Alison whispered, "I'm sorry. I was trying to be nice."

"You are nice. You also have too many clothes on."

We undressed and our clothes went into the hamper. We showered and I noticed the patch of hair above her slit was gone. I cupped her mound and she said, "A woman I work with told me that men hate getting hair caught in their teeth." I made like I was pulling a foot long hair from my teeth and said, "Yeah, I remember Monday morning."

She hit me and said, "I've never had a hair that long!"

We made it to bed before ten. We tried a couple new positions and when we were in cowgirl Alison asked, "Remember what I asked about sleeping at both houses?"

"Yes. You wanted me to think about it. I did." I held her hips and moved up when she moved down and held her down, against me while I ground myself against her.

She lifted and said, "Well?"

"I don't think it's a good idea." I flipped her over and spooned behind her sliding in and out of her while I held her breast. She was getting close.

We mated until she had cum and I pulled out. She turned and said, "Remind me not to talk to you while we're joined. You can't think!"

"I don't think sleeping at two houses is a good idea. That's what we've done for twenty years or more. I want you in bed with me!"

She hit me again and said, "I pray you aren't really that dumb!"

"I love the idea. I'll be at your house at nine tomorrow night."

"Come to me straight from work. Bring some clothes. I have razors, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and a warm pussy for your exclusive use."

"Do you have sheets with little flowers on them?"

"I do! You want them on the bed?"

"No. But if you're in the bed, I really don't care what sheets are on the bed."

I rolled her onto her back and reentered her. We mated as slowly and tenderly as I could manage. It was well after eleven when we cleaned up and snuggled towards sleep.

My mind remembered the tickets and whispered, "Can you get a week off in three weeks?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Cause I'm taking you on a seven day cruise to Mexico and it works best if you can go with me."

It was after midnight when we went to sleep. We ate with Amanda in the morning. As the three of us cleaned up Amanda said, "I appreciate how quiet you are."

I said, "Tonight when I get off work I'm going over to Alison's. I wrote Alison's number on our kitchen white board and said, "If there's an emergency call my cell or Alison's."

Amanda set her coffee down on the table and asked, "Is this going to be a regular thing?"

Alison said, "He's invited to move in, spend a night now and then, on a schedule or however he wants it. Our agreement is that we spend three nights here a week, three nights and my home and he sleeps here without me, once a week. Let me be clear, Amanda. Mike knew I loved him and he knew I loved Nick too. We never kissed until the night I stayed here. Our first kiss was on the back porch that night. I'd like to have him to myself, but I get how much he loves you and has loved you for thirty-some years. Right now, I'll settle for any piece of him I can have."

Amanda quickly left the room and as she entered the hallway we heard her sob. Alison said, "I didn't say that to hurt her, just to be clear. She could be thinking weird things. I don't want secrets."

"That's why we're having dinner together this weekend." 

During the day I called Alison's information in and changed the reservation for the cruise. They sent a packet to her full of information about the cruise. I remembered that years before Mike and I had talked about taking Amanda and Alison on a cruise, with no kids. I wondered how he'd feel about me taking Alison and not Amanda.

I looked at the paper where Alison had written her information. Amanda's birthday was in July, 1968. Alison's birthday was in October of the same year. They were almost the same age. They were the same height and very close in weight. Alison loved having her breasts sucked, squeezed and mauled. Amanda didn't want to be touched.

After I finished a project at work I went to the cafeteria and got a drink. A co-worker walked up to me and said, "I heard a rumor about you."

I said, "Tell me quick! I love rumors."

"Rumor says you and Amanda are getting a divorce."

"I wonder where the rumor got started? Don't rumors usually have some fact to start with?"

"I don't know where it started, but I was told someone saw you buying manly sheets and things like a bachelor would buy. Married guys don't buy stuff like that."

"Did the rumor say one of us moved out? Filed for divorce? Have I changed my emergency contact information in HR?"

"I don't know. Have you?"

"Pretty stupid rumor. If I buy a shovel does it mean I'm burying a body in my back yard?"

"So, you deny you're getting a divorce?"

"I haven't filed for divorce. I don't intend to file for a divorce. What Amanda plans I won't know until I'm served, if I'm served. Let's start a more interesting rumor. You are getting a divorce! Your wife saw how you watch Carolyn Barnes in accounting and she thinks your fooling around. Now, that's a juicy rumor. Your job is to tell five people before quitting time today. I'll tell five and we'll see how long it takes to become true."

He turned and walked quickly away. I wondered if he was dumb enough to spread the rumor.

As I approached my truck I saw a reason for the rumor. Hanging from the garment hook behind my seat were enough clothes for a week. A duffle bag was on the passenger seat. Connie Guzman from HR was standing beside my truck.

I smiled and unlocked the truck.

She asked, "Nick, can I check something with you?"

"I haven't filed for a divorce, changed my marital status and I don't have a plan to do so. If the clothes hanging in my truck has some detrimental effect on my job performance I'll explain them. Otherwise, I don't think what I do on my off time is any of the company's business."

"OK. You're a valued employee and I just wanted to make sure everything was Ok."

"Everything isn't Ok. Five weeks ago my life turned to crap! I'm coping and my life is improving in many ways, but not all. Yes, I'm still going on vacation in two weeks." I got in my truck and started the engine. "Is it Ok if I leave now?"

"Yes. I'm sorry if I seemed intrusive."

I closed the door, put the truck in Reverse and backed away from MS Guzman. Twenty minutes later I slid into a parking spot in front of Alison's house and she came out the front door. I started to get out and she said, "Honey, Park in the garage."

It felt strange moving my truck into her garage. That side of her two-car garage was for her husband's car. I knew she didn't have a husband. She had me. It still felt strange. 

She met me in the garage. She handed me a garage opener and two keys. She kissed me and said, "One key opens the front door and the other the back door." I looked at what she'd given me and I put the garage opener on the visor next to the one for my garage.

She carried the duffle bag and I carried the clothes. Her next door neighbor was sweeping their driveway when we walked out of the garage. He said "Hi" to Alison and she introduced us. "Nick this is Walter. Walter this is Nick. He lives here sometimes."

We went inside. As we passed through the kitchen I saw enough food for five or six people, not an intimate dinner for two. We got my clothes put away and the duffle emptied before I asked. "Who else is coming for dinner?"

"My parents. I told Brian and Kenny about us a week ago. Mom and Dad live up in San Luis Obisbo so I hadn't told them yet. Brian told them yesterday. Today I got a call from Santa Barbara, they were already half way here."

"Where are they?" I looked around.

"Daddy is a smart man. He and Mom are at a hotel, to give us privacy and so I could prepare you for what he calls The Inquisition." 

"Call him. Tell him I remember meeting him when Brian and Scott were on a soccer team that won the championship when they were in eighth grade. He came all the way to watch that game! Tell them I'm ready for The Inquisition." I remembered thinking when I met him that he could easily have a role on "The Sopranos".

She kissed me again and called. When she hung up I asked, "Ok. How much time do we have?"

"At least half an hour. Mom was doing her hair."

"Good! We have time for a quickie!" I reached for her. She squealed and ran just fast enough to get caught. I kissed her a few times, squeezed her ass and pressed her front against mine. In a few minutes we did break apart and Alison said, "We need to get dinner on the table. You can continue the attack on my person after they go back to the hotel. I promise."

We got dinner on the table. We sat on the couch and I asked, "What does Dad want to know?"

"That you aren't taking all my fortune. That you love me. He wants to know when the divorce will be final and if you intend to marry me. Nick, he's seventy. He thinks like a man of his generation. He still thinks long-haired-hippy-freak is one word. He loves me and he knows how hard the last three years have been for me."

"Take a deep breath. If he loves you he'll take one look and know I love you, too."

The front door opened and Dad and Mom walked in. Dad was in a suit, with vest. Very shined shoes. Salt and a little pepper hair. We both stood and I put my hand out. Dad said, "Now, go easy on me. This isn't a contest." I squeezed, but not hard. Mom didn't put her hand out, she opened her arms, first to Alison and then to me.

We uncovered serving plates and sat for dinner. Dad said "Grace". As the food was passed I asked, "Who gets the first question of The Inquisition?"

Dad looked at me and said, "I do. I'm not sure how I feel about my daughter dating a married man. My first instinct is to be against it."

"I can understand that. What is the question?"

"Why should I change my mind and be for the two of you having a whatever your having?"

"Look at Alison. Remember last time you saw her? Which time did she look happier? I know the answer. This time. If you want details about my marriage, I'll give them to you but... they aren't as important as this one detail: Our lives are better for both of us than either life was with us somewhere else."

Momma asked, "Are you getting a divorce?"

"This Sunday Alison, her boys and their spouses, Amanda and our three children and their spouses are having dinner together. My intention is to give everyone time and space to ask all the questions and get the answers. All at the same time. I hope it will help us have fewer misunderstandings about what happened and what's happening. I suspect that at the end of that dinner Amanda will be ready to file for divorce. I won't contest it. I honestly want her to be happy. She isn't happy married to me."

"Why aren't you filing?" Dad asked.

"When the break happened I didn't know it happened. We went to a family birthday party for Amanda. I gave her a present we had talked about over the years as something we'd do when the kids were grown and out. On the way home from the party she asked if we could sell the tickets back to the cruise line. I asked if I'd booked the wrong cruise. She said, "No. I'd like to go to Mexico, I just don't want to go with you." 

Dad said, "Jesus! No warning?"

"Looking back there was lots of warning. There were four thousand hot flashes, eighteen thousand mood swings and months of bitchy behavior. But, being a man I chalked all of it to menopause and believed it would pass and she would be the loving wonderful woman I married thirty some years ago. Her statement in the truck that night devastated me. The next morning she clarified that what she said wasn't what she meant. What she meant was that cruises are romantic and she didn't want to be near me when the atmosphere was romantic because then I would want sex. She announced our sex life was over. Completely over."

Dad asked, "What did you do?"

"I cleaned out the kids old rooms and moved her out of our room into one of their rooms. I got our kids to finally clean out their rooms and take their stuff. I stayed in the master bedroom. I fixed up her new room so it met her needs better. I even bought her an electric blanket so she wouldn't be cold sleeping alone."

"But you stayed and she stayed." Momma said. I nodded.

"I love her. I think her hormones are screwed up and her head is twisted but... "

Alison said, "Nick loves her. One of the things I've always loved about Nick is how loyal he is. Her birthday was in July. He has hung in there with her. The sex stopped long before her birthday. Menopause has been really hard on her. Last time they had sex was last year. On her birthday she destroyed any hope, any promise that she might be a sexual partner ever again. He still didn't leave."

"How did you get in the middle?" Dad asked.

"He bought new linens for his bed. Then he asked if I could make curtains for his bedroom. We spent most of a Saturday making and hanging curtains at his home. Amanda was there. At the end of the day Nick asked her if she wanted to go with us and get dinner. She said she had already eaten. She told us to have a nice evening and if I was still there for breakfast she'd make breakfast."

"No!" Momma said. We both nodded.

"So, you stayed?"

"You both know I loved Mike and I loved Nick all the time the boys were growing up. Amanda gave us permission to let that love loose. Nick isn't cheating! We're loving each other!"

It was quiet around the table for a long time. Finally Dad asked, "Is there anything for dessert?"

Alison dashed to the kitchen and came back with a berry cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

When dad was scraping the bottom of his bowl he asked, "When she files, will she get the house?"

"It was mine before I met Amanda. I can't see how she can get it. I also can't see how I can keep it. In the division of property we'll need to sell it and divide the money.

Dad nodded. Alison said, "Maybe not. This house is free and clear. We could give this house to her for her half of your house and you could keep it."

"You'd be willing to lose this house?" I asked.

"There's three things I value in this house. Memories of raising the boys and sharing it with Mike are two. Loving you is the third. I can take all three wherever you are."

I thought and said, "On Sunday, let's not say anything about a divorce. I want Amanda to have what she wants for her life to work, within the limitations that my life needs to work too and the newest limitation, that your life works too."

Dad said, "I wish we were going to be here. That sounds like that dinner will be very interesting."

I said, "I apologize for not thinking to invite you. My own parents died while I was in college. Amanda's parents died when she was pregnant with Kelly. I didn't think deep enough."

Momma said, "Be sure to call us after and tell us all about it."

We agreed. Momma stood and Dad followed her lead. I asked, "Am I to be burnt at the stake?"

Dad hugged me and laughed. "No fire, at least until Sunday. Far as I'm concerned you're a good husband for my daughter, starting now."

I got a kiss from Momma and they were gone. We cleaned up dinner in almost silence. When it was all clean Alison took my hand and led me into the bedroom.

"You did good." She said.

"I'm proud to have your Dad say I'm your husband."

"I want a ring."

"Monday morning Ok? Or Saturday?"

"I want to wear it to dinner Sunday. I don't want or need an engagement ring. Just a wide gold band on my finger."

We were in bed by nine-thirty. Alison had two orgasms from my mouth and fingers before my cell rang. I found it in may pants pocket and answered. Amanda said, "Something's wrong."

"What?"

"This is not going to work. This house is too quiet with me here all alone. I don't care if you bring her, but you have to come home, now!"

"I told you it was Ok to call if it was an emergency. You being alone is not an emergency. If you didn't want to sleep alone you could have kept sleeping with me. Now that boat has sailed. You aren't sleeping with me. You want someone? Call Shelly or Kelly? Maybe even Beth." I hung up.

"You are the most patient man I've ever known." Alison said. She welcomed me back in bed and pushed a breast into my face. I mumbled, "Thank you" as I sucked. Amanda didn't call back.

When I got home Wednesday night Amanda wasn't home. Dinner was wrapped in aluminum foil and had a note on it. "Here's your dinner. I'll be home late. "A""




Menopause, a Chronicle



I heated it up and ate. I called Alison and said Amanda was out, promised to be late, come on over. I met her car in the driveway. Mrs. Clarke peeked again. I kissed Alison and held her ass during the kiss and all the way into the house.

Amanda's phone rang four times and then stopped.

Alison loved sitting with me in the new recliner and we watched a football game. When it was over we went next door to my bedroom. I asked, "Are there things you'd like to have here?"

"Yes! If I ask for it, right now can I have it?"

"Yes! What do you want?"

"I want you to make me scream in orgasmic delight. Amanda isn't home. We've been really careful about being heard. I want to make noise!"

My hands spread her legs and my mouth went to work. My fingers joined the effort and soon Alison was shaking hard and making plenty of noise. I reached inside her pussy and found the spot. I ribbed it and her back arched hard. My mouth held onto her clit and sucked. Just when her orgasm peaked I shoved my thumb into her ass. One shove all the way in! She screamed. I worried that Mrs. Clarke would call the police. Alison screamed again and flooded both of us.

I pulled my thumb out and began licking all the fluids from her. I got up and got a dry towel from the bathroom. I heard a knock on the front door. I tossed on a robe and went to the door. Two police officers stood on the porch.

"Sir, we received two calls about screams coming from this house. We need to search the premises." 

As I opened the door I called out, "Honey, cover yourself. Mrs. Clarke called the cops." They looked in my bedroom and saw Alison in the bed. It was obvious the sheets were wet. The lead officer asked, "Are you here of your own free will and choice?"

Alison answered, "Yes, I am and the screams that were heard were me, having the best orgasms I've ever had."

The other officer checked the other rooms and called out, "Jack you need to see this!" He followed the searcher to my cave. They looked and when they came back they said I had a sweet set up. 

"The one in here is much better." I said. 

At the front door they said, "Congratulations. See if you can't keep the noise down, OK?" We shook hands and they left. When I got back to the bedroom there were fresh sheets on the bed and Alison was starting the shower. We laughed, touched and played until we were clean. 

We slept on towels. In the morning I started a load of wash. Amanda had come home after Alison and I were asleep. She came to the kitchen after I started the wash. Alison was in the shower. Amanda said, "Good Morning." She was cheerful.

"Cheerful at nine in the morning? You must have enjoyed last night."

"I did. I had dinner with Shelly, Kelly and Beth. None of us will be here Sunday night. We decided not to listen to your lies and misinterpretations. So cook your own dinner or have Alison cook for you. We won't be here."

She turned to march triumphantly from the room and bumped into Alison. She stepped back a step and said, "Out of my way!" Alison stayed in the doorway. She said, "You just stepped in it. Nick has been patient with you. I haven't. You believe I'm only here to fuck your husband and keep him from coming back to a sexless marriage. You're wrong. I'm not going to argue with you. The only question left is who files for divorce first?"

"Get out of my way, Bitch!" Amanda said and Alison moved.

After we heard the bedroom door slam Alison asked, "Had enough?"

"Yes. I'll send the emails cancelling Sunday's dinner. I'll call a lawyer."

"Please don't. Let's have dinner. As you recall Mike was a lawyer, a damned good one. I'll make one call and this will all be over. No alimony, court costs or anything. No property settlement either, other than whatever you want to give her as a gift. Ready for that?"

Amanda brushed past us hustling two suitcases. "You'll hear from my lawyer!"

As we heard Amanda's car back down the driveway I said. "Done! I've had enough. If you can end it, end it."

I followed Alison back to the bedroom and watched as she dialed a number on her cell phone. Someone answered. Alison said, "On the matter of Nick Peterson and Amanda, make it so. I'll transfer the money within the hour." She hung up.

We dressed for our normal day and I called Scott on my way to work. He answered and when I spoke he said, "The women are out to get you and take you to the cleaners! I think you're fucked."

"You know they tipped their hands. You do see that, don't you?"

"What do you mean?" Scott asked.

"They decided I'm the bad guy because I stood up to Amanda. They decided to teach me a lesson so none of you would grow balls. Two of them are my own daughters. Your wife is in on whatever they're getting ready to do. Start hiding assets or when it's your turn you'll have nothing left. Don't worry about me." I paused and added, "By the way, the dinner at my house is still on, even though Amanda told me this morning none of the women are coming. Alison and I are cooking. Brian and Kenny will be there, too."

"I'll let John and Matt know, but I don't think they'll be there."

"Thanks for the heads up."

I had no idea what Alison was up to. I had no idea what Amanda was up to beyond getting a divorce. Just in case I stopped by the bank and closed our joint accounts, reopening new accounts in my name only in another place, a credit union. I cancelled our joint cell phone account, her part of our car insurance, kept the life insurance policy I had on us but changed the beneficiary to Scott and Alison as joint. Amanda's car was registered in her name only. She bought it with money she got when her aunt died.

At a quarter to five I was called to the reception desk. A cute blond who almost fit in the blouse and tight skirt she was wearing asked if I was Nick Peterson. I said yes and she handed me a large envelope. "You've been served." She smiled and clacked her three inch heels out the door. My cell rang at that moment.

A male voice asked, "Have you been served?"

I answered, "Yes, just now. I haven't even opened the envelope."

"Open it. Tell me the name of the law firm that represents Amanda."

I read him the letterhead and the name of the lawyer who signed the papers.

He said, "Put the envelope in a drawer somewhere and don't worry. You can't be divorced." The line clicked. He was gone. I read every scrap of paper in the envelope. I told my boss I'd been served and the rumor mill was in full force. Our receptionist watched me be served. Living on the phone is what she does.

By six I was out the door headed to Alison's. When I parked she came out and got in the truck. "We're going to your house."

I backed out, closed the garage and drove. Alison said, "For the next few days we can't leave your house unattended. No telling what crazy shit she might do. I've got enough stuff at your place for a week so I took some emergency time off. I'll still have enough for the cruise. Can you call and tell your boss you were served and need a few days off?"

I hit three on my speed dial and my boss answered. "I need a few days off to handle a legal matter. As you probably know I was served divorce papers today."

"Take up to a week. I checked, you have twenty-seven days accrued."

I thanked him and hung up. I parked in the middle of the garage. If Amanda came home she couldn't park in the garage. We got out and Alison asked, "Can you reprogram the garage opener?" I did it. Her opener wouldn't work. I closed the garage. We went inside and both locked and dead bolted the doors. 

Alison made dinner and we ate. My cell rang at eight oh five. I answered. The male voice asked, "Is Alison there, please."

I handed the phone to her. She listened for a few minutes, then said, "Thanks. I'll tell him." She hung up my phone and said, "He called on your phone because I forgot to turn mine on."

"You'll tell me what?"

"According to all the civil records for this state you and Amanda were never legally married. To be married the record must be registered in the hall of records. There is no record of the two of you being married. It won't matter how many people attended the wedding or the reception. It wasn't legal. Amanda cannot divorce a man she has never been married to."

"She walked out this morning happier than I've seen her in at least three or four years. Now she has a car and the clothes she took with her."

"No, Nick. She has two daughters and a daughter. She has a son and you. You have never been legally married to her but you have been married to her. You know it. I know it. She knows it. All along she believed you would cave in and stay soft and pliable."

"When will she know she lost?"

"She knows now. Her lawyer found her having dinner at Shelly's. All your children were there."

"How did you do it?"

"I didn't do anything. I asked a friend in the legal world to look into it and he discovered the error. It can be corrected. You can hire a judge to marry the two of you and from the date of that marriage she gets to be your wife."

I took her hand and walked to the cave. I pulled a soft warm blanket from the closet and when I was in the recliner I pulled Alison into my lap covering us with the blanket. We kissed a few times and were quiet a long time.

Around midnight I heard yelling and banging. We got up and went to see what was up. Amanda was on the back porch with Shelly, Kelly and Beth. Their husbands stayed on the grass. I said, "Here's my cell phone. Call the police if they do anything threatening."

Alison nodded and stepped back to the doorway into the dining room. I opened the back door. Amanda moved to come in. I was in the way.

"I came to get more of my things." She stepped forward again and I didn't move.

I said, "Step back! I will do for you what I did for them. I will box everything that is yours and you can come back and get the boxes from the garage. If you and your lawyer don't like that arrangement, propose something else. Showing up here at midnight is not wise."

"You bastard!"

"Is that what I am? Face your children and use the word again. I believed I was married when I fathered them. I only found out after you filed for divorce that we were never married. I have no legal obligation to you at all. None. You can console yourself with the fact that you did all of this to yourself. You shut off our sex life. You said, " I'd like to go to Mexico, I just don't want to go with you." You invited Alison to spend her first night with me and even offered to make breakfast for us. Then you filed for divorce and walked out."

She was crying. Shelly looked like she had been hit by a door. Kelly was crying. I looked at Beth and said, "I told you the day after Amanda's birthday what happened. Did you think I lied? No. But when you saw the power move Amanda was in, a power move to get all the men in the family to fear all the women in the family you joined in." I raised my voice a little. "Gentlemen, be warned. Your manhood is in danger. You actually are married."

I stepped back inside and closed the door. Alison stepped close and I put my arm around her. Nice and loud I said, "You're single. I'm single. Want to get married next week?"

We kissed. While we kissed the crowd in my backyard left. The men of the family came for dinner on Sunday. Alison wore her new ring. We talked. We brought Brian and Kenny up to speed. Scott asked if I knew the name of a good lawyer.

"You thinking of divorcing Beth?" I asked.

"She threatened me this morning. She said she hoped I had a good memory. I asked why. She lifted her skirt and showed me her pussy and said, "If you want to ever touch this again, don't go to your Dad's house today."

"And you came?" Alison asked.

"If I had stayed she'd have my nuts in a jar on the mantle!"

Brian said, "I know a lawyer. I'll tell him to call you." 

I turned to John and Matt, my sons. "What did Shelly and Kelly say to you?"

Matt answered. "I drove us and Amanda home last night. Shelly asked a lot of questions and got really angry with her Mom. When I stopped the car in our garage I turned to Shelly and softly said, "You try shit like that on me I won't be a patient as Nick. He put up with her shit for years! You'll be on the street in a week and I'll give everything away before you can blink. I am a man and so is Nick." I turned to Amanda and said, "Monday morning you're no longer welcome in our home."

"What happened?" John asked.

"I got out of the car, helped Shelly out and walked us to the door. Inside I took her to our bedroom and said, "If you're sleeping with me you'll be nude when I come to bed and your legs will be open." I walked back to the door and Amanda was still in the car. I closed and locked the door."

I asked, "Then?"

"I went back screwed her until she came twice and told her if she wanted Amanda in the house she could go get her. Naked and dripping my cum. She cried but she went."

John said, "Kelly talked at me all the way home. I stayed quiet. I was thinking about what Amanda had done and what the four of them started with us. At home I said as we stood at the door to our bedroom, "Nick was a patient man. I've admired him for his even hand for years. I'm not Nick. You're going to make a choice right now. Part of being my wife is sex. Withholding is blackmail and will result in a divorce, instantly. Nick went without for over a year! I won't. Hold back on me and you'll be served at work or in church! I will not be treated like that!"

We had been eating in the dining room. The front door opened and Kelly walked in with Shelly following. They came to the doorway to the dining room and Kelly said, "We were wrong. Something's wrong with Mom." She took a few more steps and stood beside John, her hand on his shoulder. She said, "My place is beside you. May I stay?"

John stood and took her in his arms. Shelly walked to Matt and stood just inches from him. Her back was to everyone else in the room. She lifted her skirt and said, "What is mine, is yours. Any time, any where. I was wrong. Please forgive me. May I stay?"

Matt wrapped his arms around her hips and I watched a man kiss my daughter's pussy. Her hands held his head and tears fell from her face. When he released her Alison said, "I think dinner is over."

Alison sold her home to Brian. Amanda finally listened to Shelly and Kelly and got medical help. She's still in treatment. Beth, Shelly and Kelly are pregnant. Alison and I went on the cruise. It was very romantic and on the night that was formal Alison was easily the most beautiful woman there. Amanda had been right when she said that in that romantic environment I'd think about sex.

That night we left the balcony doors open when we went to bed and Alison screamed! When we left our cabin in the morning there were people clapping in the hallway! I guess Alison was loud.