Olivia and Victor Ellison

"Look, Carol—this place—your situation, I get it. I was only able to find you because I put a PI on it. To say I was shocked and upset and concerned; well, you can imagine. The details you can tell me about later, or never. But, I really needed to see you. I hope you don't mind," I said.

"Mind? No of course not.

"Victor, obviously this is more than humiliating for me. When the guard told me I had a visitor not on my list, you; well, I at first I told them no way. I didn't want to see you. But, then I thought, you already knew I was inside. So how much worse could it be," she said. "So, I told them to let you in."

"But, aren't you married?" she said. "I remember you and Olivia..."

"It's complicated. She and I are on the outs, sort of. She's been cheating on me forever, and now I am about to have her served, maybe, probably. So, anyway, you may ask what does any of that have to do with you?

"You remember the last time I saw you? You may recall I was sniffing your panties and we were about to get it on, but never did because she caught us?" I said.

"Yes, I remember," she said. She giggled.

"Well, I learned my lesson that day. Don't cheat, that was the lesson; and, I haven't in all of the years since that day in my youth when you and I almost did. But...

"When not long ago I caught her cheating, or thought I had, I confronted her. She threw up to me our almost indiscretion, and well, that's what made me think of you. I've been thinking of you ever since.

"You look good by the way, pretty as always," I said. She looked down.

"Thank you," she said. "You look good too, Victor."

"I hear we can share lunch with you folks here," I said.

"Yes," she said. "The food's not the best, but it's okay. Would you like to eat now?"

"Yes," I said. She guided me over to a wide archway that led into the adjacent cafeteria area which was almost as a large as the room we'd just left. We got into line and were served as a number of uniforms looked on.

Over the next hour and a half, we got reacquainted. She learned about me, and I about her and her husband, Arnold Thornton; well, as much as we could in the time allowed. The biggee? She had a son, Robby Thornton, him by her now imprisoned forever husband. As I was about to have to leave, she made the commitment to put me on her regular visitor list along with her parents, two brothers, and her lawyer, a certain Quentin Wilcox Jr.

******

In the days and weeks that followed my overhearing her on the phone, Olivia and I got along okay. She wasn't seeing anybody. Could she have somehow snuck in a liaison or two here and there? Maybe, but it would have been a challenge. Hence, I doubted it. Plus what she told that guy on the phone that day seemed to be exactly what she'd meant: she wasn't going to risk alienating me.

******

At the end of the month following my visit to see Carol in the state pen, I got a visit myself, a surprise visit, from one Calvin Grayson, my wife's pimp and sometime lover.

"Okay, Denise, I'll see the man," I said. Well, I was mega-curious. She ushered him in. The recorder was running, and I hoped to hell there was no snafu gonna foul it up.

Grayson was tall, maybe six-three, slim, sandy haired and arguably handsome. He took a seat in front of me without my saying it was okay, and smiled.

"Yes, do have a seat, Mr. Grayson," I said, putting my stamp of approval on the already accomplished fact. "What can I do for you?"

"No wasting of words or time, huh, Mr. Ellison?" he said. I ignored his remarks.

"Again, what can I do for you, Mr. Grayson? I'm a busy man," I said. He let loose a sigh.

"I came here to apologize," Mr. Ellison.

"Apologize?" I said.

"Yes, about our—my behavior—at Olivia's company party. I shouldn't have kept your wife so long. I hasten to add that what all we did was naught but innocent," he said. I had to wonder what it might be that qualified as naught but innocent in his view; well, knowing what I knew that is to say.

"All right. Anything else?" I said.

"Only that I would like to invite you and your wife to my home for a party. It's this coming Saturday evening. It's my wife's birthday and we're having a number of friends and associates come by and, well, it came to me that I might be able to make amends for my faux pas to some small degree if you'd be so kinda as to let me," he said. I looked him straight in the eye.

I was all but ready to summarily turn him down when a thought came to me. I decided that I wanted to meet Anita Grayson. And, a more perfect opportunity would be hard to imagine.

******

The backyard of the Grayson home was spacious and well shaded, a lucky circumstance given the warm day.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Ellison," said Calvin. I nodded. He tendered my wife a small smile and a nod.

"I—we—almost didn't come, but Olivia here thought it might be a good idea on some level so here we are," I said.

Yes, I had an ulterior motive, but laying the reason for our coming on my wife seemed a reasonable subterfuge.

"Well, again, thank you," he said. "Uh—if it would be good for you, I'd like to introduce you around." His offer was more or less a question.

"That would be nice," said Olivia. I shrugged my agreeableness. We toured the yard and talked with a number of folks none of whom I knew. But, at the end of the tour I'd met Mrs. Grayson, Anita Grayson: pretty, forty-something, and personable. I wondered if she suspected her husband's proclivities.

"So how are you doing Mr. Ellison, Mrs. Ellison," said Anita Grayson. She was smiling broadly and her eyes had a twinkle in them.

"We're fine, doing well," I said. "Nice party."

"Well thank you sir," she said.

"Victor and Olivia," I said, indicating my wife, who hadn't been inclined to say much so far.

"Okay, Victor and Olivia it is," she said. "You can call me Anita." I bowed theatrically to acknowledge her permission. Olivia smiled and nodded.

Just then Calvin, who had wandered off after steering us to his wife, returned and commandeered my wife. I smiled my permission.

"I have to say, I am surprised to see you here. I was pretty sure that if your wife came that you wouldn't," said Anita. I looked her askance.

"Really?" I said.

"Yes, Calvin let me know about the problem you had with him relating to her company's party," she said. "The two of them, and especially my husband, were less than irresponsible in that regard. He has told me that he would like to make it right by you." I smiled, and nodded that I understood her.

I was dying to know if she knew what her hubby was involved in. Listening to her I had to believe that she didn't.

We talked a little longer, but then she abandoned me to take care of something in the house. I wandered about just checking things out.

As the night wore on, people loosened up and some dancing was added to the mix. I danced with my wife three times and with our hostess once.

"So how was she," said Livy.

"Who?" I said.

"Anita," she said.

"She's nice, and a good dancer," I said. "Why?"

"The reason for this party was partly Anita's birthday, but not the only reason," said my wife.

"Oh?" I said.

"No. Calvin wanted to have you meet the group and kinda see if you could see your way clear to become part of it," she said.

"Group? What group is that? A group that swings?" I said, taking a flyer. My wife actually snorted her laughter.

"Ding dong, you get the prize. Yes. And your inclination in that regard would be?" she said.

"I'd have to think about it," I said. I did not want her to be cued as to my real feelings for her favorite pimp or his group; hence, the verbal subterfuge.

The party was winding down when she came up to me. "So, Victor, I hope you had a good time," said Anita.

"It was very nice," I said.

"You know, I'm a pretty good judge of character and of people's intentions, Victor. I've noticed you taking stock tonight if that's the way to phrase it.

"You know what's going on don't you?" she said. Suddenly I was trapped. I was very much aware that this woman had me down pat. Trying to lie to her could backfire big time.

"Meaning?" I said.

"That my husband runs a call girl service and that your wife is one of his girls," she said. She said it so matter-of-factly that I had to believe that she had another agenda rather than to merely inform or question me.

I stared at her but remained silent. I honestly had no idea how to handle this woman.

"Don't fret, Victor; he doesn't know that I know. That said, I think that you and I need to compare notes at some point and that rather sooner than later," she said. I felt that I had to gamble.

"Okay," I said. "When and where?"

"So you do know then?" she said. I nodded.

"Barney's B&G, lunchtime, Tuesday," she said.

"Okay," I said.

Well, at least I could tell Preston that Grayson's wife did know what was going on, but that loverboy didn't know she knew. Interesting. I'd have Preston staying on Grayson and his little operation a deal longer. Who knew, I might get real lucky, and regardless, the info would help me in any decisions I'd have to be making down the line.

******

"What do you think Amigo," said Jorge.

"About him or her," said Marcus Gonzales.

"Him? He's the one that wants in on this. I could tell she was not really into the deal," said Jorge.

"I think he's trustworthy and a total amateur. So, so long as he delivers we'll keep him on the payroll. His list of customers was impressive. I mean the lieutenant governor and the assistant to the mayor. Yes, we'll deal with Mr. Grayson so long as he delivers," said Marcus. His brother nodded.

"And if he doesn't," said Jorge.

"In that case he isn't going to like us very much," said Marcus, laughing. "Not very much at all." Jorge just smiled, but it was a sinister smile.

******

I wasn't actually stalking them, but I wanted to get a look at the boy, little Robbie. Well, and his grands too. I knew that they were likely doing a good job taking care of him, but I needed to see anyway. Why did I need to see? I had realized after I'd left Carol at the prison that I cared about her, and, by inference, little Robbie. None of my business regardless of course? But, I'd had to see for myself anyway.

Next time I was up at the prison I had it in mind to see if Carol would mind if I visited her parents and met the boy. Under other circumstances it might have been a no brainer, but with her inside and me still married, even if it turned out to be only technically; well, things were sure as hell complicated.

I saw the faded blue, thirty year old Datsun pull into the driveway of the even older rundown tract home. An elderly man get out: late seventies was my guess. He looked good for his age though maybe a little tired: Likely an athlete when he was younger. He went around to the other side of the car, and watched proudly as the little guy opened the door himself and was in the process of getting out. Grandma was nowhere in evidence. I drove off.

Okay, I'd seen him. What now. Well, nothing for the moment was the only possible answer. I could see the boy was in good hands. That was enough for me for now.

******

"Yes, I guess so," said Calvin Grayson. "Yes. It was a good idea for him to have come. I think it kind of humanized me. He still doesn't trust me, I know that, but I don't think he actually hates me anymore. Hell, girl, you tell me."

"He hasn't actually said anything about the party per se. And, you're right, he really doesn't much trust you or me either if it comes to that. But, sooner or later..." she said.

"You think he'll come around?"

"Maybe. He loves me. I don't think he'll mess us up, but we need to be more than careful just in case I'm wrong," she said. He nodded.

"Come here," he said, smiling. She smiled back at him.

"You wanna fuck me?" she said. "Wanna push your dick inside of me and make me scream? Is that what you're up to stud?"

"Can't fool you. You got me," he said.

"Strip," she said. He did as she commanded.

"Now, lay down on the bed while I undress," she said. "Just watch." He smiled his willing ness to comply with her orders.

Finally naked, she swung over his face and settled her butt onto it. His mouth was under her pussy and nose was all but smothered by her anus. She smelled like musk, female musk; he gloried in it as she ground herself more or less gently on his face.

Somehow his mouth found her clit and began to suckle it; she shuddered her appreciation of his efforts. She began a slow rocking motion that brought her to the edge and then over the top. She stiffened. Her juices, now smeared liberally on his face were testimony to the undeniable truth that she had made it.

She fell forward her face now rubbing desperately on his cock. She took hold of it and licked it and chewed on the foreskin. She guided him into her mouth and began to suck it. His turn to shudder at the maddening pleasure of her tongue swabbing his penis.

His back arched up straining to unload his store of semen. He shot his cream into her mouth and she swallowed it all. Licking him clean she began the campaign to raise the dead. It took a bit of time, but she got him hard once more.

She mounted him cowgirl and rode him wildly to his second cum in a span of fifteen minutes.

His cock was now a lifeless thing languidly resting on his pubis.

"Good 'ole Victor get you off like that?" he said.

"Of course not. Victor has never gotten me off with his dick; you know that; that's why you're here. You didn't think it was because of your outstanding good looks did you?" she said.

His laugh was infectious; she joined him.

"You really should teach that man of yours how to do you," said Calvin.

"His dick is too average to really do me up right. He can do oral, but even there he's only—again—average. It's like doing it tires him out; he just hasn't got as lick of stamina. More's the pity," she said.

"Well, just don't let him ever know what you think of him. That would not be good," said Calvin.

******

I was on the list and the guard ushered me right into the common area. It was the same one as before, but without the waiting forever to get approved.

She was in the middle of the pack this time, but she saw me almost immediately and sidled on over to me. I stood and greeted her. She took her seat.

"It is so good to see you, Victor. I really have been looking forward to seeing you again," she said.

"Good, okay," I said. We got the small talk out of the way and a period of silence ensued. I broke the spell.

"Carol, I have to say I am so glad to see you too. I know it's not the best of circumstances. I would do anything to get you outta here if I could, but at least for now I'll take what I can get," I said.

"Victor, can I ask? Why are you here really? Yes, your wife mentioned my name, I get it, but the way you are talking you plan to maybe grow old with her; so, why hang out with a con like me?"

"Truth, Carol? I'm not sure. I had feelings for you once, and well, I think I still do. The fact that you're here is a problem, but not an insoluble one. And, my wife has pretty much destroyed our marriage. I am in the process of divorcing her. I haven't had her served yet, but it's more likely to happen than not.

"My wife is a pro, a prostitute, Carol. I found out about it just recently. Could she and I overcome something like that? I won't kid you. It is remotely possible. But, as each day passes it becomes less likely. There's more, but that's the biggee as far as I'm concerned," I said.

"Wow," she said. She seemed to shiver, no, squirm.

"Victor, and if you do divorce her then what," said Carol.

"Not sure. Try and pick up the pieces of my life. Start over. I don't know." She nodded.

"Victor I will be getting out of here one of these days. Another year maybe. Good behavior and the crowded conditions here could make it happen even sooner, not sure. Anyway, that's what I was told. It may not happen, but it looks like it might," she said. I gazed into her eyes not sure what I was thinking or just how to react to her words. She still technically had two years plus to serve. If she were able to get that reduced, how would that affect my plans? Plans, in actuality that I didn't even have completely formulated yet.

"Early release? Really? My God that would be great news," I said. Now I was the one squirming. She seemed to relax at the instance of my apparent enthusiasm.

"Yes, it is. Anyway, I have my fingers crossed," she said.

"If—when—it happens can I be the one to pick you up," I said. "I mean I know your parents..." She nodded vigorously. I was feeling really good.

"Carol, I'm going to ask you a favor that you might want to consider."

"A favor?" she said. I slowly nodded, not sure how to present my thoughts. I sure as hell didn't want to seem pushy or arrogant either one; but how to avoid it..."

"Victor?" she said, interrupting my self-interrupted thought processes.

"Carol, if you'd allow, I would be very much grateful if you would let me help you with your son Robbie. And, yes, I do mean financially. I have the bucks, and I'm sure that your parents could use the help. I mean..."

"You want to help Robbie? Me? Financially?" she said.

"In a word, yes," I said. She studied me.

"I won't kid you, Victor, my parents could use the help; they're not rich, and things have been tough. But, all in all, sir you hardly know me; I mean the 'me' of this part of my life. And, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a criminal serving time as punishment for my offenses," she said.

"Carol, I do know you. You chose badly marrying Thornton; and I'm sure there's a story behind that particular choice. But, I do know you, the real you. True it's been years gone now, but I knew you then and I feel that you will be that same girl again when you do get out of this awful place," I said.

"I could hope for as much. And, yes, I married mister Thornton because he knocked me up and, well, you can guess the rest," she said. I nodded.

"Permission then?" I said.

"Okay, I will inform my parents when they visit later today. So yes. And, I want you to know I will be very grateful for your help, as will they I am sure.

So just like that I had an obligation to help an old friend with something that was of more than major importance to her: her son.

******

It was Tuesday, and I was sitting at a table near the patio fence at Barney's B&G waiting for the wife of my target. A man approached me. He was dressed in a shabby blue suit. He smiled as he approached.

"Sir, are you Victor Ellison?" he said. I looked him askance.

"Yes, Yes, I am," I said.

"Sir, you are served," he said. He handed me a manila envelope and departed without another word. Of course I knew what it was, or was pretty sure I did.

I opened the package and sure enough, she was divorcing me. I suddenly felt weird. On the one hand I felt a kind of relief. On yet another hand I felt a level of sadness. Then, my thoughts turned to my wife and her paramour, if that's what he was, and then to Carol and her situation, and then to all of the happenings of the past days and weeks. Finally, my thoughts turned to what might have been her possible motivation. Well, whatever it was, it was going to be changing my plans yet again.

I called Preston right away. Ducks in a row. I hadn't done much in that direction until now, but now I had the motivation.

"Hi, sailor," said the lilting voice behind me. I jumped.

"Anita, you surprised me," I said.

"Sorry, didn't mean to," she said. "You look pensive; something wrong?"

"Depends on how you look at it I suppose," I said.

"Huh?"

"My wife just served me with divorce papers, kinda surprised me," I said. She gave me a look. I snickered.

"I can imagine," she said. "So whaddya gonna do?"