Renaissance Faire Ch. 03

He asked, "So, Debbie, are things any better? Have you told Richard to fuck off, yet, before Rob does?"

"No. I can't tell him to fuck off. He's the department head, and he can certainly stop me from getting one of those openings that Rob and I would like for me to get. I've told Rob, and I'm telling you, I'm only involved with Richard professionally, not personally. I can handle Richard."

Carl shook his head. "I know you don't want to hear this, but he's going to cost you your marriage. Everyone but you can see it. I suspect Rob, like you, is trying to thread the needle between keeping you happy, keeping you married to him, and keeping himself out of jail. I'm sorry that you see the danger that Richard poses, but do not value Rob enough to keep him away."

Sheila heard the last line while entering the kitchen, "Carl, maybe she values her career. Maybe she wants more from her life than to just be a maintenance man's wife. Maybe she sees her marriage right now as not enough. Why can't she use Richard to get herself a position at the university and some research opportunities, and then she can have her career and her maintenance man."

He spit back at his wife, "Oh, you mean have her cake and eat it too? How does that usually work out? I can see neither of you give a shit about marriage and commitment, so I'll let you do what you are going to do. Just know that you've had several chances to do the right thing, and each time you've refused. Eventually you will seal your own fate."

Both women wondered if he was speaking to one of them or both of them.

To be continued.

Next up - Chapter 4 -Flashpoint