The Epiphanous Spouses Pt. 01

He was serious and dark today. He had uncovered that ominous personality of his that his natural likeability had been able to mask in our many meetings over the years. I thought about Stephen's first wife and about Roger Morgan and my knees felt weak. Surely he would not kill him even though I knew that was never on the table. Stephen assured me of that even if he assured nothing else. Morgan might live but he would learn.

"Listen David, from here on out, how you play this is up to you but first, you had nothing to do with today. Neither did I so you can relax a bit. The town cruiser can pull up and talk to us till dark about anything they wish. Perhaps our local constable needs a line on the game tonight?"

There was his infectious laugh again.

"Second, David, and this is very important. As we already know, Marylyn will have you served this evening around 7PM. You are to take the papers, say nothing to her and set them on the table. No matter what, don't engage her conversation. I don't care how much your heart hurts. Don't engage her. As soon as the process server leaves, a delivery man will ring and have a package for her that she must sign for. It will be addressed to her and stamped "open immediately". At that point, I want you to leave without picking up the separation papers. Leave them for her to make her decision going forward. There is a note in the package with instructions to her."

I nodded my head not knowing what to say.

"Lastly, I know this will be hard."

He started to smile again.

"You are to spend the evening with Sarah Stanhope. I took the liberty of calling her after you left and made the arrangements. Her father left for a stay in the mountains and she will be at her father's home but you know all those details already. I'm certain she has plans for you."

His laughter buried the dark persona that masked him when I had arrived.

"Jesus H. you called Sarah? You are a ballsy bastard, you know that?"

"Of course, David, but you have to make her happy you know".

His damn laugh again.

"What's in the letter, John?"

"Her life."

He was serious again.

"She has choices to make.. whether she is Marylyn Stone, the woman we all know and love or if she is just another whore or victim in search of something to replace what doesn't exist anymore. She will know where to go depending on what choice she makes. This is when you will know whether you have a wife or not. I suspect the choice will not be a difficult one for her. Remember what you talked about with Stephen, that you will always love her. If she chooses the first option, you will have to decide if that is what you really want now given all that has happened and will in the next few hours. No matter what, they will be your choices and hers and you can be god damn certain Roger Morgan will have no say in it whatsoever."

John gritted the last part through his teeth and then immediately smiled at me.

"It's 5 O'clock, John. Go home and have a quick dinner with your wife. Take a few moments and observe the human condition of the guilty. It will be an education and then do as I have said. I need to go."

He turned from me and then paused and said.

"Sometimes you just have to trust in the kindness of strangers. David, it's already done so no turning back"

Marylyn was home when I arrived as I knew she would be. I didn't say much when I entered. I inquired of dinner and it was nearly ready. Excusing myself to wash up, I gathered some personal toiletries and a change of clothes to be ready when that hour came. Sitting down to dine was awkward. I knew what she was doing. She didn't know that I knew what she was doing. We were both awkward. As John suggested, I observed her human condition. She would avert my eye, fidget with her hands. At one point her hands were shaking as she lifted her fork to her mouth. How she could do this was beyond my comprehension.

I almost rushed over to her to take her in my arms and tell her we were leaving, that whatever was arriving from her at 7PM could sit there with whatever arrived after. I remembered John's words. Don't engage her. Our conversations were muted. Our touches during cleanup were limited. I watched as a single tear escaped and she quickly brushed it away. We each steeled ourselves, she in ignorance, I in terrible knowledge.

With everything finished, she retired to the den and I retreated to my office but not before I snuck my bag into the truck. Sitting there I could hear the minutes ticking away and it was soon 10 after 7. Marylyn never said another word the whole time.

At 7:20, the doorbell rang and Marylyn let out a cry from the den. I rose and answered the door. There was a rather short, stocky deputy standing there with an envelope and a clipboard. Contrary to most accounts, in this community, the person being served with papers for any legal proceeding usually signs an acknowledgement form. Having the server being from the Sheriff's office usually addresses any objections.

"Good evening, sir. Are you Mr. David William Stone?

"Yes sir, I am".

"Good. I have a service order in your name and if you would, please sign here on this form."

I took the clipboard, signed my name next to the printed one and he handed me the papers. Closing the door, I walked back to the dining room and laid the papers on the table next to the seat Marylyn usually occupied.

"Marylyn, come here'"

She walked in with tears on her face, her countenance broken. She couldn't talk. The words would not form so I suppose John's admonition would not be necessary. The doorbell rang again and my heart jumped.

"Marylyn, you can get this one. I think I've had enough."

My eyes focused on the Petition For Dissolution of Marriage on the papers below. I looked at her in the eyes and nodded toward the door. She answered it and returned with a package. I nodded toward the seat and she took it.

"I am leaving now, Marylyn."

"Wait, David, Please, wait. We need to talk."

I ignored her and walked out the door. She rose and followed me out. I turned toward her with tears in my own eyes and held up my hand.

"Not another fucking step."

She stood there watching me drive down the street before returning to the house to tend to her own delivery as well as contemplate my leaving her petition sitting at her seat. I wanted to know more. I wanted to return and shake the life out of her or shake it back in. I drove around for an hour or more before I relented and turned toward the stately home I knew so well.

She greeted me at the door, her full bosom staring me right in the eye. The dress was black this time, cut just above the knee. Her earrings were small diamonds, the necklace a match. Everything about this woman was sensual yet in all the years I've worked around her and her father, I never actually lusted for her. I suppose a happy marriage was the cause. For now, happiness was replaced by an acute awareness of a world turned upside down.

"Well, imagine seeing you here again so soon, David. Please, come in. You know the way."

I watched her walk in front of me. Her ass was beautiful and full and I could not for the life of me understand why in hell I was thinking of that after all that was happening.

"David, you know your friend John is a charming man. Is he anything like you? I could use two of you."

Her laughter was intoxicating but I kept seeing Marylyn's tears.

"Sarah, you know, she had me served this evening."

"I expected as much. I think we talked about it earlier."

I hadn't forgotten but it seemed like days instead of just hours ago. She was wearing a Jasmine scent and returned with two glasses of white wine. Leading me back out to the veranda, she guided me onto a gliding loveseat, seating herself beside me. It was quiet and peaceful. The grounds here were always that way. It was such a contrast to her condo in the city where her lothario called home. I wondered about her love interests. Did she take lovers frequently or has she remained elusive and distant from men? The seductress in her led me to believe experience was her master but the influence of her father might indicate otherwise.

"David, what is it like to be in love?"

I glanced over at her in wonderment. How could a beautiful woman like this not know love? I then thought of Mr. Morgan and could understand.

"I mean, I have never really loved a man like you have loved a woman, your wife. Can we talk about these things, now, this evening with all that is going on?"

I nodded and she continued.

"Of course I thought I loved Roger when I was young but I loved his cock really and his forcefulness. I didn't know any better. I lived in lust at first. After a while the dross took over and lust meant so much less. There was a young boy when I was in school. He was a bit younger but I had the most insane crush on him and he never knew it. Looking back on it, I should have acted. I should have been brazen. I should have been like so many other girls and pursued him with an earnest desire to catch him. He'd be sitting here today, my husband. Instead I am sitting here with another woman's husband or maybe not. We shall see. That's why I asked what it's like to be in love? Can you still love her the same way when it is over and whatever the result is or can you love her in a different way and have any love for somebody else? It is all such a mess.

I don't have the same problem as you do, David, but you know that. I refuse to divorce the bastard and make him a rich man. I haven't desired another man in the way he desires the flesh of another woman. If I told you I have not been with a man but a half dozen times in ten years, would you believe me?"

She looked at me closely and I nodded.

"I suppose I would believe that, Sarah, if you say it is true. But my question would still be why don't you dump the prick, get on with your life and find that lifelong love if not just to be happy?"

She laughed and flashed her white teeth.

"Oh, David, I am happy just sitting here with you this evening. The bastard can remain my husband in name only. I can relish in his financial ruin. I can keep him on a leash with no recourse but to leave on his own. He might just do that were circumstances strong enough. I can enjoy the company of another man if I choose. Just look at the two of us. I find this to be marvelous company."

She had a point but I guess I still didn't find comfort knowing that somebody would choose to stay married to an asshole rather than let him walk away with probably close to $300 million. On the other hand I'd hate to see him with that either. My thoughts turned back to Marylyn and the papers and that package delivered to the house before I left. There is an instruction sheet inside it, John had told me. Perhaps it was a montage of all her adulteries. Her sister would kill her and I think her mother would be mortified. I turned my attention back to Sarah.

"I am curious about one thing, well, among many things really, but how does Mr. Stanhope figure in all this? It was real convenient of him to make himself absent this evening. He has always struck me as one who enjoyed a great drama."

"Daddy decided it best if you and I were here alone this evening but more to your point, I think he knows more than you or I about these matters. It was his people that identified your investigators. I think he was trying to keep tabs on Roger for business purposes but when he came upon your wife's involvement, he brought me into the fold. I'm not sure why but he has always looked upon you with great fondness. Now if you ask him what he thinks of your wife right now, well, none of it would be fit to print."

"He never let on at all even though I've known since the first month."

"That is because he knew you were aware of it. Daddy's people knew the investigators when they showed up on day one. He asked me to be quiet until events unfolded."

I interrupted her.

"Speaking of events, the financial community should be the buzz. Did the announcement go out? I haven't had the sense of mind to pay any attention."

"Stanhope-Bishop released a public statement at 7PM this evening. As far as I know, everything worked as expected. Most people should become aware of the transactions in tomorrow's paper, including Morgan employees. So our fucking nemesis is officially destitute this evening. He just hasn't been told yet. Speaking of the fucking waste of flesh, you haven't mentioned why you wanted the dogs called off today. Daddy had some ideas of his own, in fact he was certain of them, but he would not share."

That was interesting. I began to wonder just how much 'Daddy' could possibly know. Harry Stanhope is a highly resourceful man but so are my friends Stephen and John. I then recalled that it was John who set up this evening for me to be here of all places.

"To tell you the truth I really don't know other than I didn't want any collateral damage to anybody, I guess including my wife if she were to see him today. I'm certain she did and on this day, this miserable day when the perfect image of how I envisioned her is finally buried, I wanted it to be clean and of her doing entirely. I haven't been involved with the events of today other than to be an observer of the financial destruction and to have a conversation with the man you spoke to earlier this afternoon, my friend John."

I didn't want to show John's hand in any of this or to share more than I needed to with Sarah. With her revelation of Mr. Stanhope's involvement, I suspected there was a whole layer of intrigue below the surface that had yet to be revealed.

"I will tell you this. As soon as I was served, a package was delivered to the house that Marylyn had to sign for and it was labeled open immediately. I left as soon as it was delivered, drove around for a while and came here. I have no idea who actually delivered it or what is in it. I can guess that it is some evidence of sort. I am sure we shall learn of it soon enough."

"Yes we will and I can hardly wait for this drama to unfold, if there is a drama to be had. I am sure Roger will shit himself when he discovers he has no job, no funds of his own and, well, this will be a surprise. I haven't told you about this, David. I sold the condo earlier this week. The brutal shit doesn't even have a home come Monday morning. Daddy warned me about that one. Since he is my husband, he will have to come here to stay. There is always a spare room for him that he has used on rare occasions. However, I think Daddy underestimated me on this one. With Roger staying here, life will become absolutely miserable for him."

"But Sarah, have you considered what having him here that much will do to you? How am I going to manage out here with your father if I have to see that bastard every damn day?"

I really had no desire to spend much time around my interloper and be reminded of the horns placed on me. I was uncertain what my response might be. Besides that, he might prefer the apartment if he were to continue with my wife assuming she made that choice. Sarah just smirked at me and made an exaggerated wink.

"Oh poor David. Do you know how much I love that name? I have always loved it. It's a strong name. Anyways, I think you will be lording over him rather than suffering any of his indignities. Let's see how the weekend progresses, shall we? Remember, I do have all those strings to play with and you promised me, especially since you have now been officially served."

We removed ourselves from the gliding couch on the veranda and refreshed our glasses before walking toward the gardens. Sarah placed her arm in mine and we strolled through her father's prized rose collections. This was truly a beautiful place situated on over 10 acres overlooking the river just a short ride from downtown. The gardens were started by Sarah's mother over 50 years ago and had been cultivated into a maze of trellises and trimmed rows of flowering variety.

I guess it is nice to be rich. I've done well for myself since getting out of the Navy and cannot complain. Working for her father has been very beneficial affording us a substantial income. While nice to have, I would have traded it all to be able to step back several months and have none of this happen. With this beautiful woman on my arm, I contemplated life without Marylyn and wondered what her decision would be. John had told me she would have to make that decision though he seemed it to be a likely one of choosing her husband. At this stage of the drama, I was wondering if that was what I truly wanted. There was so much more to discover before there could be any resolution.

"Look, David. I love the mourning doves. Did you know they mate for life? Just as true lovers do? I watch them every day and they tend to each other's cares just as we do."

I was like one of those doves whose partner had been shot out of the sky. Sarah's hand caressed my lower back and her body was pressed into mine as we stood watching them. Were one unaware of our relationship, they would have assumed we were close lovers from our proximity. The scent of her Jasmine filled my nostrils and in spite of the day's events, I felt my groin harden. I think that's a natural reaction to such close intimacy. I've never had any problem getting aroused and I think Sarah sensed it. Her hand moved down and cupped it, gently squeezing.

"David, I think you are really happy to see me right now." She grinned and scratched my belly through the shirt with those long fingers and nails. I just looked down and nodded before speaking.

"But not right now, Sarah. I'm not ready yet."

"Ha! So says you but "Biggie" says differently. I did tell you it has been a long time. I'm not waiting much longer. But, the evening is still young."

Sarah's phone then began buzzing in the lap pocket of her dress. Opening it she answered and while listening and identifying herself, she walked off just a bit and with seriousness she listened longer and nodded before looking back at me.

"Yes, I understand. Are you sure he is going to do well? I see, yes. I am out of pocket this evening and I cannot get there at this hour. I will come in the morning and see you then. Yes, I am sure you will. I am sure he can explain everything to me then. Ok then. Goodbye."

She glanced back at me while slipping the phone back into her pocket.

"Roger has been hospitalized. Apparently he has been brutally assaulted and is banged up pretty badly but is not in any real danger. The mother fucker never is!"

She spit the last out with venom.

"The nurse would not share any details with me telling me I had to be there in person as a family member before releasing his file information. I'm not going down there tonight. She said he will be there for at least a couple of days, maybe longer. I hate that fucker. I hate him more right now and I'm not going to let him ruin my evening."

She ran into my arms and held on and I could feel her weeping against my chest. It was intimate and I felt for her. There was a warmness and familiarity. Jesus H. I loved my wife. How could I love this woman too? I'm a logical man and there is logic to events and feelings. I'll revisit this I'm sure but for that moment I comforted her and in a real sense comforted myself.

It was around 10PM when we entered the house. Only three hours had passed since the woman I loved had served me with her intention to dump me like yesterday's trash. The house was quiet and the staff had left much earlier leaving us to ourselves. She led me up the stairs leading the way with that beautiful ass. At the landing, she reached around and unzipped the back letting it fall to the floor. She stood with her back to me with high cut French panties on her now exposed ass and a matching bra.

Continuing to lead me, she walked toward her bedroom and entered, then turned and reaching down, unbuckled my pants before pulling them down. I kicked off my shoes and stepped out of the trousers while unbuttoning my shirt. Her fingers found the waistband of my shorts and tugged them down allowing my now erect cock to spring free, bobbing before her face. My mind questioned my actions and the body won out.