The Sands of Time

For the readers:

This is work of fiction. I apologise in advance if some legal points are not accurate.

There is no sex in this story.

I do not hate women, so it is not a revenge, or BTB story. If you want that, read something else and drop the comments about what a real red-neck man would do.

This story is probably more romantic than my past stories. I tried to explore what two ordinary people would do in a cheating situation. There are very few evil people in the world, just essentially good people who make bad decisions.

The ending is left a little open, as I like the reader to be infer what the future holds for the two MCs.

Hope you like it.

*

The soft, powdery sand of Noosa main beach was again disturbed by two pairs of naked feet shuffling lightly over its surface before the eventual footfalls. This shuffling movement caused the iconic squeaking sound that beaches like these were famous for. The sounds of the sand, the surf and general hubbub of tourist activity, the soft sand between the toes and the smell of sea air helped to centre the couple to the special place that this was. The firm, confident holding of hands, centred the couple to each other.

This was a special place.

Jim couldn't help but reflect on the special times that connected him to this place over time. He missed the wooden beach-side bench seat where he first met Elaine. He was twenty-one then. She was twenty. They were both wet from a recent swim and surf, and had rested there to dry off and let the Australian sun do its thing. The salty coating on their bodies slowly dried as the easy conversation and relaxed atmosphere worked its magic. They soon started dating. This old bench was now gone, to make way for the wooden board walk which traversed the main beach.

He noted the small, secluded area where he had proposed, nervously, to Elaine. The oft-used phrase, "Will you marry me?", as he pretended to produce a ring from an open seashell, produced the word he hoped for. "Yes," she said through tear soaked eyes. He hugged her as his eyes also filled with tears.

There, near the large stand of pandanus trees, where the grass flattened out, they had been married under a larger-than life sunset. And yet again, in another secluded spot was where they had probably conceived their first born, James Jr.

They had visited here often later, to watch their three children frolic amongst the waves and spend hours using their boogie boards in the shoreside surf.

Their children celebrated their university graduations at the surf club situated at one end of the beach.

This was indeed a special place linked irrevocably with Jim and Elaine's lives. It seemed that at every turning point of their life together, this place was part of it.

As they continued their time-practised saunter along this beach, Elaine said, "Jim. We're getting old."

"Enough of the old stuff Lainey. Our bodies are aging, sure, but walking here with you makes me feel like the first time we did this little walk. Do you remember?"

Elaine remembered. She was twenty and he was twenty-one. They had spent the whole day swimming and surfing and were generally tired from the physical exertion. He suggested the walk after they had secured their boards to the top of old VW combi van. He was as nervous as she was when he suddenly grasped her hand as they started their walk. Elaine's heart skipped a beat and continued to flutter throughout the entire walk. She thought Jim was very forward for doing this, but was glad he did. For his part, Jim also worried about his heart's erratic behaviour. He had never before been so forward with a girl, but he knew he had to take this chance. He had fallen in love with Elaine and decided to risk everything to see if she felt the same way. When she didn't chastise him, or pull her hand away, he knew he had done the right thing.

Both Jim and Elaine were virgins. Although they had fooled around with some groping and surreptitious 'feels', they had not done the deed with anyone. This was just the way they were. They took things slowly. They had both decided that waiting would make their wedding night very special. It was special all right. They fumbled and bumbled until they finally got it right. They got it more right as their honeymoon continued. By the time they landed home, they felt that they knew what they were doing.

"Does it bother you Lainey?" asked Jim.

"Yes and no Jim. I mean we are really getting older. I feel it more every day. I know I still look OK for my age, but I feel that my years are slipping away."

"I don't know what to say Elaine. I know what you are saying, but aging doesn't bother me. I know that the fact that it doesn't bother me isn't helping with how you feel about it. We have had and are having a great life. Each new stage brings on its own challenges, but also its own joys. We are retired now. I retired early especially so that we could spend some quality time together before the inevitable physical rot sets in. We can use our time however we wish. There are no job pressures, no kid problems, no grandchildren yet. Our health is excellent for people our age. There are no stresses to worry about. We can enjoy this time to our heart's content. Just feel this sand between our toes and remember and also make new memories for later."

Elaine remained in a pensive mood for the rest of the walk. The only exceptions were when we passed a group of semi-naked beach goers lying around next to the board walk. Their bronze-tanned bodies and tight skinned muscles were a sight to see. Jim couldn't help but admire the blatant display of beauty. "Youth is so wasted on the young," he thought. When they were that age, Jim and Elaine would never have dreamt of so openly and publicly displaying so much flesh. He glanced at Elaine and noticed that she too was struck by the display. Was that a brief intake of breath he noticed? She tried hard not to stare, but to a trained observer, it was obvious she was staring intently while glancing sideways.

At the end of the walk, they always sat on the furthest bench from the general hubbub of tourist foot traffic and ate an ice cream. Jim did the honours as usual and walked to the café. When he returned, he noticed that Elaine was talking to a man that neither of them had seen around here before, but they hadn't visited for a while so that was highly likely. From afar, he noticed that this man was of Mediterranean heritage somewhere. His smooth tanned skin was proof of that. His long dark hair was also of that dark, almost shiny variety found in that part of the world. His pouty lips opened to reveal a set of perfect white teeth. His dark eyes took in everything around him as he spoke with Elaine. He was naked except for a few items. Around his neck was a thick, almost gaudy golden chain necklace. There was a matching bracelet. His long hair was kept in place by a surf brand headband. He wasn't wearing the popular boardies for swimmers, but had opted for the swimmers that the Aussies called 'budgie smugglers', or DTs. He wore these no doubt to proudly show off his seemingly impressive penile package. This man oozed sexuality, wealth and arrogance. Jim hated him from the start. Jim had no right to hate him because of what this man was wearing or where he came from. That was unfair. What bothered Jim was that he seemed to have Elaine enthralled. Her eyes never left his face as he held her in some sort of conversation.

"You never know who you can meet on beach-front benches these days," Jim commented as he handed Elaine her ice-cream. "Hi, I'm Jim," offered Jim as he held out his free hand. Elaine accepted the ice-cream and was almost apologetic for not noticing Jim straight away.

"Oh hey, hi. I'm Giorgio. I live a few streets back and spend a lot of time here, on this bench actually. Imagine my surprise when I found it occupied by a beautiful lady. Well, great to meet you two, Jim and Elaine. However, I must leave you to your ice-creams while I continue to walk. Hope to see you around." Giorgio looked directly at Elaine and then shot Jim a sideways' glance. He could see the predator shine in his dark eyes. "Was he daring me? Was he challenging me? Was I being paranoid?" Jim thought.

"Sure. Good to meet you Giorgio."

Jim and Elaine continued to devour their ice-creams at a leisurely pace. There was a tension in the air and they both knew it. It was going to be a matter of who would break first and broach the subject of Giorgio. Jim knew it would have to be him. It always was.

"Seems like an interesting bloke," Jim started.

Elaine hesitated slightly before continuing. She knew Jim had reservations about Giorgio. "Yes. He is. He was telling me that he moved here about two years ago and hasn't left since. He is originally from Malta. A place called St Paul's Bay. Apparently, it is a real tourist hot spot. A bit like here, but with thousands more people. He loves to party and has regular BBQs at his unit three streets back."

"Ah ha," mumbled Jim.

"He even invited us over anytime we want to. I told him that you also love to have BBQs and could probably compare burners or something."

"That would be great Lainey. There is only one problem."

"Oh? What's that Jim?" Elaine looked questioningly at Jim.

"I could be being very judgemental. I mean I only said a few words to him, and him to me, but I think he is a sleazebag. What also bothers me Elaine, is that you were ogling him and hanging on his every word." Jim looked directly at Elaine in as serious a manner as possible. They had lived their married life being totally honest with each other and both of them were not shy to say what was exactly on their minds. It was a trait which others thought confrontational, until they got to know Jim and Elaine. It wasn't a confrontation, an argument. It was a challenge to justify each other's thinking. They considered themselves equals in every sense, so this manner of speaking was normal for them.

"Jim, you are probably right. I didn't think it was so blatant, but for you to comment on it so strongly and notice it so quickly, it was obviously so. I do admit that I found him attractive at a base level. His body was just so inviting. Jim, I think it has something to do with my feelings of impending end. An end to our passions. An end to our physical vitality as humans. I know we are healthy and still enjoy a great love life." At this, she smiled impishly at Jim. A smile that he knew so well. It portrayed more than just satisfaction. It had a hint of promise. "But,"

"But what?" thought Jim. He knew better than to interrupt. He had learned to just let Elaine fully express her feelings and wait for her to let him know that she was finished her narrative. Women had their way, which was usually longer and more drawn out. They needed no interruption. Men were sparser with their words and tended to get to the point in a much quicker time. No judgement here. It was just the way.

"I just couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be immersed into that world, even for a short time. We love each other to death, until we die!" She laughed at her own wording. "We have only been there for each other. We have never experienced physical intimacy with anyone else. We married so young. Everyone says so. At least everyone I speak to says so. Nearly all of my friends are able to speak about different lovers that they have had before they finally settled on 'the one'. I sometimes feel inadequate when I have to admit to them that It was only ever you and me." Elaine paused to gauge Jim's reaction. The whole monologue was rushed.

"I don't know what to say again Lainey. I am hearing what you are saying, and honestly, I have also had those thoughts occasionally. What gets me through them is my absolute conviction that we have the best relationship because we are never comparing what we have to something else. There are so many sayings that deal with this. 'The grass is always greener', etc, or ' out of the frying pan into the'. You know what I mean. What would happen if we did indulge in that exploration, for it merely to permanently damage what we have?"

"I know all the logic of that Jim. I have struggled with exactly the same thoughts and concluded as you have, that the repercussions of a decision like that could destroy what we have. Don't get me wrong Jim. What we have is beautiful and I wouldn't want to change that. But increasingly, I wonder what it would be like. I know that I am on the edge of being able to explore that side of me now. Shortly, my body won't allow me to be like that. I will be on the downhill slide as far as attractiveness goes. Women feel this loss of physical attraction far greater than you men do, I think. We have spent our whole lives striving to look attractive for others. The most flattering clothes, the most popular hairdo, the most effective makeup, waxing, shaving! We are judged by the outcome of our endeavours to make ourselves attractive. I know you always comment on how appealing I am to you, and I appreciate that, as you know. But just for once," Elaine paused for a long time. Jim knew it was his cue.

"Just for once, you want to feel attractive for someone else?" Jim said quietly.

"Yes Jim," Elaine whispered. "But I am so afraid. Afraid of what it would do to me. Afraid of what it would do to us. I am completely torn by this cursed feeling. I know that if I did something without your blessing, it would tear you apart. Your hurt would be something I would have to live with until I die. I would rather live with your love until I die. But, but, that damned idea is still there. I can't seem to shake it. Usually, I can logically explain away silly ideas, but logic just isn't doing it for me at the moment. Even discussing this with you, I can see the pain behind your eyes. But the idea won't go away! For so many years it has always been just us. And happily, 'us'. But There is a growing part of me which yearns for just me. The logic of it shouts selfishness, but."

Jim had never seen Elaine so torn, so doubtful, so lacking in confidence. Elaine was correct. He felt an immense pain in his heart that she would be contemplating stepping out on him. If what she said was accurate, that would be the end result. She wanted to have sex with someone else before she was no longer attractive enough to attract someone else, apart from him. Jim was also torn. He had always thought that marriage was final. A continual work, never finished, but final. It was a level of commitment made much easier and satisfying because of the level of love that each spouse had for each other. If there was no, or little love, the commitment became a burden, easily shaken off. He lived almost every day, knowing that Elaine's and his love for each other was strong and could stand the tests that the world threw at it. Even now, with the painful revelations from Elaine, he knew that she loved him. This was a struggle that Elaine found extremely difficult to overcome. It was eating at her insides. Her emotions were in turmoil.

Besides, did he, Jim, have the right to shackle Elaine? What was the old saying? 'If you love someone, set them free', etc. Did he, Jim, own Elaine? Should he forbid her to give in to her wants, or needs as she obviously thinks? Was he, her master? Did he have authority over her, as a parent has over a child? Jim knew to his core that he could never utter the words that his heart so wanted to say, "I forbid you!" He could try to persuade her not to go down this road. He could try to win over her feelings by being more attentive, more loving. It was all he could do without becoming someone he always despised. He was not authoritative. He was not Elaine's master. She was not his child. She was his equal in every way and her wishes demanded respect as did his. Jim was torn, pained and worried.

"Elaine, you know all of the arguments for and against such a move as much as I do. I would never command you to do as I wish, or say. That was never the measure of our relationship. I know there are red-necks out there who treat their wives as chattel, objects to be ordered around, but that has never been us. I am not being a whimp by allowing you the freedom to do as you wish. I love you and always will, and always have. The best I can hope for is that your love for me is stronger than this desire to step out."

These last words shocked Elaine. "Jim, I don't think it would mean me having sex with someone else! I just want to be immersed into a different life for a while with others." She almost pleaded with her eyes fixed firmly on Jim.

"You and I both know that sex with someone else is the end result of all of this Elaine."

Elaine was silent for a while. "I love you, Jim. Will you allow me this? For my sake? It is not about sex. It is about the freedom to explore."

"Lainey, I love you too. I am not your boss. It is not for me to allow, or not allow you to do anything. All I can do is try to illuminate the road that you wish to follow and show you where it will lead. I will never be happy with your decision if you decide to do this. The only dreg of happiness that I could possibly squeeze from this mess would be that the person I love with all of my heart is doing something that she deems extremely important. Something that she feels she needs to be happy. Something I can't offer her."

"Oh Jim," Elaine sobbed. "What have I started? I need time to process all of this."

It had gotten dark by this, so they made their way back to the hotel room. An in-room dinner and a bottle of fine chardonnay later, left them feeling quite content physically, but both unsettled emotionally. Their love-making that night helped them to sleep, but throughout this act of intimacy, the elephant in the room watched on relentlessly. They slept, but fitfully.

Breakfast and a brisk walk to the national park helped to clear their heads the next morning. Jim knew that Elaine was still in turmoil about the whole situation. He knew she had to battle with her own demons while he fretted on the sidelines, offering her comfort and close support wherever he could.

This limbo of uncertainty remained for the next two days until the catalyst arrived to force a decision. One of Elaine's friends arrived unexpectedly. Michelle was one of those who often chastised Elaine for being so straight. Michelle was always bragging about how many men, and women, she had slept with before marrying. Jim had a sneaking suspicion that Michelle still 'explored' when given the opportunity. Elaine listened to her tales with an outward appearance of polite disgust, but inwardly, the seeds of wonder were sprouting vigorously. Michelle's arrival, coupled with her desire to take Elaine out on 'The Hastings', which was Noosa's main shopping street, left Jim alone to his devices. There was no doubt that Elaine was discussing her current dilemma with Michelle during these talks and walks. Given Michelle's view of the world and relationships in particular, he was waiting for a bomb to drop on him from a great height.

And it did.

"Hi Jim, baby. Did you miss us today? We had a most fascinating day while you were here cooped up in this motel. Elaine and I saw the most amazing sights and even bought some not-so-expensive dresses. Wait until you see her in them!" She disappeared into the bedroom with Elaine in tow. Elaine had the good grace to wave demurely as she disappeared.

The Elaine who re-appeared shortly after took Jim's breath away. The dress she wore showed off all of the most beautiful aspects of her body. Her breasts stood out proudly, just showing enough cleavage to hint at boob paradise. Her long legs were partially visible behind a long dress with a slit down each side. When Elaine walked, those legs became more visible almost all the way to her waist. The back of the dress plunged almost to her backside, leaving most of her back bare. It was obvious that she was not wearing a bra of any sort.