Those Famous Five Words

Jamie found himself walking for two hours. He had no idea where he was. He got his bearings straight and headed home. He was hopeful that Sharon would be in bed asleep. There was something else that bothered Jamie, but he couldn't put his finger on it. At midnight, he saw his house. The outside light was on. As he got closer, he noticed the living room lights were still on. He opened the front door and saw Sharon sitting in the same position with two boxes of used Kleenex all over the coffee table.

"Jamie, I'm so sorry. I don't think I said what I wanted, properly. It was meant as discussion, not an announcement. Let's not discuss this anymore, and when you want to, we will."

Jamie just stared at Sharon. She was not backing down. "Good night Sharon." He went upstairs to their bedroom. Sharon remained in the living room for another 20 minutes before going up, to find her husband, out cold.

*****

Jamie was awake at 5:30, showered and dressed. Sharon started to wake and said, "Good morning."

Jamie just ignored her and headed out to work. Jamie had a lot of time to think. He knew what was bothering him. He believed, or wanted to believe, that there hadn't been any infidelity yet, but she said that she already met him. Where could she have met him? She didn't go out alone. She didn't have girls' nights out. Was it at work? Did she meet him over the net? What kind of a relationship did she already have? He needed advice. He thought about talking to Nathan, his attorney.

Nathan, was a corporate attorney and recommended that Jamie meet with Tanya, another attorney at their firm who specialized in family law. "Just one thing, Jamie." Nathan had said, "whatever you and Tanya cook up, please don't be hasty and rush into anything. I know Sharon and I know that she is devoted to you. If you like, you can always run it by me."

"Thanks, Nate, I appreciate it. I'll keep you posted."

There were some action items that Jamie had after meeting Tanya. He needed to find out who Sharon had met and any information about him, and he need to hire someone who could learn more about his wife's lover. Tanya had worked with an agency and she often used Philip and Roxanne (Phil and Roxy) Daniels. She liked using them, because as a couple they always strategized who would play whatever role was needed to get the information. Jamie made an appointment to meet Phil and Roxy.

In the meantime, Sharon called Steve at work. She filled him in. She asked that he please not call her anymore, business or pleasure. Have someone else call for business. "I guess I did this the wrong way. I'm not sure where my husband's head is at. We didn't speak this morning when he left," she said.

Steve tried to protest, but Sharon reminded him that she was to get Jamie's permission. That was the agreement. She would not cheat on him by going behind his back. Somehow, the relationship that Sharon had already established with Steve was not considered going behind his back. Sharon also considered sex with another man, with her husband's permission, something other than cheating. Maybe cheating in a traditional marriage, but not cheating on her husband.

Jamie arrived at the office of Phil and Roxanne Daniels at 2:30. He repeated the entire story. Roxy spoke first.

"You know; she may not have done anything yet?"

"Are you taking my wife's side? She already admitted that she knew the guy; that means that she had discussed with him the idea of them having sex, which is way too intimate for a loving wife to discuss with someone without her husband's permission."

"Yes, Jamie, I agree with you, and no, I'm not taking her side. I'm just pointing out that there are different levels on cheating, and each couple needs to work out for themselves what is and isn't acceptable. There is also a line that one crosses. It may be penetration, it may be oral sex, it may be kissing and fondling, or in your case it may even be discussing the possibility."

"Jamie, you need to tell us what you want and what you'd like from us," Phil continued. "If all you are concerned with is whether your wife had sexual conversations with a gentleman, it may just easier for her to tell that to you, and if that is enough for you to terminate your marriage, then you don't need to pay us. I would suggest that you record the conversation. Some free legal advice: if she wants to fight you on the divorce you may be required to go to counselling. If, however, you think that there may have been more than just a conversation, and your wife is only admitting to that, then you can hire us. It would be a lot cheaper for you if you give us the gentleman's name and occupation, or some information about him. Roxy will follow your wife and I will follow the man. We work together, and that allows us to be more successful than most investigators."

"What are your fees?"

Jamie was shocked at how expensive they were. Still, Tanya said that they were the best.

"Okay, let me have a chat with my wife; let's see what she admits to and what information she provides, and then I will get back to you."

"I would play it differently," Roxy said. "I know this kind of woman. Do not interrogate her. Let her know that she shocked you. Let her know that the likelihood is that you won't agree but ask her how this all came about. Get her to open up to you. And Jamie, this will be the hardest part, let her understand that you are trying to understand her needs. You are upset that she didn't speak to you first, before she went out looking for a possible partner, 'to recharge her batteries'. Try and draw as much information out of her as you can."

They told Jamie where he could buy the right kind of recorder. Jamie shook hands with both of them and asked what he owed for that day.

"Today's meeting is $250. However, if you do hire us in the future, we will credit you that amount." Jamie paid them and left.

*****

It was 4:30 when Jamie left the Daniels office, and he decided he'd go home early. Fallon was home from school. Sharon usually got in around 5:30.

"Hi, Dad. Wow, this is a nice surprise. What are you doing home early?"

"I figured I'd surprise your mother and take her out for dinner tonight."

"Oh good, does that mean, you forgave her?"

"Forgave her for what?"

"Dad, don't treat me like a child. I will be in college next year. You left Mom crying hysterically last night. She told me that she upset you and wanted to apologize."

"Fallon, we both love you very much, and whatever issues your mother and I have, are of no concern of yours. I don't know what you were told, but I don't care to discuss my personal business with you or your brothers."

Fallon was a bit taken aback by her father's tone. She figured she better drop it.

"Okay, Dad. Enjoy your dinner. I'll just make myself a tuna sandwich tonight. Mom had asked me to defrost a chicken from the freezer, but I guess that is too much for just little old me."

She ran up to her father, gave him a kiss on the cheek and then said. "I'm heading over to Judy's to do our homework. I should be back by 6:30. Will you still be here?"

"I hope not."

"Okay, see you later."

A few minutes after Fallon left, Sharon came in. Jamie was upstairs getting dressed.

"Jamie, are you home? I saw your car outside."

"Yes, I'm upstairs getting dressed. Come on up."

"I have to get dinner started, give me a few minutes."

"No, you don't. Come on up."

Sharon was very nervous as she went to their bedroom. She saw Jamie dressing.

"Where are you going?" she asked very nervously.

"We, honey, we are going out for dinner. I made reservations. We have to leave in 20 minutes; can you be ready?"

"What am I missing? Are you the same man that barked at me last night and ignored me this morning? What, did you meet a special lady today in less than 24 hours and felt what's good for the goose... I told you that wasn't part of the package."

"Sharon, we'll talk about everything. I need, no sorry, I'd like to hear about it all from the beginning. You came out of nowhere last night with your announcement. "

Dinner was lovely, Sharon started to speak, but Jamie said, "No honey, not here." After dinner they drove a park and sat down on a bench under a street light. Jamie turned on his recorder without Sharon noticing.

"Sharon, please tell me everything from the beginning. When did you start having feelings that you were missing something; when did you meet your 'friend,' or did it happen in the reverse order?"

Sharon explained everything. How she found the web site, after catching Jamie, how she had followed up on him a bit, but that was only for a month or two, and by then was doing her own reading and creating her own seduction.

"The stories that excited me the most, where the wife had a secret relationship, but only once. I remember reading about a wife who was caught naked coming out of the shower by her teenage neighbor, and one thing led to another. I remember a few stories about a wife going on a business trip and having a one-night stand. There was never a follow-up to those stories. The stories that had follow-up always had a very sad ending, or in some cases a happy reconciliation, where many readers hated the husband. Honey, I would never want to put you or me in that situation. What about you?"

"Funny, the only stories that I really enjoyed were the reconciliation stories where it was justified. I hated the willing cucks. I really hated those entitled wives who announced that she was going out to get fucked, but in the morning, she would be a loving wife again. Sharon, that is what it sounded like to me."

"No, Jamie, no. I asked you. I didn't announce it. Maybe I didn't do a good job."

"But you haven't answered my question," he said. When did you think that you could be one of those wives, that you needed stimulation outside of our marriage, with or without permission?"

"Well, I sort of thought, or maybe subconsciously thought, that is what you wanted."

"Maybe once I had some crazy fantasy, but no, it's not even a fantasy. Now it's a nightmare. So are you saying you went looking for prince charming?"

"No. Steve, that's his name, works for a vendor of ours and we had a long-standing business relationship. Up until three months ago, I never even knew what he looked like."

"So how did you have a long relationship with him?"

Sharon explained they had known each other about two years, but only on the phone. Then he introduced himself, then he asked her to lunch and one thing led to another.

"What does that mean: one thing led to another?"

"I told him that I thought you wanted this and that in time I might even want this. Steve was very excited about it. He's divorced and does date, but never dated a married woman. He says guys really get an ego boost when they nail another man's woman."

"Well, that's not a smart thing to say to the husband. Does Steve work for a client or a vendor?"

"Vendor."

"Which one?"

"Jamie, I don't feel comfortable in telling you that. We didn't do anything, and I don't want you to do something that you may regret."

"Suppose I would agree to a one-timer? Don't you think I have the right to check him out or meet him?"

Sharon was shocked by what Jamie just said.

"Yes, er... but I thought... didn't you just say that you hated the willing cucks."

Now Jamie was caught off guard.

"I did, but maybe I could be convinced if I met him and I knew it was a one-timer."

Sharon could not believe what she heard. Did she really want this? Was she just testing Jamie?

"I need... I need to ask Steve."

Jamie did not like that answer. "Does Steve know my name? Does he know what I do?" he spat out in anger. "Sharon, I am your husband. You need to start with me, not with your lover."

Sharon picked up on the change in tone

"I called him today and told him to drop the whole thing. Let's forget it."

"How did he react?"

"He wasn't happy. He tried to convince me to continue with our plans, anyway, but Jamie honey, I said that I would never do that. I told me never to call me again. That he should get someone else from the company to call for business reasons."

"Okay, so if as you said, that it's over, then tell me his last name, please." Jamie said with a tone of annoyance.

"What are you planning on doing?"

"I promise you nothing physical or professional. You say this chapter in our lives is over, so let's end it. Please respect me with his last name and name of company."

Sharon realized that she had no choice. She had to respect and trust her husband. She didn't understand his insistence on this information, but she knew he would not relent until she provided it.

"His name is Steve Carter. He is a divorced father of two. He works for JJ Distribution. Are you happy?"

"No, but I will work on it."

As they left the park, Jamie took Sharon's hand in his. They got into bed that night and Sharon initiated sex. Jamie kissed her back, but then stopped.

"Sharon, I know you need to recharge. I would be happy to provide that charge, but not tonight. I love you. We will work on this."

He then gave her a big kiss, turned over and said goodnight. He had never turned her down for sex before, and she was shocked. She was hoping that she could win back her husband soon.

The next morning they were civil, maybe more than that, maybe a little bit loving as they each went to work.

Jamie made a copy of the tape and sent it over to D & D (Phil and Roxy).

Phil called him later in the day. He asked what Jamie wanted.

"I'd like for you to find out as much information as you can about their tryst."

"Okay, it's your dime. We may come up with nothing. I will send you weekly reports. We expect to be paid for each week that we work."

"No problem; don't forget to credit me. How long to you anticipate this is going to take?"

"We won't forget. This could take anywhere between four to eight weeks. It's going to cost you a bundle. The 250 that you paid us, will just be small change when this is over."

"Can you please explain your methods? How do you get information?"

Phil explained the process to Jamie.

*****

Over the next six weeks, Jamie and Sharon did become intimate again. Jamie was trying to move beyond what happened. They agreed that they didn't need counselling. Jamie once thought about fantasizing that he was Steve, but thought better of it. He just needed to move on.

Steve did try to call Sharon once, and when she answered, she politely told him, that it was best not to communicate, and she hung up immediately.

Jamie did receive a weekly email from Phil, with his report. Finally, after six weeks, Phil called.

"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good, I think Sharon and I are good. I have read your reports and it looks like they don't see each other or communicate. How's it going with Roxy and Steve?"

"I have some good news for you, and then some other news which I am not sure you will call good or bad."

"What do you mean?"

"Why don't you come by around 4:00 PM and we'll go over everything?"

"You can't leave me in suspense, please share with me now."

"I don't wish to do this over the phone. The good news is that after today, I don't think you'll need our services anymore."

At 3:55, Jamie was in the reception area of D&D.

He was ushered in two minutes later. Phil and Roxy had some grave looks on.

"Who died?" Jamie asked.

"Maybe your marriage," Roxy answered. "Sharon was not completely truthful, or at least Steve had a different story."

"What did he say?"

"Jamie, they didn't sleep together, they didn't have oral, but he definitely pleasured her. At least that is what he claims and I actually believed him."

Jamie had to wipe a few tears out of his eyes. "Please tell me what you know."

Phil provided Jamie with a report, transcripts of the recorded conversations and the recordings.

Phil started off with most of what Jamie already knew. They managed to follow the two of them for three weeks, got bugs on each of their cars, mobile phones and work extensions. They did report that Steve called Sharon once, but she politely terminated the conversation and asked him not to contact her again. Jamie was a bit upset with his wife that she never reported that to him, but maybe he understood her predicament. They also followed their patterns, and Phil noticed that Steve went to the same bar every Friday after work. It was a pretty high-class bar. Phil noted that at times Steve tried to pick up women and sometimes women tried to pick up Steve. Nothing happened, so on the fourth Friday, they went to Plan B and Roxy went to the bar.

A few guys tried to pick her up. One guy got too aggressive and Roxy raised her voice to get him to leave her alone. As luck would have it, Steve came to her rescue. He tried chatting with her, but she turned him down. About 30 minutes later, Roxy went back to Steve just to apologize. This was all found in transcript marked "A." Every meeting between Roxy and Steve was in a separate transcript.

"I'm sorry." Roxy started as Jamie read from the transcript. "I just discovered that my husband has had a three-month affair and so I came here to cool off. I presented him with evidence and while he didn't deny it, he tried to apologize and promise he'll end it. I just told him that I needed to get out and cool off. I didn't need all those leaches trying to pick me up."

"Well, I'm a good listener, if you need to get something off your chest." Steve said to Roxy.

Roxy gave her sob story: 15 years, two kids, good wife and stay at home mother. Husband is an attorney. She didn't want a divorce. Was afraid to lose her family, but was mortified that he could cheat on her.

Steve asked her why he did it. She didn't know. "You know, I was also that louse," he said. "I cheated on my wife only once, and she threw me out. It was a slip. I was on a business trip with someone from my office and got carried away. The stupid girl bragged about it to her friend who knew my wife, and the rest is history. No affair, just once. I begged my wife to give me a second chance. She refused. I think it was her ego or pride that got hurt too badly. My ex has her own business and does quite well. She earns nearly as much as I do. I don't have alimony, only child support, which, of course, I happily pay. I love my kids, but I know that I broke up their happy family."

"So you think I should give my louse another chance?"

"I can't tell you what to do. It was a three-month affair. I think you need to ask him why."

"Hmm... by the way, I'm Jane. What's your name?"

"I'm Steve".

"Steve, you seem like a nice guy and maybe someone I can trust; can I meet you here around 6:00 PM on Tuesday?"

"Sure, Jane. I look forward to it. Have a nice weekend."

"You too"

End of Transcript A

*****

"Hi, Steve, sorry I'm late. I had to come up with an excuse to get out for the night."

"How's it going?"

"The weekend was tough. I made him move out of our master bedroom. He's still living at home. He broke it off. It was a paralegal in his office. He fessed up to the senior partner. Mike (my husband) just made partner last year. Here's the main problem. I want the little tramp fired. Mike can't fire her because she will sue for wrongful termination and sexual harassment. The firm has fined Mike $100,000 of which he only paid 20% and owes the remaining over the next four years. He makes enough that we can afford it. They want the little tramp to sign a waiver that she won't sue. She's seeing her own attorney. Mike has to see her and work with her and I have to live with it. I can't make him leave. It took him a long time to make partner."

"Wow! That is a mess. Why'd he do it?"

"He didn't have any good excuse, working late one night with her. Tough case. She did some good things. He gave her a hug and was erect. She felt it and then just started to go down on him. After she finished him, she demanded that he repay the favor. They only did it at work, late at night, usually in his office. It was only sex, although he did buy her a necklace."