The Black Hat

Not a bad story, just some credibility issues.

Pretty good read but I fault Rob for failing to be upfront about things. It's as if he were dishonest. First off, he should have informed his wife that he knew about the affair right at the start. By remaining married to her, even though he did not have sex with her, it could appear that he was forgiving her for her transgressions, as it were. He also could have been caught early in his own transgressions; after all, it was a small town. Second, he should have been forthright with Candy. They "sealed the deal" and to me, that's an engagement even though a ring was not given (Rob was of course still legally married). He should not have been also screwing Dawn if Candy was a serious prospect. Of course, technically he was screwing around on his marriage, and his wife could have used that to off-set her cheating, regardless of the fact that she cheated first. It significantly weakens Rob's position since he was also a cheater. Thirdly, I'm surprised the waitress failed to inform Rob about Jeff's bisexuality. And the idea that she would not know that Candy and Jeff were lovers (and even Rob should have noted it in their body language -- he really is awfully dense), just makes it even more difficult to swallow. I know, I know, it's just a story and after all, it is entertaining. I just think there needs to be a dose of realism in a story, a dose of believability, so that the reader can really get into it. Thanks for writing.

Preverted previous commenter is . . .

clearly a puta cause she has scruples that are only for males and not herself. It's bitch protecting bitch yano. This story is fine just as it is puta.

A good story and a well thought out storyline

A nice fast paced story that held my interest throughout the whole reading. As in small town real life, which the story seemed to portray, he took what was handed to him and made the best of it. A good happy ending, which makes a good story even better. Thanks

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Interesting read

"When Christy brought me my ticket I asked her if she knew who the blonde was. / "That's Candy, Jeff's sister." Later, Dawn tells Rob that "most everyone who knows Jeff and Candy has suspected what you found out" in Colorado Springs. So, Candy didn't just cheat on Rob, she cheated with her own brother. It seems like Christy should have known about the suspected incestuous relationship, so why she doesn't tell Rob about that suspicion feels like a loose thread left hanging. There is irony in the fact that Mary Alice's relationship with one other man drives Rob away for good, while Dawn's relationships with other men does just the opposite. Rob and Dawn do, at least, redeem themselves in the end by doing the right thing for themselves and her kids. Real people are never all good or all bad. Morality is rarely black and white. Oh, yeah, and anybody who wears a John B. with cutoffs or Speedos, and is not actively engaged in cleaning out a stock tank, should be shot. :D

A couple of interesting points

OwensDarlin made a couple of interesting points, but neiter is inexplicable. Still, JPB hit one out of the park with this story. It barely cleared the fence, but it was a homer never the less.

OwensDarling missed the point

The exwife was a slut fucking around and cheating on her husband with a neighbor while denying her husband sex for the most part. Not really a very nice lady. Dawn on the other hand was a mother strapped with three young kids when her husband was killed. She could not make enough working to pay their bills and somewhat discreetly accepted gifts from men with whom she had sex. He knew this and knew her and her worth and she stopped the outside sex to be with him. There is no comparison between the two women. Candy on the other hand was playing all hands against the middle. She accepted and agreed to a commitment with him but essentially cheated on the arrangement and fucked someone else, her brother. Nothing there worth having, she is a round heeled slut just like his exwife.

One other small part someone mentioned

What difference did it make whether or not Jeff was bisexual or not. Being bisexual doesnt mean you are screwing your sister.

great story

No plot inconsistencies

Nice and Smooth

from start to finish. Yep, the Dawn-Candy problem was not exactly correctly handled by Rob, but prior to the commitment he would have no reason to tell that he has another lady friend and I got the impression that almost
immediately afterwards he sees Candy with her brother. As he
says if it had been someone other that her brother he would have talked it out....

Valid points but wait...

this is a small town and small towns have strong taboos. So how do Christy start this conversation with Rob - "Rob, did you know that Candy sleeps with her bisexual brother?" Well, that will get her a big tip! The thing about small towns is just because everyone knows a lot don't mean that they tell everyone about it. If Rob had dug into Candy's background (like she did him) he would have found out about her. One of the things I loved about JPB's stories is the humanity contained within them. Candy who had been loveless due to her weight had a long sexual history with her brother Jeff. She said that she was sampling but in a small town the good ones were scarce. Along come Rob with his broken marriage and he was a keeper. Rob on a rebound from his cheating wife takes up with Dawn to help her out and get some of his needs taken care of. Rob is cheating on Candy with Dawn so he is a lousy fiancee. But it is ckear that Candy has been fucking her brother all of the time they were together. Maybe Candy thought that she could interest Rob in a threeway with her brother. Anyway, Rob makes his relationship with Dawn permanent and inherits a large family. When you deal with real people even bad relationships can not just stop overnight. Outstanding story - Thanks JPB!

I liked this when I first read it....

....a couple years ago.Please write some new ones jpb-pistolpackinpete

As always, well written.

JPB has a winner with this story. Every now and then, he's a real romantic!

Ehhh?

A decent effort on your part JPB, but not the best work you've ever done either.

good story telling

Nice flow and well constructed short story, nice twist with Candy, Herb got his in one simple paragraph, happy ending maybe, you left the door open for a follow-on with Dawn and her demons. It was enjoyable reading.

I liked it

Not your usual but better. Thank you. Jim

I'm puzzled.

"That's Candy, Jeff's sister."

"It would seem that Jeff wasn't as gay as every one thought. I didn't have to wonder why they were in Colorado Springs. Candy herself had told me that Castle Rock was still a small town and word gets around. So there I sat, looking out the window. Mary Alice was history and Candy was about to be."

So Candy was fucking her brother?

A so so day gets better when you discover a gem of JPB story you having read yet !

It's not quite as good as thinking you're too broke to go out: then finding a 20 wedged in the couch cushions & 10 under the car seat, but it's close !

Happy Ending

Yes this was a happy ending for all except for one special set of people.
Those of us who READ THE STORY.

HA HA HA HA HA

OH YEAH

there is a special kind of man

who can handle that his woman was a whore, even a "soft" one - but in every respect she was a good woman for her kids. so why the hell not take her. as long as she tells her men friends - out of business - it is no different than marrying a woman who had a lot of sex before you got with her - shit happens. gave it a 5

Neat story

that captures the reader.

Really nice

Cute, entertaining, and definitely worth a 5.

interesting

Nice twisting of the emotions. Very much like real life. Sweet and painful.

Twice the charm

I just read this story for a second time and I still enjoyed it very much.

JPB is one of a kind!

The King of Twisted fucks with the status quo again! Throw some incest cheating into the tale, and you have another JPB masterpiece. LOL

5 Stars!

Well done!

And entertaining to boot! Another well written story with fun characters that draw the reader into the story. I would have liked it a tad more if he had gotten to stick his foot up Mary Alice's ass. The cheating slut got off too easily.

Awesome story!

You are a first rate writer!!!!! You sound like Sam Clemens....
A totally gripping tale.

TRUTH BE TOLD

whores do make the best wifes. TK U MLJ LV NV

Still one of my favorite

I read that a few times already and it is still one of my favorite.

Enjoyed it

Thanks for the offering.

yes

everything seemed to happen too quickly, and there was a happy ending. good job. good to know that although only in a story, that someone will take care of the vets family.

*****

Still a good one. Great pace and an easy read.

Good

One of your better good ending stories. Thanks

A sweeter story than you usually tell. I liked it.

Two Cheating Sluts and a Whore

So, is that all the world has to offer - Cheating sluts and whores? Well written as usual, but a fairly grim vibe.

IF YOU DONT START OUT WITH ONE OR TWO

might as well begin anew with 1. TK U MLJ LV NV

Gee, Bob, you out did yourself on this one!

The talent is there. Please give us more rather than the trite drivel that you often provide. Thanks for this one, and honestly, a few others. Don't sell yourself short. You do have a gift.

Good Story

I liked the story and it's well written and edited. The dialogue sounds like people and the characters have pluses and minuses, mostly. Thanks.