So after my four years at Harvard, I said goodbye to my dream of Yale Law and hello to MIT and an MBA. It was a bit unusual for someone to be admitted with such a limited amount of real world work experience. Giving up my summer vacations for internships certainly worked in my favor.
I would like to say that it was my academic reputation and interview skills that earned my internships at four of the largest employers in Boston. But I honestly think it had more to do with the fact that I was going against the grain. Hundreds of students were competing for an opportunity to be the next financial ‘whiz kid’, partner, or big wig, but it often felt like it was only me that wanted a chance to learn about a company’s IT department. A consulting firm, hospital, law firm and a multinational bank were all on my resume by the time I graduated from Harvard with honors.
I spent the next two and a half years at MIT learning about innovation and emerging technologies, business and entrepreneurship. It was fast paced and fun and tiring. I didn’t take breaks, I interned. But I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted my own company, to be in control of my own destiny. But I didn’t know how to fund my brilliant plan and was certain I was about to wallow in the despair of my very own cubicle, pinching every penny so that shareholders could make a nice dividend, waiting for a chance to realize my dream.
It didn’t quite work out that way.
***
I met Susan during my last summer internship after MIT, in the children’s ward of a hospital. She was a nurse and she was beautiful.
“Hi. I’m from IT. Someone called about a computer problem.”
Her smile lit the room.
“Oh, thank god! I have no idea what I have done. But I am sure it is bad. I cannot access the patient files. It’s like they have disappeared.”
“Well, let’s take a look. Shall we?”
I was trying not to stare, but it was difficult. She had a glow about her and very suddenly I had this surge of energy that I could barely contain. I needed to do a good job. I needed to impress her. Her name. I needed her name.
“I am David Stephens, by the way. I’ll be solving all of your problems today.”
She giggled, “Susan White, and I’ll be the eternally grateful one watching over your shoulder.”
Her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke. I heard a quiet melody ringing in the air. I thought it was angels singing to announce that one of their own was in my presence. It was her pager.
“Oh, that’s for me. I am sorry. I have to check on a patient. I’ll be right back.”
Fortunately, her problem was easy to diagnose. Someone had accidently deleted several files from her desktop making it impossible to for her to access the patient database. I didn’t think it was her fault since the time stamp on the deleted files was from several hours earlier. I accessed the back-up server, restored the missing files and watched Susan.
She was a vision. She moved around the patient’s bed with a reassuring smile. She stopped to hold the little girl’s hand before she left. She took time to explain her actions to the girl’s seemingly distraught parents. You could almost feel the tension in the room ease as she completed her tasks. Then she was back.
“Sorry about that. Duty calls.”
“What time did you start your shift?”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“When did you start working today?”
“Umm… about 30 minutes ago.”
“Well, then, I am happy to report that your problem is fixed and that you weren’t the cause.”
Then that smile again. Wow. I needed to remember to breathe.
“Oh my god! Really!” She spun to her terminal and started typing. “YES! Oh, you are a life saver aren’t you!”
“No, Suze. I believe that is your job. I just help with the computers.”
This time as she slowly turned back to me she had an appreciative smirk on her face. I smiled back.
“Thank you, David. You are very sweet.”
That ended the first meeting with my future wife. I returned to my department with a suggestion on changing access permissions to some of the more important network files and a heart brimming over with joy.
***
Susan was normally a confident, caring and loving person. But when she knew she was in the wrong she couldn’t muster the courage to be straight with me. It had only happened twice before on two inconsequential, minor issues. Once she had forgotten to make reservations at my favorite restaurant for my birthday. The other time, she had backed her anniversary present, a brand new convertible VW Beetle, into an SUV after a day of shopping at the mall.
Her cover-ups were almost comical. There was a new restaurant she was dying to try. Didn’t sushi sound exciting? She had forgotten to refill her gas tank and didn’t want to risk getting stuck on the side of the road. Couldn’t we just take my car to the parent-teacher conference?
I suppose I could have taken these as warning signs of bigger problems to come. But would you have? Two minor issues in almost 15 years of marriage. Nah, I don’t think so.
***
I wasn’t dreading returning to my home. But I wasn’t sure quite what to expect. I had spent most of the afternoon alone with my thoughts, a luxury that comes with being the boss.
I knew Susan would be ready to take another shot to tell me what was on her mind, without actually having to tell me what was on her mind. I also knew our next foray towards the truth awaited me at home. But I have to admit I was surprised by her tactics. I walked into a quiet home, which was completely out of the norm. No children, no dinner. Only the faintest sound of music coming from outside on the deck alerted me to anyone being home.
I opened the sliding door leading to the deck to a surprise that let me know I would have to be the one to end this charade. Susan was going to keep upping the ante until she felt she could live with her guilt.
“Good afternoon, Shannon.” I said to my sister-in-law.
“Well, hey there Dave. Long time no see.”
“Well, some parts I have never seen.”
“Oh come on, Dave! Seen one pair, you’ve seen them all.”
“Where are the kids, Susan?”
With all the false bravado she could muster my topless wife set her margarita on the deck table. She did her best seductive turn my way clearly so that I could get the full effect of the thong bikini bottom that barely covered the lips of her pussy, and definitely didn’t cover the rosebud in the back.
“They are at my parents for the night, David. You see… Shannon and I were feeling a little naughty and definitely didn’t want to be worrying about tan lines. Just a day for fun and sun by the pool for us girls.”
“Yeah, OK.” I replied.
I was trying to look into her eyes, but the mirrored Ray-Bans were trying very hard to block my gaze. This had gone on long enough. Three days. Do you ever fantasize about other women? Have you ever considered swinging? Do you know anyone with an open marriage? I sighed trying to steel my resolve. Having her sister flashing me with her naughty bits had tipped the scales.
“Susan, do you love him?”