The house seemed cold. It was completely quiet again for perhaps only the third or fourth time since we had moved in. I loved this house. It was the only home I had ever really known. But it was almost eerie walking in the door. Almost the same as the day I knew my parents were dead, only worse.
The main floor looked like it hadn’t been used in days. It was dark and felt empty. I almost missed her as was starting up the stairs. Susan was sitting quietly on the coach staring at our family portrait that was hanging above the fireplace. The picture was taken two years earlier, and if I can brag for just a minute: we looked good. My son took after me, and the twins looked just like their mother. It was such a fun day. Taking pictures in the park.
“Hello, Susan.”
“Hi, honey.”
“Where are the kids?”
“Still with my parents, David.”
Susan looked like death warmed over. She had huge bags under her eyes. Her cheeks were puffy and red. It looked like her hair hadn’t been combed in days, and make up was forgotten long ago. She was dressed in my Harvard sweatshirt and my MIT pajama pants. They almost swallowed her whole.
“Are you ready to talk to me now, Susan?”
“I think I am.”
“OK, then. You have one shot Susan. The truth. All of it. No secrets. No excuses.”
“I know, David. I don’t have any excuses anyway. David, I…. uh…. I cheated on you.”
It was seemingly emotionless for her. She barely moved. Her facial expression didn’t change. She just looked sorrowful. A deep sorrow. I guess all cried out wasn’t just expression. At least she wasn’t sugarcoating it. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope.
“How long?”
“It’s been two weeks, David. You were in Las Vegas for the convention. The steering committee was finishing the final plans for the new shelter ground breaking. We finished late one night and stopped for dinner at Great Street. I knew I shouldn’t be drinking wine, but it didn’t stop me. I knew when everyone else left, I should have gotten myself a cab. I made every wrong decision.”
“Did you bring him to the house, Susan?”
“God, no, David. He got a room at the hotel.”
“Where were the kids?”
“With my parents. I called and asked if they could stay when I realized shouldn’t be driving.”
“Well that’s one good thing.”
“Yeah, I know.” She sighed.
“So, was he better than me?”
She finally moved, wincing at my question.
“Did he have a big cock?”
Another wince. This was taking too long. It was time to hear all of the details.
“Did you blow him? Did you lick his ass? Did you ask him to spank you? Did he fuck your ass?”
“OK, David, OK! Enough. I get it. Yes, I gave him a blow job. No his dick wasn’t bigger than yours. I sucked him until came, and sucked him until he was hard again. And then he fucked me, missionary until he came again. A stupid, boring missionary fuck. My life is ruined because I let Mike Thomas give me the worst fuck of my life!”
I stared at her for awhile. She was emotional now, flustered. Even beautiful, now that some of color had returned to her face. But I had my answer. Maybe she deserved one more chance.
“Is that it, Susan?”
“Yes, David. I am so sorry.”
Maybe there was no hope.
“OK, Susan.”
“OK?”
“Yep, OK. Nothing left but the details.”
“David, I am so sorry. It will never happen again. I will do anything to make this up to you.”
She was starting to ramble.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Wait.. what?”
“I said don’t worry about it Susan. I’ll am going to stay out of the house for the rest of the week. I’ll let the kids know where I am in case they need anything. I’ll be back on Saturday.”
I stood to take another look at that portrait and smiled. It was such a good day.
“Oh, David. That’s great honey. It will be so nice to have you home. I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah. Say Susan, did you use a condom?”
Her eyes flashed with surprise. I didn’t think it was that strange of a question.
“N.. n… no, David.”
“OK, well I am going to get tested for STDs. You should probably decide about that, too. ‘Big’ Mike being a man-whore and all.”
“Jesus, David. I am really, really sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
I was making my way to the door when I remembered some other things she would need to know. Oh, well. I have always been more of a big picture guy. Those damn details always get in the way.
“Yeah, Susan. I know. Anyway, Maggie will be in touch. The accounts are frozen but she’ll make sure you have enough to get wherever you are going.”
“What do you mean going? Where am I going?”
“Well, I don’t really know Susan. I just know that Maggie said she’ll have you out of the house by Friday. Where you go is probably one of those decisions you are so good at making.”
“No… NO… NO…. NO!!! Noooo!!!”
“Susan.”
I really wasn’t sure if she was listening to me anymore. But she did stop her screaming long enough to look at me.
“If you are going to have Mike help you move, you should have him bring Jason Smith by to help. Since you don’t remember, you should probably have him fill you in on what he was doing while ‘Big’ Mike was giving you your terrible fuck.”
“No, David, no. Please wait. It wasn’t my fault. Please!! Oh, God!! I am going to be sick.”
I don’t really know if she ended up puking. I didn’t stick around to find out. But it didn’t look good as I closed the door.