Matt goes back to work
So, after all that intense therapy, I am still not one hundred percent, but feel a LOT better than before. I called my old boss, and asked him if I could start back up soon. He told me that my job was waiting for me when I felt up to going back, but to take my time. I would be glad to get back to work, to give myself something to do besides sit and think.
Monday, my mom came over again after the kids had left for school, and took me to therapy. This would, hopefully, be my last week of regular visits, to be followed up with check-up visits once a month. Doctor Swinson told me that I had recovered very quickly, and that I was a very lucky man.
I stopped and thought about that statement when I got home. I had three of the world’s best children, who loved being with me, and had helped me out during my time of need. I had great parents who backed me up, and loved their grandkids almost as much as I did. I had a wife, that until recently was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I finally decided to move forward with a divorce, but hated it. I had her served at her parent’s house, instead of at her work. I really wasn’t out to ruin her life; I just wanted to get on with mine. We were supposed to grow old together, spending time with our grandkids, and even great-grandkids if we were lucky enough. I still wanted that, but couldn’t get over the fact that she fell for Jim’s bullshit.
I always knew he was kind of a ladies’ man, but we swore to each other, a long time ago, not to mess with each other’s women. I know he had it rough with that married lady a few years ago, but I had told him at the time that the right one would come along eventually. I never meant for that to be MY WIFE!
I finally reasoned if I was going to have any kind of chance at closure, I would have to confront him. He and I would never be friends again after what happened. Being honest with myself, I needed to know if it was his fault or if Jennifer was more into it than she had told me. It’s sad what cheating will do to your trust in someone.
Jim worked for his uncle, so I thought it might be safest to visit him at work instead of a bar or something. After my mom left for the day, reminding me of a family dinner on Saturday, I got changed and had a sandwich.
There were only a few questions I needed answered, but I still sat and tried to think about what I was going to say when I saw him. I didn’t want to get there and clam up or something. Honestly I wasn’t even sure if he knew that I knew yet. I figured I could play dumb at first, and then go from there.
The drive took a few minutes, but seemed to pass by in about ten seconds. I parked at his agency, and gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles were turning white. Preparation or not, this was going to be harder than I thought.
I got out of the car and walked over to the door, letting myself in. The receptionist didn’t really know me that well but knew that I was a friend of Jim’s. She buzzed him, “Jim, you have a visitor.”
He opened the door and stopped for a second, looking at me. I tried my best to pretend I didn’t know about him screwing my wife, but wasn’t sure how well I pulled it off. I smiled and said, “Hey buddy, you have a minute to talk?”
“Sure Matt, just give me a second and we can go get some coffee?”
“Ok, I will wait outside then,” I told him.
At this point I was starting to see red just looking at him, and wasn’t too sure how long I could maintain my pretend ignorance. He came outside a minute later, and we walked over to a small corner coffee stand. We both got our coffee and walked back towards the agency.
They had a break area with a picnic table in back of the building, so we sat there to talk. It was a little satisfying to see him look so pale. He was squirming somewhat, but didn’t come right out and say anything. I had to try to keep my cool as I started talking.
“I just wanted to thank you for helping out my family. I heard you came by to visit while I was in the hospital. Why haven’t you been back around since I woke up?”
He looked at me, straight faced, and said, “You’re welcome, Matt. I tried to help out any way that I could. Since you have been awake, I have just been swamped, and keep meaning to stop by.”
I lost it then and stood up, tossed my hot coffee in his face, and yelled at him. “YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! HOW COULD YOU?”
Before he knew it, I was swinging my right fist and hit him on his left temple. I swung with my left and connected with his nose, hearing a cracking noise. I hope I broke it. He fell backwards so I ran around the table and kicked him in the stomach. I reached down and grabbed him by the hair with my left hand, and yelled in his face, “IF I EVER SEE YOU AGAIN, I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU! I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL!!” I punctuated it with another right fist to the side of his head before letting go and standing up. While he was still down I kicked him in the stomach again, in the legs a few times, and his arms as he held them up trying to protect his head.
The rage was tapering off, but I was also just getting tired from the exertion. I needed to get out of there before I actually did follow-through with my promise to kill him. I kicked him in the groin pretty hard to emphasize my point, and then ran to my car to drive home. I have to say that kicking his ass made me feel good, but by the time I got home it was only a small victory. What I really needed was my wife back, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards for me.