I went to Albuquerque, New Mexico looking for work. A few months before, I had done a favor for a firm that was located there. Based on the relationships that I’d established, I thought there was a good chance of picking up a job.
The job interview was nothing more than a formality. I filled out the necessary papers and HR told me to start Monday, giving me time to get myself settled in.
After the interview, I went looking for somewhere to live. I found a one-bedroom apartment, in what seemed a decent area, then I found a good storage unit for my Harley.
I bought a bed and a sofa after seeing a furniture store’s advertisement in the Albuquerque Journal, then went grocery shopping and tried to settle into my new life.
Settling down was harder than I expected. I missed my wife and soul mate terribly so, instead, I started grieving my loss.
I had been in New Mexico for almost three weeks before I checked my email account. I guess I was trying to ignore my obligations, and I didn’t want to face the fact that I’d lost my wife to another man. There were numerous emails from my lawyer.
I opened the last one first, and it simply said, “Call me. Very important.”
So I used my new cell phone to make the call.
“Blake and Cox, law offices,” a friendly woman answered.
“Yes, my name is Roy Belton. I got an email requesting that I call Mr. Blake.”
“I’ll put you right through, Mr. Belton. He is expecting your call.”
Moments later, the lawyer came on the line. “Roy, I was afraid I had lost you. Where are you?”
“I moved to Albuquerque, got a new job, and just settled into an apartment. Do you need my address?”
“Yes, I do. Give it to my secretary when we are done here. Look, Mr. Belton, your wife wants to meet with you. In fact, she is outright demanding it. When can you make it?”
“Mr. Blake, I live in Albuquerque now. It would be a great hardship to drive all the way to you. Can’t you take care of it? Just tell her that she’s already made her choice.”
“Well, I understand you just started a new job, and can’t take personal leave yet. So, tell you what… when are you off next?”
“I work Monday through Friday.”
“What time do you get off work?”
“Usually about five.”
“Ok, tell you what we will do. I will contact your wife’s attorney, and we’ll set up a day, time and place to meet with you.”
I interrupted. “I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I just can’t leave right now.”
“You won’t have to leave Albuquerque. We will set up an appointment there, Mr. Belton. It won’t be a problem for me, or them, to travel to you for the meeting.”
“Uh … this isn’t an expense that you’re going to bill me for is it.”
“No, your ex-boss, Mr. Johnson, will be paying for this expense.”
My stomach clenched thinking about that son-of-a-bitch. “Why would he pay for this? I don’t want to have to sit through a meeting with that son-of-a-bitch gloating over making me a cuckold, while my wife belittles my manhood. Mr. Blake, I really don’t need that sort of grief. I really don’t want to have this meeting.”
“Mr. Belton, I want to assure you that you are on top of this situation. Trust me when I say that Mr. Johnson will be the person being humiliated here. Not you.”
I certainly wasn’t convinced. “He fucked my wife, in my bed, behind my back, then gloated when I caught him. How can I be on top of that?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Now that I have your number, I’ll call you and let you know when we will be there,” Mr. Blake told me firmly.
Two days later, a large amount of mail was delivered to my apartment. All from my attorney. I had no idea that there was so much paperwork involved in a divorce. Personally, I thought that obtaining a divorce was just a waiting game. I tossed the letters into a corner of my office. Actually, I had set up my office in the bedroom, whereas, I slept in the living room, since I never had visitors.
True to his word, Mr. Blake called to inform me that the meeting would be at the Four Seasons banquet room at six o’clock on Saturday evening. A meal would be provided, if I wanted it, so I wouldn’t need to prepare dinner. However, I really needed to prepare myself for the confrontation. Every time I thought about this meeting, I would also think about Johnson’s superior sneer, as he arrogantly looked at me through my bedroom window.
Finally, one of the longest weeks of my life came to an end. I set the alarm for 4pm and chilled in my apartment, waiting for the evening’s event.
When the alarm sounded, I freshened up, then headed to the Four Seasons. I entered the banquet room, seeing my wife for the first time in months. Across the room I saw my ex-boss, James Johnson. Also present were many well-dressed people, in designer dresses and suits, milling around.
The moment I walked through the door, two big, and I mean linebacker big, suits approached me, as I stared at Johnson with murder on my mind. I was ready to charge him and kick the smile off his face, hopefully killing him in the process.
The linebacker-types asked if I was Roy Belton, and when I replied, “Yes, I am,” instantly moved into position on either side of me.
I asked, “What are you doing?”
“We’ve been hired to make sure you don’t do something that could get you into trouble,” one of the linebackers replied.
About this time, Anna saw me. I noticed she wanted to rush right over, but she was stopped by the lady lawyer I’d first met at Blake and Cox. I figured that she was representing Anna.
Anna was arguing with her lawyer, who was preventing her from approaching me. I didn’t understand why Anna was so desperate to talk, but I knew that I didn’t want anything to do with her, after she had fucked another man in our bed. That was pretty much unforgivable but, looking at her, I realized I was still in love.