This monsoon Manipur not Delhi has the biggest shortfall of rain
I knew there would be trouble when they walked into the bar.
Not physical, getting somebody’s ass whipped trouble, but emotional, I don’t want to hear this shit trouble.
The ones I found knew about her affair I dropped like a rock, making it very clear they were no longer my friends. Of course, they tried to argue, they didn’t want to take sides, they hoped she’d figure out it was destructive behavior, she still loves you, blah, blah, blah, didn’t cut it with me and I told they so. It took a couple of meetings and some pretty intense confrontations before they realized I was serious. To this day, if one comes up and tries to talk, I either turn my back or leave. I think they finally got the point.
The few others I still associated with got the point, and made sure they didn’t mention her. If they did, by accident, I simply excused myself and left.
It had been six months, the paperwork filed, the statements given, my offer of a fifty fifty split more than fair, and it was almost done.
“You’re that positive this marriage can’t be saved?”
“Beyond the shadow of a doubt, to use a term you’ll easily understand. I will not, let me stress that, WILL NOT ever be living with or have a relationship with her for the rest of my life. We have no children. Since this started, we have very few friends in common, my business partner and his wife helped her carry on and conceal the affair, so I’m through with them. Divorcing her will be just a tiny ripple in the big pond of life. Clear enough for you?”
…
They were on a mission, you could see it in the eyes of the women. The men just looked uncomfortable.
I knew they weren’t there by accident, the bar was in another town twenty five miles away. I told my new favorite bartender I didn’t care for the quality of people in my old one.
Finally one night I told her to speak her mind, a one time, never to be broached again opportunity, so she’d get over wondering about it.
When we were done, she just looked at me for a little while.
Still, human nature being what it is, it might help you to hear her out. Up to you, end of discussion. The next beer is on me.”
God, I loved this woman. A mother figure who’d feed you all the alcohol you wanted, for a price, if you gave her your keys first.
She knew something was up the minute they walked in and she saw my face turn to stone.
“Friends?” she said, nodding to them.
“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully, “guess I’m abut to find out.”
“Don’t do anything stupid,” she warned, “just give me a look and I’ll run them out of here.”
…
It took them ten minutes to work up the nerve to say anything. Todd walked up and stood beside me.
“Hey Jace, how you doing?”
“I’m fine. The family’s fine. Everybody is fine. Cut to the chase, Todd. What do you want?”
My little speech, delivered with no emotion, shook him a little.
“Me and the boys,” he nodded at his two friends,
“we don’t really want to do this. But Becky has them all bummed out crying over what an asshole you’re being over something she’s sorry about and you won’t forgive her for. You remember being married, hell, technically you’re still married, and they won’t let it go. So we found out where you were, and here we are. Will you talk to them?”
“If I say no? Tell them to cram Becky up their collective asses and leave me the hell alone?”
He colored a little, but kept on.
“It would probably hurt all their feelings, and they’d come after you anyway. Please Jace.”
I let him stew for a minute.
I think he got a little angry, like I gave a shit.
“I understand. Man, what a hard ass you’ve turned into. Now will you talk to them?”
“Yes. Let me ask you something before you go. If it was your wife screwing around, would you let it go?”
He gave me a smirk.
“That’ll never happen. She loves me.”
“Yeah. Becky said the same thing. Still does. Didn’t stop her now, did it?”
He frowned before I continued.
I turned away, dismissing him. He stood for a second, head hanging, before he went back to the table. I watched in the mirror as their heads jerked up and a heated discussion started. Sandy threw up his hands and walked over to me.
“I’ve always liked you, Jace. You don’t deserve this shit. I’m a little ashamed of the whole thing, and I’m out. I apologize for bothering you. But Tina is determined. We’re going to have a long talk on the way home. This is the last time I’m going to put up with her meddling. I guess this is goodbye.” He held out his hand. I shook it.
“So long, Sandy. You’re one of the good ones. If I ever come back to town, I might look you up. Not Tina, though.”
George never really liked me much, so he had no problem.
I sat, and they started talking. I held up my hand, got out my phone, and set the timer for ten minutes. I could tell it really pissed them off.
“All right, you’re on the clock, go.”
Tina rolled her eyes.
“Really, Jace, a timer?”
“Nine minutes and forty nine seconds,” I said.
“I know this is really none of our business, but…”
They almost ran when I slammed my hand down hard on the table.
They all sat there stunned before Carrie spoke up. She sounded annoyed.
“Jace, please. It was a mistake. She never meant for it to happen. We didn’t know what to say.”
“She’s miserable. Her parents hardly ever talk to her anymore, her boss has her on probation. She cried when she found out you’d saved her job. I think she’s learned her lesson. Time to swallow your stubborn pride and take her back.”
I rolled my eyes.
They actually looked a little guilty before nodding yes.
“You all feel that way?” I looked round the table and they all nodded their heads again. They babbled for a few more seconds before I stopped them.
“Hold on. Let’s go off the clock for a second here. Carrie, if you found out George was screwing around on you and all of of us knew and didn’t tell you, that it would be all right? Or, if the spouse was found out that they’d eventually be forgiven? You love him that much?”
She frowned but said she would eventually.
“And if the person he was fooling with was someone you knew, a friend even, married to a friend, could you forgive them also?”
She looked definitely uncomfortable. They all suddenly seemed very nervous.
“I’d like to think I would, after a time, if I thought they were really sorry.”
I grinned.
I stopped, breathing heavily. There was dead silence around the table.
“So, let the healing begin. That way we can all get over it. Carrie, tell Jan you forgive her. Jan, in four months you can promise her you won’t screw him again and everything will be fine. You’ll have a stronger marriage for it, I’m pretty sure that’s in a chapter of the cheating handbook somewhere.”
I stopped to catch my breath.
Was it a shitty thing to do? Maybe, but it didn’t bother me much. He without sin, and so on.
…
There was a hell of a row at the table. A lot of yelling and tears, and more than a few slaps. Sandy grabbed Tina and they went to another table. He wasn’t loud, but he had a finger in her face and she was crying pretty hard. Finally Marge, the bartender, told them to either leave or tone it down. They trouped out, all but Tina and Sandy.
She timidly came up to me.
“I’m sorry,” she said, with lowered head and avoided eye contact. Then she gathered her courage and looked up.
“Yes, Tina, I am. You’re wrong, though. You and Sandy are the best of us. Use this as a learning experience. Choose your friends a little more carefully in the future. Go home now. Love each other. And if nothing else, remember me and Becky, and how you can never be sure of anything, especially how a person will react to betrayal. Maybe I’ll see you sometime.”
Sandy apologized again, and they left, holding hands.
Marge nodded towards them as they left.
“They seem a decent couple. The others though, I’m not so sure of. I think the divorce court in your hometown will be a little busier soon.
I nodded, agreeing. Then gave her my keys, thirty dollars for the cab, and switched to whiskey.
…
I wasn’t really attracted to Becky at first. She flirted too much and seemed a little flighty to me. We didn’t date for the first two years I knew her.
She was the best friend of my business partners’ wife. Cindy was the one constantly trying to put us together.
“Give it a rest, Cin. We’re just not attracted to each other.”
“Speak for yourself. I know for a fact she’s interested in you. You’d be good for her.”
Being half buzzed, I smiled and kissed her cheek.
“But, dear Cin, would she be good for me?”
She left it along for about six months, then Allan, my partner, asked me for a favor.
I thought about it for a minute.
“Don’t think so, Al. I don’t think I’d enjoy it in the company of a weepy or angry woman. And you’re the one who picked the show, it’s all you’ve talked about for two weeks. Have you picked which dress you’re going to wear? It’s after Labor Day, so the white four inch heels are out. Go with the black five inch ‘come fuck me’ pumps. Maybe Cindy will get excited enough to use that ten inch strapon, you size queen.”
We laughed and went back to work. That evening, Cindy called.
“Please Jace. She’s a mess right now. She could use the company of a decent man.”
“But I don’t need the company of an emotional woman.”
“She’ll behave. I promise. Please please please?”
I sighed.
“All right, but just because I want to see the show. In gratitude, tell Allen you’ll use the strapon if he’s a good girl. He’ll understand.”
…
“You asshole! Now I have to buy some scented lube on the way home. Cherry, if they have it.”
“Seriously, dude, thanks.”
“If tonight sucks, I’m gonna take a turn on you with that strapon. Now, let’s get to work.”
We went to dinner first. Becky was subdued but not whiny. I really looked at her for the first time.
She was five seven, slender, small breasted, but she had a world class ass. Her auburn hair went to her shoulders in soft curls. Her face was well proportioned, with brown eyes that sparkled most of the time, and a mouth that seemed to say “Kiss me! Now!”
We enjoyed the show. The girls were actually singing their favorite song from the show in the parking lot. I looked at Al and grinned. We jumped right in. Soon half the parking lot chimed in for the big finish.
We went for a drink later, at a small club I suggested. I have nothing against dance clubs, but sometimes I actually like to hear myself think, and hold a conversation. It was the weekend, and they had a four piece band. Two keyboards, drums, and a guy that switched from guitar to bass as the song called for. It was old, light melodies, mostly slow. There were actually a few couples dancing on the small floor.
Allan looked at Cindy and she dragged him out on the floor.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?” I asked in surprise.
“For showing me good guys still exist. Cindy told me to behave, so I did. I know you didn’t want to come, but I’m glad you decided to.”
“Me too,” I said, realizing I meant it.
“Whether you know it or not, you’re a hell of a woman, Becky. Tone the flirting down a notch or two, invest in someone worthwhile, and I’m sure you’ll be very happy. And I’m not criticizing you, just making an observation based on watching you for the last few years.”
She actually smiled.
“Thanks, I think. You really think I’m a nice woman?”
My turn to smile.
“When you want to be. Either way, you’ve got the best ass I’ve ever seen. Ever noticed when we’re around each other I’m always a step or two behind you?”
She flushed, then punched me on the arm.
“Again, thanks, I think.”
The song ended and we walked back, talking and smiling. Cindy was sitting there amazed.
“What were you two talking about?”
“How Jace says I’m a good woman most of the time. And what a great ass I have.”
Allan choked on his drink and Cindy laughed. I looked at him.
“What? Don’t tell me you’ve never noticed.”
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