TITLE    : Pain
STORYID  : pain-35
SUMMARY  : Two families in turmoil.
AUTHOR   : slow_n_gentle@lit
DATE     : 2009-01-31
CATEGORY : loving-wives
FLAGS    : 
TAGS     : |cheating|swapping|divorce|


<i>Sorry, no sex</i>



***********



Janet saw the headlights sweep across the lawn as the car turned into the driveway next door and pulled in to the open garage. She waited a couple of minutes before picking up the phone and calling.



"Hello Pam," said an anxious Janet, "Oh, it's you Bill. No it's nothing.......well yes it is something. Something is definitely wrong Bill and I'm scared as hell that my suspicion is right. 



Pam was supposed to pick up the kids after school today, but she didn't show. I got a call at work from Ellen saying they were stuck at the high school and Mrs. Anderson never came so I left work early and brought them all over here. 



Bill Jr. and Sue are in the den with Ellen watching TV. I ordered pizza for them because I'm too upset to cook." 



"There has got to be an explanation," Bill said as he tried to sound calm, "Did you try her cell or maybe she got stuck at the spa."



"I've called her cell every half hour since 3:00pm," Janet explained as her anxiety level rose, "and all I get is voice mail. And the spa Bill, get real, it's after 7:00pm now. She isn't at the spa, and Jim isn't home either. 



I called his office and no one answered. He would have told me if he had an evening appointment so Ellen and I could eat at our regular time and just save his dinner for him. 



I'm afraid my suspicion is right Bill..... They ran off together."



"Don't go jumping to conclusions Janet," Bill quickly responded as that thought also ran through his mind. "Let me look for a note or something and I'll try to call her cell and her sister and mother. I'll be over in a few minutes for the kids. In the mean time, why don't you try Jim's cell or his parent's house? They might have called him today and he went over there."



"I've tried his cell, but I'll do it again. I'll call his parent's house, but I hate to involve them. We have talked about how much they dislike me. They will want to know what I did to make their precious son not come home. If I could only tell them that I think their precious son has abandoned his family and run off with my best friend. I'll turn on the porch light Bill. The front door is unlocked so you can just walk in."



Janet spent half an hour on the phone with Jim's parents mostly having to defend herself. His cell went to voice mail as she left the umpteenth message to please call home.



Bill called Pam's sister and mother who hadn't heard from her in a week. He then spent a half hour calming down the upset women explaining Pam was probably with a friend. He just called them because she hadn't answered her cell. 



He walked into their bedroom deciding to hang up his suit and put on some comfortable pants when he noticed the big gap in Pam's side of the closet. He looked in her dresser drawers finding many of them almost empty. The bathroom cabinet was bare of her makeup. Checking the garage, he found all her luggage gone.



Bill threw two ice cubes in a glass and poured a healthy amount of scotch in the glass. He took a gulp as he sat at the desk in the den and opened the left drawer; at least the check book was still there. He accessed there bank records on line and typed in the password. As his eyes scanned the account balances, his heart sank as he clicked on history. "Son of a bitch," Bill yelled as he saw half the money from savings had been removed two days ago. This was no spur of the moment idea, those two had planned this and probably for some time.



He logged out of the bank and wrote "bank" on a tablet to remind him to move the accounts tomorrow.



He opened the right drawer and pulled the folder marked credit cards. He called every joint card reporting them stolen and requesting they be frozen. He asked each if there was any activity today on the card. Only one had a sale, the CVS drug store in Springfield, IL. for $23.85. It was used at 5:47pm. When Bill finished all the cards he noted "credit cards" on the tablet to remind him to write a letter closing every account with a zero balance immediately.



He went next door to Janet and Jim's house and walked in. As soon as Janet saw his face, tears streamed down her face as she cried out. Bill reached out and held her as her whole body shook. 



The kids ran into the room, each face showing fear and sadness. They sensed something was wrong ever since Mrs. Randolf had to pick them up after school, and the way she was pacing and calling on the phone. Now seeing the look on Mr. Anderson's face, caused his kids to really worry.



"Dad, has something happened to mom?" asked a shaky voiced Sue, "You and Mrs. Randolf are really upset, from the tears and the way she just cried out. Tell us, what's going on."



"Mom and Mr. Randolf are both OK. I want you and Ellen to go to her room now and bring Billy with you. Janet and I have some things to talk about first and then I'll tell you what I can, but for right now quit worrying and go upstairs." 



The kids weren't happy but they obeyed their Dad.



"They ran away together Janet," Bill said in an angry but calm voice, "Pam took half the money out of savings two days ago. She used a credit card at a drug store in Springfield this evening. Right now, we have to be concerned with you and Ellen. Do you keep all your financial records in one place?"



"In Jim's study downstairs. He always takes care of that. Why do you look worried? Should I do something Bill? Tell me what I need to do." Janet said as she started to become hysterical.



"If you have the checkbook and your credit cards, bring them to the study," Bill said as he walked downstairs and into the study. 



He turned on Jim's computer and looked in his file cabinet for any files that would help him. He found the bank statements and credit card statements. Janet came in carrying her wallet and the check book.



"The first thing we need to do is freeze all the joint credit card accounts. While I am on the phone doing that, I need you to try to access your bank records online. We need to see if Jim has made any large withdrawals recently. Do you think you can do that for me Janet?"



"I think so," she said, "He had me do it a couple of times so I could move money in an emergency. I'll let you know if I have a problem."



Bill began calling each card company reporting 'his' card stolen and requesting a freeze placed on the account. He asked each company if the card had been used recently. Of their 4 joint cards, 2 had been used today. A Visa was used for fuel and a restaurant in Lincoln, IL. The other was used to rent a motel room at the Ramada in Springfield, IL. Bill noticed in the folder that Jim had a Visa in his name only that he probably used for business. When he finished with the calls, he looked over at Janet only to see her holding her head in her hands and quietly sobbing.



"What's the matter Janet?" asked Bill as he walked behind her chair and looked at the computer screen.



"He took all our savings except a thousand dollars." She cried, "I have three thousand in checking, but I don't make much over minimum wage at my job and the mortgage is $1200 a month. Jim's income is what pays the expenses here. We used mine for entertainment and to save for Ellen's college. At least he didn't take her money too. I have enough money to pay two or three months expenses here before I would have to take money out of Ellen's account."



Bill printed out the account balances before looking up Ramada Inn on the internet. He searched for information on the Springfield Ramada and wrote the down the number.



"Are you ready to confront them?" Bill said as he looked at a visibly shaken Janet.



"I don't know what to say or ask other than why," said Janet in a soft voice, "why did they do this? What did we do to make them leave? What about our children and what do we tell them? Why do you think Pam left Bill?"



Bill said "I think it has something to do with the swapping that night last winter when the kids went on that school trip. Pam badgered me for over a month to agree to the swap. She said how we flirted with each other all the time and it would be nice to experience a different partner while we were still young and how you told her you would like to have sex with me."



Janet responded "I told her I was always curious if you were a gentle lover because you are so quiet and calm, unlike boisterous Jim who can be rough and demanding with sex. I told Pam I enjoyed the sex with you and the excitement of having a different lover, but didn't want to continue because I was afraid something would go wrong. But she kept pressing to continue after that first time. Jim was the one that bullied me into agreeing that one time and was pressuring me to continue. I think those two set the whole thing up."



"I think they did too Janet. I hate to say it, but I had a strange feeling those two were having an affair for over the last year or so just by the way they glanced at each other then I would notice that they would both disappear for a while when we have the pool parties with the kids. I mentioned it to Pam once, but she just laughed it off and said I had a jealous imagination. I didn't want to say anything to Jim or you and create an argument over my over imagination."



"I think it has been going on a lot longer than you and I realize. Looking back now at how often Pam would volunteer to help Jim when he ran to the store for more pop or something when we ran out of or forgot to buy it. 



She would always laugh and say she better go along because he was a man and would bring back everything but what he was originally sent after. 



I guess I was as clueless as you Bill. When she would say that, I would just laugh and agree with her. You just said you mentioned your suspicion to her at a summer pool party. How long was it after that, was the idea of swapping brought up?"



"I'm not sure exactly," said Bill frowning, "maybe two months at the most. Pam brought the idea up to me in bed one night after we made love. It was after the party where the kids went to some festival with their friends and the four of us were playing in the pool. 



Jim pulled the string to Pam's top and her top came off, and she pulled down my trunks when I laughed. The next thing I knew we were all splashing around playing grab ass with Pam and you topless. 



Enough memory lane for the time being. It's already after 10:00pm; I had better make the call before it gets too late. You want to pick up an extension in a minute Janet and we can both talk?"



"Go ahead and make the call. I'll go grab the cordless and bring it back here."



Bill placed the call as Janet brought back the cordless. She walked into the study as Bill is transferred to Jim's room.



"Jim!... Jim its Bill. What the hell is going on with you and Pam leaving us?"



"Bill?" said Jim in shock and fear that his friend had found them out, "I don't know what you mean buddy. I'm here alone on business."



"Cut the bullshit Jim. Your area doesn't cover Springfield and I know Pam is there. She used her credit card at a drug store this evening. How long have you two been having the affair, two or three years now? Why did you two run away instead of having the balls to face Janet and me?



"We didn't want to hurt either of you. We fell in love. We tried to keep it hidden until the kids graduated, then we were going to tell both of you together. Then you got suspicious and asked Pam. She got worried you would eventually catch us and...."



"You two came up with the idea of swapping spouses," Bill interjected, "in the hope that Janet and I would like it and then what? Then next you two would go for the open marriage idea or just to hide the affair with a constant swapping arrangement until the kids left home? 



Then you two would come to us and say you didn't mean too, but you fell in love and now want to be together. 



Did you think we would divide up assets and all part friends as you two rode off happily into the sunset? 



But, I ruined it two weeks ago didn't I when I said I agreed to a onetime thing and that was all, because to continue we all had to agree or it ended. So why did you run?"



"I knew after you said the swapping was over, you would be watching closely and it would only be a matter of time before we were caught. 



You are too calm and logical to expose us right away. You would have shut us off from all the finances before you said anything and then we would be at the mercy of you and Janet. 



I know both of you would throw us out and we wouldn't have any money right away to live on and I wasn't going through the humiliation of going to my parents or brother's house. 



Besides Pam and I would be separated because no one would let us both move in under the circumstances."



"You know Jim; you left Janet in a very bad financial situation by taking all the savings. She will be out of money in a couple of months. Are you going to send her money to keep the household going until the divorces are settled? She can't keep the house on her pay alone, you know that."



"I only took half the savings like Pam did. We didn't try to hurt either of you. I can't help her right now. We have to find a place to live and we will need furniture and other necessities and it will all cost money plus the lawyers."



"So you expect me to be the bad guy," Janet yelled, "and take Ellen's college money so you and my former friend can set up house. What do you and Pam think the kids are going to say when we tell them the two of you decided to break up both families because you couldn't control your fucking hormones?"



"See! I told Pam you would go crazy and turn the kids against us," Jim yelled into the phone as they could hear Pam yelling NO! NO! and sobbing in the background, "I told her to be ready for an ugly fight for every little thing because you two were going to try to keep everything and make us the villains. 



Well, I'm not going to put up with that shit. I plan on fighting for every dime. You two can go to hell."



"Just calm down Jim," said Bill in his usual calm soft voice, "No one is trying to do anything except find out why you and Pam left and how to take care of your family until this all gets straightened out. 



Are the two of you going to stay down there or come back this way; what are your plans? 



How about Pam's job and your job? I know she only has a part time job but ask her if she quit or took time off. What do I tell them if they call? What does Janet tell your boss if he calls?



"Pam said she quit so they shouldn't call and I took some vacation time so nobody will bother Janet. Pam and I are going to take a few days and decide. It's Tuesday, so we will call my house at 8:00pm Saturday evening and tell you two our ideas about living arrangements and the kids."



"Before you hang up Jim, Bill said, "Ask Pam to turn her cell on and answer it if the kids or I need to talk to her between now and Saturday. She will be in on the conversation Saturday won't she?"



"We already decided I would handle all the negotiations so you couldn't confuse her and split us apart, answered an arrogant Jim, "so if you got any questions, call my cell and I'll give her the message and give you her answer."



"She is my wife Jim," said Bill with a slight anger in his voice, "and if my family has a question for Pam, I'll be damned if I am going to let you decide if she will answer it or not. You can talk to your family like an ass but don't tell me when I can speak to my wife."



"Then I guess you don't get it Bill," said an angry Jim, "she is your wife in name only now, but she is with me, so it's my way or no way. You got it!" Jim hung up.



Jim called the Ramada again.



"Ramada Inn. May I help you?"



"Yes, my friend Mr. James Randolf and his wife are staying at your hotel." Bill said. "I just talked to them and forgot to ask if they will be staying there a couple of days. It's his wife's birthday in two days and I was going to arrange for something to be delivered to her."



"I'm sorry sir but we are not allowed to say. I can connect you to their room if you like?"



"No, he sounded very tired and said he was going to bed. I just wanted to surprise her seeing she is away from her children." Bill explained.



"Like I said sir we aren't allowed to say, but I'm sure if the surprise came tomorrow or the next day she would be happy."



"Thank you anyway," Bill said chuckling, "I know you are only following company policy. Have a good night."



"Bill," said a questioning Janet, "what was that all about? I know you had a reason for calling the Ramada again."



"You and I are taking the rest of the week off. We will see a divorce attorney tomorrow. We want them served papers before they move and we can't find them. Then if you agree, we will also ask for a court order to keep them away from our homes. Plus Janet, you can ask the attorney to file for immediate temporary support for you to cover the normal family expenses. Now it's time we call the kids down and tell them what is going on."



Janet brought the kids downstairs and sat everyone in the den. She let Bill do the talking.



"All three of you are in high school so I will talk to you like adults. Our crisis tonight is because your mother and Ellen's father ran away together after taking money out of each of our bank accounts. 



Janet and I have talked it over and we will be filing divorce papers against our respective spouses. We will try to keep family life as normal as possible but there will be stressful times ahead. If we all try to stay calm and work together we will get through this."



"When will we see mom?" asked Sue. Bill Jr. asked "will she be coming home? Can I call her or will she call me?" Sue said "I need to talk to her too."



"I don't know when you will see her Sue, and no she won't be coming home. She and Mr. Randolf are going to look for a place to live together. I haven't talked to her yet only Mr. Randolf, but that was the message."



"So how are we going to live mom?" asked a nervous Ellen, "Dad paid all the bills. You told me you didn't make a lot at your job."



"We have some money saved up," answered Janet in a calm reassuring voice, "to help for a few months and hopefully by then we can get this settled."



"But will we have to move mom, and where?" Ellen said as her eyes filled with tears.



"We shouldn't," Janet said trying to sound positive, "but I can't predict the future, nor what your father will do, or what the courts will say."



Bill guided Sue and Bill Jr. toward the front door, promising to call Janet as soon as he made an appointment with the attorney. He sent both kids straight to bed before making himself a drink and collapsing into his favorite chair in the den



"If only," Bill said softly to himself, "Jim and Pam had sat down with Janet and me to discuss their feelings for each other then we could have said...........What? 



We're surprised by your announcing you're love for one another, and when did you two first realize you fell out of love with us? 



Or how about....Did the two of you even stop to think what your action will have on the other members of your families? Or are either of you in the least bit concerned about how this will affect your children?



"Dad," Sue said in a quivering voice, "we thought we heard you talking to someone?"



Bill looked up to see his two children standing in the doorway. 



"Just to myself Sue," Bill replied sadly.



"Dad, do you think Mom might change her mind and come home?" asked a hopeful Sue.



"Yah," quickly added Billy, "like she made a mistake and wants to come back to us."



Bill slowly shook his head. "No kids," He said as he saw the tears forming in their eyes. "When I married your mother, I freely gave her my love and she accepted it. She freely gave her love to me and I accepted hers. Each was to be exclusive and not shared." 



Upon uttering those words he inwardly cringed as the coerced swinging came to mind. How stupidly selfish was that he thought. Shaking that off for now he continued.

<hr pg="2" />"When your mother made the decision to leave with Mr. Randolf, she told me by her actions that she no longer gave me her love or wanted to be with me. 



I'm sure your mother thought about what she was doing and hopes she weighed your feelings in her decision because I know she cares dearly about both of you. 



With that Billy and Sue silently turned and walked toward the bedrooms wiping their eyes.



Bill quietly thought to himself.....just yesterday who could have imagined how complex, uncertain and painful life would be for two families embroiled in a mess like this&#x2014;



Bill finished his drink and went to bed knowing sleep would not come easy tonight or any time soon.

