TITLE    : Pain Ch. 03
STORYID  : pain-ch-03
SUMMARY  : The pain ends for some.
AUTHOR   : slow_n_gentle@lit
DATE     : 2009-03-05
CATEGORY : erotic-novels
FLAGS    : h
TAGS     : |divorce|cheating|


PAIN    Chapter 3

[ Pain Ends For Some ]

slow_n_gentle

 [No sex]



Mr. Grant looked at Jim for a moment deciding how to phrase this terrible news into something a little more palatable. 

"I talked to your wife's attorney, Mr. Gannon, and we have come to what I think is a pretty equitable solution considering the circumstances. She wants the petition to remain for adultery.  She wants $1400 support payment until your daughter leaves home and the house is sold. She wants one half of the sale proceeds. She wants $800 in child support until you daughter is 18, and then she wants you to pay 75% of the college expense. You can have an hour visitation with your daughter after you complete the anger management course. The visitation is to be supervised or in a public location.  Depending on how that goes more visitation will be considered"

Considering what you have done in the last few days, I think you are receiving a pretty fair deal. I've seen a lot worse for a lesser amount of disruption to the family. Other than the college, your expenses to your wife will be over with in less than 3 years.

Janet's soon to be ex Jim found a one bedroom furnished apartment in the older high rise apartment complex. It had a pool and a workout area but at a lower rent since the young people were all moving to the new developments on the north edge of town by the mall and entertainment center.

Bill dropped Sue and Billy off at their Grandma's Friday evening. The kids were overjoyed to see their mother as they engulfed her with their love.  Bill thought she looked beautiful, but kept his comment to himself.  Bill said his goodbyes with Pam's promise to have the kids home after dinner on Sunday.

Bill took Janet out to dinner Saturday when she commented on Ellen spending the night with a friend. 

"You look wonderful Janet." Bill commented, "You seem more relaxed and happy."

"Thanks Bill. You looked a lot more relaxed yourself compared to our crisis. I'm happy because Mr. Gannon called Friday to say Jim is accepting my offer for the divorce. I should be receiving my temporary support in a couple of weeks and be a free woman in 6 months.  I think I am going to take some evening classes at the community college so I can find a better paying job."

"Smart idea Janet," Bill replied," You can have Ellen come over to our house while you're in class if you don't want her to stay home alone."

Janet accepted the offer for Ellen. They continued to discuss the kids and new changes they were dealing with in their lives now.  When the meal was over, Bill walked Janet to her door and kissed her as an old friend would on the cheek. They both suspected that good friends would be the extent of their relationship.

Bill's night and all day Sunday was wonderfully quiet and restful until Sue and Billy came in all excited.  They had a great time with their mother. It was sad at the beginning when she answered their questions and cried when she admitted she made many stupid mistakes.  

They went out to eat Saturday night and Sunday.  They spent the day in the park, walking around and talking. They told Bill that Pam still loved him.

Bill received the disturbing news Tuesday when he called Mr. Gannon after hearing his message on the answering machine.

"Bill, I don't know how else to say it." Mr. Gannon said.  "Your wife has put the divorce on hold. She is requesting the two of you go to counseling to try and save the marriage. You can refuse, but I will tell you the court will take a dim view of that and might demand counseling anyway. 

If she is trying for custody of the children, it is a great ploy. Unless you accept, it would look like you don't care about the welfare of the family. It would make her look like the nurturing one even though she was the one who ran away.  

My advice is to agree. At best you reconcile and save the marriage. At worst, you spend time together with a counselor and then get divorced."

"Let me think about it and I'll give you my answer tomorrow." Bill replied. He had a strange feeling about Pam's request.

Bill called his coworker Sarah into his office and asked her to lunch. He needed a woman's perspective on this.

"Something doesn't feel right Sarah," Bill began, "how does a woman go from running away from a marriage on Tuesday to requesting counseling to save it the following Monday."

"She could have decided that what she did was a mistake and requesting counseling is the only way to reach you." Sarah responded, "Or she has some ulterior motive for keeping the marriage alive.  You would have to figure that one out Bill. I only met your wife a couple of times."

"I can understand the mistake part except Pam is an intelligent woman. I always considered her quite logical in our marriage. The only motive I can see is to get custody of the kids if I refused to agree to the counseling." Bill thought for a moment before continuing.

"Could it be what my friend Janet told me? Pam didn't feel her affair was affecting our marriage? That she saw it as something totally different from what she had with me? I find it hard to believe but I'm not a woman and Janet thought it possible."

"Anything is possible," Sarah said, "but I must not be wired that way because I know I couldn't do that to someone I loved. I think you may figure out her reason during counseling. My suggestion is to watch and listen closely to her answers and trust your instinct like you do on the job."

Bill thanked Sarah and promised to keep her informed about the counseling.

When Bill arrived home, Sue was in a cheerful mood as she finished setting the plates on the table. Bill looked in admiration at the meal his daughter prepared.

"I didn't realize you could cook like this Sue. It all looks fantastic." Bill exclaimed still in shock.

"Thanks Dad!" Sue replied with a glowing smile, "Mom has been teaching me since I was in junior high. This is the first time I cooked everything without her watching.  I hope it all turned out OK."

"I'm sure you've made a meal your mother would be proud of." Bill said as he hugged his daughter.

The meal was very good as Billy had seconds.  Bill informed his son that the men would clean the kitchen since Sue did the cooking.

With the kitchen cleaned and the kids in their rooms relaxing or finishing homework, Bill retired to the den with a glass of brandy.  Relaxing in his favorite chair, he tried to clear his head and come to an answer about the counseling.  

He knew it would be painful to have to listen to Pam explain her actions. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to hear why she kept returning to another man's arms. Bill thought he was an excellent husband and father.  

He was always attentive to Pam and tried to fulfill her wants and needs. He thought he satisfied her in the bedroom. He loved their foreplay and gentle lovemaking, and she always seemed to have at least one orgasm and some times more.  He also loved gently holding her afterward; telling her how much he loved and appreciated her. He used to feel comfort whenever he touched her in bed. 



On the outside Bill may look calm and happy, but inside he was very sad. Sad because when Pam was suspected of an affair with Jim it began to affect that special place in his heart that she had earned through the years.  When she ran away with Jim he was devastated and his heart felt pain unlike any he had before or ever imagined.

If they did go through all this counseling, Bill knew it would never be the way it was before she cheated. He would always wonder if she was with some man anytime she was late coming home. When she danced with someone at a party and he saw them talking, he would wonder if she was arranging a tryst. The final question in Bill's mind was-could that hole where his love for her had once been, ever be filled? 

Startled by a voice, Bill looked up to see Sue standing in the doorway with a concerned look on her face.

"I asked you if there was a problem," Sue said, "You were just staring at the wall. What's the problem Dad? You can't keep it all inside or you'll explode. You can talk to me. You may not realize it, but I'm almost an adult."

"You're right." Bill said smiling, "I do forget you're not my little girl anymore. You have become an intelligent young woman. My problem is your mother has requested that she and I go to counseling to try to save the marriage. I was asking myself if I still loved her, and could I trust her again? I don't want to go through the pain of hearing about parts of her affair if I am not ready to consider accepting her and try to find a way to give her my love."

"She wants to save the marriage!" Sue exclaimed. Her smile and sparkling eyes displayed her thoughts on the matter. "That's great Dad. It means she realizes she made a mistake and wants to ask you to forgive her. Please look really hard in your heart and find a place for her again. It would be fantastic to be a family again."

"Why did I have a feeling that is what you would say?"  He said smiling. "I'll let Mr. Gannon know tomorrow that I will agree to the counseling.  However please don't assume that this will automatically bring us back together.  There is much to consider and more to be done. It could be a lengthy process or it may fall apart.  Please be patient and don't get your hopes too high."

Bill called Mr. Gannon telling him to agree to the counseling. Mr. Gannon's secretary called back after lunch asking if Tuesdays at 8:00pm would be acceptable. Bill agreed.

Bill made arrangements with Janet to watch the kids Tuesday evenings.  He agreed to have Ellen over on Monday and Thursday evenings while Janet was in class. She signed up for a computer and 2 business classes in the Continuing Ed of the community college. She was promised a promotion if she completed the classes.



*******

Bill and Pam sat in the waiting room of Dr. Neil with neither saying a word. A short grey haired gentleman opened the door and invited them to take a seat.

"I'm Dr. Alan Neil," he said, "I like to keep my counseling session informal so please refer to me as Al and I will call you Bill and Pam if that is OK with both of you."

Bill and Pam both nodded their head and Al continued.

"Since the divorce proceeding started because of an affair, we will start with you Pam.  Unless you have already told him; tell Bill how the affair started.  Please look at him when you tell him."

"Well, Pam said, "it started at one of our pool parties&hellip;&hellip;.." Pam described the whole thing from Jim walking in with the towels to her having multiple orgasms bent over the washer and sitting on the dryer.

Bill watched her eyes and her facial expression when she described the encounter. Bill's gut tightened up and he felt like he would vomit for a minute until he concentrated on controlling his breathing. "Pam isn't remembering this," Bill thought to himself, "her eyes are becoming glazed over as she relives it. She doesn't regret the incident; she acts like it is a cherished memory." Bill watched her eyes return to normal as she finished her story."

"How did that make you feel Bill?" Al asked, "Look at Pam and tell her exactly how you feel."

Bill looked Pam in the eyes with a cold hard stare. "I feel like you ripped into my chest with a knife and slowly cut out a piece of my heart every time you were with that man. You had absolutely no feelings for me while you committed the savage act and no remorse afterward.  The only thing you cared about was your own pleasure."

Pam shivered as Bill stared at her like he was looking into her very soul. She saw the pain in his eyes when she started telling the story, but then she began to remember how exciting it was and she forgot he was even there until she finished and saw the distressed look on his face. Now she was seeing the injured Bill who has been holding all this in."

"Do you feel any sorrow for the pain you caused Bill because of your action?" Al asked.

Pam looked at Al with a sad expression and in a whimpering voice answered. "Yes. I feel just terrible for causing him all this pain. I wish it had never happened and that I could take all his pain away." Pam lowered her head and fumbled in her purse for a tissue to wipe her eyes.

Bill wished she would have looked at him when she talked. He wanted to watch her eyes to determine the truth. Now he didn't know if she lied or not.

"Did you see this Jim right away or did you feel any remorse for your actions?" Al prompted. 

"I avoided him for a while, but with him living next door we eventually came together again. I tried to explain to him how I felt but he was persistent and we had sex again. I felt miserable afterward for being so weak."

Bill was having trouble determining the truth because she kept turning toward Al after she started talking as if she was intentionally avoiding his eyes. By the sound of her voice she was speaking the truth, but it was early in the therapy and Bill was skeptical.

*******

After three months the sessions were just as tough and Bill still felt an empty spot in his heart but he wanted to believe Pam was really trying to save the marriage. She still avoided looking at him most of the time. When she did look at him, she was speaking the truth. 

He was even talking to her in the waiting room now.  She told him she got a full time job at the big insurance company in town.  She processed payments.  It was kind of monotonous but paid OK with benefits and a retirement plan. 

At their monthly dinner Janet told Bill about her new position as a section leader.  It paid two dollars more an hour and she was eligible for raises and bonuses yearly.  Bill explained how he was started to believe Pam was sincere and was trying to forgive her but it was still difficult. He noticed Janet frowned for a moment when he said that.

That Saturday Sue and Billy walked in the door about 9:00pm.

"Mom said she would start picking us up here on Saturday morning and dropping us off at night." Sue said. "She decided it was foolish for you to drive us all the way to Grandma's house to spend the night and then we came back here to do our activities. She also didn't like it that Billy had to sleep on the couch every weekend when he had a comfortable bed at home. She will be here tomorrow at 10:00am so we can spend the day at the mall.

*******

It was going on 6 months of therapy. Pam and Bill had gone on 9 dinner dates. They had a pleasant time and carried on some serious conversations.  She made a few sexual suggestions, but Bill told her he didn't feel comfortable enough with their relationship to begin that.

Janet asked Bill if Ellen could come over Saturday evening. A man from work had asked her out for dinner and dancing. He was also divorced. She had been having lunch with him at work for a couple of months now and thought they should move to the next step. Janet chuckled when she said he might be a keeper.

Sue was a little upset with her mother. She turned 16 and Bill took her to get her driver's license. She was so proud to pass on the first attempt. Pam got a little irritated when Sue wanted to pick her up Saturday and didn't want to take no for an answer. Pam won the argument, but ended up with a gloomy Sue who came home after lunch.

*******

Therapy was going good now after almost 9 months. Pam and Bill went on dinner dates every week. Pam still made suggestions about moving to the next level and Bill was seriously thinking about it. The hole was still in his heart but his anger was almost gone. Pam still rarely looked at him when they discussed feelings in the sessions but when she did; Bill knew she was telling the truth. Her words of regret for her affair and the pain she caused sounded sincere enough that his instinct wasn't warning him of danger.

Sarah and Chuck noticed his happier mood and were encouraged by his comments about the counseling sessions. Bill even hinted at reconciliation. 

Janet came over to Bill's house for coffee on Sunday afternoon.  Janet was glowing as she told Bill about her serious relationship with Roger Hall, the man she's been dating from work. Janet was sorry, but she didn't think it would look appropriate for her to go to their monthly dinners anymore.  

Bill stopped after work on Monday at the hardware store to pick up the material he needed to fix Sue's closet door.  He was about to pull out and head home when he saw Pam drive past.  He knew it was fate because he was going to call her tonight and suggest dinner a week from Saturday and a possible night of romance. Billy was going to a friend's house for the night. Sue and Ellen were invited to a girlfriend's sweet 16 party and sleepover.  Bill would have the house to himself.

He followed behind her expecting her to stop at a store before driving home, but she left the business district and continued into the residential area.  She finally turned in at an apartment complex, stopping across from the 2323 building. Maybe it was a coworker she was visiting. Bill pulled in a row away and started walking toward the building when he noticed Pam still had her keys in her hand like she lived there.  

She unlocked the door and headed for the elevator. When the elevator door closed, Bill followed a middle aged couple into the lobby and watched to see what floor it stopped on.  It stopped at 4, and then returned to the lobby.  Bill scanned the apartment index, unable to find an apartment for P. Anderson. 

Looking for any name on the 4th floor, he didn't recognize any name until he came to J. Randolf in apartment 412.  Bill's knees felt week as he rushed out the door in time to vomit his coffee into the shrubbery.  

He slowly walked back to his car feeling that hole in his heart opening again.  As he sat in his car calming his nerves, he watched Pam and Jim exit the building carrying on a lively conversation as they walked to her car and left.

The sickening feeling of loss descended on Bill as he drove home. All the wounds that had scabbed over the last 9 months of therapy were suddenly ripped open again. 

Sue looked at her father and knew something terrible was wrong. He looked worse than the day Mom left. When she asked about it, Bill blamed his gloomy behavior on an unexpected project change. 

After dinner, Bill cleaned the kitchen alone trying to stay busy as he looked for answers. A couple of questions came to mind and an idea or two, but no answers to dull the renewed pain.

Sitting in his favorite chair in the den with a glass of brandy on the table, Bill separated the bills from the junk mail. As he opened the bills an idea came to him and he was glad that he hadn't made paying her part of the cell cost an issue. He called the number on the bill.

"Hello, Mobile Cell. This is William Anderson. Account number 345678901. Can I get a detailed printout for one of my phones for as many months as possible? The number is 382 - 882-2305."

"Yes Mr. Anderson," replied the service rep, "We can give you a detailed listing for the last 6 months.  I have placed the request and you should receive it with a week. Is there anything else? Well then thank you for choosing Mobile Cell."

Sleep was fitful with some of the old nightmares returning. When the alarm went off, Bill felt like he had been in a fight all night. He tried to act cheerful during breakfast and at work to avoid everyone's concern about his welfare.

Bill intentionally waited until the last minute before entering Dr. Neil's waiting room.  The door to his office was already open. He and Pam were already seating and cheerfully talking. Bill forced a smile as he walked in as Pam smiled when she saw him. Al looked up as Bill took a seat.

"Pam was just telling me how you two have been communicating more. She said you go out to dinner every week and have a meaningful discussion. She believes the two of you have made great progress at reconciliation. Do you think you have cleared some of the problems in this marriage?"

Bill thought for a moment on how to phrase his answer. He needed some answers of his own before he said what he really thought.

<hr pg="2" />"We have had some very meaningful discussions of the last 9 months. We have progressed quite a ways in understanding one another.  I don't think it will take very much longer before our true feelings are expressed."

Pam grinned and her eyes sparkled as she heard his answer.  Al smiled and nodded his head.

"That's good to hear Bill. It's good to see two people work hard to get past an extremely difficult situation like this. All your hard work and effort will make your marriage stronger."

Bill watched Pam continue to glow for the rest of the session. He answered Al's questions as vaguely as possible so as not to lie to him, but not tell the complete truth either.

Bill was happy when the session ended.  He quickly left before Pam had a chance to speak to him.  On the way home he stopped at the drug store to purchase a disposable camera with a zoom lens and another bottle of brandy.

Leaving the camera in the car, Bill brought the brandy in and poured a glass promising himself to cut back on the drinking when the nightmare with Pam was finished. Sitting in his favorite chair, he sipped the warming liquid as he stared at the wall analyzing Pam's comments and facial expressions this evening. Her actions were not matching her comments.

"Her eyes and facial expressions showed she was telling the truth." Bill said softly to himself, "But what I witnessed Monday was Pam still in a relationship with Jim. Either she has learned to lie with a straight face or Pam really believed she could make the marriage and her relationship with Jim work."

Bill refilled his glass, thinking about what he just said as he sat back down.

"Could Janet be right about Pam? Pam honestly believes her affair with Jim should have no significance on our marriage. By her thinking, she is telling the truth."

Bill hoped the phone records proved him right. He finished his drink hoping it would bring needed sleep.

Wednesday after work Bill drove to the Stratford Apartment complex. He parked toward in the back row in front of 2323 Stratford. Scanning the 4th floor with the camera's zoom lens, he spotted Jim drinking a beer as he looked out the window for something.  Bill shot pictures of Jim and the building.  

Sipping coffee as he waited for Pam to arrive, Bill still couldn't believe she just didn't accept the divorce settlement and continue on with her new life.

Bill set down his coffee and picked up the camera when he saw Jim look out and then smile. Pam parked in the second row in front of 2323.  Bill took a picture as she stepped out of her car showing the building address, and as she walked into the building. It made him sad as he snapped the shot of her kissing Jim in front of the window. He took about 4 more when they left the building and got in Pam's car. He dropped the camera off to be developed with double prints on his way home.

Sue was the first to notice his solemn mood.

"What's the matter Dad? You have been sad for a couple of day now.  Your job can't be bothering you that much.  You can talk to me about anything, you know that."

"It's something I have to work out myself Sue. Until I put all the pieces together, I really don't want to discuss it."

Bill picked up the photos Friday on his way home. He glanced at them to see they weren't blurry, and then stuck them in the pocket of his suit coat. 

Saturday, Pam picked up Sue and Billy around noon. They would have lunch together, and then drop Billy off at his friend's house. He would be spending the night and most of Sunday there as the two of them had a school project to finish for Monday.

Sue was quite happy to spend Sunday alone with her mother. They always had so much to tell each other now that Pam was working full time and didn't call everyday like she used to in the beginning. Her mom's cheerful attitude put Sue in a good mood as the two of them looked at clothes in the mall.

"Mom, I'm worried about Dad.  He has been in a quiet, sad mood now since Monday. Did anything happen at counseling, or did he mention anything to put him in this mood?"

"No, he was in a wonderful mood at counseling.  He told the counselor how we were having meaningful discussions and beginning to understand one another. He even said he didn't think it would take much longer. I might be coming home soon. I think he is going to cancel the divorce."

Sue smiled and tears of joy filled her eyes as she hugged her mother. "Mom, that's great news. Billy and I always hoped we could be a family again."

The rest of the day took on a festive atmosphere as mother and daughter cheerfully spent the day enjoying each other's company.

*******

Janet was a little nervous but at the same time excited as she approached her daughter.

"If you need me Saturday evening, call my cell phone. Roger and I are going to spend the rest of the weekend together at his house.  If I'm not home when you return from the slumber party, stay with Sue."

"Mom, I'm so happy for you." Ellen replied happily, "you didn't have to wait for me to be going away to have sex with Roger. I'm almost an adult. You could have told me and I would have asked Sue or another of my friends if I could stay with them. You and Roger build your relationship; I will be leaving for college in a couple of years."

Janet hugged her daughter. "I'll remember that next time young lady. I forget you are almost a grown woman."

*******

Bill was still in a gloomy mood as he did his usual Saturday housework. He had the last load of clothes in the washer and the carpets vacuumed.  Bill made a sandwich for lunch and brought in the mail. Separating the bills from the junk mail, he spotted the envelope from Mobile Cell.

Bill pulled the thick stack of pages from the envelope. Starting from the oldest 6 month date he started scanning the number on each line. Most calls were to his house when Pam called the kids every day. A few to her mother's house and the rest he didn't recognize but they were only called once or twice. 

Five months back was about the same until near the end of the month. A 285-3436 started calling her five to six times a day.  They started off as one minute calls in the beginning but by the end of the month they were for fifteen minutes or longer.

Four months back the calls from that number were every day with Pam now calling that number. Bill notice the amount of calls to his house dropped and Pam now called her mom's house twice a week.

The rest of the records repeated the same pattern with half a dozen calls a day to and from that number. The calls Pam made to his house decreased to two a week.

Bill picked up his phone and dialed *67 285-3436.  He heard it ring six times and then go to voice mail.

"You have reached Jim Randolf. I'm either on the phone or unavailable at the moment, so please leave a message and number at the tone."

Bill hung up as tears came to his eyes. He knew his instinct had been correct, but in his heart he hoped he was wrong.

"How could I have been so stupid?" Bill screamed at the walls as tears rolled down his face.  "Why did I put myself through all that agony for nothing but more pain?  I can't believe Pam could look at me and tell me she wanted us to be together again, and then leave the counseling and go home to Jim."

For once in his controlled life Bill was devastated. He called Sarah and tried to explain but kept breaking down into a crying jag. 

"I'll be right over Bill. Try to relax until I get there."

When Sarah walked in, Bill was on his second brandy.  His eyes were red and his face streaked with half wiped tears, but he half smiled when he saw her.

"Thank you for coming Sarah. I didn't know who else to call. I've fallen into a deep dark hole and I can't get out.  She lied Sarah.  She sat there and lied the whole time."

Bill showed her the photos he took of Pam and Jim. Then he showed her the pages of cell calls explaining the pattern of Pam and Jim resuming their relationship.

"Bill, I'm not sure what to say. You were leery of her reason for the counseling, and told me you were suspicious of her answers in the beginning sessions. After about six months of counseling, you told me she was giving truthful answers and you believed and trusted her."

Bill just shook his head.

"I know Sarah. I was feeling happy again and the pain and heartache was almost completely gone. Hell, I was talking about reconciliation and canceling the divorce. She was looking me right in the eyes and telling me all the wonderful things I wanted to hear about wanting to be a family again, and how sorry she was to cause me so much pain.  I bought into the whole pack of lies."  

Bill broke down and the tears flowed. Sarah sat quietly holding him as his whole body shook when he cried.

"I'm sorry to be like this Sarah, but it feels like she ripped my heart out again only this time the pain is worse.  The first time I was suspicious of her, but this time I really trusted her again and that is what hurts so much."

"I know how you feel Bill. I told Tom months before I actually caught him cheating on me that I thought he was having an affair. He looked me right in the eyes and denied it.  He denied it the second time I asked him right before I showed him the pictures the PI took.  I know what it's like to want to believe the person you love and have your heart broken by their deceit."

Sarah noticed the sun had set. She had been talking and holding Bill for hours.

"What do you say to us ordering Chinese and we go pick it up. We need a break and you could use a little time outside and then something besides brandy in your stomach."

Bill found the menu by the phone and called in their order.  Sarah was right; he started to relax in the night air away from the house and his troubles.	

Bill and Sarah sat at the kitchen table and discussed Bill's options. He made notes on his legal pad as they talked.

Sarah's eyes lit up. "Before you take this evidence to your attorney, you should call your counselor and try to see him before your regular session. Show him the evidence and tell him you no longer have any trust in her.  If he agrees with your feeling, and I'm sure he will, have him send a letter to the judge recommending the counseling be suspended.  That would weigh very heavy with the judge's decision." 

They moved back over to the couch and began organizing the mess for Monday. Sarah started organizing the cell phone pages while Bill finished rewriting his notes into logical ideas. He became a little emotional when he started separating the duplicate photos and saw the ones of Pam embracing Jim.

Sarah set down her work to slide next to Bill and hug him as he tried to regain his composure.



Sue was surprised to see a strange car in the driveway when her mother dropped her off.

"Dad must have a friend from work stop over." Sue said thankful her mother couldn't see her frown in the dark car. "It's probably about that problem that has been bothering him.  Anyway, I will see you tomorrow Mom."

Sue walked in the house as her mother drove away.  She froze inside the kitchen when she saw a woman hugging her father in the den.  She was saying something to him, but Sue couldn't understand the soft voice.  Sue's anger grew as she walked into the den. How dare this woman destroy their family just when her mom and dad were getting back together?

"I'm home dad." Sue announced loudly, causing the couple to separate in shock.

Bill looked into the frowning face of his daughter. "Sarah, this is my daughter Susan. Susan, this is Sarah Miller. Sarah is a co worker and close friend."

"It's nice to meet you." Sue said with a tense edge to her voice.

Sarah felt the territorial tension in the air. "It's nice to finally meet you Susan. Your father is always talking about you and your brother."

Sarah looked at Bill for a moment. "Now that your daughter is here for you, I'll be going now. I'll see you Monday morning Bill.  If you have trouble again, don't hesitate to call."

Sarah leaned over and kissed Bill on the cheek before standing up and leaving.

Bill walked over and started cleaning off the kitchen table.  When he finished, he poured another brandy and returned to the den.

Sue was still upset with her father. "Why was she here dad? She's trying to ruin everything."

"She came over because I called her for help Sue. You shouldn't have been so rude to her. She helped me cope with a very depressing situation."

"You didn't look depressed when I walked in. It looked like you were enjoying her company." Sue replied in a snippy tone.

Bill face was glum as he looked at his daughter.

 "You told me I should talk to you like an adult. I collected evidence that your mother has been living with Jim Randolf the whole time she has been going to this counseling to fix our marriage. Everything she did was a lie.  The reason she didn't want you to pick her up at your Grandma's house is because she moved into town with him about four months ago. That was why she told you to call her cell instead of Grandma's."

Sue's face saddened as she slowly sat next to her Dad as he handed her the photos.

"She lives at 2323 Stratford with him in apt. 412.  I saw her Monday night when I was leaving the hardware store. I followed her because I wanted to ask her to dinner next Saturday night when you and Billy were going to be gone.  

That's when I saw her go into those apartments. I looked on the name index and couldn't find her name, but I found J. Randolf in 412.  I went back to my car and they came out together a few minutes later. They were both smiling and laughing."

"Sarah came over because I got the cell phone printout for the last six months and got pretty emotional. He started calling her 5 months ago. She started returning his calls shortly after that.  She told me she wants to be together again but she talked to him six times a day for 15 minutes to over an hour at a time. 

I don't know what she was trying to do but I quit. I got so depressed all I could do was cry. Sarah came over to calm me and help me solve my problem. I'm going to ask that the counseling be stopped and the divorce proceed."

Sue had tears running down her cheeks as she listened to her dad. She too had been so happy listening to her mother talk about being part of the family again.

"You do what you have to do dad," Sue sobbed, "I'm sorry I talked you into going to the counseling and having to endure all that pain again, but I believed her when she said she loved you."

"I did too baby girl; I did too." Bill held his daughter as the tears began to fall from both of them.

Bright and early Sunday morning Sue quietly dressed and left the house. She drove to 2323 Stratford where she found her mother's car parked in the lot. Walking into the lobby, she picked up the phone and dialed 412.

"Hello," said a groggy female voice, "who is this?"

"How could you do this to daddy, mother?  You said you wanted to be a family again."

"Susan?" Pam said in surprise, "I can explain. It&hellip;.."

"Don't bother mother. It will just be another one of your lies. Don't come to pick me up today, I won't be home.  In fact, don't ever come to pick me up again." Sue hung up and slowly walked toward her car. She had trouble seeing through the tears of sadness and rage.

Pam hung up the phone. Her body began shaking as she cried.

Jim rolled over in the bed and put his hand on her hip. "What's the matter babe?"

"Susan just called from the lobby phone. She knows I've been living with you.  She was upset and doesn't want to see me anymore." The tears continued to pour as Jim tried to comfort her.

Sue parked in the garage and tried to quietly enter the house.  She saw her father sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and watching her come in.

"Where did you go this morning?"

Bill noticed Sue's red eyes when she entered the kitchen and sat down.

"I went over to Stratford and called on the lobby phone. Mom answered the phone for his apartment. I called her a liar and told her I never wanted to see her again." Sue's tears started to flow again.  

Bill reached over and touched his daughter's arm. "I promise you it will get better Sue. You just have to believe it will get better."

Bill spent the morning organizing his paperwork for Monday. He checked the information he wrote on the legal pad yesterday and made a list of people to call Monday.

He convinced Sue to drive him to Office Max where he made copies of the cell phone papers. Bill tried to cheer her up by letting her pick the restaurant for lunch.

"You're a junior now. Have you decided where you want to go to college?"



 "I was thinking of going right here at the university. We could save money by me living at home. The bus system runs in our neighborhood so I wouldn't need a car and you will have the house until Billy graduates high school. What do you think dad?"

"I think I have a daughter who worries about the rest of her family. Don't you want to experience college life away from your parent, where you would have freedom and cause your father to worry about the frat boys?"

Sue chuckled. "If I live at home, you can still worry about the frat boys dad. They will be on the campus when I attend class."

"Is Ellen also going to stay in town?"

"She plans on doing the same thing. Her mother and Roger plan on getting married when she graduates. She will live at Roger's house. Ellen says you will like him; he is a lot like you. Ellen said she has never seen her mother happier." 

Monday Bill convinced Dr. Neil's office for an afternoon appointment.  He also called Mobile Cell and cancelled Pam's service.

"What seems to be the emergency Bill?" Asked Dr. Neil, "I thought your relationship with Pam was coming along and you were talking about reconciliation."

Bill set the photos and the highlighted phone records in front of Dr. Neil.

"All that changed last Monday Al. I saw Pam drive past me Monday and I followed her. I wanted to ask her to spend Saturday night with me since both our children would be away from home for the night.  I followed her to an apartment complex where she now lives with the man she ran away with.  

I found out through the cell phone records she has been talking to him for the last five months."

Bill took a minute to control his emotions.

"I want to know how she could sit here for nine months expressing her sorrow and feelings for me while she was living with her lover for the last 5 months.  She sounded and looked like she was telling the truth. I really believed and trusted her."

Dr. Neil's brow wrinkled as he considered what he had just heard.

"When she was having the affair Bill, did she treat you any differently than before she was seeing the other man?"

"No, not in the least." Bill answered. "I thought about it when they ran away. If it wasn't for their guilty actions at an outdoor party, I wouldn't have known. She treated me and the kids like she always did. She touched me as we passed one another in the house like she always did and we made love like always. The sex didn't reduce or she didn't suddenly want to try something new.  She treated me just as she always did."

Dr. Neil nodded his head.

"I didn't think of asking those questions in the beginning session.  Pam could have what is a form of Split Personality. It means she rationalizes the affair with the other man as being totally unrelated to your marriage. Pam thinks each one is a separate part of her life and as such does not affect the other."

"The other reason for seeing you is to quit the sessions and continue with the divorce.  I have spent the weekend reliving the pain from the affair. I could never be married to Pam now.  I no longer can trust or believe her.  What she did was tear my family apart again.  My daughter drove to the apartment complex Sunday to see for herself.  She no longer wants to see her mother anymore because of the lies."

"I understand how your family is upset. But you have to understand, the reason we believed her in the first place was because in Pam's mind she is telling the truth.  She is sorry she hurt you, and she still loves you like she always has and will.  I will send a letter to the judge stating the counseling sessions have stopped due to her actions that are causing irreconcilable differences."

<hr pg="3" />Dr. Neil looked at Bill's sad face.

"I hope you heal quickly Bill then find the happiness elsewhere that you had before."

"I have not told Pam yet Al. She will be coming to tomorrow's session."

"That's fine Bill. I have a lot to discuss with Pam that will be easier without you there."

Bill paid the bill for today and tomorrow night. He asked the secretary for a copy of the itemized bill.  Pam could reimburse him for the counseling.

Tuesday morning Bill saw Mr. Gannon.  He gave him the photos, cell records, and receipt for the counseling sessions. He told him Mr. Neil was sending a letter to the judge recommending the sessions be terminated due to her continued actions causing irreconcilable differences.

"Now that I know she is living with Jim, I want the petition changed to her paying child support and reimbursing me completely for the counseling she requested."

"I'll send a copy of the materials and pictures  you gave me to Ms. Evers along with our changes to the petition."

Bill invited Sarah to lunch after his talk with his attorney.

"I have already talked with the counselor. He agreed to terminate the counseling. My attorney is contacting Pam's attorney to advise them of the changes we are requesting. We will be divorcing with no more stalling.  My family needs to heal and get on with our lives."

"I believe you took the only reasonable option left Bill. You tried the counseling for the family. Regrettably, you now have to pursue the divorce for your family.  Trust me Bill, you will heal with time.  I did."



Pam couldn't believe Jim hadn't called her yesterday or today until she tried to call him at lunch.  When she called Mobile Cell to report her phone not working, she was informed the service had been terminated as of ten o'clock Monday.  Pam then remembered she had never received a bill so evidently Bill had been paying it.  Sue must have told him about finding her at Jim's apartment. She would talk to him about it tonight. He could have called her first before he cancelled it.

 Pam signed up for new cell service on her way to the counselor. She wanted to talk to Bill before the session but he was evidently running late.

Dr. Neil opened his door at eight o'clock and invited her to sit. Tonight he closed the door behind her instead of leaving it open until Bill arrived.

Dr. Neil saw the questioning on her face when he closed the door.

"Bill won't be coming tonight.  Tonight will be our last session. I have already sent my recommendation to the judge terminating the counseling."

Pam suddenly became nervous. "Why are you doing that Al? I thought we were making progress. That is what you said last week."

"Last week Pam, I didn't know you were living for the last four months with the man you left your marriage for. Bill brought that to my attention Monday.  He showed me the photos and cell records of your continuing affair.  I terminated the counseling because reconciliation is no longer possible."

"What about me Al. I told him everything and apologized for my causing him pain."

"Pam, the only pain you experienced was when you could no longer have Bill in your life. In your mind, your marriage to Bill is completely unrelated to your affair with this other man. You treat each like its own separate world. You're upset because Bill can't understand that you still love him even though you still enjoy the affair."

Dr. Neil watched Pam for her reaction before continuing.

"I suggest you consider counseling for you disorder. Bill is going forward with the divorce. I suggest you contact your attorney tomorrow."

Pam's eyes were red when she arrived home.  Jim saw her wet cheeks and hurried over to hold her.

"It's OK babe. I'm here for you. Let's go the bed now and I'll make you forget all about Bill."

Pam called Ms. Evers during her morning break.

"I tried to contact you yesterday Pam. Your number was disconnected."

"Bill cancelled my cell service. I have a new number now I can give you.  The counselor told me to call you today."

"Your husband's attorney informed me they are proceeding with the divorce. They are changing the petition to include child support and $5125 in reimbursement that Mr. Anderson paid for the counseling.  They also delivered some photos and cell phone records.  Why didn't you inform me you have been living with your lover for the last four months?  

I would have advised you to cancel the counseling and take the original deal. Now it is going to be at the judge's discretion as to how much child support you will pay. Also, your demand for counseling may come back to hurt you. I will talk to Mr. Gannon to see what kind of money they are talking about before we see the judge. I will call you when we have a court date.

Three weeks later Bill signed the divorce agreement. Pam had already signed earlier that day.

"I will take it before the judge and you should be divorced in six months Bill." Frank Gannon said, "Sorry you had to relive the pain in that counseling, but now she has signed and it is finished except for the judge's signature."

Bill and Sarah went to lunch like they had been doing since she came to his house that tearful Saturday.

"I received an interesting invitation to dinner Friday night." Sarah said smiling, "I accepted right away."

Bill's eyes showed his sadness over Sarah's statement.  "That's wonderful Sarah. Who asked you out, if you don't mind me asking?"

Sarah chuckled at Bill's expression. "Your daughter Bill. I am invited to dinner at your house at seven o'clock."

Sue was a nervous wreck Friday as she and Ellen rushed home from the bus stop.

"Thanks for helping me Ellen. I want this to be perfect for Sarah after the way I treated her. I could tell she really cares for dad, and I'm pretty sure he feels the same about her if he will just trust again."

Ellen washed and cut the broccoli florets and then diced the fresh tomatoes.

Sue set out the ingredients for the Chicken Marsala and diced the fresh mozzarella for the pasta salad.

When Sarah arrived the table was set and the dishes ready to serve.

Sue graciously received the compliments for her cooking and accepted Sarah's offer to help with the clean up.

"I wanted to apologize to you Sarah for the way I acted when I saw you that Saturday with dad. I thought you were trying to keep him and mom apart. Dad told me everything after you left.  Thank you for coming over to comfort him."

"He helped me through my divorce years ago Sue. He showed me how to do things on my own. It was the least I could do for a good friend."

"Sarah, I am a very observant woman." Sue stated as she looked at her, "I know you have feelings for my dad that go beyond just friendship. I can also tell you that if you use a little female ingenuity on my dad, he will eventually show you how he really feels about you. I think the two of you would be a perfect couple."

Sarah's eyes watered as she smiled at a beaming Sue.

"Why don't you go sit by dad while I finish. I'll bring in coffee for both of you before I go to my room."

"You have a very beautiful and intelligent daughter Bill. You should be very proud."

"I am proud Sarah, but a lot of the credit goes to her mother. She taught her how to cook and become the young woman she is today. I just watched and praised her."

Sarah took Sue's advice by inviting Bill to dinner at her house and hinting about wanting to see some local events with him.  Bill eventually caught on and dated Sarah on a steady basis.

********

Time passed quickly and soon Sue was graduating high school. Billy would be a senior in the fall. 

Janet and Roger cleaned out the house. With Ellen graduating, the house was listed for sale.  Ellen was staying with Sue for the week while Roger and her mom went on a quick honeymoon to Hawaii. When they returned, Janet and Ellen would move into Roger's house. 

Jim asked Pam to marry him now that he no longer had child support or alimony payments. They were married in a civil ceremony with a honeymoon in Las Vegas.  Pam moved her money to Jim's accounts when they married and added her name.

Pam found out that one of the men she works with lived in her apartment building. Henry Ponton lived in apartment 307.  Pam thought Henry was smart and cute.  He was a lot like Bill. Pam began eating lunch with Henry. She found out he was a bachelor, engaged once but stood up at the altar. He went out with old friends once in a while but no one seriously. 

He did comment once about the bruise on her arm, but she explained she wasn't paying attention and ran into a post at the park. Henry thought to himself that it looked like someone's fingers.

Bill, Sue, and Billy helped their old friends move. After moving everything that Janet wanted to keep to Roger's house, they hauled the remaining furniture to the auction mart and the small items to Goodwill.   

It was a sad moment when Bill, Sue, and Billy left their friend's new home. They could no longer just walk across the lawn to see them.

********

Billy started his last year of high school. His friend now picked him up every morning so he wouldn't have to ride the bus. They gave Sue a ride on the days she had a morning class.

Bill and Sarah were spending more time together. It was an unspoken agreement that they would marry and live in Sarah's house when Billy graduated and Bill had to sell the house. Both kids liked the change in their dad since Sarah came into his life.



It was the second week of October when Bill noticed the sold sign in front of Janet's house. Bill was curious who his new neighbors would be, but remembered he would be leaving in less than a year.

That evening Bill got his answer when the phone rang.

"Bill, its Janet. I thought I'd better tell you so it won't be a total shock. Jim and Pam bought the house.  He knew what the lowest price we would take was and that is what he bid.  In this market we had only a few lookers and no serious offers. He knew I had to accept the offer. We close in two weeks, and I think he said his lease is up next month. I'm sorry Bill, but I couldn't legally stop it."

"Thanks for telling me Janet. You're right; I wouldn't want to find that surprise when I came home. Give my best to Ellen and Roger. "

After hanging up Bill said out loud "What the hell is Jim up to?"  "He wouldn't buy that house without some revenge motive."

Bill was sitting in his chair when Sue came in from her evening class.

"Hey dad, did you notice the sold sign in front of Randolf's house?"

"Yes I did." Bill answered with a sigh, "Wait till you hear who our new neighbors are!"



To Be Continued



