TITLE    : Pain Ch. 04
STORYID  : pain-ch-04
SUMMARY  : Pain goes on for others.
AUTHOR   : slow_n_gentle@lit
DATE     : 2009-03-06
CATEGORY : erotic-novels
FLAGS    : h
TAGS     : |cheating|


[some sex]



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!"



"Who dad?"



"Your mother and Jim Randolf. They will be moving in within a month."



"Why would they want to move back here?"



"That is what I was asking myself when you walked in. I'm sure we will find out soon after they arrive."



********



"Why did we have to buy your old house Jim?" Pam asked for the umpteenth time. "It's a buyer's market. We could have got a bargain anywhere in the area."



"I'll tell you for the last time." Jim heatedly replied, "It was the best deal for the money. I already owned half so we only had to buy out Janet's half. You also can see your kids now all you want."



"I told you they didn't want to see me anymore after they found out I was living with you. They expected Bill and me to get together again."



Jim smirked as he looked at her.



"You couldn't stay away from the hot sex. Even if you would have gone back to him, you would have been back to see me. Hard sex is like a drug to you babe, you have to have it."



Pam grimaced as she ignored his comment



"You didn't buy that house just to irritate Bill did you?" Pam questioned.



Jim's face turned red as her grabbed her arms and shook her. "I said it was the best deal. Now drop it!"



Pam cowered from Jim rubbing her arms where he grabbed her.



Jim tried to soften the situation when he noticed the fear in her eyes. "Sorry babe. I'm going out and calm down." Jim left; driving to his favorite bar.



Pam took her keys and walked down the stairs to apartment 307 and knocked.



"Pam, what a surprise. Come on in." Henry smiled until he noticed her rubbing her red arms. "What's the matter Pam?"



"Jim got upset then grabbed and shook me. He bought his old house back from his ex. I upset him when I asked if it was to upset my former husband living next door."



Henry put his arms around Pam and gently hugged her.



"Why do you stay with that man Pam? I know you come to work in long sleeve shirts because he leaves bruises on you. I think it is also why you only wear slacks. You should get away from him before he really hurts you."



Pam leaned into Henry. He made her feel so calm and safe just like Bill always did. She stayed wrapped in Henry's arms as she remembered that tender loving that Bill used to give her, and how much she missed it. It was always so gentle and caring, and so different from Jim's rough sex. She quietly stayed in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder as he calmed her with his soft touch and soothing words.



Pam saw a silver car pull into the parking lot. She suddenly realized over an hour had past.



"I've got to go Henry. I think Jim just came back. Thank you for being here for me."



Henry's heart ached as watched her run for the stairs. He wished she would leave that bully and be with him. He would treat her with the kindness and respect she deserved.



She quickly ran upstairs and into the apartment. She grabbed a drink and a magazine before sitting in the living room. A few minutes later Jim walked in.



"I'm sorry I lost my temper babe, but I don't need you questioning me about the house anymore. We close in two weeks and then it will be our home. You'll see. Your kids will start talking to you again. You said your mother and sister started talking to you after a couple of weeks. When your kids see you every day, I know they will start talking to you."



"OK Jim," Pam shyly replied, "I won't mention it again."



Two weeks later they closed on the house. It was the first time Pam saw her old friend Janet since the incident, as she now thought of it, over two years ago. Janet had been cold to Jim but she did talk to Pam for a few minutes when Janet introduced her to Roger. Pam was shocked by Janet's appearance. She looked radiant as she talked to the other people at the closing.



Jim was upset when he found the house totally empty. He thought Janet would leave the furniture and appliances she wasn't going to use. He pounded his fist on the counter in a tantrum when he looked at his paperwork and saw he didn't specify that the appliances stay when he made the bid. That was some more money he hadn't planned on spending.



Now that she had married Jim, Pam realized she had no idea how much money they had or where Jim spent it. They didn't discuss the finances like Bill and she use to. Jim paid all the bills and gave her some cash every payday and a credit card to use for the groceries and other necessities of the house. 



She was starting to discover how controlling he was now that they were married. She was becoming increasingly concerned over his fits of anger.



Pam felt fortunate she raised her retirement deduction at work to the maximum amount while she was still single. Seeing how Jim acted about money now, he would have never allowed it. Luckily the quarterly statement still went to her mother's house since she never changed her address at work. Jim didn't even know she had it and now she knew to never tell him.



It was two weeks before their lease expired that they finally moved out of the apartment. She suggested a moving company, but Jim said they could move it cheaper themselves with the help of a few friends. Some of their neighbors helped them load the truck Jim rented. 



Henry helped load at the apartment, but was unable to help them unload. Pam knew it was because of the way Jim treated him.



Jim backed the truck into the driveway and the two of them started unloading. Jim was irritated that Pam had to take so many breaks and had trouble carrying in some of the furniture. She responded that if he would have hired some movers, they would already be in the house. 



Jim was about to respond to Pam's remark when Billy stepped outside.



"Hey Billy," Jim said smiling, "How about taking a few minutes and help your mother and I move this furniture in?"



"No Mr. Randolf. I have to go study with my friend." Billy replied as continued on his way.



Jim turned red as he glared at Pam. "He wouldn't have acted that way if he was my kid."



Pam didn't reply. Anything she said would only make him mad. She picked up another box and carried it inside. 



They finished moving all the furniture in by 10:00 pm. Pam left to pick up some takeout food hoping Jim would have a couple of beers to calm down and quit complaining about paying another day for the rental truck. 



**********



She knew that most of the neighborhood activity slowed and in many cases stopped during the winter, but Pam was upset that neither of her children had even acknowledged her presence since they had moved in. In fact this past fall they went so far as to stop raking leaves in the front of the house and move to the back when she came out to rake her yard and tried to start a conversation. 



Pam eventually called and demanded the kids talk to her per the divorce agreement. Sue informed her she was eighteen and no longer required to follow the ruling. Billy walked over and stood there for about 10 minutes answering yes or no to her questions until she broke down in tears and told him to leave. Pam hadn't called again.



Pam cried again around Christmas time when she mailed presents to her children only to find the boxes sitting on her front porch unopened when she returned home from work.



********



The problem started in the spring when winter cold was finally gone and warm days brought the neighborhood alive.



Bill had been working in the yard on the weekends when Pam also started working outside. He was pleasant and talked to her like he would any other neighbor. Jim now made it a habit of coming out whenever he saw Pam talking to Bill. He would intentionally grab her in a possessive manner and make some crude comment. Bill saw that Pam was uncomfortable and most times humiliated by Jim's behavior. It irritated Jim that Bill never showed any emotion or said a word.



Sue noticed the change in her father when he came inside after Jim's possessive antics. She could see the fire in his eyes over Jim's treatment of her mom. Sue knew she had to do something before her dad exploded. She called Billy at his friend's house and explained the problem. Billy readily agreed with Sue's solution. Sue then placed her second call.



"Sarah, this is Sue. I need you to pack a weekend bag and come over right away. You need to keep dad from exploding. I'll explain everything when you get here."



Bill was surprised when Sarah arrived, even more so when she took a suitcase out of her car and walked into the house. Before he could finish his cleanup, she walked back outside dressed to work. 



Sarah walked up to Bill and wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a smoldering kiss. She noticed Pam showed some sadness, but Jim became angry. Sue was right. Jim thought he could make Bill jealous. Sarah helped Bill finish his cleanup and then whispered something in his ear. Bill's forehead wrinkled as she led him back inside.



"Sue what is it you want to discuss with me that involves Sarah?" 



"I told Sarah to come over because Jim is trying to make you jealous by being possessive with mom. They don't know you're engaged dad because you always go to Sarah's house. Mr. Randolf thinks you are a miserable, lonely man. I told Sarah to pack a bag and come over for the weekend. You looked like you were ready to explode when you came in last time."



"I hate seeing that ass treats her like a possession instead of a person. I learned a lot dealing with him over the phone before the divorce. He is an arrogant ass that only cares about his own self image. You're right Sue; I was being stupid and letting him make me mad. You didn't have to ask Sarah to come here for that."



"I have something to say and I want the two of you to wait until I am finished before you say anything. I talked to Billy and he agrees. We want Sarah to start staying here over the weekend. You are going to be married in a few months. Billy and I are old enough to know the two of you are intimate. We don't want you to have to go to Sarah's house to be together. 



If Sarah spends the weekends here, Jim will quit trying to irritate you, and you can spend more time with Sarah. Remember, we will all be moving to her house when this one sells. I hope you aren't planning on running to a motel whenever you want to make love with her."



Sarah giggled over the last statement.



"Sue's right Bill. They will be in the house with us when you move. They survived all the years with you and your ex-wife being intimate without any noticeable emotional damage."



Bill threw up his hands in defeat. "I see now I'm going to be ganged up on by you two. Sarah, welcome to the family."



With Sarah spending the weekends, Bill was a much calmer man. He forgot how much he enjoyed sleeping cuddled up to a woman. He noticed Sarah also seemed to be in a better mood.



*********



Bill called a family meeting to discuss a major purchase. When he brought his car in to be serviced, they pointed out some major problems with his car that would cost big dollars over the coming year. Since the car was ten years old, he proposed they purchase a new one instead of spending money on the old car. 



With the sluggish economy, the car manufacturers were offering deals to reduce inventory. He thought a Chevy Malibu would be a good choice for the money. After everyone gave their opinion, the Chevy was agreed upon. 



Bill had included the whole family in major purchases since the kids were little. He started it to teach them that marriage was an equal partnership where the couple worked together and each had a voice in making important decisions. He hoped his method would be carried on by his children.



Bill noticed Jim turned red and stormed into the house when he saw the new car. It wasn't his intent to flaunt the purchase, but he had to admit it felt good to irritate Jim for a change.



********



Pam noticed Jim had become moody. He was working longer hours and coming home tired. He only wanted sex twice the previous week and none so far. She tried talking to him about it, but he just brushed it off as the tension of his job. His sales were down because many of his customers were reducing the size of their orders due to the uncertainty of the economy. He would not be receiving his usual bonus check and his commission checks would be smaller. He had to start entertaining his old customers just to keep them. She offered to sit down with him and look for ways to cut expenses, but he refused her offer. He became irritated when Pam reminded him she had to send a check to Bill this week for her share of Sue's college expense.



*******



Jim was stressing himself out. Pam was beginning to question him. His smaller checks were causing a money problem. Pam hadn't commented yet, but Jim knew she wondered why the sex slowed down. He couldn't have sex with her now; she would see all the marks Donna left on him.



Ever since he invited the new sales woman at work to lunch, his life had become a roller coaster. Donna didn't need to work, but took the job to relieve the boredom of being alone. Her husband made excellent money as an onsite engineer, but could only come home every other weekend. Over lunch, Jim and Donna discovered they had two things in common; they loved uninhibited sex and didn't mind being unfaithful to their spouses. She was Jim's perfect sex partner, being just as wild and rough to him as he treated her.



Since he started having sex with Donna, he rarely visited his customers anymore. He began handling their business over the phone, accepting the reduced size orders without his usual haggling so he could hurry to meet her. He had to rent a furnished apartment at The Willows since she wouldn't use her apartment because her mother in law lived on the same floor and he couldn't bring her home. 



The cost of motel rooms the first month had been outrageous. With his smaller checks, Jim was taking more money out of savings to cover monthly expenses. He would be unable to pay Ellen's fall college payments.



Jim saw the silver lining in his rapidly approaching dark cloud. Sue and Ellen would be out of school for the summer and Bill's house would go on the market. If the house sold before the fall semester, Pam's share would put Jim would be in good financial shape. He knew the economy would improve soon and his commission checks would be back to normal.







*********



After work, Bill moved another load to Sarah's house. He hoped to have the small stuff moved so next weekend; he and Billy could move the furniture they were keeping. In two weeks, Sue and Billy would be out of school. They would have a 3 day garage sale and then place the house on the market. 



Bill wanted them moved to Sarah's as soon as possible; Jim's comments were wearing thin on his patience. Jim had started irritating Sarah with his crude suggestive comments even when Pam was standing close by him. Bill hadn't heard him say anything himself, but Sarah had no reason to lie about it. 



The furniture was moved and the house cleaned out. Everything left was moved to the garage and priced. They were finishing up Thursday evening when Bill saw Pam looking over at the garage.



"Pam, why don't you look and see if there is anything you want before the sale starts tomorrow. I'm sure there is probably something I forgot to give you when we separated."



Pam was slowly walking through the aisles of merchandise in the garage as Sarah quietly watched. Bill was finishing organizing the last row of kitchenware. Sue and Billy were checking the house for the last time.



Jim arrived home and saw Pam walking through the garage next door holding a couple of items. He spotted Sarah standing alone by the door and walked over to her.



"Say babe. You decide to have a real man yet?" Jim softly said with a smirk.



Sarah turned and looked him in the eye. "I have a real man, not an arrogant ass like yourself who has to make disgusting comments to women to make up for their lack of ability to charm them. I find your comments revolting and would prefer that you leave me alone." Sarah stated in a raised voice.



Jim grabbed her arm and started to say something.



"Get your hands off her and leave Randolf." Bill said as he stood up.



"What do you plan to do about Bill? The cops aren't around to save you this time."



"I said remove your hands and quietly leave before I remove you bodily." Bill replied in a calm voice.



Jim let go of Sarah and smiled as he walked toward Bill. He had been trying to push him in to a fight for weeks. He would finally pay him back for all the trouble he caused.



Jim moved out into the driveway as Bill stepped out of the garage.



Sue and Billy came over to Sarah when they heard the raised voices.



"Billy, run in and call the police before Mr. Randolf hurts dad again." Sue said showing her fear in her voice.



Sarah looked concerned when Billy didn't move.



Pam walked over to the group and looked at her son. "Go call Billy before Jim hurts your father."



Billy smiled. "Don't worry about dad. Worry that Mr. Randolf hasn't pushed him too far."



As soon as Bill approached Jim threw a punch. Bill easily blocked it and followed with a right to side of Jims face knowing that would leave a black eye for a week.



Bill ducked Jim's second punch and landed two fast body blows to the midsection, followed by a left to his jaw. Jim became wobbly on his legs when Bill's right caught him solid in the face, breaking his nose. Jim dropped to the pavement where he laid trying to regain his senses.



Bill grabbed an old towel and wet it under the outside faucet. He handed that and a dry one to Pam.



"Put the wet one around his neck and have him hold the dry one to his nose. Take him to the emergency room so they can set his nose."



Pam was awestruck by what she had just seen as she helped Jim to his feet and assisted him to her car. She ran inside for her purse and quickly drove to the hospital.



Bill walked into the house and filled the sink with cold water. He dumped in ice cubes before submerging his hands.



Sarah and Sue came in and quietly looked at him.



Billy brought two towels into the kitchen for his father.



Sue looked at her brother. "How did you know dad would be OK? Mr. Randolf beat him up last time."



Billy chuckled. "Dad let Mr. Randolf hit him last time. I asked him about it when I was taping the cut. He wanted Mr. Randolf in jail so he wouldn't bother Ellen and Mrs. Randolf. Dad took me to the gym and taught me how to box when I was in junior high. He also taught me to fight only as a last resort. When I saw him start to walk out of the garage, I knew the last resort had arrived. 



Sarah held a towel to dry Bill's hands. She leaned over and kissed her man.



"You ran out of resorts?"



Bill calmly looked at her and nodded.



"That man has been trying my patience since he ran away with Pam. I have tried to calmly deal with his arrogant attitude since the whole mess started. The hardest thing I had to do was force myself to stop hitting him."



*******



While they waited for the doctor to release him, Jim looked sternly at Pam.



"Why in the hell didn't you tell me he was a boxer?"



"I didn't know!" Pam replied, "I was as surprised as you were. That's the first time I have seen Bill do a violent act since I met him. Maybe that is why he always seems so calm."



Pam apologized the next morning to Sarah and the family for Jim's rude behavior. Sarah noticed that Pam now looked at Bill in a different way.



The garage sale went well, leaving them with only a small load to donate to Goodwill. Jim had stayed inside as much as possible and avoided looking next door when he had to go out.

<hr pg="2" />Pam was sad seeing her old house empty. She remembered the constant buzz of activity in the house when Sue and Billy were growing up and Ellen over playing with Sue every day. Her or Janet crossing the yard to talk over coffee. Now it was all gone. Gone over a stupid error in her judgment. 



Pam thought about her feeling excited when Jim first approached her in his arrogant macho swagger and said those crude remarks about what he wanted to do with her body. His confident attitude made her wet just imagining him doing those things. She realized she had started looking at Bill as the quiet little wimpy guy that the bullies like Jim kicked sand in their face. Bill let her have her way almost every time they disagreed.



Pam's eyes became wet as she regretted her actions and not looking closely at the man she had. She saw how Sarah looked at Bill. She saw the quiet confidence that Pam had thought was his weakness. Pam got more than the confident macho man she wished for. She got an arrogant man who controls her life, leaves bruises on her, and frightens her with his temper.



**********



It was a Saturday in September when Pam received her first indication of trouble. Jim was gone visiting a customer. He was doing that a lot lately. She was doing the housework when the phone rang.



"Pam, this is Janet. Is Jim home?"



"No, He went to visit a customer. I don't know when he will be back, but can I help you?"



"Maybe? I haven't received the check for Ellen's college expenses and classes have already started. I paid my part, but they are looking for the rest. Could you see if he wrote the check yet?"



"I'd like to help you, but he keeps the checkbook with him and I can't check in the computer because he never told me the password."



Janet chuckled. "If he hasn't changed it, try 'STUD MAN'."



Pam went into the den and accessed the bank on the computer. She gained access using Janet's suggestion. What she saw caused chills to run through her. She picked up the extension.



"Jim must have used something else when he changed banks. I couldn't get access. I'll leave a note on the computer and tell him when he comes home Janet. He probably just forgot. He's been under a lot of pressure at work lately. His customers have been cutting their orders, and he has been working more to try to find new customers plus keep his old ones."



"Tell Jim the college told Ellen she had until the end of the month to pay or she would have to apply for a student loan to cover it."



"I'll let him know the minute he comes in Janet. Bye."



Pam stared at the computer screen in shock. There was almost nothing in the checking account, but even worst was the fact that the savings was down to a couple of thousand. There wasn't enough to cover the college expense for Ellen let alone her part for Sue and Billy. She had given Jim close to $50,000 when they got married. What in the hell did he do with all of it?"



Pam looked at the savings withdrawals after her deposit. Jim had lied about the saving when she gave him the check. He said he had $25,000 saved for Ellen's education, but the records showed less than $5,000 in the savings before her check was deposited. She saw a $20,000 and a $3,000 that match with the checking account deposits. Jim used the twenty as a down payment on the house and the three for the appliances he bought. He didn't tell her about needing a down payment or what he paid for the appliances he picked out. What scared Pam was Jim had been withdrawing over two thousand every month. The checking account shows the big checks to the credit card companies, but Jim didn't itemize them separately. Jim paid $800 to The Willows. That must be that club where he takes his clients. Pam would tell him to use a cheaper place, but then he would know she saw the bank records and change the password. Pam trembled thinking about the tirade he would have over her accessing the bank records. She decided to keep quiet and call Bill at work, maybe they could figure something out. 



Monday morning Pam sadly made her call.



"Bill, its Pam. I'm sorry to bother you at work but I didn't want to call you from home this weekend. I can't pay this semester's college expenses. Jim used the money to buy the house without telling me. Can you pay it and I'll try to get a loan at the credit union to pay you back?"



"It's OK Pam. I always pay it in full and then deposit your check in the bank. The kids' college bill is paid for this semester. Jim doesn't discuss the family finances with you?"



"I don't know our finances. Jim keeps the checkbook. If Janet hadn't called Saturday looking for her check from Jim, I wouldn't have known the password for the online banking. By the way, don't say anything to Janet. I told her I couldn't gain access. I didn't want to tell her he spent all the money."



Bill was upset as Pam described her situation. Jim treated his wives like second class citizens. No wonder Janet always looked so sad when she was married to him. Bill had to admit he was seeing the same look in Pam's face.



"Maybe something good is right around the corner Pam. The realtor told me we have three couples who have looked at the house two or three times. There is a good chance one of them will put in a bid. Your problem may be solved shortly.



**********



"Pam Randolf speaking. How may I help you?"



It's Bill. Can we meet at lunch? We got a bid on the house and I need you to sign the papers. The bid is a little lower than I hoped, but considering the market I think we should take it."



"I take lunch at 1pm if you want to come here. I'll meet you in the lobby of the visitor's entrance and I'll sign. I have something else to ask you anyway. See you then. Bye"



At 1pm, Pam met Bill and Sarah in the visitors lobby.



"I hope you don't mind that Bill brought me along Pam. We were going to go to lunch afterward."



"It's fine Sarah. There is nothing I was going to say to Bill that he wouldn't tell you anyway. What I want you to figure out Bill is what my portion of the rest of the kids' college will be. We will add that to your check when they issue our separate checks. I'll know their college is covered and Jim won't get his hands on the money."



"If that is how you want to do it Pam. I'll figure it out tonight and call you at work tomorrow. If the figure sounds OK to you, I'll advise the realtor of the change. Thank you for thinking about the kids. I'll be sure to tell them. Now I need you to sign these so we can all have lunch. I'll call you with the closing date."



That evening Bill calculated the college costs for the remainder of the kids' college and added the average yearly increase. 



"Pam Randolf speaking. How may I help you?"



"It's Bill. I calculated your half of the college cost to be $50,000 give or take a couple hundred. I talked to the realtor; you would still leave with a $75,000 check."



"That sounds good. Could I have the realtor's number? I want to see if they will split that amount into two checks for me. I don't want to give Jim that much money after what he did with the money I gave him before. I think I will deposit some where he can't get it."



"I'll give you the number. I think they will do it for you. You might have to pay a little for the added expense but I think you have a good idea. I almost forgot. The realtor said we will close on the 23rd at 1pm. Will that work for you?"



"That will be fine. I'll take a half day off so I can deposit the other check before I go home. Thanks again for all your help Bill, I really appreciate it. Bye"



Before going home that evening, Pam stopped at their credit union and signed up putting $25 in a savings and checking account. She used her mother's house for the mailing address. She requested they withdraw $30 from each check to go into checking. That was the amount of her new pay raise. Jim didn't need to spend it.



Pam stopped on the way home at the Chinese restaurant for her order. She had called Jim at her afternoon break to see when he expected to be home. He told her it would be another long day and he would eat with a customer this evening.



***********



Jim sat naked in the chair drinking his beer. He watched Donna emerge from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. He handed her the wine cooler he brought from the fridge when he got his beer.



"Did I hear a phone ring while I was in the shower? I hope I didn't miss his call again. He gets suspicious when he has to leave too many voice messages."



"No it was for me. My wife wanted to know when I would be home for dinner. I told her I would be working late and eat with the customer."



Donna chuckled as she walked toward him and dropped the towel. She stood in front of him and placed one foot in his chair, spreading her legs. "Dinner is served lover."



Jim set his beer down and leaned forward sliding his tongue through her lower lips as his hands grasped her ass.



He kept running his tongue up and down making sure to just touch her clit enough to excite her. He moved one hand around so he could begin sliding two fingers slowly in and out of her.



Donna finished her wine cooler and dropped the empty on the floor. She started moving her hips in rhythm with his fingers. Jim was getting her ready again as she grabbed his head to hold it where she wanted him. As she started moaning and grinding herself into his face, Jim pushed her away. 



Standing up, he roughly pulled her toward the chair until she was bent over it. He rubbed his hard cock up and down until she grabbed it and placed it at her entrance. Donna screamed as Jim buried his cock completely in her in a single thrust. He grabbed her hips and began slowly pulling out, then slamming forward with a grunt. 



Donna gasped as his thrusts pushed her chest into the chair. She loved the rough sex but sometimes Jim scared her especially if he was mad, like the time they met in the apartment after he lost one of his big accounts to a competitor. He left painful marks on her that took a couple of weeks to go away. Right now, he was just rough enough to give her the extra thrill she craved.



Jim increased his speed as he heard her breathing quickening. He slid his hands up her ribs until he cupped her breast. He painfully pinched her nipples as he slammed into her fully and shot his load. Donna screamed in pain and pleasure as he pushed her over the edge. She fell forward quivering as her body slowly recovered.



"Easy on the nipples Jim. It felt like you almost tore them off. I would have a hell of a time explaining that to hubby."



Jim chuckled. "After all you're fucking around, I'm sure you would come up with something. We taking a shower together now?"



Donna shook her head as she walked to the bathroom. "I don't have time lover. The old lady gets suspicious and tells her son if I come home too late. I'm going to clean up a little and shower at home. Same time tomorrow? 



I told you we've only got a few weeks left before hubby's job is done. Then he will be home for three months until his next project is ready. You'll like that lover, its overseas and he only comes home one week every three months. He said it will be at least a two year project."



********



Pam and Bill sat across the table from the buyers. The papers had been signed and the keys passed to them. The clerk passed out the checks to Pam, Bill, and the realtors.



"Sue and Billy asked me to thank you Pam. They thought it was a wonderful gesture on your part. Sue told me Ellen never received her check from Jim. Roger paid for the semester."



"I don't know what the hell is going on with him Bill. He comes home late most evenings, takes a shower and watches a little TV before going to bed. I rarely speak to him anymore. I would mention the check for Janet, but it might set him off. I hate to admit it, but I think marrying him was a big mistake on my part. He has become moody and his temper is extremely short now. I know what Janet meant when she said he frightened her."



"You just be careful Pam. If you feel threatened, dial 911 and leave. If he tries to stop you, the police will at least be alerted and hopefully send a car to check it out. Don't stay and try to calm him down, it isn't worth the risk."



Pam called Jim about dinner and received the same answer as she had for the last 3 weeks. She stopped at the credit union and deposited the $50,000; $5,000 in checking and the rest in savings. She also requested a debit card be sent to her mailing address. Pam picked up dinner from the TO-GO restaurant and went home.



Jim came home smelling of beer and went straight to the bathroom to shower. Pam heard the shower stop and a few minutes later his footsteps to the bedroom. She decided to tell him about the check in the morning.



Pam had the coffee ready and the breakfast on the table when Jim came down stairs.



"We closed on the house yesterday Jim. I've got the check in my purse. If you give me a deposit slip, I'll stop at the bank on my way to work."



Jim looked at Pam and smiled. His silver lining had finally arrived.



"That's OK. Just endorse the check and I'll drop it off. How much did you get?



"The check is for $25,000."



Jim's face turned red "$25,000! Where the fuck is the rest of the money? Did that bastard cheat you out of you fair share. You should have had me go with you."



Pam felt scared. Jim had that look again.



"After the mortgage and the rest, my share was $75,000. I gave Bill my share of the kids' college expenses for the rest of their education. That was $50,000. The check is the remainder."



Jim swung his hand, hitting Pam in the face and knocking her to the floor.



"You stupid bitch! You don't make decisions like that. I tell you what to think. Now you gave away the money to that asshole." Jim stomped upstairs to finish dressing.



Pam dialed 911 before grabbing her purse and running to her car. She looked in the mirror at the stop light. Jim's handprint was still visible on her face. She would go to Bill, but she didn't know where he lived. When the light changed, she knew right where she was headed.



Pam pulled in front of 2323 Stafford and ran to the lobby. Picking up the phone, she dialed 307.



"Henry, its Pam. I need your help." The door buzzed and Pam hurried to the third floor.



Henry was waiting in his doorway as she ran crying into his arms. He held her as her body trembled.



"What's the matter Pam? You said you needed help."



Pam looked up at Henry and heard him gasp when he saw the handprint on her face. 



"He hit me this morning. He turned red and started screaming and he hit me." 



Henry led her inside his apartment and gently sat her on the couch. He fixed two cups of coffee, and sat next to her. Pam slowly drank her cup trying to regain her composure.



"I closed on our old house with Bill, my former husband. I owe for half the kids college education, so I had them give Bill the money out of my half of the proceeds. When I explained to Jim why my check was so small he exploded and hit me. Then he screamed like a lunatic before going upstairs. I ran out of the house. You were the only one I could think of coming to for help."



Henry held her as the tears began to fall and she started shivering again.



********



Jim heard the door bell and knocking on the door as he walked down the stairs. Looking out he saw a squad car parked in his drive. The bitch must have called the cops before leaving.



"Good morning officer. Can I help you?"



"Someone called 911 from this address. Is there an emergency?"



"No. I was just leaving for work. My wife left a little while ago."



"Do you mind if we come in and look around?"



"No, not at all. I know it is part of your job so by all means please look around."



One officer looked on the main floor while keeping an eye on Jim. The second officer checked the upstairs and the lower level. The first officer found the handle off the phone in the kitchen.



Jim looked at the officers.



"My wife must have bumped it with her purse when she was leaving this morning. The button on the left is preset for 911. I'm sorry you had to come out on a false alarm."



The first officer tried the button and found it did dial 911. He reported the situation clear.



Jim apologized again, cussing Pam under his breath as the squad drove away. He suddenly remembered, the bitch still had the check.



Jim drove through the parking lot at Pam's job without seeing her car. He didn't want to drive out to her mother's house, besides the old bitch hated him for causing the divorce. She still liked Bill. He drove past Bill's office, still not finding her car. Jim remembered one more place.



Driving into the complex, Jim spotted her car parked by 2323. 



"The bitch ran to him." Jim mumbled to himself, "I knew that bastard was her lover. I'll show her what happens when my woman fucks around on me."



Jim walked into the lobby and stared at the tenant index until someone walked out. Quickly grabbing the door, he slipped in and headed for the third floor.



Jim walked quietly down to 307 and listened. He could hear Henry and Pam having some kind of conversation, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. He decided to wait in the stairway until she came out.



********



"I think you should go down to the police station and file a complaint against him Pam. You have to leave him now. The man has become more violent. The next time you might not be so lucky and end up in the hospital."



Pam shivered at the thought. "OK. I'll file a complaint, but I don't want to go there alone. The people waiting in those places give me the creeps."



"Let me finish dressing and I'll take you down there. Why don't you call work and tell them we will be a little late."



"I'll call them from my cell; I want to make sure I locked my car. I'll see you in the lobby."



"I'll be there as soon as I tie my shoes," Henry replied, "go ahead and I'll see you down stairs."



Pam walked down the hall toward the elevator. She heard a noise and started to look to her right when she was suddenly slammed up against the wall.



"Fuck around on me you slut," Jim yelled as he held her by one arm as he hit her repeatedly with his fist."I'll show you what real men do when their woman fuck around on them.



Pam screamed and cried as he continued to hit her until she passed out. Jim dropped her to the floor and began kicking her lifeless body.



"Get away from her you maniac!" Henry screamed as he ran toward the couple.



Henry looked down at Pam's still bleeding body when Jim attacked him. He kneed Henry in the groin, wanting to make sure he didn't run into another boxer. When Henry doubled over in pain, Jim began pummeling him with his fists until he fell to the floor. After kicking him a couple of times, Jim dropped down and started pounding his head on the concrete floor.



"This will teach you to fuck my woman you wimp ass bastard." Jim screamed at an unconscious Henry, "Nobody fucks my woman and gets away with it."



********



"Fred. Fred wake up." His wife said as she shook him. "Someone is screaming in the hallway.



Get up and go take a look. It sounded terrible."



Fred, a 30 year veteran of the police force, got up and slipped on some sweat pants and a tee shirt. He heard the screaming as he got close to the front door. Sticking his head in the hallway, he saw a man kick an unconscious woman before attacking one of his neighbors.



"Call 911 Claire, Report an assault in the hallway and tell them to send an ambulance."



Not wanting to go back in the bedroom for his key to the safety box where he kept his gun secured, Fred grabbed his handcuffs and night stick.



Walking past his neighbors door, Fred rapped on it with his stick. He should still be home at this hour and his back up could be a good thing.



Jim felt an extreme pain across his back like something hit him, and then it hit again. A hand grabbed his neck and pulled him off the guy. He saw a stick as it pushed into his abdomen, taking his breath away before he felt his whole body being slammed to the floor. Someone had a knee in his back and was pulling his arm behind him. While he tried to regain his breath he heard a metal click and his other arm was being pulled back. When he heard the click again, he realized he couldn't move his arms anymore. 

<hr pg="3" />"I know him, he used to live here." Someone said.



"Someone get a towel for that poor woman." Another yelled.



"Don't move Henry," Fred said to his neighbor, "He probably has a head injury. This asshole was pounding his head into the floor. Someone go downstairs and let the police and EMS in.



********



"Mr. Bill Anderson? Do you know a Pam Randolf?"



"I'm Bill Anderson. Pam Randolf is my ex wife. Why do you ask?"



"This is Mercy Hospital. She was brought in unconscious and you are listed on the card in her wallet for emergency contact."



"That is probably an old card. She is married to Jim Randolf. I think I have his number...."



After a long pause..."It is my understanding that he caused her injuries. We need someone to authorize her surgery."



"I'll be there in a few minutes." Bill called Sarah's extension.



"I need you to run home and get a folder out of files and bring it to the hospital."



"What's the matter Bill?" Sarah said, hoping one of the kids weren't injured.



"Pam's in the hospital and needs surgery. I need the folder marked power of attorney out of my file."



"Why don't they just call her husband?" asked Sarah.



"They said he caused the injuries. Can you get the file and meet me at Mercy Hospital. I'll let Chuck know on the way out."



"Sure Hon. Power of Attorney folder. Mercy Hospital. I'll meet you there."



********



Bill walked into the emergency room and asked about Pam.



They brought him to an enclosed space and promised to be back in a moment.



Bill held his chest when he saw her battered face. If they hadn't brought him, he wouldn't have recognized her.



"Mr. Randolf?"



Bill turned to see a man in scrubs looking at him.



"No, I'm Bill Anderson. I'm her former husband. Someone here called me because I'm her emergency contact."



"We need to find someone who can authorize her surgery."



"My wife is coming with the Power of Attorney forms we signed years ago."



The man hesitated. "I don't know if they will be valid considering she is remarried."



"One minute," Bill said as he walked to the phone. "Mr. Gannon please. Tell him it is a life or death emergency."



Bill explained the situation to Frank Gannon before handing the phone to the Doctor. After a short conversation, the Doctor handed the phone back.



"Thanks Frank. Can I convince you to come down here in a little bit? I think Pam is going to need a good attorney. OK Bye."



"Excuse me," a nurse said looking at Bill, "I know you here for this lady, but would you know who we can contact for the gentleman she came in with."



Bill went with the nurse into the next enclosure. A man was unconscious with a brace holding his head immobile. 



"They said his name was Henry Ponton, but he has nothing on him for an emergency contact."



"Pam talked about a Henry she works with. Try calling Ace Insurance Company and ask their Human Resources for a contact number."



Bill returned to Pam and waited.



Bill turned when he heard a gasp. Sarah had her hand to her mouth, but the look in her eyes said it all. Bill took the folder and held her with his other arm.



"Let me give them the authorization they need and I'll be right back."



Sarah nodded her head as she stared at Pam.



Bill returned a few minutes later.



"Now that I'm her Power of Attorney, I found out a few things."



Sarah grabbed his hand for support before his started.



"She has a broken nose, fractured cheek, broken jaw, fractured hip, and her leg is broken in two places. They are concerned the most about her internal bleeding. They can't tell how severe it is."



Sarah leaned on Bill. Tears ran down her cheeks. "Why Bill? Why would anyone do that to another person?"



"I don't know Sarah. I wish I had the answer, but I don't."



Frank Gannon walked in and looked at Pam. He took out a camera and took several shots.



"Sorry. I know it looks crude, but it is very effective when we show it to the judge. I have a nurse and their notary coming in so your wife might have to step out for a minute if it gets too cramped for space. You might want to step out anyway because they have to wake her to sign the form."



Sarah walked over to the counter when two women walked in. She heard Pam groan and a lot of low voices. A couple of minutes later, the two women left and Bill signaled Sarah to come back.



Pam had her eyes partially open when Sarah saw her. She was shaking her head as Mr. Gannon was talking to her and Bill was holding her hand as he listened.



A nurse came in and inserted a needle into her IV. She said Pam would be asleep in a minute. She would be going to surgery within the hour.



Bill motioned Frank over to the side.



"Can you file the divorce petition for her? We need all that asshole's assets frozen in the divorce filing so he can't make bale or hire a sharp attorney. I don't want that man to see the light of day again."



"I'll go file it now. We know right where to find him. When I show the judge the pictures, I think he will agree to the freeze. Call the number on the back of the card and let me know how she is. She's lucky to still have you as a friend Bill."



When they took her up to surgery, the nurse thanked Bill for the information on Henry. They were able to contact his brother for authorization. The nurse suggested they go eat now. The surgery could take a few hours. They should go to 2nd floor surgical waiting when they returned for more information.



Bill called Janet at work. He told her about Pam and asked her about where Jim banked. She informed him where the mortgage was and what bank he used for checking. She told him anything else would be at the same bank because Jim was never that imaginative.



*******



As soon as Frank Gannon was notified that Jim Randolf was served, he contacted the judge's clerk requesting an emergency meeting with the judge.



"What's this all about Frank?" asked Judge William Jefferson, "you never want an emergency meeting."



"It's a special situation your Honor." Frank said as he passed the pictures to the judge. "My client was hospitalized by her husband. We are requesting that their assets be frozen until she is out of the hospital and he is tried for his crime. We believe if he uses the assets to make bail, he will take off, leaving my client with nothing. She will have huge medical costs for the foreseeable future." We will agree to allow assets to be used for the day to day running of the household."



"I'll grant your motion Frank." The judge said shaking his head, "why can't they just walk away and separate the legal way? Why do they have to turn to violence?"



"I wish I knew your Honor. I really wish I knew."



Bill called Frank and informed him of the banks Jim used. 



"I'll fax a copy of the judge's order to the two banks and the credit bureaus. Call me with his credit cards when you check his house and I'll notify them."



"Thanks for all your help Frank. You've been a life saver today.



*******



After they ate, Sarah and Bill sat in the surgical waiting area. Sarah had left a message on their answering machine for Sue. Bill had called Alice, Pam's mother, to inform her.



"Alice. It's Bill. I'm calling to let you know Pam is in the hospital. Her husband beat her severely. She is in surgery now. I'll call you back when she is in recovery and the doctor tells me how it went."



"I told her that guy was no good. The first time I saw him, I knew he was nothing but an arrogant ass and told her to stay away from him. I didn't let him step foot in my house when they came over and told Pam to never bring him back. Maybe she will listen to her mother now. Thanks Bill. Please call me when you know something. I'll be up now until you call."



Sue called Sarah when she heard the message. Sarah told her to stay home. There was nothing anyone could do for Pam until she was out of surgery. Sue should contact Billy and let him know that as well.



Five hours later a very tired pair of surgeons met with Sarah and Bill.



"We worked in two teams. One concentrated on stopping the internal bleeding in her abdomen while the other repaired her nose, cheek, and jaw."



"After the facial work, we had to insert some screws in her thigh bone to hold it together. The longest time was on the reconstruction of her pelvis. We will have to wait and see the extent of the nerve damage after the swelling goes down and she starts to heal."



"One of us will check on her progress tomorrow, but be aware that it will be awhile before she will be moving and talking again."



Bill called Alice and gave her the news. She could go to sleep now and see her daughter tomorrow.



*********



Jim sat on the other side of the glass panel from his father in the visitor's room wishing he had never got out of bed. His day had gone from bad to worse to total shit. First he catches his wife cheating and ends up being arrested. Then he gets served divorce papers while sitting in jail. His father's face looked grim as he picked up the phone to talk to him.



"Jim. I went to your bank with your note. They told me that all your accounts have been frozen because of the divorce petition. They can't release a dime without court approval. I talked to the rest of the family, they won't loan you any money or put up anything for your bail. Everyone told you for years that your temper would get you in serious trouble, and now it has. 



One of the officers I talked to said they don't know if the guy you beat up will make it. He was still in a coma. They said you really injured your wife. She will probably never be the same again. The officer did tell me that you will get a public defender if you can't afford an attorney. I told them that you would need one."



Jim grew angry as his father talked. His day just went beyond total shit.



"So you and the rest of my fucking family are just going to abandon me. All the things I have done for everyone over the years suddenly don't mean shit. Well, thanks a fucking lot. Tell all those asshole that they can go fuck themselves if they think I will ever do anything for them again." Jim threw down the phone when his father stood up and walked away.



The next day Jim was told he was going to see his attorney. As he walked into the room, Jim saw a kid in his twenties look up at him.



"Mr. James Randolf? Jim Baker. I am your attorney for this case. I have been looking over the evidence the district attorney sent me and I truthfully don't see much chance for you. I will try to get the charges reduced; I'll tell you right now I see little chance of it. 



The District Attorney himself is going to try your case. Truth of the matter is this is basically an easy conviction for him with all the evidence and eye witnesses. It is also election year and he is running on a tough on crime platform and with you beating your wife, he will win votes from the women's organizations if he gets you the maximum punishment. 



We can go to trial, but it will be a just a show. Once he shows the photos of your victims, you're convicted, and if I try to put them on the stand to question them, you're convicted. Anything we try, you are convicted. The simplest thing is for you to plead guilty and hope the judge is not a friend of the DA.



Jim didn't like what he was hearing, but was trying to control his anger.



"So what you are saying is whatever I do, I'm fucked. And I'm fucked twice as bad because the DA wants to get reelected. Do you have any good news for me kid?"



"Only that both your victims lived. Look Mr. Randolf, they have it all. They have sworn statements from a dozen witnesses including the off duty officer that stopped you. They have the video from the hallway cameras showing you attacking them. We have nothing to present in your defense. Unless you want to sit through a trial, plead guilty.



There was a small bright spot in a few people's lives when Jim pleaded guilty at the arraignment hearing. 30 days later he was sentenced to 14 years for aggravated domestic assault on Pam and 25 years for attempted murder of Henry. The sentences were to be served consecutively.



With the conviction, Pam's divorce was approved with her receiving all the assets. Once the freeze was lifted, she asked Bill to sell the furniture and put the house on the market. She also had him send a check to Janet for the remainder of Ellen's college expense.



********



It was over four months since the attack. Pam was staying at a rehabilitation facility learning how to walk and improve her hampered speech due to the nerve damage. Her spirits were kept high by the constant flow of daily visitors. 



Pam found one of her staunchest supporters to be Sarah. She spent hours with her almost every evening just listening and talking to her. It was Sarah who convinced Sue and Billy to forgive their mother and let her back into their lives.



During Bill's visit, Pam could see Sarah's influence on him. She had healed that broken heart and taught him to forgive. He was the Bill she remembered from years past that always smiled and laughed. He was always praising her progress and upbeat about her future. As sad as Pam felt about no longer having Bill, she reminded herself that he deserved a wife like Sarah.



Pam experienced a low in her life when Henry and his brother came to visit. Jim's attack had left Henry's left arm paralyzed and he had slight brain damage, enough that his career in accounting was over. 



He had stopped by to say goodbye. He was moving back to Ohio to live at his brother's home with his family. He would find a job he could handle to help pay his way. Henry wished the best for Pam and hoped she recovered quickly. Henry was wiping his eyes as he left and Pam was openly crying over the fate of her friend.



When Pam was finally released, she moved back home with her mother. The nerve damage left was permanent on the left side of her face so that she could only smile on her right side; the left always had a blank look to it. The injury to her leg and hip left her with a distinct limp when she walked. Her speech had returned to normal and her mind was as sharp as ever.



It was a very eerie feeling when she returned to work. She could feel the people glancing at her as she walked past. No one said a word, probably worried about saying the wrong thing or maybe a rumor had spread about her and Henry having an affair.



People started to relax after a couple of weeks, but she noticed they no longer looked her in the face when they talked. She found her job as the faceless voice on the phone to be perfect for her situation. She could do her job and return home every night to spend the evening with her mother. Pam no longer received calls from people inviting her out.



*******



Pam had been back to work for over a year. Her life was now down to a routine she could perform in her sleep. One day, that all changed.



It was on a Wednesday when she received the call at work from Sarah. They would pick her up at her house at 7:00 for a girl's night out. It would consist of dinner, a couple of drinks and a lot of lively conversation. There would be no excuses accepted.



There was a knock on her door promptly at 7:00pm. As Pam answered the door, she noticed her mother was also dressed to go out. 



"I see both you ladies are ready to go." Sarah announced as she walked in with Sue right behind her. "It is time that we ladies go out for an enjoyable evening without having to take care of any men.



The woman had a great time. Besides the good food, they laughed at Sue's stories of college life and Alice's tales from her early years as a young woman. Pam told about some of her humiliating times growing up and Sarah even amazed Alice with her practical wisdom on life, love, and men. By the end of the evening, it was decided the Ladies Night would be a weekly event.



Over the course of time many personal problems were solved and many achievements were applauded at the Wednesday Ladies Night. Sue's problem with her non committal boyfriend was analyzed on one evening. Sue was given a couple of ideas to get the young man to commit or for Sue to look elsewhere.



It was at the Wednesday Ladies Night that Sue introduced everyone to Billy's unannounced Fiancée, Terri. Pam was shocked to learn that Billy had been seeing her since his junior year in high school. She was the same age as Sue. She graduated from college with a degree in industrial engineering and she worked at the same company as Bill, in fact they had worked together on a project. 



What shocked Pam the most was that Terri was the sister of Billy's friend Todd. Pam suddenly realized she has let her son stay over many nights at his friend's house the last two years of high school. Terri assured her that only some kissing and touching happened back then. 



It was these last two years that they have been living together that Terri wouldn't talk about. She said the plan was to get married after Billy graduated this year. Sarah had a fun time that night when she was in bed with Bill telling him about the exciting news from the ladies.



*********



The years rolled on for everyone. Billy graduated as an engineer and got a job where his dad worked. He and Terri have been married for twelve years. They have a nine year old boy and a six year old girl. 



Sue got her masters in psychology. She went into practice with one of her professors, Dr. Alan Neil. She couldn't get the first boyfriend to commit, so she reentered the dating scene. She fell for a young pharmacist who filled her prescription. They dated for a year before he proposed. They have been married for ten years now and have an eight year old boy and twin 6 year old girls.



*********



Everyone came to celebrate Alice's 80th birthday. She was still as feisty as when she was a young woman. She got around pretty good but Pam had to convert the den into a bedroom because Alice couldn't climb the stairs anymore. It was a week before she would be eighty-one that Pam called her sister and Bill to say Alice passed away in her sleep.



At the funeral was the first time in a long time that Bill had really took a look at Pam. She no longer had the gorgeous face since the attack and she only wore slacks to hide the scars but she seemed to have developed an inner peace over the years. She had become a very confident woman and it showed in the way she dealt with life. Sarah told him how Pam was a positive influence in the grandkids lives and her relationship with her own children and their spouses.



*******



It was at the Wednesday Ladies Night that Sarah complained about having a sore back and abdominal pain. She thought it was because she and Bill had been cleaning the house and moving furniture around. She had also noticed she was tired lately. She assumed it was just old age since she was 59 now. The ladies talked about the subject throughout dinner and a solution was proposed. The group decided Sarah should see her physician and have it checked out. She hadn't seen a doctor in years since she always felt fine.



Her doctor checked her over and sent her to the hospital to have a few routine tests run. She called her two days later and sent her to get a scan of her abdomen. 



She called Sarah later that day to give her the number of a specialist. She didn't like the look of Sarah's ovaries in the scan but wanted the specialist's opinion.



Sarah was concerned as she watched the doctor look at her tests.



"I want you to check into the hospital. I would like to do a biopsy on your ovaries. I don't like the look of your scan. I'm afraid it looks like it could be cancer."



Sarah returned home in a daze. This wasn't supposed to happen. This was the time in her life when she and Bill planned what they were going to do during their retirement years. Now she had to tell Bill that their plans were going to change. Sarah had a feeling things were not going to change for the better.

<hr pg="4" />After she and Bill ate dinner, Sarah sat next to him on the couch and held his hand.



"Bill, I have to check into the hospital tomorrow. The specialist wants to do a biopsy on my ovaries. He suspects cancer."



Bill waited nervously in the surgical waiting room remembering sitting there years ago with Sarah waiting for Pam. He was beginning to hate hospitals and this room in particular.



"Mr. Anderson. I'm Dr. Warren. The ovaries were cancerous and we removed them. We also biopsied some lymph glands. They came back cancerous. We will let her rest for a couple of days and then do a full body scan. I'm afraid she waited too long and the cancer has likely spread throughout her body. The nurse will come for you when she is in a room. I'm sorry."



Bill dropped into the chair and lowered his head. Life had been going so well for his family. Until this, everyone was healthy and doing fine. The kids were happily married. It was hard to believe his grandchildren were in high school.



Sarah was his rock. She was the one that made everything right. She had banished the pain. She more than filled the empty spot in his heart. She taught him to forget the past and forgive Pam. Sarah taught his children to forgive their mother. Everyone she touched, she changed for the better. It wasn't fair that she get sick when it was her time to do what she wanted.



"Mr. Anderson. I can take you to see your wife now."



Bill followed the nurse into a dimly lit room. Other than the tubes and wires connected to her, she looked like she was peacefully sleeping. Bill always thought she looked especially beautiful when she slept, her smile made her look almost angelic.



Sarah had the full body scan. The results were not good. The cancer was throughout her body. The doctor wanted to start chemotherapy, but Sarah refused. She went home and had a long talk with Bill.



"I want us to continue our lives like normal. I don't want to tell anyone until we absolutely have to. The only exception is I want the two of us to vacation in Europe. It has always been my dream for us to see Europe together." 



With tears in her eyes, she continued. "I want us to treat each day special. I want you and me to live each day starting today as if it will be our last one together."



Bill has tears in his eyes as he held his wife and kissed her.



When they received their passports, Bill arranged the time off for the two of them with Chuck. He was the only one Bill told.



Bill made the travel arrangements and took Sarah to dinner to give them to her.



"We leave next Monday at 10 am. We start in England and we will travel throughout Europe ending up back in England. We will be gone for a month."



Sarah was especially appreciative when they made love that night. So far they kept their promise and treated each day special.



They told the kids that the European vacation was an early anniversary present. They enjoyed each special day in Europe asking strangers to capture the moment on camera for them. Each night they made love grateful for another day together. 



Sooner than they could believe, they were back in England and heading home. They were tired from the travel but happy with the time they had together and the memories they would always have.



They returned to work and the rest of the normal routine of life with the exception of treating every day special.



*******



The ladies knew something was wrong. Sarah had requested that the Wednesday Ladies Night be held at her house. As Sue, Terri and Pam came in; they saw Bill on the couch with Sarah leaning on him. The two looked like they were on a date by the way they held hands.



Bill kissed Sarah before standing when he heard the horn blow outside. Sarah had arranged for Chuck to take Bill out tonight. This meeting was for ladies only.



Chuck drove to an old favorite inn of his and Bill. They used to unwind here after a long day at work in their younger years. They ordered their meals and a picture of lager.



The meals were as good as Chuck remembered and the lager just as cold and hearty. He watched Bill empty another glass as he sipped his. Sarah had asked him to be the designated driver tonight. She told him what the ladies meeting was about and that Bill wasn't taking it well.



Sarah saw the nervous look in her friend's eyes.



"I asked that we have the Wednesday ladies night here because this will be my last meeting. I have late stage cancer and have to start on pain medication tomorrow. Today was my last day at work. I will be on vacation for a couple of weeks before they show me taking early retirement."



She looked at each one as she took a drink.



"Bill and I have known for over a year that the cancer was irreversible. It was my decision to not tell anyone until we had to because I didn't want to hold a dark cloud over everyone's head. If the doctors are correct, it will only be a short time before I am gone."



"My last request to this group is for you to take the bottle of champagne out of the fridge and grab the glasses off the table. I care to make a toast to the enjoyment of our life."



They ladies toasted the occasion until the bottle was empty. Sarah talked to Sue and Terri individually and together, divesting her final bits of wisdom upon them. She kissed each goodnight before she turned to Pam.



"Can you stay for a few minutes Pam? I need to talk to you privately."



Teri and Sue left as Pam retrieved the two sodas Sarah requested. Sarah's face grew serious as she looked at Pam. She talked to her for over an hour, sometimes discussing, once even arguing, but in the end telling her words of wisdom to her friend."



Both women had tears in their eyes when Pam left.



Sarah called Chuck's cell.



"You can bring him home now Chuck. Thank you for your help."



Bill and Sarah had the usual end to their special day. Bill wasn't happy that Sarah wouldn't share what she told the three women, but she comforted him enough when they made love that he soon forgot.



********



It was a warm May day when they buried Sarah. Bill remembered seeing all the tulips in bloom. Sarah loved tulips. Anytime he cut tulips and brought them in the house, she would glow.



The private service was her idea. She had even written out the list of who to invite. She was always so thorough with everything she did.



As they drove him back from the cemetery, the sight of all those tulips made him remember Holland and the glow of Sarah's face when she saw all those fields of tulips.



Bill's eyes became red again as he remembered the last request he agreed to.



Sarah had written him a letter and sealed it. He was to open it after the funeral.



To Be Continued.

