Chapter 11: Exposure

† Friday, July 2, 2021.

At half past four, Julie walked into her husband’s large office. His desk near the far wall was empty, and near the door, another desk was “manned” by Pam.

“Can I help ... ah, sorry, you’re Julie, aren’t you? I’m Pam Norden, his administrative assistant.”

“Hey, Pam, yes, I’m Julie Kaiser. How did you know?”

“There’s a big picture of you on his desk, that’s how. Nate, uh, Mr. Kaiser is just down the hall, he’ll be back in a moment.”

“You spend more time with him than I do, Pam. Come out and give me a hug.”

As Pam stood and circled around the side of her desk, Julie got a good look at her.

“Wow! She sure is stacked. That’s a pair of whoppers she’s toting. Hold on, is she...?”

Nate entered the office and encountered his wife and his lover hugging.

“Oh, shit!” he thought.

“Julie! What a surprise. I’m happy to see you, but, well, why are you here?”

“I was going to take you out to dinner and talk about the holiday on Sunday. But now, I’ve met Pam. So, all three of us are going out. Pam, are you free, and do you like steak?”

“Yes, I’m free, and yes, I’m a meat eater. But, Julie, are you sure?”

“I’m absolutely sure. Like I said, you spend so much time with my husband. I want to get to know you better. I think we should get moving so they will give us a good table. You guys just shut off your computers, and we’ll go.

“We’re going to the steakhouse at Lima and Ludwig. On second thought, let’s just use Nate’s Cadillac since it has plenty of room inside.”

Intending to be subtle, Pam and Nate shared relieved glances because this was a “coffee” day and she had come to work in his car. Pam’s old Chevrolet was back at her apartment—not in the office parking lot. But Julie noticed their exchanged looks.

In the parking lot, Julie used her own key to unlock Nate’s big Cadillac CTS sedan, pulling open the front passenger door and taking her usual seat. While she waited for Nate and Pam to take their seats on the left side of the car, she inhaled.

“No doubt, that’s her scent. The same thing I smelled on her ten minutes ago when we hugged. So, he’s been driving her to and from the office from where she lives. Hmm.”

At the steakhouse, they settled in a booth with high partition walls and low lighting, offering a place to eat and talk with some privacy. Julie was warm and friendly as they shared stories of their lives and circumstances.

As the conversation went on, Julie was surprised. She really liked Pam! They had a lot of experiences in common, and lots of funny stories to share. Meanwhile, Nate watched them nervously, his attention ping-ponging between them.

Recognizing his discomfort, Julie put down her fork and grasped his hand.

Already very tense, Nate was about to lose his shit.

“Nate, take it easy. I know about you and Pam.”

“Wha—?”

Pam froze with her water glass at her lips.

“I know you two are having sex.”

While Nate shuddered, Pam spit her mouthful of water back into her glass. Coughing, she managed to put down the glass without spilling. Without intending to, their behavior confirmed Julie’s suppositions.

“It looks like all three of us are about finished with our food. Nate’s going to pay the check and then we’re all going home to figure some things out. I know your car isn’t at the office, Pam. We’ll just pick up my Honda and we’ll be going on home from there. Nate? Nate! You’re taking me to my car, then you’re bringing Pam to our house, right?”

“But—”

“No buts, Nate. Come home with Pam, or don’t come home at all. You got me?”

“Yes. OK, Julie, I will.”

“But, Julie—”

“Pam, with what has been going on, you can at least hear what I have to say. No more arguing. Nate, we’re skipping dessert. Just pay the check, and we’ll go.”

Work-Life Balance

Julie parked her Honda in front of her house and got out.

Crossly, “Why are you two standing out on the front porch?”

“It’s my doing. Are you sure you want me here? I could just go home.”

“Pam, sweetie, shut up and go inside. We’re going to have a little talk.”

The three of them got comfortable (in a manner of speaking) in the living room, with Nate in his big recliner facing his wife and his girlfriend seated on their plush sofa.

“Pam, our five-year anniversary was last month. But up until this spring, we had stopped having sex. I need to show you something.”

Julie took to her feet and began undressing, stripping, while making the sound of a drum and high-hat cymbal accompaniment.

“Doon, tsit-tsit, doon, tsit-tsit, doon, tsit-tsit...”