Michael

If any of you know anything about handguns, then you know that having your thumb on the trigger instead of your index finger means it is pointed at you and you are having a very bad day or days as the situation I now find myself in. You see, I had divorce papers served on me two days ago.

For some husbands that would be like a pardon from the warden and would be a reason for celebrating. I on the other hand actually love my wife more than anything. Instead of celebrating I was sitting out on my deck looking at the barrel of my revolver.

We’ve been at odds for the past couple months and she has been extra bitchy for some reason, but I was chalking it up to her upcoming birthday. I guess her turning 50 is hitting her harder than I thought it would.

You see my wife is already “going through the change” as it has been described. That means trouble if you’re the male partner in a marriage. An encrypted remark that was meant to hurt or the “I’ve got a headache” response when I tried to get frisky really knocks you down. Like I said, that has been going on for months, but you endure it since you married “in sickness and in health.”

But the last two weeks have been unbearable. When she did speak to me I almost wish she hadn’t. She limited her conversation to some kind of insult about my manhood or my inability to satisfy her in bed. Of course reminding her of the last 25 years with no complaints was met with the ever so humbling “I faked it every damn time” from her.

OK, no denying it, the love of my life has been an incredible bitch the last two weeks. I wasn’t about to take much more from the flaming she bitch I once called wife, so I packed a bag and kept it in my car, just in case.

But I had a task to complete first, even if she wasn’t going to appreciate it. I had planned a big party for her birthday with a professional party planner starting about two months ago. Rachel planned several of our company’s holiday parties in the past so I knew she was the person I wanted to plan my wife’s 50th birthday. We would meet at a hotel close to my work in a hotel lounge to discuss the party. It was the same hotel the party was planned for. That way, all of our out of town family and friends could enjoy the party and not travel far for a good nights sleep. We only had to meet once a week in the beginning, but as her birthday was getting closer we met at least twice a week.

During this time I almost canceled the party because of my wife’s behavior turned to out right hostility toward me. But I hoped that the party would show her how much I really did love her and it would bring her back from the dark side. At least bring her back enough to stop her from being the screaming banshee that invaded the body of he woman I loved.

Rachel had verified that everyone was committed and ready to come in for a grand celebration. She was even making the phone calls, flight and hotel reservations for all our extended family. She really out did herself. As part of the thank you for doing such a great job, I invited her to bring her husband along turn the party over to her assistants and enjoy themselves at a party she planned.

In all about 100 family and friends committed to show for the party. My Sandy has always been a wonderful friend, mother/grandmother, co-worker and wife than anyone I knew. That was until recently.

The hollow point .38 Special looking at me should do the job right. Not much survives when I bullet of this style rips into flesh. Being fired from point blank range parts of the bullet may actually pass through my body, but the devastation left behind would make a coroner lose his lunch.

Most guys would say I’m an idiot for killing myself over a woman and it’s hard to disagree with them. But I had always thought my wife and I had a special marriage. We’ve been through a lot over our marriage. We started with nothing living in a trailer struggling to pay for rent and food. Those early days were filled with love and lots of sex. They say you can’t live on love alone, but we came damn close to it.

Eventually we both had some lucky breaks and our jobs gave us what we needed to save for a starter home. When our Jenna was born we were excited and scared at the same time. How were we going to provide for her and save for a home? It was hard but Jenna never had to do without. It took a little longer, but our down payment allowed us to buy a small 2 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood. It even had a yard big enough for Jenna to play outside.

Two years later Jenna had a baby sister to play with, Haley. Both girls were loved and loved us in return. Neither gave us trouble and excelled in school. They eventually met men good enough to be husbands and started their own families. Of course they wouldn’t miss their mother’s birthday party for anything in the world.

The morning before the divorce papers were served, my wife and I had a terrible fight. I lost my temper because she refused to talk to me and after spending another night sleeping on an uncomfortable easy chair I was too tired to take anymore crap.

I said some terrible things to her trying to hurt her like she had me. I actually said something about since she didn’t appreciate me maybe I would find someone who could. The look on her face showed I hit pay dirt with that one, but I immediately regretted it and tried to apologize but she turned around and left the house.

That day just so happened to be my wife’s birthday. I was so mad at her I totally forgot what day it was.

That afternoon is when I was served and my heart stopped. How could things have gone so bad in just two months? My phone calls to her cell were unanswered and the calls to her office were refused. My wife’s secretary, Blanch, wasn’t allowed to send my calls through either. We were friends and she was a co-conspirator for the party. She was tasked with keeping my wife’s schedule clear and to make sure she made it to the hotel on time.

She was unaware why my wife was behaving so badly. Whenever she attempted to try to get her to talk, my wife would just shake her head and start crying. She told me she would continue to work on her but assured me she would have my wife at the hotel even if she had to kidnap her to do it. Since her husband was a former pro lineman I knew she wasn’t kidding.

I wasn’t going to drag her into my marital problems so I didn’t tell her of the divorce.

Of course when someone receives divorce papers like I did, totally unexpected, I read the heading of he first page and went nuts. After the shock wore off, I became angry. I mean damn angry. I told my boss I was taking some time off and left. The small bag I already packed wasn’t going to be enough so I went home. My anger was still driving me and by now I was so pissed off, if Satan would himself stood in front of me and laughed I would rip his head off and shit down his neck. I packed everything. I mean every piece that was mine. I took off my wedding ring and placed it on the kitchen table along with a birthday card. That and my phone was all of mine left behind in a house I didn’t expect to ever see again.

The bags was thrown in the back of my SUV and everything else was in the trailer I towed behind me. I left town to the only place I had left. It would more than likely be my permanent home from this day forward so it was good that I was taking all of my possessions. It turns out I actually had very little. I guess it goes with my upbringing about living simply but live with love. Look where that got me.

Our cabin is located a hundred miles away in a very quiet area. A small town is close by where you can buy supplies and such, but not much more. It was here on the deck where I was staring down the barrel of my revolver trying to get the courage up to put a hole in my head.

After I got to the cabin I finally got around to reading the petition of divorce in the envelope. Inside I found a photograph of me sitting a table of a very attractive woman. There was no denying I had been caught. But not for what my wife thinks. The photo was of me sitting with Rachel planning my wife’s birthday party two weeks ago. It was the last time we met in the hotel bar. It also happens to be the night I caught a glimpse of a friend of my wife. I didn’t know it at the time but she thought I was cheating with Rachel.

The thought of my wife believing that I was cheating on her hurt me even worse than the divorce itself. If my wife had only told me that she no longer loved me and wanted to move on without me in her life would’ve hurt but I would have eventually moved on, but believing I cheated on her and not confronting me about it and just filing for divorce was just too much.

Sandy

I couldn’t believe that bastard I’m married to. He acts like there’s nothing wrong and he loves me. Well fuck him! I won’t put up with it. If and I mean IF he confesses and begs forgiveness, I might keep him. I will make his life miserable and won’t allow him any pussy for months if not years, but he will beg for it every damn time!

Did he really think he wouldn’t get caught? Thank goodness for Beverly catching him in the hotel lounge. It’s hard to say how long its been going on but I have and idea. It had to have started two months ago when he started coming home late. That was when he probably started fucking that bitch.

Wasn’t it bad enough my hormones have been all fucked up because I was in the beginning of menopause? My God a woman really feels like crap when this happens. And was he understanding? NO! I get older and he goes and finds himself a younger better built woman no older than our children. I hope he enjoys fucking the bitch considering what it will cost him! Just like Evana Trump, don’t get mad, get everything!

The morning of my birthday that bastard husband of mine didn’t even say Happy Birthday. Instead he was nothing but a grumpy SOB. I sure in the hell wasn’t going to let him sleep in my bed after he fucked that slut. Who knows what diseases he caught from that hole of hers and I wasn’t going to let him give it to me.

After I knew what he was doing with that slut I knew we were done. I know I said I would give him a chance if he confessed, but I knew it was a lie. Just no way I could do it. When Beverly told me what she saw and she showed me a picture of the happy couple, I was done. The next day I contacted a shark dressed as a lawyer and started her on the papers.

My lawyer is a real she devil. She hates cheaters more than anything. She had friends in the courthouse so my divorce filing would be expedited through for maximum effect and maximum pain. My husband would have nothing left after I was done with him. It’s only fair considering I put up with him for 25 years and when I got old he took up with some tart with tits that didn’t sag. So what if my pussy isn’t as tight as it used to be. I gave birth to two kids for Christ sakes and let him stick that monster dick of his in me for all these years.

I will admit, I will miss his cock. My God could that man could drive me into the mattress and leave me whimpering afterwards. OK, maybe I will keep him around just for the sex. Wait, what? No fucking way! I’ll get some young stud capable of repeat performances. I’ll teach him how to pleasure me. I only have to get my hormones straightened out first, then we’ll have all day fuck sessions. But if I keep Michael on a short leash, I can get him to fuck me anytime I tell him to just out of guilt.

Yeah that’s it. I get all his money and his monster cock when I want it. This divorce may turn out alright after all.

But dammit, why did he do it? Why wasn’t I enough for him. And he did it at my 50th birthday. It’s hard enough turning 50, but add in a cheating husband...

That is why I had him served on my birthday. That and his fucking comment about finding someone who would appreciate him more than I. That statement hurt. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry so I left the house confident in my plans. The divorce papers were done and all my lawyer needed was my phone call. She got it on my way to work.

It wasn’t three hours later when my phone started ringing. There was no way I was going to talk to that bastard now. It was too late. Soon my secretary’s phone started ringing. I heard Blanche talking to Michael but couldn’t make out what they were saying except not being able to send his calls through and something about a party. What party?

Fuck it, who cares! I’m divorcing the love of my life because he cheated on me. My life is over.

My secretary kept trying to get me to talk to her, but all I could do was break down crying. A few hours later I started to accept things as they were. It was turning into one hell of a birthday!

It was the end of the day and next thing I knew Blanch and her husband, Stan, were standing at my office door. One thing about Blanche’s husband, he is the biggest most gentle man I have ever met. If he tells you do to something, you do it just out of fear even though he would never raise a hand against you. However this time the look on his face was telling me he may just force me into something I didn’t want to do.

Blanch told me we were going out and they weren’t taking no for an answer. I went to open my mouth to say I wasn’t up for it, but saw the look on Stan’s face. I instead nodded my head, grabbed my purse and slowly walked with them. I made it as far as the doorway and I broke down throwing myself into Blanch hugging her tightly and crying like a little baby.

She asked me what was wrong but I couldn’t reply at first. I think I may have said something about this being my worst birthday ever. Blanch and Stan both looked lost not knowing what was wrong or what they could say or do. Blanch wrapped her arms around me and said “Don’t be so sure.” I had no idea what she meant but didn’t care. Life without Michael was no life to live, even if he was a cheating bastard.

They put me in the back seat of their car and drove toward downtown. When I asked where we were going they said to a hotel. When I heard the name of the hotel I said no, I will not go to the place where Michael fucked his girlfriend.

Their eyes grew huge and their mouths dropped open in disbelief. They refused to believe Michael would do such a thing. I told them I had proof and had Michael served with divorce papers earlier in the day and that was why he was calling like he was. To say Blanch and Stan was shocked would be an understatement. I heard Stan say something about trying to get a hold of Michael before he did something stupid.

I never considered Michael hurting himself. Why would he? He had his young tart to fuck, why would he be upset about me divorcing him?

We made it to the hotel and it was Blanch that literally dragged me out of the car pulling me none too gently through the lobby toward a conference room. Standing outside the door was the slut my husband was fucking, “What the fuck are you doing here you slut! Isn’t it bad enough you took my husband from me, that you want to rub my nose in it as well?”

She just stood there looking shocked barely able to speak. Blanch stepped in between us and introduced Rachel as the woman my Michael hired to plan my birthday party. Rachel opened the door and Blanched pushed me through it to over a hundred people yelling Happy Birthday!

My daughters came running up to me and hugged me tightly telling me Happy Birthday again and that they loved me. But they were worried about their father why he wasn’t there yet.

At that moment I knew. I knew I was wrong and had just destroyed my life.

I must have fainted. There were paramedics checking me out and my family and friends were standing over me, worried. I started to scream for Michael, where was Michael? He had to be there. He just had to. I had to tell him I was sorry, I had to get him to forgive me! My daughters and all the other members of the family had been trying to get Michael on their phones for hours, but couldn’t get through.

Eventually it all came out. How I thought Michael was having an affair with Rachel and how I had him served with divorce papers hours ago. I never thought my daughters would look at me with such disdain, but they were. Why did I turn into such a bitch?

Needless to say the party broke up. There was nothing left to celebrate. The paramedics said I was OK but should try to keep from getting excited again. They gave me a sedative to keep me calm and since it was getting late my daughters took me up the the reserved room Michael made for me and him for a little personal after party celebration.

While I was sleeping off the sedative, my son in laws went to my house looking for Michael. It wasn’t until morning that I found out just how successful I was in filing for divorce. When I was told Michael was gone leaving only his wedding ring, his phone and a birthday card I became hysterical again prompting another visit by the paramedics and a trip to the hospital where I was kept for two days.

During those two days I talked to a psychologist, psychiatrist or some sort of head doctor. Next thing I knew they ordered all sorts of blood tests to see if there was any other reason I was behaving badly besides me just being a fucking bitch. The tests came back with my cholesterol level so high I rang the bell on the machine and some sort of hormone imbalance that goes hand in hand with Peri-menopause. However, mine was worse than normal. I was given a prescription and sent home as long as I could remain calm and not left alone until the medicine had a chance to work. There was still the fear of me hurting myself so my daughters and their families agreed to stay until things were resolved.

After they got me home I ran into the house calling for Michael but all I got was a hollow feeling from a house void of my husband. When I walked into the bedroom and seen Michael’s dresser drawers and his side of the closet empty I lost it all over again. My daughters held me and cried with me telling me everything was going to be alright one minute then asking how could I be so stupid to think dad would cheat on me the next.

We were home only an hour when I was sitting at the table staring at his wedding ring still sitting where Michael left it. Underneath was an envelope with my name on it. His hand writing is so distinctive it was not difficult to see how much care he put into signing my name.

Jenna was sitting with me and she reached her limits with me. She snatched up the envelope and started reading it. Tears quickly formed in her eyes as she silently read the card. After she finished it she handed it to her sister who followed through with her own tears. She handed the card to me but I was too afraid to take it. Haley thrust it in my hands to ordered me to read the damn thing.

The card was your typical birthday greeting from a husband to a wife of many years. It told of his love for me and how his life has been made better because I had agreed to let him be my husband and every birthday since has been one more reason to celebrate.

The hand written part of the card is what tore my heart out. He explained how I had treated him the last two months and how he hoped it was turning 50 years old was the reason for my mistreatment. He had hoped the birthday party would smooth over the big 50 and we could recover and live out the rest of our lives together. But being served with divorce papers hit him with a new reality and he wasn’t going to go down quietly. When I refused his calls he knew it was indeed over so he packed everything of his and decided to give me what ever I wanted in the divorce. However he would not allow me to have the cabin. That is where he was drawing the line. Since I never visited the cabin to begin with, he was going to fight to keep it from me.

That is where I would find him. The damn shack he calls a cabin. I never did like the place. Too far out from civilization and it smelled. Yeah I went with him occasionally to spend a couple days, but that was years ago. Only Michael and my son in laws used it now for fishing trips.

We packed everyone up in two cars and took off for the cabin. It was only a two hour trip, but it felt like it was taking an eternity to get there. I prayed that Michael would at least talk to me when we got there. Our daughters being there would force him to talk. He could never deny them anything.

With every mile I replayed the last two months in my head and I hated what I saw. How could that man still love me after all I put him through? I don’t think I could be so forgiving if he did to me what I did to him.

Michael

When it comes down to it, I’m nothing but a coward. My thumb tightened against the trigger several times, but I couldn’t go through with it. Maybe some liquid courage. I knew there was nothing in the cabin so I drove into town. The convenience store had a limited selection of whiskey, but it really didn’t matter whether it tasted good or not. I just needed a little help to pulling trigger.

Every swallow reminded me why I never drank the hard stuff. It just tastes awful, but after my tongue went numb it wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t long before I started to feel the alcohol take the pain away. Hell if a little whiskey took the pain away maybe more whiskey will take it all away. A few more tips of the bottle started to make me feel sleepy. I figured a few more drinks I would have enough courage to pull the trigger. I imagined the hangover would hurt like hell if I was still alive come morning but since that was unlikely, I kept drinking.

Sandy

Jenna’s husband knew the way to the cabin better than anyone. Michael has let him and his friends use the cabin whenever they wanted for a few days of fishing. We turned off the main road onto the drive to the cabin. As we approached I noticed the place didn’t look anything like it did when I was here last. It was no longer a shack. It looked like a vacation home. There were solar cells on the roof and a newer garage workshop off to the side. It was no longer over grown with weeds but instead had flower and vegetable gardens.

I asked William, Jenna’s husband, when did Michael do all these changes because this place looks wonderful. He said that between himself, Haley’s husband Brent, and his father in law, they’ve all been doing it little by little over the last few years and that Michael had set up a family trust so it goes to the girls upon his death so it would never leave the family.

It had been Michael’s family’s land since before we were married and he had every right to do with it as he seen fit. I felt even worse when I realized that the divorce papers even mentioned taking this from him. At least I know that no matter what, it would always stay in our family, even if I was no longer part of it.

Michael’s SUV was parked in front of the cabin so at least we knew he was here. If he wasn’t I knew he had decided to just disappear and I would have lost him forever.

William told me and the girls to stay in the cars while he and Brent went inside to make sure Michael was OK. I could tell from the look in their eyes that there was a possibility that Michael could’ve come up here to hurt himself. The thought of Michael doing anything like that shook me to my core. If Michael did come up here to die, I would lose my daughters as well. They would never forgive me for driving their father to do such a terrible thing. I said another prayer as I watched William and Brent walk up to the cabin.

There were no lights on inside and only a flood light off the garage was shining. William and Brent found the front door unlocked and I heard them call for Michael. They entered slowly turning on light in the front room. They continued to call for Michael but I could tell they did not get a reply. I seen light turn on in the back of the cabin and that is when I noticed a new wooden deck. It wasn’t a minute later that Brent came off the deck and waived us out of the car and to come to the back of the cabin.

The look on his face was almost humorous so Michael had to be alright. I sprinted out of the car and what I saw was my husband passed out on a chase lounge with a half empty bottle of whiskey laying in his lap. I started to chuckle to myself until I realized why he was drinking. I walked over to him bringing my hand to his cheek when I noticed what was in his right hand.

I dropped to my knees and sobbed like a baby when I realized that Michael did come up here to die. The revolver was in the palm of his had with his thumb on the trigger which means he did intend to kill himself. William reached down and gently took the gun out of his hand. Jenna and Haley joined in with me crying when they realized how close they came to losing their father.

Michael didn’t stir, even a little. Brent and William thought it best that they leave Michael where he was because more than likely he was going to projectile vomit whatever was in his stomach when he woke enough to do so. I told the kids to go inside and get situated for bed and bring down a couple blankets. I was going to sleep out here with my husband so I could take care of him when he wake up.

My daughters wasn’t too sure how their father would take seeing me so soon after filing for divorce, but I told them that I was the one who screwed up so I had to be the one to make it right.

As my family went to bed and I had time to sit outside with my husband, I prayed for a little guidance on how to make everything right. I asked for the strength to accept that I may have lost my husband because of my actions, but to please give him the peace he deserves. I thanked God for giving me Michael and how sorry I was for doubting my husband and if he would please give me another chance so I could make my husband love me again.

By now you’d think there were no more tears left to cry but there was. I reach over for Michael’s hand and held it while I spoke to him. Telling him how much I really did love him and that I was so sorry for ruining all the hard work he put into my birthday party. I asked him to forgive me and to please give me another chance. I found myself kneeling beside him with my head in his lap continuing my prayers hoping it wasn’t too late.

I caught a movement inside the patio doors and seen my daughters watching me. They both had tears falling down their cheeks and smiles on their faces. I think it was then they forgave me for what I had done and knew they would do what they could to get their father and I back together.

After they went back upstairs I laid back on the lounge beside Michael. Looking up at the night sky I realized how wondrous it really was out here. I’ve never seen so many stars and the quietness was very calming. Now I knew why Michael liked this place so much. I wondered why I didn’t see this place for what it could be instead of what it was. Not until Michael spoke to me did I realize I was still speaking out loud. The shock of his voice and him looking at me made me jump.

Michael

What the hell did I do? Why am I not dead? SON OF A BITCH! I passed out. I can’t even kill myself right. And who in the hell is crying in my lap? Why the fuck is she here? Enough fucking questions ... Oh fuck does my head hurt and my stomach. It hurts too much to fucking move and if I do I’ll vomit and I hate vomiting. Lay still asshole, just lay fucking still I keep telling myself.

While laying there I listen to Sandy cry. She keeps talking about how sorry she is and how she hopes for a second chance and that I will forgive her for being such a bitch and filing for divorce. She is so sorry for hurting me so much that I would consider killing myself and that no matter what happened she will never forgive herself for what she had done.

This went on for a long time until it seemed she finally calmed down enough to stop crying. I felt her raise from my lap and lay down in the lounge beside me, but she kept hold of my hand. This whole time I was still fighting an internal battle with my head and stomach, but was more interested in how things were going to go with Sandy. I still loved the bitch even after all she had done. You can’t turn off over 25 years of love like that over night. If I could I wouldn’t have put a gun to my head earlier.

She was quiet for some time but I continued to listen. If she came upon any revelation while sitting here on this deck I didn’t want to miss it. This place has a special serenity to it; the type that you can only feel at night when you open yourself up to it.

She must not have realized she was still speaking out loud. I’ve done the same several times. It’s like you’re talking to God, like he is there with you helping you along the path not yet chosen. As she described what she was feeling and seeing as she looked up into the night sky I could feel it along with her. We had that connection throughout our marriage, but recently it just wasn’t there. When Sandy calmly said, “Now I understand why you come up here Michael. It is beautifully quiet and calming. I do believe I could live here with and never regret a day, but only if it is with you.”

I quietly replied, “I want that too, but you’re divorcing me.”

Sandy

I nearly jump out of my skin when I heard Michael speak to me. I assumed he was still passed out drunk. His words were barely out of his mouth when I threw myself onto his lap hugging him so tightly sobbing like a little girl who lost her Barbie Doll.