Chapter 2: The Anniversary Party

The party was planned for Friday night, a day before our actual anniversary. Friday was best for most of our friends and for our children. It was catered so we had little to do other than dress for the party. We were together in our master bedroom about an hour before the party. I had decided to end my avoidance this morning in anticipation of this day.

"Are you going to wear that beautiful blue dress I bought you last year? I love you in that dress. It shows off all of your charms both in front and in back."

I did love her in that dress. I bought it for her when she saw it in a window and commented on it. I bought it the next day and she was thrilled. The back was cut down almost to the waist and the front was deeply cut as well. One side of the bottom was slit up to her thigh and she filled it out marvelously.

"I plan to. I love it too although I don't look as nice in it as you say I do. But you bought it for me and this is our anniversary so I think it's appropriate. What about you? What are you wearing?"

"Just a shirt and tie with a sports jacket. I don't want to distract anyone's attention from you."

Serena blushed with pleasure and she smiled for the first time in a long time. I wanted her to smile and be happy for the anniversary party. I wanted this anniversary to be remembered long afterwards.

"We have an hour before we have to get ready. I want to use that time more productively."

With that, I moved over to her and took her by the shoulders. I looked into her eyes and said, "I love you Serena. I always have and I always will. Happy Anniversary!"

The very sad truth of it was that I did indeed love her and I probably always would. That made what I was doing hard, but the pain I felt as I looked at her knowing what she had done was something that I couldn't live with.

With that, I pushed her backward to the bed and pushed her down onto its edge. She looked up at me in surprise as I knelt down in front of her and pushed aside her robe. She smelled wonderful and underneath she was naked and I moved to her pussy and began to use my tongue on her. She was caught by surprise but she made no move to stop me until I began to finger her. Her only move then was to take my head in her hands and pull me tighter against her pussy. She spread her legs apart to make access easier and I increased my actions. Using my tongue and fingers, it didn't take long before I quickly brought her to a climax. She held my head while she came and she made a whimpering sound as she came. I watched her face as she climaxed, wondering again how this woman that I loved so could do what she had done.

As she relaxed she looked down at me and started to say something. I stopped her with a motion of my hand and went back to work on her with my mouth. She tried to push me away but I continued to stimulate her until she stopped struggling. I inserted two and then three fingers into her wet cunt and finger fucked her until she began to hump my hand and face. I then nibbled on her engorged clit until she was almost screaming her pleasure. I continued until I felt the familiar climax coming again. I brought her to a second, shattering climax and held on until she came back down. That was twice within 20 minutes.

Again she tried to say something but I put a hand to her lips and silenced her. I pushed her back on the bed and opened her robe completely. She lay there naked in front of me while I knelt beside her as I took off my shorts, joining her. I straddled her body and moved up to put my cock in front of her face. She looked up at me and took me into her mouth without hesitation. As I straddled her, I took her head in my hands and began to fuck her mouth, something I had never done before. She didn't protest or draw back so I continued until I could feel the familiar tightening of my balls signaling a climax. I didn't even bother to warn her as I let it come. She widened her eyes as she felt my sperm hit the inside of her mouth but she didn't stop sucking. I continued to pump her mouth until I had no fluids left. She took it all and swallowed. That was a first but so was what I did to her. Seems she had become more liberal since Bill.

Since I had taken one of those magical blue pills, I wasn't soft yet. I withdrew my cock from her mouth and slid down her body until I was positioned ready to enter her. As she watched me with eyes wide open, I used my fingers to see if she was wet and found her dripping. I slid down and then moved back up with my cock at her entrance. I looked in her eyes and pushed into her in one swift stroke. I watched her eyes widen and heard her intake of breath as I took her. She flung her head back and arched her body under me as I pushed into her to my full length. There was nothing loving about this. It was straight, hard fucking. Our earlier foreplay was not gentle or loving either; it was sex, pure and simple. I didn't think she realized it yet, but she would later.

I pushed into her as far as I could go and then pulled back out almost withdrawing completely. I watched her face as it showed first disappointment when I withdrew and then pleasure as I pushed back in. I repeated this and got a good rhythm going; she helped by rising up to meet me on the in stroke. I began to increase my pace and I pushed in as far as I could on each stroke. She was panting and humping with abandon as I fucked her hard and fast. I was like a madman, stroking as fast as I could. Through all of this, I had not said a word. I knew from the tapes that she liked crude talk, but not from me and not tonight!

She began to scream my name over and over as I fucked her with everything I had. I felt my climax building but held it as long as I could, waiting for her to join me. When I felt her vaginal walls begin to squeeze my cock, I let go and shot another huge load into her. She came at the same time and we froze together, locked in an embrace. It was the best sex of our 25 years together, even though there was no love involved. I knew why, but she didn't.

We were laying side by side, exhausted by our session. "My God, John; where did that come from? You have never done that to me before. Where did you learn all that? Do you have someone on the side that I don't know about?"

Funny. Since she trusted me she could say something like that in jest.

"No one but you babe. How about you? You didn't seem to be fazed by anything I did."

"That's because I just followed your lead. You used me and abused me and I loved it! I love you!" She said it but I had trouble believing it.

"And I love you. Come on, it's time to get dressed for dinner. You look magnificent just as you are, face flushed from fucking, but I don't want any one else to see you that way. That's for me only. Right?"

"Of course silly." She went in to get dressed for the party.

The first guests were to arrive at 7:00 and we were dressed and ready by 6:45. I looked at her in that blue dress and I choked up. Tears came to my eyes as I looked at her. I had loved this woman for almost all of my adult life. She had been my life. And I was about to lose her. The pain was so intense that I had to sit down for a minute before my legs collapsed. I wanted to give her my gift now to add to what I had already done to her earlier. The more wonderful things she had to remember from this day, the better!

"Serena, before we go down to our guests, I want to give you my present now. I want you to have it for the party tonight." She smiled at me and watched me in anticipation.

"You have already given me a gift that I'll remember for a long time. I don't need anything else from you but your love."

She was radiant. I believed for the first time that she really did love me. It caused me a moment's doubt and then I remembered her words from her last meeting at the Hilton with Bill.

I went to the dresser and pulled out the gold box the jeweler had given me. I walked over to her and held out the diamond necklace I had made for her.

She saw what was in the box and her face showed her surprise and pleasure. She knew what it was as soon as she saw it. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

"Happy anniversary my darling."

I took the necklace and moved behind her to fasten it about her neck. I looked at her pale slim neck and felt a pang of tenderness. She moved to the mirror to see herself with this magnificent stone and was moved to tears again.

"It's absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much John. I love it and will treasure it forever."

She turned to show me and moved to give me a kiss of thanks. We shared the moment and moved to go downstairs.

As I followed her down the stairs I thought of what I had told her and the way I had made love to her. It was true that I did love her. That was the sad truth and one that I had the most trouble with over the past weeks. I knew that while I loved her, I couldn't forgive her betrayal and her failure to confide in me and try to save our marriage.

She turned her back on our marriage vows and on me and turned to another man; a man that I trusted and respected and who I would have done almost anything for. That betrayal from two of the people that I trusted most in this world was so great that I found myself struggling for breath each time I thought of it. The pain was such that I found it almost too much to bear. But when I thought that, I listened again to the tape of their afternoon together and found the strength to do what I planned on doing.

Everything seemed to be in place and the caterer was ready. There were two extra people I had hired acting as hosts and they would answer the door and take the coats as people entered. We expected 8 others including our two children as well as Bill and his wife and another couple we spent time with.

As the doorbell rang for the first visitors, I moved up to Serena and put my hands on her shoulders. I was rewarded with a smile as she looked back at me. I moved to her side and took her hand waiting to see who entered first.

As luck would have it, Bill and Sally were the first couple to arrive. The hosts took their coats and they moved toward us, all smiles as we stood in the doorway to the large family room set up for this event.

I shook hands with Bill as Sally went to Serena and embraced her. These were two of our oldest friends and this evening should be a time of celebration. I just didn't feel that much like celebrating but I had no choice.

"Congratulations to both of you, John. You have the best of everything: a beautiful home, wonderful children and a beautiful wife. What more could any of us ask for?"

Bill was his own self as usual, verbose and loud. The reasons why we ever became friends escaped me at that moment. I now saw him for what he was: a low life, cheating bastard that would stab his best friend in the back at the first chance.

"Thanks Bill. Serena and I have been very happy for the last 25 years. But things are not always what they seem. You know what I mean?" I gave him a look that should have alerted him and I was rewarded with a sudden widening of his eyes and a quick step back.

With that, I turned to Sally and held out my hands for a hug. Sally was cute but had grown heavy with the years. She once was a beauty but now was simply a typical dowdy housewife: overweight and plain.

"Congratulations John. I love both of you and wish you both more years of happiness."

She looked at me and smiled. Her smile was warm and genuine. I wondered how I could hurt this woman but knew that I would have to eventually. I released the hug.

"Thanks Sal. I wish I could count on more years together but that may not be in the cards."

I said this to her quietly so that only she could hear me. She looked at me in surprise but I just shook my head to let her know that now wasn't the time. She turned away with a pained look on her face.

She took Bill by the hand and led him away to the bar for drinks. I watched them go and turned to look at Serena. She just stood there looking at me with a question in her eyes.

"What did you say to Sally to make her react like that?"

"Serena, just enjoy the party. We'll have time to talk later. Tonight I just want to enjoy our friends and our children. This is our 25^th anniversary and we have had 24 wonderful years together.

At that minute, the doorbell rang and we were ready for the next guests. Our son, Michael and his wife Julie came in, followed by Justin and Phyllis and our other son Ben and his wife Carrie. We quickly became immersed in the congratulations of our friends and children. Things soon became chaotic and Serena and I were separated to mingle with groups of people waiting to talk to us about our party, our house, and our anniversary. The evening went quickly and we had a wonderful dinner planned, catered and served by experts. Everything was perfect, except for three of us.

During the evening I watched Bill and Serena. They circled each other several times but were unable to find a minute alone to talk. I saw her finally grab his elbow and draw him into a corner. I watched as she spoke earnestly to him for a minute. He had a huge smile on his face that quickly began to fade. He listened and quickly glanced up to see me watching them. I looked at him for a second and turned away. I don't know what happened after that as my son Michael accosted me to talk about our plans. I was vague and told him we hadn't really made any.

I kept myself occupied with Justin and Phyllis and my sons and their wives as long as I could until it was time for dinner. It was announced and we all filed in. I held back until Bill and Serena had both entered. Seating arrangements had already been made and my daughters in law flanked me on both sides, while our sons surrounded Serena. It was a wonderful dinner.

After dinner was finished, I stood up to give a toast to friends and family. I had planned my speech carefully for this occasion. I tapped my knife against my crystal wine glass for attention. Once all faces were looking toward me I began.

"I want to take this time to thank all of you for attending this very special occasion. My beautiful bride Serena and I have been married 25 years tomorrow. During that time, we have raised two wonderful sons and are fortunate to have enjoyed all the benefits that life has to offer."

"I want to take this opportunity to raise a toast to our wonderful children and their new wives. To Michael and Ben and to Julie and Carrie." I raised my glass and took a sip, looking at Michael and Ben and their wives. They smiled back at me and raised their glasses in thanks.

"I want to raise a toast to good friends." As everyone looked at Bill and Sally and Justin and Phyllis, I looked only at Justin and Phyllis and took a sip. Bill noticed, as did Sally.

"Finally, I want to raise a toast to my beautiful wife, Serena." Everyone looked toward Serena, so all backs were toward me as I deliberately set my glass down without sipping. Only Serena could see me.

After the dinner was complete and people were sitting around in the family room talking with coffee and dessert, Bill came over to me. He looked concerned.

"John, I don't know what's got you upset but Sally and Serena have both asked me what's up with you. What's the problem, buddy?" He didn't know what I knew and he was trying to appear innocent while quizzing me.

"Nothing is bothering me Bill. Why do you and the ladies think something is wrong? What have I done to make you think that?"

"I don't know what they think but you have been kind of out of sorts with me this evening. You and I have been friends for a long time and if something is bothering you I would like to talk to you about it and maybe try to help you."

I had to cool it till tomorrow. This might be the best time to prepare for then.

"Well, there is something that I could use your help and advice with so if you and Sally are free tomorrow morning about 8:30, why don't you come over for some breakfast and we'll talk. I could use Sally's input as well. I know it's early, but it's really important and I would really like your help"

"Sure we can come but can you give me a hint? I can keep a secret if that's it."

"No, no, it's job related but it is a surprise and I would like to tell all of you at the same time. I'm not even going to tell Serena tonight."

Bill finally agreed, accepting that he was going to get nothing more out of me tonight. I clapped him on the back and moved away to speak with Ben.

I watched Bill talk first to Sally and then to Serena. They seemed to think that I had a surprise concerning my job that I was keeping and Serena seemed to relax considerably. That was good.

The party was winding down and the guests were all preparing to leave. I circulated the room and spoke with all but Bill, saying goodnight and thanks. I was anxious for the evening to end since it had been painful to me from the beginning. It represented a life that no longer existed.

Bill and Sally were the first to leave, followed by Justin and Phyllis and then Michael and Julie. My youngest son Ben and his wife Carrie were the last to leave and they spoke with Serena and then left.

Just before Bill and Sally left, she came over to me and spoke quietly: "If you want to talk before tomorrow John, please call me. You know I love both of you and if there is a problem I want to help." She gave me a hug while Bill looked on, saying nothing.

Her simple statement of caring caused me more pain than anything Bill and Serena had done. The problem with all affairs is that innocent people are always the ones to feel the pain first.

"Thanks Sally. I certainly will let you know if I need someone to talk to. I'll see you both tomorrow. OK?" She nodded and left.

I had made arrangements with the caterers to take away any perishables and come back about 10 the next morning to clean up. They were just finishing up when I walked into the kitchen. I looked around for Serena but didn't see her. I asked after her and was told that she had said goodnight and gone upstairs. I waited a few more minutes till they left and then turned out the lights. I had a few things to do in the den and then I went upstairs.

I walked into our bedroom and saw Serena, still dressed, setting in one of the two chairs that comprised our sitting area. It was a nice area that contained two soft chairs, a table with a desk chair and a TV. We used it often and I did most of my late night reading there, while Serena often watched Jay Leno before going to bed.

I walked over to the other chair and sank down heavily. I looked at Serena and felt nothing but pain. No anger, no desire for revenge, just deep crushing pain. With difficulty, I smiled at her and said that I thought the evening had gone well. She returned the smile but I could see the concern on her face.

"John, can I ask you something? It concerns the party." She was looking down at the handkerchief she had in her hands.

"Of course Serena; you can ask me anything. You're my wife after all. If I have secrets from you, it would mean that we have a poor excuse for a marriage, wouldn't you say? A husband and wife should never keep secrets from each other."

Serena paused, twisting her handkerchief and trying very hard not to cry.

"Why did you set your drink down when you toasted me? Why did you do that John?" Now she looked up at me with eyes wet with tears.

"Why do you think, Serena?"

"I don't know John. I really don't know. You haven't said anything to me about doing something wrong. Have I displeased you in some way? Have I done or said something that made you mad at me? Do you think I have done something wrong?"

She was looking at me with a strange look on her face. I think it was fear and anxiety but I wasn't sure. If she could cheat on me and keep it to herself, she could certainly try to fake it. It did seem like she was waiting to see if I did know something. I could swear she looked like she almost hoped I did.

"I don't know Serena. Is there something you have done that would make me angry with you?

"No, and I have tried to think of what it could be. I just don't know what's wrong." She was twisting her hands and her shoulders were hunched over. She was close to breaking down. I didn't want that tonight.

"I'm sorry, Serena. I don't quite believe you. I think there are some very serious problems in our marriage but I am too tired to talk with you about them tonight. I'm going to sleep in the guest room and we can talk tomorrow."

With that I rose and walked down the hall to the guest room before I lost my own composure. I had earlier moved some things in there so I went in and closed and locked the door. I had never slept in the guest room in all the years we had owned this house, nor had I ever locked my loving wife out of my bed. The pain of doing that was almost more than I could stand.

I checked my briefcase for the things I would need tomorrow and found them all present. I undressed, turned out the lights and lay down on the bed, knowing I wouldn't sleep much this night.

About an hour later, I heard a small knock on the door and Serena's voice asking me if she could come in. She knocked again but I didn't answer her and she eventually stopped and went back to our bedroom. I lay there with tears finally coming and I fell asleep dreaming bad dreams.

I awoke at my usual time of 6:45, but decided to stay in bed a while longer. I usually got up and was downstairs by 7:15 for breakfast but I wasn't hungry this morning. I had no appetite. I remained in the room until I heard Serena go downstairs and then went into the bathroom. I went back to the room and remained there until almost 8:15 and then went down with a heavy heart to face Serena.

When I walked into the kitchen, Serena was sitting at the kitchen table. My empty place had a plate of cold eggs and bacon with a side of toast and a glass of orange juice. It looked sad setting there. The butter had coagulated and it looked very unappetizing. Serena was just staring at the plate, not moving or looking up as I entered.

With false bravado, I said, "Good morning. Is there any coffee? I could really use a cup." With that, I walked over to the machine and poured a cup of coffee that had already become rather thick. It had been made hours ago and was now bitter. I drank it anyway since it seemed appropriate with my mood.

Serena still hadn't said anything so I walked to my seat across from her with the morning paper and my cup of bitter coffee and waited for Bill and Sally to arrive. I didn't tell Serena they were coming so it would be a surprise to her when they showed up.

As I folded my paper ready to read, Serena looked up at me and said in a very quiet voice.

"Do you suspect me of something John? Is that what this is about?" When I didn't come down for breakfast, she must have figured it out.

I saw now that she had been crying. Her eyes were red and dull and her makeup had run from the tears. She had obviously made herself up before coming down this morning. I now noticed that she had on a silk blouse and tailored skirt, a combination that I always loved on her.

I really didn't want to get into it until her lover was here but if they weren't on time, I couldn't avoid it. I was just about to say something when the doorbell rang.

When the doorbell rang, Serena looked up in surprise and wiped her face before going to the door. She opened it to see Bill and Sally standing there.

"What in the world are you two doing here at this time of morning? My God, it's not even 8:30." Serena was looking back and forth between the two of them.

"John asked us to come over last night. Didn't he tell you?" Bill showed surprise that Serena wasn't expecting them. Sally noticed Serena's obvious pain with concern. She moved to Serena and put her arm around her waist.

"Are you alright dear? You look like you have been crying." Sally held her close, trying to sooth her.

"No, I'm fine. And no, he never said a word. Please, come in." Serena came to find me to see what I had done.

"Did you invite Bill and Sally this morning? What is going on John? Why are you doing this?" She was obviously distraught and frightened.

Without answering her I walked into the hallway to see Bill and Sally and welcomed them in a booming voice.

"Come in, come in, my best friends in the whole world. Come in and sit down and have some of this wonderful coffee. I think it may be a little strong but that's OK. I think you all will be needing it very soon."

I took Sally by the arm and led her into the den where I had everything set up. I had done this last night before I went upstairs.

Once everyone was seated, Bill and Sally sitting side by side on the couch and Serena sitting in her favorite chair looking frightened, I walked over to my briefcase and pulled out two 8x 10 manila envelopes. I moved with them to the center of the room and faced all three of them.

"I have given this a lot of thought and I have some surprises for each of you. First though, let me tell you why I arrived at this place in time that I find myself."

"I have been working some very long hours and traveling more than I should have but I felt it was necessary. There were a lot of people depending on me and I couldn't let them down. But, I hired three new guys and they are finally able to handle the job by themselves. It has been my plan to retire just as soon as I felt I could leave. That time is now. A week ago, I quit my job and told my boss to go to Hell."

I watched the look of surprise, and some relief replace the fear on Serena's face. Bill and Sally were just confused. I did see a glimmer of discomfort on Bill's face, but it was fleeting.

Serena spoke first. "Why didn't you say anything John? I would have supported your decision. You know that. I knew that job was getting you down, and you should quit!"

Bill chimed in as well. "Hell yes buddy. You don't have to work for a company that doesn't care about what's best for you. Let them try to do without you for awhile."

"I'm glad to see that you both support my decision. I was planning on taking my wonderful wife on a trip around the world, beginning today on our 25^th anniversary. I had booked a flight to Miami and from there we would pick up a sea cruise ending in St. Croix. I had us booked into the King Christian Hotel for two weeks."

Serena jumped up, looking pleased and excited and then suddenly her forehead wrinkled and she looked at me with puzzled eyes.

"What do you mean you were planning on taking me?" Serena was looking at me with confusion and some of her fear was back.

I paused a moment. This was it. There would be no turning back once I did this.

"Why, I just thought that it would put a strain on your meetings with Bill at the Hilton downtown on Wednesday afternoons if you weren't going to be here."

All three faces were riveted on me now and this was the moment of truth. Now it was out in the open. I walked over to the table and pushed the play button on the recorder sitting there. I had made a tape with excerpts of their conversations. I thought the first few words of their last Wednesday meeting would be most appropriate.

From the small speakers we heard, "Serena, get in here. God, I've been thinking of you all week. Hurry up and get your clothes off. I want to fuck you right now. I am so hot I'm about to bust!"

"Give me a minute Bill. Jesus! What's gotten into you? Just because we have to hurry, I would think that would suit you just fine. You always want to get to it with no foreplay. I feel like a piece of meat; just a quick fuck for you."

I turned the tape off and watched the faces of the three people staring at me.

Serena was first. She looked like I had just slapped her across the face. She went still, her face frozen in shock and her eyes wide open. I had never seen her as pale as I did then. She fell down into the chair with her hands over her face.

I heard her say in a soft voice: "Oh please God, no!"

I looked to Bill and saw a look of shock on his face as well but more interesting was the look on Sally's face. She was furious!

Serena was now sobbing openly and she was looking at me with eyes filled with fear.

"Oh God, no! You did know? How long have you known? Oh, please John, please don't do this. Let me talk to you, please."

Sally jumped up from the couch with a look of anger and fury on her face. Bill also stood and turned to Sally just as she let him have it. She slapped him with her open hand as hard as she could and just glared at him as he staggered back. The smack sounded like a crack of thunder.

"You rotten son of a bitch! How could you, you and that slut? How long has this been going on? You and I are through! I'll take you for everything you have!" Sally was on a roll and Bill looked as though he had just swallowed something rotten. She turned on Serena with real venom.

"As for you, you filthy slut, I hope you're happy. You have just ruined two marriages and for what. Bill is a lousy lover anyway. I'm surprised you even let him touch you a second time. I guess sluts aren't very choosy." Sally gave Serena a look that would have curdled milk.