Chapter 16

Both women knew they were in no physical danger as neither Donald nor Terry had a violent nature, yet neither woman, as exciting as the affairs were, wanted to lose her marriage.

On the other hand, Coming to grips intellectually with a dilemma was one thing, exhibiting the fortitude to act accordingly was another. Despite both women resolving to end their affairs, it took less than two weeks for Laura and Vivian to renew their adulterous relationships.

LAURA

Despite being aware that she was losing perspective, Laura was rapidly falling in love with the graduate student and spending more and more time at his apartment. She knew they couldn't be seen together in public, yet yearned to walk down the street holding hands, going out to dinner or attending a concert with her young paramour.

She was also aware of the pensive stares she sometimes got from Donald. She knew he had to be suspicious or at the very least puzzled by her frequent absences, the excuses for which were beginning to wear a bit thin. It had been almost a month since she and Donald had made love. The last time had been quite unsatisfactory for them both and despite her best intentions she could not help but realize how much better lover Kyle was than her husband. Younger, more energetic and more knowledgeable, Kyle was everything she could ever want in a lover. She still loved Donald but that love was more a familiar sense of comfort than romantic involvement. Yet she did not wish to hurt him. He had been a faithful and devoted husband for twenty-four years and even if he hadn't been as romantic or sensual as she might have liked, she continued to admire and respect his intellect even if that intellect, at times, deprived her of his company and companionship.

Resolved that she must end the affair, Laura decided that talking to Kyle by telephone was the only safe way. Twice previously she had tried going to his apartment and twice the very presence of the young man was enough to destroy her resolve, the result being another round of lovemaking and her falling even more deeply in love.

"Hello."

"Kyle, it's Laura."

"Oh, hi Laura, want to come over?"

"No! That's what I want to talk about. I ... I can't see you any more. I'm destroying my marriage bit by bit. Donald has to know something is happening. It's only a matter of time before he finds out."

"You want to end it?"

"I don't WANT to. I HAVE to."

"Are you sure? You know you've said that before and..."