I am sitting here in the waiting room of our local hospital hoping for good news. As I wait, I think back to what has brought me here. This is that story.

Hi there, I am Charley. I just turned 26 years old, am in good health, and I am in pretty good physical shape. At 6 feet 1 and 210 pounds, I am a little over average in size. My face wouldn't launch a thousands ships, but it wouldn't sink any, either. I'm a decent looking guy you wouldn't be ashamed to be seen with.

I am married to Bobbie (Roberta actually) who is 24. She is very lovely, at least I think so. Bobbie is about 5 feet 8 inches, weight of 130 with long auburn hair and green eyes. She has a smoking body, all and all a very nice package. It wasn't always that way. I will get into that statement a little later.

We met while going to college and believe me it wasn't love at first sight. I was sort of a jock; second string basketball, second string running back on the football team, but starting second baseman for the baseball team. All and all not bad, but I wasn't a big man on campus (BMOC), although I was a big man in my fraternity. You see, I was one of only about ten members not on academic probation.

Our fraternity was sort of like Delta Tau Chi (That's the fraternity in the movie "Animal House". The ones that were always on double secret probation). We didn't mean to be such screw ups, it just sort of happened that way. There was a general attitude that college was for having parties, not for getting an education.

I had other ideas about education but I still liked to party a lot; so I did both. Good grades, a well rounded history in student activities, and being a fraternity member (Even Delta) would show up to my advantage on my resume. Employers look for that sort of thing in applicants for entry level positions.

My appetite for parties and loyalty to a frat brother is what put me in the position I am in today. Let me explain.

Most of our frat was at the mixer given by the girls of Tri Kappa sorority and doing our best to make it the hit of the season. I was in attendance and holding court on my throne. That means I was at a table with some of my frat brothers trying to drink the place out of alcohol of any kind. (except schnapps, I can't stand it). My frat brother, James, who is also my best friend was asking for my help. It seemed he had a chance to have cardinal knowledge of a certain coed by the name of Judy, but she had a roommate with her. He needed me to bird dog the roommate and keep her busy while he explored the frame of the beautiful Judy.

"Charley, you owe me bud. Remember Gloria last semester? Who was it that kept her best friend busy inside while you took Gloria outside to show her the back seat of your car? Return the favor please."

"You right James, I do owe you for your help with Gloria. However, Gloria's best friend was hardly a dog. In fact, I think I should have stuck with the friend. Gloria was not the stuff fantasies are made of. She was not as turned on as she acted once we got out to my car. Her whole act was just a tease and I went home alone. You got to nail the friend that night, so it was I that actually did the favor."

"Come on Charley, give me a break here. I need your help."

"Okay, I was just busting your chops a little. Where is this roomy of Judy's?"

James pointed to a girl standing by herself on the other side of the dance floor. "That's her with the dark green jumper. See her?"

"Son of a bitch. She has got to be the homeliest girl in the entire school. You can't really expect me to squire her around can you? It would ruin my reputation. People would laugh at me."

"You owe me Charley. How about it? Will you help out your best friend or not?"

"Okay, okay, but this makes me one up on you. You big ass."

"Great, see you later." James went to gather up his prize for the night and left me to handle her roomy.

If you haven't guessed by now the roomy was Roberta. (The Bobbie part came later). She wasn't a dog by any means, just unkempt if you know what I mean. The hair was dull looking and stringy, she was wearing glasses, and she wore no make up at all. There was no fashion sense at all. The green jumper she wore was almost floor length and out of date by at least 10 years. Oh well, I had promised.

I walked over to Roberta and offered her a cup of punch from the buffet table. I introduced myself and asked her name. She seemed a little shocked that I was talking to her. She told me her name and we chatted for a few minutes. Really, I talked and she gave one or two word responses. Boy do you owe me big time James, I thought, this gal is barely awake. I continued to try and get her to open up a little and being the charming fellow I am, she started to warm up. The music was soft and slow; so I ask her to dance. She was a better at talking than she was at dancing. After about a minute of stepping on each others toes, we decided to sit at a table and talk some more.

I suggested a drink to break the ice a little. After a couple of hours of sitting, talking and drinking we were so settled it was a miracle that we could walk. She was drinking because she was nervous and I was drinking because I was with her instead of some little honey. The more I drank, the better she looked. (There is a country song by Mickey Gilly, called "The girls all get prettier at closing time" that explains this phenomena). By the time I offered to walk her back to her apartment she looked hot to my alcohol infected brain. The evening got a little hazy after that.

The next morning I woke up around 10:30. My right arm was asleep and I couldn't seem to move it. I looked over discovered a body laying on my arm. Who the hell is that, I thought? She rolled over on her back and I was staring at Roberta. What the hell went on last night? How much did I have to drink? I couldn't remember anything but bits and pieces of the previous evening.

Roberta slowing opened her eyes and looked at me. She screamed and jumped out of bed. She screamed again when she realized she was nude. "What am I doing here?" she demanded. She looked around for her clothes; when she couldn't find them she started to freak out again.

"Don't scream again, my head is pounding," I pleaded. "Use my robe, it's on the door behind you."

She turned around, grabbed my robe and put it on. When she turned around I saw maybe the best ass at school. The robe was a little large on her but at least she stopped screaming. "What went on last night? What did you do to me? Did you take advantage of me?"

"Hold it, stop. I remember us having a pretty good time, once you took off that jumper. As far as me taking advantage of you, it may have been the other way round. We came to my room to get some music cds you wanted to borrow. When we started to leave, I gave you a little kiss and the next thing I knew I was on my back on the bed. You were on top of me trying to take off my shirt. After that we just did what comes naturally."

(Let me add here, that when that ugly jumper of Roberta's came off, it uncovered one of the best bodies I have ever seen. For a little while that body was all mine. I had made the most of my opportunity).

"I don't believe you. Your must have seduced me. I would never do anything like that."

Roberta clothes had been thrown around the room; as we were talking she had been picking them up. She went into the bathroom and dressed. She came out fully attired and went to the door. She turned a last time and said, "You keep your mouth shut about this, you hear me?"

"I don't want anyone to know about this either. My reputation would never recover."

She slammed to door on the way out which didn't help my head at all. Guess she was pretty worked up. I got out of bed, finished my morning routine, and went looking for James. He wasn't in the frat house, so I called his cell. He answered right away.

"Hey Charley, what the hell went on with you and Roberta last night? I'm at Judy's and Roberta just came crying saying something about she was ruined."

"We had a lot to drink at the mixed and came by my place. Woke up in bed together and judging from the evidence and what little I can remember we had a hell of a sexy night. Why should she be crying, I'm the one who is going to be laughed at by all the brothers?"

"Charley you don't understand. Her parents are very strict and now that she isn't a virgin anymore, Roberta thinks she won't be able to

ever go home to them."

"I'm sorry for her, but everything we did was consensual. She wasn't force to do anything. In fact she was very enthusiastic and took the lead several times. Tell her I won't say anything about last night. No one else has any need to know what happened."

"Okay Charley, I hope this stops right here, but I don't have a good feeling about it."

Maybe James was physic or something. Two months later as I came from my last class of the day, I found Roberta sitting on the steps of the Delta house waiting for me. Oh shit, I thought when I saw her; this doesn't look good.

"Hello Roberta. I haven't seen you around campus lately. How are you." Things were a little awkward.

"I'm pregnant Charley and I don't know what to do. It has to be yours. I was a virgin until that night. I called my family to tell them and my dad called me whore and a slut and hung up on me. When I called back the next day, my mother told me that she no longer had a daughter."

I didn't know Roberta that well. I didn't really like her, except for that banging body; but when I heard about her family I felt a deep anger start building in my chest. How could parents treat their daughter that way? She needed help and support from her family; they just tossed her out like she was garbage. Those assholes!

"Roberta, I will help you in anyway I can. What do you need from me?"Do you want to have the baby, do you want an abortion, what do you want?"

"Charley, I can't get an abortion, I just can't."

"Okay Roberta, I'm here for you. When do you want to get married?'

"Married? You don't want to marry me; you and I don't love each other." Roberta got up to leave after saying that.

"Roberta, there is a song that goes "What's love got to do with it?" Those words fit this situation. The baby and you need support, at least until after the birth. If you want a divorce after the baby is born, I will give you one and pay child support. At least the baby will have a name and a chance at life. So what do you say, will you marry me Roberta?"

"Why would you do this Charley? I didn't come here to trap you or anything, I just wanted you to know."

"This won't sound very flattering, but here goes. My dad is pretty old school and he taught me the values that his father taught him. One of the most important things I learned from Dad is you are responsible for you own actions. Also you always face up to your responsibilities. Us being pregnant is a result of my actions. I will do what is right, because that's what I believe. This isn't only for you and the baby, but for me too."

"You are a good person Charley. Okay let's get married. The sooner the better as time is a major consideration." She seemed to come alive and a beautiful smile lit up her face.

I called my dad and mom and gave them the "good"news. As always they were very supportive and wanted to know how they could help. Of course, I got a few "Oh Charley how could you be so careless" and other pearls of wisdom, but then they jumped in to help with both feet.

When I told my mom how Roberta's parents had treated her, she said that poor little girl. Mom then took over. She called Roberta the next day and talked for hours. Between Mom, Judy, and Roberta they had a wedding planned and set up in one week after the big news. My family came into town and got to meet the bride to be in person. Roberta was an instant hit with both of my parents.

For two days before the wedding, I didn't see Roberta. We talked on the phone a few times but no personal contact. Thanks Mom. I thought that since the damage had already been done sexually speaking, I might talk Roberta into a rematch. I know, I'm an ass, so sue me. She was fantastic that night so you really can't blame me for trying.

The wedding took place in a little chapel that was almost too perfect. Flowers and decorations turned it into a fairy land. My father was my best man and Judy stood up for Roberta.

As my dad and I stood at the altar waiting, he turned to me and said, "I am very proud of you son. You are facing your responsibilities like a man. Just wanted you to know how I felt."

"Thanks Dad, I'm just doing what I was taught. Thank you for that too." God were we sappy, both of us had tears in our eyes. Then the music started. I was about to get married.

I turned to face the church and then saw Roberta coming down the aisle. There may have been prettier girls on campus, but if so I hadn't seen them. Roberta was stunning. She actually had on a wedding dress.(It was my mom's) Her auburn hair was beautiful as was her make up.(My mom's work, that's why I didn't see Roberta for two days). Apparently she had gotten contacts as her glasses were gone. All at once, I began to think this marriage wasn't such a bad idea.

My dad had called Roberta's family to introduce himself and invite them to the wedding. Her father refused to have anything to do with her or her wedding, calling her a Jezebel and harlot. Roberta was given away by James. As she took my hand and we faced the minister, I said to her, "Bobbie, you are so beautiful I can't believe you are real."

"Bobbie, she asked?" Her smile again lit up her face and melted my heart.

"Yes. You are much too beautiful to be a Roberta," I answered her.

It was a very small reception with just the wedding party and a few select friends. I kept my frat brothers away, by promising to buy the keg at the next party. The last thing we needed was those wild men at the reception. We passed up on any type of honeymoon, considering the circumstances.

We spent the rest of the weekend moving into our new apartment. I must have the best parents in history. My dad and mom picked out a small apartment close to campus for us and paid the rent and utilities for a year. The baby would be born before the lease expired. I also would graduate about the same time and decisions about where to live could be made then.

I spent the next seven months going to classes, working and taking care of Bobbie. She finished her semester of classes and then dropped out. She had her hands full being pregnant, taking care of me, and making a home in our small apartment. Bobbie took better care of herself after we got married. She would comb and brush her hair, wear a little make up, and began to wear more flattering clothes. Those clothes soon turned into maternity wear, but no more floor length ugly jumpers.

Bobbie always had a meal cooking or ready when I got home. She made sure that there was always beer in the fridge and the little snacks that I like were always on hand. ( I gave up the hard stuff after what happened the night I met Bobbie). Life wasn't too bad during that period of time.

I believed Bobbie was in love with me from our wedding day on. Probably because I stepped up when her parents left her high and dry and took care of her. Something strange and wonderful happened during those seven months; living together and waiting for the baby. I fell in love with my wife.

I had gotten married because it was the right thing to do and to face my responsibilities. Love wasn't involved at that point. I didn't know Bobbie well enough to even like her, much less love her. That all changed during that seven months prior to the birth of our son. I couldn't wait to get home, no more stopping for a beer after work or classes; my wife was waiting for me and I wanted to see and be with her.

Our son was born almost exactly to the day nine months after that wild night. Bobbie had a few problems with the birth, so I wasn't in the room; Sorry for the problems but I didn't miss being in the room at all, I'm squeamish about stuff like that. Both Bobbie and the baby turned out fine and we had a family. We named the boy "Raymond James"; Ray after my dad and James after the drunken bum that pushed us together that first night.

Bobbie got back on her feet pretty quickly after the problems she had. Things had gotten back to normal, as normal as they can be with a new baby. About a month after bringing Ray home, I noticed a growing tenseness in our happy little home. Bobbie seemed nervous and a little sad; the only time she seemed normal was with the baby. She didn't come to greet me at the door or kiss me hello like before. She used to always grin or laugh at my poor attempts of humor, but not now. I had read about something called "postpartum depression" and wondered if this was what was wrong. I talked to my mom and she said to not pressure Bobbie, just be there for her. Mom's advice seemed sound, so I followed it for six more weeks and then couldn't stand for Bobbie to be so unhappy. Against all advice and suggestions, I confronted Bobbie.

"Bobbie, is there something bothering you.? You seem sad,

withdrawn, and unhappy," I asked her one evening after dinner.

"No, I'm fine. Everything is okay. I guess I'm just tired."

"Everything is not fine. What the hell is going on? What did I do or not do to cause you to react this way? Please talk to me Bobbie."

She hung her head and tears started to drip off her cheeks. Bobbie seemed to be miserable and sobs began to shake her body. Finally she got hold of herself and looked at me. I had never seen anyone that sad or hurt.

"I'm just waiting for the day you say you want a divorce and leave Ray and me," Bobbie told me.

"What? What the hell are you talking about? I'm not leaving you guys. Where did you get that idea?" I was getting a little worked up.

"When you ask me to marry you, you said you would support me at least until the baby was born and he had a name. Well Ray has been born, he has your name and I am waiting for you to go. That's why I've been so sad."

"GO? GO? Are you nuts? Why would I go. You and Ray are the lights of my life. Look Bobbie I guess I haven't told you, I thought you knew. I love you, and now Ray, more than anything. I couldn't leave; it would be like cutting out part of my heart. You are stuck with me."

Things got much better around our place after that, starting with that night.

Bobbie had gained some weight while pregnant (about 35 pounds) and had not lost it. It seemed to bother her, as she had always been slender. I wanted to help her, but you have to be careful how you approach a weight problem with a woman. Especially your wife. My wonderful brain came up with a plan. Guess I hadn't killed all the brain cells with alcohol after all.

After dinner one evening, I grabbed my gut and said, "Jesus, I have gotten as big as a house. I need to get back in shape. Thing I will look into a gym around here. Maybe we could get a family plan and you could come too. It would get you out of the house a little and give you a break from being a mommy 24/7. Judy would love to babysit, and if she doesn't I will make James do it. What do you thing?"

(See how my diabolical mind works. No mention of fat or weight just a motivation to get out. Sometimes I even impress myself.)

My scheme worked like a charm. We began to use the gym two nights a week. Actually I started to enjoy it for myself. I started to lose the love handles and get back to my fighting weight. Bobbie really took to the gym. She started going with me, a little hesitate at first: then she started to see results and became serious about her workouts. The gym had a day care center, and Bobbie would take Ray with her. She would go on the two nights with me, and sometimes she would go on her own during the day. The "baby weight" began to melt off.

After two weeks Bobbie had lost 10 pounds and started to firm up. I decided to give her a reward for all her hard work. I sent her to a all day spa for a complete styling makeover and to be pampered. I took a day off to watch Ray so she could really relax and enjoy. When she was done for the day she called and Ray and I drove over to pick her up. Leaning on the fender of the car with Ray in his carrier at my feet, I looked up and a vision of beauty walking toward me. Bobbie looked so great it made my heart pound and my eyes water up.

Bobbie came to me and asked, "How do I look? Do you like it?"

I sputtered and stammered and finally got out, "You look wonderful."

"Thank you, and thank you for my reward. I had a wonderful day being pampered, prepped, and fawned over by the spa. Let's go home so I can show you the total makeover."

"What I see here is total, I think," I stated.

Bobbie leaned close to me and said, "I had a bikini wax, not just a bikini was but a Brazilian wax. There is not a hair on my body below my eye brows."

"Let's go. What are we waiting for? I can't wait to see if I approve of this procedure." By the way, I did approve, very much so.

Bobbie continued to bloom: working out at the gym with me and on her own, learning how to style her hair from Judy and my mother, and also getting tips on how to dress from them. She had started taking some classes again, most were for practical reasons than working on a degree. They were mostly classes concerning property and real estate. Bobbie had mentioned she might like to try working in that field after Ray started school. Things were going extremely well. Ray was a good baby; always happy with very little crying and a joy to be with. My job was going good, I was now a buyer and inventory control manager. We had bought and moved into a three bedroom home by this time. The apartment had been nice, but this was our first home.

When Ray started school, Bobbie ask me what I thought about about her going to work. I believed it would help her to grow and was all for it. I knew I would have to help around the house and with Ray more, but I could handle the extra load.

A small realtor hired Bobbie. The company handled mostly residential properties but did dabble in commercial real estate also. She became involved in the commercial side. Again, Bobbie seemed to blossom. During dinner she would talk about her job, the people she worked with and how interesting it all was. All the aspects of commercial real estate just fascinated her. She would talk on and on about this deal or that building code and many other things about her job. Sometimes she realized I wasn't getting a word in edge wise and apologize for talking so much. It didn't bother me and I told her so. I was glad she was enjoying her work. It gave her something to talk about besides the baby or a soap opera or the little problems around the house. As I said before, she blossomed and grew as a person.

Bobbie had been at the agency for 5 months when the company was bought by a nationally known realtor. Things began to change about 3 months after the buy out. My wife didn't talk about her co-workers or the work very much anymore. She also seemed a little more tense and when I asked, she would say nothing was wrong, she was just tired. I seemed to get on her nerves with my little jokes; this was a surprise as she had always laughed and groaned at my jokes and puns before. She seemed to be on a roller coaster in her moods at home. One day she was on edge and snapped at me and the next couple of days she couldn't have been more loving. One day she wouldn't want to be near me or talk to me anymore that she had to.The next she couldn't touch me or tell me how much she loved me enough. All and all, it was a strange life we were living. One day she would be a caring, loving, and and a joy to be with. The next day she would be a moody and short tempered bitch that I didn't want to be around.

She had long since lost the excess weight but liked the sleek and toned body her workouts at the gym gave her. Bobbie stopped going to the gym; she stopped going with me or on her own. Our sex life had also suffered during this period. We still had sex, but it seemed to be more of a chore for her than a pleasure to be enjoyed. The frequency also declined.

I thought, oh well, it's the new job and responsibilities that are causing the stress and moodiness. The good days must mean things were going well at her job; the bad days mean things weren't going as good. Ray and I quietly tolerated the bad days when Bobbie was less than a nice person and looked forward to the good days when she was the lady we loved. I thought things would even out and we would be the perfect family unit again. This situation had gone on for about a month, when it came to a head.

I had taken Ray to Mickey D's for an early dinner. Things at home were on the "bad" cycle and I knew Bobbie wouldn't be cooking that night. Ray had a happy meal and I had the joy of watching him be excited by the toy that came with the meal. After he had finished eating, we went to the play area as we always did. He didn't want to leave me side and seemed very clingy. "What's wrong buddy, don't you want to play?"

"No daddy, I just want to be with you. Daddy why doesn't mommy like us anymore?" His question floored me.

"Mommy still loves us Ray. Why did you ask me that?"

"Mommy is always mad about something and she doesn't play with me anymore. This morning she told me to leave her alone, that she was busy."

"Don't worry buddy, mommy still loves you. She has just forgotten that she does. I will reminder her tonight. Okay?"

"Okay Daddy. Can I go play now?"

I nodded and he ran to join the other kids playing in the big plastic balls. My son's mental process was wonderful. Got a problem? Go to dad and he will fix it. Problem solved, let's go play. My stomach was beginning to churn and I felt anger like I had never felt form in my chest. I thought I would blow a fuse, but then calmed down. Ray was with me and I needed to stay calm for him. I would handle the problem this evening, after he was in bed.

Ray and I went home and played together for a while, before Bobbie came in. It was about an hour later than she normally got home. I remarked that is was a long day and asked her if she wanted something to eat. She just grunted a no, went to change her clothes, returned to the living room, flopped down on the couch and turned on the T V. There was no greeting to Ray or me, she just ignored us. I played with Ray for another hour or so and then gave him a bath and put on his pajamas for bed. Before he went to bed, he went to say good night to Bobbie. She just patted him on the head and said good night. No hug, no kiss, no attention for the boy. I put Ray to bed and waited for a half an hour; then I confronted Bobbie.

"What the hell is wrong with you? You can't be bothered to show a little love to Ray, not to mention me? We need to talk about what is going on with you before it mushrooms into something really bad."

"I'm just tired. This has been a hard week at work and I'm distracted. Nothing is going on and things will get better soon."

"Bullshit, I have heard this song and dance for the last month. Now, I'm tired. I'm tired of this whole situation and it comes to an end tonight. If that job is stressing you out so much that you ignore your family, then quit."

"Quit, quit? How can you ask me to quit? I am about to be promoted and get a big raise. I can't quit now, now when I'm starting to make good money and be appreciated for my work. I just need to push a little more and I will have my own department. How can you ask me to quit now?"

"It's easy. If I have a choice of you making more money and us having our happy family back, I choose our family. Look at your paycheck and look at mine. We don't have to have your salary; my check can pay for everything we need. The money you make is nice to have but I would rather have our life back than to have the extras that your check can bring us."

"So that's it. You are jealous of my success and want me to be dependant on you for everything."

"God damn you Bobbie. That's not it. No one is more proud of what you have accomplished than me, but your preoccupation with your job is ruining our life. You are too stressed or busy for your son. You are too stressed or busy for me. Is your success at that place worth losing your child and husband?" This shit can't go on, we need to solve this problem while it can still be solved. Ray needs his mother back and I need my wife."