1. I Used to Love Her...


    Date: 7/30/2024, Categories: Loving Wives, Author: bydemander 

    ... the room. He stacked it all in his now empty closet. What didn't fit there went next to his side of the bed. Well, what once was his side.

He surveyed his old room. He was satisfied. There was nothing there that would give any indication that he had ever occupied it. He had been erased. He had erased himself.

Then he made coffee, and a list. The list was for Target. He got in the car and went there. It was ten am. He had no idea when, or if, Linda would return. He didn't give a shit, anyway.

He returned from the store before noon, with his haul. He had: a metal double futon bed, a small TV with a digital antenna, a knob with a lock and key for the door from the first floor to the basement, one for the door to the outside, and some beer, snacks and other supplies.

He unloaded the car and stashed most of the things. Then he took out the doorknob from the door to the basement and replaced it with a keyed set. That required some adjustments and took longer than he had anticipated. Then he installed a deadbolt, which could be operated with the same key. As he was just completing the chore, he heard the front door open. Then he heard Linda come through and say, "I'm back. It's the same old me."

She stopped in the kitchen doorway. He looked at her and turned to finish with the new lock.

Linda said, "What are you doing, Jim?"

He paid no attention to her.

She said, "I can understand that you're upset. I will make it up to you. We can still be the same. It was ...
    ... one night."

He said nothing. He didn't look at her at all.

She asked, "When are we getting the kids?"

No reply. Not even a glance.

Linda stomped up the stairs. About a minute later he heard a shriek and Linda pounded down the stairs.

She shouted, "What have you done? Where's your stuff?"

Jim was by then sitting at the kitchen table. He nodded toward the basement door.

Linda flopped down across from him. She was still wearing her fancy blue dress but was barefoot. He looked at her. She seemed unsure of herself. Frightened, even.

He said, "I'm saying this once. As of the time you left with the jerk, we are no longer man and wife. I will never have any sexual contact with you. Ever. You can screw whoever you want. So can I. But we're toast. You can't have guys in here when the kids are here. Neither will I."

"You....you need to stop this. Jesus, Jim. One night. One night."

He arose and went downstairs to the basement. She heard the snick of a deadbolt.

Soon she heard a power tool running. Jim was switching out the outer door hardware.

She also heard an old Rolling Stones song playing. As she sat there, she became aware that it was on a loop. And that told her that it was a message song. She got the message but didn't believe it for a minute.

LINDA

Linda was very sure that she could overcome any problems that her night of straying might cause in her marriage. Maybe it would take a little time. But she knew how much Jim loved her. And she ...
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