hello and welcome to real cheating story I got back home from work 3 hours early from my job as a diesel mechanic the whole shop has been working 50-hour weeks for the past 2 months rebuilding over 50b series cumin diesel engines on a tight schedule today we found out that we were officially ahead of our schedule by 2 days we're pretty worn out and the bosses knew it so they let us head home early I knew I was filthy and my wife usually waits for me with a robe so I can go straight to the shower she won't be home for another 2 hours so I headed directly to the laundry room there I dropped my dirty clothes in a special basket and went to the bathroom to take a shower rebuilding diesel engines means being around many chemicals and while my sense of smell hasn't been affected I know I stink from sweating chemicals and exhaust the laundry room is small and so is the whole house it's 1,100 square ft with two bedrooms a 2. 5 car garage and a large lot near the highway in Overland Park Kansas we bought this place for less than $50,000 after the previous owners had trashed it I knew the structure was solid so we gutted and renovated It Room by room the first 6 months were brutal as we worked on getting a functional bathroom and a barely functional kitchen as I was taking off my shirt I noticed an unusual smell coming from the pile of dirty clothes at my feet it wasn't just the usual Grime I recognized a strong unfamiliar odor I knew that it couldn't be from me especially since Trisha's cycle started two nights ago and she prefers not to be intimate during that time picking up her clothes I saw and smelled something out of place it was a strong scent of cigarettes and something else but Trisha doesn't smoke Eric a a mechanic who helps us out and has a hobby of modifying cars might be involved but I never expected this trust is crucial and I believed we both had zero tolerance for betrayal especially after our past experiences I realized I needed to stay calm sitting quietly on the washer I took slow deep breaths my goals were clear proved Beyond doubt that she had been unfaithful legally in the marriage with minimal Financial loss and moved Mo on with my life as quickly as possible the easiest goal to start with was ending the marriage I researched how to divorce in Kansas and found it involves three main documents the Civil cover sheet The Domestic Relations Affidavit and the petition for divorce we made it a point not to get into debt we spent only what we really needed to without a mortgage all our rent money went toward rehabbing the house buying supplies and covering basic living expenses we both knew that a downturn in the economy could bankrupt us again and I don't trust those at the top of the financial chain in the 5 years we've known each other in the 3 years we've been married we were able to rebuild our finances we were finally getting ahead in life now at 29 I feel like a two-time loser we owe $4,400 on her car and $4,700 on my used truck both vehicles aren't worth much we bought them 2 years ago and they're now both 7 years old our credit was still recovering from our last divorces and our car loans are at 15% I'm sure they're not worth what we owe she makes a little more money than I do and came into the marriage with slightly less debt we've been able to put away $112,000 a year for the past four years in our 401K accounts the market boomed and she has a balance of $65,000 while I have $60,000 we also have an emergency fund of $88,000 and $1,200 in checking the checking account is only that high because some big bills are due soon laws being what they are I know I could still get screwed how should I approach the division of our assets what are my most important goals in this marriage I don't want to lose my shirt again not like last time when I also lost my soul goal I'm not up for another round of this it's really tough to go through this again but now I have another goal to meet how do I prove that she's been unfaithful Nanny cams internet cameras and all that Tech overwhelmed me I'm sure they can be rented and I could find someone to set it up for me I'm good with engines but setting up software and Hardware is not my strength walking through what will soon not be our little two-bedroom house I realized something I've never seen anything that leads me to believe that she was unfaithful in her bed Trisha's car's back seat is small and the other car doesn't offer much space either the only other place with some privacy is the garage in the office area of the garage there's an old futon that could be used she has an hour for lunch and the other person Works nearby I head to the garage which is at the back of the property there are two point five Bays with the half Bay being a bit of a storage room or office opening the door I smell hydrocarbons and see open empty containers of chemicals and paint cans lying around it looks like used Rags soaked with grease and paint thinner are piled up it seems like used motor oil might be dumped on them opening the door to the storage room I find two used condom wrappers in the trash this discovery is unsettling and I need to stay calm I take slow deep breaths trying to manage my anger it's frustrating but I have to keep my composure I know I need to return to work and the condition of the garage filled with used parts tools and chemicals has turned it into a fire hazard I'll check her locator app to see if she's at the garage during lunch which might indicate they'll be together the garage is a fire hazard and I'm thinking Captain Billy our local fire captain might help I'll see if he can inspect the garage and determine if a business is being run in this residential Zone in the past he's seen plenty of things that might include infidelity back at work I pull out the paperwork I brought from home and fire up the old desktop I'm not very skilled with computers but my limited experience with Excel has helped me I use it to keep track of things because once you put something in one of those little boxes it's stays there I can always get help from the office staff who are usually understanding with us mechanics after over an hour I called the firehouse to set up a meeting with Captain Billy later today if he wasn't out on a call I spent about an hour and a half listing our belongings and crafting what I thought was a fair division of property printing two copies it was time to head to the Firehouse I plan to request an extended lunch tomorrow to handle some personal matters work is generally flexible about those things if you make up the time later hey Glenn what can I do for you Captain Billy asked extending his hand for a handshake could we go into your office it's a bit private I requested he looked at me with concern and led the way what's the problem is somebody stealing something is it unsafe he asked sitting up straight in the chair in front of his desk I began slowly Captain Billy we've worked together for the past s years haven't we he nodded and I've never asked you for a favor he shook his head no you haven't I have a big favor to ask but I don't want you to do anything that might get you in trouble I think we're good with one another so why don't you just say it and if I can't handle it we'll leave it at that all we've talked about is getting the FD to do something more maintenance I continued I'm convinced my wife is having an affair we rent out our garage to someone who I think might be involved could you schedule a fire inspection I believe they used the storage room in the garage which has become a significant fire hazard if you and I walk in on them it won't be a he said she said situation a couple of pictures and I can start filing for divorce I paused and added I could use use a witness and someone to help me stay composed on the other hand the inspection will help prevent the garage from becoming a bigger issue for you Captain Billy was quiet studying me thoughtfully I guess you're trying to avoid someone going to jail I nodded yes or at least avoid a worse situation he continued as an officer in firefighter for over 25 years I've seen many situations like this I will do the inspection as requested as it is my duty whatever we find there as you've invited me onto the premises will be public record does that help I smiled and asked I don't know when the property inspection will be but I will text you when I'm nearby could you text me if you're out on a call and can't make it he nodded and we shook hands before I left I appreciated our good working relationship and his support he took a range check on the beer I offered saying he'd save it for after everything was settled and he was off duty now it was time to go home and act as if nothing was wrong I started the day by ensuring that the phone locator app for Trisha's phone was working I watched her leave home and head to work next I checked in with Captain Billy to confirm he wasn't on a call he texted me immediately the morning was nerve-wracking after 10:00 a. m.
I checked my phone every 10 minutes then every 5 minutes after 11:00 a. m. at 11:35 I saw that Trisha's phone was no longer at work I waited 10 more minutes to see her arrive at the house that's my texted Captain Billy and we met two blocks away in the back parking lot of Mickey D's I was nervous but Captain Billy seemed to enjoy the adventure we drove to my house and parked several houses away out of sight of the garage standing in front of my house I whispered Captain Billy we should first check inside the house to see if anyone is there he put his finger to his lips for silence and headed toward the garage queuing his ear he then smiled and whispered I hear them out back he pulled out his clipboard and official camera starting to write the citation and take pictures of the fire code violations he spent a minute outside the garage and then 30 seconds for each garage Bay standing in front of the closed door where the noises were coming from he smiled at me and pointed inside I nodded the small room in the back was used as an office and for small parts and hand tool storage it also contained an old futon opening the door quietly I found the two people on the futon they didn't notice us at first when they did the situation quickly became chaotic Trisha screamed as there I pulled away from her she scrambled to find something to cover herself managing only to grab a very dirty overall which smeared black substance across her chest Captain Billy and I could only watch it was a painful moment for me like finding something unpleasant at the bottom of a paint can there was no place for them to hide tired of waiting for the commotion to die down Captain Billy looked at the two of them and then directly at Eric by the way the reason for my visit is to issue citations for fire code violations Captain Billy said he handed Eric a citation these issues need to be addressed before you can return this building is closed until it passes the next inspection any questions Trisha still visibly upset looked at us with a stunned expression Captain Billy added if you don't clean up that mess I'll have the health department come in and they'll shut you down for those violations as well with a chuckle he said oh and have a nice day it's a pleasure to serve you Captain Billy gave me an apologetic look as he left I followed him out locking and bolting all the doors and windows once I got home I pulled out a Diet Coke and started Gathering all of Trisha's clothing tossing it into the living room I knew she would eventually find the Kiwi had outside but she needed to understand that it was over over I finished the task in 20 minutes and noticed both of their cars were gone it was back to work to make up for the two hour lunch break that evening when I got home I found that Trisha had taken her clothes and some of her belongings the dresser was missing and a few other things were gone I checked the garage and the car Eric was working on was also gone as I was vending my frustration the doorbell rang I hoped it wasn't aad bad surprise but it was Captain Billy with a bottle of Jim Beam and two glasses he said thought you might like some company tonight he gave me a friendly hug and headed to the kitchen for some ice first off stop calling me Captain he said handing me a Tumblr filled with ice and bourbon drink this slowly don't get too drunk too quickly I appreciated having someone there to listen Captain Billy stayed with me listening to me expressed my feelings and frustrations it felt like everything I thought was solid had fallen apart the next morning I woke up still dressed except for my shoes I was on the couch covered with a blanket there was a handwritten note from Billy asking me to call him he stopped by for the next two evenings on the final night the doorbell rang and I dreaded answering it standing at the door was Trisha with Eric a few feet behind her I slammed the door and turned off the lights Trisha kept ringing the doorbell and tried to use her key but the locks had been changed I had replaced the locks on the garage as well which felt like money well spent after a few minutes of ringing Captain Billy said let me handle this he walked to the front door and stepped outside closing it behind him after about 5 minutes I heard the Screech of tires I was relieved when Billy walked in with Trisha following him Glenn why don't you get the paperwork you were working on and bring it to the kitchen table he asked nodding to the Shelf where I had kept it over the past few days Billy and I had discussed the division of property I learned that his sister had gone through a tough divorce and he was familiar with the pain and legal complexities involved he had helped his sister and wanted to help others in similar situations Trisha sat at the far end of the table as I laid out a copy of our assets and debts after giving her a moment to review I began the summary the house can go on the market for $210,000 and should net about $22,000 after paying the realtor with taxes rebates and other costs we should clear $194,000 you keep your car in payments and I'll keep mine you keep your 401k balance of 65 $5,000 and I'll keep mine at $60,000 we'll split the emergency fund of $8,000 and use the remaining funds in the checking account to pay off the bills she winced when I mentioned that I had already paid off our credit cards and canceled them I added if you agree we can file immediately and with luck we can finalize everything in 60 days I clenched my teeth recalling that emotions had no place in financial negotiations I remember from last time I may have been younger and less mature then but that's no excuse now I'm sorry Glenn I didn't mean to hurt you Trisha said Trisha don't even start the problems with this marriage began a year in and that was 2 years ago you wanted a beautiful house and because we couldn't afford it I had to rehab this fixer upper that's where my time our money and my energy went I exhaled letting out my frustration and pain you didn't help much at all you've been unfaithful how long has it been I closed my eyes actually it doesn't matter how long you've been seeing someone else she shook her head I continued we both were cheated on in our previous marriages we knew what that felt like tell me if you caught me with someone else would you believe everything would work out would you tell me that you'd forgive me turning away she started crying I didn't offer her any tissues she needed to face this on her own starting now the mechanic I said glancing out the window toward the garage I'm guessing your Affair started before we rented out the garage to him that's when you were beginning to see someone else isn't it she nodded her face reflecting in the stone window as she looked down at the carpet we've been living in a construction zone for the big projects the kitchen and main bath for 3 years I used all my vacation time on these projects the main bathroom took 6 weeks longer due to unexpected issues we wanted it we wanted it because you wanted it I closed my eyes and interlocked my fingers I didn't want to lose control of my emotions working on our dream home though it seems like it was only your dream home has added value over the past 3 years I stopped looking at her I'm no longer your honey this marriage ended when you chose to be unfaithful you can't undo it I can never trust you again so don't even try Trisha lowered her head and looked away you came into this marriage after being hurt from your last one you had to punish someone it's always about making someone pay she started to object but I silenced her with a stare you've hurt me because you needed to make someone pay that's what you do don't give me excuses I knew I had struck a nerve people often make poor decisions for IR rational reasons I had seen Trisha make mistakes before but nothing like this it was a huge betrayal I paused this is the biggest mistake there's no way we can piece this together we have two choices fight it out and spend our money on lawyers or agree on something and end this quickly what do you want to do I held up another envelope Trisha nodded knowing that engaging in illegal battle could be a pointless contest her first marriage ended because she and her husband were young and immature they argued and fought instead of trying to work things out when problems arose he turned to others and she reacted with anger I continued I've detailed all our assets and debts this first document outlines that the second is a spreadsheet with three columns property who owns it and its value we both came into this marriage with minor assets we were broke with poor credit scores were our jobs stabilized we saved and lived frugally paying $50,000 in cash for this house I propose we sell the house and split the proceeds evenly we'll also split the emergency fund and the remaining checking account balance evenly you keep your 401k and I'll keep mine we have no debt except for the cars you take yours and I'll take mine no alimony for either of us I could see Trisha was still in shock the financial Figures were overwhelming and she was facing a significant financial shift at 29 she could walk away with over $100,000 in her 401K why don't you think about it overnight just make sure that overnight isn't in this house I said this shocked her it seemed she had hoped there might still be a chance to salvage the marriage realizing she had nowhere else to go but with Eric in his small apartment she started to cry why don't you go with him he's been so good to you he should gladly take you and now all I know is you're not staying here not in this house not in this bedroom not in this bed understand she began to speak but I cut her off there are plenty of stains on the futon and why don't you count the trash bin while you're at it with a downcast expression she got up and left Eric picked her up shortly afterward Billy handed me a tumbler filled with ice and Jim Beam Glenn you didn't do half bad he said raising his glass we reviewed everything that had happened and he left around midnight Trisha hadn't realized I was still tracking her with the phone locator app it showed she was either at work or at Eric's apartment the apartment was a dive which gave me a small sense of satisfaction I spent my evenings cleaning up the garage preparing it for showings I arranged for chemicals and waste to be properly disposed of saving me at least $1,000 I also packed up tools and scrap metal and had it delivered to Eric's apartment it was a sizable load of scrap and it would cost him more to dispose of it than he could ever get from selling it over the next two days Trisha's phone showed she was at Eric's apartment or at work then her phone's location went dark I found this odd over a week after the deliver y I received a text from Trisha asking to meet I suggested the firehouse on Tuesday at 8:00 p.
m.
