A Husband's Illness, Wife's Betrayal, and a Daughter's Revenge, Cheating wife, reddit audio Story

Hello and welcome to Lost Love Chronicles Jim Bellow felt like complete the customs and immigration people had taken one look at him and just waved him through later they would get into trouble for not calling the Health Department where the hell is she she knows what time I plane was to arrive and she isn't even answering her cell phone Jim thought to himself he didn't want to do it but he was going to call Carol his 17-year-old daughter and asked her to pick him up the airport was a nightmare to drive into and he didn't

like having to ask her to do it but he felt so bad that he didn't trust himself to a taxi ride Carol honey I'm at the airport international arrivals and I can't reach your mom I'm feeling a bit sick and I was hoping you could come pick me up if it is too much trouble I can take a taxi daddy you sound terrible what's wrong it's not too bad baby but I Could use a ride home no trouble I've got Steve with me and he can come in and get you and I can wait with

the car in the loading area it will be real quick no trouble we will be there in a half an hour you stay in the building and keep warm we will be there daddy don't worry I've been to the airport before picking up friends thanks baby love you love you to Daddy by bye sweetheart Jim hung up his cell phone he was a bit mad at his daughter and relieved at the same time There were specific areas that she wasn't supposed to drive to because he thought they were too tough for a novice driver the

airport being one of them but it was good to know that she had been here before and she should be okay Steve she yelled at her brother we've got to go right now dad is in trouble Carol and Steve were out shopping for a birthday present for their father their dad was a self-sacrificing man for his family his children felt it was too much so not That he was a soft touch when it came to discipline but any extra time or money he had was for his family first second third fourth and fifth they figured

he put himself about sixth Jim would scrimp and save almost always he would take a bag lunch to work and he was driving a 10-year-old minivan whereas his wife and daughter both had cars only a year old with low mileage he figured that he wanted them in something safe and reliable if his minivan broke down well He had plenty of tools in the back and could normally get it chugging along again Steve heard the panic in his older sister's voice and came running from the food court in the mall what's wrong Carol Dad's sick and

stuck at the airport we've got to go get him he sounds really bad and out of it Jim Had A peculiar reaction to extreme illness he would hallucinate and generally act as if he was extremely drunk he hated it and often said that that was the worst Part of being sick I heard mom on the phone last night she knows what time he was to get in growled Steve have you tried her cell phone I just did and it went straight to voicemail Steve's and Carol's mother Janice had a bad habit of ignoring her cell

phone and turning it off she was more than a bit of hypocrite in this matter because she would raise hell with her kids and husband if they were even a bit slow in answering her calls to them Carol and Steve were a Small bit concerned that something might be wrong with their mother but it was sad to say that it was sort of typical of her though she had never before blown off picking up her husband at the airport before if Jim could be described as self-sacrificing Janice could be described as selfish and self-absorbed Jim

frequently defended his wife with his children saying it was too much of the neighborhood gossip mongers that had changed their mother in the last 6 years Or so a half an hour later they were at the airport and as was typical of their father he was waiting outside for them so he wouldn't inconvenience them too much Carol quickly stopped the car and both her and Steve came running up Daddy what are you doing outside scolded Carol Jim didn't seem to notice his children and was just huddled up on a bench shivering staring blankly into space

dad yelled Steve with a note of panic in his voice oh Carol Steve you got here so Quick it's only been 5 minutes responded Jim Carol grabbed her father's arm and helped him to the car while Steve carried his father's heavy suitcases Carol was very concerned with how violently her father was shivering and his teeth were chattering once he was in the car Carol directed all the heat Vince her father's way but he was still shivering violently Steve reaching from the back seat felt his father's forehead sis dad's burning up maybe we should Take him

to the hospital daddy queried Carol should we take you to the doctor I just want to go home baby but I'm so cold could you turn up the heat now Carol and Steve with their heavy winter clothes were sweating in the car because of the heat I'm sorry Daddy the heater is on full blast oh it must be broken I'll take your car into the dealership next week the car is still under warranty responded Jim with that Carol's father seemed to return to his days Huddling back into the front passenger seat with his physical misery

plain to see 40 minutes later they arrived home Carol pulled into the driveway and helped her father out of the car and towards the front door of their house while Steve got the luggage just outside the front door was one of the neighbor ladies she seemed to be shocked to see them her eyes were big and her mouth a bit open in her hands she was carrying a store-bought coffee cake Hello Shimp Greeted Carol's father to the woman and Carol had to hide her grin her father privately called her mother's three neighborhood Friends The Three

Stooges Steve thought it was an insult to the Stooges those icons of slapstick to compare the ladies to them so he privately called the Ladies the three witches Carol thought it an insult to witches and changed the W to a b the woman in question real Nam Nancy got a puzzled look on her face at being to Shimp what is going on and what is your father doing home we had to pick him up at the airport mother forgot HEK very sick and we need to get him inside Nancy being helpful opened up the screen

door and then opened up the house door after opening up the house door she called inside I'm back and stepped back outside to hold the screen door open for Carol who had her hands full helping her father Carol stepped into the house helping her father while helping her Father through the vestibule and into the main part of the house she heard her mother say Marge I can't believe how big your little brother is and it felt fantastic I swear he is at least this big when Carol stepped around the short vestibule wall she saw her

mother Carol's mother Janice looked up at the shuffling footsteps and was shocked to see Carol with a furious expression on her face and her husband Jim Carol Jim what are you doing home came out a Flabbergasted question Carol was too busy helping her father to a chair to give an immediate reply once he stepped into the warm house his strength had seemed to give out and Carol was straining to set him down lightly Jim answer my question demanded Janice Carolyn sensed at her mother's Behavior replied Daddy called us from the airport because you forgot to

pick him up and he was too sick for a taxi now I know why you forgot to pick him up just how big Was Mar's brother screamed Carol the room got suddenly silent and Janice got red-faced and looked at the floor Steve came bungling into the room with the heavy luggage wondering why it was so quiet Steve can you take Daddy's suitcases upstairs and bring down the thermometer asked Carol sure sis with Steve truning upstairs Carol put her arms around her father to stop his shivering and give him some warmth Daddy no reply Daddy huh

what is it baby are We home already Daddy what do you think of adultery asked Carol while glaring at her mother Jim being thoroughly out of it didn't hesitate and just answered the question adultery adultery is a terrible thing betraying sacred vows betraying a sacred Union it is a betrayal against both partners of the marriage even the adulterer as well as betrayal against the wronged spouse and most seriously against the children of the marriage since it destroys the marriage your Mother and I were married in the church and would never betray our vows we Jim

Daddy can adultery ever be forgiven asked Carol while still glaring at her mother kitten it would never happened to me I trust your mother but I could never forgive and forget it's not at all acceptable when a wife commits adultery it is terribly hard on a man emotionally especially a no longer young man like me a loss in confidence for us makes it damn hard to perform well there is Always Viagra quipped Mary the last of the three Janice Marge and Nancy all turned a glare at Mary for the stupid comment Viagra I wish the

stuff worked for me all it gives me is ferocious headaches I've tried it twice we Jim jimk wife Janice looked up in shock most guys up to about the age of 36 have no problems performing after that age we need a bit of encouragement we need reminders that our spouses see as sexual creatures to keep the old Magic in the marriage we can buy our spouse's sexy lingerie we can try new things with our mates by flowers and jewelry to remind them that they are more than a housemate to us but if they never wear

the lingerie constantly say no to new things and treating sex is more aure than an expression of love and passion then it gets awful hard to perform the adult women in the room were looking at Jim in shock after his Exposition Carol was staring at her Father with a mixture of shock and Glee while Steve was thinking too damn much information while he was checking his father's temperature first with the ear type thermometer then because he didn't believe the reading and didn't trust the thermometer he used the oral type thermometer once his father shut up

at that point Mar's cell phone rang hello oh hello Mr Henderson wait you say you're filming them right now that's imp possible Jim Bellows is sitting across From me right now in his own home Mr Henderson I suggest you get your facts straight with that Marge ended her call Janice was staring at Marge through the entire conversation a sorrowful expression coming to dominate her face Marge turned to speak to Janice she spoke very carefully and quietly as possible but it was still audible to Carol that was the p a Mr Henderson on the phone he

said that he was filming Jim and Miss X right now with that Janice put her face in her hands and started to sob Carol Steve shouted in panic he didn't call for his mother but his sis dad's temperature is almost 104 dad's temperature is almost 104 Carol immediately called 911 and got an ambulance on the way she Steve and Janice used ice and cold wet towels in an attempt to get Jim's temperature down which Jim didn't like one bit Steve Marge and Nancy had to restrain Jim a little in order for the others to cool

Jim down Carol and sist Ed on riding in the ambulance with her father while all the while glaring at her mother and visibly daring her to object Janice was Ashen face the whole time they were at the hospital many hours before the doctors could determine that Jim was suffering from a severe bacterial infection they started him on extremely strong broadspectrum antibiotics to combat the infection but his outcome was in doubt if he did live they mentioned The possibility of permanent damage being done to his brain heart and other internal organs Carol and Steve sat together

through all this praying for their father while Janice Marge and Nancy sat across from them every once and while Carol would look up to glare at her mother who was just sitting there with her hands and jaw trembling Marge and Nancy tried to comfort Janice while avoiding Carol's eye when not thinking about her father Carol thought angry Thoughts about her mother in Carol's mind Janice had been an extremely piss poor wife and mother for the past 6 years more concerned about friends gossip soap operas and her job as an elementary school teacher her father had

picked up most of the slack without a complaint and Carol had done her most to help her father the last 2 years had been extremely rough on Carol as her father had been frequently out of town because of the slowing economy jimk Former employer had gone out of business Jim's new job required a lot of travel Jim hated it but it was the only position he could land at the time all the hard work and sacrifices the family had to make because of her mother Jim had wanted to change jobs years ago before the economy

soured he had been offered at least two good position positions over the years with better pay but they would have required the family to make small moves of up to 4 hours Away and Janice had refused to even think about it even now Jim could have gotten a better job if they could move but Janice again put her foot down so Jim was forced by his new job to spend 10 to 14 days of every month away from home now Carol knew why her mother refused to move now Carol knew what her mother was really

doing with all those hours she spent with the all the late evenings when those four would watch recordings of the afternoon soap Operas at either marg's or Mary's home she didn't understand the partial conversation she heard about Mr Henderson but it didn't matter her mother was a cheat it was probably Marge's little brothers that caused Janice's to do it as her father had obliquely complained in his speech Carol thought with a bit of sick humor that it was a tiny bit good that Daddy was sick because he never would have made such bold unflinching statements

about Adultery and sex if he was his normal self Carol thought about her little sister Who as a reward for good grades was staying at their cousin's house she didn't know if it was right to hide from Lisa that their father was in the hospital and might be dying but no one had the courage to call Aunt Penny's house and tell her this was supposed to be such a special weekend for Lisa and her three cousins they had all worked hard to pull up their grades and had Been promised a weekend together of all the

pizza ice cream and chocolate that they could eat with no bedtimes until 10: p.m. Sunday Lisa and her three cousins always had such good times together but lived over an hour apart so it was difficult for the complete set of four to get together at the same time such a weekend would bring as much joy to the four as Christmas had done neither Carol Steve or Janice could bring themselves to spoil such innocent Joy with the news that Jim could be dying but they also knew that Lisa would never forgive them if she missed her

chance to say goodbye to her father Jim was finally admitted to the hospital and moved from the emergency Ward to a room with infectious disease decal stuck on the door the attending physician Dr Richards came out to talk to them I need you to sit down because I've got some hard words it is not all gloom and doom but things are chancy right now we've Managed to get his temperature below 102° Jim has an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection the infection is well Advanced and it is borderline whether we've caught it in time the next 24

to 48 hours will tell the tale then we will have to see if there has been any permanent damage but there have been many people even a majority that have made a full and complete recovery from the same state that Jim is in can you tell me where has Jim been lately where He might have picked up the infection from Carol spoke Daddy just got back from a week-long business trip to Brazil the doctor had turned to ask Jim's wife Janice the question and was bit surprised that Janice didn't speak and Carol had answered what

does your father do for a living he's an engineer and works as sales support for a medical equipment manufacturer the doctor's eyes had gotten big at the reply oh I'm going to be contacting the CDC about this Matter they will probably be contacting your father's employer as well as the Brazilian authorities I'm going to permit visitors to your father's room but you must wear a mask and gloves at all times there can only be two visitors at a time and try and get him to rest as much as possible he is extremely agitated and delusional

daddy is always like this when he gets sick he says the nightmares he gets when he is sick are the worse ever and I've never seen him Sicker can you do anything to calm him down asked Dr Richards if we sit with him and hold his hand that normally helps some well you can do that but remember what I said about mask and gloves the table here as you can see has clean gloves and masks every time you come out strip off the gloves and mask and throw them out in the can here for contaminated

waste taking off your gloves try to only touch the cuff of the glove and then use the hand sanitizer Here when you take off your mask please be careful and touch only the ear loops on the mask you might then want to go to a restroom and wash thoroughly with antibacterial soap do not try and save your mask and gloves for your next visit even if you're just going to use the restroom since you've been exposed if any of you start to experience discomfort please come in to be checked out we might have to start

you all on preventative antibiotics but I would Prefer not to any questions both Carol and Steve replied no and thanked Dr Richards Dr Richards gave a puzzled look to Janice said goodbye and want to see his next patient I'm going in now to sit with Daddy Steve can you come back in 6 or 8 hours to relieve me I'll call my friend friend Linda she can borrow my car and drive you here and then drive me home mother Janice looked up at Carol with Dread on her face you can do whatever you like I know

you might be Too busy with Mar's little brother to come here Steve didn't think his mother's face could get any sadder or paler but it did Janice stumbled back into Marge and Nancy as if she had been hit to Carol her mother had just become completely irrelevant her new goal was to care for her father and to diminish his pain while still looking after her siblings Carol dawned a mask and gloves and entered the room she was sad to see that He was Loosely restrained to the hospital bed it was necessary because he was quite

agitated and attempting to thrash about but it was still very hard to see her beloved father restrained like that Daddy it's Carol Daddy I'm here everything is going to be okay she said with tears in her voice Carol then moved a chair alongside the bed sat down and grasped her father's hand Daddy I'm here we're all safe there is nothing to worry about everything is going to be Fine Carol baby her father said weakly yes daddy everything is fine everyone is safe you've had your dinner and done your homework with those questions Carol had to

laugh a little yes daddy we're all safe the truth and I've eaten dinner and done my homework white lie but necessary she thought you go to sleep now okay baby I love you good night princess good night Daddy with that Jim relaxed and calmed down the door behind Carol opened and she expected it to be Her brother making a brief visit before heading home but to her surprise it was her mother Janice avoided her daughter's eyes and walked to the other side of the bed when she got there she Loosely grasped Jim's other hand like

she didn't want to upset him or didn't have the right to touch him Janice's eyes were full of sorrow and pain Carol wasn't satisfied with what she saw how dare she Carol thought she should be a quivering sobbing useless mess on the floor for Her betrayal then Carol thought this is all an act she doesn't love us she doesn't love Daddy for 6 years she's been a useless lump in regards to the family just an act she probably thinks this is how she is supposed to be just like in one of her damn soap operas

Carol wanted to scream and beat her mother but she didn't want to disturb her daddy or be thrown out of the hospital Carol decided to settle down and pretend her mother wasn't even there The door opened again and Steve walked in to stand by Carol's side he put one hand on Carol's shoulder and with the other he reached out to lightly touch his father Steve's face was wet with tears he was trying to control them but they were still leaking out of his eyes I love you Dad Carol Marge is going to drive us home

I'll probably be back in about 7 hours don't forget to call Linda and have her pick me up in about 6 and 1/2 hours I love you Carol call myself C If there is any change mother are you coming Janice got up to leave with Steve I love you too Steve see you in 7 hours I'll call if there is any change Steve nodded his head Carol didn't say anything to her mother Janice left with her head bowed Steve didn't know what was exactly going on between his sister and his mother but he had a

pretty good guess because of the partial bits of conversation he had overheard and it made him sick but there was no time to Worry about it now first his father had to get well then they would sort out the other but he would be keeping a close eye on his mother Carol sat with her father for over an hour gently reassuring him whenever got agitated but the situation became to much for her and she desperately needed to talk to someone as well as call her best friend Linda she gently let go her father's hand and

slowly got up very very quietly she said I'll be right back Daddy I love You outside the room Carol removed her mask and gloves she was surprised to see her mother and Nancy sitting on a bench across the hall her mother's face was white and she looked more like the undead in a horror movie than a living person Nancy had her arms around Janice trying to come her Carol seeing her mother like that couldn't help herself and said he's still sleeping quietly I just need to go to the bathroom I'll be right back in the

bathroom she used the Facilities and then washed her face and hands first she called Linda waking up her whole family in the process they were all shocked to hear about Jim's condition and they all offered to come right away but Carol explained what she needed and Linda immediately agreed Jim had always gotten on well with Linda's parents and little sister the two families had shared many joint Min vacations over the years Carol frequently called Linda's Mom and Dad Mom too and Dad too Carol knew who she had to call for support and advice her father's

best friend Ben Ben was her father's brother in all but blood she dialed his cell phone but there was no answer she then tried his condo phone a groggy voice answered hello The Voice wasn't Ben's Uncle Mark is that you Mark was as her father said Ben's better half Ben and Jim had been childhood friends since forever when Ben had told his family after graduating from high school That he was not straight they had disowned him Jim had suspected for over a year but he didn't care nor did Jim's parents with no job and with

his car taken away Ben was looking for a cheap Flop House to stay Jim told him that he knew just the place and drove him back to his home Jim's parents said that they always thought of Ben his family and it was nice to have another son Ben was extremely smart Beyond genius level but with losing his family support he knew He wouldn't be able to afford College and it was too late to pick up an academic scholarship for the first year Jim was supposed to go away to college but he had a late night

discussion with his parents the next morning Ben was told that the two of them would spend the first two years at the far cheaper but still good local Community College later on they would move on to the state college Ben said you can't do that for me you're already giving me a place to Stay in food Jim's mom Grace said shut up Ben after breakfast you two drive to college apply and register for classes you might even think about taking some classes during this summer term instead of waiting for fall finish your pancakes Grace looked

at Ben expectantly Ben still wanted to object but Grace's demeanor intimated him but she also seemed to expect some response jimk father Frank leaned over and whispered in BK's ear better part of valor son say Yes Mom B looked startled and hesitantly said yes Mom very good replied Grace Jim Frank and Grace looked down to resume eating after a moment so did Ben Ben would go on to get a degree in engineering the same as Jim but he would continue on to get his law degree he went on to specialize in patent corporate and international

law in the Pacific Rim putting it mildly B was loaded or more bluntly Ben was stinking Rich 10 years ago Ben and Mark met Mark Was a civil engineer with the county and a giant of a man they are since then for years Ben spared no expense in taking care of his new parents paying for expensive vacations to the same countries that he did most of his business in such as Japan Taiwan China and Korea bill sent to Frank's and Grace's home Were Somehow redirected and quietly paid by Ben Frank caught on and had a

confrontation with Ben Ben's reply a wealthy and successful son has the Privilege and pleasure to take care of his parents isn't that right Frank was momentarily nonplused at Ben's reply Grace who was witnessing the heated discussion leaned over and whispered in Frank's ear shut up Frank and say yes son yes son very good oh your new car will be delivered tomorrow with that he kissed his mother on the cheek and walked off grinning leaving his father standing there with an open mouth for years later Grace suddenly passed Because of a massive heart attack for the

next two months Frank just seemed to wither up Jim and his family Ben and Mark while heartbroken because of the loss of Grace tried to help Frank but not even his grandchildren could lighten his heart Frank died of a stroke just 70 days after his wife Ben and Ed on paying for both funerals there was awake afterward Frank's Funeral where slides and films of Grace and Frank were shown seeing those Happy Times seemed to help Bring closure for those present there were no dry eyes but some of those tears were of joy that they had

known such people Uncle Mark Uncle Mark Carol was crying Mark was absolutely terrified to hear Carol on the phone like that he had known Jim and his family for less time than Ben but he thought of them as the closest of family and friends because of his large eyes Mark thought of himself as the physical protector of his family and Carol was by God family what's wrong Honey where are you I'll come get you Uncle Mark I'm at the hospital Daddy is very sick he might be dying with that Carol wailed Mark thought to himself

oh God got to be calm got to help Carol where's your mom Carol she's outside but I don't want to I can't talk about her Carol cried daddy is in room 8136 can you and uncle Ben come here I need you Uncle markk I'm on my way Carol Ben is out of the country but I'm on my way I love you we will make everything all Right if you need me before I get there call my cell phone by Carol hang on I'm coming by Uncle Mark Mark hurriedly put on his clothes before heading to

the door he grabbed the household checkbook and the emergency credit card the credit card arranged by Ben had a $100,000 limit if money could solve the problem by God Mark was going spin like there was no tomorrow after a fast drive to the hospital Mark rushed down the hall towards Jim's room he was surprised to See Janice and a strange woman sitting in the Hall and staring at a door she seemed to be praying Mark nodded his head at the strange woman Janice how are you doing is that Jim's room Janice looked up at Mark

with eyes full of grief and pain yes that's jimk room Carol is inside I'm here for you Janice don't worry you've got my support with that statement Janice suddenly looked worse than before Mark not knowing what else to say to Janice introduced himself To the strange woman hello my name is Mark I'm a close friend of the family hello I'm Nancy I'm one of Janice's friends and neighbors I'm glad Janice has such good friends like you at this difficult time now Nancy looked suddenly stricken what the hell is going on he decided to go into

the room and see Jim Nancy seeing Mark going to the door warned him to put on a mask and gloves Carol was dozing in the chair when the door opening woke her when she saw that It was Uncle Mark her eyes filled with relief that someone else was here to support her and daddy hello Uncle Mark she whispered hello Carol honey how are you doing Daddy's temperature is staying below 102 I'm much better now that you're here Mark knelt down at Carol's side and asked what was going on you better get a chair and sit

down it is a long story but first you got to promise me that you'll tell no one not even Uncle Ben or daddy I've got to talk to Someone but I don't know what I'm going to do yet what the hell is going on thought Mark Mark moved a chair next to Carol and sat down Carol proceeded to tell Mark what happened ever since her father's call from the airport Carol also told her uncle Mark that she was sure that her mother was cheating on her father Mark was shocked at the story in Carol's conclusion

Carol are you convinced that your mother is cheating she didn't come right out and say it so Maybe you misunderstood no I'm sure Uncle Mark I thought back and maybe mom's statement about Mark 's brother was innocent but as soon as I heard it I knew I knew she was cheating I've thought about it sitting here about how could I know she has been such a lousy mother and wife for years this explains all the time she stays away this explains how she doesn't care about us anymore so when I heard what she said about

Mar's brother I knew I all but Accused her of adultery many times and she never denied it she just looked more guilty Carol stated convincingly Mark continued to sit down next to to Carol for the following two hours thinking about Jim and Janice and how it didn't look good he was also concerned about his promise to Carol not to tell anyone but he knew what he was going to do he was going to tell Ben about making a promise with Carol he was going to explain that it was a bad situation but He had to

promise Carol so she could relieve herself to someone Ben would understand and trust him to make the right decisions but if it got any worse he would break his promise and bring in Ben after 2 hours Mark got up because he had to hit the men's room when he exited the room he saw Janice and Nancy still sitting in the same place now Mark had had a special relationship with Ben's mother Grace they had become the closest of friends after his joining with Ben Grace and Mark had shared many confidences heck he thought with a

smile she even taught me all the family secret recipes so in many ways he thought of himself as Grace's surrogate that now that she was gone it was up to him to do what she would have done if she was here with that thought he crossed the hall to speak with Janice kneeling down in front of Janice he took her small hands in his Janice Janice she tried to avoid his eyes please look at me Janice slowly she Lifted her eyes to look at Mark Janice can you tell me about it Janice's eyes got bigger

and she shook her head no the way she shook her head was more like a spasmodic nervous reaction than a deliberate act with sigh Mark got up he knew he shouldn't say it while looking down at Janice but he was so damn mad he couldn't help himself you know Grace would have kicked your butt Janice collapsed into ny's arms and sobbed Carol Steve and Mark met the next day to Discuss their suspicions regarding Janice Steve had always been a computer geek it was decided that he would bug the hell out of Janice using wireless cameras

and microphones connected to one of his computers he would even get a voice activated recorder and hide it in Janice's car Jim got through the medical crisis of the next 48 hours and started to mend Lisa was never told how close her daddy came to dying and everyone conspired to make light of his sickness She was brought in to see her daddy for a short visit on Monday the CDC and their Brazilian counterpart had tracked Jim's exposure to an incident in a medical testing laboratory the management there had known gym might have been exposed but

they had covered it up they had been in trouble too many times with the authorities about sloppy safety procedures the Brazilian authorities came down hard on them Jim's employer kept him on full pay and there Was talk of a small bonus or settlement because of Jim's pain and suffering the doctors figured Jim would need 2 to 4 weeks in the hospital with another 2 to 6 weeks bed rest at home Jim couldn't figure out why Janice would hardly ever sit with or speak to him she would come to the hospital and then just sit out

in the hall it hurt him terribly he wasn't that infectious a week later Ben returned from his overseas trip and visited Jim the next day Mark with Carol's permission told the entire story to Ben it was decided that Carol was going to be the boss of the operation Ben and Mark with ly support and advice and if necessary put a stop to things if it got to extreme they knew that they could not overcome a lifetime of being told and conditioned to always be polite to women they figured the only thing nastier than a mother

with Vengeance on her mind was a teenage daughter with Vengeance on her mind Janice and the Three were in for a world of hurt Steve's bugging of the house provided most of the shocking story there were still a few things that they needed to know but they had enough for the confrontation one week after Jim's initial sickness one of the more shocking things that they had Learned was that in Jim's initial testing they detected some signs that he might be infected with syphilis besides the nasty bug he picked up in Brazil subsequent Testing showed no

sign of syphilis but it might have been knocked out by the antibiotics already administered Jim's doctor quietly approached Janice about the matter and Janice promised him that she would be tested Marge had an acquaintance that was a nurse with the county health department he agreed to quietly to have Janice tested test revealed that Janice had a well-developed case of the infection the nurse agreed since Jim was already under Treatment that he would keep it quiet but if he was going to take such a risk then the ladies were going to have to help him out

with some bills for the next couple of months also Janice's lovers were going to have to be tested Carol's gang were sickened that Janice had cheated on Jim with more than one lover mother I'm going to drive Lisa to a Penny's house for another visit tomorrow I'll be back at noon you and your three friends be here if not uncle Ben will get a lawyer for Daddy and we will go to the sheriff with information regarding bribery of a County Health official Janice looked at her daughter in complete shock do you understand mother this is

not a bluff mother say something yes I understand whimpered Janice Carol not liking her mother's appearance decided to call Nancy's house from the recording they now knew that Nancy had tried to put a stop to this farce but Janice had been too much in The clutches of Marge and Mary when the truth came out it was n that stayed by Janice's side while Marge and Mary did their best to bury the situation Nancy answered right away and came over immediately Carol told Nancy about tomorrow's meeting and left the house the following day Carol and her

crew Ben and Mark entered the house to confront Janice and the Steve knew all the facts he just couldn't handle emotionally confronting his mother the Ladies were all seated at the dining room table Janice and Nancy closed together holding hands Carol remained standing looking down on the women the men were at her back letting her be the spokesperson Carol had decided to try to remain as calm as possible and use his little invective as she could this is what we know we've got proof and if you want we'll show it to you but frankly I

don't want to waste that kind of time with you if I hear Too Much Denial we will just go to the sheriff get Daddy a lawyer and start civil proceedings against you Marge and Mary oh don't look so shocked you to and no denials Mary saw a man at the Hilton that looked a lot like Daddy she she told Marge who want to look herself they convinced themselves that it really was Daddy I figur they got bored with their televised soap operas and wanted a real life they then took some really bad photos of the

man using their cell Phones and used those photos to convince your mother that Daddy was having an affair they told you that he really wasn't leaving the country they told you that it was all an act they convinced you that he was cheating on you instead of confronting Daddy they talked you into having your own Affair Nancy did her best to put a stop to it and have you talk to Daddy but you've been ignoring common sense and your family for such a long time that you let Marge And Mary persuade you one thing that

has got me confused is that they had to have more proof than those bad photos we found the hidden copy of Mr Henderson's report the copy of your photos and his film of Daddy's lookalike no one could be stupid enough to believe that that was Daddy just by them alone I think Marge and Mary were so excited that they might have faked up some other evidence well if necessary we will find out about it in court margin Mary then acted as Your pimps and went out to find you a lover or should I saw a

sex buddy don't Flinch you cheat but instead of getting you just one they got you four it must have been so exciting for them you do the wicked Deeds with four different men you did things for your four sex buddies that you never did for Daddy so for his trip to Japan you had two dates or to have sex should I say then during his Korea trip you had another two it was your last sex that time you discovered Marg's brother he was so good that you just had to have him again again so while

Daddy was in Brazil you had your chance how many times have you screwed him how many times have you worn the lingerie father bought you but never wore for Daddy but for Mar's brother Dany but then Dany gave you such a nice present syphilis it was so nice you decided to pass it on to Daddy I guess we won't know for another 5 months if Danny gave you HIV too then we will have To wait and see if you passed it on to Daddy Mark and Ben had been exchanging looks during Carol's diet tribe both

thinking I thought she was supposed to stay calm and also thinking that they had a barely restrained attack dock they had a hard time stopping themselves from saying chew them up I don't know how you could be so stupid that you would think Daddy was staying in the US you saw his passport and all the stamps you took him to the airport the International Airline Tickets those are damn expensive how could you think Daddy faked all that you know how Frugal he is in regards to himself that's another question I've got where does all your

income go mother I've seen the family checkbook dad deposits most of his pay in there but you just deposit a little bit of yours what are you spending all your money on it doesn't seem to be this family Janice was collapsed on the dining room table shuttering Nancy Marge and Mary were all Staring at Carol with shock and fear so it end your little soap opera you decided to hire a private detective to get the goods on Daddy and then confront him when he got back from his supposed trip to Brazil you would humiliate him

with my mother's adultery and kick him out of the house well this is the way it is going to be I own your butts if you don't do exactly what I say there will probably be jail time in lawsuits Marge Mary be back here Tomorrow at 2 now get your butts out of my house Nancy and Mark could you please help my mother upstairs Marge and Mary quietly slunk out of the house like a couple of weasel Mark jumped at the request he was surprised to be forced out of his role as a silent participant

Nancy and Mark helped Janice upstairs to her bedroom Ben followed up carrying a large box Janice was set on her bed bed curling up into a ball Carol knelt at the side of the bed forcing her mother To look at her mother you've got to decide if you want to stay married to Daddy you have to decide if you want to remain part of this family if you do want to stay married to Daddy I'll help you but you've got to decide in the boxes here I've got all the family photos and videos to help

you remember what you've given up in the past few years a lot of the more recent photos you're not in because you were too busy with your friends you make your decision I still love you I'm mad as hell but I love you if you decide it is time to go I will still love you you decide Carol got up Nancy can you stay with my mother Nancy nodded her head yes Mother you stay up here Nancy can fetch you food from the kitchen I will be back to talk with you at noon for your

answer I love you mother Carol left the room and Janice returned to her fetal position Nancy thought to herself how did I let this happen I knew things didn't smell Right Mary has always been a back stabbing in Marge a queen ruling over her little domain we had some good times but I didn't let them run my life Janice is a smart woman how did she come to let Marge control her like that I should have forced Janice to confront Jim I could tell her that you tell Jim or I would maybe it is someone

else's family but there are children to protect now this family might be destroyed Janice has syphilis and is a basket case Good grief they might even have HIV Nancy called her husband Dawn and explained how Janice had broken down she implied the breakdown was because of Jim's illness she told Don that she needed to stay with Janice for the whole day and might not be home until late the next day Sunday Don understood and agreed to her plan he would look after the children Nancy then went and got a wet washcloth from the bathroom and

started wiping down Janice's face and Back of neck Janice I know you're upset I know you're sorry and don't know what to do everything hurts too much and you're too scared to think well listen to me then I'll help you you know I tried to stop you I tried to get you to stop listening to Marge so you listen to me now I'll be your coach for as long as you want me to you've got to calm down I'm not going to yell at you I'm not going to ber rate you I'll try to be

your Shield sit up now we don't have any Time to waste you've got to be strong and rescue your family Janice heard the words rescue your family they seem to resonate within her if she concentrated on them it could help turn her self-perception from the revulsion at being a villain into maybe a hero gr she would use those words to help herself grow strong and help her family for the entire day Janice and Nancy talked they talked about Janice's life with her family before March they talked about Jim's illness early in the evening Janice put

a random family tape in the VCR with that going on in the background she started going through the family albums things that she thought of as boring for the last few years she now thought of as indescribably precious the family's daily bike rides her bike was Dusty and hadn't been ridden in years the inexpensive weekend trips that they used to take once a month all the little things the family used to do and still Did but without her six years ago she was bored with her life she wanted excitement Janice had always enjoyed her soaps

and bit of juicy gossip but Marge raised it to another level Janice started to live vicariously through those soaps and nasty Wicked gossip much of the gossip being at best highly exaggerated truths to outright lies and distortions Marge had been the leader but Janice had willing followed the importance of her family had waned and She had started Living a lie she had a complete imaginary life in her head until it had led her to disaster now reality had struck back hard she saw herself if she didn't fix this problem alone is cackling old woman in

smelly old apartment never leaving her couch and glued to the television to live a meaningless life and then to be buried with no mourners and especially no family she could smell the sour apartment and see the empty grave side With a sardonic thought she suddenly saw herself as Scrooge when he was confronted by the Ghost of Christmas future Scrooge had redeemed his life she just hoped she had the chance and strength to redeem hers Nancy spent the night with Janice and at noon they were as ready as they were going to get for Carol's return

Carol knocked on the door and came in Janice was sitting washed and neatly dressed with a determined expression of her face Carol was Surprised at her mother's expression it was far different from the previous two days she had planned this meeting based on her mother's prior Behavior this new look might force her to change things hello Mother Nancy thank you Nancy for being here for my mother Nancy nodded her head politely mother do you have anything to say Janice braced herself took a deep breath and started what I did to your father is terrible and

I will never forgive myself what I have Been doing to this family for the past few years is also terrible and I will never forgive myself I lived an imaginary life in my head where I didn't realize what I was doing to this family I am so sorry and sicken to say that it has taken something like this to wake me up I love you all so much please give me another chance I know I will fall and make mistakes along the way but I promise you that I will pick myself back up and keep

trying don't throw me away Don't leave my life Janice cried a little at the last but fixed that determined expression back on her face mother we won't throw you away we love you but do you want to stay married to Daddy I love your father I would love and be so happy to stay married to him but I cheated on him six times and gave him an STD maybe HIV how can he stay with a woman like me she cried I've talked with Marge Danny's last sexual experience except for you was over two Months ago

he is the only one you didn't use protection with he has tested positive for syphilis but negative for HIV most cases of HIV show up after 3 months the other three men have to be found contacted and text Ed but you used protection with them I'm praying but I think you might be all right in regards to your cheating I had an interesting conversation with Uncle Ben so Uncle Ben Uncle Mark Steve and I have agreed to not tell Daddy about your adultery if he Flatout asks we will have to tell him the truth but

we will try to avoid those situations we will do our best to cover things up and support you but we will not tell lies for you we will though Lie by Omission it is up to you to make Daddy feel so loved that he never asks the first thing you have to fix is you have to spend more time in the hospital room visiting Daddy he feels terrible that you're not coming in to see him and he doesn't understand why you can tell Him that it was the shock of almost losing him that kept you

away or something like that if we're asked we can just say shock and not to give the full answer shock because of your adultery now mother I want to know why you decided Daddy was cheating on you it has to be more than those lousy photos it was Mary answered Nancy she told us how after after your mother dropped Jim at the airport Jim would wait for Janice to leave and then catch a taxi to the Hilton she said that she followed him all the way for Jim's last three business trips did either of you

read the detectiv report both women shook their heads now I've been feeling so guilty and with Jim obviously not cheating there didn't seem to be any point answered Janice the man you thought was Daddy doesn't fly into the Hilton he drives his own car from his hometown during the work week he is just staying there until he completes his Move to this area the woman pictured is his fiance and why he is switching jobs and moving here on top of that the traffic in the airport is a mess how could Mary follow anyone through that

after the truth came out she told us she must have made a mistake and followed the wrong man obviously she lied stated Nancy she was always a twisted and she wanted to have some excitement we were so concerned about Jim and the aftermath that we just never questioned Such a shaky story though we did scream at her for being so stupid J said I want to hurt her but it is my own damn fault for not trusting and talking to your father don't worry mother I will be dealing with Marg and Mary Carol stated in

a Sinister voice with an evil glint in her eye Carol don't mother they hurt this family I'm going to hurt them there will be no discussion mother there are certain things that we require of you to get our support one you must get therapy Uncle Ben will pay for it we found a therapist if you don't like her you can find your own two unless Uncle Ben Uncle Mark or I are present you will sever all communication with Marge and Mary Three you will encourage Daddy to move he has always wanted to live further from

the city Maybe by ant pennies four you mentioned to Daddy that if he ever wants to change jobs and move further from this area you will support him five what do you do with all your pay mother daddy Lives so cheaply he makes his shoes last until they are falling apart he's got us in new cars but he has over 300,000 miles on his minivan that probably even hurts his job prospects to be so shaby dressed and drive such a clunker I know the only two good suits he has Uncle Ben bought him as a

present you know how much pride Daddy has he doesn't like to take expensive gifts for himself from Uncle Ben yet he agreed to go to a fitting with Uncle Ben for the suits he Must have been pretty desperate most wives I've talked to and heard about are very involved in their husband's purchase of clothes and appearance where does your money go Janice looked saddened at Carol's question you already know I've been a bad wife and mother as you said Jim has his pride about money he thinks that it is his job to financially take care

of the family to be the bread winner it has always been difficult for him to ask me to Contribute to the household finances it is sad how grateful he is for my small contributions I only give him maybe 10 or 15% of my pay he never asks me what I do with the rest I think he thinks I spend it on you kids or maybe save it for your college education but he is wrong I do have a secret savings account but it doesn't have very much money I spend most of my income on clothes

and once or twice a week I go to a very expensive restaurant for lunch mother You don't have that many clothes you can't have spent that much money on them Janice laughed honey you've never cared much about clothes or perhaps you've been too busy doing my job to care Janice looked sad with the last statement I like to look sharp when I go to work really too sharp for an element school teacher that purse there $1,500 the pants suits in the closet the cheapest one $800 I don't have a pair of shoes below 300 I

think I wanted to Dress like the women in my soaps I loved how at the expensive shops they treat you like royalty I don't exercise but I go to a fancy Spa once or twice a month each visit 3 to 500 that is where all my money goes and I'm so sorry mother you've got to stop Uncle Ben and I looked at the family finances we are not in good shape Uncle Ben and I were hoping that you had a secret bank account with tens of thousands of dollars maybe over $100,000 something to help with

a move maybe get Daddy a newer car Uncle Ben even told me how daddy being terribly depressed and embarrassed asked if Uncle Ben could help him with my college tuition when I graduate high school Uncle Ben said Daddy cried because he feels like such a failure Janice started to cry mother I hate to rub it in but Daddy could have had many better paying jobs over the years if you would have let us move he hates his job now but it Was the only one he could get he hates being away from home Janice looked

up with a stricken face I don't know what I can do I don't know what I can say I am so sorry I do have almost $10,000 but it is so little what with you and Steve being so close to college mother I'll talk to Uncle Ben and Uncle Mark you know how much he loves Daddy you remember what he did for Grandma and Grandpa I think he will be happy to help we will figure out the money problem What about our other conditions do you agree to them do you really think Ben and Mark

will help asked Janice with hope in her voice yes mother I think they will be happy to help and if they don't I will stop playing pacle with them Carol said with a grin but what about our conditions yes yes I'll be happy to do them wait a moment mother because I've got a condition of my own with that Carol stepped out into the hallway and returned with a shopping Back listen to this mother very carefully my daddy is second to no man do you remember the things he said about love and passion the day

he got back well I remember them very well you did things with those four sex buddies you've never did with Daddy the lingerie Daddy bought for you but never wore for him you wore for them so help me God if I find out you had them in Daddy's bed I will belt you silly you are going to burn the lingerie that you wore for Those a-holes and buy new for Daddy spend some of your savings I don't care you are going to quit using the Spas but start exercising again you are going to become Daddy's

dream all those things you did for those worthless scum you are going to do for Daddy and more I've bought some books God was I embarrassed how to sexually please your man the Karmasutra and such like read them memorize them live them wake daddy up with a sweet kiss every morning you're Going to let him know that you see him as a sexy man I hope you don't have to fake it but if you do you better be a damn good actress that is my condition mother and it is a deal breaker daddy deserves to

have a passionate love life and if you won't give it to him I'll have him divorce you and I'll find him a new wife I still love you and you will stay in my life but you won't be short changing my father anymore Janice was shocked speechless she had planned to Make things up to Jim sexually but she hadn't really thought it out and she realized that she hadn't been prepared to go as far as Carol proposed but on reflection she realized that Carol was right she loved and owed it to Jim if he wanted

sexy he was going to get it she also promised herself to think about Dany and the other three with nothing but contempt and hatred she would try to blot out the memories of having sex with them Jim would be the best she has ever Had she again owed it to her husband she also had a premonition that Jim would discover the truth one day if she could prove herself to Jim before that day they might weather that storm she cold only pre Janice looked Carol directly in the eyes you're right and I agree with my

whole heart to your condition thank you Mama we've got about an hour for lunch Steve is keeping Lisa busy and out of the house Uncle Ben Uncle Mark Marge and Mary will be here at 2 precisely at 2: p.m. Marge and Mary rang the front doorbell they probably had not wanted to come at all but didn't dare show up late they were invited in and asked to sit at the dining room table Ben and Mark were already in the house sitting at the table Carol had told her mother and Nancy to remain upstairs Carol again

ran the show hello March hello Mary I've got rules and questions for you you don't follow the rules I go to the sheriff and we sue you you don't answer my questions Truthfully and the same thing happens do you understand both women nodded their heads we know Mary lied about following my father from the airport do not try and Deny It Mary we don't know if you Marge knew it was a lie or not I'm not going to ask you about that question Marge because I have no way of knowing the truth but with my

other questions I will not be as forgiving first question we know about Dany who are the other three sex buddies and how do we find Them Marge and Mary looked at one another and Marge finally spoke first I found two people and Mary found to my second one was Tom Williams he works with me at the hospital he is an x-ray technician but he thought your father was cheating on your mother and wanted to help well he didn't really help did he he knew mother was married and didn't care he just agreed with your sick

plan maybe he just wanted some easy sex is he married no well we will deal with him Mary what about about your to Mary looked up sullenly and didn't answer Carol grinned and slowly walked around the table when she got behind Mary's chair she suddenly grabbed Mary's Hair slammed her forehead against table then she yanked back on her hair causing her neck to Arch over the high back of the dining room chair Carol bent down and using her forearm put a choke hold around Mary's neck at first squeezing quite tightly and temporarily cutting Off Mary's

air Carol let her hold relax and whispered in Mary's ear we know that you were the Twisted behind Marge's Throne Uncle Ben has money and the law on his side Uncle Mark has new Bridges being built with deep Peers full of cement how would you like to be part of a new bridge you're my now you will bark when I tell you I know what you did now answer my question Carol slammed Mary's head into the table again not as hard let go and stepped back to Observe Mary Mark whispered waa someone is channelling Grandma

Grace Ben heard the whisper looked at Mark with big eyes and nodded his head yes Marge attempted to get up from the table Carol growled at her Marge sat back down now Mary let us try that again who are the two sex buddies you fixed up with my mother Mary massaged her forehead tenderly seeing a few Stars she looked at Carol with a lot of anger in her face but there was also fear and doubt doubt that she had any Control of the situation doubt because she was now way over her head and one of

her little games was coming back to hurt her badly the first one is the parcel delivery guy that comes to my office Ted I I don't know his last name the other is a guy I found on the internet his first name is Jack I've got his address very good we will find them Carol said with a Sinister voice Ben and Mark again exchanged looks next question where did it take place Marge answered once in a Hotel twice in Mary's house and Danny's three times were at my home Janice had already given that information to

Carol but Carol had wanted to make sure nothing had happened in her family home who else knows about the setx who else was in on it who else have you told we know you like to gossip who else Marge hesitantly spoke up I told my sister a friend at work and I might have mentioned something to my husband Mary answered as well she was scared at what Carol might do to her if she refused to speak I told a few people she wasn't sure how many she lived for nasty gossip you will go back to

them you will tell them you got it wrong you lied you misunderstood I don't care what you say or how you handle it but you will clear my mother's name because if you don't then one day soon my father will find out when that happens I have no reason to go easy on you be aware I am being very kind to you right now you will Sever all ties with my mother and Nancy no communication unless Uncle Ben Uncle Mark or I want it the last thing to tell you too I suggest you start training

in 2 weeks I'm going to bust you up ever since I was 10 Daddy had me taking self-defense classes I've slowed down a bit but I still Spar at least Le once a month get ready I will find a gym Dojo boxing ring hell empty warehouse but I will find something the second weekend from now Mary your turn will be on Saturday Marge yours is on Sunday I will be calling you about the location you think you can lie to my mother for your sick fantasies and get away without being hurt you must be crazy

Ben whispered to Mark yep definitely channeling Grace maybe we can hire an exorcist Mark whispered back but I've missed Grace Marge and Mary were Frozen with the realness of the threat they were married women close to 40 in an affluent suburb they don't get beaten up Like some high schooler but looking at Carol they realized that was exactly what was going to happen they both started wondering if they could talk their spouses into moving in case you two haven't figured it out this meeting is over get out Marge and Mary got up so suddenly that

their chairs nearly fell over both of them scrambled out of the house like they were a couple of mice being chased by a cat when the left Carol sat down in a chair and Collapsed with her head on the table acting and talking like makes me tired and thirsty Ben got up and got Carol a glass of water the bedroom door opened upstairs and they could hear footsteps coming down are they gone asked Nancy yep Carol scared them away after challenging them to a duel replied Ben a duel repeated Janice alarmed what are you talking

about nothing much Mama just in 2 weeks I'm going to kick their butt thoughts they lied to you they conned You they hurt your marriage they hurt you they hurt Daddy and they're not going to get away with it you can't do that Carol I can't let you get hurt don't worry Mama I've had 5 years of self-defense classes a mixture of karate Judo and good old street fighting I'm not going to get hurt they are I just hope I don't put them in the hospital they deserve it but it makes things messy Janice chose

to remain silent but she promised herself that later she Would talk further with Carol about her fighting we've got leads on the other three men you were with Janice I know an expert who will get us full details then Mark and I will deal with them I've got some ideas Carol was worried Uncle Ben are you sure you want to do this this could ruin your reputation you might lose your license don't worry I think things will be safe as for my job I've made plenty of money if I never work another day of my

life I would still be Okay but these four Jokers knew you were married Janice I know they thought Jim was cheating too but they still violated your marriage we can't let them get away if Jim ever finds out about this he needs to know that they paid for their sins we're not going to kill them or even break their bones but they're going to feel some pain no stated Janice firmly everyone turned to look at her in surprise I hurt Jim with those four even if he doesn't know it I hurt my marriage And myself

I've got to be there too I've got to hurt them I know I'm primarily at fault but I've paid and will be paying for the rest of my life they need to feel some pain and maybe they will never screw with a married woman again enough of this kind of talk we can make plans later about the four Jokers when we get the all the details I think it is time that we emotionally relaxed this kind of stress can make you crazy and Janice I don't want to insult you but don't you Think it is

time you had a real visit with Jim you're right Mark it is pastime Nancy and I were talking about it she is going to drive me to the hospital Carol I know I've lost a lot of your respect and love it is my own fault but I I think you should relax for the rest of today I've been hiding in my bedroom enough you've been working yourself silly for the past week and doing my job for the past few years please take it easy for the rest of today okay Mama I Am a bit tired

you did lose some of my respect but you're starting to earn it back and you never lost any of my love I'll stay home and catch up on some homework maybe I can get Uncle B to do it for me she said the last with a grin Mark and Ben laughed everyone got up from the table when a round of tearful hugs swept the room Janice again saying how sorry she was to everyone she and Nancy gathered their purses and coats then left for the hospital Carol went Upstairs to lie down maybe to goof off

and watch a little television Ben and Mark decided to stay and be of help around the house Mark went to the grocery store and returned shortly he had purchased the ingredients for Grandma Grace's chicken and dumplings cornbread and pecan pie Steve and Lisa returned from a day at the mall Ben explained a little to Steve about what was going on and how things were looking better but Steve didn't really want to Know Steve had been trying to compartmentalize this episode regarding his mother he was trying desperately to pretend that it hadn't really happened this Behavior

was so obvious to Ben that he kept the conversation very short and ended it when Steve started getting a look of panic in his eyes for the rest of the day and early evening after Mark's dinner Ben did indeed help Carol with her homework he also helped Steve and Lisa Ben was able to give little Bits of advice or direction that greatly helped them do to a better job and complete their homework faster after Carol finished her homework she Uncle Ben and Uncle Mark sat down to play some three-handed pacle and eat pecan pie her

dad and uncle Ben were complete Pinacle addicts from their childhood they had spread their addiction to Carol Steve and Mark plus they were working on Linda Uncle Ben I've talked to Mama about her pay Carol stated while they were all Sorting their cards after the latest deal it isn't good she spent most of her money on clothes she didn't buy a lot but she bought expensive stuff I can't believe how expensive so she doesn't have much money left over for all the years she has been working she says she has about $10,000 in a secret

savings account that isn't very much if we want Daddy to move and get a newer car Carol mentioned nothing about her own college she figured that was her Responsibility now Ben kept looking at his cards but spoke acting as if it was no big deal Carol honey I've got a more money that I could possibly spend your dad has known how it was always his for the asking but he's got his pride he looks back at his life he sees a few small Financial mistakes and blames himself that you're not all living in a mansion

we need to take the financial pressure off of your dad $10,000 isn't going to do it well maybe it could but Not to your dad's way of thinking you don't know how scared he is about losing his job right now he sees himself as a sick older man and completely Expendable with no Financial cushion now don't worry I've had a private chat with his employer while your dad doesn't like the job they a pretty decent Bunch they are not concerned about civil litigation they just want to do the right thing for your father and Company

morale but your Daddy is feeling pretty weak and Vulnerable right now so I think we need to increase your mother's Nest Egg a bit Ben looked to Mark who nodded his head affirmatively Ben then showed Mark two fingers while Carol wasn't looking Mark shook his head and showed three fingers back to Ben Ben then nodded his head so I think we will be adding $30,000 to your mother's account she can then tell your dad she was saving it for emergencies and your college Carol looked at her Uncle Ben and Uncle Mark With her face full

of Sorrow she looked terrible I'm so sorry Uncle Ben Uncle Mark I know we should be taking care of ourselves stop Carol Ben had a quite crossed expression on his face he was pissed Carol years ago Jim Frank and Grace made me part of this family I then brought Mark in and they accepted him too are you saying we're not part of this family and can't help our loved ones I could just as easily put a million in your mom's account the only Problem is your dad's Pride so don't talk about it anymore B took

a deep breath and looked down at his cards trying to calm down I'm sorry Uncle Ben Uncle Mark you're part of this family I love you Carol said tearfully Ben looked up don't worry Carol I'm sorry I yelled we all under a lot of stress and worried about your dad I'm really sorry I yelled and I love you too Mark decided to speak and lighten up the mood I've got an idea about a new house with the housing Collapse there are a lot of homes only partially completed out Penny's way houses where the frames are

up the roofs are on but they only have the tyvec up with no brick or siding to complete the exterior job through the county I can find out the current owners and we can make an offer on one of them we can hire someone to finish the exterior and then we can finish the interior ourselves there are a lot of homes like that that have reverted to some financial Institution we should be able to pick up one cheap Ben looked at Mark with a slightly wary expression it sounds like a good idea but what about

this plan about us finishing the interior you want me to paint again you know how much I hate painting I'll hire painters Mark looked back with grin it's about time you did some honest work I'll do all the electrical but I'm not going to do any painting or tile work and we will definitely hire a crew to do all the Drywalling oh I agree about the drywalling and maybe the insulating too but you know how much painters charge we could save a bundle there I don't care I don't paint when Jim gets better the next

time he goes on a business trip whoosh I hire crew and get the job done in a week painters need jobs too nowadays I'll even splatter some drops of paint artistically on my work clothes Jim will never know the truth I will not paint I didn't make a ton of money so I Could do jobs I hate Ben was giving Mark an evil glare with his brows crunched down it kind of gave him a chroman look Mark and Carol laughed okay you win but if Jim finds out you've got to take the heat now for

the this house we might have a tough time finding a buyer that will offer us a decent price we might have to use a front company to buy the house and then resell it when the housing market rebounds Ben nodded his head and said with a grin no problem I Know all about front companies but I've never had one of my own I've always wanted one a car shouldn't be a problem I can probably dig up a good deal out of the cars seized by the county you know how he'll want another minivan he thinks

minivans are the most functional practical and wonderful cars on the planet the man has no taste maybe we can talk him into an SUV that's it we will find him or create such a good deal on an SUV That he can't refuse Ben chortled Carol who was more than a little embarrassed at her father's car said please do Daddy has no taste the only good clothes he has are the suits you picked out for him Ben patted her hand don't worry honey just let Uncle bin take care of it Jim always brags about how much

more will fit inside his minivan than Janice's or my SUV heck we've even borrowed his clunker when we've gone to auctions Mark said Like I said I'll take care of it we'll make sure we buy him one with a trailer hitch then we will all go in together and buy a good utility trailer and keep it at Jim's new house if he or we need to haul some big stuff we've got the trailer now enough talking about dumb stuff let's play some cards at the hospital Janice and Nancy were walking down the hall they had

stopped and picked up some magazines and new books that Janice thought Jim would like she Was hoping that he would be asleep when she got there it would make it so much easier for her he would wake up and see his devoted wife sitting at his side but if he was awake she would feel like the cheating she actually was finally making her appearance to see her sick husband she didn't know what she would say if he was awake as luck would have it she could hear voices in Jim's private room and one of them

was Jim's Janice decided to wait outside the room And listen I don't want you to worry Jim all of us at the office in management are worried about you and we'll make sure you're taken care of take your time getting better you've got workman's comp and we will make up the rest to make sure you're receiving full pay plus the same amount you regularly earn in performance bonuses of course your medical is taken care of I've talked to some people and it might be 3 months until you make a full recovery and get Your strength

back if it is shorter that is great if it is longer again no problem don't worry now about your pain and suffering if you want to go the lawyer route I will understand but I've got a proposal for for you since the doctors are 99% sure that you will make a full recovery what we're offering is double pay complete with double bonuses until you fully recover even when you initially come back to work you will be getting double pay that will only stop When you're back to 100% does that sound fair that sounds very fair

to me so long as there are no sudden jokers in the deck that affect my health I would like to tentatively agree with your proposal and so long as I make a full recovery I would very much like to accept I would also like to tell you how much it means to me for you come here Mr Wilkins for the CEO of the company to visit me and give me reassurance means a lot Jim call me Brian I know we've never met much but We don't stand on a lot of formality at the office you've

done a good job for us and we want to keep you you've got a real gift for communicating with our customers many of them specifically ask for you that is why you've pulled more than your fair share of the business trips I know that we've compensated you for them with larger bonuses but I think it is time we raised your base pay too Jim looked slightly at his boss are you going to raise my pay before or after I Get back to the office Brian laughed after you get back I'm a nice guy but I'm

not dumb Jim laughed too Jim I left you my card with my cell number you need something that is not getting taken care of by someone else call me I will stop by and see you in a week take care thank you Brian goodbye Brian nodded and left the room Janice didn't want jimk boss to see her what if he knew she hadn't been coming to visit Jim she didn't know what she would say so when she heard the Conversation end she grabbed ny's arm and quickly walked away from Jim's room when Mr Wilkins had

left the room and was out of sight down the hallway Janice returned to standing outside the door of Jim's room Janice braced herself to see Jim she still didn't know what she would say but she had to start seeing Jim sometime she longed to see and talk to him but was so afraid because visitors no longer needed to put on gloves and a mask though they were still encouraged To wash up after visiting Jim Janice could forgo that inconvenience Janice squared her shoulders and entered the room she looked at Jim in shock and disbelief he

was already fast asleep he looked so pale and thin lying there Janice again felt waves of guilt for all her actions that long conversation he had with his boss had probably exhausted him she sat down in the chair alongside the hospital bed and lightly took Jim's hand in hers she resolved not to move Until Jim awoke and saw her sitting there holding his hand she was going to let nothing tear her away from Jim again not even her own actions if necessary she would handcuff herself to Jim and throw away the key it might make

going to the bathroom kind of tough though she thought Riley then again it might be kind of kinky he might just like that Nancy sat down in a chair alongside the wall and started to peruse one of the magazines that they had bought for Jim Jim felt a hand lightly gripping his own probably Carol or Lisa again it might even be Steve God he hated those nightmares they would really rip him up it was so idiotic a bit of human contact seemed to help calm him down some but it was a childish weakness that he

didn't enjoy he felt like such a fool with his children having to hold his hand like he was a baby it probably made Steve pretty embarrassed too but the worst thing was showing weakness to his little girl Lisa She shouldn't have her nose rubbed in the reality that her parents could be as weak as anyone else well at least the pain was getting better his fever was all but gone but he was so damn weak he was still stuck using a bed pan and couldn't even wipe his own butt all he had been able to

do lately was sleep and think maybe too much thinking or maybe he hadn't been doing enough thinking lately he certainly hadn't had too much downtime in the last four years to waste On extraneous thoughts Jim slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see his wife at first it was a pleasant surprise then it turned kind of sad he had been doing a lot of thinking lately hey babe Janice looked up at the voice hey Jim how are you doing sweetheart she asked gently Jim was a small bit surprised at the endearment Janice hadn't been

using them much lately oh you know could be doing worse could be doing better but Dr Richard says things are going as Expected probably spend another two weeks in the hospital just because I'm so damn weak and might need some physical therapy though they could send me to something like a nursing home for that they want me to stay on the antibiotics for a full month but the infection seems to be clearing up okay Janice had already learned that information from from Carol and Dr Richards but Jim had no way of knowing I'm glad you're

getting better jim I've Been so worried about you Janice cursed herself for her innan reply it sounded like something you would say to a close friend and not your beloved husband but she was so damn afraid and nervous she felt her sins were written all over her face plain for Jim to see Janice where have you been I've barely seen you at all since I've been admitted why haven't you been coming to see me I don't like to make you uncomfortable or sad but all this time stuck in bed has given me too Much time

to think and I don't understand your behavior I love you but now I'm wondering if you love me heck I'm even wondering if you like me oh honey I do love you I'm so sorry I haven't been here I was so wrong but the day you came home left me an emotional wreck I haven't been doing right by you and the children but I promise that is changed I will never leave you alone again and I'll return to being a proper mother just give me a chance you'll see I love you so much okay dear

I will say one more thing about the subject we are the parents and the adults in our family unit we don't have the luxury of being an emotional wreck for over a week we must take care of our children if one of us falters for some reason like me getting sick the other is supposed to try and pick up the slack you've got to be strong for the children if you need help you know that Ben and Mark would be happy to lend a hand I'm sorry if that Sounded like a lecture but so many

adults behave like spoiled children nowadays being completely irresponsible once you get get married you give 100% to your marriage and spouse if children come along then you give them 100% too I'm sorry I lectured that isn't something one spouse should do to another I just feel strongly about the issue of adult responsibilities and I've had far and way too much time staring at the ceiling alone with my thoughts well I lectured again I'm sorry honey Jim shook his head way to behave like an idiot he thought now she won't ever come back for visit again

with so much time to think Jim knew that there were things wrong in his marriage while he had been giving as close to 100% as he could it seemed to him that Janice was giving only 40 or maybe 60% at most but now was not the time to bring that up and confront Janice perhaps he would never bring it up maybe his sickness would Serve as a wake-up call and she would straighten herself out on her own he could only pray Janice didn't like to be lectured to as if she was one of her own

Elementary School students but she forced herself to calm down and look squarely at the complete situation her terrible Behavior Jim's confinement to bed and she realized that if she took any offense at Jim's Behavior it would be one of the alltime dumb things to do she was still a little bit piqued at Jim For his condescending Behavior but she deserved it more than he could ever know she would swallow the hurt to her Pride she deserved worse and there was worse she thought with grim humor for Jim had been completely right in lecturing her Jim

you're right I've got to do more for the family and you son of a Jim thought aliens have come and abducted my wife and replaced her with a pod person I wonder what you feed pod people I wonder if they have sex thank you Mr Aliens Jim swallowed his grin thank you dear for being so gracious I know I sounded like a jerk I think maybe my feelings have been hurt because I've just missed you so much Jim mentally patted himself on the back there you go Jim apologize give her some guilt remind her that

you love her and then make it all sound so polite you deserve an Oscar or maybe a Cleo boy aren't pay meds a wonderful thing for the rest of the visit they talked about household Concerns and the children Jim brought up bills that needed to be paid Janice said that Ben was giving her a hand with that she didn't want to admit that it was Carol and Ben doing all the work but she resolved to sit down with them review things and take over that was one of the jobs she was supposed to be doing

you've got to be careful with Ben he has a habit of using the wrong checkbook we've only got one checkbook Jim Janice was confused yeah but Ben has one too and he Gets confused so easily at least that is one of the excuses he used with Dad now when it comes to my pay I've arranged with my boss for direct deposit of all the checks workman's comp my regular salary and my bonuses will all be directly deposited it might take a week or two for the comp checks to get started but we should be okay

you just have to check with the bank to verify the deposits any bills you receive for my medical care just mail to my office I've got a hard here with the address and department on top of that I might be getting some extra money from the company because of pain and suffering I won't count on that until we actually see it but it will be nice if it happens it was now time for Janice to tell one of her Whoppers Jim honey I'm so embarrassed I haven't been helping out enough financially that's okay don't Janice

interrupted no it is not okay you don't have to be the sole bread winner For this family I've got some money in my savings account but it should be far more I've just squandered too much of my pay on non-essentials when I should have been helping you more I've got almost $40,000 in savings but for all the years I've worked and you paid most of the bills it should be a lot more from now on 2third of my pay will go straight into the household account Janice felt guilty that she was keeping a third of

her pay for herself she knew Jim kept Far less of his pay and he spent most of it on gasoline but she didn't know how she would be able to manage on less she would try to be as Frugal as possible Maybe she would surprise herself getting sick doesn't seem to be a bad thing now Janice has some savings and she is going to contribute more my boss is going to give me double pay for a couple of months we'll be able to put more money in the kids college funds maybe put some in our

retirement plans and maybe I Could get myself a newer used minivan wo Jim don't spend it all at once just give the van a tuneup a break job and maybe new tires Jim thought oh honey that is great $40,000 will be a big help for the kids college fund and our retirement and I really appreciate you putting in so much of your pay I'm not going to hold you to that because I'll understand if you can't do it all the time but everything extra you do really helps I love you baby Janice felt like a

Complete Jim was so grateful he didn't ask what she had been spending all her pay on for over 10 years she screws him over literally and figuratively and he says thank you she was a worm and didn't deserve to live Janice smiled weakly at her husband I'm glad you're happy I'm just sorry I'm not able to do more this is great don't worry it is a big relief to me believe me Jim gripped Janice's hand as tight as he could which wasn't very tight Considering how weak he was since Jim had been focusing on Janice

to the left of his bed Nancy being on the right side against the wall was unnoticed by Jim she had heard the entire conversation she couldn't help but think that Jim was too much of a soft touch Jim was well known for his nightly walks throughout the neighborhood everyone else called it Jim's nightly patrols every large neighborhood had a bully or two sometimes they were even The adult homeowners Jim would walk by these homes letting them know he wasn't afraid and that he had his eye on them and their large barking dogs they always seem

to have mean dogs no one ever knew for sure if Jim had any physical confrontations but he always had a pair of leather gloves sticking out of his back pocket even in the warmest of weathers frequently he would be seen with a walking stick as well when asked about the stick he would say that it Made him feel like an English gentleman Nancy asked her husband about the gloves and stick he said the gloves were to protect his hands when he punched someone and the stick was for the dogs Janice had told Nancy that she

had asked Jim why he walked at night he said that he liked walking in the night air and that it was his duty as the father to make sure his family had a safe neighborhood where they never felt threatened or intimidated so here was a Guy ready for nightly fist fights and attacking dogs letting his wife screw him over then profusely thanking his wife when she reduced the screwing Nancy was beginning to think that Jim needed therapy too Jim and Janice chatted for a while longer about innocent things bringing Nancy into the conversation when Jim

realized she was there but they only talked for a short while longer Jim recognized that he was getting tired again and that he could fall asleep at Any moment he urged Janice and Nancy to leave while he was still awake enough to tell them goodbye Janice reluctantly left she wanted to stay the night but she needed to make good on her new financial responsibilities to the family and get to work in the morning I love you sweetheart I'll be back tomorrow evening you need anything or if you just want to talk call me bye dear

Jim said with a yawn Janice and Nancy left jimk room Janice feeling much better now that She had started to heal things with Jim but realizing that she had a hell of a lot of work to do that Monday Ben had his expert find out full details on all four of Janice's lovers Tuesday Ben had the three other than Danny contacted separately by an intermediary the man warned the three that Janice had contracted an STD he suggested that all of them should see their doctors and be tested he also warned them that they better do

things quickly and share their Results with him if they did not this Private Matter would become public when he contacted the County Health Department all three men agreed to have tests done the next day and would share their results as soon as they got them then Mark and Carol then had to delay their revenge on the four until they got the test results they could have maybe dealt with d but Carol wanted to save him for last while they waited Ben hired some very Discreet private investigators to dig up every bit of dirt on the

four they finally got the test results and Danny was the only one with an STD Carol Ben and Mark were ready to start their Revenge during the next two weeks Janice visited with her new therapist Dr Michelle Ward twice a week Dr Ward while young only 32 was quite respected and a successful author of both professional and self-help books she was a Genius Like Ben he had met her at the local Swollen head society as he liked to put it Michelle was widowed quite young her husband had an unknown heart defect that had suddenly taken

his life for the first three visits Janice told her story to Dr Ward for the most recent visit even though Dr Ward used polite language it felt like someone had torn Janice to shreds the gist of the conversation was that Janice had been unforgivably selfish and childish not just recently not just for the past six years but for Her entire marriage a good example of that was the way she had kept her income entirely separate from the household squandering her pay on expensive clothes and lunches and not recognizing Jim's hard work or his shabby attire

then for the past six years it got worse with Jim still doing his best with no thanks to Janice Janice then believed a completely idiotic story about Jim and let herself be convinced to cheat on him to compound all that she cheated with four different Men and did repeat business with one of them this was all said in very polite and civilized language befitting A Gifted psychiatrist but Janice was still ripped up Dr Ward knew what she was doing to Janice but she had decided that the only way to help Janice was to confront her

with the magnitude of her mistakes Janice was too ready to blame someone else for her failings and had a tendency to hide from them as well Dr Ward knew that she was supposed to be Coldly analytical with her patients but she couldn't help but feel that Janice must have been taking dumb pills for a long time because of her social Med meetings with Ben Michelle knew something about his adopted family Ben would frequently tell glowing stories about Frank Grace and Jim when he talked about Carol Steve and Lisa it was more like a proud parent

Janice's report of Jim's diligence and self-sacrifice over the years was also impressive Dr Ward Couldn't help but be intrigued by such a paragon of virtue she also wondered if he wasn't a complete chowderhead for letting Janice get away with so much for the same two weeks in the afternoon after class Carol would drive herself and her siblings to visit their dad in the hospital in the evening she would either be found sparring in the local Dojo or working out in their home gym finally on the Friday the day before Carol's fight with Mary Jim was

ready to Come home they had prepared the house by getting a hospital bed for the master bedroom the room was large enough to contain both it and their king-size bed Janice Ben and Mark want to pick up Jim and deal with any last minute paperwork while the kids stayed at home hanging a banner welcoming their father home back at the house Jim very slowly got out of the car and with the aid of a walker made his way into the house that little bit of exercise had completely exhausted Him Jim stopped at the stairs going

up to the second floor he had no idea how he was going to find the strength to climb them with his whole family looking on especially Lisa he started up the stairs each tread was taking him a minute or two to negotiate with Jim shaking all the time and visibly near collapse the family were all holding their breaths jostling with one another so they could be ready to catch Jim when he finally fell Lisa was in complete Panic about her father's weakness and conflicted she was happy her father was finally home but she was angry

at the hospital for releasing him when he was so weak instead of falling Jim slowly collapsed halfway up the stairs ending up in a sort of a sitting position on one of the steps all the while his family is freaking out and making such noises is watch it he's falling oh no oh no be careful be careful Jim finally said I'm okay I just need to catch my Breath at that point mark and Ben said the heck with it Mark grabbed Jim under the armpits and started up the stairs backwards and Ben grabbed Jim around

the knees and followed him up Jim said and this will work too they placed Jim on the hospital bed which was located right next to the regular bed which had further required relocating some of the existing furniture Janice had insisted she said she had to be able to reach out and touch Jim during the night they got Jim undressed and he promptly felt to sleep from all the exercise and stress Janice got on the king bed and moved right to the edge of the bed so she could put her arm over Jim she said she

just wanted to relax a moment alongside Jim and she would soon be back downstairs the others all quietly left the room but 1 hour later in Janice still hadn't come down Lisa peaked in the room and saw her mother fast asleep with her arms still wrapped around her Husband Lisa had known something strange was going on but nobody would tell her anything but Daddy was home now and he would make it all better he always did Saturday was fight day and Mary had been told where to meet Mark had found an abandoned Factory because he

didn't want anyone to get needlessly hurt he spent a few evenings preparing the floor he dug a mass of old shipping foam out of the County Recycling Center which he glued to the floor then he borrowed four large Canvas tarps and placed them on top of the foam it wasn't a boxing ring or a dojo mat but it was close Marge drove Mary to the match Mary had been working out for the past 2 weeks totally Lexing her husband he was wondering if his wife had been replaced by a pod person she had also tried

to take some self-defense classes she had performed miserably Mary had asked her instructor what do do if she got in a fight her instructor seeing she had no endurance to run no strength To hit and no idea on how to fight told her that her only option was to pray for rescue Mark Ben and Janice were there to watch and keep things under control Janice didn't give a about Mary but she was worried about her baby Carol was dressed in a sports halter and bicycle shorts Mary was dressed in some stylish sweats the kind you're

never really supposed to sweat in Carol's plan was to First Tire Mary out and completely exhaust her then she would close in to Give Mary a good working over Carol figured the fight would last about an hour she would Tire Mary out for the first half an hour and then knock the wind out of her and give her some nasty bruises that she would remember for the rest of her life Carol wanted to exhaust Mary first because she didn't want Mary to have a chance to hit Carol back if Carol came home with any bruises

it would be hard to explain to her daddy Carol's plan lasted for 10 minutes she Moved in on Mary with some light open-handed slaps and some soft rabbit punches at the end of 20 minutes Mary was a sobbing Mass on the floor begging Carol to stop and screaming out how sorry she was The Spectators were all shocked at the sight and even Janice was thinking it was time to end it Carol was disgusted she had hardly given Mary any real damage at all in 3 days Mary would be as good as new knew and yet

here she was sobbing her eyes out what a chicken Carol had to do something else to Mary so she would never forget she had an evil thought and started to tell the spectators to all leave then she realized that it would mess up the tarp and get Uncle Mark in trouble so instead she grabbed Mary's Hair and started to drag her towards the front office area Mary screamed at the pain and Carol said start crawling or get up and walk if it hurts too much but you're coming with me don't worry everybody the fight is

over And we will be back in minutes Carol dragged Mary into a filthy old bathroom and threw her on the floor hit her with fist three times and she then spit on her with Mary screaming all the time and Carol telling her to shut up you're getting off really light this time don't ever piss me off again or I will do more than spit on you Carol walked back to the others time to go home Marg your turn is tomorrow see you then on the way out Mark and Ben were Clowning Around Waving their hands

in the air with their eyes half closed saying Adrian Adrien Carol just glowered at them I spent two weeks training for that Lisa could have done the same thing with one hand I didn't even work up a sweat and I know Marge is in even worse shape don't get too overconfident I know Marge used to be pretty athletic in high school warn Janice okay so maybe I'll send Lisa and let her use both hands you promised me lasagna for dinner if I didn't put Her in the hospital Uncle Mark let's go the next day Marge

surprisingly put up a better fight just like Janice had warned at the end of 40 minutes Marge was collapsed on the tarp not cowering just completely exhausted Carol had given her some decent bruises not as much as she wanted but enough at the end of the fight Marge apologized to everyone and told Janice that she was praying Janice could make things right with Jim it was now time to start dealing with the four Jokers Mark and Ben had a friend in the local theater company the lady in question married to a devoted husband ha fooled

you was an expert in makeup using padding and her expertise she made Mark appear larger and like a typical thuck Ben was given slanted eyes and given the disguise of a Japanese Yakuza Janice would go as herself but Ben gave her a taser just in case things got outand their procedure would be late at night they would approach one of the men when They were alone and a dumpster was nearby the dumpster was a very important part of their plan they would intimidate the man threaten him physically economically and legally Janice would go into her

psycho remorseful wife role and then they would throw him in the dumpster putting some weak zip ties on the dumpster lid handles thus giving them time to escape and still permitting the man to break free without Aid Janice of course arranged a solid Alibi for Herself but Ben and Mark with their disguises didn't need any they saved Danny for last Dany was going to be special Danny was tired it had been a long day but for him every day was long he supposed beggar couldn't be choosers but the free apartment he got as the complex

maintenance man was a long way from from everything including the dumpsters late at night when all he wanted to do was go to his sleep and get ready for his second job it was a pain In the butt just after he threw his bags in the trash he was suddenly surrounded by three figures Janice had been gleefully waiting for this moment she had specially prepared the dumpster with four large rats and six gter snakes that she had caught well hello Dany remember me Dany slowly turned to face the voice oh he thought Marge warned me

something might be coming my way and here I stopped being careful I'm too tired for this tonight hello Janice I'm Very sorry about the syphilis you don't know how much I'm praying that I don't have HIV too I would hate to have passed something so nasty on to you and your husband but it has been almost 3 months now and the test results are still negative Janice was taken aback he was so calm this wasn't how it was supposed to go at all it was time for her to get into her role Danny you knew

I was married you helped me to betray my marriage you might have even known that Jim never cheated on me she almost screamed Janice you're right I shouldn't have done it the last few months have been a bad time for me I'm sorry well sorry isn't good enough I've had you investigated your old girlfriend has a restraining order out on you you've got a lot of debt you lost your job as an office manager you see this man here she pointed at the disguised B he is one of my husband's friends from Japan he tells

me that he owes my husband a debt of Honor well I'm collecting for my sick husband I want you to keep your your mouth shut about my time with you and I want you out of this state in a week Janice crowed triumphantly you've got to be kidding me Janice was Furious that things weren't going as she had imagined step away from him ma Rosco Mark stepped back from Danny then Janice just as she had practiced shot Dany in the groin with the taser Mark and Ben were shocked and scared that Janice had shot Dany

This wasn't part of the plan but none of tonight was going as planned or like the other three confrontations had gone Dany went down in a heat she shot my balls he thought he had immediately recognized the taser because he had bought one for his ex-fiance the shock lasted for 30 seconds but he was still incapacitated for another two or 3 minutes before he got back on his feet he feigned further weakness and as quickly as he could he grasped the darts And pulled them from his groin he didn't want that to shock him again

luckily the darts had hit him just below his belt and not where he had first believed Mark had meantime rushed Jam and taken the taser away from her this wasn't going as Janice had expected at all Dany got back up on his feet bracing himself for a fight and roaring you stupid morons I could have you arrested don't you think I know who you are with your lame disguises don't make me laugh Mr Japanese Yakuza dude you're Ben and Mark on top of all that you used a taser on me you've just spread a shitload

of tags all over I don't care how you bought and activated the gun I still think they could trace it back to one of you you geniuses probably picked this spot because of no cameras well guess what they hidden and I control the tapes what a bunch of shitthe heads Janice Ben and Mark all looked around guiltily trying to spot the cameras they didn't Try and run they knew if they didn't diffuse the situation that they might all end up in jail with Janice's adultery exposed and you you cheating 304 I'm sorry about the syphilis

but did you ever think about where I got it from well I got it from my darling fiance that I put through college turns out she been screwing around on me with other college guys while I was working my butt off then when she got her degree she thought I wasn't good enough for her Forgetting the fact that now she was supposed to support me through college then that made up some lies about me and got a restraining order issued that cost me my job so while I'm really sorry about indirectly giving syphilis to your

husband it doesn't bother me so much to give it to another cheating 304 but you're damn right I knew your husband wasn't cheating anyone with a bit of sense would know too he drives a clunker he wears his clothes until they Are just threads and you expect him to be staying in the Hilton and faking airline tickets how dumb could you possibly be everyone in your neighborhood admires and respects the guy I think my sister did this because she was jealous of you you make twice as much money as she does you've got three times

her vacation time you've got a husband she calls dead sexy and who travels all over the world you spend most of your money on designer clothes That she could never afford the worst thing is that you've got three kids that her sterile husband can't give her her and the a-hole won't let her adopt I'm not saying she knew Jim wasn't cheating I'm just saying that maybe she let herself believe so you would be taken down a peg as for me I hate cheating 304s I was planning on telling your husband but he got back from

his last trip so sick that I decided to wait I've even got pictures to show him but According to Marge you're real sorry and I'm going to keep my mouth shut unless I hear about you cheating again the last thing I can't believe is how righteous you're acting the guilty but vengeful wife you were begging me for it girl you pleaded with me to meet you at marges for those last two times so don't act holier than thou with me I saw you naked begging me to screw you you're nothing but a cheating 304 no

matter what act You're putting on now this hadn't gone at all the plan Janice collapsed down on the ground just like she had been shot with the taser I'm going back to my apartment and to bed I've got another thrilling wellpay day as a security guard to look forward to screw you all Dan pushed by Mark and Ben and then walked off Mark helped Janice back to her feet and three highly humiliated people slowly walked back to their car Janice thought about how she told Carol That she would pick herself back up during the bad

times well it was time she squared her shoulders shook off Mark's supporting hands and said I know I was a no good cheat but I rededicate myself to Jim my marriage and our family Ben and Mark silently exchanged looks over Janice's head dany's Revelations had seriously troubled them were they wrong in giving giving Janice another chance and what would they tell Carol Jim slowly mended at home 2 months after He first got sick he returned to work but only partial days at first of even more import to him he received a bit of pleasure from

his wife this was to become an almost daily occurence for him sadly Janice had to tell him that she was experiencing a severe infection and they would not be able to enjoy anything for at least another month during that time Mark told Jim about the Fantastic deal he had found on a partially built house in Penny's area Mark was sure that If they hired some people to complete all the remaining big jobs and then finish the small stuff themselves that the total price would be less than the current market value of their present home Janice

overhearing Mark's idea said that it would be nice to be closer to her sister Penny and that she was pretty sure that she could get a job transfer to that school district Jim started talking about getting his minivan fixed up but Ben said it was a bad idea to put A TH or more into a car that was so old the transmission rear end or engine could go out at any time with a car with so many miles on it he said Jim would be better off just getting something newer he said that he had

been seeing some fantastic deals on SUVs lately an SUV is too small what if I want the entire family to ride in one car it will be a little cramped gy but three can fit in the back seat Jim gave Ben a puzzled look like Ben was being dumb well then Where will you and Mark sit Ben found Jim a fantastic deal on a slightly used minivan with almost the full warranty remaining 3 months after Jim's hospitalization Janice told Jim that her infection is under control now it had been at least 5 months for Dany

and he was still getting negative test results he had also heard indirectly from his ex and she was HIV negative as well Janice's syphilis infection was gone and she had been receiving negative test Results for 3 months one night when Janice and Jim were face to face she kissed him passionately to Jim's surprise she was much fit than before maybe his memory was playing tricks or maybe it was because she started exercising again at the end they both fell asleep on the bed when Jim returned to work full-time he was transferred to another department he

still retained the same position but instead of reporting to engineering he reported to sales the VP of sales when he saw a decrease in Revenue had done a sales analysis and commissioned a report on customer satisfaction both local and overseas sales people had been using Jim as a closer with their customers Jim was an extremely competent engineer his calm and respectful manner when dealing with customers and their sometimes aggressively sharp questions had a habit of during a doubtful sale into a firm Buy on the support end of things Jim was The Paramount field troubleshooter for

the company the VP had talked with the president and CEO and explained how they had an 8% decrease in sales and a 15% decrease in customer satisfaction since Jim had been out sick it was decided that Jim was an extremely valuable company asset and that they needed to reward him so he didn't start looking for another job it was necessary to transfer Jim to the sales department so that they could get him out of the fixed Pay scales of the Engineering Group with a raise in salary plus an increase in bonus points Jim was effectively

given a 50% raise in yearly income which put him well into the six figure category for the first time in his life he still hated the travel but the money along with the support he received while he was sick convinced him to persevere that spring Janice met another local Mother Sally Sally was the sales manager at the nearby BMW dealership Janice confessed To her that her taste and expensive clothes had been getting out of hand Sally who was also well-dressed had the same addiction as Janice and had been admiring Janice's attire had an idea you

know we've got an opening in our showroom we don't have any ladies on the sales floor since I was promoted simply put there are sales that only A well-dressed attractive woman is going to make sometimes it is another woman who is uncomfortable with a man and Wants to have a lady salesperson other times it is man that will change his mind and buy when the person sitting across from him is an attractive woman I know you're a teacher but you could work part-time in the evenings let's say from 4:00 to 8: 2 or three times

a week you could even work full-time in the summer if you wanted Janice found the offer very enticing she spoke to Jim and Carol about it jimk response was if it made her happy and the family didn't suffer It was okay with him Jim privately thought to himself since Janice was no longer spending from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at marg's or Mary's house every night that three times a week until only 8 was a sin inch Carol thought it was okay too Janice took to sales like a born salesperson she didn't see them as

customers but as new friends that she could socialize with she especially enjoyed talking with other well-dressed women The Talk would turn to fashion and Where to shop bonds would form and then they would not consider buying from anyone else but Janice with the men Janice would innocently flirt she would still do well selling to them but her lady customers were her strength Janice was really enjoying her part-time job the dealers ship had an espresso machine and a selection of fine Bakery for potential customers Janice would sit and chat with customers or the staff at the

dealership she looked forward to working There it felt more like she was socializing in an expensive coffee shop than working but she did sell cars boy did she with her commissions she was almost making as much as her full-time job when summer came and she started working full-time she nearly doubled her parttime income that summer their new house was completed every time Jim returned from a sales trip he would Ben Mark Carol and Steve figing exhaustion with the real construction people high Tailing it down the road they came close to being caught once or twice

and Jim was really suspicious but he could never prove he was being scammed Ben even had a deal with the material suppliers Jim would be charged 60 to 80% of the actual cost and then Ben would make up the difference the kitchen which should have cost Jim and Janice over 25,000 cost them 16 Ben knew about Jim's improved income but he just wanted to help his brother and his family Jim was happy as A clam he was living out in the country making more money he had his loving wife back 6 months after Janice started

therapy she decided to end it she thought she had learned enough about herself and with two jobs she really didn't have the time also Dr Ward could be extremely hard on Janice at times Janice was just tired of the her polite criticisms no one was perfect lighten up instead of going away to a 4-year University Carol decided to go to the Local college for the first two years years much like her dad and uncle Ben had done she had some misgivings and wanted to stay close to home Janice and Jim got in the habit of

going out once a week to romantic places Janice had forgotten what a good dancer jimm was it was the middle of the second summer after Jim's sickness the kids were at a water amusement park for a few days Janice had arranged the trip it was a happy man that entered the house with The kids gone they could make as much love as they wanted instead of coming into a house with his wife waiting in a negl Janice was sever dearly dressed and sitting at the dining room table there was a small stack of papers in

front of her Jim I'm sorry honey but we need to talk Janice patted a chair next to her for Jim to sit down he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach Jim I love you but I don't love you as a wife should love her husband I love you as family And as a wonderful father of my children but I need to stretch my wings a bit I need more excitement than the role of a wife and mother gives me I'm so sorry Jim I tried so hard Janice cried softly Jim leaned

back and looked at his wife who is the strange person thought Jim Janice had her eyes partially closed and was expecting Jim to lean in and put his arms around her but it wasn't happening she looked up to see and saw Jim leaning back with a complete look of shock and Disbelieve on his face Jim felt his heart drop out his chest and hit the floor Janice everything has been so good lately you must be joking right I'm sorry Jim she slid the stack of papers over to him these are the divorce papers I'm asking

for very little I know you've paid for almost everything over the years I think we should share custody of the children I've already put a down payment on a condominium which was more than true she had already purchased a Condominium from one of her customers and just finished Furnishing it to this is just so hard for me Jim please understand I've already moved my clothes out I've got to go now Jim this is just too hard Janice left the house crying when she got in her car she stopped crying and took a deep breath relieved

that she had finally done it this is really the best thing for us maybe in time we will even get back together but I need this she started her car and Drove off Jim left sitting at the table what the hell just happened Jim whispered to himself staring blankly at the divorce papers Carol Steve and Lisa came home the next day Uncle Mark was waiting on the front porch before you go inside I've got to talk to you I've got some bad news Carol was having none of that and put pushed by her uncle she

saw her father sitting on the couch he was highly distraught Uncle Ben was with him Uncle Ben looked up at Carol and slowly Shook his head that Carol muttered she ran up to her parents bedroom and opened their closets she saw that all her mother's clothes were gone that she screamed it was 2 years after Janice had moved out things had been Rocky At first she thought but it was for the best I've got a good relationship with the kids again and I even see Jim for the holidays though it is funny that he hasn't

invited me for Thanksgiving yet it is already November Janice was meeting Carol at a fancy dining and dancing establishment not the usual place for a mother and daughter meeting but Carol had picked it out she had joked that maybe they could pick up some men together Janice and her daughter were escorted to a small elegant booth in the back just the right place for a bit of private conversation you know mother you never really knew how devastated Daddy was after you left him like that he was a wreck for the First 2 weeks and had

to take time off from work he couldn't bear to see you for 2 months Uncle Ben and Uncle Mark virtually lived with us for that whole time you had him completely fooled I should have warned him I knew you were planning something but due to it so suddenly and completely while he was all alone that was cold I'm sorry Carol I just didn't know how to do it any other way it's not like I took anything from him I took my part of the retirement she Had taken so little because she knew Jim would take

care of the children Janice also did have her pride in and she knew that most their savings the kidss college funds and their private retirement accounts were the fruits of Jim's hard work and careful management but in the back of her mind was the possibility that she might want to return home one day so she also wanted to leave a home that she could return to look at the bar mother see that group of Men waiting to get their drinks because the waiters are so slow here Janice looked at the bar and saw a fine

bunch of well-dressed attractive men standing there one in particular caught her eye he was so distinguished and dressed so well if Carol wasn't here my God that's Jim yes it is you took Daddy for granted for far too long you conditioned yourself to never see him as sexually desirable your friends thought he was sexy as hell but that didn't matter to You you couldn't see him that way the grass was always greener somewhere else heck my friends think he is hot so this is part of my revenge mother I still love you but you hurt

my father if he had done something to hurt you I would have wanted revenge on him as well you promised me that you would do everything in your power to keep your marriage together you lied you gave up after only slightly more than a year and a half don't think of this as I love daddy more This is payback I can't let you get away without balancing the books for Daddy keep looking at him mother see how well he is dressed now that he can afford it and there is someone in the house that cares

how he is clothed see how almost every woman here is staring at him see how he is talking at the bar and he has everyone's attention oh see how as he walks back to his table drinks in his hand he moves so gracefully and again all the women are following him with Their eyes a few deep size there too doesn't it just a little bit make you hot for Daddy I know it does for many women here Janice had to admit that in this setting with Jim dressed so fine and not seeing him for 11

months she felt more than a twinge of Desire maybe she should ask him to dance compared to the men she had been seeing lately he seemed more of a thorough brat none of the men she dated lasted for longer than a month or two she grew bored with them She remembered Jim's tight body why hadn't she realized what she had before she let it go she took a couple of deep breaths it would be so good she could make it so good for Jim why mother I do believe you are getting flushed is Daddy getting

you excited Janice realized that for all her love making in the last year of her marriage she had just acted and had hardly ever let herself go she hadn't wanted to recognize Jim's good qualities because then it would have Been harder to have her romantic dreams about other men maybe absence does make the heart grow fond or maybe it is comparison she would ask Jim for a dance and seduce him on the Dance Floor he probably had a date here but it didn't really matter she knew that she looked good and she had gotten quite

good at the seduction game it was time to get back to her marriage she had always loved Jim and she didn't want to grow old alone of course you realize that you Will never have him again or grow old with him Janice was confused hadn't Carol arranged all this to get her parents back together Janice's eyes still followed Jim he walked back to a table and a younger woman got up to greet him Janice was shocked to see that it was her old therapist Michelle wart why she was only 35 or six and Jim was

6 or seven years older Michelle took one of the glasses from Jim and gave him a short but passionate kiss on the lips Jim reached down with his free hand and gently placed it over her belly she was obviously at least 4 months pregnant Jim and Michelle exchanged looks Full Of Love Janice looked at Carol with puzzlement and fury on her face what the hell is going on it has been very hard on me keeping those two or should I say three is secret but Steve and Lisa have been a big help too both you

and Daddy got in the habit of using us to relay messages we just encouraged the practice You remember Michelle or shell as she likes to be called don't you she became quite intrigued with Daddy after all your sessions together but she would never have done anything I don't know if you ever noticed but she was the author of two of the those books I bought so long ago about pleasing your man I met with her myself after your separation I needed a recommendation for a therapist for Daddy it was nothing too serious but he was

so hurt and Confused especially When he found out about your adultery don't look so shocked don't you think that with your sudden separation that he would wonder we told you that we would lie by Omission but if he ever asked well he did wonder and he did ask when I met Michelle I saw the look of interest in her eyes remember how I told you I would find a new wife for Daddy you left him with a broken heart it was my job to patch it she was young pretty wealthy and she had written such

marvelous books I immediately classified her as a prospect so I resolved to become her friend in order to get her to meet Daddy I also had Uncle Ben's connivance in the matter later she told me she had made the same decision at the same time she had always wanted to meet the subject of both Uncle Ben's and your stories she found a patient in the same building so she could accidentally meet him from time to time well she obviously liked what she saw and she went after him like A wolf going after a lamb he

had no chance they were married in May and it was a lovely wedding didn't you get your invitation oh I've got it right here in my purse better late than never you sent daddy such a lovely letter declining and I've got that here too you really should read both so now I'm going to be a big sister again and Lisa is even more thrilled I think she wants to be in the delivery room and I think Michelle is going to let her she's calling it a Family bonding experience I love you mother but like I

said I had to balance the books for Daddy you cheated on him took him for granted and were flirting with every man in sight when you started your new job you forgot about him you forgot about us again your family all of us even daddy still love you Mama Janice barely heard Carol's last statement she was locked in misery she guessed Scrooge really hadn't learned his or her lesson her beautiful elegant condo was now Becoming that small dingy sour apartment she had imagined years ago she could see the old herodan cackling away on her ratty

old couch dressed in old finery she was so Carol was pulling on her hands mama mama we love you you will never be alone dear listeners please share your thoughts in the comments section below and don't forget to like share and subscribe