Sam knew the day would come when the speculative looks would start. But he figured he had more time. So Miss Maybelle thought she knew something did she, he thought to himself. That damn woman was so nosey and sex starved she thought everyone was having sex with someone other than their spouse.
Not that you should completely write her off. Sometimes she was right and people knew it. God only knows who she has shared her juicy bits of gossip with so far. She probably told the whole damn county, which means the whole damn county has been or will be watching him and Cathryn to see for them selves if something is going on.
It didn't matter their affair just became one hundred percent more difficult to carry on anyway. School was back in session starting the next week so Cathryn didn't have any days off any more. No more Wednesday 'lunch' dates. They would have to find a different way to spend time together. The sex wasn't the important part, it was the being together.
It pissed him off, a lot. It pissed him off so much he found himself standing on the Maybelle's front porch pounding on her door. Inside he could hear her lumbering gate as her waddled to the door. The expression on her face was one of surprise and delight when she opened the door and saw Sam standing there.
"Why, its little Sammy!" She beamed at him. "Come in, come in. I don't get to many visitors. I just made some cookies."
Sam stood immobile at the door, his handsome face set in hard lines. "No Maybelle. This isn't a social call. I want it to stop."
"Want what to stop sweetie?"
"Whatever you have been telling people about Cathryn and me. It has to stop. If it was just me I would let it go but I won't stand for you spreading rumors about her."
"Really, isn't that sweet. Here to defend her honor?" Maybelle pursed her lips and then pulled them back in a smug sneer. "Isn't that her husband's job?"
"Listen you filthy minded old bat. When you start spreading your filth about me and those close to me I take it personally." Sam leaned closer and stared her down. "It will stop. You have no reason or right to imply to anyone that we are having an affair."
"Sure I do. I know you're banging her. I mean, come on, it takes you an hour to eat lunch. And that ring on her finger, I would bet this house that you gave it to her. Besides you can't stop me from thinking whatever I want."
"No, I don't guess I can." Sam crossed his arms and shook his head in pity. "You really are that pathetic aren't you? You can't get a man, so you busy yourself with making everyone else's life hell."
Maybelle face turned a blotchy red, her eyes widened to unnatural proportions. "You, you, you..."
"I what? Everyone knows you are just a dried up old maid, too fat to attract a man now. Is that why you like to make up sex stories about people? You never got any, so you're so damn horny you think everyone else is going at it?"
"You have no right to speak to me this way Sam Jackson. No right at all." Her expansive body shook with fury and she pointed her finger in his face.
"I guess I do. What's the matter, can't take it when someone else dishes some your own back at you?" Sam smiled smugly. "Just remember that's just what I'll tell anyone that I hear talking or asking about me and Cathryn."
Maybelle watched his retreating back as he strode back to his truck. She couldn't believe that little shit was threatening her. Threatening her! And those nasty things he said. She just couldn't believe that anyone could be so mean. Just because he let his dick lead him to trouble and she figured it out. If she hadn't figured it out someone else would have. And that wouldn't be right. As the James's neighbor it was her duty to bring the issue to light first.
Satisfaction weighed heavy in Sam's stomach. He hated that he let her goat him to threats. That he let himself sink to her level. Denying their relationship was fine now, but God won't she be so superior when Cathryn leaves Kent for him. Facing her will be unbearable.
Maybe it was just time to do it, time for Cathryn to leave him. Screw saving up the money, just do what they want and be together. He knew that Cathryn would leave him right now if he gave her the go ahead. And she was so miserable. He couldn't stand to see her that unhappy.
Yeah he would just call and tell her that he was ready whenever she was.
*****
It was nine o'clock when Kent got home that night. As soon as he got home he started hauling hay. He was looking forward to a hot shower and possibly a warm meal, if Cathryn cooked him anything. He was vaguely puzzled to see her garage door open. Her car was inside so he figured she just forgot to put it down.
He walked by the car and never noticed the bags and boxes sitting inside. He was even more puzzled when he walked in the house and noticed that there wasn't a light on anywhere. After taking off his shoes he walked down the hallway and looked in the living room to see if she was already asleep.
Cathryn flipped the lamp on beside her when she saw Kent's form in the doorway. For months she had waited for this exact moment. For months she had planned it out in her mind. She was ready for the confrontation and welcomed it.
"Hello Kent." She said quietly.
"Hey, is there anything for supper?"
"No."
"Why are you sitting in the dark?" A ball of dread settled in the pit of his stomach, though he was unsure of what he was dreading.
"I was waiting for you. We need to talk." Cathryn motioned for him to sit before she continued. "I'm sure that lately you can tell we haven't been getting along the greatest in the world."
"Yeah, I noticed. Kind of hard not to notice."
