On July 15, 2015 my life was turned upside down. I just didn't know it at the time. Looking back, I was like so many others caught in the middle-class grind with a demanding job, family life, a house in the suburbs, and the hefty mortgage to go with it. It would appear by world standards that I was living the American dream, or so I thought at the time.
When I made the decision to become self-employed, I have no idea how demanding that would become. As the business started to grow, it seemed like every moment was accounted for between my work and family obligations. Janice was as busy as I was with her teaching, being a mother, and maintaining our home.
It didn't take long before we found ourselves living life through our pocket planners. Weekdays were consumed by business responsibilities and the weekends were packed with chores and family commitments. What little romance remained did not survive the onslaught of our demanding work schedules. Needless to say, this was a recipe for disaster. Our love life was practically nonexistent and on life support. It wasn't that we didn't need each other... life just seemed to swallow us up. This last year we'd given each other enough rain checks in the bedroom to fill the Pacific Ocean.
Speaking from experience, I don't believe people suddenly find themselves stuck in a rut; they actually dig it themselves, one boring scoop at a time. As for me, I had always found a sense of security in having a daily routine. It made everything more predictable and easier to manage. I considered spontaneous living was a luxury for singles and those with little ambition. Success on the other hand, demands strong discipline, sacrifice, and careful planning.
I remember it was on my thirty-fourth birthday, I was sitting at fast food restaurant treating myself to a foot-long Meatball Marinara and reading The Wall Street Journal, when a deep voice pulled me out of my culinary trance.
"Ricky? Is that you? Damnit, it is!... Remember me?"
It took me a couple seconds to place the voice with the face, but sure enough it was my old college roommate.
"Jason!" I smiled, standing up. "Wow! This is a surprise! Why don't you sit down and join me?"
"I'd be delighted to." He placed his tray on the table and pulled up a chair.
"So, what brings you to California?" I asked.
"Business. I just relocated here from Huston a few months ago. I'm now working as marketing and sales rep. What about you?"
"I'm a self-employed CPA. My office is just across the street."
He looked out the window at my building and said, "That's great, dude. I always knew you'd be successful. How long has it been since we last saw each other... ten years?"
"Actually, nine years and two months—but who's counting?"
Jason laughed. "Damn, Ricky..." He smiled and gave me a long look. "You haven't changed a lick since college! You're exactly as I remember you."
"Thanks. I can say the same about you."
At fifteen pounds heavier, I knew he was just being kind to me. However, Jason actually did look exactly the same, except for a bit of premature graying at the temples. I wondered what his secret was. From what I could tell through his tailored suit, he maintained himself well.
In college we were polar opposites. I was a serious focused student, and he was the stereotypical jock looking to party. I always suspected his football scholarship and his father's generous donation to the university had something to do with him receiving a degree. It certainly wasn't his study habits, which as I recalled seemed almost nonexistent at the time.
He looked at my ring finger and asked, "How long you been married?"
"Almost eight years now. We also have a six-year-old daughter. How about you? Did you ever get married?"
"Married? Me? Hell no! There is way too much pussy out there to limit myself."
A lady walking by heard his declaration and gave him a grin. He smiled back at her.
"Speaking of pussy, I see you're reading about that cheaters website hack." He pointed to the front-page article.
"Yeah, I was just starting to read it. That whole situation seems crazy. It says the hackers released tens of thousands and possibly millions of names and photos."
Jason nodded. "It appears there's gonna be a lot of explaining to do for a whole lot of cheaters."
"I imagine the divorce lawyers will be working overtime. What could they be thinking of, taking such a huge risk?" I said.
"Actually, don't knock it until you try it. I find married pussy to be a very fine delicacy."
"A delicacy? What do you mean?"
"Well, single chicks usually have an agenda, but with a cheating wife there is no chance they are going to make more out of it than what it is. Plus... most of them feel so damn grateful for the attention, they actually attempt to fuck me to death." He laughed.
"Don't you ever feel badly for interfering in their marriage?"
"Fuck no! I'm doing them a favor—probably saving their marriage."
"You almost make this sound like a noble thing, Jason. Then again... you were always able to spin bullshit into fine linen."
He laughed and replied, "Hey, we all have our gifts! Yours is crunching numbers and mine is... well—more relational."
"What about the husbands? Don't you ever worry they might find out and come after you with a gun?"
"That's the real kicker. Many of them know about it. Some even want to watch. Like I said, I'm doing them a favor."
"That's unbelievable. I'm assuming you must do this a lot?"
"I used to in Texas but not since I moved here. I needed to get an apartment and establish myself first. Most of the time I used a well known dating app for quick hookups, but I signed up for that married cheaters site the first week I moved here. I looked through all the local offerings and you wouldn't believe who I discovered."
"I wouldn't have a clue. I'm a happily married man."
"Good for you, Rick. Anyway, do you remember that tall redhead with the big boobs you had a thing for back in college? The one that wouldn't give you the time of day?"
"Yes... I remember her very well."
"You might be interested to know she's on that hookup site. I sent her an invitation to meet me for a little extra curricular fun." He grinned.
"Oh? How can you be sure it's her after all these years?"
"It's a gift. I never forget a face... or tits. Let's just say I'm gonna tap that real soon. She sent me back a short reply and a private pic. I think she's actually better looking now than I recall her being in college."
"Really?"
"Yep. Hey, buddy, I have to get back to work. I can't be late for my new job. Here's my number. How about we get together and shoot the shit sometime?" He dropped his business card on the table.
"That would be great," I replied as he walked away.
I sat there dumbfounded by his revelation. Yes, I did remember the tall redhead with the big tits... I married her.
-oOo-
The rest of my day was shot. There was no way I could concentrate on the work in front of me. Janice's beautiful face stared at me from our wedding photo sitting on my desk. Surely it couldn't be my wife he was talking about. There must have been hundreds if not thousands of redheads on that site.
Hours passed by and I continued to struggle with my work, unable to concentrate. What I really wanted was to hop online and check it out, but it felt like a betrayal of my trust for Janice if I did. An internal battle raged within me for hours before I finally gave in to my curiosity and logged on.
As soon as the home page appeared, it became apparent that it required a paid membership to access any of the files. Glaring at me was the opening introduction that stated: Life is short. Have an affair.
I wasn't about to give this cheaters site my hard-earned money, especially with a traceable credit card. At first, I had no plan what to do. But then I had an idea. Taking out Jason's business card, I punched in the numbers in my phone. The automated answering machine picked up and gave me the usual options. I selected zero for the operator.
"Marketing and sales. How may I direct your call?"
"Jason Andrew please."
"Whom may I say is calling?"
"Richard Hamilton . Accounting Services."
"One moment please."
After a pause, Jason answered.
"Ricky! Hey, long time no see. What's up?"
"Nothing really important. I was just curious about the redhead you mentioned."
"You always had a thing for her, didn't you?" He chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess I still do. I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"Sure, anything. I still owe you for writing that term paper for me in my Statistics class."
"I tried logging on to that site, but it required an account. I was wondering if you might let me use your login ID and password? I promise I won't abuse the privilege. It's just that since we talked, I became more curious about her."
"Sure, no problem, you old dog. I can't blame you for still having the hots for red. I don't mind sharing but remember she's mine first. You don't mind sloppy seconds, do you?"
"Uh... I'm not sure about that."
He laughed. "I'll text you the info. What do you say about Saturday for beers?"
"Thanks for the offer but it depends on what time. I've got T-Ball practice in the morning until noon."
"Damn, you really are married, aren't you?"
"Yep, that's me—really married."
For the time being, I thought.
"Okay, how about two o'clock at Western Inn by your work? By then we might be able to compare notes."
"I'll see you then." My heart ached at the thought.
About five minutes after our conversation, my phone beeped with a message. The text was in bold letters.
