February Sucks The Reckoning 1

NOTE TO READER: THIS STORY IS PURE FICTION AND A COMPLETE DEPARTURE FROM ITS NAMESAKE VERSION.

After my initial posting of this story, there were a few comments from readers who insulted and admonished me for changing the original February Sucks story too much. To those detractors, I quote a line from the Big Lebowski movie, "Yeah? Well, that's just like your opinion, man." However, a few positive criticisms pointed out some glaring errors on my part, so to those, I say thank you. They have been corrected.

I edit my work, and sometimes, one cannot see the forest for all the trees. The important point here is that, like any artist who takes a beloved song and changes the tempo, timbre, or emotion conveyed in the original into their rendition, some will like the change, and some will not. Please bear that in mind when thinking about flaming my work.

Thanks to George Anderson for allowing everyone to embellish his stories with an alternate slant. All characters are over 18, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 All Rights Reserved. No portion of this material may be reproduced without the author's prior written permission. Everyone is over 18.

You don't need to read Mr. Anderson's February Sucks before reading this tome. You may find it here: https://www.literotica.com/s/February-sucks. As of this writing, there are 912 derivations to the story February Sucks. What's one more to the list?

The first few chapters here chronicle the lives of Jim and Linda before February 29th, which DIFFERS SIGNIFICANTLY from the Anderson story. Chapter four is Mr. Anderson's work as a reminder of how things happened that fateful February 29th night. Please understand that these significant changes contradict the original story, but I tried to remain true to the original's intent of the wife running off with another man. This story isn't a stroke piece. Instead, it's an exercise in my imagination. The gratuitous sex appears in chapter six.

I write for my edification. We aren't in an English composition class, so please excuse any grammatical errors or style misadventures. I try to improve with each submission. Enjoy, I hope.

Relax, it's just a story from my overactive mind.

February Sucks -- THE RECKONING.

Chapter 1: Background Information

When he was a freshman in high school, Jim Andrews became friends with his nerd-like neighbor, Orville Wilson, a divorced man with an astonishing collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Orville had spent a fortune buying every piece of Star Wars merchandise, no matter how expensive or insignificant. Orville had every piece ever made. Each room in Orville's home looked like a toy store dedicated to the Star Wars franchise. There were racks and racks of every item conceivable about Star Wars. From watching the first five minutes of the Star Wars movie, Orville became enthralled and knew that others like him would use the movie as an escape mechanism. When the first action figures appeared on the market, Orville sought solace in the memorabilia and started collecting.

Jim loved to visit Orville and marveled at his collection. Orville was pleased to share his love of Star Wars and taught Jim to trade collectibles. Orville was also a day trader in the international stock markets. Jim spent many hours with Orville discussing the fundamentals of economics and finance, which eventually led Jim to study for a degree in economics with an emphasis on international banking and finance.

*****

Jim Andrews had met his wife, Linda Carval, at a frat party during his sophomore year of college. Neither Jim nor Linda were party animals, and after several dates, they decided to be exclusive together while their love blossomed. Throughout their collegiate courtship, Jim and Linda were deeply in love. Everyone who knew the couple reasoned that it was only a matter of time before the peal of wedding bells would be heard. Jim's love for Linda and her love for Jim brought only happiness to those who knew them. Their common lower-middle-class upbringing is shown through their frugal beginnings. Neither Jim nor Linda was ostentatious. Both were on partial academic scholarships and were in debt with student loans.

During his senior year in college, Jim learned of his neighbor's passing. Orville Wilson's attorney, Mr. J. Cheever Loophole (it's pronounced Lou-po-lay, the letter "H" is silent), contacted Jim for the reading of the will. Jim knew Orville had a family but had never seen anyone visit in all the years he spent with him. Jim learned about the falling out within the family during the will reading. Let's just say that the family had castigated Orville for his alternative lifestyle choices. Orville was never untoward to Jim and only considered Jim as a fellow devotee. Nonetheless, Orville's will cried out how sad he was and how hurtful his family had been toward him. Each family member was stunned upon learning that Orville bequeathed his entire collection and fortune to the one person who stood by him, Jim Andrews.

Of course, Orville's family members were screaming they would challenge the will, but Orville's attorney, Mr. Loophole, assured them the cost would be prohibitively high. The will's codicil was ironclad and shake-proof. Mr. Loophole reassured Jim that the will is legal and valid. When Mr. Loophole asked Jim about the collectibles, Jim decided that as much as he loved the collection, it was impractical to keep it. Plus, Jim knew several people who would drool over owning the collection. Mr. Loophole asked Jim not to make any decisions until they had a chance to meet and discuss Jim's options. He strongly cautioned Jim to keep his inheritance secret to prevent the vultures from circling. Once someone knew Jim had money, there would be no end to people wanting to get a piece of that pie.

A few days later, Jim met with Mr. Loophole and Orville's financial advisor to discuss going forward. A prestigious memorabilia auction house agreed to handle selling Orville's collection. Jim kept a few special collectibles that Oriville cherished as souvenirs of their friendship. The two men took Jim under their wings. Under their advisement, Jim agreed to invest in a few separate holding companies as long-term growth opportunities. They also put the collectible sale proceeds into a trust fund, which would secure Jim's financial security for the rest of his life. In reality, Jim could lay on the beaches of Bimini and drink fruity-parasol-decorated alcoholic beverages and never work a day in his life. He was not raised that way. Jim finished his degree and sought employment as a normal working stiff.

During the eight years since Jim met Orville Wilson, he had become a serious sports memorabilia collector. Orville's tutelage helped Jim not make the common mistake of becoming attached to his collection. Jim looked at collecting as a supplemental income stream rather than escapism like Orville. Jim's attorney also established a Limited Liability Corporation for his collectibles to shelter Jim from paying too many taxes when he bought and sold items.

With graduation from college fast approaching, Jim decided to propose to Linda. At his attorney's insistence, Jim asked Linda to sign a prenuptial agreement. Linda wondered why Jim would ask. Jim's attorney met with Linda independently and assured her that the agreement was similar to car insurance.

"We don't plan on getting into an accident, but automobile accident and liability insurance protects personal assets," Jim's attorney explained. "The prenuptial agreement states the cheating spouse leaves with nothing but the clothes on their back, a certified cashier's check of two thousand dollars, and any personal property prior to marriage, but nothing else. The cheating spouse would forfeit anything the couple acquired while married that would normally be considered community property. The cheater forfeits all rights to community property and automatically grants primary custody of any children to the aggrieved party, with limited visitation. Cheating on a spouse should not be rewarded in any form."

The prenuptial agreement was equal for both parties and made no distinction between husband and wife. Jim's attorney strongly encouraged Linda to seek legal advice before signing, but she refused. Mr. Loophole asked Linda to think about it over the weekend and return on Monday to notarize the document if she agreed. When Linda again refused legal counsel, Jim's attorney had Linda sign a rider to the prenuptial agreement acknowledging her refusal to seek legal advice. The documents were notarized and recorded. Linda had thought nothing of the prenuptial as she was deeply in love with Jim and was a one-man woman.

*****

On their wedding night, Jim had told his parents he had inherited some money from Orville but not how much. Orville Wilson's home was debt-free, and its sale, along with some of the Star Wars collectibles auction proceeds, netted Jim enough cash to pay off the remaining mortgage balance for his parent's home. It was his wedding gift to his parents. He told Linda about his windfall from Orville Wilson's estate, and there was enough money to make a substantial downpayment on their first home and pay both of their student loans, but he would still need to work to cover their living expenses.

After graduating from college, Jim became an employee of one of his investment holding companies. Nobody knew Jim was the owner and treated him like everyone else, subject to the rules and regulations of the corporation. Jim kept up with his collecting and stock trading hobbies. His holdings were sound investments and made money for Jim.

Chapter 2: Collecting Items of Value

Jim continued collecting memorabilia, and upon learning that his city's football team would have players available for autographs, Jim and Linda went to buy merchandise. Marc LaValliere was an up-and-coming football rookie and would be present for autograph signing. Jim was eager to get in on the ground floor of rookie collectibles, especially for someone from his favorite football team. The history of sports memorabilia collecting is replete with stories of fortunes earned by collectors who held onto rookie-year collectibles and then sold the items for a handsome profit years later when scarcity dictated exorbitant prices. The amount of money Jim spent on LaValliere collectibles was no different than what one might spend on an afternoon of slot machines at the local casino. Jim was a cautious investor and knew the risk.

The team's fans were lined out the door, patiently waiting for an opportunity to get next to the athletic specimen of Marc LaValliere. Other teammates were there, along with three of the team's cheerleaders. Jim had purchased trading cards, a certified NFL game-used football, and other items of importance to collectors. Jim's bored wife, Linda, was beside him, deeply involved in the latest game she was playing on her phone as he approached the folding table where Marc sat. Although Jim was a die-hard fan, Linda could care less about football. Jim didn't act like a starry-eyed schoolgirl when he shook hands with the athletes. When Marc shook Jim's hand, it was like shaking hands with a catcher's mitt. Jim is no slouch, but when he grasped Marc's hand, Jim could not believe a human hand could be so large. When Jim introduced his wife to the rookie athlete, Marc uncharacteristically stood and held Linda's hand with both of his. Linda's smile radiated.

While Marc was signing Jim's items, Marc glanced repeatedly at Linda. Anyone who looked at Linda could tell she was taken with the handsome young man, and the animal attraction between the two was palpable. The hair on the back of Jim's neck stood as he watched his wife become smitten with Marc Lavalliere. Even though Jim and Linda's marriage was rock-solid, or at least Jim thought it was, there was a niggling in Jim's mind that a threat was looming. There were two more rookie players Jim wanted autographs from, and he spent a few moments with each player shaking hands and taking selfie pictures. As they walked away, Linda hooked her arm through her husband's arm. Jim could tell that Linda was weak-kneed as they left the convention center and walked toward their car in the parking garage. Every so often, Jim would glance at Linda. The expression on her face was similar to post-orgasmal bliss. He wondered, did his wife orgasm while shaking hands with Marc LaValliere? As he opened the car door for Linda, Jim pulled Linda close and hugged her like he always did. Their pelvis' collided, but Linda only gave her husband a perfunctory kiss before sitting in the passenger seat. Jim expected a better kiss, but Linda's mind was elsewhere. Linda stared out the passenger window throughout the 90-minute ride home. Jim was silent, watching his wife's body language. Realizing she was ignoring her husband, Linda asked Jim about his purchases.

"Did you get everything you wanted, honey?" Linda said.

"Yes," Jim replied unexcitedly and rather coldly.

After a moment, Jim realized he was rude and started to explain to Linda about the things he purchased. He explained that these items were insignificant now, but when Marc LaValliere becomes a superstar in the years to come, their worth will grow exponentially. Linda continued to stare out the passenger window as the scenery passed by. Until today, Linda was ambivalent toward football. She thought, "I must learn more about football to watch games with Jim." Linda's ulterior motives were to watch Marc LaVallier and dream.

Over the coming years, Marc LaVallier excelled on and off the football grid. He was voted the team's most valuable player during the third and fourth seasons. His Pro Bowl performances were just as spectacular as the regular season. Unfortunately, his team was not good enough to earn playoff berths. Nonetheless, Marc LaVallier was being courted by other, more prestigious teams and was considering changing to a more lucrative market. During these first few seasons, Marc became the city's pride. His charitable contributions to the Children's Hospital, Veteran's organizations, and the city animal shelter endeared him to the populace. Marc LaVallier was well-liked by everyone he met. His rookie-year handlers had taught him well. Think about the scene in Bull Durham where Crash Davis teaches Nuke Laloush about anecdotal sound bites for media consumption. Marc was a master at putting people at ease. Of course, his handsome looks and uber-masculine physique were a bonus to the ladies.

*****

As Jim's collecting prospered, he decided to invest heavily in the city's football team and became a significant shareholder. Rumors of LaValliere's less-than-stellar nightlife worried Jim more from a stockholder investment aspect because of LaValliere's womanizing. As such, Jim was secretly privy to Marc LaValliere's despicable behavior off the field. Jim had questioned his advisors about LaValliere's indiscriminate attitude targeting married women as a concern regarding his investment with the NFL team. The advisors said that with each incident, LaValliere managed to buy off the husband and sweep things under the rug. Jim was torn between his love of football, his hope for a championship team, and the desire to ruin Marc LaValliere for his nefarious behavior. Jim hated cheaters but acquiesced to the advice of his advisors to let things play out.

Chapter 3: The Time Before the Fall

A few years after graduating college, Jim risked a considerable sum on a small company that needed venture capital. The company was Alset, an electric vehicle manufacturer that started as filling a niche but soon became a viable alternative to internal combustion-powered vehicles. Jim invested more than he should have but felt there was great potential for profit. When Alset went public, Jim became a multi-millionaire overnight.

When the kids came along, Jim and his family bought into a nondescript neighborhood of tract homes, with Jim's home as the exception. When they purchased their home, Jim bought the two adjacent lots on either side of his new home and modified the floor plan to accommodate their family. Their tract abuts open fields, providing a modicum of isolation from their neighbors. The eight-foot high concrete block privacy fence ensures wild critters stay out of their yard and the in-ground swimming pool. However, with his wealth building, Jim became concerned about his family's privacy and safety.

Jim's advisors suggested investing in a private security company as one of Jim's holdings. His modest lifestyle, company ownership anonymity, and lack of social media presence helped conceal Jim's wealth. But Jim was not without suspicion. His home and surrounding property were wired with the latest spy gadgetry, and every room was video monitored offsite 24 hours, seven days a week. Jim did have the option of turning off the system whenever he and Linda were to become intimate.

*****

Jim was as happy as a clam at high tide, but things between Jim and Linda recently became unsettling. When one becomes uber-rich or nuevo-riche, one becomes the target of people who would do anything to separate you from your money. Between traveling for business and seeking collectibles, Jim had his share of opportunities to stray from his marriage, but he was the consummate husband and father figure. Regardless of how busy he was at work, Jim always found time to be a family man and attend to his wife's and children's needs. Unfortunately, after the children were born, Linda's desire for sex naturally ebbed. It was the little things that started Jim to worry about his marriage. He wondered if Linda was becoming complacent. She didn't necessarily harp or whine about minor things, but her coldness toward sex caused Jim concern.

Sexually, men are like a microwave oven, instant on and instant off. Conversely, women are like a conventional oven. They're slow to warm up, stay hot, and slow to cool down. Most men don't understand that a simple knock on the bedroom door by a tiny hand while in the middle of lovemaking is enough to kill any fire the wife may have. For some, that fire seems to go out indefinitely. Jim was worried that Linda's fire was slowly burning out.

In mid-December, Jim had a routine meeting with his attorney to discuss the status of his various holding companies. It was then that Jim learned some disturbing news.

"Jim?" Mr. Loophole asked. "Are you aware that Linda has a second phone? Does she use it for work or?"

Jim's head shot up from the reports he reviewed, and he glared incredulously at the man who had become his best friend. Jim could not believe what he heard. The questioning look Jim gave his attorney friend spoke volumes.

"Oh, shit," Mr. Loophole said. "Buddy, Linda has a burner phone. Is there anything going on at home I need to know about for the sake of your holdings? If you tell me it's none of my business, I understand, but from a legal aspect, I should know as much as possible to protect you."

Jim told about the sudden coolness between him and Linda and the distance between them emotionally. Jim explained that he figured it was the typical winter blahs and that she would return to her normal self when Spring arrived. Something in the back of Jim's mind started to fester, and he began to realize that this was, unfortunately, not true. Jim instructed his attorney to conduct a deep-dive investigation into Linda's activities. Her initial background check before marriage to Jim revealed nothing noteworthy about Linda's past behavior. All through their relationship, Linda never drank alcohol excessively, she never used any form of recreational drugs, nor did she smoke weed or cigarettes. However, recent events proved otherwise.

Linda started drinking alcohol. At first, it was something to take the edge off before dinner. Next was a glass of wine with dinner and a shot of bourbon to help her sleep at night. As typical with many husbands of cheating wives, Jim was clueless about Linda. Even though Linda was no virgin when she married Jim, and he knew of her few boyfriends in high school and during her first year of college, Jim never suspected that Linda would hide a second phone from him, let alone be unfaithful.