After that night with Sue I was mixed up inside. Torn between wanting her back in my life full time and still angry over her having cheated on me. I spent the next week plotting my revenge on Bill, and working extra hard at my job too.
One night, after not having seen or talked to Sue all week, I arrived at my apartment to find Sue standing by the front door with two bags of groceries in her arms. I walked up wondering what she was up to, and as I opened my door, held up my arm to guide her inside.
"I thought that maybe you'd like a home cooked meal instead of eating out or cooking for yourself John. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all. I'm always up for a home cooked meal Sue. The kitchen is right here. I'm kind of glad that I cleaned it yesterday now."
"You go ahead and shower up sweetie, I'll get started on dinner. You sure you don't mind? I mean...I know that we have our...problem yet. I don't want to seem too pushy."
"No. You're good to do this for me Sue. I appreciate it a lot. I have some wine in that rack over there; I'll let you pick out what you think should go with whatever you're making. I'm going to go take a shower."
I went into my bedroom half-hoping that Sue would walk in and strip in front of me. That didn't happen. I got undressed and then went into the bathroom. As I showered, I realized that I had left the bathroom door unlocked. Freudian slip perhaps? Had I hoped that Sue would walk in while I was showering too?
Deep down I knew I wanted her back in my life. I also knew I had serious issues with all that had happened too. Stepping out of the shower I reached for the towel that I had put on the rack by the shower door. It wasn't there. Looking around and then through the door to my bedroom, I saw it lying on my bed.
Curious as to how it had grown legs and walked there, I stepped into my bedroom naked. As I reached for the towel, I noticed that the bedroom door was open and Sue was standing in the kitchen in such a way as to see me naked. I knew that she must have moved my towel somehow in order to see me naked.
Since we had seen each other naked lots of times, I wasn't too upset. Matter of fact, I wasn't upset at all. I figured that if she had wanted to, she could have joined me in the shower. She probably just wanted some eye candy before dinner. I was cool with that. Matter of fact, I stood in ways that showed my body off as I slowly dressed.
Sue made a wonderful dinner of halibut and potatoes. Along with the vegetables, I ate quite a lot. Sue was quiet as we ate, and accepted my compliments on her meal with good grace. That was just like the Sue I remembered. After dinner, with a glass of wine in our hands we went into the living room and sat. I sat at one end of the couch and Sue, surprising me a bit, sat right next to me.
"John, I want to say something to you. I've been a bad girl tonight. I moved your...towel so I could see you...naked. I'm sorry. I had no right to do that and it was wrong."
"I don't mind Sue. After all, it's not like we haven't seen each other naked before."
"Yes, but before we were happy and married. I used to sneak things around to watch you move and dress. I loved watching your naked body as it moved around. I missed seeing you. Now...well, we are not in the same circumstances. I've had a hard time keeping our separation real in my mind. I love you so much still and I know I hurt you so bad, yet, I just want things the way they were. I had no right doing what I did. I have no hold on you anymore and what I did would have been as if I had moved things to see some stranger's body. I didn't think..."
"Sue, don't be so hard on yourself. Look, we loved each other a lot while we were married, and as a matter of fact, we are still married. Being separated has been hard on both of us. What happened...well...I wish it never had happened as much as you do. If you want to see me naked, then I'm okay with that. You don't have to pretend that we are strangers or that we won't get back together. We might just do that yet. I've been thinking about us a lot. I'm working on those issues I have."
"I would never have done that to a date. I invaded your privacy. It was wrong."
"Sue, in spite of what you may be thinking, we are still married yet. I haven't filed for divorce, neither have you, have you?"
"Have I what?"
"Filed for divorce."
"Oh...God no. No, I'd not do that. If you wanted one though, I'd let you. I mean, I deserve far worse than a divorce anyway..."
"Stop. Don't say another word. You're still apologizing and trying to take all the blame for your actions. It wasn't all you Sue. You know as well as I do, especially now, that SOB Samuels was responsible for most of what happened. He set us both up and worked on you until you slipped. I know that now. Yes, you slid on us, but I'm still here, and I'm trying to hold you from falling as much as you are fighting to stay here. Don't beat yourself up."
"But...we are not...together. I mean, you have this place and I have my place and our home is...empty. I'm empty. I need you in my life John. Without you I'm...nothing."
My heart was thrashing. I hugged her close to me, holding her as she began to cry. I felt bad for her. I know that some men would have walked already. I know that some men would have taken revenge on a cheating spouse too. I was not built that way though. I still loved Sue in spite of everything. Yes, I still had serious issues about it all, but I felt confident that I would work through those issues soon.
Part of that 'working through those issues' would be my revenge on that damned asshole. He would suffer mightily for what he had done not only to my marriage, but to many others as well. I had gotten lots of help to work out this revenge and part of it was on the way already.
"Sue. Bill's comeuppance is underway. I mean...it's started."
"What are going to do John. I've worried about this revenge you have your heart set on and I'm afraid that it could all blow up in your face."
"He'll do it to himself Sue. One of the former lovers of his has a sister. They volunteered this phase of the plan. More than just me want some revenge on this bastard. He left this wife pregnant and ducked out on everything. DNA tests could confirm his paternity, but he has so far managed to block any attempt at DNA testing."
"What about that night at the hospital? They could have gotten DNA then."
"Not without a court order. It was over with and cleaned up before anyone knew about what had happened."
"So, what's going to happen?"
"The sister of that lady is going to work in your old job. Bill is still working at your old employers. Why they didn't fire him is beyond me, especially with the history he has following him. Anyway, she is going to be the bait. Every comment to her is being recorded; every drink he buys a small sample is kept out and tested for drugs. The police department is investigating him. I called in some favors."
