Thank you, Candace.
For all those who have commented on 'Jessica', yes! There will be a second part.
*
Ewan McLaughlin pulled his car into the driveway. He inhaled deeply, left the vehicle and walked to his cousin's house. He didn't have to ring the bell, because James already had the door opened and welcomed him inside. Beth was waiting for him in the living room, she kissed him on the cheek and invited him to take a seat.
Ewan was married to Nancy and both were thirty-eight years old. They had a son, John, who had celebrated his twelfth birthday a couple of weeks before. Ewan and James fathers were brothers; hence they both bore the same family name. James and his young wife Elizabeth had twins, Ian and Sean, ten years old.
Beth brought Ewan a cup of coffee. "Black without sugar."
"You know my taste, Beth. Where are the twins?"
"They are spending the afternoon at their friend's place." Beth replied and sat by her husband.
Ewan turned to James. "Ok bro, what's going on? You called me to come here alone. What's so important that you needed to discuss this with me but not in the presence of Nancy?"
James looked at Beth and then back to Ewan. "It's that what I'm going to tell you, ask you, will have to remain a secret among the three of us. No one else, I repeat, no one else should know."
"Does it concern my family? Am I in trouble?" Ewan frowned.
"Not you, it concerns me. Promise me, Ewan, that you'll keep it to yourself." James begged.
"We are like brothers, James. I have no other choice than to keep your secret."
James took a deep breath. Beth held his hand. "I'm having some health issues." James almost cried.
"What ... what type of issues? You are not dying, are you? You have always taken care of your health."
"It's that," James looked down at the floor, "I've become impotent."
"What?" Ewan almost spilled his coffee.
"It started five years ago when I was having some erectile dysfunction problems. I thought it was stress as I was expanding my business with additional loans and employees. I only saw a doctor three years later when Beth was constantly after me. Maybe it was my ego or pride to keep my problem to myself. And in the mean time it was Beth who was suffering."
"What did the doctor advise or prescribe for the last two years?" Ewan asked.
"I did some test, took some prescriptions, all types of pills to boost my sex drive but nothing worked. The doctor said that I should have contacted him the first time I had this issue. I waited too long." Tears ran down James' face. "The doctor told me that perhaps the issue is in my head. I don't know Ewan, I really don't know."
'I'm sorry, James. Have you seen another doctor? For a second opinion?"
"There have been four in all, and they all said the same thing."
"What can I do for you James, tell me please."
'Beth is thirty-two and still young. I don't want her to suffer any more. I could have divorced her and let her marry again but I don't want my sons to grow up in a broken family. They are only ten." James started to cry.
Ewan approached James and hugged him. Beth joined in. "It's ok." Beth soothed her husband.
"Beth and I have talked about it." James dried his tears. "First, I thought she could go out once or twice a month meeting people, mainly strangers, and be very discreet about it. But I know that after a couple of months, word will spread about her activities. She will be considered a slut and I as a cuckolded husband or a wimp. I don't want my sons to hear this about their mom, this will affect them and I fear that they would be bullied at school. Then I thought about her taking a lover, a steady one. The question was would it be a single or a married man. The guy could not have any future expectations with Beth. He should know that it's only sex. She will need someone who will treat her gently with care and not like a bitch. Someone who will understand her and the situation we are in. Someone who knows her and whom she knows, who likes her and who will protect her if need be. And above all someone whom she'll accept."
James turned towards Beth. She nodded at him.
"I ... we are asking you Ewan, to be that man."
"What?" Ewan jerked. "You want me to cheat on Nancy?"
"Ewan, we will respect your decision," Beth said. "Don't think that we want to break your marriage with Nancy. She is a good woman, a good wife and a good mother. We know how precious she is to you. She has always been like an elder sister to me. Her advice has always been very helpful. We are not here to steal you from her. James and I have been talking about this for months. You are the only one who fits the ideal man we are looking for. Don't think that it's easy for me to just go out and sleep with someone else, including you. I love James and a voice at the back of my mind will always remind me that I'm cheating on him. But I'm a woman and I have needs and urges."
"I understand," Ewan said calmly. "Is there any other way you can deal with this problem? I mean using toys and other gadgets."
"We have tried at the beginning," James replied. "It didn't work, it's artificial."
"I don't know, I really don't know." Ewan shook his head.
"We are aware we are putting much on your shoulders, but always remember that if ever you refuse, we will still keep the same relationship as if this conversation has never happened. Our kids will still meet and hang out together. The three brothers as they usually call themselves." Beth smiled.
"Don't worry, bro." James tapped Ewan on his shoulder. "Beth and I will have to go through everything again and try to find someone else if you decide that you don't want to do this."
Ewan got up and walked to the door and opened it. He stood still. "Give me a couple of days. Let me think about it and I'll give you an answer." He said without turning around and walked to his car.
When Ewan arrived home, Nancy was preparing dinner. "Have you got what you needed at the hardware shop, darling?" She asked.
"No, the drilling machine is out of stock. Where's John?"
