As you can probably tell by the title, this is a reconciliation story.
If that is not what you like in a story then please skip this one.
I was debating whether to put this story in Romance because of the ending, or maybe even non-erotic because there is virtually no sex in this one.
If you're looking for that then skip this one.
I chose to put it here in LW because at the core of the story it involves cheating.
I hope you like it, but even if you don't please leave a comment.
I enjoy reading them.
If you decide to read any of my other stories please feel free to comment there as well.
I hope you are all staying healthy in this time of COVID
My name is Kurt Engstrom and this is how COVID-19 might have actually saved my marriage.
It's Memorial Day 2020 and I'm sitting at home where I have been, for the most part, since the last week of March. Our state put in a "Stay at Home" order on March 23
rd
. Since then both my wife and I have been holed up, only occasionally going out, usually just to the grocery store.
She is an accountant and I am an architect, neither job are part of the "essential businesses". So, both of us are "required" to stay home and stay safe.
When the news really started hitting on this pandemic in mid-February I wasn't really concerned that much. It was in China or on some cruise ships in the Pacific. Some people started freaking out like it was the end of civilization. I didn't give it much credence, tens of thousands of Americans die every year from the regular flus, why was this one any different? Our Governor, however, proclaimed the "Stay at Home" order and so both our companies shut their doors, hopefully only temporarily.
The end of this week is supposed to be the end of the order, the Governor has started opening up the state, certain sectors, but has already extended previous ending dates three times, and there is talk that some aspects of it will be extended again. While our finances are taking a bit of a hit, we had cash reserves to fall back on. I won't mind if it is extended this time.
At the beginning of the "Stay at Home" order I thought that my wife, Audrey, and I would probably kill each other. We were not getting along at all. In fact, we were married only on paper. The 4 year itch had hit her. I know they say there is a 7 year itch, but I've spoken to enough people to know that there is also a 4 year itch.
She started stepping out on me probably about a year ago. I didn't realize it until about August. He was one of her rich clients. She had seen his financials and he had seen her assets. She was a smart and well put together woman, both physically and emotionally. He wanted another acquisition. Not another yacht, house or business, he wanted a wife, my wife. His name is Richard Hamilton, I refer to him as "Dick". He is in his mid-thirties, divorced, and an entrepreneur. He isn't particularly handsome, but his money helped him dress and look all that more appealing.
I first met him when he came into "our" bar -- Charlie's, one night when my wife and I were there. He came over to our table as we were sitting there with a few friends, just shooting the shit. She introduced him to us and then looked at him adoringly, then back at me nervously. He asked her to dance and she didn't even hesitate or look my way, but instead followed him out to the dance floor like a little puppy.
I realized then why she had been treating me the way she had for the last 3 months, and why our sex life had diminished greatly.
To her credit, she only danced one dance with him, but the look on her face said it all, she wished I wasn't there so she could spend all night dancing with him.
That next week it wasn't hard to find out what they were doing with each other. He didn't hide his intentions and would wine and dine her where all could see. I didn't say anything, our marriage had already turned into a sham.
That next week I went to Charlie's without her. I found a barfly that I had spoken with a number of times and we spent 3 hours in a motel room "getting acquainted". When I got home, around midnight, Audrey was already asleep. I guess that was a telltale sign of what our relationship had deteriorated into. She wasn't even upset that I had went out drinking without her.
In the morning she asked, "What time did you get in last night?"
"Around midnight. Spent the night at Charlie's, drinking with friends."
"Oh" was all she said.
You're probably asking yourself, "Why didn't he confront her, or file for divorce?" I asked myself that question also. I guess I didn't want to admit that our marriage was on a downward spiral to its demise.
Audrey and I had met in college and became serious in our senior year. When we graduated, her with an accounting degree and me with my architect degree, we thought we had the world by the tail. We both landed great jobs with respected firms and started making great money.
We got married a year later and were on top of the world, working hard to make names for ourselves. I guess we lost sight of what was really important, each other. By year 4 we were basically just going through the motions. Oh, don't get me wrong, I loved Audrey. She was my soulmate, at least that is what I told myself and anyone else that asked. We were just drifting apart because we lost focus and the drive for "us" as a couple. We were focused and driven to succeed in our individual professions.
After that night at Charlie's, when "Dick" made his appearance, tensions were high at home. We didn't have sex for about 6 weeks, at least not with each other.
One Saturday night Audrey hinted that she wanted a little "fun time" with me that night. When we went to our bedroom she undressed and came to bed nude. That was unusual. She had been sleeping in either a nightshirt or pajamas for at least the last 6 months. She said, "It's been a while, are you up for it tonight?"
I thought, "What the hell." I said to her, "Sure, I'll be right back." I went to my dresser and opened my wallet. I grabbed a condom out of it and tore open the package. I had never used a condom with her before, she was on the pill. She was looking at me, her expression one of slight confusion and then understanding. She turned over and got on her hands and knees. She was offering me "doggie style". I guess she either didn't want to look me in the eye or didn't want me to look at her.
For the next few months things didn't change much. About once a month she would offer me sex and it would always be "doggie style". I didn't have to look into her eyes, and likewise, she didn't have to look in mine. Of course, I always used a rubber.
I guess December is when I first heard about Covid-19, at least that is the first time I can recall hearing about it. Again, it was something on the other side of the world and didn't concern me too much. Audrey and I talked a little about it, but it was just in passing and was just something to talk about rather than our failing marriage.
One Friday in January I had come home right after work. Audrey wasn't there, I figured she was probably out with her "Dick". I changed into some jeans and headed out to the bar. As I was pulling out of the apartment complex Audrey was driving in. She called me as I drove toward the bar. "Hey, where you going?"
"To the bar." I said.
"Okay" she said.
"Whatever." Was my response and I hung up.
I was sitting at the bar, finishing my first beer, when my phone rang, it was Audrey.
"Hello?" I said.
"Where are you at?" She said questioningly.
"At the bar." I told her.
