Enter Sandman Ch 03

I couldn't believe my eyes, it was Sandman! He looked different, harder, more world weary but I guess war does that to people. We gave each other a hug and he came in. We each had a brew and when he sat down he asked me where my better half was. I told him she was on a business trip out of town. I was more interested in how he was.

"Good to be back in the world my friend" was all he had to say first off. He went through his many travels in Special Forces and by god he had seen some heavy shit. He then broke the news that he had left the Army. He basically had enough of the killing, he'd miss his fellow brothers but he was now 28 years old, had done his 10 years and wanted out. I caught him up on my life, told him about Kelly and also the connection to Doug Peterson. We had a laugh about Susan marrying the prick. By now it was dark so I cooked us something to eat and we talked some more.

He looked at the wedding photos and he suddenly had a strange look on his face. "Holy shit that's General Bates". I asked him how he knew him and he told me he was his commander when he first joined Special Forces. He said he was a tough old bird and they got on quite well at the time. I told him a bit about Kelly's family and asked him if he knew Mrs Bates. He said not that well with a smirk. I asked him for some more information due to his smirk. Apparently Mrs Bates knew a lot of the General's Officers and staff very well, that is, in the biblical sense. My jaw dropped I couldn't believe the stuck up old bitch was a common whore. He said that was one of the main reasons the General retired as he had to get her away from the Army Base before the scandal erupted. I couldn't believe that the General would remain married to her. "It's all about power and money Rog and she controls it and the General wants it"

Christ what kind of family did I marry into? I asked Sandman to stay the night but he had to leave and at the last possible moment he broke the news to me that he was reporting to the Police Academy Monday morning for training. He was becoming a cop like his old man. He did promise to come over when Kelly came home.

I had alot to think about for starters; how far does an apple fall from the tree? I was already concerned about Doug and Kelly's relationship and now I learned that her mother was a slut just like her cousin Susan. The other thing that concerned me is Sandman he just seemed different. He had changed dramatically in appearance and attitude and didn't seem like himself. Then again I hadn't seen him for nearly 10 years so people change. I figured I was being too harsh on the guy, after all he had just got back and everything was most likely too overwhelming. Anyway I had more troubles on my mind with Kelly and the revelations about her Mother.

The next week passed pretty quickly as I was busy at work and Kelly called a couple of times that week. I was too busy to worry too much about my concerns regarding Doug and Kelly and I knew she would be back Friday night anyway. Sure enough around 8pm Friday night Kelly arrived home in the limo. She gave me a big kiss and a cuddle and said she was so happy to see me. I tried to see if any mannerisms had changed but she was the same old Kelly. She went up to have a shower and I took her bags to the laundry. I couldn't help myself so I looked through her bags but found nothing of consequence.

We had a late dinner and then made love all night. Damn I loved this woman! We woke up around 10 am and had a late breakfast. I caught Kelly up on Sandman coming back and told her I'd really like her to meet him. I gave him a call and Sandman promised to come over in the afternoon.

About 2pm there was a knock on the door and I opened it to find Sandman with flowers and a bottle of good wine. He came in and I was about to make introductions between my bride and my best friend. "Oh my god Greg you're Sandman" "Hi Kelly good to see you" I thought to myself what the fuck? It turns out that Kelly knew Sandman from the Army Base when her Dad was in charge. So for the next few hours they caught up on all the comings and goings and I felt like a third wheel. I ended up cooking dinner and coming back into the living room heard something like "...does he know?"

"Do I know what" I asked. They were both caught with a funny look on their face. Sandman got up and stated he had to go and Kelly and I needed to talk first and we would catch up later. When he left I asked what was going on. Kelly was a bit embarrassed and said something like it's a small world. It came out that Sandman and Kelly had a relationship on base. The General liked him so he allowed it to continue but they broke up after he left for Iraq. Sandman had been my wife's former lover. I couldn't exactly be jealous I mean this was years ago. What I couldn't understand is why Sandman said nothing after he looked at the wedding photos.

Everything became clear in an instant though, he still held a torch for her. That's why he didn't come to the wedding or come home. I asked Kelly if this was going to be a problem she said no that she loved me and only me. I was still a little pissed that neither of them said anything as Kelly had seen pictures of me and Sandman together as well.

I ended up calling Sandman and he gave much the same story and said he didn't want to upset or worry me about past events. I accepted it at face value and told him not to worry about it Life kept on keeping on. With Kelly now busier than ever in her new role, children went on the backburner so I didn't bother saying anything about being sterile. Sandman graduated and started life as a cop he ended up on the drug squad. I was also kept busy with the bank.

Things started changing at home but ever so slowly at least that's what it seemed like. We went from having sex three times a week to once a week. Then it became once every couple of weeks if at all. This coincided with Kelly working lots of late nights with Doug and going on various overnight business trips. I just knew something wasn't right I figured if it walks like a duck.

I decided I had to get away and do some serious thinking or was that drinking? Dad had finally decided to retire and had sold his business this was the opportunity I was looking for. I told Kelly I was going to take a week's vacation and help Dad with the closing of the store. She was all for it and said it would be a good time as she had to work late all week with Doug and some other executives of the company due to a restructure.

I arrived at my folks place around 10am Monday. I went down to the store and helped Dad all day. We ended up going to the Irish pub and had a few ales together. I talked about anything but what was worrying me when Dad said something that really blew me out of the water.

"Son, I think you should start protecting yourself asap"

I asked him what he meant he looked me in the eye. He told me there were fairly vicious rumours going around town that Kelly Easton was just like her cousin Susan Peterson. I asked him specifically what was being said he broke it to me gently saying that the main rumour was Doug Peterson was telling everyone that he was fucking Kelly three times a week at the office.

To say I was angry was an understatement. I felt like David Banner turning into the Hulk. It's one thing to suspect but another for it to be thrown in your face. It all added up and I was just too much of a fool to fully realise it. I just thought back to my question a while back, does an apple fall far from the tree? I would make them all pay for making a fool of me. First things first I was going to make an unannounced call to Susan Peterson...

End of Part 3