I like the loving wives category but it can be difficult to come up with something different and the comments can be ruthless. I try to explore alternate realities or situations with angst.
There are two chapters, both included below.
I don't have time to work with an editor but I do spell and grammar checks and proof read but bound to miss some. If that bothers you too much maybe think about reading something else.
Also check the tags and avoid the themes that make you angry, otherwise I hope you enjoy them, they are free and they are just stories. Best Wishes Satin.
***
Chapter 1: Bill's Story.
I spotted my wife's curly blonde hair under the black pill box styled hat and short net veil, sitting on the second row aisle seat. I was reminded she was still a very attractive woman, what was she now 47, no 48; funny how you have to count up once you get older.
We had two grown children Katie and Sam who still lived locally. Thankfully Julia didn't suffer from empty nester syndrome. We were too busy traveling, planning early retirement and enjoying the intimate benefits of a house with no children in it.
I thought it was an odd place for her to be sitting, too near the front for attending the funeral of her ex colleague Keith Fraser. I had asked if she wanted me to take time off work to accompany her, but she'd said there was no need, she was going with another ex- colleague Dianne Miller and they would share a taxi. I got an early finish from work and decided to go and pick them up from the crematorium and save them the fair. I was in a dark work dark suit, so wouldn't look out of place.
There was something odd about the setting, I stood at the back trying to figure it out, both Julia and Dianne looked upset. Then it dawned on me, there were numerous women occupying the first three rows and all in black skirts, heels, and hats with veils. It just felt odd; there would normally be a mix of people and dark outfits. There were no men in the front three rows and the women looked like they were in 'uniform'.
An older woman stepped up to the lectern; a framed photograph and white flowers rested on the coffin in front of her. A rolling slide show of photographs with Keith at various points in his life displayed on the wall behind. I had a vague recollection of him from Julia's works Christmas party years earlier.
"I would like to thank you all for coming to my son's funeral today. Keith would have been delighted to see you all, he would have been particularly pleased to see his special friends attending and dressed in a way he would have greatly appreciated. He would have been very happy at the amount of stockings on display! Thanks to those that went to the effort."
A small titter spread through the audience with some nodding in agreement. I checked Julia and thought I could see the outline of a suspender clasp through my wife's skirt; she wouldn't normally wear stockings.
Keith's mum went on about how he was loved by so many. A great man as demonstrated by how many of his special friends had turned up today. He was such a free spirit and couldn't be contained by societal rules. I started to feel uneasy, it sounded to me like she was describing his partners or ex-girlfriends. I recognised a few of the other women, some of Julia's ex colleagues and the wife of a good friend of mine. I discreetly started the video on my mobile, placed it in the breast pocket of my suit jacket and stepped back into the shadows.
As Keith's mum continued speaking, a photo of a bracelet appeared on the slide show. The bracelet consisted of silver vines and rose flower charms. There was a quiet murmur of unease in the audience, before the slide moved forward without further comment. I looked and noted his wife and Dianne had the same bracelet on as did many of the other women.
The pall bearers removed the flowers and photograph and his mum placed a little black book on the coffin and made a big deal of saying his secrets would die with him. The coffin disappeared and Keith was cremated along with the little black book.
When the service was over and people began filing from the crematorium, Julia was arm in arm with Dianne and looked horrified when she spotted me.
"My God Bill, why are you here?"
Keith's mother and other mourners looked across at her outburst; I turned and walked away without saying a word.
It took her an hour to reach home, finding me at the kitchen table still working through the potential scenarios that might explain everything I'd seen at the funeral.
"Well?" I asked in hope of an explanation.
"I don't know what you mean; it was a friend's funeral that's all."
"Nice outfit by the way, is it some sort of uniform?"
"It was Keith's mum's idea; she asked the mourners to wear something he would like."
"And he liked heels, skirts and... stockings seemingly."
"The stockings are just a bit of fun, it was an open and long running joke, he admitted loving women in stockings. We all teased him about having sex with any woman no matter how ugly if she was dressed in stockings."
"That's quite a personal and intimate joke! Would your name happen to appear in that little black book as a special friend?"
"Certainly not! "She denied it but I could see how unsettled she was and continued to push questions rapidly.
"What's the bracelet about?"
"It was just a present he gave me when we worked together and I thought it would be nice to wear it."
"Really! Funny how I've never seen it before... some sort of emblem or badge of honour perhaps, you all had them?"
"Nothing like that, just a Christmas thing, it was probably a job lot and he tricked us all into thinking they were expensive."
"It certainly looks expensive enough, you know if you can't be truthful I could go and see his mum, she seemed quite proud of his achievements."
"You can't do that, she is still grieving."
"You are too it seems, I saw some others I recognised, it might be worth meeting up with some of the husbands to compare notes."
"Why on earth would you do that, this is all innocent, I left his company over 20 years ago."
"Yet still you wanted to go to his funeral, he must have meant a lot to you. Did you love him?"
I could see the panic in her eyes now, "What, no, not at all, it's not what you are thinking."
Here's the thing Julia, I don't believe a single word of what you just said, and I don't like being taken for a fool! Have a very careful think through what you want to say to me next.
With that I left to try and clear my head; we didn't speak at all for the rest of the day and I slept in the spare room.
When the silence continued at breakfast, Julia snapped, "I don't appreciate what you are suggesting, you're paranoid. This is all about someone I haven't even seen in 22 years, you should get a grip."
My response was short, "Fine if that's your choice, I guess we'll see."
***
It wasn't hard to find the address, I knocked on her door.
She answered and looked at me, "You're the husband from Keith's funeral, you had better come in."
We sat in the living room, "I am not sure I can tell you much, you should talk to your wife."
"I have and she's denying it all. I have a pretty good idea what is going on and I'm going to assume the worst regardless. Some honesty from you would make it easier, quicker and less painful for everyone involved."
"Still I am not sure there is much I can say, I don't know your wife."
"I presume all the women were his lovers!"
