"The police brought me back just after two this morning, but I didn't want to wake you."
That got my attention. I rolled my hand for her to continue.
With a deep sigh, she dropped her shoulders. "I don't know what came over me last night, Jim. Best I can think is some kind of groupie madness. I am so sorry, honey. I'm totally ashamed--I hurt you, humiliated you and abandoned you in the most cowardly way possible. I didn't see it at the time, all I saw were stars in my eyes. After being passed over in school every time, the hunk of the moment picked me. Me, the plain Jane, Miss Average. It went to my head quicker than a flash. I'm so sorry, honey, in less than a second I became a cruel, cowardly bitch. When he suggested I leave with him, the froth of narcissism must have flooded my brain. I am so sorry. Words can never do my remorse justice."
"Didn't stop you from fucking the arrogant sonofabitch," I grumbled.
"It didn't stop me from going with him, and yes, I am ashamed to admit, dream of him having his way with me, but no, I did not let him fuck me."
"Yeah, like I'm believing that."
Linda shrugged. "When we got inside his mansion, and he gloated about what he was going to do to me, something snapped in me. I turned around, told him I'd made a mistake, I'm happily married, take me home. He laughed, said I'd wanted him to finish what we started on the dance floor, and that's what he was going to do.
"When I opened the front door, he got mad and came after me, so I sprayed his eyes with the mace you make me carry. Then I got out, into the icy cold."
I wanted to believe her, but how do you believe someone who walked out on you in cold blood?
She continued. "Opening the gate turned on bright lights and a burglar alarm. That summoned the cops, who brought me home. Call them, go on. You'll see. I had them first take me to Mercy General to run a rape kit. Look, you can see he never got inside me." She pointed to a few sheets of paper on the counter.
Hmm.
"Honey, again, I'm so sorry for what I did, but that will never happen again. I was complacent and dropped my guard, and I promise you that will never, ever happen again. Can you please forgive me? I never want to lose you."
Call me a sucker, wimp or whatever, but I took a chance.
--
Guess what? It paid off. Tommy, our youngest, just graduated high school yesterday. We're empty nesters now. Happy empty nesters.