Just Once... - an Ending

The original story was written by Kalimaxos. He invited other writers to add their own ending.

His original story is found

Here

:

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When I finish reading it, I noticed Leslie was at the kitchen island filling her glass again.

"Are you OK?" she asked.

"I will be," I replied.

She nodded and came back with the bottle and her filled glass. Sitting next to me this time, she refilled my glass and turned to look at me with those doe-like eyes.

"So, Rick? What do we do?"

I looked at her and said, "Thank you for delivering Marcy's letter. I hate what she wrote, but I do appreciate you giving me the letter. As to what we do, we do nothing. I appreciate your offer, but this isn't who I am. I won't deny that I'm attracted to you, but I won't be one of your lovers. I spent a great time in the Army and overseas, but I was faithful to my wife with one very regrettable slip. I won't give Marcy a free pass on what she has done and is continuing to do."

With that, I stood up, picked up my glass of wine and walked into the kitchen, dumping the wine in the sink.

Leslie just stared at me, not moving from her seat. I honestly don't think she expected my response. I think she was so used to having men at her beck and call, especially when she was offering sex, my response left her stunned and confused.

When she continued to just sit there, I picked up her bottle of wine, replaced the cork and held it out to her.

"Leslie, once again, thank you for delivering Marcy's letter and for your offer."

She finally understood what I was saying and what my actions meant. She got up and came toward me, trying her best to be alluring, but I had no desire to continue this conversation with her. She started to speak, but I cut her off before she even said a word.

"I am devastated by Marcy's actions. I ask that you leave so I can process what this means to me."

With that, I guided her out the door as I handed her the remainder of the bottle of wine she bought. She turned once she was outside the door and started to speak again, but I slowly closed the door. I honestly wasn't trying to be rude, but I had things to do.

Having spent almost 30 years in the Army, especially my last years in Intelligence, I had a great many contacts and resources available to me. I also realized the mistakes I had made with Marcy.

First and foremost, I should have had a serious discussion with her concerning her actions while I was in Korea. Although she claimed to have been faithful to me, I had never had a discussion with her concerning her showing up ninety minutes to two hours early for her shifts. I should have cleared the air. Not knowing certainly affected me greater than I realized.

Second, I should have been honest about my slip in Iraq. I guess I was too ashamed of my actions and just couldn't be honest with her about it. I should have confessed to her as soon as I returned. Add to it that I now found out that bitch, Diedre, had already said something to Marcy, giving her an excuse to start her affair with Trey. Marcy had asked me directly about it four months ago and I continued the lie. As she wrote in her letter, Marcy was sure I lied to her about it.

Third, I knew something was going on with her and Trey, but I didn't force the issue. This was mostly due to her questioning me about Diedre and the shame I felt about my actions. She was able to shut me down by using my failure to be honest with her.

I picked up her letter and re-read it. My first impression was it was self-serving and full of her justifications and rationalizations for cheating. Reading it again didn't change my perception, but it did make me realize that the woman I loved, the woman I raised our children with, and the woman I thought I would grow old with was gone. She had been replaced by someone I didn't like and someone I no longer was in love with. I still loved her because of my kids, so I didn't want to see her hurt, but I knew in my heart we were done. There was no way I would forgive or ever trust her again.

I also realized the woman who wrote this letter was delusional. After 24 years, didn't she know me? How could she possibly think I could accept her actions? However, it was her sense of entitlement that was most striking to me. She actually believed she deserved to do what she was doing. Her statement, "But I am done being the dutiful wife waiting at home and being chaste for her war hero" was total and utter bullshit. How can she claim I am the "love of her life", then write, "But I can't see us being married and not doing this." What a contradiction!

While her entire letter was infuriating, one statement really bothered me - "playing soldier" - what the fuck!

Marcy knew who I was and what I did when we married. It wasn't a secret. It was a tough life, but we did it together. Did she think I liked being separated from my family? Did she think I liked being on field and training operations or actually being in combat? I guess she forgot I gave up flying helicopters for her sake. How about passing up the opportunity to become a general because I understood the stress it would place on our marriage?

How could she think carrying on this affair is going to be something we could get past? How was giving me someone else to fuck going to move us forward and make it even somehow?

Fuck that!

Add in her seemingly avoiding the opportunity for some pre-trip-parting sex (I guess she wanted to be fresh for Dr. Trey), her silent and sneaky exit to the airport and then her total silence until I forced the issue, and I knew this woman didn't really love me as she professed. She was so hell bent on having her way, having her "vacation from "us"", that she didn't really give a fuck about me or my feelings. Further, she didn't respect me. If she did, she certainly wouldn't have done all she had done. I thought what we had was priceless. I guess not. She wants a "vacation from "us"", then she will have one for the rest of her life.

It was time to act and move forward without her.

Once again, I have a ton of contacts, so it's time to put them to good use.

The next morning, I went for a run, had a good workout, ate a good breakfast, and then called my office telling them I was taking a few days off.

Having seen a number of marriages implode while in the Army, I had a good idea what to expect and what I needed to do to end this sham of a marriage. My next step was to contact an old Army buddy, Jackson Steele, who had been in the JAG Corps but had retired to private practice. I told him what happened, what was currently happening and what I wanted. He put me in contact with a woman he called the best divorce attorney he knew. I called her office and made an appointment for the next day. I told her secretary what the appointment was for, so she emailed me a list of documents she wanted me to bring to the appointment.

I went online and paid off the joint credit cards we had and then cancelled them. Marcy had a card in her own name, so I knew I wouldn't be causing her a hardship.

Next, was our investment accounts. Both Marcy and I had our own 401(k) accounts, but we did have a joint account. I looked to see about splitting it, but I needed to talk to our investment advisor to make it happen. When I called him, he told me he couldn't do anything without Marcy's signature. I would talk to the lawyer about it.

I then went to the bank and withdrew half the money from our savings and the checking accounts, having my name removed from them. I also removed any documents and items from our safety deposit box. I then went to another bank and opened accounts in my name only. I also got my own safety deposit box.

After I left my new bank, I went to the Human Resources office at my employer's office. I was a consultant, but I did work for a private company that had extensive contacts and contracts with the Federal Government, mostly with the "Alphabet Agencies". There I changed my children to be my beneficiaries for my life insurance policy and 401(k). I wanted to ensure that if something happened to me before the divorce was final, that Marcy wouldn't benefit in anyway.

My next step was to call Jackson back. I told him to change my will, leaving everything to the kids. I also designated him as the Executor of my estate.

I was surprised that I was able to accomplish everything that I did in one day. However, instead of resting, I went home and starting packing. There were things I had in the house that were mine and I wanted. I was surprised at how many things no longer held any value for me. I guess it was because many of the memories attached to these items were tainted by Marcy's actions. I would leave them for her. If she didn't want them, she could get rid of them.

The next day I met with Lisa Davis, the lawyer that Jackson had recommended. She was a pleasant woman, but someone I was happy she was my advocate. I had the feeling she could be ruthless if she needed to be. I handed her all the documents I had been requested to bring and I also gave her a copy of Marcy's letter. She went through everything, verifying them, doing a worksheet, and asking me questions concerning what I wanted to be done with our community property.

I told her that I wanted the house sold and we would split the equity. If Marcy wanted it, she could buy out my part. I also wanted our joint investment account split. I told Lisa that Marcy could keep her 401(k) and I would keep mine, but since she had a great deal more in her account than I did (I hadn't been a civilian that long, so my total contributions were much smaller), I offered that we offset the amount of my retired military pay Marcy would receive. In short, I did everything I could to be a fair and equitable as possible. I hated what Marcy had done to us, but I didn't hate her. I also figured that being fair would move along the divorce that much faster. Lisa also asked me if I wanted to take any action against the hospital or Trey. I told her I wasn't interested in pursuing any legal action against anyone.

Over the next several weeks, I got myself an apartment and finished packing up everything that I wanted from the house. In the end, there really wasn't much. I wasn't taking any furniture, utensils or much of anything other than my personal clothes and momentos from my Army career. Lisa hired a company to document everything in the house and appraise their value. Once again, I wanted a fair settlement.

I also spoke to my boss about taking more assignments out of town and overseas. With my daughter in the Navy and my son at college, I had nothing holding me here any longer.

With four weeks before Marcy returned, I had everything prepared. The divorce paperwork only needed to be served on her and for her to sign it. Everything I wanted was packed, staged in the garage and ready to be moved to my new apartment. I had it furnished, stocked with food and any utensils I needed, and I had taken most of my clothes to it.

I doubt my neighbors had any clue what was going on. I continued do all my normal activities to ensure everything looked normal. No need to let anyone know what I was planning until I thought it was time.

I did see Vince and Leslie on several occasions. I was polite, but I made it a point to keep my interaction with them very brief. At one point, Vince came over to speak with me, but I begged off, telling him I was on my way out and I didn't have time to talk. Later that night, I received a call from Leslie, but I let it go to voicemail and deleted it without listening to it. Nothing they had to say was important.

The following week I received a surprise call. I realized it was Marcy calling because it was from an overseas phone number. We both had international plans on our cell phones, so I was surprised she wasn't calling or texting me using it. She left me a brief message asking me to call her. She said the cell coverage was poor, but she needed to speak to me. She didn't say what she needed or what the call was about, only that she needed to speak to me. I didn't call her back. I had nothing to say to her and she had nothing to say that I wanted to hear.

Three days later, I received another call. This time she said she was very worried about me and that she needed to speak to me. I'm not sure what was going on, but I ignored her and didn't call back. She wanted a "vacation from "us"" and I was giving it to her. Later that night, Vince and Leslie came to the house. In this case, I didn't bother to answer the door.

The next day, I waited until I figured most of the neighbors had left for work and had a small moving company come to the house to get the boxes I had staged in the garage. It took me and two guys about 20 minutes to move everything out of the garage and into their truck. I had the rest of my toiletries and clothes in my car. With that, I was moved out of the house.

During the next week, I was out of town for my job. I guess my absence from the house was noticed. I received a call from Leslie, but I just told her I was out of town. I let her know I didn't have time to talk, so we didn't discuss anything further.

During this whole time, I had maintained contact with my children, my parents, and my in-laws. They checked on me, knowing Marcy was out of the country and just making sure I was okay. I ensured everyone knew I was fine.

I did receive one more call from Marcy, but I ignored it. I didn't even bother to listen to the voicemail she left.

I realize that much of what I have written makes it seem that I was handling much of this in a very clinical manner, but I truly devastated by Marcy actions. In truth, I was absolutely crushed by her attitude. The shock and anger I felt after our phone conversation when I discovered her affair, then reading her letter and reflecting on her behavior had turned into a deep sadness. I realized that she had changed so greatly that I didn't recognize her. Further, her cavalier attitude toward me and my feelings proved to me that she felt that she deserved what she was doing, regardless of how it affected anyone else.

During my time in Intelligence, I worked closely with special operators. I provided the intel they used and needed to do their job. I had contacts and had made friends with several very scary and intimidating men. These men did whatever it took to accomplish the mission. In short, they were as deadly as any human being on earth.

During one of my tours in Iraq, one of the teams did something wrong, criminally wrong, and several members could have faced a court-martial with some jail time. It centered around the rules of engagement and some civilians had been injured. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt, but had the media found out about it, the Army would have been forced to act. I found out about it and made it go away. I didn't really have to cover it up, I just used my position and contacts in the Iraqi government to pay off the family involved. I then ensured the official report reflected no wrongdoing or mistakes by our guys. I placed the blame on the insurgents. Needless to say, I had some friends for life. One of them, he will remain unnamed, let me know that he was available to me at any time.

Due to the nature of my work, I continued to have semi-regular contact with several special operators, a couple of them were from this team. My unnamed friend gave me a number to call if I ever needed his assistance.

A week before Marcy was set to return, I made a call using a trac-phone. I called the number and hung up without leaving a message. A few minutes later, I received a return call. I had a brief discussion with the individual and hung up.

Later that day, I met this unnamed team member in a small biker bar about 50 miles outside of my hometown. I gave him a name, a photo, and an address. I told him what I wanted done. My parting words to him were: "Hospital, not morgue."

On the day Marcy was returning, I sent out an email to all my family and a select number of friends. In it, I confessed to my one slip in Iraq, and I took responsibility for my failings. I also included a copy of Marcy's letter. I wasn't going scorched earth, but I did let everyone know I had filed for divorce and the reasons behind it.

Prior to sending out the email to everyone, I sent it to my children first. I then made a conference call to them and explained everything that was happening. I hated to blindside them, but I felt they deserved to know the full story. They were both heartbroken over the divorce and Marcy's actions. Rhonda was especially angry at her mother.

"I can't believe Mom has turned into a fucking slut!" my daughter screamed into the phone.

She then quickly added. "What the fuck is she thinking? She was my role model and now she shows herself to be nothing but a fucking tramp!"

I started to respond to her, but I realized she was just venting, and I let it pass. Instead, I told them both, "I love you and I understand how this affects both of you, but we will get through this. I honestly don't understand what your mother is doing, but there is nothing more I can say or do. I no longer trust her, and I won't accept what she done. She has shown herself to be an incredibly selfish person who really doesn't care about what anyone else thinks or feels. Because of her attitude and actions, I am leaving her to live the life she has chosen."

I continued, "Kyle, what do you think?"

"I think Mom's lost her mind. I can't think of any other reason that she is doing this." He answered.

There really wasn't anymore to say, so we said our goodbyes and hung up.

My next calls were to my parents and my in-laws. Both sets of parents couldn't believe it, especially Marcy's parents. I could only point to Marcy's letter as to proof of her attitude and actions. Of course, both sets of parents wondered if I could get past it and go through counseling. I told them it wasn't going to happen. I felt bad for Marcy's parents. They were good people, and I could tell they were deeply hurt by her actions.

I did these calls from the airport and shortly after this last call, I boarded a plane and left on an overseas assignment. I was scheduled to be out of the country for the next two months. Marcy wouldn't be seeing me at the hotel tomorrow or any other day as she had hoped.

The next day, the surgical group returned to the airport. I don't think some of them expected the reception they received.

Josh was there to meet Penny and immediately went off on her, demanding to know who she had been sleeping with. Damn right I called him and told him. He had a right to know he was married to a slut.

Some of the other members, both husbands and wives, got similar treatment. Josh made it a point to call and tell all of them what he knew and did his best to try to figure out who Penny had been sleeping with. From the live feed I was watching, it was quite a shit show (I arranged to have someone there to film it for me and live stream it).

Dr. Trey did his best to avoid it all, but it seems his girlfriend took great exception to Marcy sleeping with him during their trip. She slapped both of them and had to be physically restrained from doing anything more.

Additionally, there were several members of the staff of the hospital and a couple of representatives from Doctors without Borders there to find out what had happened on their trip. Although I didn't go scorched earth, Josh certainly did everything he could to damage the reputation of the hospital and Doctors without Borders. His threatened lawsuits certainly got their attention.

It took about 10 minutes for things to settle down. This was more due to the Police arriving and separating many of the waiting families from the returning team.