Just a little tale of misunderstanding and trust...I'm afraid you'll find very little sex in this one.
muirmadra
*****
Lindsey and Rob and...
God, he was such an asshole at times! I stood in the door frame of our den watching as he slaved over another project from his work. He's been burning the candle at both ends for months now resulting in a severely unhappy side-effect, a very lonely and very angry young wife.
Rob, short for Robert, is a gifted architect for a high end design and development company, Myerson and Gafferty Development. He started working for them two years ago and has been taking on project after project after project. At first, I understood the necessity to impress the boss's. Rob and I discussed his future with the company and we both agreed he would have to put in some long hours and hard work to better his position with the firm. Rob figured it would probably take him a couple of years to achieve his goals and maybe be able to back off and spend quality time with his wife, me...Lindsey. And, so far, it seemed to be paying off.
Rob has already made a name for himself, not only in the company, but in the architectural and design field as well. Unknown to both of us, other like-businesses have submitted bids for architectural design work to Myerson and Gafferty asking specifically for Robert Dolan. Myerson and Gafferty were only too happy in accepting the bids and assigning the work to Rob but they failed to tell him it was for another firm. Some of these firms had made offers directly to Rob but, out of loyalty to Myerson and Gafferty, he turned them down. I wasn't so sure about his refusals.
Now, I was sure. For the past three months, Rob has virtually put me on the back-burner and I was pissed. I knew it would be hard but I didn't expect to be ignored completely.
Looking at him bent over the designs, I said, "Rob, why don't you put that to rest for now and come to bed?"
Without turning, he replied, "Can't Lin...I need to get these designs corrected by morning. Myerson's expecting them by tomorrow."
"How much longer before you go to bed?"
"Um...don't know. Guess until it's done."
"God damn it, Rob...how long?" I didn't mean to shout but his ambiguity struck a nerve.
This time he did turn. "What?"
"You heard me! How long before you finish with that and come to bed, the bed you're supposed to share with your wife. You know, the woman you married."
His face was priceless. You'd think I'd killed his favorite dog or something.
"Lindsey, what's going on?"
"No! No, Rob...it's not what's going on. It's what is not going on! We're not going on, that's what! When was the last time you held me, kissed me? For that matter, when was the last time we made love? Come on Rob, when was the last time you fucked me?"
Shocked, he whispered, "Fucked you? Lindsey, what the hell is wrong with you? You knew from the beginning this was going to be hard for us. Now, that we're almost there, now you want me to just drop everything, forget all that I've done for us? I admit, the last couple of months have been the worst but I promise you, it's almost over. Please honey, don't do this."
I should have listened to him, sweet Jesus I wish I had listened to him...but I was on a roll now, all the bitterness, the anger and the loneliness swelled beyond my control creating the St. Helens of resentment.
"Bull shit, Rob. You've been dangling that carrot way too long. I'm giving you a choice, me or those fucking sheets of paper on your desk!"
I could see the emotions playing across his face. Confusion and hurt mixed with surprise and anger finally settling into frustration. "Lindsey, you're right...I...I haven't given you the time you deserve but please understand, this needs to be completed by morning. It's extremely important to me, to us," he implored but his pleading fell on deaf ears.
"Fine," I angrily replied and spun around stomping toward the bedroom. Even I winced when the door slammed shut but, by then, my eyes had watered up and I burst into tears. I locked the door and fell upon the bed, sobbing.
Moments later, a light knocking came at the door. "Lin, can I come in...please?"
His voice sounded so pitiful, so upset but I didn't answer.
He knocked again and said, "Please Lin, let me in."
Again, I refused to answer, the bitterness controlling my judgment. After a few seconds, I heard him walk away. I wiped my eyes and wondered why I wouldn't let him in. Was I that angry? He probably went back to his work anyway.
The tears eventually dried up but that didn't keep me from being despondent. I was angry, bitter and lonely...and horny. And, my loving husband acted as if he didn't have a fucking clue...or...didn't care. Well, he's going to care and he won't be happy! I reached for the phone.
"Hello?"
I heard Suzie's voice wondering who would be calling at this time of the evening.
"Hey, Suzie girl, what are you doing?"
"Lindsey? What's up? You know what time it is?"
"Yeah, hey...what are doing tomorrow night?"
"Uh...nothing planned, why?"
"Oh, just thought maybe we could hit the Boogie and have some fun, just cut loose."
"Lin, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Rob's been working on a project for awhile and I just need to get out."
"Did you guys have a fight or something?"
"Kinda...what do you say?"
"Okay, girlfriend. You want me to come get you?"
"Yeah, that'd be perfect."
"This alright with Rob?"
"Hell with Rob, he doesn't care one way or the other. This is for me!"
"Alright! What time?"
"Oh...around six thirtyish, seven?
"See ya then," said Suzie."
I hung up the phone and frowned. Was I doing the right thing taking off with Suzie? I knew Rob didn't trust my friend. Suzie was single and a little bit wild and loose with men.
He never let me forget about the last time he and I met Suzie at the Boogie, a fast nightclub downtown. Suzie had really let her hair down that night. Rob nearly exploded when she brought two strange men to the table asking me if I would dance with her guy's best friend. Suzie giggled and stared at Rob when she asked me. Without thinking, I stood up and was about to head out onto the dance floor when I glanced at my husband and froze. The look on Rob's face told me immediately I'd better think twice about dancing with that guy. We had only been married a year when that little near mistake happened.
Afterwards, Rob had threatened to leave me if I wanted Suzie's lifestyle. Either Suzie or him, he said. I realized how close I came that night. I loved Rob, he was my life. That was the last time I saw Suzie other than a rare visit at our home. I understood only too well, Suzie's influence over me.
And, now...here I was, ready to go out drinking and dancing tomorrow night with the very woman Rob hated. I remembered him bent over the desk glossing over those god damn blueprints. Well, fuck him and his blueprints, I fumed. It was time I became more than just a household item.
What I didn't realize was Rob had heard the entire conversation. He had picked up the phone to make a call at the same time Suzie answered.
***********
Rob stared at the phone, disbelief and hurt across his face. Rob might be a successful architect but he wasn't wimp, not by far he wasn't. Rob sat there looking at the phone, fury in his eyes. He knew exactly what Lin was going to do. God damn that woman, he mentally screamed. Everything she has, all the perks she enjoys comes from all this fucking work I've chained myself to, he thought. All the hard work I've done for the company resulted with a nice home, expensive car and clothes and other advantages she has to take pleasure in.
And now, just because I've had to sacrifice the past month or two on this god forsaken project, she feels slighted. Lindsey, he mused, it's time to see just how much rope you're willing to use to hang yourself. Rob set the phone on the cradle and closed his eyes, "damn it Lindsey," he sighed. Well, I have little time to prepare.
***********
The next morning, I awoke feeling better after my little tirade with Rob last night. When I went downstairs into the kitchen, I was surprised to find myself alone in the house. Coffee was ready but there was no Rob.
"Shit," I said, "I forgot I locked him out of the bedroom last night."
I checked the den and, yep, he and all his designs and blueprints were gone. He must have gone into work early, I thought. I felt somewhat bad for last night. He has been working hard but, damn it, I need some of his time also.
After a cup of coffee and breakfast, the phone rang and I was pleasantly startled to hear my friend, Suzie, ask me if it was still a go for tonight. Tonight? Oh my god, I so forgot about tonight.
"Uh...listen Suzie, maybe this isn't such a good idea," I whined. Suzie quickly said, "Come on Lin, you need this...you need to get out and have some fun. Shit, girl, it's been years since we partied!"
"I don't know, Rob is..."