Again thanks to 'Techsan' for the editing of this story.
If you haven't read Chapter 1, please do so.
*
"Charly, I would never make you give up your writing. You're too talented and I know you will become a famous author some day. You can continue to write if you refuse the feedback. You see, I checked out everywhere you post. You can check the boxes that say 'No e-mail accepted' and just receive comments. You would also have to change your e-mail address."
"You know, the reason I came home early was I have to go to New York on business for two or three weeks. I was going to ask you to go with me but I've changed my mind. I think we need this time apart so you can think of what you want to do. I can't go on like this. I'm all torn up inside. I have always believed you but now I'm not sure. I only went through one day of your e-mails. I couldn't take anymore. For all I know you could have been doing this for months or even years."
"Please don't leave me, Gary. I need you, I love you. Please believe me. I have not had any affairs since I met you years ago. I'm so sorry if I hurt you," replied Charly.
"I'm going away on business, Charly. Please take this time to make your choices in life. Decide what is most important to you. I will be back and then we'll decide where we go from there. But Charly, you can be sure of one thing. If you cheat on me or I find out you have, our marriage is over. Whatever you do, Charly, never lie to me. I need to trust you if we are to make it together. You must understand that I truly love you but the hurt and the jealousy are just too much for me to bare."
"Gary, I have not cheated on you, with God as my witness. I haven't lied to you either. I should have told you about the e-mails but didn't want to upset you. That was a mistake, not a lie. I love you and will prove it to you when you return."
I told her I was going to leave that evening. I was suppose to wait till the next day but I had to get away. I had to try to think this out and I know Charly was going to have to make her choices too.
I packed my bags for the trip, kissed Charly goodbye, and headed out the door. We both had tears in our eyes. As I was pulling out I heard Charly in the background saying, "Gary, I do love you."
I checked into my motel and after settling in I gave Charly a call. I wanted her to know I arrived safely and gave her a number she could reach me at it I had my cell off. Just her saying hello brought a tear to my eyes. I said, "Hi, honey, just wanted you to know I arrived safely."
"Gary, hi, honey. I miss you already and it's only been about eight hours," she said.
I responded, "I miss you also, but we need this time apart so you can figure out your priorities. I know you love me. But is that love strong enough to want only me? I'll try and call regularly. I will be working ten to twelve hours a day. But if you need me please call. You're the number one priority in my life. I'd give up anything for you if necessary. I just hope you feel the same."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Please take care of yourself and please call me," she replied.
After I hung up I went out to get some dinner. It was kind of funny. Here I was an older guy in a nice restaurant by myself. I don't know if I was hit on or just flirted with. I do know I could have had some nookie without any problems. If they were prostitutes it would surprise me. These were some damn good looking women. The one thing I knew is that there was no way I was going to cheat on Charly. No one night stand would be worth losing her over. If we didn't make it, it wasn't going to be my fault. I was going to give it all I had.
The days were busy for me. That was good. I didn't want to think of Charly all day long. I had a job to do, that's why I was sent there. I worked with a number of good people setting up a new project. We were ahead of schedule which was good. I might be able to get home earlier. I never mentioned it to Charly because I didn't want to get her hopes up or put any pressure on her decision making.
I went out to lunch and dinner with a number of different employees both male and female. It seemed the attitudes of some of the younger people seemed less conservative. They talked a lot about their sexual prowess. Two different woman offered to keep me company if I wanted any. They were both married. God, they were from Charly's generation. I sure hope she didn't think like they did. It was pretty much do what you have to do to get ahead. You have to understand how they put it to keep from getting in trouble. "Would you like me to come and keep you company for awhile this evening?" was how they put it.
I would always say, "No, thank you. I'll be fine."
If I didn't love Charly so much it would have been awfully easy to have a bed partner for the night. I was just hoping Charly felt the same as I did. I never really felt good about our age difference. Two many good looking young studs out there and I honestly can say that I haven't a clue how women think.
I called Charly pretty regularly and we talked about general things. She told me about some of her new stories. I never asked her about feedback or comments. I would find out soon enough when I got back. I knew if she chose the readers or had continued to reply to the perverted mail that our marriage would be over. This wasn't a game, this was our life, our future. I sure hope she realized that.
After the first week I decided not to call one evening. I wanted to see if Charly would call me. She didn't. I decided to wait another day and that evening my cell phone rang. It was Charly, "Gary, are you okay, you had me worried to death. You didn't call me last night."
"Yes, honey, I'm fine. I feel asleep early last night and when I woke up it was too late to call. I didn't want to disturb you. How are you doing?" I asked Charly.
"I doing fine but I don't like being away from you. It was a bad idea not taking me with you. I miss you so much," she replied.
