I started writing and contributing here about a year ago, and I'm still trying to improve. I now realize how important a good editor is for a better reading experience. Thanks to OffRoadDiesel and NoTalentHack for their edits and suggestions.
For all of you that say my stories are too over the top, this is one of my milder contributions.
Wife's Painful Mistake
I found out....in the most unusual way.
It happened at the start of our annual men's fishing weekend. The guys (Scott, Stan, Roger, and myself) go up to the lake for our three-day fishing trip while our wives make it a girls' weekend.
We've known each other for many years and Roger and Mary were our closest friends. Stan Fortunato was Roger's nephew and several years younger than us, but we welcomed him into our circle of friends. Over time, he became one of my best employees.
When Laura and I got married, we were just high school graduates, but I was determined and hardworking. Shortly after graduating, I started a small pool service business, and within two years, it had grown to serve over 100 homes with the help of four employees. The business continued to thrive, and twenty years later, I was managing over 1,500 homes with a team of 30 dedicated employees, including the invaluable Stan, who proved to be a remarkable asset to the company.
Despite lacking a college education or prior experience, Stan's passion, strong work ethic, and fantastic rapport with the team made him an exceptional manager for our Orlando operations. Recognizing his outstanding contributions, I promoted him, offering a substantial increase in pay and the possibility of future ownership in the company. Our professional relationship flourished into a genuine friendship, and we enjoyed working together.
Over the years, I expanded the business from Tampa to Orlando, establishing it as the premier pool service company in central Florida. With the vast majority of homes having pools that required constant care and maintenance, our services were in high demand. Our revenue and profits soared, strengthening the company's position in the market.
As the business grew, the importance of financial management became evident. I relied on Howard, a trusted and experienced family member who was a retired tax accountant with a wealth of knowledge in finance. Under his advice, I leveraged all the equity in my home to expand the business when mortgage rates were extremely low.
My trust in Howard was a testament to his expertise and dedication. He, along with his attorney spouse, played a significant role in our success, providing invaluable advice and recommendations that proved to be instrumental in the company's prosperity.
Howard's wife, Beth, was a corporate attorney and suggested placing the company into a trust to protect the assets from liabilities and any potential lawsuits in the future. I followed her advice and became the sole trustee.
Discovery
Ah, the joys of married life and the pursuit of a dream home! My wife, Laura, and her crew of girlfriends simply adored our new estate home. Picture this: a posh upscale neighborhood with a massive swimming pool, an oversized patio that boasts a charming Tiki Bar, and a grilling area that would make any BBQ enthusiast drool. Oh, and let's not forget about all the luxurious amenities that Laura had insisted on having - she had got a knack for getting what she wanted, and I could never say no to her persuasive charm!
You see, these homes in our fancy neighborhood were appreciating faster than a shooting star. So, naturally, I gave in to Laura's every upgrade whim, knowing full well that when the time came to sell, we'd be rolling in dough. Love has a funny way of making us do things we never thought we would, but hey, it was all for the greater good, right?
Vacation Day
Well, today's the day! Laura and her crew of gal pals have descended upon our fancy abode for a weekend of pure indulgence. As they arrived, I received strict instructions not to disrupt their shenanigans - they were on a mission to have a blast without us husbands around. And boy, did I happily oblige! I was more than ready to escape the clutches of girl talk and gossip for the weekend.
With fishing rods in hand and a heart full of freedom, I dashed out of there faster than a pack of excited puppies. A fishing trip sounded like paradise after slaving away for weeks running my growing company. The thought of reeling in some big catches and sipping a cold one with the boys was pure heaven.
As I left the ladies to their wine-fueled afternoon of giggles and secrets, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to have Laura and her gang of mischief-makers in my life. Sure, they might drive us husbands crazy at times, but deep down, we knew they were the spice that added flavor to our otherwise ordinary days. I couldn't help but smile as I drove over to Roger's house, knowing that the weekend's adventures were just beginning.
We had meticulously planned our trip to the lake, aiming to depart at 6 pm to reach our destination by 9 pm. The three-day excursion promised to be an exciting time, filled with fishing and camaraderie. As we gathered our gear and packed up the car, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten my special fishing lure, which I had been diligently working on in my workshop.
For me, fishing was not just a hobby; it was a passion. I took great pride in crafting my fishing lures and tackle combinations, believing that the right equipment could make all the difference in a successful catch. This particular lure I had been working on for the past week held a special significance to me - it was a labor of love; a custom creation tailored to attract the biggest fish and bring me joy on the water.
Knowing the impact of having the perfect lure, I couldn't fathom going on the trip without it. So, I informed my fellow fishing buddies that I needed to retrieve my prized lure before we embarked on our adventure. They chuckled good-naturally, understanding my dedication to the sport.
I jumped in my car at 5 PM and drove the seven minutes back to my house, parked behind all the woman's cars and walked to the side door, and quietly made my way down to the workshop, not wanting to disturb the girls or get yelled at for coming home early.
Trying to remain quiet I made my way over to the bench and noticed that I could hear the woman chatting. I remember laughing when I realized they were already drunk as they were giggling and having fun. They were sitting in the shade next to the Tiki Hut, which was at the side of my house. The workbench was just below the outside window and was close enough to hear their conversation.
Now, I am not an eavesdropper and couldn't give a crap about their conversion, but when I heard my wife talking about me in bed, my attention perked up. I don't know why, but I thought that I should record this part of the conversation and tease her with it when I got back, so I turned on the recording application on my iPhone. The next few minutes ruined my fishing trip and turned my world upside down.