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.
Apparently, I just walked into the middle of a steamy gossip session. The ladies were certainly not holding back, and I couldn't help but chuckle at their candidness. It seemed like they were discussing the not-so-private details of their love lives, and things were getting spicy!
Laura, with her mischievous laugh, didn't shy away from dishing out the details about her relationship with her husband, me. I heard her tell the girls how great I was with my tongue and that I never failed to bring her off and satisfy her after all these years. I couldn't help but think, "You go, Laura! Brag about your stud hubby!"
She continued, "But it's true what they say: after years of marriage, things might not be as wild as they once were. But, hey, it happens to the best of us."
But then, out of nowhere, one of the girls dropped the million-dollar question: "Is that why you did it with Stan?" My ears perked up as I leaned in, curious to see how Laura would respond to that bombshell. The girls were in full detective mode, trying to piece together the puzzle of Laura's recent escapades.
If Laura's candidness was anything to go by, I had a feeling this conversation was about to take an interesting turn. I could feel the suspense, and a dash of intrigue hung in the air as the girls waited for Laura's response.
FUCK! My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Did I hear it right? Did Laura just say she did something with Stan, OUR Stan? Panic and disbelief washed over me like a tidal wave, and I leaned further in, desperate to catch every single word.
My mind raced, trying to process this shocking revelation. Stan, who I trusted and considered a friend, had been involved in something with my wife. It felt like the ground beneath me was crumbling, and I struggled to keep my emotions in check.
Every word they uttered felt like a dagger to my heart. The giggles and laughter that once brought joy now sounded like a cruel symphony of betrayal. My hands trembled as I clutched the phone, my heart pounding in my chest, and tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
As I continued to eavesdrop on this gut-wrenching conversation, I felt like a helpless bystander in my own life. The shock and hurt were almost too much to bear, and I desperately wished I could rewind time and erase those words from existence.
At that moment, the truth hit me like a ton of bricks - the trust I had placed in both Laura and Stan had been shattered into a million pieces. I felt lost, betrayed, and utterly broken. The pain was unbearable, and I was lost and devastated all at once.
As I listened to the conversation unfolding, I realized that my life would never be the same again. The innocence and happiness that once filled our home would now be replaced with heartache and despair.
"No, Bob and I have a good sex life and he's always satisfied me in that way. I love him and would never intentionally have started anything with Stan. It kind of just happened."