Please be advised there is no sex in this story. I am most appreciative to Bubba in CA for his help with proofreading and story suggestions as this story looks nothing like the first proof six weeks ago. Bubba's suggestions have really enhanced and made my stories more readable. Strange how a story evolves. Also, my appreciation to FIFOFemale for help with editing. Stories are not written and published in a day or a weekend, even a short story as this has taken weeks to get to the publishing stage. Constructive criticism is welcome, however people who hide under the anonymous label and just say cuck shit, and score 1 get deleted, you're not welcome here. People need to be more positive and thankful for the work authors put into stories, especially the stories they don't agree with. Remember nobody gets paid for submitting.
The following story is a work of fiction and does not depict any actual persons or events. Any likeness to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. All parties engaging in sexual activity are of legal age of 18 and consenting adults. This is for entertainment purposes and is not an avocation for the activities contained herein.
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The Cheater's Gate
© 2017 Freewheel
I was filled with trepidation as I entered the hospital, the same hospital where I had lost my wife Sue several months previously. I dreaded walking the sterile halls as all the memories of my loss came flooding back. To me, this place was a double-edged sword, one side of sadness and grief as opposed to the other side which was happiness and joy. I only knew one side, and that was pain and unhappiness. However, I was brought back to reality as I realized my purpose for being there; to support my neighbors Ted and Deb. Ted had been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident the night before. At one point the doctors thought they had lost him but Ted managed to make it through the night and was now expected to recover, albeit in a wheelchair for the remainder of his lifetime with a very low quality of life. Over the course of the past 30 years Ted had been in so many motorcycle accidents that the standing joke was that he was being held together with screws and nuts.
I found his wife by his bedside although he was still unconscious, "Deb, I'm sorry we're back at this horrid place, there are too many bad memories here. "What are his chances of walking again?"
"None, he is paralyzed from the waist down and there is severe damage to his spinal cord and nervous system. There is no hope of him ever walking or functioning as a man again."
Ted had been out drinking, probably smoking a little weed, and was returning home on icy roads and because he was high he was traveling too fast for the conditions. He entered a curve too fast and didn't come out the other side but went straight into a tree. This morning the doctor had declared Ted would never walk again and would most likely be in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Deb had asked if there was a possibility that with further surgery he would regain use of his legs but the doctor said there had been too much damage to his spinal cord.
"Deb, what can I do?"
"Jim, right at this moment, nothing. You have always been the best neighbor anyone could wish for and you've always been there for us when we needed help but there is really nothing that you can do. Ted needs time, but he will never be the same again."
"Deb, don't forget how you were there for Sue during those last painful months and you have been my crutch since she died as well. If there is anything I can do please don't hesitate to ask."
"Ok, come over tonight and keep me company, I need to discuss something with you."
"Ok, I'll bring a bottle of Merlot to help cheer us up."
My name is Jim Taylor and I'm 55 years old and newly retired. I lost my wife Sue about six months ago to ovarian cancer. I thought her checkups were regular but somehow by the time they discovered the cancer it was too far advanced for treatment so we just tried to make Sue comfortable those last few months. She had been a looker, standing 5'9" and weighing no more than 130 but she had plenty of curves, beautiful breasts that filled a C cup, and legs that went on forever. When Sue wore heels she was my height, 6'1" and I encouraged her to wear heels often because I loved to look in her beautiful green eyes. Did I forget to mention that she was a natural redhead?
Sex with Sue was never boring and she was up for anything as long as it didn't involve someone else. She had a little exhibitionist streak which we both saw as harmless fun that we enjoyed. However, we kept our marriage vows right to the end and never involved others in our love life. She was the love of my life and since she had died I felt a huge void. Life would never be the same.
Sue taught 4
th
grade at our local elementary school and was hired straight after we finished our degrees. So, by the time we discovered her cancer, she had worked 30+ years and was a senior member of the staff. She had a bubbly personality that drew everyone to her and I never knew anyone that didn't immediately like her.
We never had children, not that we didn't try. After trying unsuccessfully for two years, finally, in desperation, we went to our doctor who determined that Sue wasn't able to conceive because of some problem with her ovaries. I never understood exactly what was wrong because our doctor gave a medical term about a mile long and his explanation just muddied the waters even more. We discussed the option of adopting but decided if we couldn't make a baby on our own we would just have a childless marriage. Sue was disappointed and often cried but I just took it in stride. At that point in our marriage I was very busy with work and wasn't sure what kind of parent I would be so silently I was pleased. Now, without Sue the past few months I wish we had a dozen kids. Life on your own is painfully lonely and I yearned for the children we never had. I never understood the concept of loneliness until Sue passed away. Now, that I was retired and without Sue, I have nothing but time and self-pity to fill my life.
Before I retired I worked for the government as an engineer. In the beginning, I had to travel but the last 20 years of my career I was able stay in the office and my traveling was curtailed. After years of being on the road Sue was delighted for me to be at home and I was happy to be there. Because we both had good jobs and no children we were able to pay off our college loans, our mortgage, and all other bills quickly. Then we started investing money while taking nice vacations twice a year. We had planned to retire early and travel extensively in our golden years but those plans were disrupted by her sickness. The money was there, but my motivation to travel was gone.
Our next-door neighbors, Ted and Deb, were our best friends. We socialized and traveled with them at every opportunity. We even installed a gate in our backyard that led to their house. One or the other was always at our house or us at theirs. When one of the four of us was sick we all took turns caring for the ill person. We always used that gate to come and go and never bothering to knock before entering the other's house.
Deb lost both parents in a car crash when she was 18. There was a significant settlement and with insurance, Deb received a substantial amount of money. She married Ted when they both turned 20 and moved in next to us paying cash for the house. Neither had a college degree but Deb had enough money to buy a Harley business which Ted managed and Deb worked there as a secretary/bookkeeper, or salesperson when needed. Motorcycles, especially Harleys, are very popular and Ted and Deb seemed to stay very busy with their business. After many successful years they opened three other Harley dealerships in the Dallas area and all became booming successes.
There is an age difference. Sue and I were 30 when Ted and Deb bought the property next door. They were both 20, so we were 10 years older than them. The age difference never bothered any of us because we all shared many of the same interests.
I waited until 7:00 pm and looked out the window to make sure all the well-wishers had left before going through the back gate to their back door. Usually, we didn't knock but with Ted's terrible accident I wasn't comfortable barging in so I knocked. Deb came to the door immediately. "Jim, why did you knock? We haven't done that in 25 years, come on in."
I handed Deb the bottle of wine and told her "I had been saving it for the right occasion and after Ted's latest accident I think we both need a drink."
Deb turned and looked at me strangely and then, "well I have something to tell you and you might not think so much of your best friend after you hear it although you may want another bottle."
I was dumbfounded as I looked at her because I didn't think any of us had secrets. I opened the bottle and poured us both a glass and looked at Deb waiting for her to continue.
"Jim, you know I think of you as the brother I never had and we've always been straight with each other and able to speak our mind? There is something that I need to you tell you but have been waiting for the right moment. I think that moment has come but this isn't something easy for me to share. Sue had a secret almost five years ago that she shared with me just before she passed and made me promise to tell you. This involves Ted and now with him in the hospital with little possibility of returning home now is the time to share Sue's secret."
"I didn't think any of us had secrets from each other, especially my wife?"
"Do you remember the year Ted has his motorcycle crash and was laid up at home all summer? That would have been five years ago. Do you remember canceling your vacation so Sue could look after Ted?"
"Yes, of course I remember. Sue was off all summer so it was only natural for her to look after Ted. I just rescheduled my vacation and we took a cruise at Christmas."