When I first discovered this site I sampled as many authors as I could. One of the most memorable stories I ever read was "Scenes From A Marriage" by Ohio. No sex, no violence, just pain from a marriage crumbling into ruin due to a cheating wife. Read it if you haven't already.
This is my version of the discovery of an affair, and the aftermath, including the 'revenge'
of the wronged husband.
This is for you, Ohio.
.............................................
She was home by 9:30.
She was always home by that time on Thursday, sometimes a little earlier. Couldn't be too careful.
It was always 10:15 on the dot when he came home from his lodge meeting. You could set a clock by it. Her father got him into it, he only went along with it to please them both. But, after he joined, he found he enjoyed the civic service aspect. He was so good at organizing fundraisers and social events that he was nominated and elected to the board of governors. As chairman of the Scholarship Committee, he worked long and hard to raise support and garner money for the project. Thanks to his efforts they were able to fund two community college scholarships a year for deserving young people.
She made sure she was clean and presentable when he got home. Sometimes she would be in bed, but often she would wait up and they would talk about the day, how the scholarship fund was progressing, the mundane things people who were married chatted about before bed. Sometimes they made love, but usually just snuggled until they slept.
The first glimmer things could be wrong came when she pulled into the driveway. She couldn't get into the garage, his car was parked at an angle blocking both doors. A feeling of unease gripped her as she got out. He had talked to her just moments before and she had told him she was at home.
Damn, she loved this house. A firm believer in apartment living, she had let him talk her into this place when the lease was up for renewal.
It was a fairly new three bedroom house, on a small lot. The selling point was the porch, wrapping completely around the house. There was a swing under the ceiling fans up front. They would often sit under them, swinging slightly, enjoying the warm summer nights.
She was sharp enough to know what he was up to. This was a family house. In her mind she could even see the swing set and kiddie pool in the enclosed backyard.
One of the happiest moments in her life up to then happened last month, while they were putting in a new flower bed. She threw a little potting soil at him to get his attention.
"Hey you."
"Hey yourself. Did I miss a spot?"
"No. I just needed to tell you I'm ready."
"No you're not. We haven't put the fertilizer or lime down yet. We have to mix it in before we plant."
"Not that ready. Ready to have a baby ready."
It's a good thing flower beds are soft, she thought, as he dove on her and pressed her down.
The lovemaking afterwards was slow, gentle, more in line with swapping souls instead of bodily fluids. She had never felt so loved. Most surprising were the tears he shed. He was always so calm, so in control.
She stepped on the porch, heading for the front door, trying to be as quiet as possible.
"Hi, Les."
She jumped. He was sitting in the swing. The porch light wasn't on and she hadn't noticed him.
"Jesus, Kenny. You scared me. Come on, let's go inside."
"No, come sit by me for awhile. Let's enjoy the breeze for a few minutes."
He patted the space beside him on the swing.
"Where were you? You said you were here, but you weren't when I got home."
She shifted uncomfortably on the swing.
"Oh, I wasn't sleepy. I remembered I was almost out of gas and didn't want to try to get it in the morning, so I ran down to the corner market."
The car only had a quarter tank, she hoped he didn't check it.
He reached out and held her hand.
