I've heard that I have a reputation for one of the seven archetypes (Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth). As I'll admit to being easily distracted, so this story stumbles across a few of those.
Winter Holidays Story Contest 2022
Alan Jackson; Mark Irwin: "But here in the real world, it's not that easy at all. 'Cause when hearts get broken, it's real tears that fall."
= = = =
Austin, Tyne's boss, loves to be the center of attention. We were at a Sunday night party in his home. With a little alcohol absorbed he shows his true colors. He's about as homophobic as one can get as well as being a sexist, racist, and thinks his religious beliefs are the only ones that matter. I've never taken a shine to Austin, nor he to me.
His house was decorated for the holidays. Way over the top both inside and out. I can't imagine his neighbors are all that thrilled with the gawkers driving by from dusk to midnight.
There were Christmas trees in every room and Mistletoe hanging from every room passage. I'd already kissed Tyne under a few of them.
Having watched the football game I was waiting in dread for the awarding of the quarterly awards. Tyne believed she'd get one of them, which is why I had my fingers crossed hoping that the night would fly by so we could get home and celebrate naked.
There were several card tables set up to accommodate the throng of guests. With the company elite gathered at Austin's dining room table all of the peons were sitting in the folding chairs. Dinner was buffet style. After dinner dessert and drinks were disappearing quickly.
Austin was being his normal anal-retentive jerk. I was a taken aback when he pointed my way and spouted "Now, Ricky over there, he had to marry outside of the family."
Everyone around the living room got a big kick out of that, even my wife Tyne. What the fuck is this? I was simmering under the surface.
"Yeah, by the time he finished high school, at what, around your twenty third birthday Ricky? Well by then, all of his cousins were married or pregnant."
That had everybody howling with laughter, and very damaging to our marriage, so was Tyne. I remained stoic not even giving him the courtesy of a response positive or negative.
"When he attends family reunions, they think that he's still on the prowl and that Tyne must be his parole officer."
The laughter rocked the house. Not once did Tyne look my way, but her laughter rang out as she hung on his every word.
As the room died down I spoke "Now Austin, I remember you saying something about growing up on a farm. We all know what that means. You lost your virginity out in a field of sheep with your jeans around your ankles."
Tyne shrieked "RICKY!"
"Yes indeed, those counting sheep commercials probably make you want to get up and chase after them!"
"Please stop Ricky" as Tyne tried a different approach.
It was deathly quiet "And your lovely bride, I bet her curly hair reminds you of your favorite farm animals. Does she get you to cum quicker by going 'baaaa, baaaa, baaaa'?"
"RICKY, ENOUGH!" from one terrified Tyne.
"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE ASSHOLE!" as Austin stood up pointing to the door.
I downed my near empty beer bottle, flipped him off, and left alone.
Heading out the front door, I never looked back. My phone was powered off before I reached the car. It took less than an hour to pack up what little I wanted to keep. I left my wedding band and our ripped up wedding certificate on the kitchen table. Although I wasn't interested in keeping them, I took all of the photo albums I could find. They ended up in the dumpster behind the motel where I spent the first night.
I'd survived parties at Austin's home previously but his alcohol fueled belittlement of me Sunday night was the last straw. Although I had no proof, I believed Tyne was having an affair with the man. Her refusal to stand up against him was enough to end our marriage. If her job meant more to her than my respect, then she can have him and her job. Life is too short to waste it with people like that.
+ + + +
The advent of online banking made it easy to open new accounts, in my name only. Time wasn't on my side. I needed to capture my half of the assets before Tyne realized we were through. Fuck it! I took it all. Let her figure out how to get it back from me. This is war. So what if they make me return it.
When I woke up Monday morning I was confused, but quickly realized where and why I was here. I checked out of the motel and arrived at work at my normal time. My phone was still taking a snooze. One of my friends at work did a quick scan of the parking lot for me at the end of the work day. A woman seemed to be waiting for someone. She was parked on the street and appeared to be interested in the cars in our parking lot.
Since my expense reports were due by Friday, I stayed until 9 Pm working on them. There wasn't much I could do about it now if Tyne was still there. She was. As I approached my car, Tyne cut me off before I reached it.
"What brings you out here at this time of day Tyne?"
"Cut the crap Ricky. My credit card was denied and the checking account is empty. And you ruined our wedding certificate. Here, put your wedding ring back on."
"The savings account, don't forget I emptied that one too. Keep the ring."
"You can't stand a little kidding? You poor thin-skinned child."
"Fuck you. Or better yet, go back to fucking Austin! I'm done with you."
"Over what? Because I was laughing at my boss's jokes?"
"If that's what you want to believe, sure, that's it."
"I don't understand what the big deal is."
"And that describes perfectly why I've left you. Now, unless you want to get sprayed with mosquito repellant, get the fuck out of my way."
"You wouldn't!"
She didn't. I did. Tyne retreated towards her car.
"WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" was screamed at me as I pulled up next to her.
"What's wrong with me? I had a wife who chose to laugh AT me, not with me. If I had a wife who loved me, she would have stood up and said 'Fuck you Austin. I quit! How dare you insult my husband like that. Come on Ricky, let's get out of this stink hole.'"
Unlike her normal quick wit, Tyne stared at me without speaking. I drove off.
After booking a week at an extended stay place, I tried a cafe I'd driven by every day, but never stopped at. It was more than good.
+ + + +
On Tuesday, Tyne's approach changed. A note was tucked under my windshield.
'Ricky, I'm sorry. I should have stood up for you in front of my boss. Please come home. I LOVE YOU! Tyne'
Not having my phone powered on wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be. Checking for messages and emails every few minutes had been replaced with listening to the demons in my head. Without a phone powered on it was easy to not contact Tyne. Sure, I could drive home, but that wasn't going to happen.
When I left work on Wednesday, Mr. Asshole himself was waiting for me.
"Ricky, I'd like to apologize. I was just being silly."
I mosquito sprayed him back to his car. Mental note, buy more mosquito spray.
"YOU MISERABLE SHITHEAD! BY THE WAY, I'M FUCKING YOUR WIFE! YOU'RE A CUCKOLD!"
Suspicions confirmed. Too bad I didn't have that recorded. I bet his wife would love to hear that confession.
Thursday brought Tyne back. She was dressed up more than what was appropriate for a weekday work day.
"Ricky, please come home."
"Dressed like that it looks like you were the company whore today."
"Ricky, I dressed like this for you."
"I doubt that. Is Austin sharing you with others now? You do know he bragged about fucking you?"
"If he did he was lying. I've been faithful to you."
"I doubt that too. I don't know you anymore. I don't like you anymore. Add it all up, I don't love you anymore. This was a five year mistake."
"Don't say that Ricky. I have been true to you, and I still love you. Can I show you a video?"
"I guess."
Tyne walked towards me, while playing with her phone. She stopped a foot away and held up her phone. It was taken by someone other than Tyne. The video focused on Tyne.
'Thanks everybody for taking a minute out of your work day. On Sunday night I did something foolish. Something that might cost me my marriage. Many of you were there. So today, I'd like to say FUCK YOU AUSTIN! I QUIT! HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY HUSBAND LIKE THAT.'
The video followed Tyne over to Austin. She flipped him off, spit in his face, and then turned and walked away.
"You'll notice I've changed clothes. I went home after lunch and changed into this. I want you to come home."
"He says he fucked you."
"That's bullshit. He may have wanted to, but I believe in my vows, and you're going to have to decide who to believe."
"Well, a co-worker of mine happened to capture it. Shortly after I sprayed Austin, he turned his camera on. Watch this video?"
The video showed me walking away from Austin, who by then was leaning on his car rubbing his eyes. It clearly picked up Austin telling me I was a cuckold.
"Ricky, it's not true. Burn the bastard. Send it to his wife. I've got her email address. What can I do to prove it to you? Ask anyone for proof. There won't be any. I'll gladly take a polygraph test. When did this supposedly happen? Help me out Ricky. I don't want to lose you over a false accusation. I know I owe you big time for my conduct Sunday night, but there's never been any infidelity on my part."
"As much as I'd like to, I've been wondering why he chose me to belittle. Is that what you two do when you're alone together? Make a mockery of me?"
Tyne was fighting through the tears "I haven't been with him. I don't know why he was picking on you."
Tyne was gasping for air as she cried. Part of me wanted to hug her. I loved her enough to marry her. What if the asswipe just wanted to get back at me for embarrassing him? Those emotions were colliding with the 'What did you expect her to say?' emotions.
"I still need some time away Tyne. I'm paid up for the week at my hotel. Give me some space."
