To make sense of this I recommend you read all the previous chapters of this series if you have not done so already. To start at the beginning, look for a revised collection of Chapters 1, 2 and 3 consolidated into one submission.
As usual, this is a work of fiction and all events, places and people are products of my imagination.
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Jim noticed something strange about Gee as she walked to the car. She walked with less than her usual rigid upright stance and her limp was more noticeable than usual. Also, she was surprisingly quiet. After seeing the grandchildren, she normally bubbled over with little stories about their progress or naughtiness.
As they drove back home, Jim found he was having to also drive the conversation.
"So, how are Mary Ann and Tobin?"
"They seem to be doing fine." Jim noticed it was a straight answer but there was no elaboration.
"The kids?"
"Also, fine."
"Only fine?"
"Daisy is a little rascal. Sweet and caring though. Alex seems precocious. Talking already."
Jim waited for more, but nothing came. He worried. Was she mad at him? Was Gee having second thoughts about the hall pass she had given him and the advantage he had taken of it? He thought that normally she would be bursting with questions about his meeting with Patrick. She hadn't mentioned him.
Jim struggled to make conversation over the mercifully short journey. He tried to sound upbeat. He felt rejected.
He took Gee's suitcase upstairs. Gee followed him and asked, "Be a dear and make me a lemon tea and bring it up to me. I'm going to take a shower."
Jim looked directly into Gee's eyes, "Gee. I'm worried. Are you alright?"
Gee's look was almost blank. She did not answer him and looked away. "Just bring the tea."
Jim did as he was asked. He took the lemon tea, with some plain cookies that she liked, on a tray up to the bedroom and placed it on the bedside table. Gee emerged naked from the bathroom and still drying herself, gave Jim a wane smile, "Thanks."
Jim still loved Gee's beautiful firm body. Instead of getting dressed as Jim had expected, since it was only eleven in the morning, Gee climbed between the freshly laundered sheets and into bed, her back to the headboard and the top sheet covering her breasts. She sipped her hot tea and looked over to Jim. "Join me." She patted the bed.
By this point, Jim felt completely at sea. He did not know what was going on and feared the worst that she wanted a separation because of his triste with Susan. He had failed her test of fidelity. Jim sat up on the bed beside Gee.
Then things took a turn that was even stranger from Jim's point of view. "Get naked and into bed with me. Please Jim. I need you here." Gee patted the bed again.
Jim stripped and climbed into bed next to Gee. She said nothing as she finished her drink and set the cup aside. She shuffled herself down under the covers. Jim followed lying on his back. Gee rolled over and snuggled under Jim's arm to place her head on his chest. Gee sighed.
Jim had to say something. "Better?"
"Mmmm."
"Good." Jim pulled her closer to him. Her warm body close to his side. Her hand settled on his ribs and she squeezed just slightly. It was Jim's turn to sigh. He thought maybe things were going to be alright after all.
They were silent for minutes in this position.
Gee spoke quietly, "Do you know what day it is?"
Reflexively Jim replied, "Thursday." In that moment he knew that was not the question being asked. He could not think of anything special about this day or date. He feared he should have marked it. He rapidly added, "No, I don't know what day it is."
"It's ten years since my accident. A decade since my life changed forever."
Tears instantly sprang to Jim's eyes not only because of the event and the fact he had forgotten it, but out of a sense of relief. "Oh Gee. Sweetie. I should have remembered. Forgive me."
"No. You forgive me."
Jim was stunned and puzzled at Gee's response. "Why forgive you? You could not help the accident. You had no control. How could you have changed things? It was a tragic accident. Shit happens. No, you have to forgive me for forgetting this tragic anniversary. But here's the thing sweetie, it did happen, and we cannot change that. We have adjusted."
"I forgive you for forgetting, of course. Why should you track this?" Gee paused for a moment before she continued. "Honey, you were at the height of your career. You were getting three or four highly lucrative consulting contracts a year. You paid off our mortgage, created a nice little nest egg, and then used those hard-earned funds to build your auto collection. Also, my darling you made my life very comfortable. I stopped that progression."
"No, your unforeseeable accident stopped my consulting but also had the virtue of redirecting my attention back to you. That's all. Anyway, I was tiring of undertaking that work. I was away from you too much. We are financially secure, I have my auto collection and moreover, I still have you. It's enough."
"I thought you loved the consulting work. You seemed so happy."
"I was at first. The trips all over the world were exciting but each vaccination I took and every mosquito bite I felt took the shine off the glitter. I was tiring of the life. I particularly hated the sameness of the international hotels I was parked in when in the cities. The smell of the field camps sticks with me to this day. The long trudges through almost impenetrable jungle. I got tired. Also, I missed you to the point of aching at times."
"Really. Oh, my dearest, you've never told me this before. I know I was blessed when luck would have it you were at home when the accident occurred. Otherwise, we might not be here having this conversation. Your presence kept me alive. You sat and read to me all the time I was in a coma. I honestly believe that pulled me through."
"I was teaching about tectonic plates when my Dean rushed in and pulled me out of the lecture hall. I recall that precisely. It was about this time of day. No. I now clearly remember I was giving a ten-minute test at the end of the lecture. I had just turned on the slide with the questions when the Dean came in. In two minutes, it will be precisely ten to twelve. You were cycling on your way to work for your noon shift at the library."
They lay silent for a while before Jim moved so he could place a long tender kiss on Gee's lips. They were both crying. They held their position before slowly rolling on their backs to fall asleep.
As Jim mustered his senses to wake up, he became aware of a warm wet feeling at his groin. For a split second he thought he must have peed himself before it came to him that Gee's mouth was working his cock. He went from flaccid to hard in an instant.
Gee's head popped up from under the sheets, "You're awake," before immediately returning with even more vigor. Jim appreciated that she had not lost her subtle oral touch and lingual dexterity. He came quickly with a plentiful supply of ejaculate.
Gee chocked a bit before regaining control of her throat. She lovingly kept sucking and toothlessly massaging his shrinking cock until he was completely soft. Emerging from the love cave she had created under the sheets she grinned and raised her eyebrows, "OK?"
"Baby you have not missed a beat. That was fantastic. The best."
"I'm wet. Feel me." Jim rolled onto his side and reached down to Gee's vulva. His curled fingers slipped easily between her receptive folds and into her cunt. "See." Jim just grunted and delved deeper.
"You ready for the real thing?"
"No Jim. Forgive me, not yet. But I am coming along." Gee giggled. "Well, not quite coming, if you know what I mean. Continue with you fingers though." Jim obliged.