Chapter 02: Sandra's Story
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Based on lots of feedback from the story taking Jenn's mom, I reworked it a bit to be told from Sandra's point of view. That way, going forward, you'll be able to get a sense of where things may be headed. Additionally, many of your suggestions were ones I hope to incorporate into the overall story - which was never intended to be an overall story, but what the hell? So hopefully, you'll enjoy Sandra's retelling of the same events and hopefully as things play out everyone will be happy!
Yours, Eisbehr
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The anger was still brewing inside me. Slowly bubbling up and simmering every day. I had cleaned out the last of my belongings and put them into storage following the finalization of our divorce and was sorting them into piles when an envelope caught my eye. It must have fallen out of the desk I had just moved, but it wasn't mine.
Rick had always been a cold and abusive husband and it took all the courage I had to leave when I did. He was never satisfied with me fat and less so when I lost the weight. Sex between us was a non-issue. I should have known something was up when he didn't want me either as an overweight woman or as a newly toned and fit 'goddess' - if I do say so myself.
When I finally told him I was leaving, he let me know he had someone else on the side. A little snooping and I was able to track her down at Sears where she worked. If my eyes were to be believed, Rick had traded down. This girl was a twenty year-old wreck. Near three-hundred pounds - all lumps, no curve - she had difficulty breathing as she lumbered over to ring out the customers waiting in line. At this point, I turned around and didn't look back. If that's what he wanted, let him have it.
However, it wasn't her obvious low-rent quality that had me disturbed as much as this girl's similarity to our daughter Jenn. Her eyes, hair and facial features were nearly identical - Christ, they could pass for sisters! Rick and Jenn always had a "special" father-daughter relationship, sometimes which I found creepy. But since Jenn never complained or said that he had done something inappropriate, I had no reason to intervene. Still, if this girl lost some weight, there would be no denying the similarity.
Jenn's behavior in her teenage years was troublesome, with running away and other acting out. Eventually enough trouble occurred and it was agreed by everyone concerned that placement in a group home would be best. Jenn did well there, working through a lot of issues, like her adoption and depression and eventually graduated from the program and high school. At no time was the possibility that Rick and Jenn might have had something other than a father-daughter relationship presented to me, and if it was I'm not sure I would have believed it.
So when I opened the envelope in the storage unit, my heart sank in betrayal and disappointment. The pictures tumbled out onto the desk. One by one I examined them. Peering into the lost eyes, I saw Jenn. The pictures themselves suggestive - even erotic -hinting at an illicit promise. She was dressed in a torn lace baby-doll top. Disturbing enough until I read the back. They all had little love notes on them. "Daddy's Bad Girl," "I love you Daddy."
I had no way of knowing Jenn's involvement. I would have to assume some coercion on Rick's part. The pictures weren't anything worse than teenagers send each other through text messages these days, but I couldn't tell the date they were taken.
You see, Jenn is an exotically beautiful girl. She had eyes that could melt your very soul, cocoa skin, jet black hair and an independence that even I envied. Truly, even I as overweight as I was was looking at this girl as an example of what I wanted to be. We adopted her when she was five and she showed the signs of a true beauty when she was ten. Her curves developed suddenly and Rick and I were forced to protect her from the predatory glances of neighborhood men's eyes. Hmm...how little I knew whom I should be protecting her from.
I sorted the pictures and made up my mind. I had four days before my cruise that I'd booked. I would go straight to Jenn and ask her what went on between her and Rick. I was glad to be free of him but at the same time a bit jealous as to weather his lust for Jenn was the cause of our divorce. Or worse, what if Jenn initiated things with Rick? God, there were so many questions!
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I packed up my Mustang, the one physical thing I retained from the divorce and headed to Jenn's. I needed to ask her what the truth was between her and Rick. I tried to call her several times but was foiled by AT&T's crappy service. I left a message saying I was on my way up to visit.
I can't describe how disheartened I was when Jenn returned my call saying she was pulling into Rick's driveway.
"I was coming to see Dad before going to hang with Jamie," she said, "I wish you'd told me you were coming."
Rick lives in New Jersey so there was no possibility of her turning back. I was now stuck in Haverhill, Mass with nowhere to stay.
"I have a friend who has a key. I'm sure he can let you in," she said. I could tell instinctively by the way she said the word "friend" that this might be something more.
"Really hon? Is he a boyfriend?" I giggled into the phone making a bit of small talk.
"No Sandra! Nothing like that," she complained, "I'll give you his number, I'll call him and I'm sure he'll make you feel right at home."
"Well if you're sure it's no problem. How old is this 'friend?' Is he someone I might like?" I asked, listening for clues.
"He's closer to your age than mine, Sandy. Please though, he's my friend. Don't embarrass me. Please."
The tone in her voice was all I needed to hear. She was looking to be with this guy if she wasn't banging him already. If there's one thing I learned from the umteen "behavior conferences" I've attended to address her various issues - she was good at disguising her promiscuity.
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I called Nathan, her "friend," from the road. The sound of his voice was deep and sonorous. He could have had a voice for radio. He said he had a key for Jenn's place and he'd be glad to let me in. That's when I pulled over to the rest area.
The pieces of the puzzle came together. Jenn, my adopted daughter, liked much older men. I could tell by the defensive tone in her voice. In fact she was always defensive when it came to her relationships with men. Including Rick, my former husband.
I pulled over and gave myself a bit of a cry. I knew the truth. Or at least I think I did. Jenn and Rick had more than a special relationship. They may have had a passionate sexual relationship for longer than even Rick and I did. I felt instantly empowered and ashamed.
There was a rest area ahead. I drove in and grabbed a few items from my bag. I headed to the bathroom and wiped the tears from my face. I headed to the women's room and locked the door.
Stripping out of my sweats and workout undies, I was naked in a rest-stop bathroom. At that time, in my mind, I really felt like Jenn had ruined my marriage. I felt like I should doll-up so I could ruin whatever budding relationship she had with this Nathan character. Real or unreal, fantasy or fact. Or rather like closing the barn door after the horses have gone, I felt like I needed to show Jenn I still had a trick or two up my sleeve.