If you haven't read the first two parts, this won't make much sense to you. Thank you to the wonderful readers who have given me the incentive to write. I hope you enjoy this piece.
Lexi's Future Begins
When Lexi awakened after sleeping for several hours, I told her it was far too late for her to return to her home. I expected vehement objections but she surrendered only because, as she said, if she returned home at that hour, she would have to face a drunken Chad and it just wasn't worth it.
I poured some wine and told her to sit across from me. I reached out and took her hands in mine, hoping that she would look up me, which she did.
"Lexi, it's time we took steps to remove Chad from your life. He has become a financial liability I choose not to assume, and a physical and emotional drain on your life that you simply can't accept. He is like an anchor around your ankles, holding you to the bottom of life's ladder. He has to go.
"What do you want from me, Roger? Am I to just order him out of the house with nowhere to go and no clear way to survive?"
"That is exactly what you are to do, Lexi. I'm not going to discuss it with you further. Just take care of it. Get it done and get it done quickly. We will make plans for the rest of your life once he is gone."
"I'll try."
"No, Lexi, you will not try. You will do as I tell you if you want my continued assistance in rebuilding your life."
"The lease on the house is in his name."
"Fine. Let him keep the house, but you will no longer be paying rent or the utilities. You legally own half of the furniture, but you won't need much to leave him. You will tell him, however, that you are taking all of the furniture and accessories. He can live at the bar, since that seems to be where he chooses to stay anyway."
"Roger, I..."
"Enough, Lexi...Enough. You do not want to upset me any more tonight. You may sleep with me tonight or you may use the guest room across the hall. In either case, I will not force myself on you any more at this time."
"I'll stay with you, but I'm not sleepy now. I've already slept for hours"
"You will find milk and an assortment of snacks in the kitchen. You will find that my library is extensive, should you choose to read for a time. If you choose to watch television, keep the sound low, for I will be asleep before you return. The lights are all on automatic so they will come on when you enter a room and off when you leave. You will find some clothing in the closet to the left of the bed that I took the liberty of purchasing for you. I believe you will find my tastes to your satisfaction. I will wake you when breakfast is ready in the morning. Good night Lexi. Do not wake me when you return to bed."
"Good night, Roger."
As I lay in bed, I envisioned the time when she would be totally mine, as Lynn already was. I don't control Lynn, and I never have, but I don't have to. Should I require her for anything, she would be there, including extremely passionate sex.
She came to breakfast in the morning, freshly bathed and ready for work. Even in the relatively bland attire she chooses to wear to work in, my desire for her was almost overwhelming. She sat eating her eggs Benedict without enthusiasm or comment, answering my questions tersely.
"I am not without patience, Lexi, but do not try what I have. Make your decisions and do what you must do. You cannot move on as long as he is dragging you backword. Whatever happens, we will do what must be done. My only concern is your future. Chad has no future other than what lies at the bottom of a bottle of beer. There is no room for you in his life and no room for him in yours. I must leave now, but I will be in touch. Enjoy your day."
I kissed her tenderly, but firmly, a kiss that was not returned with any feeling whatsoever. Her mind was too busy elsewhere and I had given her challenges I was not at all sure she was capable of handling at this stage in her life. In either case, I was prepared to do what had to be done.
Wednesday night, I called to see what she had accomplished. She told me that Chad had not been home other than to sleep on the couch Monday night, too drunk to converse with.
"So you have accomplished nothing then?" I asked.
"I've written him two letters. He took them, but I don't know if he read them or not. I told him he has to be out by this weekend or he'll be on his own."
"An admirable attempt, Lexi, but you and I both know he has no intentions of changing anything at all. Be at my house immediately after work. I will explain things to you in a way I'm sure you will understand. Oh, and Lexi, that is not a suggestion. You will be there, no later than five."
I gave her no opportunity to reply, and I turned my phone off immediately after ending the call.