My name is Edward King. I'm an engineer in a prominent architectural firm. I've been a company shareholder for nearly twenty five years. On my third year at the firm, I had a house built in a nice neighborhood on the east side of town. My wife, Joan and I have raised our twin daughters in that house and both recently graduated from college.
About five years ago, Joan went back to teaching full time. For years, she had been a substitute high school math teacher for the local school district. But, the girls were seniors and were choosing colleges. The extra money from Joan's new full time position would help pay dual college tuitions; so, I was happy with her decision.
The day after our daughters' high school graduation, Joan got an offer. It was for the position she wanted. I always knew she would get it. Joan is a smart, well organized and determined woman. She has taught Sunday school; coached girl's volleyball; helped with the annual church festival and the local pregnancy center all while successfully raising twin girls.
As I said, It didn't surprise me that Joan got the job; but, the school was across town and that did surprise me. It worried me to death. Corrville was recently acquired by a private company. The city would only renew the company's contract if there was a demonstrable improvement in test scores. Joan saw this job as a calling; a chance to do something good for others. Even though I worried for her safety, I couldn't tell her to abandon the position.
Joan was as nervous as a freshman on her first day of school. She left early and, what became a habit, she came home late. I was sitting on the couch when she came in through the garage. She was wearing a mid length black wool skirt and jacket with a pink silk top.
Joan stepped out of her high heels before walking across the white carpet to sit next to me. She told me about her day. Period by period she described how the students filed into her room and how she had to tell them over and over again to be quiet. Honestly, I've forgotten most of what she said but I'll never forget how she looked. Even with a blouse buttoned up to her neck, and a skirt that shadowed her knees, her charms were obvious. Joan has kept her shape over the years. In fact, she's probably in better shape than when we first met. I can say that because after having the girls her body blossomed into a perfect image of mature femininity; she has a big bust, a tiny waist and a small shapely ass,.
Taking her all in, I began to worry about this desirable woman teaching in a bad part of town. I kept my worries to myself and waited a few months before voicing my concerns. When I did, I was shocked to be immediately put on the defensive.
We were eating dinner when I said, "You know, I'm a little worried about you spending so much time at school. I mean can't you do more of your work here?
Joan suddenly stopped eating and asked flatly, "What do you mean?"
I decided to just say it, "You get home after dark. That's not the kind of place for a woman after dark.
"Ed, you can't assume just because most of my students are black that I'm in some sort of danger."
"That's not what I said, Joan. It's just that Corrville High isn't known for sports or academics. You said yourself that if it weren't for the vice principal being such a big guy and always walking the halls, you'd be worried."
Joan relaxed and said, "Yeah, but that was when I first started. Everything's fine now. You're welcome to come by the school. Drop by some time. It's just like Hamilton East."
Hamilton East is the public high school near our house. I doubted Corrville was anything like it. But, Joan was so enthusiastic that I didn't say anything. When I looked up from my plate, Joan was staring at me the way a person stares at something ugly.
"You're right Corrville is not like East Hamilton but it could be someday. The kids are a little rough around the edges. But they can learn. James told me that his office has already received a bunch of letters from parents thanking us for making their school something they can be proud of; we're doing important work there."
I agreed with her but I reiterated that she was my first and only concern. That at least brought a smile to her face. Later that week I dropped by her school. There were metal detectors and security guards at the entrance. One of them escorted me to the office and the receptionist told me to go ahead up to Joan's classroom.
"Up?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah, her classroom was moved to the second floor of the East wing. The core disciplines are being grouped together and that wing was the first to be refurbished. That tells you how important math is doesn't it. It'll be months before we get to the Art department."
I smiled my reply and ascended the two flights of stairs to the East wing. Just as I was rounding the last corner, a deep baritone voiced asked me if I needed any help. The voice came from a large black man in dark pants and blue dress shirt. The top button was unfastened and his tie was pulled loose away from his thick neck.
"I'm Ed, Joan King's husband." He shook my hand and introduced himself as Jim Butcher.
"Your wife is doing a great job for us. She's a great teacher." He said while pumping my hand. He was just finishing his 'rounds' so we talked for a couple of minutes. No wonder Joan felt safe. Who would instigate any trouble with that guy around?
I found Joan in her classroom, grading another pop quiz. She told me it was too bad I missed Jim and that he had just left. I told her that I talked to him at the end of the hall and that he seemed to be a pretty cool guy.
"He is and the kids just love him. He's like a big bear." Joan said casually.
What do you mean? I asked
"Oh you know, he can be mean and ferocious when he needs to be but most of the time he's just bluster and blow in soft fur."
I agreed with a nod then waited for her to finish. As we left, Joan took me for a tour of the school. The equipment and the facilities were worn but everything was clean and functional. After that day I no longer worried about Joan's safety. And I suppose that's good since, as I already mentioned, she's been teaching there for five years. But, what's more, she just ended an affair with Jim.
I wish I could say that I discovered the tryst and forced her to end it, or that she ended it for me; but none of that would be true. Joan was forced to end the affair, I'm sure if things were different she would still be coming home late with her womb full of his black man's seed and sadly, I would be none the wiser.
I found out on a Tuesday about two months ago, Joan came home early. When she made it to the kitchen threshold she stopped. I was sitting at the table. I looked up at her. She was completely still. She wasn't looking at me. She was staring at the six pages of pictures sprawled out in front of me. All the images were of her, naked with Jim.
One at a time I picked each page and held it so she could see the printed images. When I finished, I leaned back in my chair and let a grin spread over my face. At that moment I felt as much a fool as she was a tramp.
"Oh my God" was all she said.
She must have left the front door open. She hadn't pulled into the garage but instead had parked in front of the house so she didn't see my car in the garage. I could hear cars passing the house. Obviously, Joan had not expected me to be home.
I turned my hands upward and asked simply, "What's going on?"
Joan's purse crashed to the floor. She leaned against the counter and tried to stammer through something but quit. So I pointed to a chair and told her to sit. Before she could move I went through the dining room to the living room. The front door was wide open and so was the driver's side door of her car. I threw the door shut and didn't venture outside. The bitch could close her own car door. I went back into the kitchen behind Joan. She was sitting in the chair with her left hand over her mouth and in her right was a page with three images of her on her knees sucking Jim's sizable black cock. There was some glare on the image like it had been taken through a window.
