I have read Agena's original story- "A Joke" and his conclusion in "A Joke Ch. 2" many times now. Every time I read them I feel just as good about the story as the first time. With his kind permission and support, I have adapted his original story and I hope he enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed his original. I have tried to stay as true to the original version of his two stories as I could and changed as little as possible. I am grateful to Agena for allowing me to post my adaption of his work. If you dislike what I've written, be sure to blame me and not Agena for allowing me.

You can see most of his original version of his very memorable story throughout this. If you haven't read them already, I recommend you read Agena's "A Joke" and "A Joke Ch. 2". If you haven't read all of his works in Literotica, I highly recommend them to you as well.

A Joke - an alternative version.
by Sid0604

"It was just a joke." she told me and he tried to back her up, but my perception of the whole episode was such that I couldn't believe her at the time. It was so real then and they didn't have any way of proving it hadn't happened or that maybe that it had happened for real before. If my perception was that they did it and I couldn't believe that it was just a joke then I couldn't live with my wife of 23 years anymore. I guess I'd better tell you the story so you can understand my dilemma at the time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Flo, short for Florence, was my wife. I'm Jim. We'd met in college and had married soon after graduation. We lived a normal life as husband and wife, had kids, a house and a mortgage. Flo was a stay-at-home mom until the kids started school full time and then she resumed her career in real estate. Flo is an attractive woman and personally, I still think looks HOT. I'm sure she gets hit on occasionally while on the job, but as far as I know she'd remained faithful to me and our marriage. She has a ribald sense of humour sometimes and I think that's what eventually got our marriage into trouble.

We had two children, a boy, Eric, and a girl, Patty. At the time this occurred Eric was 21 and had graduated from a vocational school after high school. He had his own apartment nearby and was working as a journeyman electrician. Patty was 19 and a sophomore at the state university about 150 miles away. With the kids away we should have been looking forward to a happy retirement down the road with time to travel and hopefully, grandchildren to dote over.

Our sex life was what I thought was normal. We had a loving relationship honed and developed over our married life. When we were first married we had sex just about every night and during the day on weekends. As time progressed we were down to two or three times a week, which was enough to take away the urge for me and I thought it was the same for Flo. Over the years I'd learned all of Flo's buttons to push to get her to orgasm and when she came she made a peculiar keening sound to announce her release. It always gave me a thrill to know that I had satisfied her and the sound of her keening was what I strived for in our love making and not achieving my own pleasure.

Just about every situation has a fly in the ointment and ours came along in the form of a new next door neighbour. Roger and his lovely wife, Alice, moved into the house next door about five years ago and we all quickly became best friends. The problem with Roger was that he was a practical joker and he loved to pull pranks on everyone he was associated with and much to my chagrin I was one of the favourite recipients for his fetish. Also, what bothered me even more was Flo's enjoyment of his pranks, especially if I was on the receiving end. I told her frequently I didn't like his jokes or her enjoyment and continual participation in them, but she wouldn't listen or back off until it nearly caused our divorce. I could take a joke but Roger's were beginning to hurt my pride.

Over a period of time I'd picked up that Roger was attracted to Flo and I worried about his trying to get between her legs. Whenever we were together he and Flo laughed together at his, sometimes, raunchy jokes while Alice and I just smiled politely at their antics. Alice and I got on well and in fact sometimes it was almost like we were with the wrong partners. When we were out in public I know that Alice was as mortified as I was at some of the things they did. I remember one day at the beach Roger mooned some people in a passing boat and to my horror Flo followed suit. Alice and I were appalled at their indiscretion and chastised them to no avail as they laughed hysterically together. I didn't fail to notice that Roger took great delight in watching Flo bare her shapely ass.

It was a short while before the end that I began to feel that things were getting out of hand. We were over at Roger and Alice's house and Alice and I were sitting in the back yard while Flo followed Roger into the house to help carry out the drinks. Alice and I talked for ages until we realized that Flo and Roger had been gone for quite a bit of time; in fact far too long, so we went inside to look for them. When we got into the kitchen we found it empty but just as we started the looking for them they came from the family room with their arms around one another, giggling and laughing. They stopped when they saw us. Roger had lipstick on his collar and around his mouth while Flo's lipstick appeared smeared and her hair dishevelled. Alice and I just stood there in shock with our mouths open.

Roger had always been quick on a come-back in any situation and said as if it was nothing, "Oh, hi you guys. Sorry we're slow with the drinks, but I had to show Flo my etchings," apparently unconcerned at their appearance. Alice and I continued to stand there, still dumfounded at their apparent brazen boldness.

Flo had a smirk on her face and was just as quick backing him saying, "Roger has some wonderful etchings; you know the ones I mean don't you Alice?"

By this time I'd gathered my wits about me and finally spoke up.

"What the hell is going on?" I questioned Flo. "How come Roger's got lipstick on his face and clothes and you look like you've been doing some necking."

"Oh, that's because I was so happy to see Roger's etchings. I must have gotten carried away. Do you mind, Honey?" she asked while trying to maintain a straight face.

I was disgusted but thought I was beginning to catch on as I looked at their faces. Roger had the smirk on his face he develops when he pulls one of his pranks and Flo was looking away so I couldn't see but imagined how hard she was trying to keep from laughing. I could feel my irritation mounting.

Alice wasn't tuned in yet to what was going on as she finally spoke up. "What the hell is going on Roger? If you think you're going to carry on with another woman in my house, you've got another thing coming."

When Roger and Flo suddenly started to laugh uproariously I think Alice finally got the picture what was going on and she smiled sheepishly. However, I exploded at them.

"One of these days you two are going to go too far and the shit'll hit the fan."

"Oh lighten up honey. It's just a joke. If you could have seen the look on your faces you would think it was funny too." Flo told me while continuing to laugh. Thinking back, I should have made my stand then and told them exactly what I thought of their hurtful jokes then left immediately for home, with or without Flo.

"C'mon you guys; let me get you a drink and we'll laugh about it together." Roger said as he headed back outside with Flo behind him, still laughing.

Alice and I just shrugged our shoulders and followed after them while shaking our heads in disgust. We certainly didn't think it was funny and were not about to laugh.

"One of these days Alice, they're going to go too far." I predicted again.

"One of these times one of their jokes will back fire on them and someone's going to get hurt." Alice spoke in agreement.

Their prank put a damper on the night for both Alice and I and the night ended earlier than usual. As we walked home I didn't hold Flo's hand as I have always done and she sensed my lingering anger. It had been a very painful joke and my pride was hurt as well. "Honey, I'm sorry," she told me. "I just get carried away sometimes. Nothing happened. I just smeared some of my lipstick on his face and collar and mussed up my hair. We thought you guys would never come into the house and finally just when we were almost going to skip the whole thing, you and Alice finally showed up. Are you still mad at me? It was just a joke."

I'm trying not to be Flo, but you've got to stop getting involved in Roger's pranks. I almost had a heart attack when I saw you looking like you had been making out with him. I honestly thought you had. You know how I feel about us being completely faithful to each other. Our marriage vows mean so much to me."

"I know honey. I feel the same way and would never do anything to hurt you."

"Well, please remember that."

"OK, give me a big kiss and tell me you forgive me." We stopped and kissed for a moment and continued home. I realised I didn't tell her I forgave her but said nothing not knowing if she realized the potential damage she could have done to our marriage.

When we got back to our place I think Flo realized I was still really pissed, especially about her voluntary participation in the prank and went to have a shower to give me more time to cool down. I thought it was odd she wanted another shower as we had both showered before we had gone next door but thought nothing of it. She must have been in there a long time as I was asleep when she finally slid into bed beside me but woke as she snuggled up beside me. I could feel her naked skin against me and knew she wanted to make love as her hand slipped into my boxers and started to stroke and handle my cock.

When I was hard, Flo pulled the donah back and pulled my boxers off and straddled my hips then fed my cock into her pussy as she slowly lowered herself down on me. I could feel she was very wet and receptive to my cock as she slid it fully into her then started slow rhythmic movements as she raised and lowered herself and rolled her hips for her greater pleasure. This was a first for her after twenty-three years as I usually have to give her an orgasm or two orally before she was so wet. After so many years we were very attuned to each other and came together after what seemed like forever. We hadn't made such pleasurable love for a long time and it didn't occur to me at the time she was so randy. After we finished we rolled together on our sides and fell asleep holding each other.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A couple of weeks later we were invited back to Roger and Alice for a bar-b-cue on a Saturday evening, but just as we finished eating a call came in just after Roger went to the kitchen for some more wine. It wasn't until later I found out that he called the home phone from his cell phone and he pretended to take the call for Alice. Alice worked at the local hospital as an emergency room nurse.

After he hung up the house phone he came back into the dining room and said to Alice, "That was the emergency room. There's been a bad automobile accident and several people injured. They want you to come in right away."

"Oh shit, I'll change and get going. Sorry guys; I have to go. I'll get back as soon as I can."

Ten minutes later Alice was in her uniform and was heading to the hospital. After she was gone Roger turned to me and asked if I would help him with a project in his basement while I was there. Flo was quiet during this time and facing away from me. I didn't think anything about it at the time but later I remembered.

"Sure. What can I do?" I asked as I stood up to follow him to the basement.

"I want you to hold something for me while I attach it to the ceiling. It's not too heavy but I can't hold it up there and attach it at the same time and Alice is too short to hold it."

"Okay, it sounds easy."

"Trust me, it is and it'll only take a minute."

When we got down stairs he took me over to a metal support post for the floor above was installed next to the furnace. He took a small metal box with a power cord dangling from it off his work bench and held it up to the ceiling between the support pipe and the furnace. I noticed that Flo had followed us downstairs and was standing watching us with a smile on her face. Again, I didn't place any significance to her being there or the strange smile. Why should I?

"Now, I want you to hold this here while I attach it." Roger told me.

"What the heck is it Roger?" I asked as I raised my arms to hold the box. Since Roger was standing between the pipe and the furnace it necessitated that I place my hands around the pipe to hold it against the basement ceiling.

"I'll show you in a minute, but first let me get my tools."

He disappeared behind me to his work bench leaving me holding up the box. Within a second or two he was back and I didn't see what he had in his hand until I heard two quick clicks as something hard and metallic gripped my wrists. Suddenly, I realized that I'd been suckered and I was handcuffed around the pipe. I turned my head in shock to look as Roger went over to Flo and put his arm around her waist as they stood looking at me.

My mind was in turmoil but I managed to speak, "What the hell is this Roger? Get these damn handcuffs off me now! Roger; what the fuck do you think you are doing? Let me go now!"

"Well buddy, you know I can't do that. You remember don't you that two weeks ago Flo said she liked my etchings so much that she wants to see them again but we don't want you or Alice around to disturb us this time," as he squeezed Flo and she squealed.

Then he and Flo turned and proceeded back up the cellar steps. Flo was undulating her hips in an exaggerated manner as she moved.

"Let me loose, damn it! You're going too far this time Roger and you're going to regret it if you don't let me loose right now."

"Just be cool for a little while honey, I just want to umm... look at some etchings." Flo said as they neared the door. I called out to Flo as she went through the door, "Flo, please don't do this. Flo please? Flo, don't........." I know she heard me because she turned and looked at me briefly; but then she was gone as they disappeared from view laughing and giggling...

As I struggled with the cuffs, trying to see if there was some way I could get free and I realized the hopelessness of my situation. The pipe was imbedded in the concrete floor at the bottom and bolted in place against a steel I beam at the top. Maybe I could break the chain on the cuffs?

Listening, I could hear them move into the master bedroom right above me then remembered the previous owners had make some alterations with the heating system and for some reason every sound in the room could be heard in the basement. It occurred to me much later that Roger must have known this and told Flo. I was supposed to hear everything. I heard Flo's excited giggles then shoes dropped to the carpet above me and I heard her exclaim, "Oh, that's a nice big one; bigger than Jim's!"

"Hurry and get those panties and bra off Flo. I want you bad."

My rage was mounting by the minute as I continued to struggle mindlessly against the handcuffs. With all my might I kept slamming the chain on the handcuffs against the steel pipe either hoping the chain would break or I could somehow loosen the pipe. The pain in my wrists was outweighed by the hurt I was feeling in my chest as I continuously threw myself back using my bodyweight to break the chain to no avail. I could feel the warmth of my blood on my forearms and hands now but I couldn't allow them to keep fucking and destroy me. She was my life. Somehow I had to get free and stop them. I was possessed and kept throwing myself back from the pole and I called out to Flo over and over again using it to try to mask the pain but I couldn't believe she didn't hear me. When I did stop calling out to her I could hear them like they were next to me.

"C'mon, put that big thing in me. I want to be stretched out for a change."

"Damn Flo, you're one sexy piece. Let me slide it in you."

"Oh god, that feels good. Push it in further and fuck me hard, Roger. That's it, that's it. It feels so good."

I heard the bed beginning to creak above me and I could picture them fucking. I was cursing and swearing at the cuffs as well as my adulterous spouse and her lover over my head. My wrists were scraped raw and deep cuts had appeared in my wrists as I bled while continuing to jerk and twist against the cuffs. My mind was a maelstrom of emotion as I heard Roger grunting and Flo moaning in rhythm.

Suddenly, Roger cried out, "I'm cumming!! I'm cumming!!" Then I heard Flo start to keen just like she did when I got her off.

Then all was quiet above for a few minutes. I had ceased struggling and was just sitting on the hard bloodied cement floor with my arms still around the pipe. I felt a terrible sadness in my heart as I heard Flo exclaim finally, "Oh, that was really good Roger. I'm going to have to see your etchings again sometime soon. I suppose we should get dressed and go down and see how Jim is doing. It made it so exciting for me knowing he saw us go off together."

She must have known then that I heard everything.

"OK Flo, I need to rest a minute but Alice should be getting back soon from that false call I sent her on and I don't want her to see me in bed with you. Remember she got shitty when she thought we had just necked a few weeks ago. We would have been toast if she had caught us."

I was totally devastated with what I had heard.

A few minutes later I heard footsteps on the basement stairs but didn't look up as they came over to where I sat cuffed.

"Oh shit!" I heard Roger say. "Look at his wrists. They're all bloody. Shit, look at his clothes and the floor!"

"Oh my god! Honey, it was just a joke! Nothing happened! Oh god no! I'm so sorry. Hurry up Roger! Unlock the cuffs! Oh god! Oh no! I never thought he'd take it this hard. Not like this! Why did we do it?"

I could barely feel the pain in my wrists as the pain in my chest was much worse from what they had just done. I looked up at them with tears streaming down my face as Roger fumbled with the key in the cuffs. His hands were shaking and now were covered in my blood as he struggled unsuccessfully several times to unlock them.

"Roger, you had better give Flo that key before you unlock me and then start running. When I get free I'm going to make you sorry the day you were born. I'm gonna kill you for fucking my wife and for destroying my marriage!"

Roger looked in my face and saw the deep and absolute hatred in my eyes and silently handed the key to Flo. He started to say, "We didn't do…….It was just….." but stopped and began to quickly move to the basement steps with a fearful look at me as Flo began to unlock the cuffs. As she finally got them unlocked, I heard Roger's truck start and the screech of tires as he took off.

Standing, I looked down at Flo still kneeling on the floor and she had a look of fear on her face and her eyes were full of tears.

I was hurting worse than I had ever been hurt before and I wanted her to feel some of my pain. I wanted her to understand how much she had hurt me but all that came out of my mouth was, "You fucking heartless bitch; you'd better find another place to sleep tonight, in fact find one forever. I never want to see you again. Go and live with your sister or something!" I couldn't stop myself; it wasn't what I really wanted to say.

Tears were streaming down her face now as she began to realize the enormity of the hurt she had caused me and what I had just said about our future or total lack of. I had never sworn or raised my voice at her before.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. It was just a joke. We didn't do anything. I love you so much. It was nothing."

"You lying fucking bitch; I know what I heard and I never want to hear any bullshit again about it being a joke. As far as I'm concerned you fucked him and that's all that counts. You committed adultery and deliberately cuckolded me. I'm scared to think how long you two have been planning to destroy me like this or even how many times you have fucked him before; maybe even two weeks ago. I fucking hate you for helping him set me up. It's bad enough that you fucked him but how could you fuck him knowing I could hear you while I was handcuffed right below you? Fuck you! I heard every grunt and every fucking moan you made! That wasn't nothing I heard! You can expect to hear from my lawyers in a few days. We're fucking through. Both of you can fucking well go to hell as far as I am concerned!" I shouted as I turned and headed up the stairs.

"No Jim! Please, nothing happened! Nothing happened Jim; please stop. We've never fucked!" she wailed at me from the basement floor. "Jim, we didn't do anything Jim! We only pretended. Please stop! Jim please!" She screamed, "Jim, I love you! Please stop!" It was her turn to plead. I was so angry; so hurt and I didn't believe her after what I had heard.

I didn't respond as I headed out the front door leaving a trail of blood through the house and down the path as I left. Just as I was approaching the footpath a very mad Alice swung into their driveway.

"Where the hell is that shit-for-brains husband of mine? There was no accident and I wasn't needed at the ER." she ranted as she got out of the car. Suddenly she noticed my wrists and the trail of blood leading back to the house.

"Jim! What happened to you? Oh god, look at your wrists. Let me get them bandaged for you."

"Roger and Flo; in there, Alice. This time they went too far and I'm divorcing Flo."

"Good god Jim, what did they do to you? Jim, wait! Let me help you please?"

"You can hear it from Flo and Roger. I can't stay in your house any longer and I'll never step back in there again after what they did to me. Alice, they cuckolded me. I'm going home and I'll do my own bandaging when I get there. You can tell my ex-wife she'll find her clothes and things on the front porch tomorrow. If she wants to get in our house again she'd better have a court order. You make sure she stays completely away from me."

"Oh god, what's been happening here? What did they do?" A shocked and distraught Alice cried out as she hurried into the house trying to avoid the blood.

Still seething inside, I headed home. As I walked I still felt blood flowing down my hands from the deep cuts in my wrists and dripping onto the ground. I had hurt myself much worse than I had thought. My hatred for what they had done and the complete disregard they had shown to me was burning me up inside. I had some ideas on what I needed to do. I wanted serious pay-back; I wanted them to hurt and I wanted a divorce for her cuckolding me.

Upon arriving home I grabbed my digital camera and using the timer carefully took several photos of my wrists making sure the wounds looked reasonably severe. Maybe they were severe as they still were dripping blood. My blood was everywhere on the floor as I locked up, bolting the doors from the inside and leaving through the garage knowing Flo didn't have a remote control to open the door. In case, if I ended up divorcing her, I wanted some official medical record of my injuries trying to free myself so I was going to the hospital to get my wounds dressed.

When I reached the hospital, blood was still oozing from my wrists and my arms and clothes looked a mess; certainly much worse than they may have been. But it was ten out of ten for appearances. I recognised the nurse at reception from church at the same time she recognized me and I approached her staggering the last few yards. My bloodied arms landed across the reception desk leaving another bloody mess for someone to clean up. I would have plenty to clean up when I got home; or maybe I should leave it for Flo if I took her back; that sounded fair to me. She looked down at my arms and the blood everywhere then screamed for assistance. As she helped me into a wheelchair she asked what happened. I looked up at her forlornly and told her she would have to ask Flo. I knew that the whole congregation at church would know I was in hospital from something Flo had done by the end of Mass tomorrow. They would all be asking Flo what happened when they saw her; I knew Flo never missed Sunday Mass. I hoped she'd somehow get there tomorrow; it was only a short walk. I told her she wasn't to phone Flo to tell her I was there. She saw the seriousness in my expression and looked shocked but agreed.

They cleaned my wounds and I ended up with stitches; I hadn't expected that but the cuts and lacerations were very deep. I wanted to go home but they insisted I stay overnight under observation as they were not sure how much blood I had lost. A couple of nurses helped wash me down and get me into a hospital gown as my hands were next to useless due to the heavy bandaging and I would have them re-bandage me in the morning so I could drive home. Having a piss with a strange woman holding my cock in a bottle was a new experience.

I was resting thinking over the night's events and wondering if I had overreacted if it had really been a grubby practical joke but I knew what I had heard; it sounded so real to me. I was still bloody angry with them when a policeman entered my room. He introduced himself as Sgt James Bell and said the hospital had called him regarding my injuries and he was here to follow it up. I told him I wasn't sure if there had been a crime as such committed but he asked for my story anyway. He sat and listened as he jotted down in his notebook what I said. I was sure he would have been secretly recording it anyway.

When I had finished he looked at me and told me that on the face of it, changes could be laid for the use of the handcuffs if I chose to file a complaint. I told him I was unsure and he seemed ok with that but then he asked if I minded if he contacted me soon regarding my decision. This was turning out better than I could ever have expected.

I had a very restless night. When I was awake I kept thinking about how they had cuckolded me and what I had heard. How could my best friend and my life partner do that to me? It was just as bad when I slept as I had nightmares about Roger fucking Flo in front of me as I bled to death while I was still handcuffed to the pipe. I woke at dawn and told the nurses if they didn't release me I was leaving anyway and by the time they had re-dressed my wounds it was the end of the night shift as I left. I saw Alice arriving for work and it was obvious she hadn't slept either as she looked like shit.

Alice obviously wasn't expecting to see me and by the time she recognised me too late I was past her. Her jaw dropped when she saw the extensive bandaging on my wrists and all the blood covering my clothes. I had a few seconds as the enormity of my injuries sunk into her so I ducked behind an ambulance and was gone from sight before she could catch up to me. I watched her make three phone calls before looking around again then heading inside for her shift. Any guesses who she phoned? I was sure I was one but my phone was turned off. I couldn't have timed my exit any better if I had planned it.

When I got home I was still angry and I methodically began to bag Flo's cloths, makeup and other personal items in plastic yard bags and put it out on the front porch. The house phone was ringing non-stop as I worked but I refused to answer it or even to check caller ID. I remembered I had turned off my cell phone last night and switched it back on. I had over 50 messages waiting for me. Some were advising me I had missed calls, but most were messages left from Flo, Alice and Roger but mainly Flo.

I still loved Flo so much and wanted to hear her voice again so I played one of her messages. She was crying and telling me she loved me so much and that nothing had happened. She would do anything for me to forgive her. She added that she was too scared to come home and she was worried about me. Then I listened to the most recent messages she had left after I was sure Alice had phoned her. Flo sounded hysterical asking how I was and saying that Alice had seen me leaving the hospital with my wrists heavily bandaged and my clothes bloodied. I deleted them all. I still loved her so much it hurt and I was trying so hard to believe her. I wanted to trust her but what I heard sounded so very real to me. It was all still very painful and I was suffering so badly.

The next thing I did was to go and look up the number for a locksmith to have the locks changed on the house. I realized that if I left to go to work or the lawyers on Monday and Flo returned to the house and changed the locks I'd be out in the cold so I made arrangements to have the locks changed as soon as he could. I knew it would cost more on a Sunday but I didn't care. My demons were thinking for me again.

It had taken me a good part of the morning to pack all of Flo's possessions up in bags and I didn't stop until the locksmith arrived and changed the locks for me. I looked over at my neighbour's house from time to time and was sure I could see someone at the window watching. I found I was still angry after the locksmith left and I was placing the last bag of Flo's next to the porch when a police car pulled up to the kerb. The Sergeant from last night alighted and walked to me. As we spoke I noticed Roger arriving home and watching from his driveway. I initially pretended not to see him but I noticed his jaw dropped when he realized I was now talking with the police and pointing to his house. Then I pointed at Roger as we both looked at him. The look on his face was priceless. I asked the sergeant to follow me in as I offered him a coffee while we discussed if I wanted to file a complaint.

We spoke at length about the incident the previous night and my love for my wife as we drank our coffee. He told me he had let his wife go after an incident a while ago and how he missed her so much. I really felt for him as he told me of his lose and his never ending loneliness. He saw her from time to time and was trying to rebuild their relationship. He asked what I was going to do now and I told him how much I was hurting about being cuckolded either for real or in my mind. I told him of my love for my life partner, the woman I had never wanted to lose. Then I told him of my pain.

He looked at me then smiled then asked if I wanted some payback if it had really just been a joke. He went on to say he would be happy to visit them and get their statements (unofficially of course unless I filed a complaint) making them believe there could be some serious jail time involved as they had "unlawfully detained" me. It sounded good to me so I agreed and we laughed for the first time. I confirmed Roger and Alice's address as he wrote it down and gave him Mary's address in case Flo had already gone there. He told me he would even record their responses and discomfort during his interviews with them and their realization that they had gone too far and could end up in prison. I downloaded the photos of my bleeding wrists and gave him copies to add some weight to his "investigation" with them.

After seeing the good sergeant off I noticed Roger's truck was gone again and as soon as I shut the door the phone rang again. I noticed the caller ID said it was Alice's cell phone so I picked up the receiver and greeted her suspecting it would be something to do with the policeman at my house and Roger seeing him speaking with me.

It was Alice and she sounded worried. She commenced telling me she had Roger with her at work and he was as white as a ghost from seeing me with the police. I thought he would have sped there when I realized he was gone. She asked why I didn't stop and talk with her earlier when she saw me then went on to tell me she had phoned Flo after she had seen me heavily bandaged leaving the hospital. She said that Flo wouldn't talk to Roger again and things had been very difficult all night. They had wanted to come over last night after Flo had told her what they had done and talk about it but saw my lights were out and they thought I was asleep. Alice continued and told me that since then, Flo had phoned her to tell her that she had been told at church by everyone she spoke to that I had been admitted to hospital overnight and she was frantic. When Alice had seen me leaving the hospital they had just assumed I had gone there for a tetanus shot. She added that Flo had walked to church and had hoped to meet up with me and have our priest help settle our problem, but I wasn't there for the first time in many years and everyone was asking her embarrassing questions. She felt so alone and so humiliated not knowing anything and being told where I had spent the night. She was worried what sort of wife they all thought she was as they wondered what she had done. Even our priest knew of my hospital stay and had tried to phone me without success. Flo thought I had just gone home and gone to bed after I dressed my wounds myself.

If by chance it was just a joke, I wanted to let Alice in on what was happening because she had no part in it, but I couldn't be sure she wouldn't say something and I still wanted Roger and Flo to feel some pain as well. I told Alice that I hadn't called the police. The hospital had phoned them due to the nature of my injuries and now they were interested in Roger and Flo detaining me illegally and they should expect the police around to get statements from the three of them. I explained then that the police would then decide if charges would be laid.

There was silence for a minute but I could hear her whispering to Roger what I had just told her. I heard him cry out then Alice spoke again asking if I could stop the police following it up. I told her that I hadn't filed any complaint yet but the police had my statement and a report from the hospital and that might be enough for them to continue. I didn't want to hurt Alice and I was worried she could end up being collateral damage if I wasn't careful. I knew then I would have to tell her and asked her to call in to see me either that night on her way home or tomorrow after I got back from my lawyers but make sure shithead wasn't with her. She asked if I was really serious about seeing my lawyers and I told her I was. She then asked how I was and if I needed anything and I thanked her and told her changing the bandages was challenging and I was in a lot of pain but I was hurting more from their actions. I knew she would pass that on to Flo and Roger and make them feel worse.

Alice went on to tell me she trusted them and believed that it had just been another joke gone too far. She asked about my plans and pleaded for me to at least speak with Flo before she had a breakdown. I told her I wasn't ready to get even close enough to speak with either Flo or Roger and if either came near me I would leave town and disappear from their lives forever. My demons were ruling my life and making me forget how much I loved my wife. All I wanted to do was hurt the people who caused me pain. Alice didn't call in that night.

After the call, I got in my car and headed to the local supermarket where I picked up a selection of frozen dinners to carry me for a week or so, then went back to my lonely house. I really missed Flo so much after almost 24 years together, but I couldn't get over my anger at her and what she and Roger had done to me. When I finished for the day I locked up, undressed and lay on the bed. Even though I was emotionally and physically tired I couldn't get to sleep for a long time.

When I awoke in the morning the phone was ringing again but I refused to acknowledge it. I got up, showered and had breakfast then replaced my wrist bandages as best I could then rang my boss and told him I had injured my wrists and needed the week off. After he finally agreed, I left to speak with my lawyers and start to extract more revenge. I knew within hours of my visit there, that Flo would have heard that I had been, as a close friend of her sisters worked as a receptionist there so I was forced to proceed the way I did.

About three o'clock the doorbell rang and I looked out to see Alice standing at the door in her nurse's uniform with a bag of bandages in her hand and after opening the door, I motioned her inside.

"Well, they really did it this time, didn't they?" she said as she entered.

"I'm afraid so."

"What are you going to do? Are you still going ahead with what you said?" she asked as she led me to the kitchen table and removed my bandages.

Deep down I knew it was just my anger still talking for me. My mind was telling me I loved Flo but my demons were still in charge. "Just like I told her; I'm divorcing her," I answered as I winced in pain as she accidently brushed against the stitches.

"But they say nothing happened, it was just one of their jokes, be it a very tasteless one. Flo desperately wants to talk with you," she responded as she commenced redressing my wounds. Her touch was so gentle.

"Alice, I heard them doing it and as far as I'm concerned that's reality. I have already spoken to my lawyers and they agree. I went earlier today and they are preparing the papers," I calmly told her.

"You're still really angry aren't you? Can't you wait until you cool down before you do anything so drastic? You have almost 24 years invested in one another. Do you want to give that up without trying to make an attempt to salvage something?"

"I won't be cuckolded! I told Flo that many times and she did it to me in the worst way possible and now it could be all over." I didn't tell her that my lawyer had been instructed not to serve her but to wait for further instructions.

"But, they claim nothing happened. They just made noises as though it did happen."

"I can't be certain it didn't happen, Alice. They are expecting us to take their word for it as any lovers would. Everything was in place so that it could happen and they have no way of proving it didn't. So, I have to go with my perception that it did. In any case, she totally disrespected me as well as our marriage vows, Alice."

"Can't you let it ride and go to counselling? Flo is a basket case over this," she queried as she finished with the bandages.

"No, I wasn't the one that did wrong! I warned her the last time about doing this kind of thing and she didn't listen. I'm even wondering if they fucked the night they played their necking joke on us; they were gone far too long. I'm done talking! It could be that we just let the lawyers work it out. If you're happy with Roger's part in this then you can go on living with him. Just tell Shithead he'd better make sure he stays a long way from me in the future."

"I haven't entirely decided what to do about Roger yet Jim, but I really hate to see you guys break up over this. Roger is very contrite about the whole thing and wants me to give you his sincere apology. You know he is really concerned about the police being involved now? We all are. More than you know."

"Alice, he can shove his apology up his ass! It is not worth shit as far as I am concerned! Not after what he did to me. Alice, I was supposed to be his friend! You make sure you tell him that too please. Make sure he understands our friendship is over, it's finished! In any case he has been deliberately hurting me with Flo's support for ages now. As much as I'd like to stay friends with you, I think it would be better we limit our contact until we are through this, one way or the other."

"I didn't realize his jokes were getting to you Jim. Is there anything I can tell Flo that might give her some hope that you will forgive her?"

Of course I knew I still loved Flo and wanted her back so how could I be saying what I was. "You are kidding aren't you? Forgive her for what she did? Maybe if she can prove to me that she didn't have sex with Roger, I'll consider it and I'm definitely not taking Roger's word or hers that nothing happened and it was just a tasteless joke. As far as I am concerned it really happened. If I had any inkling that it was just a joke and they weren't really fucking I certainly wouldn't have done this to my wrists would I?"

"You honestly believed they were fucking then?"

"Alice, I told you; I heard everything. I even heard them cumming. I honestly believed they fucked as much as I believe you are sitting in front of me now."

"Jim, I'm so sorry that they did that to you. I'll tell her and you know I'll miss you and our long conversations."

"I'll miss you too Alice. Now let me load her stuff in your car and you can take it to her. Maybe I just should just have thrown her stuff over the fence but I didn't know if she was still at your place or has she moved to her sisters already."

"She's moving over to her sister's place this afternoon after I get her gear. You will be pleased to know that Roger was too scared to come home last night in case you were waiting for him with a baseball bat or something. Jim, I stayed up next her all last night in case she did something silly and harmed herself as she was really distressed. She spent all night crying and looking out the window at your house. We thought you were home in bed and didn't know you were admitted to hospital. I didn't tell you, but sometime after midnight when I realized Flo wasn't about to go to sleep we finally came over and tried to get in to make sure you were all right, but the doors were all bolted from the inside. It made Flo worse when she saw all the blood at the front door and on the ground on the way over and back. I wondered why you didn't hear her crying; I'm sure all the neighbours heard her. Jim, we should have been up at the hospital with you."

"Alice, I was angry and they had totally destroyed my pride and self worth. I wanted to be alone and completely away from her. Alice, I still cannot even begin comprehend how they could have done that to me, even if it was just a bad joke," I answered.

"Well, let me tell you that Flo is completely devastated because of what she has done to you. The combination of finding you bleeding and whatever you said to her in the basement then finding out publicly at church that you refused to allow the hospital to contact her when they admitted you has had a terrible impact on her."

As we loaded the bags of Flo's gear in Alice's car I told her that I would try to stop the police charging them so long as she didn't tell Roger or Flo I was stopping them. I told her I wanted them to think the investigation was ongoing. She looked at me for a moment then told me they were hurting enough but promised to say nothing. Her husband had lost his best friend and Flo looked like losing me. She said that I needed to be careful I didn't turn out as bad as them. I waved as she left my driveway then turned into hers then I went back in the house and thought seriously about what she had said. It was true and now I had to make sure I didn't. I was sure I saw Flo standing at a window watching me.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

That evening about 7:30 I was watching TV when the door bell rang. Looking out the window I saw Flo's sister, Mary, standing at the front door. Her sister lived on the other side of town. Mary was a widow and lived alone so there would be room for Flo, probably indefinitely if needed. If Flo hadn't somewhere safe to go it didn't matter how angry I was, I knew I would have let her stay at our house and I would have left.

"Hi Mary." was my greeting as I opened the door to let her in.

"Hello Jim. Can I take a few minutes of your time?"

"Sure Mary, I don't have an argument with you. Come in."

We went into the living room and she sat down and I sat in a chair across from her and I asked if she'd like something to drink.

"A Coke would be nice."

I got her one and one for myself and returned to the living room.

"I suppose you know what this is about." she said after taking a sip of her drink.

"Sure. Are you going to be asking me to take her back? If you are, you've made a trip for nothing and you may as well leave." My angry demons were back.

"Well, I won't ask that then will I? Jim, she told me all about what they did. How are your wrists?"

"They're scabbing over now a bit now and should be OK I hope. I don't see any sign of infection. And all going well, the stitches will come out in out the end of the week I'm told. They still hurt like hell and the bruising is coming out now as well. They look terrible, in fact worse now if anything."

"Flo will be glad to hear they're healing. She's just about ready for a nervous breakdown you know; especially since you won't talk to her and refuse to let her come home. That's why I'm here; to carry a message. Rather, more than one message."

"I'll listen to your messages but I don't promise anything in return."

"The first is that she loves you very much and is so very sorry for what she did."

"OK, I heard all that on my phone messages before I deleted them. Anything else? "I answered coldly.

Mary looked a little deflated when I said that but responded, "She wants you to know that she is willing to do anything; absolutely anything at all Jim to prove to you that nothing happened between her and Roger. Jim, she is desperate. She is hurting and she loves you so much. I am starting to worry about her health."

"Mary, ask her if she loved me so much why did it to me; why did she want to hurt me so much. Mary, ask her why she didn't stop the whole thing when I pleaded with her not to go with him. Mary, she just turned to look at me and smiled, then went off with him holding each other. That destroyed me. How can she prove that nothing happened? I know what I heard and they can't disprove they didn't do it for real. I could hear them like they were right next to me and I could see them fucking in my mind as they were doing it. I know he's been lusting after her for ages and now he has fucked her. To me it sounded like they were really fucking and she enjoyed every minute of it; I heard her moaning and cumming. Tell me how can she say I didn't hear what I heard? Mary, I have spent hours thinking about this. I even thought she could get a rape kit and get tested to see if she had his cum in her but it too late for that now. Maybe if I had thought of it when it happened I might have believed her."

"Oh Jim, I'm so sorry to hear she did that to you. I didn't know that happened. You honestly believe she did fuck him, don't you?"

"Mary, I told you. I know what I heard. I desperately want her to prove to me she didn't but it's too late now and maybe too late for us. And how can I forgive her for setting me up like that, then cuckolding me? Mary, I loved her so much and I had always planned to spend the rest of my life with her, but after what she did to me, I don't know. It doesn't look all that hopeful to me anymore. They did it knowing I could hear everything and they handcuffed me to a pipe so I couldn't stop them doing it. She deliberately cuckolded me!"

"Jim, can't you just trust her and forgive her stupidity in being involved in such a hurtful joke?"

"I'm sorry Mary; it certainly wasn't a joke to me. I can't believe or trust her until she can prove that she and Roger didn't fuck. But trusting her again will take a long time."

"I'm so sorry, Jim. I don't know how they can prove that now. Can I get back to you if I can think of something please? And Jim, she has heard from my friend that you have been to see your lawyers about divorcing her. She has been hysterical all afternoon since then. I'm only here because she finally cried herself to sleep. You will totally destroy her and yourself if you go ahead with that. I have seen you too together. You were meant for each other. Please wait? Please give me a few days before you have her served?"

"Ok Mary, I'll wait till I hear from you. Is that all you wanted to say? And don't forget to ask her those questions."

"Thank-you for seeing me Jim. I promise I will get back to you this week. Bye." And she left.

Sergeant Bell came around the next afternoon as promised after he had collected the three statements about the event. He had recorded the visits as he said he would. Initially I thought I would enjoy hearing them suffer but strangely I kept hearing Alice's words of warning in my head. I listened to Roger's shaking voice and how he sounded close to tears. Flo was hysterical and it was only the intervention of Mary giving her a very strong sedative she had kept since her husband's tragic and sudden death that she eventually calmed down and gave her statement. Alice stayed true to her word and had not told either of them. I didn't enjoy what I had just done to three people I used to love and I think Sgt Bell knew how I was feeling. I read their statements as he told me theirs supported mine apart from their not having sex in the room above my head. I thanked him for his efforts and he made me promise to think about how lonely life can be without the one you love. I should have been happy about what I had done to them but realized I was starting to feel quite the opposite.

I knew I would hear from Alice again very soon after what I had heard and I wasn't wrong. I was in the yard when Alice came home from work and parked in her driveway and walked over to me. She was crying and her makeup looked a mess and as she approached I went to greet her and gave her my handkerchief for her tears. I took her hand and led her to the patio and sat her down while I went for some cold drinks.

When I returned she turned to me and said, "Jim, the policeman came and took our statements. He had already seen Flo and taken hers. I phoned Mary afterwards and she told me Flo was so scared when the police showed up at her door. They never thought it could get so out of hand like it has. I know you hate Roger now for what he has done but he was scared shitless by the police visit. He has never even had so much as a parking ticket and now there is this mess. The policeman took photos of where you were handcuffed and he made Roger show him how you were held captive. He bagged the handcuffs and showed us the photos of your wrists before you were cleaned up. They both had told me they hadn't thought you would react like you did and never expected this result. Jim, it stopped being funny to them when they saw your wrists that night."

"Mary, it should have stopped being funny when she heard me pleading for her not to go with him. They both heard my pleading but they kept going. So am I now."

"I'm sorry Jim, I didn't realize you were losing so much blood and would never have let you leave if I had. Poor Roger was shaking the whole time and I doubt he will ever play another practical joke, particularly after he was told that if charges are laid he will need a good lawyer as jail time could be involved if he was found guilty. You can still stop any charges can't you Jim? Please? Jail would destroy Roger……." I interrupted her and coldly said, "Like he has destroyed me Alice? Destroyed my marriage and destroyed my life? That seems fair." Alice looked shocked, then continued, "Jim, please don't do this to us; to me." Alice burst into tears again as she continued. "Jim, please, I have no one else, no family, no-one. Roger is all I have. And you and Flo were my closest friends. You were like my family. Jim, I would be prepared to make it even if that is what it would take. Jim, please make love to me if it will make you feel better about what happened."

I moved over to her and held her as she continued to cry. Now I knew that my good friend was already collateral damage.

Poor Alice must have been desperate and I certainly hadn't expected her to offer herself to me to make things even and as much as she was one very hot lady, I only loved my wife. My pay back had gone too far. It would be hypercritical of me to fuck Alice after all I had said about being faithful. I thanked her and told her I wouldn't be filing charges so long as she continued to say nothing to them then she leaned over and hugged me as she started crying again for what seemed like was ages. Alice eventually stopped crying and looked up at me and asked, "What about Flo? Have you spoken to her yet? Jim, please forgive her. Mary told me she has not been eating and has lost weight. She just sits staring at nothing and cries all the time."

All I could say was, "Alice, I want to forgive her. I want to love her again but I can still hear her cumming with Roger up in your bedroom. I want to have her back but I still need proof they didn't fuck. Any proof would help."

"Oh Jim, what have I done? I just realized I was so angry at them and what they did or didn't do on our bed that I stripped the bed and washed the sheets. I couldn't stand the thought of laying on them after what they had done. Honest Jim, I didn't see any evidence of them fucking but I could see that they had been on the bed though and that fits in with their stories. We could have had them tested. Oh, if only I had been thinking. Jim, I'm sorry. Now I don't know how you are going to get your proof. You know I was serious about making it even and being with you to help you forgive them. If you change your mind about my offer so you can take her back please call me." And then she kissed me on the cheek and walked home.

Two nights later I was turning off the lights and about to head back to my lonely empty bed when I heard Mary's car scream into the driveway. It wasn't late but whatever she wanted must have been important and I prayed Flo was alright as I opened the door to her. Mary jumped from her car and raced up the path to me at the door. I was worried and about to ask her if Flo was ok when she started talking at a million miles an hour. I pulled her inside trying to calm her and sat her at the kitchen table. I handed her a bottle of Coke to try to slow her down.

Her eyes were excited and she took a deep breath that started again. "Jim, we were just watching NCIS on TV. Jim, they used a lie detector! Jim, a lie detector can give you the answers you need and you can have your Flo back. What do you think? Please Jim, you owe it to yourself. You owe it to both of you. Please, Jim, please?"

I sat there thinking about what she was saying and maybe this was the only proof I could get and just nodded my head.

"She wants you to know that she is willing to take a lie detector test to prove that she isn't lying when she says nothing happened with Roger or ever has with him or anyone else. That is the only proof she can offer you apart from her word."

This was a new wrinkle I hadn't thought of and I gave it a few more minutes thought as Mary watched me intently while continuing to sip her Coke.

"That sounds OK to me but I want to place some conditions on it. One, results proving she didn't have sex with Roger doesn't mean I will take her back. Two, Roger will have to take the same test and the results of his test will have to agree with hers. Three, I want approval on who administers the tests and the questions and four, I will not pay for the tests."

"That sounds reasonable to me Jim, but can't you be more positive about taking her back if the test results show they aren't lying?"

"No, she cuckolded me and hurt me deeply and even if I took her back it will be a long time before I forgive her."

"Alright, Jim. I'll give her your conditions. I'm really sorry about this whole mess. I wanted to tear into her for her stupidity when she showed up at my place, but she was such a pathetic sight that I don't believe anything I could say would make her feel any worse. She knows that she has done a very stupid thing and has also done you a terrible wrong particularly after I told her what you said on my last visit. I have to give her pills to get her to sleep at night now. I also want to tell you that she called your kids and told them what she did. I think they were a little put out at her as she hasn't stopped crying since she talked with them. Well, I'd better get back and give your message. Thanks for the Coke."

"OK Mary. Thanks for coming all the way over here. I appreciate your concern."

After she left I sat down to think about the situation. Some of my initial ire had cooled and I was now able to think clearer about what I wanted. I decided to get a drink first and went into the den, where my liquor cabinet was, and poured a tumbler half full with good scotch and then went to the kitchen to add an ice cube. Without returning to my seat I wandered about the house looking at all the things that were memories of our married life together. Did I really want to end my marriage remembering what Sgt Bell had told me about his loneliness? I was awakened from my reverie and reminiscing by the door bell ringing. Checking out the window I saw our daughter, Patty, standing at the front door looking decidedly unhappy.

"Oh shit," I thought. She's just found the locks have been changed and her key didn't work. I opened the door and Patty immediately came inside giving me a dirty look.

"What's with changing the locks dad and why aren't you answering your phone. It's late and I have been trying all week and had to drive here 150 miles to find out what's going on."

"I'm sorry Patty; I didn't want to talk with your mother so it turned the phone down. I hear from your Aunt Mary that she told you what she did."

"Yes, and I'm really mad at you for throwing her out just because of a joke. Can't you forgive her and let her come home? When she called me to let me know what she did she was a basket case.

"Patty, it was more than just a joke and I'd warned her before that I didn't like the way she and our friend Roger were carrying on, but she didn't listen."

"I couldn't get too much out of mom over the phone but I understand it was just a joke. What was so bad about it?"

I wondered how much Flo had told her but went on to relate what had happened from my point of view. I started out by telling her about the necking incident they had pulled earlier and our discussions afterward. Then I told her about their so called fucking joke and pulled up my sleeves and removed the bandages to show her my wrists.

"Oh daddy, that's terrible. Was that when you threw her out?"

"Yes, I was sure they had intercourse. It sure sounded like they did, because I know the sounds your mother makes when she has an orgasm. Patty, I heard everything, even her moaning. Either that or they're very good actors. I perceive that they did and that's my reality until she can prove differently."

"Your mother has offered to take a lie detector test and to have Roger take one. If the test results agree I'll have to believe her, but she hurt me so badly. They thought they would have a big laugh at my expense and accept being a pseudo wimp, cuckold over their so-called joke. I still worry I may be unable to live with her again."

"I'm real sorry that daddy. I hope you and mom can work this out because I love you both in spite of what she did."

"I'm trying to accomplish that baby because I really miss your mother, but I still can't get over her disrespect for me."

"OK daddy, I guess I can't ask more than you try to get back with her. I'm going over to see mom now that I know what happened and see if I can get her calmed down. I'll probably spend the night at Aunt Mary's and then I have to get back. Please answer your phones so I can get a hold of you and I know Eric wants to talk with you too. I'll call him and let him know what this is all about. He's on that job upstate and has been trying to reach you after mom called him."

"OK baby, I'll answer the phones from now. Give me a hug."

I took her in my arms and held her close. She was so much like her mother it was frightening sometimes and I loved her very much. She'd always been my baby.

"Bye daddy." she told me as she went out the door to her car. I waved as she pulled of the driveway and headed up the street. Then I returned to my lonely drink and thought about this new direction.

I finally decided I would wait for the results of the lie detector tests before making a decision. I figure I couldn't trust the testing of one of the jokesters to verify their story but I didn't think there was any way for both to fool the machine.

The morning after I received an early phone call from Mary telling me that Flo had agreed to my conditions for the lie detector test and she'd gotten Roger to go along with it as well. Roger had agreed to pay for both tests to show his remorse for his suggesting the joke to Flo. Mary also provided me with the name and phone number of the test administrator.

My anger at Flo for participating in the joke had cooled somewhat, but I felt so depressed that if she loved me and didn't have sex with Roger, how could she have participated in such a demeaning joke on me. I was slowly coming to the conclusion that maybe her love for me was gone despite her protestations about wanting to get back together with me. I was scared when I thought it may come down to a simple decision whether I wanted a loveless marriage if the tests proved there was no sex.

Flo had tried to call me again a few times but I just hung up when I heard her voice and she soon got the message. I weakened every time I heard her talk. After that, all her communication with me was through her sister and I received daily calls from her; mostly about how sorry Flo was and she wanted to come home but I kept telling them I wouldn't make a decision until after the lie detector tests.

About this time our son, Eric, called me to beg me to forgive his mother and allow her home again. I tried to explain what had happened and why I was having such a hard time with his mother's actions but he couldn't relate to my pain and kept insisting I let her come home. I realized that I might end up in an estranged relationship with my son if it turned out that we divorced. It was some comfort to know that our daughter, Patty, better understood what I was going through and was more supportive.

After getting the information from Mary on the name of the administrator of the test, I called some friends in legal and police matters and found out that the guy was used frequently by the police and was assured he would conduct an impartial test. Calling, I made an appointment to see him the next day. I found out he'd already been contacted by Flo and Roger and was scheduled to give the test to each of them in two days. They had both provided my name as an interested party with authority to control the questions to be asked.

The following day I explained to my boss that I needed to take some more personal time and went down to the test administrator's office. His name was Jack Harlan and I explained to him what the problem was and I needed closure via his testing to determine if Flo and Roger had sex or not. We discussed the questions he would ask and he told me that he would ask the same questions of both Flo and Roger and compare the responses he received from both of them then issue me a final written report. He agreed that having both of them take the test and comparing the results would provide assurance that there was no sex if test results for both were in agreement. If they weren't then the tests were invalid and I could probably never be trust her again and divorce was imminent. If the tests showed they were both lying I could start divorce proceedings immediately. It was a no brainer as far as I was concerned.

I went back to work feeling more assured I would get to the bottom of this soon as to whether there was sex involved. However, I knew in my heart that hard decisions were coming.

The next three days I went to work as usual and stayed late to catch up on my work and to avoid going home to an empty house. I ate my meals at a nearby diner and when I got home, I had a drink of scotch and then went to my cold empty bed. Sleep was hard to come by and I really missed Flo and the warmth and love she had brought to our marriage before the jokes started.

On Friday I received a call from Jack Harlan that he was putting the results of the testing in the mail that morning and I should probably have it the next day. He didn't tell me the results, just that I should be pleased. I thought to myself he could have told me the full results over the phone and that what he did was a bastard thing to do. Now I had to wait.

The next day a courier delivered the envelope containing the reports and I sat down at the kitchen table to open it with mixed feelings. The envelope contained a summary report of the tests on both Flo and Roger. The report indicated that the results from both tests were in agreement regarding the episode with the handcuffs in that no sex had occurred. Additionally, a question I had the test administrator insert regarding whether any sex had ever occurred between them had negative results.

I breathed a sigh of relief but then thought, "What if I had already pushed her too far?" I guess it was time to sit down and talk with her to see where we were going.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Given it was just a tasteless joke, my pay-back was more than I could have hoped for and I knew they would never forget what they had done, but now I also had the proof I needed to dissolve my fears about Flo's infidelity. I wanted my life back but I wanted to keep my self-respect. If things went badly now I would have never forgiven myself.

Early that evening I called Mary's place and asked to speak to Flo.

"Well, it's about time." Mary responded.

"I only got my copy of the test results today and Flo and I need to talk."

"Were they OK?"

"Yes, they were fine. I guess it was just a bad, tasteless and uncaring joke."

"Well, can't Flo go home now?"

"We need to talk first. The lack of respect she showed me by pulling that joke was too much. We need to talk about our future together. Mary, you remember I made no promises." My demons had got loose again.

"Oh god, I hoped that once you were convinced they weren't lying, it would be over and she could go home."

I could hear Flo gasping in the background as she heard Mary saying what she did.

"I wish it were that simple Mary, but I have a real problem with that so-called joke that goes beyond the big laugh they got out of it, so can we use your house to meet tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure; no problem. I'll leave at whatever time you set up and you can have the house to yourselves."

"Thanks Mary. Can you put her on now?"

"Sure, just a minute."

I heard some murmurings in the background and then Flo came on the phone.

"Jim? Honey, is it you?"

"Yeah, it's me Flo. We need to talk."

"Mary says the test results were OK. Can I come home so we can talk?"

"No, you can't come home yet Flo. I want to meet with you tomorrow afternoon at Mary's place. Is two PM OK?"

I heard a sob and then a faint response.

"That's fine honey. I love you."

"We'll discuss it tomorrow Flo. See you then. Bye." I realized I missed her so much.

As I was hanging up I could hear her crying and I began to feel bad. I knew I had to hang tough on this and see how the talks next day would go. Tomorrow was a Sunday and I hoped to get resolution on my marital problems at our meeting. I knew she would get more questions at church in the morning and people would know we were now separated.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The next afternoon I was at Mary's house at 2 PM on the dot. I had found I couldn't wait at home any longer and left to meet Flo earlier than I should have so I waited around the corner until the designated time. Mary saw me as she drove past on her way out and I think she knew then how much I loved her sister. Flo answered the door when I walked up the steps and I realized she was watching, waiting for me. She looked tired and sad with dark circles under her eyes and in the two weeks since I last seen her she had lost weight. It looked like she was about to put her arms around me; I wanted to hold her as well but I just shook my head as I entered the house. I knew if she had held me that I would have taken her back without properly resolving our problem.

"Hi honey." she spoke softly. "Mary has gone to the mall for a couple of hours so we can talk. Where do you want to sit? I've made coffee. Can I get you some?"

"I guess we can sit at the kitchen table and yes, a cup of coffee is OK."

I followed her into the kitchen and sat down watching her get the coffees. When she had set the cups on the table and I took a sip of mine as she sat down across the table from me.

"Before we begin I'd like to say something." she said. "In the last two weeks I've had a lot of time to think about what occurred, what led up to it and I'm appalled and ashamed of myself for the lack of respect for you as my husband, friend and lover I was exhibiting. I don't know where I was coming from in getting involved in those horrid jokes with Roger. When we made you the butt of those jokes I must have been out of my mind and I want you to know I've started to see a psychologist about how I got into that mind set."

"I want you to know also that having these two weeks apart and not being able to communicate with you has been the worst time of my life. It's made me realize how much I love you and need you. However, if you decide we've got to separate then I will accept that as punishment for what I've done to you and our marriage. I will always love you no matter what happens. I can only ask you, as my husband, to please forgive me and take me back as your wife. I will make sure you will never regret it if you do."

I had sat there listening as she talked and heard her say the things I knew I had to hear if there was going to be a successful reconciliation between us. If she had gone off on what other people thought about our breaking up or any other meaningless reason to stay together it would have been very difficult for me but I knew in my heart once I sat with her that I would have taken her back no matter what she said. She had gone right to the crux of the problem and had addressed her shortcomings in allowing it to happen and what she was doing to find out why it happened. I remembered then why I'd married her so many years ago. She was forthright and didn't beat about the bush when a problem presented itself and needed to be solved. Now it was my turn to say something.

"I'm remembering Flo." I said and she looked at me apprehensively. "I'm remembering why I married you. You completed me. You made me whole and I never want to forget that."

She was smiling now as I continued.

"Somehow we got off track but I think it's coming back together. I don't need a subservient slave back; I want the woman I married back and I want to get her back home where she belongs so I can feel whole again."

She was getting up from her chair and coming around the table to me with her arms outstretched and a beautiful smile on her face. I stood to meet her and we came together in a frenzied, passionate embrace. Our lips met and our tongues duelled as we hungrily sought to make ourselves one body.

Finally, we broke the kiss and I whispered in her ear as she continued to desperately hold on to me.

"I brought my truck in case I decided to bring you home. How long will it take you to get packed and ready to go?"

"If you back your truck up to the garage you'll find all my gear in the bags waiting to be loaded."

I pulled back a little from her and looked at her tear stained face before speaking.

"You were pretty sure of yourself, weren't you?"

"No, just hoping and praying like I have never prayed before. I didn't want to waste any time getting home again if you decided to keep me. I have so much to make it up to you."

She was smiling and looking into my eyes while she said it and still clinging to me.

"I love you."

"I know, and I love you more than my life. Let's go home."

EPILOGUE

We got back together and made a new stronger commitment to our marriage. I couldn't forgive Roger for what he had done to me and in order to solve my problem and having him as a next door neighbour we sold the house we raised our kids in and bought a new, smaller home to fit our new life style as empty nesters. Life is good. Sadly, I would have my physical scars on my wrists for the rest of my life and every time I stopped and looked at them I would remember the emotional pain I felt when they had subjected me to such a cruel joke; but it also reminded me of the love I had for my wife and how strong it was now; how it would always be there. I knew it actually made our bond and our love for each other stronger. Frequently I caught Flo starring at the scars as well and her eyes would always get misty. Maybe she remembered how much she loved me as well and what her life was like without me for those two weeks of hell as well as the hurt she had caused. Strangely we always had great sex at night after she saw them and I thought she was still trying to make it up to me. I made sure she saw them frequently. We are still good friends with Alice and see her regularly but I never did take her up on her offer. She always reminds me she still has to pay Roger back for what he did and it was a lifetime pass she gave me.

Oh, before I forget; Alice told us Roger no longer played practical jokes on people.

by Sid0604

There will be critics who choose to take me to task for my apparent confusion in how my main character deals with his problem. Maybe this stems from my current situation in finally trying to come to terms with my wife cheating on me some years ago when she was suffering from depression and my demons that still get free occasionally because of it. Trust me when I say that it is possible to love someone so much it hurts and never want to lose them; but at the same time to hate what they have done to you. And if you want to know….yes, I did stop their affair……I hope. But I no longer trust her.

14,565 Words