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 This is a work fiction, involving the sexual acts between consenting
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   Any similarities to persons living or dead are coincidental.
   Full Circle 2: Cheryl and Elise
   By
   Romany
   (M/F, oral, anal)
   Time rolled by without Julie showing her face.  I spent Christmas in St.
Louis with my parents, my sister Gwen, her husband Phil, and their two kids
Alice and Stephanie.  I took the opportunity to warn mom before arriving
why I would be alone.  Mom cried on the phone and was very emotional and
clingy when I arrived.  But they were all fantastic and I was reminded of
the power of the family to heal.  It was just after I returned home after
Christmas that two men arrived at the door with an inventory saying they
had been asked to collect some furniture from the house.  I looked at what
they had on their list and saw it was the downstairs furniture from the
lounge and dining rooms.  One of the guys remarked that �the lady said
you�d know what this was about.� I was somewhat slighted she did not
show up in person; or even make me a courtesy call.  I realized she simply
did not want to engage me in any way at all.  Which made me wonder why I
had not seen any divorce papers.  As a petulant response to this apparent
snub of not engaging me, I resolved to initiate the divorce proceedings
myself.  As for the furniture, I always knew I would have to replace what
she had taken.  The refinancing of my mortgage allowed me a little lee-way
to take some cash for just such a reason and I set about scouring
post-Christmas furniture sales to replace the major items.  I was able to
furnish the downstairs with what I wanted.  Not the severe dark wooden
items that Julie favored.  All of her choices were largely dictated by
price in a belief it was quality.  My choices were more pragmatic and cost
effective and, in short, I liked them much better.
   About 3:00pm one bright Saturday afternoon in mid-January I decided to
go into Harvard Square, to a bar I had frequented during the time Julie and
I had roomed in the general campus area.  It was cold and there was a hint
of fresh snow coming but I realized I had been out of normal social contact
with people in general except for work.  Maybe catch a college hockey game
on the big screen and enjoy being part of the world again.  I arrived about
3:30pm and soon I was sitting on a high stool at the bar watching hockey on
TV.  Neither team was of importance to me so I was idly gazing at the TV in
a disinterested way when I felt someone touch my arm.  I turned quickly and
to my surprise it was Fleur with a guy I remember as Tony; the guy at
Cheryl�s, the time Julie and I had called to go to Vermont when their
father was sick.
   �Hey stranger,� she said breezily.  �Long time no see.� I looked
at her and raised a quizzical eyebrow.  I�d definitely tried to maintain
contact after the hot sex we had, but she had avoided me.  I looked at Tony
who was watching me intently.
   �This is Tony,� she said introducing him.  �You might remember
him? I think from the time when you and Julie came looking for Cheryl when
their dad was sick,� she said quickly.
   �Oh, that�s right.  Yeah.  A few months back now,� I said.
   I looked at the two of them.
   �Are you two an item?� I asked with a grin.
   They looked bashfully at each other and grinned.
   �Yeah,� Fleur said.  �They say you shouldn�t hook up with
roommates but somehow me and Tony hit it off, and well, you know, here we
are,� she said.
   I looked at Tony.
   �So you two have found your groove thang then?� I said mimicking
street jive.
   They grinned and Fleur touched his arm.
   �Care to join me?� I asked.
   They looked at each other.
   �Yeah.  OK.  Thanks,� Fleur said for the two of them, as she eased
up onto a stool beside me.  Tony leaned against the bar.
   I ordered drinks for them and once they were delivered we slipped into
easy conversation about nothing in particular.  They were still with Cheryl
at the same house I had last seen them together.  But surprisingly it
emerged that Julie was there as well.  Fleur had mentioned this almost as
an aside.
   �What?  Julie is with you guys!� I said somewhat incredulously.
   �Yeah.  She�s fine,� Tony added quickly.
   �We hardly see her,� Fleur continued.  �We�re all students and
she�s full time working so we don�t see her except for nights and
occasionally at weekends,� she explained.
   So Julie had moved in with her sister and her sister�s roommates.  How
cozy.
   �How did she fit her furniture in?� I asked.
   Stupid question not really designed for any real information.  I cringed
as soon as I said it, feeling lame.
   �Well some of ours was really grubby and so hers replaced it.  It
fitted in fine,� Fleur explained.
   I nodded my head in understanding.
   �Ah well.  She�s found a niche meantime,� I said.
   �Meantime?  Why meantime?� Fleur asked.
   �Oh.  It�s just that she gave me the strong impression she was on
the up and destined for higher places.  I just thought being in a student
house was a temporary situation.  No offense.�
   �Yeah, you�re probably right,� said Tony.
   Fleur shot him a quick glance.
   �Maybe not.  She seems very settled.  But she�s seeing someone so
maybe that will be her next move, on the �up� as you put it,� Fleur
said staring rather pointedly at me.
   That was a deliberate dig at me being on my own.
   �Ah well.  As long as she�s getting where she wants to be,� I said
somewhat unconvincingly.
   I wondered whom she was seeing.  She had told me the deal with Steve was
over, so who knows?
   It was near 5:30pm when Fleur announced they should be going to
�prepare�, as she put it.  I looked quizzically at her.
   �We�re having a party tonight,� she explained.  �Would you like
to come?�
   �Oh no, no thanks,� I said quickly.  �I�d rather stay away from
my near relatives right now,� I continued with a laugh.
   Fleur screwed her face up at the mention of �near relatives� then my
words dawned on her.
   �Oh.  Of course.  You and Julie are still married and Cheryl is still
your sister-in-law,� she said.
   I nodded.
   �But they won�t be there anyway,� she said quickly.  �They�ve
gone down to Providence for the night.  To see some relative who�s over
from the west coast.  Apparently their folks are down from Vermont as
well,� She explained.
   I nodded my understanding.
   �And they won�t be back?� I asked.
   �No.  No they�re staying the night with their folks.  Come on Danny.
Kick your heels up.  We�d love you to join us,� Fleur said almost
pleading.
   �OK.  You�ve talked me into it,� I said with a laugh.  �What
time?�
   �Any time after 9:00pm is good,� she said.
   �Yeah come over about 9,� Tony agreed.
   �OK.  It�s a date,� I said in confirmation.
   We parted and I went home and prepared a light meal.  I was actually
looking forward to a night out.  I had been somewhat reclusive for some
weeks now, apart from the odd night at a bar with some of my work friends.
I showered and dressed casually in clean Levis and a dark gray shirt,
tucked into the jeans.  I had a navy blue, almost black, blazer I�d wear
over the top.  I left home about 8:30pm with two 6 packs of beer.  I
usually stayed on beer, as I tended to get a bit bloated before I got to
drunk.  It was sort of early warning signal not to over indulge if I was
driving.  I arrived just after 9 and the place was quite full of young
people.  Mostly college students I reasoned.  I didn�t know anyone but I
was quite happy just to mooch about making small talk and just hang out. 
There were a number of hot girls and I was pleased one or two showed more
than passing interest in an �old fart� like me.
   I was standing in a hallway chatting to a young woman who was a friend
of a friend of a friend, when suddenly I felt someone pushing past me.  I
turned with a frown to tell whomever it was to ease off when I realized to
my horror it was Cheryl.  We both stood stunned looking at each other. 
What the hell was she doing here?  She spoke.
   �What the hell are you doing here!� She gasped in some shock.
   �I was about to say, I might ask you the same, but as you live here
it�s a redundant question,� I said evenly.  �But then supposedly
you�re in Providence tonight,� I added.
   �You�re damn right I live here,� she answered sternly, ignoring my
comment about Providence.
   �To answer your question, I was invited by your room mates and
accepted on the proviso you and your sister would not be here,� I said
somewhat indignant at her attitude.
   She glared at me.
   �Scared of me?� she said in a teasing mocking tone.  �Wouldn�t
come unless I was out?� she continued.
   �Not likely,� I answered quickly.  �Just trying to ensure a good
time was had by all.  Obviously I miscalculated.�
   The girl I had been talking to, Jerri or some such name looked decidedly
uncomfortable at this turn of events and I realized she was quietly
drifting down the hall to the main party room.  Cheryl looked passed me at
the retreating woman.
   �Cramp your style did I?� she asked.
   �As always Cheryl, you never cease to piss me off.  Well done. 
Nothing changes,� I said casually.
   I raised my bottle to my lips after a mock toast.  She continued to
glare at me.  I drained the last inch or so from the bottle of Heineken and
turned and eased past her towards the kitchen.  The night was over form me
now.  She turned and called after me.
   �Not so sure of yourself here are you!� she crowed.
   I turned back and grimaced at her words.  I felt like kicking the
smart-ass bitch.  I walked into the kitchen and placed the empty bottle in
an overflowing plastic trash bin.  I had taken my blazer off and Fleur had
put it somewhere.  Shit.  I had to go back down the hall and up the stairs
as I thought Fleur had taken it up and put it in her room along with most
of the other coats from the party-goers.  Cheryl was standing at the end of
the hall at the foot of the stairs talking animatedly to Fleur.  No doubt
about me, and Cheryl�s early return from Providence.  I approached the
two of them and saw Tony loitering behind the girls listening.  He started
to talk to them and they stopped what seemed like an argument.  He saw me
approach and stopped talking.  The girls looked around to see him staring
at me and they both turned and looked at me approaching.
   �Fleur I�m going to push off now,� I said not looking at Cheryl.
�I was wondering where my coat was.�
   �Don�t go Danny.  You�re enjoying yourself.� She turned to
Cheryl.  Don�t be such a bitch Cheryl.  This is our place to.  Tony and I
live here as well remember.  We invited Danny so just lose yourself
somewhere in the lounge and you two stay apart,� she added looking at me.
   �Fleur, it�s OK.  Really.  I�ve enjoyed myself.  But it�s after
midnight so I think I need to blow now anyway,� I said almost
apologetically.
   �No man.  Stay if you want,� Tony insisted, and looked sternly at
Cheryl.
   �You weren�t supposed to be home until tomorrow so don�t come back
here throwing your weight around,� he said evenly.  �Just lay off and
stop bringing us down.�
   I almost laughed at the hippie jargon he was using.  Cheryl scowled at
them then turned and looked pointedly at me.
   �Stay as long as you like,� she said icily.  �Just stay away from
me.� With that she pushed passed them and went into the darkened lounge.
   "Thanks guys.  Nice to know I�m welcome by you guys at least.� I
meant it.
   They both patted me on the shoulder and we all dispersed from the bottom
of the stairs.  I went back to the kitchen and got another Heineken.  I
wandered about looking for Jerri.  Eventually I found her but she was now
talking with an older guy who may have been a junior professor or
something. He looked quite pretentious in his hounds tooth sport coat and
wearing a scarf for effect.  I was disappointed so drifted back out towards
the kitchen.  To my disappointment, Cheryl had set up residence in the
kitchen.  I regarded her indifferently and helped myself to another beer. I
was somewhat taken aback to realize Cheryl was toking on a joint with a guy
standing by her chair.  I hadn�t had a hit for years and the smell was a
sweet and familiar reminder of my college days.  Julie had always been
against marijuana.  Certainly studying law had brought a keen objection
from her with the warning of how it could jeopardize her career if she were
ever busted.  I went along with her objection and had given up smoking.
   �Hit buddy?� they guy asked, offering me a toke.
   I looked at it and then at Cheryl who was holding her breath, getting
the full effect of the weed.  I reached and took it from him and took a
long draw on the spliff.  I inhaled and held.  The effect came quickly and
fond memories flooded back.  Cheryl was studying me intently.  She was
obviously heeding the warning to her from Fleur and Tony, and she did not
bait me.  Instead the three of us shared the joint.  I was starting to feel
light headed and relaxed.  Finally we finished the J, with the owner toking
the last quarter inch until it burned his fingers.  He dropped it into an
ashtray and nodded his affirmation of a nice hit.  He left.  Drifting down
the hall.
   �I didn�t know you had it in you,� Cheryl said in a condescending
tone.
   �There are a lot of things you don�t know about me,� I answered.
   �Oh, like what?� she asked inquisitively.  �Like your have a big
cock,� she blurted out, and laughed uproariously at her brazen words.
   I looked at her somewhat disgustedly thinking she was implying I must
have a weenie.
   �Oh grow up you silly cow.  Just when you seem almost grown up, you
fuck it up with a childish burn,� I said derisively.
   She stopped laughing abruptly and her tone changed.  She placed a hand
on my arm.
   �No.  No Danny.  I�m not putting you down.  I mean it,� she said.
   I shook my head disbelieving her catty attitude.
   �Yeah right,� I sneered at her.  �No, no�really, I�m sorry. 
Fleur and Tony are right,� she said softening her tone.  �I shouldn�t
be antagonizing you so,� she added.
   I scowled at her but she seemed almost sincere.
   �I�m sorry.  I shouldn�t have said it.  I apologize.  Please.  Let
it go.  I�m sorry,� she said trying to offset the remark with an
apology.
   I softened my attitude.  Then she giggled.
   �But you do have a big one,� she leered at me.  �You know?  Your
dick, or prick; schlong, cock,� she said almost in a whisper, looking
around to see if anyone was near and could hear her.
   I realized the effects of the joint and whatever alcohol she had had
were taking effect and she was quite high and behaving quite loose; not the
uptight bitch I always thought she was.
   �Julie told me you had a big one,� she said in a hushed tone with a
grin on her face and looking at me.
   I swear there was a twinkle in her eyes.  I was stunned.
   �What?  Julie told you about my�.� I trailed off.
   �Cock�big cock,� and held her hands about ten inches apart as if
measuring she emphasized.
   I frowned.  She was bullshitting me about Julie saying that.  Julie
would never have confided such a thing to anyway.  She was too straight for
sharing such intimacies.  Even with her sister�or was she?
   �No.  It�s a compliment.  I mean it.  She told me ages ago.  Just
after you guys started, you know, doing it.� She added, noting my
skepticism.
   I continued frowning but this news made me feel quite at ease.  So my
wife had told her sister I had a big cock.  I wasn�t Julie�s first by
any means.  I was aware of at least three serious affairs she had had
before we hooked up.  And maybe a few before that.  She confessed she was
sexually active from age 15.
   I nodded my understanding.  What more could I say.  Cheryl still had her
hand on my wrist as I had my thumbs hooked in my belt loops at my hips.  I
looked at it.  She saw me looking at her hand and quickly sought to remove
it, then paused.  She looked up at me.  I met her eyes.  For the first time
since I knew her, there was a much softer look.  Almost a begrudging
admiration as she held my gaze while I looked down at her seated in the
chair.  I started in shock when I felt her hand drag over the front of my
jeans, pushing even pressure against my cock tucked in my briefs.  My eyes
must have signaled my surprise as a wicked smile came to her lips and she
rubbed her hand back and forth firmly over my cock.  I quickly started to
get hard.  Shit.  Was this real?  This shrew that I had fought with for
over five years was feeling me up.  I looked down at her upturned face and
for the first time I also took in the tops of her not unsubstantial
cleavage and boobs.  She was wearing a white blouse with the top two
buttons open and I could see the swell of her breasts and the top of her
lacey cup bra.  She was wearing a nice pair of designer jeans and I had to
admit that I always regarded Cheryl as sexier and more voluptuous than her
older sister; almost slutty without being a skank about it.  She had long
full bodied dark hair down her shoulders and seemed more womanly, whereas
Julie was petite and almost androgynous when dressed in her work attire. 
Julie was a knockout naked but her dress sense was always targeted towards
her young professional image.  I reached forward and run my fingers down
the nape of her neck on one side and dropped my fingertips onto the tops of
her breasts and trailed them lightly.  She slowly rose and took the
initiative and slinging her free arm around my neck she planted a long
sloppy French kiss on me.  I was now hard and the kiss just ensured I was
getting in her mood.  Was it the joint or was there some repressed sexual
feeling for me here?  She kissed me slowly and languidly, and while her
tongue probed my mouth she had my cock in a firm grip now it was erect. 
She broke and touched her forehead against my face as she leaned into me.
   �Fucking hell, Julie was right.  Even allowing for the jeans, it�s
fucking huge,� she whispered breathlessly.
   I sensed she was really aroused now.
   �Come on,� she urged breathlessly and taking my hand she dragged me
along the hall to the stairs.  The party was humming and most of the
partygoers were in the front lounge of the large old house.  Except for
Fleur and Tony, nobody knew who I was and nobody took any notice of the two
of us slipping up the stairs, away from the noise and gloom of the party.
We reached the landing at the top of the stairs and she dragged me to the
left and into her bedroom.  She let my hand go and went to the nightstand
and turned the bedside lamp on.  She sat and quickly started to unbutton
her blouse.  I stood watching her and then I looked around the room.  It
was neat and tidy.  A large double bed dominated the room, with a tall
dresser and single nightstand as the off side of the bed was pushed against
a short return in the wall that opened into large bay windows.  Under the
windows there was a window seat with a long floral patterned cushion on
top. There were a number of photographs on a small dresser, which had a
mirror with it.  I could vaguely make out Jack and Val in one frame, and a
family portrait of Julie and Cheryl with their parents.
   �What are you doing?� she asked urgently.
   I turned and looked at her.  She was standing in a pair of shear,
brilliant white, panties with her bra in her hand.  She was breathtakingly
gorgeous.  Full breasts with dark nipples and a bikini tan line as evidence
of her regular sun lamp sessions.
   �Come on slow poke,� she commanded, and stepped forward and started
working at my belt buckle.
   I started to unbutton my shirt and by the time I shed it she had my
jeans down and was pushing my briefs down my thighs.  She stopped and took
my erect cock in her hand, kneeling with her face level to my groin.  �Oh
my fucking God,� she sighed.  �It�s magnificent.�
   She stroked it a few times and looked at me.
   �What the fuck was my stupid sister thinking of, giving this up?�
she purred.
   That comment pissed me off a little.  I reflected that Julie and I had a
good sex relationship but our whole being was not predicated by the size of
my cock.  I had no time to reflect on how stupid the remark was because I
felt her mouth close over the head of my cock.  She started to jack me
slowly while swirling her tongue around the knob.  She was gulping and
gasping as she struggled for breath.  She was greedy; she had it in her
mouth more than regular breathing would dictate but she was now gasping as
she pushed her head down as far as she could.  She held her head down with
a considerable amount of the cock in her throat and wiggled her head.  I
sensed she was panicking a little and she suddenly pulled her head back and
gasped, heaving for breath.  She looked up at me and grinned.
   �About half,� she gasped.  �Couldn�t take anymore.�
   I grinned back and tousled her hair.
   �More practice,� I said grinning slyly.
   She rose quickly, still holding my cock.
   �No time to overdo the foreplay,� she said quickly.  �He�s ready
and so am I.�
   She backed onto the bed, her butt catching the edge of the mattress. 
She moved to swing her legs up onto the bed but I moved quickly and
restricted her movement.  I was standing between her legs and I reached
down and grabbed the crotch of her flimsy panties.  I gave a sharp tug and
she squeaked in discomfort as the material resisted tight against her
waist, then the crotch parted.  Her eyes opened wide at this sudden assault
on her underwear and she opened her mouth to say something when I leaned
forward and crushed her lips with mine.  She immediately caved in and
wrapped an arm around my neck.  She was still holding my cock but her hand
was trapped between our bodies.  I maneuvered to give myself more room and
dropped my hand and took my cock from her hand.  I pulled back moved the
head around and quickly found the point of least resistance.  With one slow
shove I buried myself into her.  She let out a long low groan as I slowly
eased deep into her.
   �Oh�my�fucking�God,� she gasped.  �It�s coming out my
fucking throat.�
   I reached behind me and grabbed a leg in each hand and lifted them off
the floor.  She moaned as it had the net effect of pushing me deeper into
her.
   �Oh fuck,� she complained and sighed and as she grasped my upper
arms.
   I hitched her legs outside my arms and onto the top of the shoulders. 
Still standing I leaned forward and adjusted the distance to the bed.  I
had her legs high in the air and in this position I started humping her
steadily.  She was gasping and groaning as I bottomed out against her
cervix.  Was I really so big?  I never ever saw myself as well hung.  Yet
in a short space of time two different women had said I was huge.  And
Cheryl had quoted Julie as saying the same thing.  I fucked her hard and I
could hear her breathing and gasping as I pushed into her.  I was leaned
forward pushing her knees back to her chest so I was almost lying half
prone across the top of her and our pubis� were rubbing as I pushed into
her.  I found I could fuck her effectively without having to move my hips
too far on the out-in strokes.
   I was aware of a faint slurping noise.  Evidence I she was gripping me
tightly with her cunt.  She was very wet and the slurping occasionally made
the odd farting squelch, as air would be pushed past the tight junction as
my cock filled her again.  I was thinking how fucking great this was when I
became aware she was now wailing quietly.  Almost through clenched teeth. I
could hear a sharp intake of breath at intervals and she began to move her
body as much as she was able to, given I had her pinned with her own legs
pushed back.  She had both arms wrapped around my neck now and I could hear
her in one ear as she responded to the fucking.  Without warning she
started to convulse by arching her back and pushing her groin up at me. 
The quiet wail became louder and finally with an �oooooohhhhhh
fuuuuuuuuuck� through her clenched teeth she spasmed and began cumming,
moaning lowly, interspersed with little gasps as the pleasure engulfed her.
I let her move against me and slowed.  I wasn�t ready yet and I wasn�t
going to ruin the delicious fuck just because she had beaten me to the
waterfall�s edge.  I stopped fucking and she continued to push against me
as she milked the last few drops of pleasure from her orgasm.  I looked
down at her and she had her green eyes half shut, but she was watching me;
a thin bead of perspiration evident on her upper lip.  I licked it and she
smiled at this small show of intimacy.  She draped one arm behind her head
and opened her eyes properly.  She moved the arm around my neck to the back
of my head and pulled me to kiss me.  We had a long kiss.
   �That was fucking incredible,� she whispered.  �Can I have my legs
back?� she added, and winced to show how cramped she was.
   I grinned and eased back, withdrawing my cock.  Her eyes opened wide as
I withdrew.
   �You�re still hard!  Oh you didn�t cum?� she asked surprised.
   I shook my head and grinned.
   �Not just yet,� I said.
   I stood back from her, my erection waving before me, and I grabbed a leg
and began turning her over.  At first her natural instinct was to resist
but she quickly realized what I was about to do.  She helped by rolling
onto her stomach.  Her legs were still dangling over the edge of the bed. I
stepped between them and took my cock and pushed it into her cunt with one
hard shove.  She gasped and I slid deep in one movement and she groaned as
I once again filled her up.  There was no ceremony in this.  I simply
grabbed her hips and began to vigorously fuck her hard, slapping against
her butt.  I stood fully dressed and watched my cock protruding from my
flies; sliding in and out of her tight warmth and glistening with her
juices.  She groaned each time I buried in her and pushed her body into the
mattress.  I fucked steadily and as I watched I saw the brown pucker of her
asshole winking at me.  My cock stretching her wide was moving the flesh
between her cunt and asshole; the perineum.  I took a finger and slobbered
on it in my mouth.  I brushed my finger across the rose and she winced.
   �What are you doing?� I heard her voice rasp.  She had her face
buried in the bed.
   I slowed the fuck and I crouched a little and dropped some spittle onto
the rose.
   �Danny, stop it.  Stop.  Not that,� she gasped urgently.
   Too late.  I pushed my index finger in to the second knuckle.  She
groaned at the discomfort.  I started to fucker her again and soon settled
into a rhythm with my finger reaming her tight anal opening.  She had tried
to twist away but I held her tight.  Soon she calmed down again and I
fucked her steadily.  I moved my free hand under her hips and scratched
about until I found her vulva lips and slide my hand up to the clitoris. 
She groaned long and low.
   �Oh fuck.  Yesss,� she moaned.
   I worked her with my fingers while I fucked her deep.  I started to get
the swing of the carnal presence that was over us both and the delicious
ache preceding orgasm started to well up in me.  I pushed harder and
started fucking in short sharp jerks while my finger slid over her
clitoris. I had managed to get the ring finger on my hand inside her anus,
alongside the index finger I had started with.  She was now moaning and I
realized she was in some sort of suspended orgasm as she groaned and moaned
with small convulsive grunts as she came again.  I felt my orgasm upon me
and I slammed her deep as the first spurt emptied into her.  I continued
fucking her hard as I spurted into her, crying out as she had done, as I
emptied my balls into her tight hot wetness.  I gave one last gasp and
shoved her hard enough that her feet came off the floor momentarily.  She
gasped in discomfort at the pressure on the back of her vagina.  I had to
remove my fingers from her anus to let myself collapse on her back.  She
gasped at the discomfort of the fingers wrenching past the grip of her
sphincter.  Much harsher than they way they had eased in.  I brought my
hands up and grabbed her wrists and pushed them down alongside her body. 
In this position I lay along her body, still buried deep within her, up to
my balls hanging down between her legs.
   We were breathing ragged but calming down; controlling our breathing as
the minutes of our afterglow ticked by.  Finally I realized my erection had
gone and I eased my flaccid cock from her body.  I stood and reviewed the
situation.  She was lying half in the bed with her groin on the edge of the
mattress.  Her legs were spread slightly and her vagina gaped after being
reamed open by my cock.  Her sweet rose had closed despite the invasion of
two fingers.  I grabbed her legs and swung them up onto the bed and rolled
her onto her back as I laid her out.
   �Wait, she said barely audible.  �The covers�let�s get under.�
   I rolled her to the far side and pulled the covers open.  Then I rolled
her back onto the bottom sheet.  She slipped her feet under the covers. 
She dominated the area where the covers had exposed the sheet.  I reached
for the covers to pull them over her but she took my hand.
   �No Danny.  Get in,� she instructed.  �I want you to stay with me.
For a little while at least.  Don�t go,� she pleaded quietly.
   I looked at her.  She was really very pretty and she had a lovely
figure.
   �What the hell,� I thought.  �I could stay a while.  Maybe fuck
her again when I felt recovered.
   I kicked my shoes off and eased in beside her, still dressed.  She
snuggled into me, rose up when she saw I was still dressed and started to
remove my shirt.  Reluctantly I went along with her stripping me naked; my
clothes falling in a pile beside the bed.  The act of stripping me
completed, she snuggled against me and let the effects of the joint, the
alcohol, and the exertion of two hard orgasms take over and she quickly
fell into a deep doze.  I turned the light out in case someone might come
in inadvertently.  Maybe they wouldn�t notice us in the bed together. 
She hadn�t pulled the curtains and soon my eyes grew accustomed to the
light filtering in from the street.  Like a dull, weak moonlight.  I could
hear the dull thump of the stereo downstairs as the party raged on without
us.  Bachman-Turner Overdrive...'you aint seen nothing yet�b-b-b-baby you
just 'aint seen nothing yet�.�I wasn�t sure what to make of all this
but at this moment she was anyone other than my sister-in-law.  I sighed
contentedly and aided by the beer, the grass and the sexual release, I
passed into oblivion.
   I came to at some hour and was aware she was sucking me.  It was still
dark outside and the house was now silent.  I had the sense it was just
before daybreak.  She coaxed me over on top of her and drew her legs up and
apart as she guided me in.  We fucked quietly and quickly and before I
could take any sort of initiative she was gasping and sighing in orgasm.  I
had rolled her breasts in my hands and squeezed the hard nipples as I
steadied myself on my elbows and forearms either side of her body.  She
held me around the small of my back and her legs came up over my buttocks.
I was restricted from long strokes, leaving her in control of the movement.
She expertly got herself off on me.  I managed to catch up and filled her
with long spurts of cum as she gasped in orgasm under me.  We drifted off
to sleep once more with me still inside of her.
   I woke to the sound of an angry female voice.  I was lying flat on my
back and Cheryl was snuggled in the crook of my arm that was around her
neck.  We had gravitated to this position in our sleep.
   �What the fuck is this?� the angry voice shrieked, shrill and
urgent.
   �Cheryl!  Danny!  What the fuck has been going on here?� it
continued.  �Oh my God Cheryl how could you?� she shrieked.
   I had the fog of the beer and too little sleep and I was trying to take
in where I was.  Cheryl beat me to it and sat up in a panic.
   �Julie!  What are you doing here?� she said in panic.
   �Never mind what the fuck I�m doing here, what�s he doing here?�
she shrilled.  �As if it wasn�t obvious,� she sneered disdainfully,
glaring at us.  �Cheryl how could you?  How could you?� She shrilled at
her sister.
   �And you,� she continued looking at me.  �How could
you�you�with my sister.  Your sister-in-law.  How could you?� she
spat at me.  �How long has this been going on?�
   She paced to the foot of the bed glaring at us.  I lay back and gazed at
the ceiling.  We fell silent.  Cheryl was still crouched half upright and
had pulled a sheet over her upper body.  She looked at her sister standing
at the foot of the bed.  She started to laugh and fell back on the pillow
with the sheet pulled across the top of breasts and laughed loudly, looking
at the ceiling.  Finally she stopped and looked at Julie.
   �Don�t be such a prissy fucking hypocrite Julie.  You�d been
fucking that wimpy cretin for months without Danny knowing so lose the
fucking indignant attitude,� she spat back at her older sister.
   I started to grin and looked at Julie who looked like Cheryl had slapped
her face hard.
   �Actually it was just this once,� she answered nonchalantly looking
at me.
   �Twice,� I said with a grin and I held up two fingers.
   Julie sneered �Oh cut it out you prick,� and glared at me.
   �Why?  Him of all people?� she railed.
   �It never bothered you for five years sweetheart,� I answered to
provoke her.
   It worked.
   �Shut up Danny.  Just shut the fuck up,� she hissed.  �You were my
big mistake, my big disaster, so don�t kid yourself that it was five
years worth remembering,� she sneered at me.
   She pissed me off with that outburst.  I sat upright and swung my legs
onto the floor.  I advanced naked down towards the foot of the bed towards
her.  Given all three women in the room had had some intimate knowledge of
my cock and balls, being naked seemed no big deal.  And Tony had a set of
his own so I wasn�t really embarrassed being naked.  Cheryl sat up,
worried about what I was about to do.
   �Danny�no�don�t�� she trailed off in a concerned voice.
   �Don�t worry Cheryl.  You�re dopey uptight sister is quite
safe�� I said evenly staring at Julie.  �You are a fucking hypocrite
Julie,� I growled.  �Just as she said,� I continued pointing back at
Cheryl.  �You had the cheek to look me in the eye while fucking me,
knowing you were fucking that wimp Steve,� I continued.  �And now you
have the temerity to stand there and reproach us for what amounts to the
same thing; without batting an eyelid about the contradiction.�
   My outburst shocked her and she stood with her mouth open.  Cheryl lay
back on the pillow watching us.
   �When your up-tight little glasshouse is unbreakable, then you can
throw stones at ours.  If you recall, you are divorcing me.  If you recall
you�d been fucking a married man without concern for me or the guy�s
wife.  Don�t you dare make this about you.  This is about her and me,�
I snarled pointing at Cheryl.  �We are two consenting adults.  I am as
good as single just the same way as you�re behaving as if you are single.
You set the level of the bar wife of mine, all we did was jump over it to
your height.  So where the hell does it say I can�t sleep with who I
like, as much as Cheryl can?�
   My outburst had flattened her rage.  She put a hand to her mouth and
burst into tears.  She headed for the open door just as Fleur appeared
looking fetching in a tee shirt too big for her and hanging down to her
knees.  I could see Tony standing in the hall behind her wearing nothing
but boxer shorts.  Julie pushed past and vanished.  Fleur stood surveying
the scene.  I was standing at the end of the bed, naked.  Cheryl turned and
looked at Fleur who was gazing at my cock.
   �You were right.  It is a big one,� Cheryl sniggered to Fleur.
   �Oh fuck,� Fleur started putting her hand to her mouth.  She looked
nervously back at Tony.
   �Just like you said,� Cheryl giggled and held her hands apart in a
measurement gesture.
   Fleur caved in at Cheryl�s comment and they burst out laughing.  I
could see Tony�s face cloud over and he looked perplexed trying to fathom
their in joke.
   �Who said�what?� Tony started trying to understand the obvious
joke the girls were sharing.
   Fleur walked to him and took his arm reassuringly.
   �Let�s leave this wicked place my love,� Fleur said in a mock tone
of superiority.  �We�ll leave these wicked fornicators�and follow
their sinful example,� and started giggling as she pushed the hapless
Tony along the hall, back to their room.
   I walked across and picked up my briefs and slipped them on.  I
continued dressing, looking at Cheryl.
   �That could have gone a bit better,� I said with a tinge of irony.
   �Hmmm,� she agreed and lay back and gave an �oooohhhh� of
exasperation.  I finished dressing.
   �Great play�except for the indifferent ending,� I offered as an
opinion.
   �Good plot and very interesting sub plot,� she wryly added to my
analogy.
   As I finished dressing I turned and saw my blazer on a chair in the
corner of her room.  Fleur must have thrown it there when she took it from
me when I arrived last night.
   �See you again?� Cheryl asked pensively as I pulled my blazer on.
   �Do you think it wise given the screaming skull out there?� I asked.
   �Oh she�ll get over it.  You were right.  This isn�t about her
anymore.  She�s being precious.  As always, she�s the star in her own
eyes,� she added acerbically.
   �Will you be OK?� I asked with genuine concern.  �You know.  With
Jack and Val?  �She�s bound to go back and tell your old man at
least�� I said recalling Julie was always Jack�s pet.
   �Oh shit, don�t worry there.  There�s no way she could handle the
humiliation of admitting to them that I banged you,� she said in an
off-hand manner.  �They�ll never know.�
   I grinned.  �Great play�and interesting ending.  Any curtain
call?� I said raising my eyebrows in question.
   She threw a pillow at me.
   �Don�t push your luck Lord Olivier,� she laughed in reference to
the great Sir Lawrence Olivier.
   �Call me?� I said hesitantly.
   �Maybe�maybe not,� she answered non committally.
   I nodded.  Things would be a little tense around here for a week or two.
And Tony must be wondering why Fleur and Cheryl were swapping notes about
the size of my cock.  I walked to the edge of the bed and bent down and
pecked her on the cheek.  She brought a hand to my face and stared into my
eyes.  She had tears in hers, which surprised me.
   �Five years earlier and it could have been so different,� she said
softly.
   I frowned in question at her words.  �Now get out of here before
sister-dear finds the carving knife,� she said with a laugh.
   I retreated to the door and looked back one last time.  She was wiping
here eyes lightly.
   �Next time you get spare seats to the theater, call me,� I said, and
winked at her.
   She grinned and I stepped out onto the landing, closing the door behind
me.  I had parked some distance from the house so the brisk walk woke me up
completely.  My head was still thick with the booze I had consumed the
night before but the cool winter morning was invigorating.  I turned the
corner and walked to my car.  Julie wouldn�t have known I was there as my
car was in an adjacent street.  I looked at my watch.  It was 11:10.  Julie
must have driven up from providence this morning.  It�s only an hour or
so on the I95.  I drove home, reflecting on the events of the past ten
hours.  Life is truly stranger than fiction.  I could never have scripted
the events of the past twelve hours.  It would have seen to absurd.
   ***
   I never heard from Cheryl for a couple of weeks so it was a surprise
when she turned up on my front doorstep one Thursday evening.  I ushered
her into the living room and placing a hand on her shoulder, I bent and
kissed her.  She was trying to be matter of fact about her presence here
but once I had kissed her she brought her arms around me and we kissed
slowly and with no small amount of emotion.  She finally broke free and
turned away.
   �You�d better settle down theatergoer,� she said in a light tone
of foreboding.  �This is no curtain call,� and she held up a plastic
bag she had arrived with.
   She rummaged inside and brought out my scarf and gloves I had been
wearing that night of the party.  I�d forgotten about them when I had
left her place back then.  I took them from her.
   �Sit down,� I motioned to the armchair at the end of the couch.  She
sat down.
   �So how is big sister?� I asked.
   She rolled her eyebrows to the heavens and gave a wry grin.
   �Academy award drama queen standard,� she laughed ruefully.
   I grinned.
   �How so?� I asked.
   �Well at first I got the silent treatment.  Avoiding me, and ignoring
me when she couldn�t avoid me,� she started to explain.  �So I played
along until my apparent indifference got her so mad she finally exploded
and verbally attacked me about everything one night,� she continued. 
�She was yelling accusations, insults belittling remarks about my morals,
and generally berating me as not a nice sister to have.  You name it I got
it.�
   �What did you do?� I asked.
   �I just let her go and eventually she ran out of steam.  Most of what
she said was repetitive.  Except for the regular accusations of being a
slut which pissed me off after awhile,� Cheryl explained.
   �How did it end up?� I inquired.
   �The usual method as employed all our teen life when she never got her
way.  She broke down and cried.  I apologized though knew I shouldn�t be
apologizing.  So then she forgave me for my sins,� she continued.  �By
the way it was always my sin in her mind; no matter where the fault lay,�
she said as an aside.  �And finally she hugged me and I cried a
little�and I meant it.  And we kissed and made up,� She concluded.
   �Sounds like you sorted it OK,� I mused.
   �Yep�but for one thing,� she added.
   She grimaced and looked at me.
   �Only you�re the bad guy in it all again,� she added with a shrug.
   I smiled ruefully and nodded my acceptance of what they had decided.
   �What now?� I asked expectantly.
   �Well regretfully there won�t be any curtain call for you and I,�
she added.  �I promised her that show had closed.�
   �I suppose given the dramas, I guess that�s the obvious
consequence,� I answered in agreement.
   �I guess I deliver the gold and ride off into the sunset,� she said
looking at the gloves and scarf, and then back at me.
   �No even a little matin�e?� I asked hopefully.  �Like break-up
sex, you know�?�
   �Sorry cowboy,� I just ride off, and with that she stood and
prepared to leave.
   I ushered her to the door and opened it for her.  She turned before
stepping out.
   �Danny.  Do yourself a favor.  Swallow your pride and call her,� she
said evenly.  �She needs you so badly even if she doesn�t know it.  And
I know you still care for her; I know you still love her,� she said
looking into my eyes.  �There�s not a vindictive bone in your body
despite how tough you try to be.  I know you can forgive her,� she said
quickly.
   She held my arm as she spoke.  �Maybe you and me have evened the
ledger and wiped out five years of animosity,� she said evenly, looking
at me for confirmation.
   �I don�t know about Julie, Cheryl.  There�s nothing in here for
her right now,� I said patting my chest.
   �Maybe you can look a little deeper Danny,� she said softly. 
�Take it from me you two are meant to be together.  She�s just too
ambitious to see it and you�re too proud to forgive her and take charge
of the two of you.  Just do it.�
   She noted I hadn�t acknowledged her comment about �evened the
ledger.�
   �I�ve watched you two for 5 years.  I�ve pined for you; or someone
like you.  I�ve hidden my envy of her, and I know that jealousy was
always behind my cruel tongue.  But if I could, I�d kill to trade places
with Julie.  There, I�ve said it,� she said with a look of relief.
   I opened my eyes wide in surprise.
   �It�s true.  I�ve always wanted you.  And as Julie had you, then I
tried to look for someone like you,� she said wistfully.  �And I ruined
any relationships where the guy never measured up to you.  So take it from
one sister who�s always thought she loved you and go and rescue the other
sister who needs you more than ever right now.  Take charge Danny; just do
it.�
   �I never knew,� I said lamely referring to her confession about her
feelings for me.
   She chuckled, almost derisively.
   �Oh you two really pissed me off,� she began.  �Treating me like a
kid when I was carrying a torch for you.  Sure.  I was only seventeen when
Julie brought you home, but since that day��� her voice tailed off.
�I had such a crush and it could never be realized.  Well not until a few
weeks back anyway; and I wanted you more than ever afterwards.  But of
course it can�t be.  We both know that,� she added.
   I nodded.  I stood helpless.  Floored by this confession Cheryl was
making.  It must be hard to stand there and say all this, knowing that
instead of going upstairs and making love, she had to turn her back and
walk away.  I embraced her.  She held me tightly and I heard her sniffing
as she fought back her tears.  I stood back, holding her arms and kissed
her.
   �Five years of being bitched at by you; and me being a prick to push
it off, and we come to this,� I said softly.  �Let�s at least take
this as great progress,� I added.
   She nodded and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.  She prepared
to step outside but paused again momentarily.
   �Think about Julie Danny.  Talk to her.  Bring her home and love her.
She has it in her to love you.  I just know she still loves you,� she
said.  �But she has these stars in her eyes which are blinding her to
it.�
   �She said that?� I asked.
   �Not in so many words.  But the tantrums were not just about her
pride. She reacted that way because she loves you,� she explained. 
�Why do you think the check for the house has never been cashed?  Why do
you think you�ve never seen divorce papers?�
   I looked at her quizzically.  It was true.  The check had never been
presented.  The bank had quizzed me if I knew why my �ex-wife� had not
presented it.  And Julie had never fronted with divorce papers as she had
promised last time she was here in this house.
   �She can�t let you go.  And this creep Steve isn�t going anywhere
for her.  The big sleaze,� she continued.
   I nodded agreement about Steve.
   �Anyway I�d best go.  She doesn�t know I�ve been here.  If you
see her, please don�t let on.�
   I nodded agreement.  With that she turned and stepped out into the cool
evening and I watched her walk to her yellow Beetle parked out on the
street.  She paused and looked back as she opened the door to get in.  She
blew me a kiss and with that disappeared inside the car.  She drove off.  I
thought a lot about what Cheryl had said regarding Julie still loving me. I
knew full well that she ordinarily would not leave something as important
as the check for the house settlement to hang about unnecessarily.  But I
did not read this as being a sign of her love.  I had to admit it was
curious as she was such a pragmatic person to overlook such an important
thing.  On the face of it, from my point of view, it was a bank cashier�s
check and I had already been debited for the money.  It was up to her to
cash the check and be paid her share of the settlement.  It was now between
her and the bank.  But irrespective of Cheryl�s view on Julie�s
feelings for me, I had not forgiven her infidelity to warrant an approach
to her.  I had to concede, I was also fearful of rejection should
Cheryl�s opinion be wrong; more so since being found in bed with Cheryl.
I decided to let things lie.
   ***
   ELISE
   It was late on a Saturday afternoon in early February and I was in a
bargain clothing basement shop close to Downtown Crossing, looking for some
new clothes.  I was working my way around one of the many racks of shirts
when I had that feeling that I was being watched.  I looked around and
couldn�t see anyone staring but still I felt eyes on me.  I moved to
another rack and it was then I felt a hand on my arm.  I turned in surprise
and found myself staring at Elise Shannon.  The wife of the guy Julie had
the affair with.  I didn�t recognize her at first.  I was taken aback
that this tall swank woman had touched me to greet me.  She wore a tight
pair of designer jeans and a bone colored polo neck ribbed sweater and rust
colored calfskin jacket with a fawn Cashmere scarf hanging loosely inside
the collar.  Her neat blond hair was a little longer than I last recall and
she had just the right amount of makeup to almost look like she wasn�t
wearing any.  In short a beautiful young woman.
   �Mr.  McCarty?  Danny isn�t it?� she asked expectantly.
   �Yes that�s right,� I answered.  �Elise isn�t it?  Elise
Shannon?� I added.
   �Very good memory,� she chuckled.  �So what brings you here?�
she asked.
   �Oh just augmenting the wardrobe,� I answered.
   She laughed nervously.
   �No, I mean here in Boston,� she corrected herself.
   I narrowed my eyes quizzically at her.
   �Boston?  I live here?� I said with surprise in my voice.
   It was her turn to narrow her eyes in query.
   �I thought you and your wife had left Boston After, you know, after
she and my husband Steve�� She trailed off.
   I looked surprised at her words.
   �Whatever gave you that idea?� I asked incredulously.
   �Ah�Well, I just thought�� she paused.  �Well my husband,
Steve actually.  He assured me your wife had left work and the two of you
had moved to New York.  To start again, as it were�.
   �Not true,� I answered.  �Julie, my wife, and I have split up. 
She told me she was moving in with your husband.  Then a few weeks later,
she said he would not leave you and it was over between them,� I
explained.  �She has moved in with her sister.�
   She looked worried at this news.
   �I see,� she said slowly, digesting the news.
   She was definitely thrown by this answer.  Gone was the cheery demeanor
of her greeting.  She looked at me steadily.  I could read her mind; she
was realizing Julie was still seeing her husband despite him saying he had
given her up.
   �And have you seen your wife recently?� she asked somewhat
cautiously.
   �I think I know what you are thinking,� I said gently.  �I don�t
know it but it would appear my wife has not given up seeing your
husband.�
   She dropped her gaze and looked nowhere in particular before looking
back at me.
   �Is your wife likely to come back to you?� she asked quietly.
   I shook my head.
   �I doubt it.  I paid her out for half of our home and she has asked me
for a divorce.  But I must confess I was surprised to learn they were still
seeing each other.  Particularly when she had said he wasn�t leaving you.
The prospect of him leaving you seemed to be the catalyst for her leaving
me,� I said evenly.
   There were tears in her eyes.
   �Look Elise.  Let�s go somewhere a bit less conspicuous,� I said
gently.
   She nodded agreement and I guided her out of the store and up onto the
street.  I found a small coffee shop and ushered her in.  By the time I had
ordered two coffees and brought them to her she had composed herself.  I
sat and briefed her on why I believed Julie and Steve were still seeing
each other.  That her sister confirmed Julie was seeing someone and given
Steve�s lie about Julie and I having left Boston, it was odds on they
were still an item.  She accepted this was probably true.  She corroborated
it by relaying several concerns she had about his movements.  Despite
begging to stay and asking forgiveness, the bastard had hardly missed a
beat with Julie.  Elise looked crestfallen.
   �You Ok?� I asked with genuine concern.
   �Yes.  Yes I am,� she answered bravely.  �But it�s time Steve
got his just desserts.  Once and for all,� she said with a more
determined air.
   She looked at me steadily.  �Could you help me again please Danny?�
she asked quietly.
   This took me by surprise.  I�d got myself into enough of a mess with
Cheryl, to want to intrude in Julie�s life again.  But on the other side
of the coin I recalled Cheryl�s exhorting me to �rescue� Julie from
herself.  Maybe this was an opportunity to help her without being helpful
to her and Steve Shannon.
   �What do you have in mind?� I asked.
   �Well it seems to me that when I am out of town, he has the
opportunity to spend �quality time� with her.� She emphasized quality
time with her fingers as quotation marks.  �We know that from before.  So
maybe I just go away for a night or two.  You had come across them last
time for your own reasons, maybe you could do it again,� she said.
   So we hatched a fairly simple plan.  Elise would travel to Philadelphia
as she had intended to do the last time I had met her.  I would tail Steve
and if he and Julie shacked up somewhere, I would call Elise who would
catch the red-eye back from Philly and plan to catch the two lovebirds
together as before.  The whole deal seemed too simple to work twice. 
Surely Steve was not that stupid as to believe he could get away with this
after being caught the first time.  Maybe he just felt the first time was
bad luck and it wouldn�t happen again.  She called me Thursday to say it
was all set.  She was flying out at 6:30pm Friday evening.  She described
their BMW, confirmed the license plate and she gave me their home address.
She felt it was likely he might take Julie there seeing as their previous
love nest had been vetoed and Julie was not in the habit of taking him to
the house she shared with Cheryl, Fleur and Tony.  I knew that from the
conversation with Fleur.
   �What if he calls you at your mother�s?� I asked.
   �Mom knows why I am coming down.  She�s all for it.  She wanted me
to dump him last time.  If he calls and I�m on my way back, she will
cover for me.  I�ve got the 6:30am flight so I should be in Boston about
8:00am.  Enough time for him to still be in bed if he�s shacked up with
your wife.  If not, then I am over reacting and I will simply stay away as
planned.  Only in Boston not Philly,� she reasoned.
It was set.  I spent the evening researching the best routes from Logan
airport to Elise and Steve�s condo.  I would wait on the airport side of
the tollbooth to the Sumner tunnel and tail him from there.  He had to go
up I93 so I figured that was the best place to wait.  Elise had said he
would simply drop her at the airport and not park the car to escort her to
the gate.  I reasoned he would call her mother�s in Philly to talk to
Elise to ensure she actually did get there.  So here I was sitting in
George Visconti Drive looking across at the tollbooth to the Sumner Tunnel
as planned.  I didn�t have to wait long.  At about 5:15 I saw the shiny
blue BMW come down off the flyover and into the queue at the tollbooth.  I
started my car and eased across the road and into another booth.  Steve
paid and moved through into the tunnel.  I deliberately let a few cars go
through and then fell in behind.  I kept him in my sights all the way
across the Zakan Bridge.  He was heading home all right.  I kept far enough
back to see him without raising suspicion.  The drive took us about 20
minutes and he drove into the condominium complex.  I waited strategically
down the street, facing away so I could watch the condo entrance in my rear
vision mirror.
   At about 6:40, I saw Julie�s car turn into the street from behind me,
and then she turned into the condo complex.  It was so predictable.  So
easy.  I couldn�t believe it.  Elise�s plane was barely airborne and he
was already keying up to cheat.  I sat and pondered my next move.  How long
would I wait?  I wasn�t up for an all night vigil, but I did need to know
if she stayed over.  Maybe she would stay late then return home.  After all
Cheryl and Fleur said she hardly ever stayed out all night even though they
were sure she was seeing someone on a regular basis.  I sat working out my
strategy when to my surprise Julie came out again and sped off up the
street, turning out of my view, the way she came in.  This wasn�t what I
was expecting.  I sat there wondering what they were doing.  I reasoned she
had not long finished work and maybe she was going home to change before
returning.  But why did she simply not come prepared?  I had no option but
to stay.  The time dragged by.  6:30, 7:00, 7:30.  Just after 7:30pm, Steve
left the complex.  I started my car and did a quick u-turn and followed at
a safe distance.  We drove in the general direction of Cambridge, where
Julie and Cheryl lived.  But instead of going to their district he pulled
up about half a mile short of where they lived.  He parked his car and got
out and started to walk along the street.  There were very few parks so I
decided to stay in my car.  To my amazement, he soon returned with a very
pretty young woman.  She was quite small with long auburn hair.  She was
wearing a dark jacket and light red blouse and dark pants.  She was talking
excitedly and I noted she held his arm.  They walked past where I had nosed
in off the street opposite a resident�s driveway.  I would look like a
visitor to the house I was stopped outside.  They climbed into his car and
he drove off.  I tailed them.
   They drove into Boston and parked in the public parking garage by the
New England Aquarium.  This had a feeling of d�j� vu.  Only this time
Steve was two-timing Julie as well as his wife.  Or maybe Fleur had got it
wrong and he and Julie were not seeing each other at all.  She may have
called to his condo for work reasons.  Not as preparation to a liaison.  I
parked in the same garage and tailed them across the street.  They were
heading to Faneuil Hall.  I watched them enter an upstairs pub.  I knew it
vaguely, having met Julie once there after she had finished work.  I
crossed the street and quietly entered the pub.  I couldn�t see Steve
anywhere.  I moved slowly around the bar and eventually saw him standing
talking to another couple.  They were a four-some.  I retreated back into
another part of the bar and ordered a drink.  Steve and his party looked
settled so I had no option but to hole up for a spell as well.  Some good
did come of my stalking.  Within about 30 minutes of arriving, I struck up
a conversation with a very pretty Asian girl who was with an Irish girl
called Therese, and a local Boston girl named Carey.  Her name was Amy. 
She was first generation American Vietnamese.  Her parents were boat people
who had fled Vietnam in the early seventies.  She was attending Boston
University but lived in Virginia.  Therese and Carey came and went,
flitting to and from about three groups of people that were known to them.
Amy and I hit it off and I soon found myself telling her about my current
situation.  She reciprocated by saying she was unattached and hinted she
might welcome some company at a later time.  I was just getting settled
into my chat with her when suddenly Steve and party hovered into view,
appearing like they were leaving.  Damn.  Serves me right for getting
complacent.  I quickly explained to Amy that I had been so intent on
talking to her that I had overlooked the time.  She apologized for
distracting me.  I excused her having to apologize and blandly asked if I
could call her.  She agreed and I keyed her number into my cell phone.  She
did likewise with my number.  Steve and party had left.  I was desperate
not to lose them and forgetting myself, I leaned forward and kissed Amy on
each cheek as the Europeans do.  She blushed but I sensed she welcomed the
farewell.  I waved and left the bar.
   Steve and his friends headed up across Faneuil Hall and across to a
ritzy hotel.  I followed at a distance and slowed as they neared the
elevators.  I realized they must be going to highly rated restaurant in the
hotel.  Steve was really on a nice date.  I wondered if the couple with
them knew he was married to Elise.  Something old fashioned in me would not
allow me to participate in a social event where a friend was clearly
cheating on his wife.  I took another elevator and went to the second floor
where the restaurant was.  I was in luck.  They were just being taken to a
table by the Maitre'de.  I stopped short of entering the restaurant. 
Instead I went back downstairs and crossed over the road to a bar on the
topside of Faneuil hall.  From here I could see the door of the Millennium.
At least I knew they had to return to the parking building to get their car
and so would need to walk past where I was sitting.  I could relax again. I
wished I could call Amy and ask her up to this bar.  But I had to
concentrate on my mission.  I was here for Elise and in some part, Julie.
   I sat and quietly sipped beer and reflected on all that had happened
since late October, when Julie�s infidelity was first revealed.  It was
now mid December.  And so much had happened to me.  All in all I had made
some great strides in getting over the pain and hurt of the realization she
was ditching me.  I seldom dwelt on it any more, though not a day went by
that I did not think about it.  I thought about the beautiful Vietnamese
girl Amy, who I had met earlier.  She was classic Asian beauty.  Slim, long
raven hair and lovely clear olive skin.  The fact she spoke with a broad
Virginian accent was somewhat out of place with her looks.  But she was
definitely worth pursuing.  I relaxed somewhat and was startled by my
mobile phone ringing.  I answered it.  It was Elise.
   �Hi Danny,� she said quietly.
   �Hey there.  How was the flight?� I said jovially.
   �Fine.  Just fine thanks.� She paused.  �So what�s happening?�
she asked expectantly.  �He�s just spoken with me.  Checking up to see
I did get here.  He called on my mom�s land line,� she explained.
   I gave her a rundown on the events to date.  She listened without
interruption as I related how it was not Julie he was out with.  I finished
and let her have a chance to question me.
   �I know this one,� she said flatly.  �She�s the daughter of a
friend of his parents,� she explained.  We spent some time with them
during the Christmas holidays last year.  I recall he was more than
attentive towards her.  She�s an intern at Mass General Hospital.  We had
planned to have her to dinner.  You know the things you say when you meet
people.  Meaning to follow up but never doing it.  I never gave it another
thought.�
   �You�d wonder why she was dating a married man though.  And
specially a friend of her families,� I answered.
   �God knows what he�s told her about me.  He can�t bullshit her as
she can find out easily if we had split or anything like that.  Chances are
she�s in for adventure and doesn�t give a shit he�s married,� she
replied.
   �Wait Elise.  I see them coming down the road,� I interjected. 
�Look I'd best get on and tail them.  I�ll call you, OK?
   �OK Danny.  Keep me posted.  And Danny thanks so much.  This must be
just as hard for you as me, I know.  I appreciate your support.  Bye
Danny,�
   I pocketed my mobile phone and watched discretely as they came past me
and headed off down Faneuil Hall to the waterfront.  The couple with them
also went into the parking building.  I stood back while they validated
there parking slips and headed off to the garage.  I followed a discrete
distance.  I tailed Steve and his date across to the North End and then
back onto I-93 north.  He was heading home.  Sure enough he turned off into
his street and disappeared into the condo complex.  I was once again faced
with the dilemma of how long to wait.  Would she stay all night or was this
just a nightcap before he dropped her home again.  It was after 11:30 so I
elected to sit until at least midnight, which I did; getting bored out of
my skull.  By 12:15am there was no sign of him so I decided to give it
until 1:00am.  I reasoned he wouldn�t want to be driving her home that
late when she could stay.  Eventually it rolled past 1-o�clock and I
decided to call it quits.  I drove home and called Elise�s cell phone.
   "Hi," she said sleepily.  �What�s up?�
   I relayed the latest developments as gently as I could.  She was
naturally subdued.
   �OK.  I�ll be on that first flight.  Can you collect me?� she
asked.
   She sound so tired.  This was taking a toll on her.  My recollection was
this would be the fourth woman Steve had cheated on her with.  Three known
to her and this latest one made four.  Julie was in there twice.  We
finished our discussion and rang off.  I slept fitfully; terrified I would
sleep in and miss collecting her.  But I woke OK at 6:30am and showered and
headed for Logan Airport.  I had my travel time all over-estimated and I
arrived way too early.  I parked the car and decided to meet her at the
arrival gate.  I stood sipping lousy coffee and waiting expectantly.  Just
after 8:00 am I saw her coming down the causeway.  She looked a little
tense but as usual, impeccably dressed.  She wore denim jeans, and light
brick colored Levis shirt and a black leather jacket with a red beret, and
black ankle boots.  She saw me and beamed.  To my delight she broke into a
little run, dragging her wheel pack suitcase that wobbled with the increase
in her gait.  She dropped the handle of the case just short of me and flew
into my arms.
   I was somewhat taken aback but the feel of this beautiful woman in my
arms quickly dissolved the surprise and I hugged her.  She buried her face
into my neck and I realized she was sobbing uncontrollably.  I hugged and
cuddled her to me and stroked her hair.  �Hey, hey, easy�easy Elise,�
I soothed.  �Come on.  Time to be strong.  One last effort,� I said
while consoling her.
   I looked into the pretty face, streaked with tears.
   �Oh Danny, I�m so glad you met me here.  I feel so alone right now.
Until I met you here, I mean,� she added.
   I hugged her.  I was frankly, overjoyed at her trust, and not a little
bit smug with her clinging to me for strength.  I held her tenderly and
then I couldn�t help myself.  I kissed her tenderly while holding her
face.  She responded without flinching and we held a delicious kiss for
some time.  Finally we parted lips and she looked into my face.
   �Wow.  I wasn�t expecting something like that,� she gasped.
   I was a little taken aback, as if she was reproaching me.
   �Much welcome,� she added quickly as she saw my face cloud.
   She kissed me back.  She was composed.  The embrace and kiss had given
her courage that she didn�t have as she sat on the flight from Philly.
   �Are you up for it?� I asked quietly.
   �If you�re with me I can do it,� she said reassuringly.
   �OK beautiful lady.  Let�s go get it over with,� I said with a
smile.
   She leaned in and kissed me again.
   �You�ll help me see it through won�t you Danny?� she said
expectantly.
   �Of course I will, you have my word on it,� I answered evenly.
   We left the terminal and walked to my car.  I paid the parking fee and
we drove out of Logan Airport to I-93.  She sat silent while I retraced the
route to her condominium where we believed Steve was in bed with a lover.
We arrived at about 8:50am and she asked me to park out on the street,
rather than drive in.  We left the car and she took my hand and led me to
the entrance to the building her condo was in.  There was a burglar alarm
at the front door to their condo and she punched in a code.
   �Over ride code,� she said.
   I looked perplexed.
   �Steve has been known to change our code.  So I�d set it off and
alert him that I was back unexpectedly.  Saved him once before,� she
explained.  �The guys that services the condos gave me an over ride code
that support services use if they ever get called in an emergency,� she
added.
   I shrugged and grinned at her ingenuity.  No need to tip Steve off by
the burglar alarm going off.  She led me up the stairs to the living area
of their condo.  I was amazed how roomy it was.  This must be worth
twenty-five hundred a month.  Once on the first floor, she padded silently
along a hallway and stopped by a door.  She looked in and frowned.  I
closed up to her.
   �What�s wrong?� I asked.
   �The prick,� she whispered vehemently.  �This is the guest room.
The least the bastard could do was bang his sluts in here.  But it looks
like they�ll be in our bed,� she said with derision.
   �If at all,� I thought.  Maybe this was a wild goose chase.
   I grimaced at how it must hurt to realize that her husband was screwing
in the marital bed.  The ultimate insult I thought.  The master bedroom was
on the south-east side of the building.  It took up most of that end.  She
dropped my hand just short of the door and motioned me to keep back.  The
bedroom door was half open and she peered into the room.  She quickly
looked back at me.  Her face said it all; the worst fears confirmed.  I
moved forward to console her with a touch but she vanished into the
bedroom. Suddenly she was shouting at the top of her lungs.  Swearing and
abusing the occupants of the marital bed.  I caught up quickly in time to
see her with the mattress lifted a foot or two off the frame.  I was
absolutely blown away by her strength, no doubt fuelled by adrenalin, as
she then wrenched the covers from the sleeping occupants.  The sleeping
pair roused in alarm and the girl immediately started to scream
hysterically in fright at the sudden mayhem Elise was creating.  Steve was
slower to react but sized the situation instantly and rolled off the bed as
Elise headed around the foot of the bed towards the screaming girl who was
now lying tangled in a sheet on the floor, having tried to escape in panic.
I hung back watching Steve.  He hadn�t seen me standing just out of view
of the doorway in the hall.  I could see Elise though and she had reached
the unfortunate girl who was trying to cover her nakedness as well as
disentangle herself in the sheet.  She was a sitting duck.  Elise was on
her in a flash and the poor wretch screamed louder as Elise laid into her.
I was stunned at the ferocity of the attack and to my horror realized Elise
was gouging at the girls face.  I saw the girl struggle to hide face-first
into the corner in a vain attempt to protect her face.  I caught a glimpse
of her face and she was in absolute terror and blood was streaming from a
cut under one eye.  There were fearful welts on her face where Elise�s
fingernails had gouged the girl.  I leapt into the room just as Steve
headed around the base to restrain Elise.  I slid a foot out and tripped
him.  He went down, cursing and twisting to see who tripped him.
   To say he was a bit surprised to see me would be an understatement.  He
lay prone, naked, on his back absolutely stunned to see me standing over
him.  The sense of D�j� vu must have been sickening.  I got past him
and was able to grab Elise and pinned her arms against her side.  She was
yelling all the filthy abuse she could muster, while the girl wailed,
suffering from the relentless onslaught of Elise flailing hands.  I was
able to drag Elise backwards around the foot of the bed and as she moved
past Steve she lashed out with a foot, grazing his cheek.  He saw red and
jumped to his feet.  As I was pinning her arms, she was unable to fend off
a swinging arm he threw at her, yelling �mad fucking bitch� and his
open palm caught her full on the face.  The heel of his hand hitting her
full in the side of the head.  Elise spun out of my grip in recoil and
stumbled and fell.
   �You slimy gutless cunt,� I heard myself say, and I mustered all my
effort into one shoulder and poked Steve full on the chin with a straight
right.  He went down as if pole axed.  He was lolling back with his hands
to his head when Elise recovered and pushed past me.  Steve was struggling
to his feet and as he was half up, she let fly with a full kick, catching
him square under the jaw line.  His head snapped back and he fell
backwards. I winced, as it appeared the small of his back landed full
weight against the corner of the end of the bed frame.  He grunted and
rolled sideways, away from the bed and lay still.  �Geez,� I thought.
�That could have done some serious spine damage.� Elise was winding up
for a second go when I grabbed her and pulled her away.  She didn�t fight
me but instead she clung to me and burst into uncontrollable sobbing.  I
held her and surveyed the scene.  The girl had stopped shrieking and was
kneeling with her back to us.  No doubt too frightened to look.  She had
pulled the sheet around her shoulder and I could see she was now sobbing
hysterically, much as Elise was.
   I took Elise out of the room and into a bathroom midway along the hall.
I dropped the toilet seats and sat her down.
   �Lean forward,� I coaxed her.  Put your head down between your knees
and breathe slowly,� I instructed.
   She did as I asked and soon I was able to bring her down off the
hysterical high that had consumed her.  She calmed down and I knelt and
soothed her by kneading her neck and stroking her hair.  I made little
kisses on her forehead and slowly she calmed down.  When I was satisfied
she was under control I told her to stay here and not to leave until I came
for her.  She nodded dully in agreement.  I rose and went back to the
bedroom.  The girl had stood up and draped the sheet around her and was
shaking uncontrollably though she appeared composed in herself.  I stepped
into the room and went to Steve�s side.  He was out to it.  I looked at
the girl.
   �If you�re the medical person I think you are, get some fucking
clothes on and get here and help me see if he�s alright,� I commanded.
   She looked around vacantly and I realized she was looking for her
clothes.  I stood and lifted the bed covers and her dress and underwear
were on the floor under the duvet where they had kicked it when in bed. 
She turned away and I saw her pick up her panties and pull them on. 
Pointless as they were a thong.  The thin strip of material in her crack
made her buttocks pronounced and tempting.  She slipped the bra on while
looking over her shoulder at me.  She was very pretty despite the bloodied
face.  She pulled the simple black dress over her head and soon she was
decent again.  She turned and joined me and we rolled Steve onto his side.
She examined his back and run her hands up his lower back.
   �How does it look?� I asked.  �He cracked his lower back on
here,� and I touched the corner of the bed base frame.
   �I, I think he�s OK.  There is a nasty welt to one side; over his
kidney�s,� she explained.  �I don�t think he hit his spine but
he�ll feel very sore when he wakes up.  I can�t understand how this
caused him to go unconscious,� she added.
   I grimaced.
   �Maybe the karate kick his wife landed after he hit the bed,� I
reflected.
   She looked shaken and started to tremble again.
   �Don�t worry, I�ve got her calmed down,� I said reassuringly. 
�How about you?� I asked, looking at her bloody and reddened face.
   �Sore but I think I�ll be OK,� she said.  �I just want to get
the hell out of here.  As far away as possible.�
   �How will you get home?� I asked.
   �I�ll call my roommates.  They can come and get me,� she said
looking at the unconscious Steve.
   �Well he�s not much use to you.  Mind you, he may be looking for a
bed for a few nights,� I said ruefully.
   �Not fucking likely,� she said icily.  �He can look after
himself.�
   �Apparently not� I thought recalling this was twice Elise had laid
him out.
   �First time here?� I asked.
   She nodded.  �And the last.�
   �OK.  Best you fuck off quick,� I said.
   I wasn�t sure how long I could keep Elise in check.
   �Look come out onto the street and I�ll let you into my car,� I
said.  �I can drop you home.  These two will have plenty to talk about
when he comes around.  You�d best be scarce and I�m not refereeing any
further.�
   She looked a little suspicious at me.  Could I be trusted?  Finally she
nodded acceptance and rose and walked to the door.  I escorted her off the
property and onto the street, opening my car and she hopped in.
   �Wait here to keep warm and I can drop you off in Cambridge.  There
are tissues in the glove compartment if you want to clean your face.  Maybe
even a small first aid kit under the driver�s seat,� I added.
   She raised her eyebrows when it was clear I knew where she lived.
   �I�ve been tailing you both,� I volunteered.  How else do you
think we caught you both together?�
   She looked at me with a defeated look.
   �You can patch you�re face up,� I started, �but your self esteem
may take a little longer,� I concluded and left her to clean herself up.
   I went back into the condominium and straight to Elise.  Thankfully she
had obeyed my instructions and she was sitting on the toilet seat with her
hands clasped, waiting for me to return as I said I would.
   �You OK?� I asked.
   She nodded.  She stood and immediately embraced me.
   �Thank you Danny.  A million times, thank you,� she whispered in my
ear.
   I hugged her to me.
   �You are a worry Elise.  Where does all of that anger and strength
come from,� I said with a light chuckle, trying to ease her sad mood.
   �I don�t know.  Maybe four years of being taken for a fool of a
trophy wife,� she sighed and clung to me.
   �Well I�ll help as long as you want me to,� I said into her ear,
as we embraced.
   We kissed passionately and she clung to me afterwards.
   �Stay with me please,� she begged.
   �Elise you and Wonder Boy have got to get together and sort out your
next move.  I can�t be party to that.  But I will support you. 
Nevertheless you two have to decide the next step together,� I said
quietly.  �Trust me.  You can do it.  But do it in conjunction with him.
This can�t be solved by one without the other.�
   �He�s out of here,� she said evenly.
   �Maybe so, but he has to accept that,� I explained.  �It�s much
easier if he agrees to go voluntarily,� I said thinking that Julie and I
were at least in accord with what we had decided for our separation.
   She nodded in agreement.
   �Ok.  I know you are right.  Come with me though, while I get him
prepared to get out,� she said.
   �We need to bring him round first,� I explained.  �He�s out
cold. Your last kick, following on from my punch, knocked him out.� She
looked at me and I swear she was stifling a grin.  Steve was conscious but
very groggy and he was sitting holding his head with his back against the
side of the bed; still naked and looking somewhat ridiculous.
   �Come on.  Let�s get him on his feet,� I offered.
   Elise helped Steve to get with it by �generous� slaps and cuffing
around his face and head to wake him up properly.  Eventually he began to
scowl and fend her smacks off and we helped him sit up on the bed.  He was
decidedly worse for wear and groaning.  He quickly reached behind himself
and it was clear he was feeling the tender spot where he had cracked his
back on the bed end frame.  Elise was standing over him with her arms
folded.
   �You are fucking slime,� she said in a cold tone.  �You�re utter
fucking slime.�
   He looked ruefully at her and then back to me.  I stood by the door,
leaning on the door frame watching.  I was enjoying the puzzled look on his
face as if �how the fuck did he get into this again?�
   �Get your sorry fucking ass up and pack your things and get out,�
Elise commanded in a low voice.
   �Elise, I, let�s not be hasty,� Steve whined.
   She kicked his legs moderately hard.  More of a push than a full swing
of the leg.
   �I said get off your sorry ass and get the fuck out of this house and
my life,� she said raising her voice.
   Steve stared at her.  I could see he was wondering how to handle this
subjugation he was currently experiencing.
   �This place is mine, the lease on the car is yours, just get the fuck
out of my life,� Elise yelled vehemently.
   I could see she was winding herself up again.  I quickly stepped to her
and stood between her and Steve.  She put her hands up in front of her as
if in surrender and backed off and walked towards the window.  She stood
arms folded looking outside at nothing in particular.
   �Can you stand?� I asked her husband.
   He looked at me icily.
   �Better do as she said,� I warned.  �I saw you hit her.  It
wouldn�t take much to get a restraining order on you if she wanted.  Best
you put some distance between the two of you,� I continued.
   �You hit me you bastard,� he sneered.
   �I�m sure you must be mistaken,� I said in mock surprise.  I doubt
if anyone here saw that.�
   He scowled.
   �How did you get your nose into this?� he growled.
   �Seems Elise thought you were still banging my wife.  Is she your
Saturday bitch?  Is the poor cow out in the car Friday�s bitch?� I
asked derisively.  �Though I guess technically it was Saturday when we
caught you and her in'flagrante` so to speak.  Coitus interruptus. 
Nasty,� I mocked.
   He struggled to his feet and stood somewhat unsteadily.  Elise turned
and stared at him.  He turned his gaze from me to her and held his hands
out in front of him in a pathetic gesture of consolation.  Elise shrugged
and snorted and turned away briefly.  She turned back again.
   �Oh for Christ sake put some clothes on you pathetic loser,� she
sneered.  �And then get the fuck out of my life Steve.  Once and for all.
Get out of my life forever.�
   This time there was real hate in her voice.  He gathered up his clothes
from the previous night and stood with his back to me and dressed himself
in his pants and shirt.  Then he slowly walked to a large walk-in closet
and disappeared and soon appeared with a large suitcase.  He threw this on
the bed and opened it, all the time moving gingerly from the pain in his
back.  He took the next size suitcase from within the larger one and
repeated this and removed a third smaller case from the medium case.  Very
expensive matching luggage.  I was standing out of Steve�s vision and I
motioned to Elise to come here with my head.  She walked across the room,
slowing to stare at him from the foot of the bed and I led her out the
door.
   �You OK here with him?� I asked with concern.  �It�s just that
girl is in my car.  I thought I might run her home,� I said and looked
away, sensing she would flip at my apparent charity to the young girl her
husband had been fucking all night.
   Elise scowled and looked at me with hurt and disappointment.
   "Ulterior motive, I said reading her thoughts on my apparent split in
ranks with her.  �She lives near Julie.  I thought I might do Julie one
last favor before we split completely,� I said.
   She raised her eyebrow in question.
   �Well, it�s only fair she know she�s being cheated on as well,�
I said evenly.  �I�d just like to be the one to tell her,� I grinned.
   Elise nodded and smiled wickedly with her understanding.  She believed I
wanted the chance to put Julie down; as spite.
   �Poor lambs might wind up with no one,� she said with barely
disguised glee.  �It will be an emotional kick in the guts for that wife
of yours to, I bet,� she added looking at me.
   I nodded.  It wasn�t the main reason.  I genuinely wanted to let Julie
know what a lying asshole Steve really was.  Not the handsome hero to her
mundane rescue that she thought he was.  �Once a cheater, always a
cheater� I thought.
   �I�ll see you to the door,� she said quietly.
   We left the room and walked downstairs.  At the front door she
deliberately put her arms around my neck and pulled me close in a long hug.
She separated from me and looked into my eyes.
   �Thanks Danny,� she whispered huskily.  �I really am indebted to
you.  I couldn�t have done it without you.�
   Before I could answer she kissed me passionately and pressed in against
me.  �No mistaking the gratitude here�, I thought.
   Eventually we broke apart and I took her head and pecked her on the
forehead.
   �I�ll call later this afternoon,� I promised.  �Just to see
you�re OK.� She nodded and took my hand and squeezed it.
   �I�ll be waiting for you,� she said softly.
   I nodded and turned and walked out the door.  I walked out of the
complex and to my car.  I could make out the shadow of the girl behind the
condensation that had built up on the windows.  I opened the door and she
jumped with a start and a cry of �oh�.
   �Time to take you home,� I said evenly.
   I looked at her.  She had cleaned her face and there was a nasty deep
scratch under one eye.  There were also trails of welts from Elise�s
fingernails where she had scratched the poor girls face.
   �Thanks,� she whispered.  �How are they?� she asked almost as an
afterthought.
   �History,� I said flatly and hopped in and started the car.
   We left the street and she started to tell me where to go.
   �I know where you live,� I said, interrupting her.
   She raised her eyebrows in question.
   �Remember I said I tailed you both last night,� I offered as
explanation.  �Elise and I expected him to collect my wife.  Instead he
picked you up.�
   She raised her eyebrows wider, frowning while considering the
information.
   �Oh, we�re separated because of her affair with Steve since
October,� I volunteered.  Seems you�re a surprise to Elise.  She was
expecting my Julie in the bed with Steve this morning.  We both were.�
   I looked at her digesting the news.
   �I think Julie, my wife, will be surprised about you, much the same as
you are, learning about her,� I continued.  �Seems the bastard had
three of you on a string at one time,� I said brightly.
   I paused and adjusted my tone.  She turned away and gazed straight ahead
out of the windscreen.  She looked miserable.  We drove along in silence.
She looked out the side window, too embarrassed to talk to me.  Eventually
I spoke.
   �What�s your name?�
   She turned quickly at the sound of my voice.  She glanced at me and then
looked away.
   �Anne.  Anne Cornish,� she said dully.
   �Is it true you are the daughter of a friend of Steve�s parents,�
I asked, recalling Elise�s identification of her over the phone last
evening.
   She looked back at me in surprise.
   �Is it also true you are an intern doctor at Mass.  General?� I
continued.
   �Yes,� she said quietly realizing I must know more than she gave me
credit for, she nodded.
   �So what the fuck are you doing with a married man?� I asked evenly.
   She laughed.  More of a snort than a laugh.
   �He said his marriage was over�she�d left him,� she answered
somewhat ruefully.
   I chuckled.
   �He told Elise that Julie, my wife, and I had left Boston to start
over again.  After the disclosure of their affair,� I said wryly. 
�Wonder what he told Julie about Elise?  Probably what he told you; that
they had split.�
   I looked at her.
   �You didn�t think to check his story back through your parents to
his parents,� I said a little accusatory.  She shook her head and looked
sheepishly at me as if that was too obvious for her to overlook.
   �I bet he didn�t mention you to Julie or Julie to you,� I offered.
�But at least that lie would be the easiest to maintain.  Just ignore
mentioning it to either of you, and it wouldn�t be a problem.�
   She stared ahead but I knew she was mulling over what I had said.  We
arrived outside of her house and she turned and looked at me.
   �You must think I�m a tramp,� she said blandly.
   �It�s not my place to judge,� I answered matter-of-factly.  �I
was upset and hurt when I knew my wife was involved, but I got over it and
right now I�m just helping Elise.�
   �But your wife is still involved,� she said pointedly.
   I laughed softly.
   �MY wife and I are all but divorced.  Her decisions since walking out
are of no concern for me anymore.�
   I wasn�t sure I really meant that.  The fact that Julie was still
seeing the creep did bug me.
   �OK.  Well thanks for the lift,� she said.
   I felt it was thanks out of courtesy, not out of gratitude.  She got out
of the car and walked to her house without looking back.  I drove the few
blocks to Julie�s house and I was fortunate enough to find a parking
space quite close to the gate.  I locked the car and walked to the front
door and rang the bell.  I could hear the faint sound of music coming from
inside.  Tony opened the door.  He was surprised to see me and scowled
somewhat at my presence.  I guess he still had issues with me following the
comments about me made by Cheryl the morning after the party.  I wondered
if he had worked out I�d banged Fleur.
   �Hi Tony.  Is Julie in?� I asked.
   �Yeah�yeah, sure.  Come in,� he said.
   He looked a little happier I was here to see Julie.  He led me to the
front lounge.  Julie, Fleur and Cheryl were draped over various pieces of
furniture.  Cheryl was reading a magazine and munching toast, Julie was
lying with her eyes shut on the couch, wearing a robe and hideous fluffy
slippers, and Fleur was likewise in a robe and watching TV.  MTV by the
looks of it; playing loud enough that I had heard it from outside the front
door.
   �We have a visitor,� announced Tony.
   Fleur and Cheryl looked up together and they had the same surprised
reaction and looked quickly at each other in a silent question.
   �Well, well, this is a surprise,� Cheryl said her raising her
eyebrows.
   She looked at Julie who hadn�t stirred.  She must have been dozing, as
she did not react to Tony�s announcement and Cheryl�s exclamation of
surprise.
   �So which one of us are you here to see?� Cheryl asked impishly and
giggled and looked at Fleur who blushed and dropped her head in
embarrassment.
   Tony looked stricken.  Seems he knew about Fleur and my past.
   �Julie,� and I nodded in the direction of my prone wife.
   �Hey Jules.  Jules, wake up.  Your husband�s here to see you,�
Cheryl said in a singsong voice, and leaned over and shook her older
sister�s fluffy foot.
   Julie rallied out of a nap, more by the shaking of her foot than
understanding what was being said.  She looked at Cheryl quizzically. 
Cheryl flicked her eyes in my direction and back to her sister again. 
Julie switched her gaze in my direction and her mouth dropped open and her
eyebrows rose in surprise.
   �Danny.  What are you doing here?� she exclaimed almost in a
whisper.
   �I have some news for you,� I said evenly.  �Good or bad, you can
work out which,� I added.
   She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
   �Can we talk privately?� somewhere I asked.
   �Why.  What is it?  What�s so serious you can�t tell me in front
of my friends?� she said defensively.
   �Well that�s your call,� I answered, �But it depends how
embarrassed you want to feel,� I continued candidly.
   I felt everyone�s eyes boring into me.  She reluctantly got up off the
couch and headed down the hallway to the kitchen.  I looked from Tony to
Fleur to Cheryl and then turned and followed Julie.  When I got into the
kitchen she was leaning against the table with her arms folded.
   �So what�s so important we have to discuss it in such confidence so
early on a Saturday morning?� she asked, almost mocking in her tone.
   I looked around and stepped back and closed the door to the hallway.
   �Oh for Christ sake Danny stop being so melodramatic,� she said
impatiently.  �What the fuck is so important you burst in her,
unannounced with all of this Secret Squirrel stuff?� she added mockingly.
   �Fuck you, you cocky bitch� I thought.
   �You�re boyfriend�s been busted,� I said directly.
   She looked surprised.  The words sinking in then realizing it hadn�t
told her a thing.
   �What?  What the fuck are you talking about?� she said, appearing to
look innocent of who the �boyfriend� might refer to.
   �Steve the lounge lizard,� I continued.  �His wife caught him in
bed this morning with the daughter of a family friend,� I said studying
her reaction.
   Her composure drooped and she looked anywhere but at me.  I was right.
She was still seeing him.
   �What do you mean boyfriend?� she said nervously.  �I haven�t
seen him since, since, you know, November.  We never got it together.�
She said.
   �Liar,� I said crisply.  You were at his house last night.  He left
soon after you did and picked up this other girl.  Went out, had dinner and
came home and she spent the night.�
   I studied her face.  She looked shocked that I knew she was there last
night.
   �How, what, why were you there?� she stammered.
   There was nothing further but to tell her about the chance meeting with
Elise.  And about Elise believing Julie and I had left Boston together, and
how I came to be tracking Steve and Anne Cornish.  She was visibly shaken
by the news.
   �So to make my point you can decide if this is good news or bad news.
Good news that Elise has finally dumped him perhaps, and bad news that you
were one of two he was cheating on her with,� I concluded.
   She stared at the floor in silence.  Finally she spoke, looking at me
intently.
   �So you came here to gloat,� she said acidly.
   I looked into her eyes.
   �No Julie I don�t need to gloat.  Your common sense tells you
you�ve been stupid enough, without me saying it.  Above all else, there
has been enough heartbreak caused by this slimy cunt for me to want to drag
it all up again.  But as one last favor; as one last show of concern, I
just think you needed to know what a pathological liar the guy is.  And
it�s up to you to work out how to move forward.  For my part, I don�t
give a shit.�
   She studied me, looking defeated.  She turned and walked across to the
bench and stood looking out the window for a minute or two.  Then she
turned around to face me; her face had softened and she looked on the verge
of tears.
   �You mean it don�t you?� she said quietly.
   I looked at her steadily.
   �Of course I do.  I think the guy is an absolute pathetic loser who
thinks being successful is screwing as many women as he can,� I said
evenly.
   �No.  Not that.  I mean you really did come here now, to help me.  To
stop me being a fool to myself,� she corrected me quietly.
   I looked away with a slight degree of embarrassment.  I looked back at
her.  She was scrutinizing me closely.
   �I said I did, didn�t I?� I answered.
   �Why?  After all I did, to you, to us?  Why Danny?� she continued.
   �I told you Julie.  One last shot at being kind, or caring.  But this
is it for me.  This shit has just got too weird and I was living a very
uncomplicated life up until now, so I want to keep it that way,� I
answered.
   �That�s crap Danny.  You�ve willingly got yourself right in the
middle of it again.  The best way to live your uncomplicated life was to
turn away.  But you didn�t.  You got right into it because you expected
to find me there.�
   She paused studying my face.
   �You still care about me don�t you?� she added quietly. 
�Despite all that I did to you and said about you; you still care don�t
you?�
   I looked at her.  I wasn�t sure if she was right.  I did want her to
know what a shit Steve was.  But it wasn�t about to admit it was driven
out of the possibility that I truly still cared, and that I wanted her to
remain part of her life.
   �I�m out of here,� I said suddenly.
   I turned and reached for the door.  She moved quickly and took my arm.
   �Wait.  Wait, Danny,� she said quickly.  �Wait.�
   We stood looking at each other for a few moments.
   �Thanks Danny.  Thanks.� She had softened her approach.  �You�re
right.  I was to go out with Steve tonight.  I knew his wife was away.  He
usually checks she�s really away by ringing her at her mother�s. 
That�s where she goes a lot.  I was to spend the night there tonight,�
she said evenly.  �He said she was leaving for Philadelphia this morning.
I believed him.�
   �But you went there last night.  That was a bit risky if she was not
leaving until today,� I said quizzically.
   �I know.  It was work related.  I didn�t think it would be
unreasonable to visit for a work emergency�some papers he�d forgotten
to sign�even if she saw me.  Of course I didn�t know she believed I,
that we had left Boston.  He wasn�t very pleased to see me.  He told me
off for going there.  I didn�t think.  I just thought because it was
real, it was OK.  I never knew about any of what you�ve told me about
this other women either.  Truly.�
   I nodded and we stared at each other.
   �I�d better get going,� I said.  �I promised Elise I�d check
back on her to see if he�d cleared out for good without any agro,� I
added.
   She looked a little puzzled.
   �You and Elise seem to have hit it off,� she said dully.
   �I think we�ve been birds of a feather,� I said wryly.
   She nodded.
   �I guess so,� she said with a resigned air.  �Can I see you again?
Soon?� she asked hesitantly.
   I looked at her quizzically.  �Why?�
   �I don�t know.  I guess there�s a few things we need to talk
about,� she said.  �I asked you for a divorce once,� she reminded me.
   I nodded.  The divorce.  Nothing had happened.  She probably saw this
news as good rather than bad for her.  Even if he was a two-timing scumbag,
he was going to finish with his wife whether he wanted to or not.
   �OK.  Any time,� I answered quietly.  �Actually I have filled out
a petition so we can use that.  Makes no difference who the plaintiff is;
we both want the same outcome,� I said candidly.
   We looked at each other again.  It was awkward.  The certainty of our
diverging relationship had become clear again.  I might have hoped I was
sensing a softening of her approach towards me, and to be truthful, I was
now emotionally back some months because of it.  But the mention of the
divorce seemed to blow any thought of some form of increased contact out of
the water.  I wondered how much she still cared for me, if at all.  I
walked down the hall and she walked me to the door.  I didn�t turn to her
but opened it and made to walk out.  As I was about to step out she grabbed
my shoulder and pulled me back.  I turned at the contact and before I
realized what she was doing she took my head in her hands and craned her
head up and kissed me softly on the lips.  More than a peck, but not a
passionate kiss; then she broke away.  �Thanks Danny.  I still love you.
I always will.  It�s just that I don�t know if I can ever be in love
with you again�� her voice was soft and it tailed off.  She emphasized
the word �in�.
   I looked at her.  I knew what she was saying.  Truth was I felt the same
way.  I nodded my understanding and turned and walked out the door.
   To be continued�
   � Romany 2004-2007.  Protected by copyright law.  Please do not copy,
edit, amend or post this on any website without the author�s permission.
   Also by Romany: �Full Circle 1: Julie and Fleur� and �Full Circle
3: Elise and Julie�.
https://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/gypsey/romany/
   
  
Full Circle.2_Cheryl and Elise