The night that was, (ch 2)

This is the story of love, anger, pain and remorse. The first chapter, “The night that was,” has already been posted and told of the night that Dan found his wife, Diane with another man.

Subsequent chapters will tell how their lives, including their two children, have and continue to change through the grueling experience of divorce.

The first story contained no sex; however, this and all following chapters do have sex.

I hope you enjoy this realistic portrayal of the roller coaster of emotions and thoughts by the characters as I tried to bring to life the trauma they experienced.

I believe this story will stand alone, however; I would recommend reading, “The night that was,” first.

As always, I hope you enjoy the read, and I’m always looking for feedback.

Thank you.

The night that was, (chapter 2) Life after divorce

Chicago’s winter weather certainly wasn’t doing anything for my disposition. It was only four-thirty and already it was dark outside. I locked the front door to my photography studio and braced the bone chilling cold as I almost slipped on the icy sidewalk. The raw January wind came whipping in from off of Lake Michigan and immediately froze the nasty scowl that I wore on my face as I trudged through the deep snow, sludge, and slop on the way to my car.

What ever happened to the happy-go-lucky Dan Taylor who used to occupy this body, I thought. It seemed I was always pissed off lately. Today I lost half a day’s shooting because some idiot account exec screwed up the schedule. Things like that happen from time to time but in the mood I’m in…well, it just seems like every little problem becomes monumental lately.

It’s not like I don’t know what’s wrong. I just spent my first Christmas as a bachelor and I absolutely hated it. If I had a penny for every time I’ve second-guessed myself for going ahead with the divorce, I’d never have to work again for the rest of my life.

I know Diane would love to have me come back. When I picked up my daughters, Amy and Marsha, on Christmas morning they told me they could hear their mother quietly crying in her bedroom the night before. It was the first Christmas Eve since we met, that we were not together. I didn’t tell the kids but she wasn’t the only one crying that night.

What’s even worse is what my daughters are going through. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve both been brave little troopers, but I know inside their hurting. They would normally be screaming and jumping all over the place on Christmas morning as they opened their presents, but not his year. This year they smiled and thank me with their kisses, but I could read their thoughts, see it in their eyes, the only Christmas present they wanted was for their mother and me to be back together and have everything as it was.

Seeing my kids in that kind of pain, knowing the pain my wife is going through, and the pain and doubt I feel every single day, yeah, I knew the reasons I was not my happy-go-lucky self. I could only pray that, in time, it would get a little easier for everyone. Day by day life goes on. I just wondered, on what day does the pain start to hurt less.

As got into my car and sat while it warmed up a little, I thought even small decisions were getting harder to make. Tonight I had class. Three nights a week, I taught a class on creative photography at our city college. I started there three years ago and had put every dollar I made into a college fund for the girls. It had always been fun for me. The kids always challenged me, kept me on my toes and forced me to stay up to date with their questions concerning new equipment and techniques. Lately; however, just like everything else, it was becoming more of a headache and I was seriously thinking about making this my last year.

So, decision time, should I fight rush hour traffic and go home to my empty, two bedroom condo in the burbs, fix myself something eat and relax a little before going to class, or should I eat down town and wait for traffic to clear then go straight to class from here. Oh hell, I thought, I haven’t cussed-out or given anyone the finger all day, I think I’ll fight my way through the traffic and just go home now.

Later that evening I sat on the corner of my desk, as I most often do, and watched the kids file in and take their seats. As she walked past me, Cathy Benton leaned toward me and quietly asked if she could see me after class. Assuming I knew the subject of our up coming conversation, I told her I had nothing planned after class so it would be no problem.

Cathy was a gorgeous young lady. She was intelligent, had a wonderful personality, lustrous blond hair, beautiful high cheek bones, and a knock out figure. I had talked to her earlier in the semester about a career in modeling, but at the time she didn’t seem too interested. I was sure she had changed her mind and was now considering my proposal. I had used unknown models before and gave several their start in the profession through the years. I never asked nor expected anything in return. Just watching them succeed in the business was reward enough.

After class Cathy waited at her desk until most of the others had left, then approached me at the front of the room. “Maybe we can go out for a drink,” she said still keeping her voice low.

I was a little stunned at her offer. Cathy was only twenty one and I was coming up on forty, what would people think? Still, I had been so damned depressed lately, maybe a couple drinks with a beautiful blond was just what I needed to lift my spirits. “Sure,” I said, “How about Plato’s on Touhy Avenue.”

“That’s perfect,” she said, “I’ll meet you there.”

I was already sitting at the bar when Cathy walked in. “What would you like?” I asked.

“Ah, a white wine would be great, thank you,” she said. I gave the bartender her order and took a sip of my vodka and tonic. I expected her to sit down on the stool next to me, but she stood until the bartender brought her drink. Looking over at the tables in the darkest corner of the bar, she asked, “Can we sit over there?”

Not even waiting for confirmation, she picked up her glass of wine and started walking. I slipped off my seat and followed behind. Once at the table of her choosing I set my glass down then, always the gentleman, moved over to pulled her chair out for her. I wondered if the younger guys still did things like that as she smiled at me with a nod of gratitude.

I had to notice the difference in her demeanor. In school, other than being the prettiest girl in any of my classes, she was like any of my other students, listening to my lectures and asking questions. But now, in this kind of an atmosphere, she seem much more mature, more womanly, more confident.

I started the conversation. “Cathy, I’m assuming you’ve changed your mind about modeling. In two weeks I have a…”

She interrupted. “No Dan, that’s not what this is about.”

Now I was confused. She called me Dan. I guess she felt comfortable in the informal surroundings, but I wasn‘t sure I felt the same way. She was still a student. “Okay,” I said. “What’s up.”

“There is a rumor going around the school that you’re getting a divorce, is that true?”

Now I had absolutely no idea where this conversation was leading, the subject of my divorce was certainly the last thing I expected. I was taken aback to know a student of mine even knew this much about my personal life. I was definitively uneasy talking about it, but my curiosity was piqued now. I had to know where this conversation was going. I thought I’d tell her just a little without going into any real details that was none of her business. “Well, almost,” I said, “the divorce won’t actually be final for another three months. May I ask how you knew about my divorce?”

“I heard it from some of the other kids. It’s pretty much common knowledge at the campus. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” she said, “but from the first day in your class I thought you were someone I’d like to know better. I knew you were married so I never said anything to you but when I heard you were getting a divorce…well, I guess you’d say I want to throw my hat into the ring.”

I think I just sat there with my mouth hanging open for a few minutes. I had no idea my personal life was such a popular topic of discussion on campus. On top of that, did my twenty-one year old photography student just proposition me? I knew there were about a million and one reasons why I should stop this before it starts, but I’ll be damned if I could think of one at the moment.

“Ah, Cathy this is…um, unbelievably flattering,” I said bumbling over my words like a sex starved teenager, “but I’m almost twenty years older than you.”

She seemed to sit back in her chair a little bit. “Yes, and what’s your point?” she said. I was trying to remember just what my point was, when I felt something. I looked down and saw her stocking enclosed toes feeling around my crotch.

I can only imagine the expression on my face as I looked back up at her. I’m assuming it was comical because Cathy chuckled to herself with a wicked little laugh.

It had been a long time. I know friends could never understand why I wasn’t sleeping with half the models I worked with. The truth was, I would never even considered it. Unlike a lot of the other photographers that worked with models, I always kept work separate from pleasure.

As soon as a photographer started sleeping with one of his models she started expecting special treatment. That usually resulted in the photographer insisting she get the best assignments whether she was right for the job or not and that meant disappointed and pissed off clients.

It never failed, whenever a photographer started screwing one of the models, it caused problems for the photographer, his customers, and his work suffered as a result of it. In the end the model would start to feel used and trash the photographer and his reputation and probably hurt her own reputation in the process. Nope it just wasn’t worth it, not as far as I was concerned.

There was one exception of course, Diane. Diane was one in a million. I fell in love with her from the moment I saw her. The first time she stepped into the studio my heart pounded so hard I thought it would jump from my chest, from that moment, I knew I would marry her. Never had that happened before, or since. If it ever happened again I guess I would make an exception once again, but somehow I just knew it never would.

I had to admit though, right now Cathy’s toes pressing against my rapid hardening cock felt pretty damned good, really pretty damned good. She looked at me with a mischievous, little smile. “Well?” she asked.

“Well,” I said, “I think this is something we should be discussing at my place.”

She moved her foot down and slipped it back into her shoe. She looked at me and motioned for me to come closer. She brought her lips to mine and smiled as she gently bit my lower lip. “Tonight I am going to fuck your brains out,” she said quietly. I just about came all over myself. “Come on,” she said, “let’s take your car.”

It was a short, ten minute drive to my condo but I think I experience every emotion in the human psyche in that length of time. I doubted my decision making, I kept asking myself, what the hell am I doing? She’s half my age…and a student. I felt guilty, this is the first time I’ve been with another woman besides my wife in over twelve years. I was nervous, I hadn’t made love to any woman in a long time, does a guy get rusty? I was worried, what if I disappoint her, I’m sure she’s used to younger men. But most of all, I was excited, damn I’m going to get laid!

I asked her if I could get her something as we walked into my place. “Yeah,” she said, “naked.” I tuned to face her. She really was a beautiful woman. I caressed her hair with one hand as I reached around her small waist with my other. She looked into my eyes as I pulled her closer. I slowly closed the gap between her inviting lips and my own. Her tongue was the first to find its way and dance with mine. I felt her hand rub the front of my pants. My cock was already rock hard and I was beginning to worry I would cum before even getting undressed.

I showed her the way to the bedroom and approached her from behind. She took a half step back and moved her arm behind her so she could fondle my privates as I reached around and unbuttoned her blouse. I slipped it backwards, over her smooth shoulders and let it fall to the floor. I lightly kissed and caressed the nape of her neck as I undid her fancy laced, black bra. I took my time slowly unzipping her short skirt and listened as it fell to the floor around her feet.

Dressed now only in her thin, daintily laced, black silk panties, thigh high stockings, and high heels, she stepped toward the bed, turned and sat on the edge. She slipped off her shoes then, seductively rolled her nylons down her long, shapely legs.

Cathy looked at me and gestured with her finger for me to come closer. I unbuttoned my own shirt as she unhooked my belt, the clasp on my pants, and pulled my zipper down. As I took off my shirt she reached into the sides of my jockey shorts and pulled them and my trousers down at the same time.

My cock had been waiting for this since she first touched it with her toes. It sprang free bobbing up and down like a wooden diving board. “Oh my,” Cathy cooed with a broad smile, “Oooooh, someone is glad to see me.”

She reached under with her tongue and licked from my balls all the way up to the top of my shaft. There she stopped and, using just the tip of her tongue, flicked it back and forth over the opening. God I was in heaven. “Ssssssssss,” I took a long, deep breath sucking the air through my slightly parted lips and over my teeth as I closed my eyes and just allowed myself the long awaited sexual euphoria that I was experiencing. I was so hard it was painful which only added to the excitement.

Still with my eyes closed I took another deep breath as I felt the warmth from her precious mouth encase the end of my cock then glide its way down to the base, my balls touching her chin. I could feel the sensitive, engorged head as she slid my penis down her magnificent throat then back out again, and again, and again…

I thought sure I was going to lose it as she reached under and scraped my balls with her long nails while swirling her saliva around the dome of my quivering cock.

I felt her wrap her long fingers around me and pull slightly. I opened my eyes and saw Cathy leaning back onto the bed with a devilish grin. She raised her hips and I knew it was my cue to remove her panties. I took the feminine piece of thin fabric by each side and as sensually as possible, uncovered her smooth, bald mound, the center of her womanhood, and right now, the center of my universe.

I started with my tongue on her flat stomach as I felt between her slit. No problem there, it was warm, wet, and inviting. I moved down and parted her lips to allow my tongue access to her heavenly carnal canal.

I smiled as I thought to myself, I guess it’s like riding a bike. With-in moments I had her writhing in ecstasy, grabbing me by the back of my hair and pushing me harder between her legs as she exploded in a mind numbing orgasm screaming my name and God’s in the same phrase.

Almost immediately after her climax, like a woman possessed, she scrambled around and I found myself on the bottom of a sixty-nine position with Cathy’s dripping pussy resting on my lips and her mouth, once again, engulfing my cock traveling up and down its shaft like a mad person. I knew I couldn’t last long now so I reached up with my tongue and started lapping at the juices emanating from her gorgeous pussy.

“Oh, I’m going to cum,” I yelled, “honey, I can’t hold it anymore, I’m going to…cuuuummmmm, aaahhhhh.” My hips bucked up and down, my head involuntarily was thrown backwards as my back arched upward. My whole body went into spasms. Again, and again, I felt my cum shooting from deep within my balls while Cathy milked every drop.

I was still breathless, my eyes closed as I laid there taking in the womanly scent I missed so much. I could feel Cathy’s swollen breasts taking deep breaths as she lovingly cleaning the last remnants of thick goo from my now deflating dick.

“Umm,” she said in a sultry voice, “I hope you’re not one of those guys who can only get it up once a night. I want you inside of me. I want to feel you, I want you to pound my pussy with your hard cock. Do you think you can do that for me? Can you get hard again, hard enough to make love to me?”

This time there was no doubt. I was always good for three, sometimes more. I was sure getting hard again was not going to be a problem and it wasn’t.

We laid in each other’s arms for a little while. Cathy gently stroked my cock and with-in a short time I felt life coming back in the old boy. Cathy felt it too. She looked into my eyes and smiled.

“Ooooh,” she said, “someone’s getting their second wind all ready.” She reached up and lightly placed a kiss on my cheek, then another one, she then moved to my mouth and kissed me hard, passionately, forcing her tongue to mingle with my own.

I grabbed her and rolled her over so she was now under me and returned her kiss just as passionately. I swung my left leg over separating hers. I hoisted myself up with my hands and hovered over her while I maneuvered myself into position. She reached down and found my hard shaft pointing in her direction. She pulled it down slightly and showed it the path to heaven. I just stayed still for a moment, elating in the warm comfort of her body. I slowly pushed myself in all the way then back out until just the tip of my dick remained inside her womb. I took several short strokes teasing those pearly gates then pushed all the way home again.

Cathy dug her nails into my back as I increase my thrusts in speed and force. She screamed, “Oh fuck, oh fuck,” as one orgasm after another hit her, twisting her body.

I could feel myself getting closer, my cock now feeling like a piece of steel. I could feel it building and building from deep inside of me. I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Aaugghh,” I yelled not caring if anyone on the other side my condo walls could hear or not. I thrust inside her with every powerful gush of cum forced from my body to hers. She reached around my neck with both arms and pulled me down on top of her, the erratic breathing of our two bodies forcing our sweaty, naked flesh to take liberties with the other.

I gently explored her body as we laid together, each of us coming down from our night of passion. For just an instant, a picture of Diane seeing us like this flashed through my brain, filling me with guilt, but I forced it from my mind and started to tenderly kiss Cathy all over. I couldn’t live the rest of my life as a pissed off divorced man. I had to get on with my life.

We laid there, our bodies intertwined with each others. I was hoping she would spend the evening and I would not feel the loneliness of an empty bed for one night, but it was not to be.

“I have to get going, Dan.”

“You’re welcome to spend the night. I make a pretty mean steak and eggs for breakfast,” I said trying to make her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

“I can’t,” she said, “I’m a terrible grouch in the morning. I don’t want you to see me like that, at least not yet. Besides, I have a ton of things to do early in the morning. No, as much as I would love to spend the night, I can’t.”

I tried not to sound too disappointed. “Okay,” I said, “I understand. You just want to use my body for sex.” I smiled to make sure she knew I was kidding.

She laughed. “That’s right,” she said, “any complaints?”

“Not a one.”

By the time I got Cathy back to her car it was after two in the morning. Plato’s parking lot was dark and cold. I told Cathy to start her car then come back to mine as we sat long enough to let her car warm up. After a few minutes she drove from the parking lot. I watched her tail lights disappear as she drove down the deserted street.

I just sat there for a few minutes. I was too worked up to go back home so I went to a Denny’s to think over several cups of coffee. I just had a wonderful time with a gorgeous young lady, so why couldn’t I just revel in my nirvana and be happy…because after twelve years of loving someone, you don’t just turn it off like a switch. For the second time tonight I felt the pangs of guilt. I thought about what Diane said, how guilty she felt after sleeping with someone. I wondered if she felt more or less guilty than I feel right now.

This isn’t fair, I thought. I’m the injured party here, I shouldn’t feel guilty at all. I need to get on with my life. How am I going to do that if I feel guilty every time I enjoy someone’s company. Again, I pushed the guilt to the side and tried to concentrate on the feeling of elation that I felt with Cathy’s mouth engulfing my cock. I smiled to myself and took another sip of coffee.

The next month was actually kind of fun. I could feel myself getting closer to that happy-go-lucky guy I used to be. Diane seemed like she was finally accepting the fact that we were not going to get back together and we were getting to the point where we could talk to each other normally when I came to pick up the kids. I always had something exciting planned for the week-ends with Amy and Marsha and Cathy came over two or three times during the week to screw my brains out.

Even the weather was starting to break a little. Most of the snow and slush had melted and the temperature was above the freezing mark. You know what you haven’t done in a long time? I told myself. Gone out on a date. Yup, all the times Cathy and I were in bed together, and I’ve never taken her out on a date. That’s something I must remedy right now, I thought to myself.

I picked up my cell phone and hit the speed dial for her number. Cathy saw the I.D. “Hey baby,” she said in her normal, upbeat tone of voice, “are you horny again already?”

“Well, now that you mention it, yeah, but that’s not what I’m calling you about,” I said. I heard her chuckling on the other end.
“What are doing Wednesday evening?” I asked.

“Wednesday? Nothing that I can think of right now, babe, why?”

“Because I happened think, the closest thing we’ve had to a date was the one drink at Plato’s we had that first night together.”

“A date, you want to take me out on a date? Aren’t you sweet,” she said. “I’d love to out, where are you taking me?”

“Well, Cats is showing at the Blackstone. I thought we could grab a nice dinner down town then take in the play. After that, of course, go back to my place and fuck like bunnies.”

Again she chuckled. “That sounds like a perfect evening to me,” she said. “It’s a date.”

I made all the arrangements and was looking forward to a great evening.

For a guy who’s job it is to look at beautiful women all day, I have to say I was flabbergasted when Cathy answered her door. I had never seen her all dressed up. Her blond, shoulder length hair framed her face to perfection. Her hazel blue eyes absolutely sparkled and it didn’t take a lot of imagination to realize she was wearing no underwear under that black, slinky dress.

“Holy cow, Cathy,” I said, “you are…unbelievably…just breath takingly stunning.”

The ends of her full lips went up and she broke into a wide smile. “Thank you, Dan.”

The evening was going fantastic. The restaurant I picked out was romantic and elegant. The wine list was extensive and the food fit for a gourmet’s palate.

Cathy was absolutely charming. She was well versed on a variety of subjects and her sense of humor gave her a down-to-earth quality in spite of her extraordinary good looks.

Then it happened. My eyes were glued on Cathy so it was from her voice that I first realized Beverly and her husband Jim were standing next to our table.

“Dan,” Beverly’s voice crackled, “I can’t believe this, the first time Jim has taking me out in six months and we run into you. How are you doing?”

Jim was an okay guy but I never liked Beverly. She and Diane had been friends since grade school so I was always pleasant to her but I just couldn’t stand her attitude. She was the most cynical person I ever saw. She could look into the face of an angel and find a pimple. She was also the person who was aware of Diane’s affairs and, I suspected, even encouraged them. That alone made me mistrust as well as dislike her.

Still being the gentleman my father taught me to be, I stood to greet them. “Bev, Jim, how are you?” I asked. Bev’s eyes immediately went to Cathy. “Cathy,” I started the introductions, “this is Beverly and Jim Hall, two old friends.”

Cathy batted her big blue eyes and put out her hand to greet them both. We all exchanged pleasantries and talked for a few minutes. Jim and Bev both expressed their sadness over the break-up of my marriage before they left for their own table and sat down.

Damn, I thought, of all the people who we could have run into tonight, they were the last I’d hoped to see. I wasn’t hiding the fact that I was dating but I didn’t want to rub Diane’s face in it either. Even though it would probably hurt her feelings, I knew Bev wouldn’t be able to contain herself and would surely tell Diane about seeing me with someone else.

The rest of the evening was unspoiled. I found out on the way home from the Blackstone, that Cathy had never been to the theatre before and had enjoyed her first experience immensely. Once we got back to my place she showed her gratitude in a different way and long into the night.

The following day, even though I had no shooting assignments scheduled, I had a very busy day. When you’re in business for yourself you sometimes have to wear many hats, salesman, secretary, wardrobe specialist, set designer, carpenter, photo editor, production manager, you name it. That Thursday I was all of those and more.

About three-thirty in the afternoon my cell phone rang. I could see by the display it was the home phone. “Hello,” I answered.

“Daddy.” I could tell immediately there was something wrong. It sounded like she was trying to hold back tears and keep from crying.

“Amy, honey what’s wrong!”

“Daddy,” now I could hear her definitively crying, “could you come home?”

I wasn’t sure if she meant move back and live there again or just come to the house. “What’s the matter, honey,” I said with urgency.

“Daddy, mommy’s in her bedroom crying and she won’t let me in. She’s been in there since we got home from school. I’m scared daddy, she just tells us to leave her alone for right now, but I’m scared. Can you please come home, daddy…please.”

“Honey I’m leaving right now but it will be a little while before I can get there. Don’t worry honey, I’m sure your mother’s fine, just a little sad right now. Why don’t you get some milk and cookies for you and your sister. Don’t bother your mom until I get there honey, okay?”

“Okay daddy, but please hurry.”

“I’m walking out the door right now honey, I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

I hopped in my car and was on the north bound Kennedy in nothing flat. Damn, I thought, I know exactly what this is about. Good old Beverly couldn’t keep it to herself for even a day. I know damn well she told Diane all about seeing Cathy and me last night. Not only is that bitch cynical, I thought, but she’s sadistic as well.

When I walked into the house both girls ran to me and threw their arms around me with tears in their eyes. I asked if their mother had come down stairs yet and they said no. I tried to assure them that everything would be alright, but only seeing their mother without her crying was going to do that.

I went into the kitchen and fixed the kids a sandwich then helped them get started on their homework before going up stairs. When I reached the door to the bedroom I could hear Diane still sobbing. I knocked.

“Honey give mommy just a few more minutes, then I’ll come down and get us something to eat, okay?”

“Diane it’s me,” I said through the closed door.

“Dan? What are you doing here?”

“Can I come in?”

I could hear her moving on the bed. “No, no don’t come in, I’m a mess, I don’t want you to see me like this,” she said almost panicking.

I opened the door anyway and walked in. Diane was sitting on the bed with her face in her hands. I walked over and sat on the bed next to her.

“I’ve lost you for ever,” she said almost mumbling through her sobs, “what have I done, what have I done?”

I put my arm around her and pulled her into me. I reached around with my left hand and gently pushed her head into my shoulder for support. With all the trauma the two of us had been through in the last several months, I had never seen her quite this distraught. I knew hearing about me with another woman would be hard for her, but I had no idea it would affect her like this.

We sat in silence for a good ten minutes until she started getting better control over herself. “I take it you talked to Bev today,” I said.

“Yeah,” she said in almost a whisper. “She said she saw you last night with an incredibly beautiful woman, much more beautiful and younger than me. Bev said she must have been a model.”

“Now I can’t believe Bev would have said she was more beautiful than you.”

“Well, she didn’t actually say that, but she describer to me,” she said.

“Honey, I have said it many times before and I will say it with my dying breath, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You were when I first saw you and you are today.”

She hugged me tighter and held on for another few minutes. “Honey, you have to pull yourself together,” I told her, “the kids are very worried. Amy called me at the studio and asked if I would come over. How about if I go down stairs and order a pizza for tonight while you freshen up. I’ll stick around and we’ll all have dinner together. How does that sound?”

She pulled her head from my shoulder and looked at me. Never since I had known her, had I ever seen Diane look so bad. She had no make-up on, her eyes were red and puffy, even her cute, little nose was red, swollen, and runny, in fact, her whole face was puffy.

“Okay,” was all she said in a small, almost demure voice. She gave me a little kiss on the cheek then, ever so slightly, curled her lips up at the ends forcing a smile, before going into the bathroom to get cleaned up. I went back down stairs to face the kids again.

“Hey kids,” I announced in a cheerful tone, “how about pizza tonight?”

“Yeah,” yelled Marsha with exuberance.

Amy was a little less enthusiastic. “Are you going to stay with us, daddy?” I looked into her eyes and knew very well she wasn’t talking about dinner. Once again I had to ask myself if I was doing the right thing. I knew it was going to be hard on the kids, but I had no idea it would affect Diane like this. I had expected her to stay strong for the kids sake as well.

“I’m staying for dinner honey,” I said with a phony smile, “You don’t think I’m going to miss pizza do you?”

“Is mommy coming down?” asked Marsha.

“Yes she is guys, she’s just getting cleaned up a little then she’ll be down to have dinner with us. So, who got an, “A” today?” I asked. Both of my smart young ladies held their hand up.
“Wow, good job,” I said. “Okay, who got two, “A’s” today.” This time only Marsha raised her hand. “Okay Marsha, you get to pick what you want on the pizza.”

I ordered the pizza then sat down to help them with their homework. We were so engrossed with dividing fractions we didn’t realize Diane was behind us until Marsha saw her.

“Mommy,” she said, jumping down from her chair and running over to her. Amy looked up and did the same. Diane knelt down to give them both hugs and kisses.

“Are you okay?” Amy asked her.

“Yes honey, I’m fine. I’m sorry I was so sad, I’m okay now.” Once again she hugged both Amy and Marsha.

Diane sat down at the table and helped Marsha with her homework while I helped Amy with hers. It felt so comfortable, the four of us being together. I wished it could stay like this for ever.

Just as we were finishing with the homework the door bell rang. I walked to the front door and paid the pizza guy including a nice tip. I headed back to the kitchen and announced, “pizza delivery!”

“Yea,” both kids yells as they voluntarily started setting the table.

It turned out to be a fun evening. Diane perked up some and, after dinner, the kids and I roughhoused in the living room. It was just like old times.

When it was time we both put the kids to bed. I pulled the covers up to their chins and tucked them in, then gave them each a big kiss on the forehead.

I was all set to take off when Diane asked if I could stay a few more minutes and offered to make me a vodka and tonic. She poured herself a small glass of wine and brought both drinks into the living room. We sat side by side on the couch.

“I’m sorry you had to come over like this,” she said, “I hope you didn’t have to cancel any plans.”

“No, I had no plans,” I said. “I’m sorry you had to find out I was seeing someone from Bev. I probably should have called you after running into her last night, but I was hoping she’d at least have the sense to wait for awhile before saying something. I was going to tell you myself, in person when I picked up the kids this week-end.”

“Yeah, I was feeling a little down to start with today, then when she called and told me she saw you with a young, beautiful woman…well, I just kind of went to pieces I guess.”

Diane took a sip of her wine. “Bev said, to her, it looked like you two were very much in love. I know I shouldn’t ask but, do you love her, Dan?”

“You’re right Diane, you shouldn’t ask,” I said. I couldn’t believe Bev told her that, “but I’m going to answer you anyway, just this once, no I don’t love her. She is someone who keeps me from getting too lonely.”

She leaned her head against my shoulder. “Dan, is there any way I can make up for I did to you?”

“If you mean is there any way I would come back, the answer is no. I’m sorry Diane, as much as I would love to have my family back, there’s just too much hurt there. I could never do it. As far as making it up to me, just be a good mother. The girls need us both now more than they ever did. We need to give them every once of love and support we possibly can.”

I finished my drink, gave her a light kiss on the lips and left. It had been an emotionally charged night. I was hoping Cathy would be waiting for me when I got home but no such luck.

I didn’t get a lot of sleep that night. I couldn’t shake the feeling that my whole family desperately needed me and I was letting them down. Four months after walking out and I was still going to sleep with tears in my eyes.

The next day I was busy again at the studio. The following week I had a two day shoot coming up and I was working with Jeff, a young set designer, who the ad agency sent over. As we were going over some sketches I heard the bell in the back room letting me know someone had come in the front door.

As I approached the front I was pleasantly surprised. There, looking absolutely ravishing, was Cathy. “Cathy,” I called out to her, “what a great surprise, come on back.” I motioned for her to come back to the shooting room.

“I thought I’d come down and see what a real studio looks like,” she said as she walked in.

Cathy’s eyes were focused on me so she didn’t see the young set designer. “There were two other things I wanted to do as well,” she said, “one, invite you to my birthday party next week and two, give you a hell-of-a blow job.”

I cleared my throat and motioned toward the, now blushing, designer. “Oh,” she said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you standing there. Did I embarrass you?” she joked. She looked back at me. “Does that mean I have to give him a blow job too?”

I thought the poor crimson colored young man was cream his jeans right then and there. “No Cathy,” I said with a laugh. “Jeff, why don’t you go out for a coffee break,” I said.

“Yes Mr. Taylor.” The poor kid was so embarrassed he was out the door like he’d been shot from a cannon.

Cathy was giggling. “You can be evil when you want to be, can’t you,” I said.

We went into my office in the back and I closed the door. “First things first,” Cathy said as she reached for my belt. In no time she had me sitting in my chair with my pants around my ankles. She was licking my, already, hard shaft like it was a sucker. I leaned back in the chair and close my eyes to enjoy my paradise.
Cathy had a very talented mouth. I guess I’m a little over average in length but she had no trouble deep throating me. I felt her tongue twirl like a ballet dancer over the purple head of my manhood. I grasped the arms of the chair as she slid back and forth taking in the entire thing. She reached up and gently squeezed my balls.

For almost twenty minutes she manipulated my climax taking me right to the edge, then backing off several times. Finally she drove down the length of my shaft and back up with speed and force. It wasn’t long before I was erupting like a volcano sending wave after wave of cum down her gorgeous throat.

It took several minutes for me to get my breath. I looked down at Cathy who was sitting on the floor just looking up at me with broad smile. “Damn you do that well,” I said. “How about tonight, would you like to do something?”

“No, I can’t tonight,” she said, “I’m going out with Brad.”

I just about swallowed my adam’s apple. “Brad,” my voice raising in pitch from the shock, “who is Brad?”

“He’s kind of a on-again, off-again boyfriend,” she said. She looked at me. “You’re not jealous are you? You know we never said anything about dating other people. I hope it’s not going to be a problem,” she said.

She was right. We had never talked about being exclusive with one another. I really had no right to tell her she couldn’t date anyone else.

“No, it’s not really a problem, it’s just that you came out of nowhere with it.”

“I’m sorry, I probably should have said something sooner. We just started dating again a couple of weeks ago.”

“I see.” I was still in a small state of shock. “I pick up my kids tomorrow morning and I’ll have them all week-end, how about Monday night?”

“I’ll have to see,” she said, “I’ll call you during the day and let you know one way or the other,” she said. “Don’t forget, Friday night, my place, eight o’clock, and bring your camera. I want lot’s and lot’s of pictures, Okay?”

“Okay,” I said with a smile, “I’ll bring my camera.”

Saturday morning, when I picked up the kids, Diane looked like her old self again. She was nicely dressed and had her usual, just enough, make-up on. She was pleasant and, I don’t know if I would say up-beat, but at least she wasn’t depressed.

Amy, Marsha, and I had a great time as usual. When I brought them home Sunday night they told their mother all about the big Ferris wheel we went on at Navy Pier. She smiled as she listened to the kids, then looked at me and gave me a wink. I’m not sure what that meant but it was cute.

Monday I was hoping to get a call from Cathy telling me she would be over for a night of carnal pleasures but I got nothing, not even the call she promised me.

Tuesday was the same thing, no Cathy, no call. By Wednesday I was getting a little pissed. The least she could do is call. I dialed her number but got her voice mail.

“Hey, remember me?” I said leaving a message, “You were going to call me Monday, this is Wednesday and no calls. What’s going on. Call me!”

About an hour later I got her call. “Hi honey, I’m so sorry, I’ve been so busy getting things ready for my party.”

“I see,” I said, “how is it going? Do you think you’ll be able to take a break long enough to come over and fuck me until my eyes bug out?” I said with a chuckle in my voice.

“Oh honey, I don’t know. I still have so much to do. Would you forgive me if I don’t make over there this week? I’ll make it up to you next week, I promise.”

This wasn’t sounding good to me. First she springs a boyfriend on me, now she doesn’t have time to come over at all for the whole week. I was getting a bad feeling.

“Okay,” I said rather abruptly, “I’ll see you Friday.” I closed the phone. I had some thinking to do. Yes, we never discussed being exclusive with each other. It wasn’t like I was in love with her, I wasn’t, so I really had no right to even ask. For the first time I examined the possibility of a future for Cathy and me, but I didn’t see one. As much fun as we have in the sack, I knew there was no long-term relationship there. I would play it out and see where it goes, but I had a feeling it was coming to an end.

Friday night I arrived right at eight o’clock and was surprised to see so many cars there already. I took my camera, knocked and entered. The party was already in full swing. I couldn’t understand why she told me eight o’clock if it started earlier.

Cathy saw me from across the room. “Hey my photographer is here,” she exclaimed.

She came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I leaned down and was going to kiss her back on the lips but she turned her head and I got a cheek as well. She took me around and introduced me to several people as her photographer. I was getting a little pissed.

“Is that all I’m doing here, Cathy?” I asked. “I thought I was invited as a guest.”

“Oh, don’t be party pooper,” she said, “I’m just having some fun, it’s my birthday.”

It was her birthday so I thought, yeah, I guess I should lighten up a little, let her have some fun.

Then I was introduced to Brad. “Brad, this is Mr. Taylor. He’s my professor for the class on Creative Photography I’m taking. He’s going to take pictures tonight.”

Brad extended his hand and I shook it, squeezing probably a little more than I should have.

“Damn professor,” he said, “you’ve got quite a grip there.”

“Oh I’m sorry Brad,” I said almost sarcastically, “did I hurt you?”

“The drinks are over there,” said Cathy, “help yourself.”

I did just that. This is going to be a long night I thought. I walked around taking pictures of the guests. There were the usual stupid questions to answer, “What kind of camera do you use?” “Can I hold your models?” “Gee, can you really make a living taking pictures?” The same stupid stuff I usually get at functions like this.

I looked around to find Cathy. I was getting tire of this and I was getting read to leave. Several times I saw her with Brad and she had barely spoken to me since I arrived.

I went in to the kitchen looking for her and found her sitting on Brad’s lap giving him a very passionate kiss. I raised my camera and took a shot of them. I don’t even think they saw the flash, they were so engrossed.

I turned and went through living room and into the bedroom she had as a home office. I took the flash card from the camera and laid it on the table next to her computer. She can print her own damn pictures, I thought, then left.

The next day was Saturday. Cathy knew I had my kids but called anyway. I let it go to voice mail. She didn’t call again for the rest of the week-end and I didn’t listen to her voice mail until Monday.

“Hi Dan,” she said rather bashfully. “You’re probably pretty pissed at me, huh. I’m sorry. Please call me.”

I was going to see her in class later that night so I didn’t see any need to call her.

I didn’t really want to talk to Cathy. I knew what I was going to say and I hated to say it. We had been…well, I don’t know if you’d call it dating, but we had been screwing each other for about three months. During that time we really had nothing more than sex between us. There was no emotional feelings, not on my part and I was pretty sure after Friday night, not on hers either.

I needed more. I needed to find a woman I could love and who would love me back. I had made up my mind I would call it off with Cathy if she didn’t beat me to the punch.

I waited until everyone, including Cathy was seated before I entered the room. After class Cathy came up and asked if we could go for a drink. I declined.

“Listen, I’d like to apologize for Friday. I treated you like crap and I want to say I’m sorry,” she said.

“Are you in love with Brad?” I asked.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know. Sometimes I think he’s the greatest guy in the world, then he does something stupid and don’t want anything to do with him. I just don’t know. Even if I was though, that’s no excuse for how I treated you. I’m so sorry.”

“Well you’re right there. It was no excuse for the way you treated me, right from the start, introducing me as your private photographer. I was pissed as soon as I walked in the door.”

“I know, I know, I’m so sorry. Come on, let me buy you a drink.”

“Cathy, I put up with Diane treating me like crap for a long time. I did it because of the kids and the fact that she was still my wife, but I won’t put up with it ever again. Can you understand that?”

“Yes, I understand. I knew when I saw the flash card you were really pissed off. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings too much, I really do like you, Dan and I enjoyed every minute we spent together. Our date was the nicest date I’ve ever been on. You’re such a gentleman and you’re a wonderful guy. I just don’t know what I want yet. I’m sorry, Dan, I’m really sorry.”

I believe a saw a tear in her eye as she left. I know there were plenty in my eyes again, by the time I got home. I just don’t understand it, I thought, several of my buddies as well as some of my married female friends, all tell me I’m such a catch. Then why am I having such a hard time with women lately?

Once again I sat in my favorite chair with a vodka and tonic in my hand, staring into the darkness, wallowing in my depression and feeling sorry for myself. For two cents, tonight I’d go home, curl up next to my wife, put my arms around her tell her I’m home. But then what would happen after that, I thought. And that is exactly the reason I can’t do it.

Tomorrow is Tuesday and I start that ad campaign. I’ll be shooting for three days straight so I guess I’d better get some rest, I thought, tomorrow’s another day.

I hope you liked this chapter enough to read the nest installment when I get it done. What other women will Dan have in his life. Will the find the one of his dreams?

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