Tim Chase sat at the quiet bar waiting for the takeout sandwiches he had ordered. His best friend as well as business partner, Will Davis, was making phone calls from his truck while Tim had gone inside to pick up their lunch. It was unusual for a nice restaurant like "David's Place" to offer take out lunches. The food was very good and Tim always tried to get a lunch there when he was in the area.
Tim was considering his afternoon work schedule when he heard a very familiar laugh. Curiosity drove him to get off his stool and walk a few feet so he could have a view of the dining area. His heart sank as he took in the sight.
Tim's sister-in-law, Dana, was seated in a secluded corner with Matt Larson. They were far too familiar for two married people who were with someone other than their spouses.
Tim felt bile rise in his throat as he watched Matt drop his hand over Dana's shoulder and lightly caress her left breast over her blouse. Tim's distaste for the scene didn't stop him from pulling his phone from his pocket and checking his contacts. Tim felt that he had no options. He had to explain the situation to Dana's husband, who was sitting in a truck in the parking lot at that very moment.
Tim's next call was going to be to his wife, Mandy. She would be extremely disappointed in her sister, but Tim felt it would be wrong to keep something this life altering from her. The truth was always best in the long run. As Tim found Will's number, he was stunned to see Mandy emerge from the ladies room and join Dana and Matt at their table. Especially damning was the fact that Matt didn't bother to remove his hand from Dana's breast. Mandy appeared to be unfazed by the sordid display!
By this time, Will had answered his cell. Tim had trouble speaking as his mind raced through numerous scenarios, none of which were appealing in any way. He remained silent until Will demanded to know why he had called.
"Will, get your ass in here. There's shit going down that you need to see," Tim responded before disconnecting.
Less than half a minute later, Will came through the door and immediately found Tim waiting for him. Will sent a questioning look at Tim who simply tilted his head in the direction of the dining room.
Will turned his attention from Tim to quickly glance at the dining area before returning his focus to Tim. Will had a confused look. Both men started as Dana's familiar laugh suddenly carried across the dining room.
Will jerked his head back and more carefully scanned the room. It was obvious to Tim when Will's eyes finally identified Dana. A scowl formed on his face as he began to walk rapidly across the dining room. Tim still had his phone in his hand as he hurried to catch his friend. He had pulled up the video mode just before Will had entered the restaurant.
Will had moved with surprising stealth for a man consumed with rage. He reached Matt Larson before anyone seated at the table even realized Dana's husband was in the room.
Will's fist landed squarely in the center of Matt's lecherous grin with considerable force. The blow caused Matt to go over backwards, breaking the chair he was in when it struck the tile floor.
Matt had reflexively grabbed Dana's left tit as he began his short journey. Dana yelped as a large section of her blouse was ripped from chest area and her left bra cup was pulled almost to her shoulder exposing the creamy white breast it had so recently concealed. Her right breast was also exposed as the cup holding it had traveled several inches up Dana's chest as well.
Will looked down on the semiconscious form of Matt Larson and deliberately spat on the supine man's face. "Fuck you, Matt Larson. The next time I see you, I'll put you in the hospital, you miserable fuck."
"Will? What are you doing here?" Dana asked in bewilderment. "It wasn't what it may have looked like. Matt's just a friend."
"That's it? That's all you've got?" Will responded with a mirthless laugh. "It was just lunch. He always plays with your tits while he's eating lunch? They're hanging out now, as a matter of fact."
Dana gasped when she looked down at her exposed breasts. She quickly pulled her bra back into place as her face turned a bright red.
"That was an accident. Matt tried to grab something to keep from going over backward. There was nothing going on. Your behavior was irrational and dangerous."
"I never realized how easily and often you lied, Dana," Will replied before he turned to Tim.
"You saw Matt holding Dana's tit, didn't you, Tim?"
"Yeah, I saw it and I videoed it," Tim answered as he kept recording. "I'll send you a copy when this shit-show is over."
"Tim! You'll do no such thing," Mandy declared as she finally found her voice. "You're not getting involved in Dana's personal life. She needs to work this out with Will. Your interference won't help matters. Delete that video."
"I'm glad that I'm still recording this shit," Tim snarled. "You told me that you and Dana were going to the Outlets to shop for Christmas gifts. You're over a hundred miles from the Outlets helping your slut sister get laid by some worthless prick. Now you're telling me my behavior is inappropriate?
"You couldn't make this bullshit up. I'm watching it in real time and I'm still having trouble believing it. That's why my video will be so important. I might forget some of the details of this cluster fuck, but the video will be a helpful reminder."
"You called me a slut?" Dana practically snarled. "You're lucky Will didn't slap you silly. You're insulting me and I'm not going to forget it."
"Hell, you seem to have forgotten your lover already," Tim responded as he nodded toward the form slowly flailing around on the floor. "He's trying to sit up and he's bleeding all over the place. He appears to be in need of a slut's assistance.
"Will, let's get our lunch and get the fuck out of here while we still can. If any of these assholes try to spin this story to make us look worse than we are, I'll have video proof to set the record straight."
Mandy was still digesting her husband's comments as the two men turned to leave. "Tim, I didn't do anything wrong. There's no reason to be upset with me. You have to stay and help us take care of Matt. He needs to see a doctor. It looks like his nose is broken."
"I'd bet money on it." Tim chuckled as he turned to face Mandy. "Will had a pretty good head of steam going when he connected with the dumb fucker's face. I wouldn't piss on Larsen if he was on fire. You two have fucked up our marriages and God knows what else. I still remember the words of wisdom that my father often said to me."
"Can I guess?" Will asked. "That which is fucked cannot be un-fucked?"
"Exactly! Let's get our lunch and some beer. We may as well get used to that 'well fucked' feeling since we'll be 'enjoying' it for some time," Tim replied while making air quotes.
Tim once again glanced over his shoulder as they left the room. Dana and Mandy were trying to help Matt find his way into a functional chair while their waitress watched in open mouthed wonder.
Tim picked up their lunch order and drove to a gas station where he bought a case of beer. Once he had the beer, he drove to a cheap motel and checked in. During that time, Will had remained totally silent.
"Come on, Buddy," Tim chided. "We need to eat our lunch and tie one on. We always think better when we drink, so let's get in our room and start thinking."
Mandy saw that Tim's truck wasn't in the driveway when she pulled into the garage. Her seventeen-year-old son, Trent, was home from school, playing a video game.
"Did you happen to hear anything from your father?" Mandy asked in what she hoped was a neutral tone.
"Yeah, he called me a little while ago," Trent answered.
"So what did he say?" Mandy insisted.
"The usual stuff when parents get divorced. You both still love Beth and me but you can no longer live together. You and Aunt Dana are liars and have no respect at all for Dad and Uncle Will. That kind of stuff."
"Tim said that? He told you we were getting a divorce? Did he sound serious?"
"Actually, he sounded like he was three sheets to the wind, but he did seem serious. You told Dad, Beth and me at breakfast that you were going to the Outlets today to shop with Aunt Dana. You actually went north rather than south and wound up at "David's Place" with Matt Larson.
"Dad said that Larsen had his hands all over Aunt Dana when he and Uncle Will found you in the restaurant. No one noticed Will until he pasted that prick in the nose with a solid right that knocked him over backwards. I wish I had seen that. Wait! Dad said he'd send me the video later, so I will get to see it," Trent added.
"I told you father I didn't want that video shown. In fact, I said I wanted it deleted," Mandy fumed.
"Well, in Dad's defense, you also said that you were going shopping today. He made the mistake of believing you. Now that he knows that you have a rather loose relationship with the truth, he may think you were lying when you said you wanted the video deleted. How's he supposed to know when you're telling him the truth?"
"I don't need your wise-ass comments," Mandy snapped. "I told one white lie to prevent anyone from getting hurt. Other than that, I always tell the truth."
"Did you know Aunt Dana was sleeping with Larsen?" Trent quickly asked.
"Who says that she's been sleeping with Larson? They're just friends," Mandy stated.
"That's your true story and you're going to stick with it?" Trent asked. "I can't see how you guys can stay married. It's a wonder that you lasted this long."
"Are you calling me a liar?" Mandy demanded.
"Not in so many words," Trent responded. "Dad did mention that Dana called Uncle Will and confessed that she had slept with Larsen a few times and that you helped her cover it up."
"That bitch! Why didn't she call and tell me that she confessed to Will? I've been trying to cover for her when she already spilled the beans!"
"So much for always telling the truth," Trent observed wryly. "Dad said I'll live here with you until I leave for college next fall. Beth isn't very happy with her prospects, but she's young. She'll get over it."
"Your father has it all figured out already? He made these decisions while he was half drunk and without consulting me?"
Mandy had been certain she'd be able to convince Tim that she only lied to help out her sister. She never cheated on Tim and she never would. It had all been a misunderstanding.
The fact was that she had still been lying to protect her sister even after Dana had confessed to Will. That wasn't good. Tim was an exceptionally honest man, fair and direct in his dealings with others. He had often told Mandy how much he disliked liars and the damage their lies created.
Trent was very much like his father. He had immediately dropped his last girlfriend when he found out that she had lied to him about why she had canceled a date. The girl had called Trent several times seeking his forgiveness, but she had been rebuked each time.
Now Tim was talking about divorce and he seemed quite serious, according to Trent. How could one small misstep mushroom into such a big deal? Why was Tim so inflexible? He'd do anything for Will. Mandy was certain that Tim would have lied to help Will keep his marriage intact. Why was it so wrong for Mandy to help her sister? What was she supposed to do when her sister asked her for help?
The more Mandy thought about it, the more determined she became that she had done nothing wrong, or at least nothing that Tim wouldn't have done for Will. Tim was a hypocrite, pure and simple.
Mandy decided to make dinner for her two kids and herself. If Tim came home and wanted something to eat, he'd have to make it. She was determined to ride out the storm and even make Tim apologize to her for his behavior.
Beth came into the kitchen as Mandy was putting the food on the table. Mandy easily determined that Beth was not a happy camper.
"I'm probably going to tell the judge that I want to live with Dad," Beth revealed. "Helping Aunt Dana cheat on Uncle Will was pretty low, Mom. Will is a really good guy. He and Dad are the best friends two guys could ever be. I can't understand what you and Aunt Dana were thinking."
"I didn't get caught cheating on your father," Mandy snapped at Beth. "I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I couldn't tell Tim about Dana's boyfriend. He would have told Will as soon as he found out."
"Interesting choice of words, Mom. You said that you didn't get caught cheating on Dad. You didn't state that you've never cheated, but that you were never caught."
"I never cheated on Tim!" Mandy replied angrily. "All I did was cover for Dana a few times. She's my sister and I'll always be on her side. Blood is thicker than water."
"You think that you helped Aunt Dana by helping her cheat on Uncle Will?" Beth asked in obvious disbelief. "How's that worked out for you both?
"Dad and Uncle Will now know you're both liars and at least one of you is a cheater. Since you've demonstrated your willingness to lie, how does Dad know you haven't cheated on him?"
"Tim knows I wouldn't cheat on him and I've never lied about anything except Dana's affair. He would have done the same thing for Will. Maybe he already has. Who knows? Tim doesn't get to play that 'holier than thou' card with me," Mandy declared. "For all we know, both your father and uncle could have had affairs."
Beth slowly shook her head in amazement. "Have you totally lost it? We do know that Dad and Uncle Will have never cheated. How do we know, you may ask? Because they have never, and I mean never, lied to anyone or cheated anyone. I would stake my life that Dad has never cheated on you. The sad thing is that I wouldn't dare stake my life on your fidelity."
It was now Mandy's turn to stunned. "You think that I could cheat on your father? You decided that since I tried to protect my only sister I must be a cheater?"
"I never said that, Mom. I'm saying that I don't feel as certain of your faithfulness as I do of Dad's. I didn't feel that way this morning when you told all of us that you were going to the Outlets with Aunt Dana, but you've lost some of your credibility today. That's on you."
Before Mandy could respond, her cell phone rang. "It's Dana. I have to take this call, but we'll continue this conversation later.
"Hello, Dana. I heard that you confessed to Will and left me holding the bag. I was still denying your affair when Trent told me that you had already confessed to cheating."
"My bad, Sis. I've made a bunch of bad decisions lately. I don't know why you didn't make me stop seeing Matt when you found out about us. It would have bothered me at the time, but I wouldn't have had to go through the shit I waded into today."
"Wait a minute," Mandy protested. "You begged me to help you keep your affair a secret. I was just trying to be a good sister to you and keep you from getting hurt."
"You sure didn't do a very good job, did you?" Dana retorted. "You should have made me stop as soon as you found out. I'm lucky Will has taken me back."
"Wait! Did you say that Will took you back? He's forgiven you?"Mandy asked. "How did you talk him into it? He seemed pretty furious at the restaurant."
"You won't believe it. I called Will and confessed everything. I made sure I told the complete truth. You know how Will and Tim feel about lying. I was sure he was going to divorce me, but I also knew my only chance was to be totally honest and very contrite.
"Will told me that he had been having lengthy discussions with Tim about fidelity, honesty, forgiveness and partnerships of all kinds. Will told me that Tim pointed out that Will and I are partners, as well as spouses."
"I can't believe a few simple clichés allowed Will to forgive you," Mandy stated. "There must be more to it."
"You guessed it, Sis. Will told me that when they were in Harrisburg for that two day indoor lawn and garden show two years ago, he met a woman who seemed to be quite taken with him. Tim was out looking at equipment while Will was sitting at the bar chatting with this younger, attractive woman. At least that's how Will described her.
"Will texted Tim and told him to not come back to their room for a couple of hours since he had met someone," Dana continued. "Will said that by the time he paid the bar bill, Tim was in his face, more angry than he had ever seen him.
"Tim told Will he'd have to fight and beat him before he'd ever get that woman to the room. Then Tim told Will that if he did manage to put Tim down, he'd still call and tell me what a cheater Will was. Then he would tell our kids, you, our parents and anyone else who might be interested."
"I never heard about this, Dana. Tim never said anything about it," Mandy admitted.
"That's because my damn fool husband came to his senses. He was mad as hell at Tim for a few days. He said it was a cold ride back home with them not speaking to each other."
"They seem to have gotten over it," Mandy observed. "They still act like brothers."
"That's because Will gradually realized that Tim had done him a huge solid by stopping him from possibly ruining his marriage and his family," Dana explained. "Will told Tim that he was ashamed of himself and that he didn't deserve a friend like Tim. He even offered to dissolve their partnership if Tim didn't want to work with him after that.
"Do you know what your hard-assed husband said to Will? He told Will that he loved him like a brother. He'd rather destroy their friendship than see Will hurt me and the kids. Tim told Will he knew that cheating would eventually destroy him as surely as it would if I cheated on him."
"Wow, Dana. That's kind of heavy. That sort of makes your cheating even worse, doesn't it?" asked Mandy.
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" Dana said. "Fortunately, Will seems to be more forgiving because he almost strayed. No offense, Sis, but Will pointed out that I didn't have as strong a support group as he did. That was the difference."
Mandy didn't know how to respond to Dana's comment. She had concealed her sister's affair. She had gone as far as lying to her family in an effort to protect Dana. Now her own sister was telling her that Tim was the better friend because he wouldn't let Will get away with the shit she had allowed with Dana.
"Is Will home now?"Mandy asked to slightly change the subject. "I'm wondering if I should expect Tim to show up sometime soon."
"Will told me that Tim is pretty wasted. They had to get a clerk at the fleabag motel they're in to pick up a second case of beer for them after they finished off the first one. At least they knew better than to drive."
"They went to a motel instead of coming home? Tim seems to be as upset as Will about this situation. I need to talk to him and set him straight," Mandy stated.
"Good luck with that," Dana countered. "Will told me that Tim is more upset than he is. Tim never thought that you'd look him in the eye and lie to him. Now he's having doubts about your faithfulness and your investment in your marriage. Will said that Tim feels like he's married to a complete stranger. He doesn't know who you are."
"That's just silly. You know I've never cheated on Tim. I also advised you to stay away from Matt. All I did was try to protect you and prevent Will from finding out and divorcing you," Mandy reasoned.
"Well, it turns out that it was exactly the wrong thing to do. Hindsight is 20/20. Now I realize I was a damn fool and you weren't much better," Dana replied. "You should have kicked my ass and threatened to tell Will what a slut I was being. That would have stopped me from continuing with such a foolish decision. You helped me cheat, which wasn't doing me any favors."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. Tim and Will caught us at a restaurant where you sat next to your lover with his hand on your breast. Will decked your boyfriend and Tim became very upset with me. Will has forgiven you, but Tim is still pissed and is talking about a divorce because I lied to protect you. Now you're telling me I should never have tried to help you keep your secret. I'm not as good a friend as Tim is."
"That sounds pretty accurate, Sis. You know how Tim is, yet you risked your marriage in an attempt to help me cheat on mine. You had to know that Tim would be royally pissed when he found out. He's a fucking boy scout, for God's sake."
Mandy remained silent as she considered her situation. How could she have been so stupid? In her world, there was one thing upon which she could always depend, and that was Tim's devotion to his family. Of course he'd be pissed when he found out that she lied to him. That was no surprise. He had never given her any reason to think he would tolerate or forgive her for lying to him.
Mandy realized that one of the things she had been most proud of in her entire life was how much she could trust and depend on her husband and how he felt the same way about her. That was how a marriage should be. The foundation was honesty and trust, and she had foolishly damaged it.
"Dana, I have to work on saving my marriage," Mandy stated grimly. "You're right about me fucking up. I knew it was wrong and I did it anyway. I want to blame you, but the truth is that my problems are all on me. I lacked the courage and conviction to demand you stay away from that asshole Matt. I'm paying the piper now. I have to go. I need to think about how I can get Tim to forgive me."
"So, Mom, what are you going to do?" asked Beth. "It sounds like Aunt Dana came out of this mess smelling like a rose, but you're in pretty deep. You know Dad better than Trent and I do, and we both know better than to lie to Dad."
"You're right, Beth. The only thing I have going for me right now is that your father has always been able to forgive me in the past. He has a big heart and his family is the center of his life," Mandy stated.
"All I can think of is to beg Tim to forgive me. I was totally in the wrong. It'll never happen again if he can forgive me this time."
"That could work, Mom, especially if you were wearing your yellow sun dress that shows off your figure so well while you're begging. Dad gets all twitchy when he sees you wearing it."
"Twitchy? Is that what you call it?" Mandy asked with a grin.
"When I'm talking to my mom, I call it twitchy," replied Beth with a smile of her own. "When I see guys look at me or my friends the way dad looks at you, I call it perving."
"You think Tim still looks at me that way after all of these years?"
"Now you're fishing for compliments, Mom. You know how Dad feels about you. He's putty in your hands most of the time. He'd do anything for you as long as he thought you felt the same way about him."
It was the next afternoon when Tim pulled into his driveway. He was depressed and slightly hung over. He took a deep breath and headed for the front door. He had given his situation a lot of thought. Mandy wasn't going to berate him and make him out to be the bad guy. He had a form with him that he had found online and printed out.
Mandy could threaten him all day long and it wasn't going to change anything. She had lied to him, as well as to their kids. There was no shining shit to make it look good.
Beth greeted him as he stepped through the door. She took his jacket from him and headed for the closet with it. "How was your day, Dad? You look a little tired. Are you okay?"
"Not really, Sweetie," Tim replied. "I don't know what you've heard, but I suspect it wasn't accurate. I need to have a private conversation with your mother. We're at a crossroads, so to speak."
"Yeah, I heard all about it," Beth responded. "Those papers you're carrying look awfully serious. Mom asked me take you into the living room and have you sit in your chair while I get a cold beer. Trent's in there already, and I'll be right back with your drink."
"I don't need a drink," Tim protested. "I don't need an audience, either. I just need to speak to your mother and it's best you kids don't hear what I have to say."
"You're wrong, Dad. Here's your beer," Beth told her father. "Mom wants Trent and me to witness everything. She was quite insistent."
"Why? Does she think that I'll hit her or something? You both know I'd never hurt your mother. It would be best if you both visited some friends or something."
"I want our children to hear what I have to say, Tim. They're going to stay right here and listen to everything. They need to know what problems are caused by having misguided loyalties and being stubborn," Mandy announced as she entered the room.
"You think I'm stubborn? You think being loyal to Will and doing the right thing created our problems?" Tim demanded. "Maybe these divorce papers I printed out will show you just how serious I am. I didn't want the kids to hear this, but you're the stubborn one who insisted."
"Give them to me and I'll sign them right now," Mandy promised. "I trust you to be fair if divorce becomes our only option. I would like to propose a different solution, if I could."
"You should read them over and take them to a lawyer. I was pretty mad when I filled them out and they may be a bit one-sided," Tim admitted.
"It doesn't matter what's written on some paper, Tim. I know you. You'd never be anything but fair to me. I'm not worried in the least about any settlement.
"I wanted Trent and Beth present because they deserve an apology, almost as much as you do," explained Mandy as she approached Tim's chair and knelt before him.
"I was wrong, horribly wrong, Tim. I lied to the three of you at breakfast yesterday morning as well as a couple of other times that I can think of. I was under the misguided impression that I was helping my sister. I was wrong. I realize that now.
"I made the entire situation worse by not telling the truth and not standing up for what I knew was the right thing. I wish I could take it all back, but I can't. I have to live with my mistake.
Tim's scowl was slowly replaced by a surprised look as he listened to Mandy, who was kneeling before him. Even in his unsettled state, he noticed that Mandy was wearing the yellow sundress that he liked so much on her. As she leaned ahead, Mandy's cleavage deepened. He was unable to look away; even after almost twenty years of marriage to the women in front of him, she was still a vision he always treasured.
"I'm asking for your forgiveness, Tim. The kids told me earlier that if you saw fit to forgive me, they would as well. I was wrong. I know that. I will do my absolute best to never disappoint you like that again. I pledge to you my love and respect.
"I'll accept whatever you decide without complaint," Mandy added. "I lost my way a little, but I'm back on track now. Can you forgive me and learn to love me again?"
Tim looked at Mandy for a long moment before responding. "You really hurt me, Mandy. I never thought that you were capable of lying to me, especially so convincingly. I have to be able to trust you or I can't stay with you. I know that to be fact. My marriage has to be founded on respect and total trust. There's no middle ground. You can't be trustworthy most of the time. That doesn't work for me."
"That's why my foolish efforts to support Dana were so painful to you, and by osmosis, to me," Mandy replied earnestly. "I'm afraid that I lack your moral compass, Tim. I think I'm pretty good but I realize I have to be better. Looking at it logically, there should be no issue telling you the truth every time I speak to you. I want you to give me the chance to attain that goal. I really do love my husband and my kids. I always will."
"Talk is cheap, Mandy. You were placed in a difficult situation and you caved in. You went with what seemed the easier path. Now you're finding it wasn't. How do I know I can trust you after this recent fiasco?"
"I guess I'm asking you to take the word of a proven liar, Tim. It's a bit of a conundrum, I admit. I'm asking you to understand that I'm not as principled as you, but that doesn't mean I'm unfaithful or disrespectful. I'm just human, a human in love with a very rigid, moral man. "
"Dad, look at Mom," Beth interjected. "Really look at her. I think you can see what Trent and I see. Mom wants to stay married and be part of this family. Trent and I would like that, too. Doesn't she look great in that dress? She's your wife and she's beautiful. Maybe you need that private 'conversation' with her now?"
Tim averted his gaze from Mandy to take in the smiling faces of his two kids. If Will was able to forgive Dana, couldn't he give Mandy another chance? He turned back to Mandy. She was running her tongue over her lips nervously. Tim noticed that two top buttons had come undone on her sundress exposing a considerable amount of her cleavage.
"Do you think I'm that easy?" Will asked the room. "Mandy's got a ways to go before I trust her again."
"You're not easy, Dad, but you are a man. Mom's pretty much told you that anything goes if you accept her apology," Trent pointed out. "I think the reward is worth the risk, don't you?"
Tim smiled at Trent's observation. He looked directly at his wife and asked, "Is that what you're telling me, Mandy?"
Tim and the two kids were unable to contain their laughter as Mandy nodded her head while blushing a bright red.
