Honey, We Should Have Talked

Just a short story that came to me while working on a longer one. No sex, just a different take on a 'We need to talk' story. If a similar story has been published, I apologize. I don't remember seeing one.

I laid the three folders, a manila envelope, and my laptop on the table. Kelly had recently returned from a "weekend getaway' with her best friends. The look in here eyes was a mixture of fear and sadness. Her eyes darted to the table, but she stayed where she was.

I opened the laptop to get it ready, finding the file I needed, queuing it up.

"What? Nothing to say? Well, that's alright. I can say enough for the two of us."

I briefly considered pulling a chair over to sit next to her, but I didn't want to be that close to her. I hadn't wanted that closeness for a while now, and she hadn't even noticed. She was too caught up in her little fantasy.

"I've known for a while now, that your 'weekend with Beth and Sarah at the spa,' was something quite different."

She looked up at me, looking like she wanted to say something, but the words couldn't make it out.

"I have been suspicious for a while now, but this is what really brought all the pieces of the puzzle together."

I hit play laptop and the recording I had cued up started playing. Kelly's voice filled the speakers. It only caught one side of the conversation, but it was enough.

"You know he'd never agree to it if I asked him...... I thought about agreeing to a hall pass for both of us, but he has never expressed an interest in anyone else...... Dave was my first and only, and I need to know if I'm missing anything...... Yes, he satisfies me. So much so that I only turn him down for legitimate reasons, because even if I'm not in the mood, he gets me there soon...... It's not an affair, it'll just be a one time thing, well, one weekend anyway...... I know it places a big burden on you and Sarah, but both of you have had more than one man. I just need to know what it's like with someone else...... Oh, Dave's coming, I'll talk to you later."

Her face had gone from anger, to fear, back to anger.

Still, she couldn't get out the words she so desperately wanted to say.

"Oh! I can see by the look in your eyes, that you never expected that call to be overheard."

Her eyes grew tighter, but before she could utter a sound, I continued.

"I know that look. You want to say 'How dare you?' Right?"

"I dared, because you started changing about six weeks ago, right after Kevin moved in two houses down. You started working in the yard in short shorts, when you used to say you had to protect your skin and always wore pants and long sleeves.

"I dared, because you started spending more time walking the dog near his house, when you always said that was my responsibility.

"I dared, because you suddenly started locking your phone and leaving the room to answer calls or texts.

"I dared, because you and Kevin disappeared for half an hour at the neighborhood cookout three weeks ago. Even old Mrs. Mason commented on it when the two of you walked out of the woods together.

"I dared, because you haven't even noticed that I haven't tried to initiate sex with you since that day and even made an excuse not to be intimate with you after that."

Kelly just sat there, staring at me. She looked like she was trying to come up with excuse for everything, so I directed her attention to the folders on the table.

"The first folder is copies of all the bills from your weekend spa get away with 'the girls'. You really shouldn't have used our joint card for that.

"The second folder is the evidence, pictures from the neighbor's home security camera pointed at their swing set, right where you made out that day, and proof from your weekend with 'the girls'.

"The third folder is the bills from all the cosmetic surgery I wasted money on over the last few years.

"The manila envelope contains divorce papers and the valid prenup that your cheating triggered."

Kelly's eyes opened wide as soon as I first mentioned the prenup. Her eyes grew wider as I reminded her all I needed was proof and her weekend 'the girls' gave me plenty of audio and video proof.

I came from a moderately wealthy family, but over the course of a few years, I had developed a few patents for a couple of independent space programs that had helped me surpass my family's portfolios.

Before I even met Kelly, my lawyers had proposed an ironclad prenup. I never thought I'd use it. I hadn't had a date in a couple of years, being too busy with my inventions.

That changed when I ran into Kelly, literally, at the coffee shop. We made eye contact during the cleanup and I asked her to let me but her a new coffee and we sat and talked for an hour. That coffee mishap led to dates, then moving in together, and finally marriage.

As soon as I mentioned to my lawyer that we were moving in together, he adjusted the prenup to not only cover marriage, but common law in case we just decided to cohabitate. I had a sister-in-law that had lived with a guy for over ten years and was able to take him to the cleaners, even though they weren't married.

When I proposed, it was checked for any loopholes, updated, and signed. It would give her a set $250,000, no more, and her car that I bought her before the wedding. I was currently driving it because she had to have a brand new BMW almost every year. I had no problems driving an 8 year old Lexus. Now, it would be hers, if she ever drove again.

"Kelly, you really should have talked to me before trying to date Kevin. No, I wouldn't have let you go, but I would have told you that his wife, Keiko..."

Her eyes widened again in surprise.

"Oh, you didn't know? Anyway, his wife Keiko, was still in Japan. Kevin moved early due to his job, but Keiko was scheduled to participate in a karate tournament this week. Apparently, she placed second, only because she forfeited the final match to get here in time to see her husband before he went away on a weekend 'business retreat.'

When she arrived at the airport, I picked her up and brought her to her new home. She had the address, but was unfamiliar with the streets since this was her first time in America. I was only too glad to giver her a ride. Her husband wasn't expecting her, so he didn't pick up Shen she called him before leaving Japan. Instead, she called me back.

"It's amazing how shared drama can lead to a fast growing friendship. Anyway, when we got to your house, she wasn't expecting her husband to be home. The door was partially open and since you yelled at her, she thought she was interrupting a burglary in progress. I have to admit, she had excellent form when she took you down. If she hadn't broken your jaw and knocked you unconscious, I would have introduced you to her.

"When her husband tried to stop her, she used a throw I have never seen before. The doctors aren't sure if his partial paralysis is permanent or not, but he is still in a medically induced coma.

"It's too bad you didn't get to go on your weekend getaway, but since Kevin booked it using their joint card, Keiko was able to change the dates to this weekend. I must say, Kevin has good tastes in private resorts. I looked it up since Keiko asked me to accompany her. When she saw that it was all non-refundable, even the flights, she only hesitated briefly before asking me to join her.

"Maybe it was the separation, but I still can't see how Kevin would have chosen you over her. She is quite stunning, and all natural. Granted, he may have preferred the boobs I bought you, but Keiko's are more than a handful. And I always told you when you were asking for the new ones that your's were more than big enough for me."

Tears were now streaming down her face, I still was enough of a gentleman toward her that I took the corner of the hospital bed sheet and wiped the tears from her face before turning and walking out. I stopped in the doorway and looked back.

"You are still on my insurance, so when the doctor releases you, the rehab center and physical therapy will be covered. My lawyer has contacted your father to tell him to find a lawyer to represent you, but I'd recommend signing as quickly as you get your arms out of the cast. Apparently Keiko was scared for her life and used more force than necessary to take you down.

"My lawyer will have a check for twice the approved prenup amount. It's a lot more generous than I should be, but I do feel a little bit bad that Keiko broke your jaw. I didn't realize that she built up that much anger on the plane ride from Tokyo. Anyway, as soon as you sign, he'll hand you the check, so don't delay too much. The insurance won't cover a place to stay after the rehab releases you.

"I'm not sure how long your jaw will be wired shut, but the doctor says to expect at least a few more days. Even then, you may not be able to talk very well. I understand that you bit off part of your tongue when your head hit the ground."

"If you had only talked to me, instead of Beth, you might be perfectly healthy right now. Oh, but the way, I talked to Beth and Sarah's husbands. Neither one of them knew that you weren't going with their wives to the spa. Now they are questioning if their wives are cheating on them also.

"Oh, don't worry, I know they actually were going to the spa, but their husbands will be hiring private investigators and making sure they get tested for STDs at the very least. My PI already found their spa packages to be confirmed, but the extra scrutiny might ensure that they never again agree to cover for anyone else."

I looked at my watch, the back at Kelly.

"I need to go. I have to buy some clothes for tropical weather. Not that I'll need a lot. Keiko has promised to thank me profusely for informing her about what was going on with you and her husband. And for getting her a good lawyer to represent her. Since I was her new neighbor, I was able to corroborate her story with the police."

I walked out and headed to my car. Keiko was waiting by the passenger door. She had visited her husband, so we rode together. I walked up to open the door and let her in. She threw her arms around me and kissed me.

"Thanks for letting me stay at your place. They didn't change the sheets because I interrupted them. I just can't stay there."

"It's my pleasure, completely. You know, I never would have guessed, when I contacted you, that you were the same Keiko that roomed with my sister in college. I knew when I picked you up at the airport, though. You look the same, maybe a little more beautiful, but I would recognize your face anywhere."

"I assumed you knew when you called. Otherwise, why would you? I just figured someone was listening in and you didn't want to give away the connection."

"No. I must admit it was a very pleasant surprise, though. I have missed you terribly. I always regretted not trying for a long distance relationship when you had to return to Tokyo after the exchange program ended.

"My sister is going to be ecstatic! She missed you almost as much as I did."

We drove the rest of the way home in silence. I still had her luggage in my trunk, so I unloaded and took everything inside, pointing out the downstairs rooms before letting her follow me upstairs. I dropped her luggage in one of the guest rooms. Keiko looked at me questioningly.

"My sister will be here tomorrow. She still doesn't know you are here, and it might be too early to let her know we've reconnected, but I hope I'm not too forward in asking if you'll start thanking me before the weekend gets here."

Taking my hand, she said "Lead me to your room. I need to see how comfortable my future bed is."