Betrayal Times Two

Betrayal Times Two

By Rae & Roger

This is fiction folks. Some places referenced are real, but it has been a long time. Very little sex here and no intended BTB or RAAC. You be the judge. I hope this a smile and even a tear. All persons in this story are over the age of eighteen. Also, not autobiographical nor referencing anyone we know. All rights reserved by the author.

Two Years Ago

Friday morning, August 4

Mary Miller rocks a one-piece bathing suit like no other woman of 68. This was a new pool for her here in The Villages. Dee suggested they go for the water aerobics class taught by the hunky Tyler Schmidt. Tyler was big and muscular and had a reputation for getting into the pool with his 'girls' as he called them. While the ladies kept time moving to the heavy beat of music, he would assist the new girls by helping them keep time to the music and movement.

Tyler coveted the new 'girl', Mary. Mary's friend had been coerced to bring Mary to Tyler's classes. Mary seemed to require a bit of assistance. Tyler sidled up behind Mary nudging his erection into her but and placing his hands on her hips from behind. Cooing to her, "here, sway your hips to the beat of the music." Tyler was sure to rotate Mary's hips in a sensual sway coming into contact with his engorged muscle. Whispering in her ear, "that's it, darling. Get those luscious hips of yours moving like you're riding my massive cock to a huge orgasm. Nice. Your husband is one lucky man to have such a fabulously sexy babe riding him." He moved on.

Even though Mary was flustered by Tyler's boldness, she was blushing from having such a 'hunk' touching her. Mary's imagination was wild and hardly under her control. As Mary and Dee exited the pool at the end of the class, Tyler approached both. "I sure hope you two come by for my next class. I'd love to work more closely with the two most beautiful women in Florida. However, I don't believe either of you need much. You two are luscious as is." He walked away at that point. Mary blushed and Dee giggled. The girls just looked at each other with a knowing smile.

Friday morning, August 25

It didn't take long for the muscular predator to advance his seduction of both mature babes. Dee had already tasted the forbidden fruit, so to speak and been recruited by Tyler to help seduce Mary. Mary was falling for Tyler's line of bullshit. "Mary, how about you come to my place for hot yoga later?" Tyler's seduction was in full swing.

Dee whispered to her best friend, winking, "you should go to him. He is absolutely worth it."

Friday afternoon, August 25

It only took seven encounters with the hunky water aerobics instructor for Mary to find herself in Tyler's apartment and succumbing to his seduction. Tyler's overly hot living room had yoga mats spread around the floor. The heat and music ambiance proved the undoing of the 68-year-old Mary. Tyler's practiced seduction commenced with muscular hands-on manipulation of Mary's hips in the 'downward facing dog' pose.

Tyler's sultry cooing, "Mary, you are beautiful and sexy. You will be more comfortable after I remove your restrictive clothing." Gasping, Mary did not object to Tyler's skilled seduction. Experienced hands deftly removed Mary's tight yoga pants revealing her luscious, meaty hips. Mmmm, no panties. "Stand up, darling, I gotta' see your magnificent tits." He pulled Mary's sports bra over her head. Yup, they are magnificent. "Damn, you are a sexy thing, sweetheart." Kissing his way from her lips to her nips, Mary shivered. His sucking and kissing brought Mary's pussy into full flood. Tyler's right hand moved from tweaking her full breasts to her soaking snatch.

As his fingers stoked and pushed into Mary's wetness, she moved her legs further apart. Tyler inserted a third finger and curled in finding her G-spot. Mary groaned in anticipation. Tyler's thumb located and teased her clit. Mary felt the tremor of anticipation as her first orgasm approached. Tyler stopped before that happened. Maybe it will get better.

Tyler was sure he was rocking Mary's world like he had promised. Mary knelt in front of Tyler extracting his rigid cock from his speed-o. Mary paid homage to his penis. She was disappointed in its average size thinking Dee had said it was huge. Nope, but hey, it was a new cock for her anyway. She kissed, stroked, tongued, sucked and pulled. "I need you in me," she pleaded breathlessly.

Never one to waste time when defiling a new conquest, Tyler took his next bedpost notch to his sofa. Twirling Mary around, he bent her over the arm of his ratty sofa. Dragging his cock head through Mary's soaking lips, he speared himself all the way into her quim. Nothing gentle and loving about this move from the bastard. Less than a minute later, Tyler blew his load (what there was of it) into Mary's pussy and pulled out. The smug predator smirked, "how was that, baby? Better than your dickless husband, I'll bet?"

Disappointed with her seducer and herself, Mary stood up and turned to confront the low-life she had allowed to invade what, until now, had been her husband's.

With anger directed toward the scum, "wow, is that the best you can do? I thought you might last a bit longer. (Louder) I haven't even cum and you're done? (Now yelling.) What the fuck, Tyler? I thought you were some sort of stud. Dee must have been on drugs thinking you were some sex god."

Pissed, the insulted Tyler stood, "Fuck off, bitch! You old twats are a dime a dozen. At least I didn't have to waste a rubber on you like I did with your friend Dee. At least she sucked my cock before she took it in the ass. Now, put your clothes on and get out. Go back to your miserable little husband." Tyler stalked into his bathroom slamming the door.

Suddenly the guilt hit Mary. She realized she had fucked up big time. Angry at herself, Mary pulled on her yoga pants and sports bra. Leaving Tyler's pitiful apartment, she ran to her golf cart, sobbing at her foolishness and drove home.

Ashamed and embarrassed, Mary resolved to never submit to the humiliation she had just endured. No man would ever use her again including her husband. Mary was going to have angry words with Dee. Mary and Dee never went to another Tyler class.

Tyler was forced to leave the state suddenly after several of his conquests were discovered to have STDs precipitating several messy divorces. Maybe he got what he deserved. No one knows for sure, but the damage was done. It burned when Mary peed.

# # # #

A Year Ago

Nearly a year after Tyler

From The Villages to the northern wilderness

Forty-six years married and there was never any sign that my wife was unhappy with me. However, Mary

had become more withdrawn from her husband. There is unrest in 'the force' as they say and our happy home was about to change, drastically. Ray's wife was acting more like a bad roommate than his loving wife. Crap!

Mary has become even more distant and abusive toward me over the past year. I suppose that is to be expected after so many years with the same 'old man'. Add that to being empty nesters. The kids don't call. The grandchildren are busy with their own lives. Mary's husband (me) just does not seem to curl her toes anymore. We haven't been intimate in more than three years. Color me sad.

Mary is just 69 and fills her one-piece swimsuit like the sexy goddess she is. Well, I think so. Mary is five foot five and carrying (maybe) ten extra pounds from childbearing so many years ago. She says she feels old and unattractive. No matter what I say, she tells me that 'you just have to say that because you're my husband'. Honestly folks, I am exasperated because I still adore her and crave our intimacy. She has a set of boobs that would bring tears to every man and an ass that 'just won't quite'. Her gray short hair adds to her allure as a GILF with those amazing jugs and squeezable ass.

Well, you have two kids and work for 50 years and see what you feel like. Mary is still attractive and turns the heads of men with discerning taste in women. She is a knockout for almost seventy years old. Mary refuses to even be naked in front of me let alone intimate. Ok, so I needed the blue pill to help me along the last time we had sex, but I am still very interested. It has been a long time.

I still try. I've suggested nude day, sensual massage, joint showers, late night streaking, alcohol and I'm running out of ideas. HELP!

What would any old guy do to kick start intimacy with his lover? You guessed it, I talked to my close friends. The 'old guy crew' seems to have the same problem with lack of intimacy with their wives. The 'crew' tossed a lot of ideas about.

Friday night, July 5

"How about we suggest swapping husbands?" That was shot down as soon as it left John's mouth. I don't know for sure why it was such a bad idea except; and here's the big reason; no guy wants to share his wife with his old-guy-crew friends (so I thought).

John came back with deeper reasoning. "Guys, our ladies want passion, right? We used to provide that in so many ways, but now it's just the 'same old same old' for our wives. What say we invite the girls to some sort of forum discussion about passion and intimacy?"

"Lord, I'd just like Mary to engage in a conversation about our sex life. Anyone else have an idea?"

Roger (the troublemaker) pipes up; "why not have the girls have one of those lingerie-sex toy parties fueled by too much alcohol?" Silence. You could hear the brain gears meshing among the guys.

John, Tom, Larry and I were stunned. "Shit, anything's worth a try," John whispers.

Heads were shaking all around. You'd think five seventy-something year old guys would come up with something better than this potential disaster, but we were hooked on trying this or anything that would bring back our love lives.

John started hesitantly, "Roger, how do you suppose we go about getting the wives interested in this fiasco? Uh, and what happens if this backfires on us?"

The 'troublemaker' ponders for a minute while the rest of the crew sip our beer. "I know a guy..." We all started hooping and howling at that.

"No, really guys. My friend's wife has been giving these in-home lingerie parties like Tupperware with lotions, creams, sex toys and other stuff. I'll give him a call and see if this is a good idea and how we can get it going. If you're all game, I'll call him tomorrow and we can figure it out." Agreement all around. We seem to have a plan and the whole crew sincerely hope this changes things at home for all of us.

Of course, I asked the dumb question; "what if the girls won't go to a party like this?" Crickets

# # # #

At the same time. Mary places her cards face-up on the card table, "gin". The other ladies folded their cards to the middle of the table.

Linda suggested, "you seem lucky tonight, Mare. You gonna' take your luck home and get some from that hunk you're married to?"

"You're fucking kidding, right? Ray keeps trying to get sex, but it's not happening."

Dee piped in, "my Roger keeps pestering me for sex, too. I just wish he was... well, different. Do you girls understand?" Crickets

"Really, girls, I'm not opposed to sex. Matter of fact, I like it, but why can't men come up with something different? You know, something more exciting?"

Linda added, "Tom seems to think the old wham-bam-thank-you-mam is going to make me happy. Where did the excitement go? We used to be spontaneous and that was exciting."

Susan harumphed, "Larry needs the blue pill to even get a proper hard on. What is a girl to do if she wants a little excitement? I can't see seeking relief from some stranger." Crickets

Silent, but nodding her head, Mary mumbles, "it's time for a change in my life. Girls, I'm going home and getting drunk. Ray just isn't doing it for me anymore."

Mary walked home getting angrier as she walked. Thinking to herself, "Ray's just not good enough for me anymore. He has to leave. I deserve a better partner. I need a stud, not a dud."

# # # #

That was Friday night while the wives were playing cards at Roger and Dee's townhome. Our crew of five meet at the local watering hole for old guys while they play cards. Mary was late coming home after cards and stomped in around 10:30 p. m. You'd think that that was not late, but the card games usually end about eight.

I asked, "did you have a good time tonight sweetheart?"

Mary halted her stomping toward the kitchen for another glass of wine to say, "pretty much the usual. Dee (Roger Klein's wife) drank too much wine and started spouting how Roger is such an asshole and asking for sex all the time. Dee admitted she hasn't had sex with Roger in over a year. Linda pipes up saying she has the same problem with Tom. Susan just nodded in agreement but confirms that Larry needs a little blue pill boost to even 'come close' to giving her a 'happy ending'."

Wow, TMI. With some trepidation, I asked, "honey, what did you tell them about us?" Crickets

The anger on Mary's face said it all. Then she caustically stated, "to be quite honest, Ray, you just don't do it for me anymore. Matter of fact, you just turn me off and the girls completely understand how I feel about having any intimacy with you at all. Matter of fact I feel all you men want is sex and are real pigs about it." With that, Mary continued into the kitchen to retrieve a glass of wine leaving me devastated and mute.

Hurt, I muttered, "Fuck! I didn't see that coming, Mary."

She smirked at me, "get over it, Ray. You're just like all men, pigs." With wine in hand as she proceeded to our bedroom to get ready for bed leaving me alone and destroyed. Geez, she just acknowledged telling our friends that she doesn't find me attractive. SHIT! She thinks my wishing to make love is nothing other than getting my rocks off. FUCK!

# # # #

Stunned, I sat in my living room in the dark and stunned at the end of our marriage. For crying out loud, I'm seventy years old and have just had my heart broken to bits by the woman I have loved for nearly fifty years. What would you do? I went for a walk around our community with tears streaming down my face like rain.

Finding myself at Roger's townhome, I knocked on their door. Roger turned on their porch light and opened the door. "Geez Ray, its after eleven thirty." Then he must have seen the shape I was in and the tears still running down my face. I slumped to the stoop and began sobbing again in my hands. I was inconsolable and destroyed.

Roger turned off the porch light, closed the front door and sat with me on the stoop as I tried to get it together enough to explain what had happened. It took some time, but I related the entire conversation with Mary.

Roger observed, "shit, that doesn't sound like a conversation. Ray, you need to get your act together and start working on a plan to change her mind. Maybe you can suggest you two go for counseling or a trial separation prior to a complete divorce. Sorry to be so harsh, but do you want to keep her as your wife?"

Remembering Roger was a retired lawyer, I shrugged and whispered, "what did I do wrong, Rog? I thought we had a great marriage. I worked hard to make our lives together the best I could. We raised two great kids and have terrific grandchildren. I always found the money to get us by in the early days and provided more than enough money for a comfortable retirement. Mary worked at a job she loved even though it didn't provide much money for our finances. We had wonderful vacations with the kids and grands. Rog, she called me a pig. Where did that come from?"

Nearly shouting, "my god, I brought flowers and special dinners and so much more! Where did I go wrong?"

"We all did those things, buddy. Some wives don't appreciate the good guy they have. They start comparing the 'what ifs' and comparing their lives to other people they think they know."

"Yah, but what can I do to get her to love me again?"

"Maybe nothing, Ray. Let me talk with Dee tomorrow and see what she thinks. Maybe the party thing to spice up our collective intimacy is a bad idea if the girls all feel the same way." Thinking, "where did this idea regarding all men being the same?"

I thanked Roger and turned to go. "Rog, please come up with something."

Stopping and changing my mind, I just knew what I had to do. "Ya know what, don't bother. I have a plan. Good night, Roger."

Roger thought, "oh shit" and watched his friend walk toward his home with his head down and moving slowly. "Damn!"

# # # #

Roger re-entered his home. Dee was just getting under the covers when he walked into their bedroom. "Who was that at the door this late at night?"

"Ray. He was completely destroyed by Mary tonight. Just what did you girls talk about during your card party tonight?" More crickets. Silence. Uncomfortable silence from Dee.

Dee started, "shit! Us girls were talking about our sex lives or lack thereof." Attempting to defend herself and her friends, "it was just a hen party. It didn't mean anything. Besides, we always complain about our husbands, don't you guys complain about your wives?"

"No! Whatever was said, Mary told Ray that he just, and I quote, don't turn her on anymore. Also, she called him and all men, pigs. Have you girls lost your collective minds? (with a raised voice) Husbands spend their entire married lives trying to please their wives. We provide. We take care of the things that wives can't or won't do. We pretty much grab the 'dirty end of the stick' so our wives don't have to. Then, you kick us in the teeth because we get older."

In a condescending voice, Dee sneers, "oh, come on, Roger. You can't be serious. We don't do any such thing. Your damn little male egos just can't handle wives......"

Interrupting and yelling now, "little male egos? Are you fucking out of your mind? Is that how you girls think of us guys? Truly, Ray may not be the only man in our group considering divorcing his selfish, condescending wife! Tell you what, sweetheart, I'll be sleeping in the guest bedroom until my 'little male ego' heals." Roger stomped out leaving Dee dumbstruck.

Dee seemed amused and smirked to herself, "he'll be back if he knows what's good for him. Men are all the same."

Dee punched in Mary's cell number and waited for an answer.

# # # #

Mary was asleep, alone in her bed when her cell phone rang. Answering, "hello".

"Mary, what the fuck did you say to Ray? You didn't tell him about Tyler, did you? Roger just blew up and is sleeping in the guest room. Geez, Roger is talking divorce and says that Ray is going to leave you!"

"Oh hell no. Ray wouldn't dare to leave me. He just got his little feelings hurt when I told him that he didn't turn me on anymore."

"Oh shit, you stupid, fucking cow. That is going to get back to all the guys. What have you done?"

"Hey, it's the truth. If Ray's ego can't take the truth; maybe I should just leave him and find....."

Interrupting, "oh my god, do you hear yourself? Ray is a good man and you stomped all over his heart. Where is he now? You'd better go to him and fix your personal life now or you won't have a husband. Why would you tell him that all men are pigs? WTF Mary." Dee hung up.

"It'll wait until morning." Mary rolled over to go back to sleep.

# # # #

Mary rose at 7:15 a. m. Still angry, she yelled out, "Ray, where the hell are you?" No answer. Mary searched her home for her husband. "Oh fuck!" Mary found Ray's handwritten note on the kitchen table under his wedding band and cell phone.

Mary,

You destroyed me last night. All the happy years cannot make up for how you dismissed and ridiculed me. I give you your freedom. I may file for divorce or just leave. I'll let the attorney work out the details. You can tell the kids why you no longer have a husband who loved and cared for you. That's on you. Don't look for me. I'm gone. It's all on you now to deal with the fallout. Remember to pay your bills.

(Signed) Ray the pig. The man you promised to love for better or worse unless he doesn't 'turn you on' anymore.

# # # #

Dee's phone chimed at 7:45 a. m. with the simple text: "Ray left me. Good riddance."

"Oh shit!" She hung up and yelled, "Roger, help!"

# # # #

Saturday, July 6 - Year Two

Ray arrived home from Roger's house about midnight with a plan for his future. Mary was asleep in their marital bed as Ray went about his tasks. Clothes, laptop, a few documents and toiletries bagged and set in the kitchen. Ray composed a very brief note telling Mary he is setting her free.

Ray drove his two year old pickup out of the garage and backed up to mount his slide-in camper onto the pickup bed. Ray then loaded his tools, fishing gear, shot gun and camping gear into his slide-in camper and closed the garage door manually to avoid any noise. Ray was on his way to a new life by 4:00 a. m.

"Gotta' start somewhere", thinking to himself. "Ah, that all-night truck stop will be perfect." After ordering the 'heart attack special', Ray logged into their WIFI. It really doesn't take long to cancel the joint credit cards and eliminate your name from your checking. Ray's investment account had a checking account attached to which he Zelled half of the money in their joint checking account. Changing passwords simplified disappearing. These were easy. The distributions from social security and retirement accounts were redirected to his personal checking account. He kept the debit card matched to his personal checking account. Never know when you might need the credit line.

Ray composed an email to the kids stating simply: "I have left your mother and will be out of communication. I love you but can no longer tolerate the abuse and disrespect from your mother. Someday I will be in touch, just not now."

Ray signed off his email account after copying it to himself and Mary.

After taking a few hours nap in his slide-in camper, Ray headed north from the Villages of Florida and then west toward New Mexico. At some point in the next few days, Ray would unload his pickup for a new/old pickup for his home-on-wheels.

# # # #

Mary's cell rang about 9:45 a. m., "Mother, what the hell is going on with you and dad?"

Sarcastically Mary answered her daughter, "nice to hear your voice too, sweety."

"Well?"

"Your father is having a snit because he feels I hurt his little male ego and ran away in the night. He's a quitter you know."

"Mom, he is not a quitter and dad's email didn't sound like he is coming back from his little snit. Have you tried to reach him? I tried his cell and it seems turned off. Junior tried to reach him too after getting dad's email.

"What email?"

"Are you serious? You don't care enough to reach out to dad?"

"He left his phone and wedding ring on the kitchen table with a note. He said and I quote: 'You can tell the kids why you no longer love or care for me. That's on you. Don't look for me. I'm gone.' So, I'll wait until he calms down and swallows his little fucking ego and apologizes."

"Oh my god, mother. You must have really screwed the pooch. Goodbye mother." The phone went dead.

"You'll see. Your father will come crawling back if he knows what's good for him," Mary muttered to herself. "Gotta call Ray Jr."

Ray Jr. answered his cell on the first ring. "Mother, what have you done to piss off dad?"

"Well, nice to talk to you too, Junior. Like I told your sister, dad is having a snit and will come crawling back when his little feelings.... "

"Mom, dad is not coming home. This time you broke the man that loved you to distraction. Dad's email said that you could explain why he left. What did you do?"

"Oh, for crying out loud. I just told him that he doesn't turn me on anymore and it hurt his little ego... "

"Are you fucking kidding me? What have you done? I'd fucking divorce my wife too if she disrespected me in that way. Geez, I am without words for this, mother. Lots of luck getting dad back." The phone went dead.

Mary was thinking Sharon and Junior (her kids) should grow up and take her side in this tiff.

# # # #

Ray traded away his pickup to a place that buys used cars after buying another pickup from a private party. The seller was kind enough to help Ray move his slide-in camper and other stuff to his new/used pickup. Getting to and from the buyer of his old truck was made easy with the help of the seller. Ray had another $3,700 cash for his old truck. Leaving Louisiana for points west, Ray smiled at his good luck so far.

Ray transferred the ownership of his new pickup to his middle name (Robert). Not so hard to do with enough cash to the currency exchange clerk. New truck with new plates using his son's home address on the title. Ray was on his way in less than two hours.

Thinking his wife might look for him in the warmer west, Ray turned his pick-up/camper north toward his favorite fishing and hunting area in Minnesota. Smiling to himself, Ray drove on singing along with his radio's oldies station.

# # # #

Monday, July 15

Roger Klein glared at his wife, Dee. "What did you girls expect after disrespecting a hardworking, loyal husband?" Taking a seat opposite Dee in their kitchen. "Ray has been gone for ten days. His kids don't know where he is. Mary seems to not give a damn where he is. His truck is in a used car lot in Louisiana, and he has vanished without a trace. Ray's name is off their checking account. His social security and pension payments are going to an account Mary cannot touch. Damn, he has disappeared. There's hope for the rest of us abused husbands."

Dee acted self-righteous. "Don't talk like that. I apologized already and yelled at Mary. What do you want from me? Get on my knees and offer you a blow job for your forgiveness? I didn't do anything. Give it a rest, Roger!"

"You didn't? Now I find out from the 'crew' wives that you all disparage your husbands and our prowess in bed. That sort of denigration goes a long way toward ending what had been a happy marriage. You're brain dead if you think Ray is coming back to the evil witch Mary has been shown to be."

"Get over yourself, Roger. Ray is having a snit because Mary told the truth about their relationship."

"Dee, if you truly believe that; we are lost as well. I will not put up with the kind of crap Mary is doling out. You have one chance at saving this marriage. Get Mary on the phone right now and tell her you are through being her BFF. You have one chance."

"Go to hell Roger. I will do no such thing." Roger walked away to his den to split their marital assets.

# # # #

The fallout continues as Ray is only in contact with his son, Ray Jr. Ray's email to Junior: "Raymond, I am using your home address to register my new truck. I am continuing my journey to find peace and harmony in my life after the end of my marriage. I do not plan to divorce your mother. I will just be estranged for the time being. She may file for abandonment if she wishes. I will copy you with any correspondence with family. Be well and say hello to your wife and kids."

Junior's email reply, "Dad, Roger left his wife after he found out that all of the wives were disrespecting their husbands. Can he contact you? You may wish to call him on his cell. Take care and stay in touch. Love you dad. Ray Jr."

Email sent to Mary: "Mary, I am not filing for divorce, yet. For now, I am estranged and living my best life separately from you. Your disrespect for me as a husband and man are not tolerable. Do not try to find me nor communicate with me. I no longer have my cell phone. Should you feel the need to contact me, Junior has my information. DO NOT TRY TO COERCE HIM FOR MY CONTACT INFO AS YOU WILL LOSE FURTHER. This is all on you." (copy sent to Junior and daughter Sharon)

# # # #

Mary read and re-read her husband's email. Thinking, "well, you can just go to hell, Raymond. I'll do as I damn well please and the hell with your bruised little ego."

Mary punched in Dee's cell number. Upon being answered, "Dee, Ray emailed me to let me know he is not filing for divorce. He states that Ray Jr. has his contact info and I am not to pursue his information through Junior as it will hurt our relationship."

"Mary, Roger insisted I disown you as my best friend. I told him to grow up and go to hell. Why the hell did you belittle Ray? That has opened a 'shit storm' among our friends."

"Geez, men are so effing small minded."

"Mary, there's your problem. Your thing with Tyler has poisoned your relationship with your husband. You think all men are like him and... "

"You should talk, you Jezabel. That's not what I'm saying. Ray just wants to feel superior. That thing you're talking about with Tyler wasn't so different from your thing with Tyler! Did you know that Tyler told me he used a rubber on you. You didn't get that effing STD I got. Remember?"

"Shit, he told you?" Silence. Dee gulped and went on. "Have you told Ray about Tyler? Begged him for forgiveness? Have you even talked with him about your wants and needs? Or, have you become so selfish that you believe he is going to just take your abuse and say 'thank you'?"

"I'd never tell Ray about my mistake. Besides, I'm not abusing my husband. I'm taking control of my life and going after my happiness now. My body, my decisions."

"Oh my god, you're delusional." Dee hung up.

"Dee. Dee?"

Damn it, she hung up on me.

# # # #

Knocking on Roger's study door. "Roger!" No answer.

"Roger, please talk to me. I just got off the phone with Mary. You're not going to believe what she's thinking."

Roger opened his study door to the distraught Dee. Roger ushered his wife in to take a seat.

"I'm certain Mary has only a negative bearing on our marital status, Dee. Your attitude toward me and men in general has poisoned that well. However, I am willing to listen to what you have to say. Speak."

"You don't need to be so rude... "

Interrupting, "That's what I thought. You still think you can disrespect me with your attitude and expect me to just listen. Deloris, you may leave my study and allow me to finish the separation of our marital assets. Go!"

Dee harumphed, stood and stomped out of Roger's study saying. "men, you're all the same. Little baby egos that bruise so easily. It's a wonder that we women put up with such childish behavior from people that are supposed to be adults."

Roger just shook his head in dismay. Returning to his laptop and the dividing of family assets. The easiest asset to divide was the IRA account he and Dee set up from the proceeds of the sale of their house up north. Deciding to rent their townhome and use the dividends from the IRA to pay rent. Next, Roger paid off Dee's credit card and cancelled their joint card. The checking account was something of a problem in that their Social Security and 401(k) distributions were direct deposit.

Roger still had a separate checking account set up for his writing royalties. It has now become his new main account.

Redirecting his deposit from Social Security was easy on the government website. Done. His 401(k) distribution was a bit more involved. Done. Everything was now going to his royalties account.

Their investments account would be trickier. First Roger had to liquidate half the investments or find a way to split the holdings into two different investment accounts. Not that easy. So, Roger placed the order to liquidate his and Dee's holdings. When the sales were cleared, he'd send Dee's share to her checking account thinking she could learn to manage her own investments and he could re-invest his share.

Email prepared to Dee and the kids:

"Dee, I have closed our joint credit card after paying it off. My name is now off the checking account leaving it in your name only. Your social security, 401(k) distribution and share of the IRA distribution will auto-deposit to the account. You are now responsible for the rent, utilities and all other expenses associated with your freedom from me. Your car insurance and maintenance are now your problem as well.

Kids, your mother has shown her true disdain for me as a man and husband. I am leaving her. I will be in touch with you kids and will ghost your mother until I settle elsewhere. I love you. I will not tolerate the disrespect my former life partner shows me."

Signed Dad.

Over the next two days Roger loaded his tools, guns, ammo, fishing gear and necessities into his SUV. His last task to clear out his clothing was left until the next Friday night. Roger emailed Ray's son asking if Ray minded company in his exile. Junior responded quickly.

Friday, July 19

Friday evening arrived to see Dee heading to Linda's for cards with the wives. Dee left without so much as a goodbye or an "I love you". Roger packed his clothes into three duffels, loaded his SUV and headed to the study to retrieve his laptop and papers. Just before disconnecting from the WIFI, Roger sent the email to his wife and children.

Roger then sent an email to Ray: "Ray, just leaving my-not-so-loving wife, Dee. Her disrespect for the male of the species and, particularly, me makes me a free agent. I'm going to kick around the US for a while and be in touch later. See ya'. Stay safe. Roger"

Roger hit send. He unplugged the laptop and departed for parts unknown.

# # # #

Dee's phone rang as she was drinking her third glass of wine and talking with the other girls at Linda and Tom's. "It's my son. I'll just call him later," and Dee ignored the call. Her phone pinged with a voicemail. "Give me a sec, girls." Opening her voice mail, Dee heard her son, "Mom, what the hell is going on with you? Dad sent that group email to me and sis. What the eff? Call me!"

"Linda, can I log into your computer to get my email. Devin said he and Trisha are on a joint email from Roger to me." Sounding perturbed, "what could possibly be so urgent that it messes up my Friday night?" Linda took Dee to the kitchen computer and logged into Dee's email account.

The email arrived in Dee's account about twenty minutes ago. Dee opened and read the email and started wailing. "No, no, no... girls, Roger's leaving me!" Dee collapsed on the kitchen floor, sobbing.

Mary blurted, "fucking men! They're so fragile."

# # # #

Tuesday morning, July 30 - Grand Marais, Minnesota

Ray arrived in the small town of Grand Marais, Minnesota overlooking Lake Superior. Stepping from his pickup/camper, he entered the local diner for a much deserved, hearty breakfast.

As Ray sat in the worn booth, the waitress approached and in a friendly voice, asked, "What you want, honey?"

Smiling, "coffee with cream and your blue plate special, providing you still offer that from years ago."

"Oh honey, it has been years since you were here. I go rid of that when I bought the place twelve years ago. Now, since I remember those days, how about you get a couple of eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and pancakes? You stayin' for a while or just passing through?"

"Breakfast sounds great. I'm looking for a long-term place to put down roots. Just stayin' for now in the campground out south. Got any ideas?"

"Sure do, sweetie. Go on over to Art's real estate office and he can fix you right up. Now, you want orange juice with your breakfast? Just squeezed the frozen can this morning myself!" She departed with a chuckle.

About then, Ray picked up his new cell to answer its ping. "Hello?"

"Ray, Roger here. Can I join you in exile? Got my gear and looking to do some fishing. I left Dee and have been kicking around from motel to motel for a few days and finally have a plan."

Ray chuckled saying, "sure, I'm in Minnesota looking out over Lake Superior. When can you get to Grand Marais? Oh, better bring your rifle and heavy handgun. We got bears here."

Laughing, Roger stated, "already locked and loaded. On my way, be there in a few days. And, Ray, thanks for being a friend. I'll call you when I get in the neighborhood." The line went dead.

# # # #

Ray's plans were well underway by this time. Wednesday of week four after I-Day (Independence Day); Ray entered the Sign Shop down the street from Sally's Diner. The shop made the magnetic sign Ray wanted stating Wilderness Handyman with Ray's new cell number. Ray placed a sign on each door of his truck. That should make Ray appear to be a local and not a husband on the run. Luckily, the pickup had a boat hitch facilitating getting a boat in the near future. Next stop would be a visit to Art's real estate office, a local mom-n-pop realtor.

The bubbly young lady in the realty office greeted Ray, "how may I help you, sir?"

"I'm looking for a cabin in the woods. Gotta' be on a lake and remote, so to speak."

An elderly man came out of the office and approached Ray. Looking over Ray with a discerning eye, "what ya' running from, son?"

"Not so much runnin' from anything. Just want to be left alone, do some fishing, hunting and communing with nature. Got anything I might either rent or buy that won't break the bank?"

"Fair enough. Come on into my office. I'm Art and I own the place."

Long story short. Art found and rented a cabin in the woods on an eighty-acre lake about twenty minutes out west of Grand Marais. Nice place with two bedrooms, kitchen, indoor bathroom with shower and a porch with a pair of rockers. The bonus of a dock and boat launch nearby were just what the doctor (psychiatrist?) ordered for Ray. "Deal, how much?"

"I normally get a thousand dollars a month for my cabins in season. If you really are a handyman like it says on your truck, we can probably work something out. I got a few cabins up there that need some looking after. How's five hundred a month sound?"

"I can fix most things. Whaja' need fixed?" Art and Ray came to an agreement and shook hands.

"Art, I got a friend coming up from Florida lookin' to get away too, if you know what I mean. When can I move in?"

Art gave Ray the keys, directions and pointed Ray to the local grocer and bait shop. "You let 'em know that you live here now and tell 'em you're my new handyman. That may just get you some business and get the locals' discount on provisions. Give your phone number to my granddaughter, the girl you met when you walked in. She keeps me company and is a great office manager."

It appears that I now have a new career in the north woods. How about that?

# # # #

Friday, August 16 -Northern Minnesota - 6:03 a. m.

It has been six joy filled weeks since independence (from Mary) day. Sipping my coffee and looking out over my lake. Yes, it is my lake, I own it, sorta'. There are about a dozen cabins spaced out quite a bit on my lake. Another day in paradise. A couple eagles soared overhead, and the sound of a Loon are the only movements in my 'Happy Place' now. Cell reception is spotty at best and there is no WIFI or TV. I am calm and happy.

I'd probably need to get a landline to access the internet. Most of the locals are more comfortable with landlines and I could use the internet for various tasks like ordering parts for my new career and continuing to manage my investments.

I put my new/used bass boat into the water this past Wednesday and will be taking her out for a run later, but I got a message from another cabin owner about halfway up the lake. She needs someone to look into a problem with her sceptic tank. How ever did I get this gig? Ah, the good life.

My cell just pinged. It's just after 6 a. m. No one calls that early except to go fishing. The text reads: "Hey, Paul Bunyon, I'm sitting in a diner in Grand Marais getting breakfast. You available to join me? Roger"

Geez, now I'm Paul Bunyon. "Sure, be there in twenty minutes, give or take. Introduce yourself to the waitress and tell Sally to order up a baked apple pancake for me. Oh yeh, you're payin'!"

# # # #

I calmly walked through the door of Sally's Diner. Sally waved from behind the counter and nodded toward Roger's booth. I knew he wouldn't recognize me. Not having shaved nor cut my hair in more than six weeks; I looked a bit scruffy. My flannel shirt, work boots, floppy hat and general ruddy appearance made me look like a local fishing guide. I plopped down in the booth opposite Roger.

"Howdy stranger, been here long?" I smiled at Roger's astonished expression.

"Mother fu...! Grizzly Adams I presume. (laughing at my weeks old beard and long hair). You're looking good, Ray. I think the lumberjack life is truly beneficial." He extended his hand. I had lost some weight and toughened up a bit due to my labor around the cabin. It's amazing how much wood I had split and put up for winter. Yup, I can now add lumberjack to my resume.

We passed the time catching up on what's been happening back in The Villages. I was not surprised to hear that the girls' card-crew continues to lambast me as the evil quitter-husband who abandoned his 'loving wife'. "Is anyone defending me against the vitriol Mary is spewing?"

"Nope. Seems that Dee has taken Mary's side and has become even more condescending and disrespectful of the male of the species. Ray, I never knew that Dee and Mary hated being married. Maybe I, we, did something to alienate them to the point they felt oppressed. I just don't get it, Ray, it's like they both bought into the extreme version of the feminist movement. I'm not saying feminism is bad, but this is nuts!"

"Rog, you know I am no quitter. However, when Mary decided I wasn't enough; it was time for me to leave my happy wife. That just pushed me over the edge. Since leaving in July, I have come to realize that we had been growing apart since before we moved to Florida. Frankly, I miss my friends and kids, but I don't miss my Mary's abuse. Not going back."

I leaned back and saw the sadness and understanding in Roger's eyes. "I get it, Ray. We'll have to see what shakes out. You know that our wives will come looking for us when they have to deal with the crap that we normally handle." Smirking, "can you imagine Dee trying to deal with the bills, the lawn work, the car payment, the insurances, and more? She is just too much of a girlie girl." Roger laughed out loud.

About that time Sally showed up with my baked apple pancake and Roger's omelet. Looking up, "Sally, this is my good friend, Roger. Roger, this is Sally. She owns this 'greasy spoon' and is good people." Sally gave me a scowl and extended her hand to Roger. Shake.

Looking at me, Roger intoned, "Ray, if I were single, I'd be chasing Sally all over town until she caught me." Sally slapped Roger on his shoulder and said, "get in line, sweety, I got more guys chasing me than you could ever get past. Besides, you look so frail and pasty that I might just break you in half." I should point out that Sally is about sixty, five-ten and a big girl. She is also the loving wife of the very large cook who is laughing out loud hearing Sally's rebuke of Roger's admiration. Like I said, good people.

"Roger, you staying here long or planning to go back to Dee in Florida?"

"Hell, I have no intention of going back after the epiphany of Dee and Mary's betrayal. Look, I'm 72 and well off financially. I left Dee with enough money and income to keep her comfortable for a long time alone is she takes care of business. I haven't decided to divorce her, yet. My kids will keep me up to date if anything disastrous happens, but I'm not going back. Like you, I told my loving wife she is free to pursue the life she wants without me. She can even take a lover for all I care. Who knows, maybe she'll divorce me for abandoning her.

"Okay, eat up so you can follow me to my cabin. You might want to get rid of that SUV of yours in favor of a pickup with 4-wheel drive. Winters can be challenging here. You interested in catching some fish today? You're gonna' need a fishing license. Ask about a hunting license, too. Let's go."

# # # #

Mary punched in Dee's cell number. "Heard anything from Roger?"

"No and I'm getting worried. The tracker tag he has on his keychain moved around the country for the past few weeks. It suddenly stopped moving in northern Minnesota. Mary, I hope he isn't hurt."

"Oh. Give it a rest, Dee. He'll come home with his tail between his legs as soon as he comes to his senses. Mark my words. They can't survive without us."

"Mary, what am I supposed to do with all these bills? My car's service-engine-light is on and I don't know what to do. Roger always took care of this stuff. I don't know how much money is in the bank and I haven't had a credit card statement. What did Roger do with this stuff?"

"Dee, get hold of Trisha (Dee's daughter) for help. I'm sure she can sort this out. If not, maybe your son, Devin, can help."

"They're not talking to me. They both say that I screwed up and think it's my fault that Roger left. Mary, what have we done?"

Exasperation in her voice, "Dee, get a grip! My Raymond quit our marriage because of his fragile little ego."

Dee's voice broke into a sob, "Mary, I think you drove Ray away with that attitude. I gotta' get Roger back."

"Oh, bull shit!" Mary hung up on her friend thinking "I'm not wrong here," Mary growled

# # # #

Roger followed Ray to his cabin on the lake. "This is nice." Roger looked approvingly out over the lake and walked to the end of the dock. "How did you find this place? This looks like heaven to me."

Chuckling, Ray smiled and said, "I got a guy," and laughed out loud. Both men moved Ray's stuff into the cabin. Ray showed Roger around and explained his situation and new career. "You're welcome to help me with the sceptic tank problem later today."

"Nope, not my kind of thing. I'm a lawyer ya' know. While you're doing that, I'm going back to town to trade away my SUV and get a pickup like you suggested."

Just after a quick sandwich and coffee, Roger left for town and Ray drove his boat over to his first handyman customer. Ray called first to see if now was okay with her.

# # # #

At the used car lot outside Grand Marais, "say, mister, you want this tracking thing from your keychain?"

"What tracking thing are you talking about?" The salesman handed Roger the small circular object and stated, "this thing on your keychain gives your location to whoever owns it."

"Damn it! That's just evil on Dee's part." Roger knew at that point that his wife knew exactly where he was. This could be a problem for him and Ray. He stopped by the bait shop for his licenses. Now what?

Roger drove his new/used pickup to the truck stop north of town. Looking around, he tossed the tracker into the trailer of a Canadian dump truck parked in the lot. After that, Roger took off for his new digs with best friend Ray. A satisfied smile on his face. Roger said to nobody there, "I'm going fishing."

# # # #

8:45 a. m., Wednesday, October 30 - Halloween

Bundled against the cold of being on the lake since early morning, Ray and Roger were cruising back to the cabin in Ray's bass boat with the morning's catch. About two hundred yards from shore, "shit, Ray, we got company."

Ray throttled back to allow the boat to idle slowly into the dock. The two women stood cross armed on the dock waiting for their husbands to get back from fishing. Quietly, "let them do the talking, Roger."

Mary started her tirade. "Dee, will you look these two bums! Scruffy, dirty old men all dressed up like bums for Halloween. So, you two assholes ready to come home?" Crickets

"Nope."

"Mary, don't 'dis' our husbands anymore. They actually look kinda' rugged." Dee had a broad grin on her face looking to her man. "Roger, I'm happy to see you are okay." Crickets

Ray's boat was still a good twenty yards from the dock when he asked, "how did you two find us?"

Mary spat, "oh, come on, Ray. You know damn well you can't hide from me. That surly witch at Sally's Diner said that two old guys had a cabin out here. We took a chance and drove here to bring you two back home. You can't get along without us." Mary was still as selfish and delusional as ever.

Sighing, Ray asked, "what do you want Mary?"

"You know damn well what I want. I want you to put on your big boy pants, swallow you little boy pride and come home." To that disrespect, Ray looked toward Roger, nodded and turned the boat around and gunned the outboard.

Calling back, "go back home Mary!"

Dee screeched, "no, please, Roger. I need you. I'm sorry. Please come home."

Mary just harumphed and headed back to her car and the life she had chosen over the love of a good man.

Dee cried, "what have you done, Mary?"

"Fuck 'em both. Men, who needs 'em."

Early Thursday, December 12

Snow had covered northern Minnesota bringing a halt to Ray's early morning trek to Sally's for breakfast. No sense trying to slog through the snow and ice since he had become quite adept at making breakfast. Still, hot coffee from a steaming cup while standing on his porch brought calm to the recent events in his new life. Squinting up at the early morning sky, Ray wondered what news he might hear today.

Five days ago, Roger received an urgent call from his son, Devin. Seems that Roger's wife had taken a bad fall back in the Villages and been further diagnosed with depression. Imagine that. Ray drove Roger to Duluth for a quick flight back to Florida and returned to his tranquil life of the Handyman from Grand Marais. Ray's landline rang and he answered, "Handyman here, how can I help you?"

"Dad, it's Junior, mom's in trouble!" Ray's heart sank for the first time in ages. Ray was still much in love with his wife. What now?

"Raymond, you do know that your mother wants nothing to do with me. Besides that, I'm two thousand miles away and snowed in." Sighing, "okay, speak to me. Why are you calling me and did your mother ask you to call?"

"Mom knows nothing about my call. Dad, did you know that she and Dee had a big fight and Dee fell and hit her head running away from mom?" Wow, that got Ray's interest. "Mom told her to mind her own marriage and leave her alone. Anyway, Roger is with Dee in the hospital and mom isn't doing very well."

"Dad, Sharon and I tried getting in touch with mom and I finally drove down to see her for myself. Dad, mom's a mess. She didn't answer the door when I rang and wouldn't pick up her phone as I stood on the front stoop. I let myself in through the garage door and found her. Geez, Dad, I don't think mom has showered in a week. Sharon and I agreed to call an ambulance and have her committed for her own good. I'm calling now as she was just taken away kicking and screaming that and I quote 'all men are scum and should die screaming', end quote. What the hell is going on with her?"

Deep breath and resolve to his voice, "Junior, you did right. Go get Mary admitted and text me the hospital information. Also, have Roger call me soon as he can." Ray thought, will this ever end?

# # # #

Thirty minutes later

Ray's cell phone pinged with the address and details of the hospital Mary was taken to by the fire department ambulance. Resolved to deal with Mary's mental health emergency, Ray packed an overnight bag with the essentials for a four day stay once he reached Florida. He still had a lot of clothing in their home in The Villages; unless Mary tossed his stuff. Damn it, anyway.

Ray's cell phone rang. It was Roger's number. "Hey Roger, what's going on with our ex-wives?"

"It's a real shit storm here. You got a few minutes?"

"I'm about to drive to town to talk with Art about watching the cabin for a few day while I deal with Mary's dilemma in Florida."

"Good. Dee is in the hospital after she had a bad fall hitting her head. Doctor says she shows signs of early onset dementia or bad concussion. Not sure as they sedated her as she was hysterical."

"Next, Dee and Mary had a really bad verbal confrontation leading to the fall. Look, I don't think Mary pushed Dee, but the police are involved."

"Ray, I contacted Ray Junior to see if he could get through to Mary. She wasn't answering the phone or the door. You talked to Junior. Mary is truly a mess right now and has been admitted to the psych unit of the hospital for observation."

"What were they fighting about?"

"Damn it, Ray, they were fighting about some slimeball named Tyler or Tayler or something. He was the water aerobics instructor they were seeing about a year and a half ago. I don't know if they were fucking him or what, but their argument was heated with a lot of yelling according to the neighbor."

Could this get any worse?

"Roger, I will be at the airport Orlando sometime tonight. Could you meet me? I'll text the flight information. Roger, and thanks for being there for me."

# # # #

Ray's landline rang and was picked up by his answer machine, "Ray Miller here, sorry I can't take you call as I am out of town for a few days with a family emergency. Please leave your name and number. I'll call when I return." Ray was already on his way to Art's office.

# # # #

Bad news travels fast in Grand Marais. Ray burst into Art's office, "is Art here, I need some help."

Art's granddaughter looked up in surprise. Art rushed out of his office asking, "what's wrong Ray? How can I help?" Like I said before, good people.

"Art, I need a ride to Duluth to get a plane to Orlando, Florida. My wife, my ex-wife's in trouble and in the loony bin for observation. Can you drive me?"

"Better than that. Sit down while I make a call."

# # # #

Thirty minutes later Ray was loading his go-bag into the back of Jake Smiley's float plane ready for takeoff. "Buckle up buddy, Art said you needed an emergency ride to Duluth International Airport. Please buckle your seatbelt and place your snack table in the upright position before takeoff. We will be landing in Duluth in roughly forty minutes." Jake Smiley smiled. Everyone's a comedian in Grand Marais.

"How you supposed to land this thing without water?"

"Aw, if I didn't have wheels under my pontoons, I was just gonna' push out on the fly." Asshole, but another of the good people Ray knew.

Ray had already booked a flight from Duluth to Orlando. Ray texted the flight number and arrival time to Roger. The flight to Duluth was bumpy. What did you expect for a grizzled bush pilot in a rattletrap floatplane held together with chicken wire and bubble gum. Well, not really. The plane was in great condition for an ancient aircraft.

Jake asked, "Art tells me, you're good people and I should help you. That's good enough for me, but

what the heck is so urgent in Orlando? The Mouse need a handyman from Grand Marais?"

Ray chuckled and related his story involving Mary up to this point. "Sheee-it, dude, kinda' wish I hadn't asked." Handing Ray his card, Jake said, "Look, here's my business card for my bush gig with my personal number on the back. You call me when you're coming home. I'll pick you up in Duluth. If the lake isn't iced over, I can even drop you at your dock. No charge. Gotta' help friends."

Jake was cleared for landing in Duluth about forty-five minutes after leaving Grand Marais. He gently put his plane down on the runway about two hours before Ray's flight to Orlando was about to depart. Shaking hands, Jack reiterated, "you call me when you get back. Call Art and let him know what's happening. He sort of thinks of you as a younger brother. He'll let me know what's going on." Jake shook Ray's hand and watched him jog to the private terminal. Jake shook his head, called the tower and was cleared to take off back to Grand Marais.

# # # #

Roger Klein was pacing nervously outside the arrivals gate at Orlando awaiting Ray Miller to show. Ray spotted his good friend and waved hello. Roger appeared to be overly nervous. "Ray, we got bigger trouble than we first thought," as the two shook hands.

"Fill me in on the ride to The Villages." Ray loaded his go-bag in the back of Dee's Lexus. Roger had spoiled his wife with whatever she wished. When she betrayed her husband, she downgraded cars from the Mercedes she had before.

"Okay, Roger, what's going on?"

Roger began, "Dee and Mary got into a big verbal argument leading to Mary throwing Dee out of your home. Dee tripped on the flowerpot on the front stoop and cracked her head on the sidewalk. That led to the police being called after the paramedics treated Dee and took her to the ER."

"Geez!"

"So, Dee's in the ER getting a scalp laceration stitched and hears yelling as Mary is brought in on her way to the Psych Ward. Dee gets hysterical and passes out. The ER doc puts her into some kind of sedation leading to her being admitted. Man, this just keeps getting worse."

Taking a deep breath, Roger recounts, "the cops were about to break into your place because Mary refused to open the door. Ray Junior had arrived about the same time. Junior let the cops in along with the paramedics. She's not right, Ray."

"I talked to Dee after I arrived at the hospital the day after I got the call in Minnesota. She had calmed down a lot, but was still very upset and being held for observation at the hospital. Sorry for rambling, but this cluster-fuck keeps getting worse."

"Here's the kicker, Ray; Dee has some sort of STI from that asshat aerobics instructor the girls were seeing almost two years ago at the North Pool. Sorry buddy, Dee admitted that she wanted to have sex with the low life, too. Dee told me she didn't because the mother-fucker took Mary instead. The guy ran away in the night after half the village found out about his penchant for bedding married women of The Villages."

"This shit storm doesn't stop there. Mary's behavior over the past eighteen months has been the result of Hepatitis C caused by her coupling with the sleaze ball. Another half dozen ladies have advanced liver damage due to their indiscretions with the predator. The divorce industry is booming right now due to cheating charges among the senior women's water aerobics class."

Roger paused to further organize his thoughts. "Ray, Mary only got treated for the STD. She ignored the symptoms of advanced liver disease. She's in a bad way and it has affected her mental stability. Dee was trying to get Mary to go to the doctor for help. That was when Mary started yelling that her troubles were all your fault and Dee should just mind her own business."

"Roger, tell Dee she is not at fault in any of this. Mary started resenting me long before we moved to Florida. She insisted we move out of our home in Illinois and come to Florida for the year-round warm weather. She became more despondent when she turned 68 and refused any intimacy. She said all I wanted was sex and she wasn't going to entertain my same-old, same-old excuse for love making."

"Geez Ray, I had no idea she felt that way toward you. What brought that on?"

"Dunno. Our married life was wonderful for forty-five years and then it went to shit. You know, the kids had their own kids. Mary felt abandoned when I was still working. I should have retired sooner, but I enjoyed working." Ray sat quietly for a few minutes.

"Don't take the blame here, Ray. Mary appears to have lost touch with reality." Arriving at the hospital, the two men parked and went to the main reception desk.

"I'm here to see my wife, Dee Klein and my friend is here to see his wife, Mary Miller."

"Just a moment, gentlemen." The receptionist was typing into her computer terminal. "Okay, Mr. Klein, your wife is in room 418. Take the elevators to your right and go to the nurses' station and they'll take you to your wife's room. Here's your visitor badge."

Typing further, the receptionist frowned and looked up to Ray. "Sir, your wife is not allowed visitors until the doctor has completed his evaluation. The note here in the system says, humm, may I see some form of identification?"

Pulling his license from his wallet, Ray handed it to the receptionist saying, "here you go. What's the problem with me seeing my wife?"

"Just a moment." The receptionist picks up her phone, punches a couple of buttons, hangs up and smiles at Ray. Handing back his I. D. "here you go, sir. Security will be here in a second to help you."

Two burly Security guys approached Ray saying, "come with us, sir."

Roger spoke, "gentlemen, I'm Mr. Miller's attorney and he's not going anywhere with you!" Looking back at the receptionist. "Young lady, you get your hospital administrator, your legal council and the good doctor on the phone. You tell them that we are awaiting their immediate arrival in reception or my next call will be to my friend, Judge Marsden."

"Ray, let's go sit down and wait a few minutes for this cluster-fuck to get fixed."

Eleven minutes later

Ms. Hamilton the hospital administrator, introduced herself to Roger and Ray. "Gentlemen, I am certain I can explain our situation if you would come to my office."

Roger started, "nope, not happening sweetheart. You can either speak to us here or in the judge's chambers later today."

"Very well." Turning her attention to Ray, "Mrs. Miller is being held in the psych evaluation ward under arrest for assaulting the paramedics and officers who were called to her home by one Dee Klein."

Turning to Roger, "now, (sarcastically) Squire Klein, you know these to be serious charges and may involve potential prison time. Frankly, I don't give a shit if you are an attorney. I am also an attorney and don't put up with any shit. By the way, Judge Marsden and I have lunch frequently."

Chagrinned, Roger responded, "Ok, Ms. Hamilton, What do you want us to do?"

"That's certainly better. Mr. Miller can see his wife when the doctor and officers tell me it is ok. Until that time, please wait in my office for the doctor to talk with you. I have advised the doctor of your presence in the hospital and desire to see Mrs. Miller. So, Squire, the ball is now in your client's court. What do you choose?"

Looking back to Ms. Hamilton, "shall we adjourn to your office and get to know one another better?" Roger smiled.

"Follow me, gentlemen."

Twenty minutes later

Doctor Jameson knocked and entered Ms. Hamilton's office. "Mr. Miller?"

Ray stood extending his hand. "Doctor."

"Mr. Miller before I get into your wife's current health issues, how long has she been suffering the effects of dementia?"

"Dimentia?"

"You didn't know? Oh. You may have noticed combative behavior. May have been aloof and pulling away from the ones who loved her. Anything like this would demonstrate early onset dementia."

"Damn. Mary was becoming more withdrawn back in Illinois. Maybe five years ago when she left her job. Doctor, how bad is this?"

"Sir, there is no way to sugar coat this. Your wife is sedated and may not come out of the sedation. Her behavior of late is the manifestation of advanced liver disease. Her Hepatitis C has caused a cascade of organ failure making her death imminent. I am truly sorry, but there is nothing we can do except make her final hours pain free."

Ray began to sob.

# # # #

Ray was taken to Mary's room. She looked so frail. "Mr. Miller, I will leave you with your wife. You need to say goodbye. She doesn't have long." Doctor Jameson left. Ray held Mary's hand. Her skin was yellow. Her breathing was labored. Not much above a whisper, "I'm here, Mary. I didn't know, sweetheart. I would have done anything for you. Please forgive me for failing you. I love you." Ray sobbed. Mary gurgled her last breath at 3:14 the morning of Saturday, December 14th.

February 14

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Art's office phone rang. Caller I. D. showed it was the Diner calling. "Hello."

Sally was frantic, "you heard from Ray? He hasn't been in since last Friday and no call."

"No, but I gotta' go out to the lake to check on a couple cabins. I'll stop by to see him. He has been out of sorts since getting' back from Florida. I'll call you later."

Art pulled his pickup in front of Ray's cabin. There was Ray sitting on his rocker, looking out over the lake. Sadly, "awe, Ray."

Somewhere frozen in time, Raymond Miller died of a broken heart hugging the ashes of his beloved Mary.