Captain Oblivious Pt. 02

CAPTAIN OBLIVIOUS PART 2

Nothing but ashes left.

Preamble Ramble: A continuation from Helene's point of view. People have commented that I always have the cheater find happiness in the end. I love a happy ending, this ain't one!

I had finished this story and put it away for a final read through before I posted it. And somehow lost half the story when the program crashed. 6 pages or 2 Lit pages lost and editing. I had to let it lay for a minute before I could back to it because I was so pissed.

By the time I finished this there were a little more than 120 comments. The second most of any of my stories. I purposely did not read any because I didn't want them to taint the direction I was taking the story. But I will read them while I have a good beer, okay cigar and crying towel in hand.

********************************************

My biggest secret has just been exposed by my husband Mark. Well, its hard to call it a secret when so many people knew about it. Not only did he expose it but walked out of my life. The families life. He threatened to expose me to my friends and community. He was going to sue my lover for back child support and kick us all out of his house.

Mark found out I had been in a long term affair with my first love, Bart Kent. And even worse, for him, none of the our children are his. Bart was the father of all three. How did I get in this situation? That's easy and hard to explain.

Bart and I dated all through high school. He played football and I was in the band. He was best friends with my brother Dale. They both played together. He was over the house all the time. In his Sophomore year he had a growth spurt and grew 4 inches. He was already one of the biggest kids in the school. Now he was the strongest also. Dale started the Superman nickname and since we were dating I become Lois, Superman and Lois.

Everyone thought we would get married. Hell, I thought we would get married, at least after college. But it wasn't meant to be. He got a scholarship to Carolina to play football. I went High Point an hour away from Chapel Hill. I figured we would still be able to see each other often enough. But between football practice and trying to keep up his grades we would only see each other once or twice a month. I usually had to go to him. We even didn't have time during the summer because of football. It was almost like he had a full time job. He explained it wasn't like high school. He was competing against some of the best players. Not just opponents but guys on his team trying to make the starting line up. We slowly drafted apart. We were still good friends. We just knew it wouldn't work. He would visit my parents house when he was in town or hang out with my brothers. I never saw him dating anyone. I wasn't dating much either. I just focused on school.

I didn't date at all my sophomore year and only about 5 or 6 times in my junior year, Nothing serious, one guy lasted 4 dates before we both agreed it wasn't going anywhere. I had sex with a few. Never enough to get a reputation even in a small school. It was the same way my senior year. It wasn't that I still had feelings for Bart, I was just focused on school.

Bart got drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and played for two years. Then went to Canada and played a year for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He stayed up there for 4 years and married some local woman.

During this time I had graduated college with a degree in Human Resources. I got a job at Piedmont Engineering. I met Mark in the emergency room of all places. Our friends were in the same accident but different cars. Talking to him was very refreshing and also he was reassuring me about Beth's injuries. He gave me his phone number and asked me to call. I almost forgot because I was helping my friend who had a broken leg and something blew up at work I had to deal with. It was nearly two weeks before I called him. I was glad he remembered who I was and we set a time for a date. It was really nice. He was a good guy. Very polite, not pushy, Had his own business and already owned his own home. Looking back he was the total opposite of Bart. I feel hard for him.

We dated for two months before he introduced me to his parents. They had dinner together every Sunday. How Norman Rockwell is that? His family accepted me with open arms. They are really great people.

The only hiccup was six months after we started dating I took him to my parents house for the weekend. The lived 3 hours away in Wilmington. The weekend was a disaster. My father and brothers consider themselves alpha males. They are all over 6 foot 3 inches tall. They all played football. My father owns 5 used car dealerships along the coast. From Charleston, South Carolina to Morehead City North Carolina. They started on Mark almost immediately. Belittling his business and anything else they could. And they kept bringing up Bart. My biggest mistake was not defending him. And to make it worst I over reacted when I saw Bart who had been invited to dinner that Sunday without my knowledge. I ran from Mark and jumped into Bart's arms and gave him a big hug. I almost kissed him. Thank God I didn't. Things got worse as I pretty much ignored him the rest of the day catching up with what was going on in Bart's life.

The ride home was terrible. Mark laid into me about how I acted the whole weekend. It took me a while realize it was all on me. He was upset with the way my family treated him. He was furious with the fact that I didn't speak up for him. I knew he was really mad when he dropped me off at my apartment. I stayed a lot at his house. He didn't even open the door, help me with my suitcase or walk me to my door. He just drove off. I got my back up and got mad with the way he was acting. We didn't talk to each other for almost a month. When I saw him at Golden Corral things went sideways again because of my pride. I was there with some co-workers but looking at it, three women and three men it could have looked like a group date even in the middle of the day. I talked to my friend Diane and she set me straight. She explained if I was going to be in a serious relationship that may lead to marriage that my husband would have to come before my family. She said I was wrong on all accounts. And she asked if I really loved Mark or it was just a passing fancy. I knew I loved Mark with all my heart.

I called Mark the next to day clear the air. We met at a local bar and talked for a while. It took some doing, he was still mad but I promised to put him first going forward. It took another 2 weeks to get back to where we were before that fateful weekend.

But that weekend with my parents was the beginning of the end for me. Even though it took almost 16 years. My brothers always wanted me to be with Bart. It didn't matter that he was already married and I was in love with Mark. They felt it was fate. I later found out my father had hired and even paid for him to move back home from Hamilton. Dale gave him my email address and 6 months later he started emailing me. Mark had proposed by then and we had even set a date. I told Bart I loved Mark and wasn't interested in anything he wanted except friendship. If Bart was anything it was persistent. He offered one last fling before the wedding and I turned him down. He was at our wedding of course being a long time friends of the my family and he acted like a gentleman. Maybe since his wife was there more than anything.

Everything was good between Mark and I. My job was going great. His business was growing and we were happy. Three months later I got another email from Bart. It started slowly, the seduction. First it started out just catching up, then little by little it got more and more flirty. Like a fool I broke down and arranged to meet one time and one time only. I was visiting my parents once a month anyway so I knew I could get away with it. Mark didn't come with me very often because he didn't like them and the feeling was returned. So Mark would never know.

That one time turned into almost 6 months. He had changed sexually since school. I guess being older and having more experience he really rocked my world. He was much larger than Mark easily by 2 inches and had more girth. And he learned how to eat pussy. He must have fucked me four times that weekend. Leaving that motel I knew I would be back for more. I had a very satisfying sex life with Mark. But they were different people with different styles. I felt bad about what I did but couldn't stop. Until I found out I was pregnant. I didn't know who was the father, Mark or Bart. It frightened me to the core. I thought what kind of wife am I. Married less than 2 years and don't know who the father of my child is. I couldn't bring myself to get an abortion. So I keep it. I told Bart he might be the father. He and his wife Jessica already had two girls and was pregnant with another. Of course Mark thought it was his. Why would he have doubts, to him I was the faithful loyal wife to him.

Tom was born 7 months later. As a baby he didn't favor either one. They both had dark hair and brown eyes. I had already cut Bart off. Yes I was feeling guilty for the first time. I thought no one knew my secret until a dinner at my parents house and my father mentioned something about Mark knowing who the real father was. I almost passed out. Bart had told them all he might be the father. I got a DNA test done the next week. Mark wasn't the father. I was devastated. It might not seem like it but I do love Mark. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I just craved Bart's cock. I went cold turkey for the nearly seven months. Bart would email me occasionally and we finally started back up. I got pregnant again. This time with the twins, Shari and Beth. Neither Mark or Bart's family had ever had twins. I told Bart I couldn't do it anymore. I never checked to see who the father of the girls was. I didn't want to know. Mark got snipped saying 3 kids were enough. I did feel awful knowing that he may not actually have three children.

I planned to take that secret to my grave. I had admonished my family to never reveal to Mark about the parentage of Tom. I threatened that they would never see their grandchild or me again.

We were enjoying a beautiful life. We would go on vacations once a year as a family and alone as a couple. He would come by my job with flowers or to take me to lunch. My co-workers where always saying how jealous they were. Everything was good and I was the faithful wife. Until I wasn't.

I still saw Bart sometimes when I visited my parents. But for a long time nothing happened. The kids were 7 and 9. He started with the emails again. It only took a month before we were back in bed at the Seaside Motel every Saturday when I visited my parents. As the kids got older they started asking where I went every Saturday night. I told them I went out with old friends but then I didn't get back until Sunday Morning. Shari saw Bart bring me home one morning when my car wouldn't start. That caused them to ask more questions. I don't know if they believed what I told them. Kids are smarter then parents give them credit for. The questions stopped when they were 11 and 9.

Bart and I had sex once a month for the next four years. Mark didn't have a clue just like before. My family turned a blind eye to my behavior. I think they all hoped Bart and I would get together as a couple again. In all honestly I didn't like Bart except for the sex. He was arrogant and self centered. I didn't know if he genuinely cared about me or the fact that he was screwing another mans wife.

As I said, everything was perfect, I had a great husband who loved and was devoted to me, wonderful children, a good job and lovely home. And wild crazy sex once a month. I never denied Mark and was especially loving whenever I got back from my parents.

I realized he wasn't the only one who was oblivious. Out of nowhere one day he sprung on me that he knew about Tom not being his child. And that the girls weren't his also. He said he had proof that Bart was the father of all three. At first I denied it. I tried to bluster my way through. They say the best defense is a good offense. Unless its the Carolina Panthers vs the 85 Chicago Bears. He was the Bears and just bulldozed through any argument I had. There was nothing I could say so I didn't say anything. My carefully built world was crashing down around me. When he started quoting those old emails I knew my goose was cooked. I started to cry. Normally he would comfort me in those times but he just even more cruel if that was possible. He asked why I was crying, He said "Now you can go have your Superman." Except I didn't want Superman. I wanted Mark. He was everything to me.

I remember what he said before he left. Not only is he filing for divorce but he's going to sue Bart for back child support and fraud. That I only have a month to find a place to stay. That can't be right, the mother always gets the house because of the kids. Then I remembered, the house was his before we got married. He would never put the kids out, He loved them. I can't believe he would do that. He started his business before than also. I was royally screwed. I didn't know what else to do except call my father. Even though it was almost 10pm I called anyway. This couldn't wait.

He picked up on the fourth ring, "Daddy, I need your help. Mark found out about Bart and me. He knows the kids aren't his!" I knew I sounded hysterical because that's how I felt. "

"Slow down, slow down. You say Marks about what again?"

"He knows everything, That Tom, Shari and Beth aren't his, About me sleeping with Bart. Everything! He's threatening to throw me out of the house. I don't know what to do."

After a beat he finally responded, "First off don't do anything stupid. By that I mean try to contact him or ask for his forgiveness. Now you and Bart can finally be together. It's that you always wanted isn't it?"

"NO, I love Mark, I want to be his wife, its all I ever wanted. We're supposed to be together forever" I was starting to sound desperate. "You have to help me fix this!"

"You want to stay with Mark? Then why the hell would you be fucking Bart all these years? Shit girl, you had three of his kids and passing them off as Marks. To him everyday was a lie. As much I don't like him there ain't no coming back from this. Shit girl, I'll make sure you get whats coming to you in the divorce. Maybe I'll drive over and have a man to man talk with him. Let him know how things will go from now on. He signed the Birth Certificate so the state considers him the father. Just relax and I'll handle everything. Don't talk to him or call him until I get a lawyer for you. I'll get the biggest shark in the city on this."

"I don't want a divorce. I want to fight it. I love Mark with everything I have!"

"God Damn girl, do you know how stupid that sounds after everything you've done. You need to get your head out of your ass right now. Getting the best deal from a divorce is your only option right now. If your mom had been doing what you did to Mark her ass would be on the street so fast there would be a sonic boom. Let me handle this. I'll call you tomorrow." And he hung up.

I sat on the couch crying. I love Mark, I always have. I always will. Why can't he see that. I've been the best wife I could. I fell asleep right there. Surrounded by the evidence of my infidelity.

I was awaken by the kids coming down the steps into the living room. I heard Shari gasped as she saw me sprawled across the couch and all the papers spread all over the living room. She was picking them reading them. "Give me that, its none of your business!" Telling a kid not to do something is always going to make them want to do it more. She pulled them me as she continued reading.

"What is this Mom? Is this Uncle Bart? Wait, you where sleeping with him weren't you?" She was yelling at me.

By then Beth came into the room. She also saw the papers spread all over. She reached for a pile still in the coffee table. Unfortunately it was the cover letter to the DNA test Mark had done. Her got wide as she read them. "Oh My God, This says Dad isn't our father! Mom what is this? How can this be?' the more questions she asked the more tears streamed down her face. 'How can dad not be our father?" Beth broke down crying right there on the floor.

"Where is Dad at Mom?' Shari asked me. 'I need to talk to my father right now!" She demanded.

"He left, I'm sure he'll be back soon" Trying to sound confident when I had none at all.

'He's not coming back." It was Tom coming down the stairs. He said with no emotion at all. He stopped in front me next to his sisters. "I know he's not coming back. I heard everything last night. You been sleeping with Uncle Bart from the time you got married. That me, Shari and Beth are his biological kids and not Dad's. He's divorcing you and kicking us all out of the house. Isn't it true Mom?"

I felt faint. The room was spinning and nothing was in focus. I heard Tom talking. I didn't know what he was saying. I wanted to respond but nothing came out. What could I say? That his Dad was a liar. That I loved their father. I shook my head to think clearly. "This is between your father and me. Its all a misunderstanding. We'll sort this out in no time."

Tom just looked at me. I noticed he didn't favor Mark physically but he had his mannerisms. The way he cocked his head when the was thinking. "When you say father to you mean Bart or Mark?" That was a kick in the head. "Is that why Dad never came to visit with Bub and Nanny?' Using their nicknames for my parents. 'Is that why he hated coming down there?"

"I said this is between your father and me. You only have one father and that's Mark. I'm going to make breakfast." I got up and walked to the kitchen. I could hear the kids talking in the living room. I busied myself to keep my mind busy. I made eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits and called the kids down to eat. I got no response. I went to the stairs and yelled for them to come down and still got no response. I went up the steps to see what was going on and found the girls packing a suitcase. "What are you doing?' I asked in surprise.

"We're packing. We decided to go to Pop Pop and Mom Mom's house for a while. Their coming to get us in a few minutes." Shari said with finality.

"You are not going anywhere young lady. I'm you're mother and you will do as I say. So you can just take your clothes and put them back right now!" I yelled at them. They both turned to look at me. Just then the doorbell rang. I heard Tom running to the door. I looked out to see him with his own suitcase going down the stairs.

He opened the door and Mark's parents where there. They came into the foyer and stopped when they saw me standing there. I've always been good friends with Jeff and Faye. They have always treated me like another daughter. I stopped short when I seen the look on their faces. They were resolute. "We need to talk to you Helene." and told Tom to put his bag in the car and get the girls. "They kids are staying here. Tom put your stuff back in your room." He looked between me and his grandparents.

"Tom go to your room for a minute. Helene we're hear to talk to you, not argue." Jeff said softly as he walked to the living room followed by Faye.

They were sitting on the sofa and I stood at the entry way. Faye looked up at me. "Mark told us what was going on a couple of weeks ago. We didn't want to believe it at first. We loved you and love the kids. I thought there was no way you would cheat on him let alone have children outside the marriage. He only suspected at first but the more he looked the more he found. Eventually it was all proven true. Tom called me this morning very upset asking to be picked up. We figured they had found out what happened. They need some time Helene, Some time to come to grips with whats happening. Their world has tuned upside down and its a lot for kids to deal with. And please trust us when we say we will not say anything negative against or about you. While you have been a crappy wife you were always a good mother."

"I don't want my kids to leave. They need to be here with their mother."

"You're being selfish right now Helene. Think about someone else besides yourself. They just found out that their mother cheated on the only man they thought was there father and than found out he wasn't. How do you think they feel right now? Their young and this could scar them permanently. Let them come with us for a couple of days. We'll take them to Dollyland or something."

I didn't want my kids to leave me. I had to convince them I still loved them and their father. I could see the way they looked at me. Maybe some time away would be good for everyone. "Three days Mom, I want them back in three days. Okay, promise me that."

Faye got off the couch. "We're not trying to take the kids from you honey. We want to do best for the kids. Give them time to decompress. Three days we'll bring them back okay?"

"Okay but I want to talk to them everyday. No matter where you are or what you're doing." I hated what was happening. I lost my husband now I felt like I was losing my kids also.

"We'll have them back by Thursday afternoon at the latest, deal?" Faye said, I nodded in resignation. Jeff called up for the kids and they came running down. They didn't even stop to say bye to me. Just went straight to the car. Faye gave me a hug and they left. Jeff never said a word to me the whole time.

As the car pulled out the driveway I broke down. I looked around to an empty house and wondered if this was the way my life would be. I needed to figure out how to fix this. I suddenly realize I hadn't even called my job. I called and got the week off saying there was a family emergency. Last thing I needed was to lose my job.

The breakfast was cold and I had lost my appetite so I threw it out. I went and took a shower and put on some fresh clothes. I wanted to call Mark so badly. It's one thing my father emphasized. I needed to him to understand I wanted to stay married and he was the love of my life. Bart didn't mean anything to me. I puttered around the house for a couple of hours.

I decided to get out of the house. I drove past his business. It was on the other side of town in a little industrial complex off Northwest Blvd. I didn't see his truck there. I know he goes out on calls sometimes. I called the shop on my cell. Rosemarie answered of course. I've known her since she got hired 11 years ago. Mark always talked about how valuable she is to the business. I considered her a friend. When she answered I greeted her as I usually would. When she realized who it was she turned cold. I could feel it through the phone. "Yes, Ms. Ellis, how can I help you?" The fact that she used my maiden name through me off balance.

"Umm Rosemarie, is Mark there?" Did she huff at me?

"No Mr. Seeny is not in today nor will he be in tomorrow. He has instructed me not to pass on any messages from you. You need to find another way to contact him but please do not call here again." And she hung up me. The nerve of that woman. I'll make sure Mark fires her when we get this all sorted out.

I call my father, I couldn't wait for him to call me back. I called the Wilmington Office because that's where he usually was when he was working. Since the boys took over he would hang out in the sales area shooting the shit with the salesmen. The Receptionist said he had been in but rushed out to the Myrtle Beach location. I tried his cell phone. This time he answered. "I can't talk right Helene. I got to handle some business with that Bastard Bart!" I was taken aback by that.

"What happened to Bart, is he okay?"

"He won't be okay when I get done with him. Do you know what he did?"

"No Daddy, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

"That no good bastard has been stealing from me, that's what's the fuck is going on. I just found out today. Someone sent an anonymous email with all the information. He's been doing from the day he took over as General Manager of that location. Dale and Greg are going to meet me down there. And don't you call him to let him know I'm coming. We need to talk also, It said you had something to do with it. I'll talk to you after I'm done with him!" And he hung up before I could explain anything.

I had to pull over. This was all to much in such a short amount of time. First this thing with Mark now Dad finds out Bart has been stealing from him. And he thinks I might be involved. Why would he do that, He's making good money at the dealership. It doesn't make sense. And how could someone accuse me of being apart if it. I felt the world was swirling around me and I was just trying to hold on. I didn't know what to do. I called my mom. She answered very quickly, "Helene, what the hell have you done"" She asked before I could say anything. I could hear the anger in her voice.

"What are you talking about Mom?" I was perplexed about what she actually talking about. I knew about Bart stealing but I had nothing to do with it.

"You're father got an email explaining how Bart has been stealing since he started as General Manager of the Myrtle Beach location. It said you had something to do with it. You both were going to use the money to run away. It's bad enough you been messing with that man all these years and even having his kids but now this. I thought we raised you better than that?"

"Mom, please I didn't know anything about Bart stealing until I called Dad before I called you. How can you think I would steal from my own family?"

"Well family didn't stop you from cheating on the man you said you loved and swore to be faithful with for all these years. You been running around with him ever since you got married. So, if you would cheat on your husband you could steal from your family!" My mom's voice was rising. She's never yelled at me before. Even when I had an accident at college and they had to pay a fine for me.

"Oh my God, this can't be happening. Mom I swear on my kids lives I didn't know anything about him stealing. I swear. You have to believe me. Please Mom, you know me. You know I would never do anything like this. I don't know why anyone would accuse me of.....' Then it hit me. 'It was Mark, Mom. This is his revenge to get back at me. He made that information up to get back at me and Bart. That's the only thing I can think of."

"I don't know Helene. I've been disappointed in your behavior for a long time. I know your father and brothers don't like him for some reason. But I always thought he was a good man. He provided everything you always wanted. He was a good father to those kids. And without fail, you ran and jumped into bed with that man. I'm so mad I can't even say his name. I really thought I raised you better. I never thought once of stepping out on your father. And believe me I had chances too. But I always said no. Plus in my heart of hearts I feel John is the same way. God I'm so disappointed. I have to go." And she hung up.

I'm sitting on the side of road crying. In 24 hours my life has turned to crap. How can Mark be so cruel? I don't understand it. It was a mistake to be with Bart. I see that. I just need to get him to understand. But he's burning down my whole life. I have to call him. I hit his number and immediately an automatic voice comes in saying the number is no longer in service. How can that be. I know he wouldn't cut off access to the kids like that. I have no choice but to go back home.

I sit in a daze the next couple of days. Dad had Bart arrested for theft. Because of the amount it was a Class 1 Felony. Not only did Mark send that information to Dad he sent Leslie a packet showing that he was not only cheating with me but two other women. And had another child in Canada. She filed for divorce and later a restraining order. When he eventually got out on bail he tried to go home but the locks were changed. He got mad and tried to break in. She called the police and it took 6 cops to subdue him. He ended up back in jail.

I visited Beth that Wednesday. She started dating Mark's best friend Alex a few months ago and it seemed like it was going to work. When she answered the door her face darkened. Usually she would let me in right away but she stood in the doorway. "Is it true?"

I was taken aback, "Whats true?" I didn't know what she was talking about.

"That you have been cheating on Mark since you got married? That the kids aren't even his. So, is it true?" she said fiercely with her arms folded across her chest with a look of disgust.

I was speechless. I guess she had talked to Alex, of course she talked to Alex. And Alex talked to Mark "Its all a misunderstanding, I love Mark and want to stay married to him."

"So the answer is yes, And the fact that you say you love Mark sounds stupid. Do you hear yourself? You have cheated on that man almost since you met him. He is one of the best guys I know. He did so much for you. Loved those kids and to find out my former best friend has been a cheating slut this whole time. God you make me sick. I thought I knew you but boy was I wrong."

"I'm not a slut and I do love him!"

"How can you love him and cheat on him for all these years. God, Helene you got pregnant twice by that piece of shit. You need some serious mental help and I hope you get it. But our friendship is over. Don't call, don't write, don't send a smoke signal." And she slammed the door in my face.

How could she say those things to me? I do love Mark. Why can't people see that.

The kids got home Thursday afternoon. They seemed so happy until they say me at the doorway. They hugged their grandparents and went to their bedrooms. Faye cam to the door. "Faye can you get Mark to call me please. I need to talk to him."

"I don't know Helene, He's still pretty mad and upset."

"Please, after all these years I deserve a chance to explain myself." I pleaded to her,

She darkened and I could see her turning red. "Do you know what "all those years" means to Mark? It means being cheated on, It means raising someone else's children. It means living a lie every single day. So don't give me that all those years crap. It may something to you but to Mark its a totally different thing. You need to see a therapist Helene, and so do the children. They are still on Marks insurance. Make a call, at least for them." She turned and left.

The rest of the week was rough. The kids weren't talking to me. I tried to engage them but they wouldn't respond. I went back to work the next week. I noticed the looks I was getting from co-workers. Word had gotten around about my divorce and the reason for it. I don't know how. Some of the women were openly hostile. Especially the ones that knew Mark. One even asked how I could do that to such a great guy. Guys who usually were friendly tried to pick me up. Some more persistent than others. No one was speaking to me unless it was about business. It was one of the worst week I've had. I had to get the higher ups involved once.

My life became going home and sitting by myself. My friends wouldn't talk to me. They weren't as bad as Beth was but they didn't return my calls or always had something else to do. My kids weren't talking to me and my job was starting to suck. I was wondering how much worse it could get.

We moved out before the end of the month to a small 3 bedroom house my father got me. The only problem was it was in Bessemer City so the kids had to change school districts. Something else they hated me for. It was 20 minutes from our old house.

Bart went to trial and was found guilty. Because some of the money went across the border the Fed's got involved. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a possibility for parole in 6. Mark was there for the sentencing. Bart saw him and tried to go after him. He blamed him for what happened and made some serious threats but the Baliff's just dragged him away. Mark just smirked at him and walked away. He filled charges for TBH, Threatening Bodily Harm, and of course he was found guilty since everyone had heard him make the threats. They added two more years to his sentence. So even if he got parole from his first sentence he had 2 more years to do. If he was lucky a year with good behavior.

During this time my father got me an attorney to handle my divorce. Steve Johnson, He looked like a character from the TV show Suits. Custom made suit, no hair out of place, tall and tan. He was supposed to be the biggest Shark in Carolina. We met with Mark and his attorney, Lisa Gardner. I wasn't impressed, She was maybe 29 years old, Black, medium height and weight, braided hair and clothes from Macy's.

Gardner did all the talking for Mark. He didn't even look at me. I wanted counseling. He didn't. I wanted 50/50 split, he didn't. We couldn't come to an agreement on anything. We went to meditation. He didn't order counseling either so we moved forward with the divorce and it was granted. The monies were split 50/50 No child support. Even though Mark was on the birth certificates of all three children DNA proved he wasn't the father. And only a bare minimum alimony.

A week later I was served at work. Mark was suing me for Paternity Fraud, Mental Pain and Anguish and back Child Support. He was also suing Bart for the same thing. Everyone was looking at me after the process server left as I sat there crying. It's bad enough he divorced me why would he do this?

I found out the hard way about Mark's attorney. Ms. Gardner wasn't shark. She was an Orca. A shark killer. She had won a multi-million dollar lawsuit against a NFL football player who ruined a guys marriage. I figure it was a luck or a fluke. It wasn't. They were seeking three million dollars in damages. Bart didn't have a pot to piss in and had no representation since it was a civil trial and not criminal. Mark was awarded the whole $3,000,000 from him. I was lucky if you can call it that and he was awarded $1,800.000. Looking at the jury during the trial I knew I didn't stand much of chance when it came out the kids weren't his and I had been cheating our whole marriage. We made arrangements for a payment plan. It was the only concession he made. If you call making payments of almost $1000 a month. I don't how I would be able to make ends meet on my salary with three active kids in different activities and no help.

A month later I got an offer from Mark that blew my mind. In exchange for releasing me from the financial obligations of the lawsuit he wanted full custody of the children. How could he even think of something like that. There was no way in hell I would give my kids up. I was letting them visit his parents a couple of times a month. If this is how he wanted to play it that way then I would stop the kids from visiting their grandparents.

The first time I told them they couldn't go to their grandparents house I had an open revolt. If things were bad before but they got worse. They totally stopped talking to me. If I cooked they didn't eat. Their either stayed in their rooms and outside with friends. Faye called me later that week, "Why are you punishing the children like this. They or we have nothing to do with whats going on between Mark and you. They are already having a hard time dealing with everything. Don't be selfish Helene. Do whats best for the kids." I let them visit the next weekend. I needed the mental break myself. They had their own phones so I knew they were in contact with them. I wasn't surprised to get the phone call. I don't know if they were talking to their father or not.

I received a call from my mom. She was crying and my mother never cried. "What's wrong Mom?" It scared me to hear her crying.

"They arrested your father! The police took him away to jail." I had to sit down.

"What do you mean he was arrested? Why would he be arrested?"

"I don't know. They didn't say. The manager called me. He couldn't get in touch with Greg or Dale."

"Okay mom, do you have the attorney's phone number?" I was trying to think straight while my mind was a whirlwind.

"Yes I think so."

"Good call him and I'll be there as soon as I can. I have to get a babysitter." I hung up and called Mark's parent explaining I had a family emergency. I called my job to get a couple of days off. I had told the kids to pack a bag for a couple of days. Faye and Jeff pulled up and kids went running out before they shut off the car.

I was on the road 45 minutes after talking to my mom. As I was driving I was trying to reach my brothers. They weren't answering their cell phones. I called Jessica, Dale's wife and she wasn't aware of where he was. She thought he was at the South Wilmington Store. I told her Dad had been arrested. I finally got in touch with someone at the Jacksonville store. Dale had been arrested a few hours ago and Greg was picked up at the Myrtle Beach store. What the hell was going on?

Then I heard a siren behind me. It was a cop. When I pulled over he said I had been speeding and waving back and forth over the center line. He asked if I had been drinking. When I explained what was going on I ended up with not only a speeding ticket but also inattentive driving and using a phone while driving. $450 in tickets.

I finally made it to Mom's house at 11:30. She had been able to reach the company lawyer and he said he would take care of everything. My mom was almost hysterical. I was worried about her because of her heart, I tried to get her calm saying everything would work out.

All three were released later that day on bond of $250,000 each. Luckily they only had to put up $25,000. They were being charged with Tax Evasion and Money Laundering. The accountant, 3 office people and 2 General Managers were also picked up. Dad made sure they were all bailed out also.

I left a couple of days later so I could met about this stupid custody thing. I got there on time and my attorney and I met with Mark and Gardner her office at Spencer, Pohl and Dawson. After waiting five minutes Mark and Gardner walked into the conference room. "How is your family doing?" Mark asked with a smirk. He never asked about my family before except when my mom had her heart attack. Then the light bulb went off.

"You bastard! You are trying to ruin my family!" I tried to jump across the table to get to Mark. "They haven't done anything to you! Why are you being so evil?" Johnson and Gardner were caught unaware at my outburst. Mark had jumped out of the way. Johnson grabbed me as I was climbing onto the table.

"I'm the evil one. You're a cheater. You ruined my life and wasted almost 20 years. Time I will never get back. And I'm the evil one. Look in the mirror Helene."

"But why mess with my family, they never did anything to you! They had nothing to do with whats going on between us!" I yelled at him.

Gardner spoke up, "We need to take a break to get emotions under control. We'll be back in 10 minutes." She grabbed Mark and dragged him out of the room.

"Why would he do something like that. I don't understand it" I was saying to myself but Johnson asked what I meant. I explained what was going on with my father. Then I asked, "Can he really take my kids? He's been saying he's not the father this whole time. And he wants custody. How is that possible?"

"Legally its a Catch 22. His name is on all the birth certificates. So by law he is recognized as the father. He just doesn't have any financial responsibility. He can argue you are an unfit mother. That he would have to prove. This thing with your family doesn't help. Being a crappy wife doesn't mean you're not a good mother. Also this agreement, it says if you miss or are late on one payment you are responsible for full payment in 60 days. And don't think your father can help you out. He's already paid out almost half a million between legal fees and that house."

"I can't make a decision now. Can we come back in a week?" I said weakly. I was mentally drained.

"I'll see what we can do." He went out to get Gardner and Mark.

We reconvened, He told them we needed a week to decide.

"No, I want to know right now!" Mark immediately responded. Gardner put her hand on his arm.

"How about we split the baby and say 4 days, same time." That's what we agreed too,

I noticed the kids were acting differently that week. I caught them looking at me out of the side of the eye. It felt they knew something that I didn't.

I sat down and had a serious look at my life. Divorced from the one man I truly loved. My kids don't like me and might even hate me. My job is getting worse and worse. I have no friends, my family could end up jail and I'm millions of dollars in debt. My life is in the crapper. I called Johnson and told him of my decision.

We met back at Gardner's office. Besides the four of us there was another attorney there. He was introduced as Chris Roy. I don't why he was there. Maybe to help if things got out of control again. I was ready for anything Mark had to throw at me.

Johnson took control of the meeting. "Ms. Ellis agrees to give Mr. Seeny custody of Tom Seeny, Shari Seeny and Beth Seeny with the following stipulations. Ms Ellis has visitations on weekends and 2 weeks in the summer. If Mr. Seeny defaults on 3 visits within 6 months without a valid reason custody returns to Ms. Ellis. Mr. Seeny must get a release from Mr, Kent who must relinquish parental rights also."

Gardner and Mark the lawyer/client whisper thing. She turned back, "How long do we have to get Kent to sign the agreement?"

Johnson replied, "We know he's in the jail in Butner county so we'll give you two weeks."

"Two weeks is fair,' Mark says, 'But I miss my kids so is this good enough?" and slide a piece of paper across the table he had taken from his carry-all.

Johnson looked it over for a minute before handing it to me. It was a release signed by Bart dated 3 weeks ago! I just looked at Mark not knowing what to say. Gardner looked over the agreement Johnson had prepared with our stipulations and Mark signed and they had it notarized. We decided on the hand off in 2 weeks.

I told the kids they would be going to live with their father. Their happiness was heartbreaking. They started packing and calling old friends almost immediately. The girls would go back to their old schools. Tom would transfer after the season was over. He was now the starting linebacker and right tackle on the varsity team. They thought it best to get a season under belt.

I tried to make the last two weeks with the kids memorable. We went to the zoo in Asheboro. Took in a concert at a park in Charlotte and some other things. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Mostly I spent my time crying.

Mark and his parents came to pick up the kids. They were more than ready to leave. When they were all packed up they gave me what can only be described as a pity hug. Mark or Jeff never said a word to me the whole time. I had just sat in the kitchen out of the way.

So here I am. Alone and friendless. I haven't been out socially since Mark left. My life was shit in a seashell. Was sex with Bart worth all of this, Hell No. If I could go back in time I would change so much. But I can't. I have to look at it in the cold light of day. I realized to late there would have been nothing I could have done to win Mark back. I now understand his anger. He felt I wasted his life. No matter that he did end up with three kids who love him more than life itself.

Three weeks later my mom had another heart attack. This one more serious than the last. My father needed help so I took the last vacation time I had remaining and moved out there to take care of her. I didn't realize how bad things were at home. Dad was frustrated dealing with the case. He was under a lot of pressure. The trial was coming up in a couple of weeks and he was meeting with his attorney's almost everyday. The bad publicity was hurting business across the board. Four locations didn't have General Managers so Dale and Greg were running around each day.

Mom ended up bed ridden. The stress of everything was wearing her down. I tried to protect her from it as much as I could. We decided it would be best if I quit my job, sold the house and moved in with them permanently. So that's what I did.

Before the trial happened we all got a shock. My father made a deal with District Attorney. He plead guilty to all charges with the agreement that all charges would be dropped against everyone else. Dad has always been big on loyalty. Most of the people who had been charged had been with him for decades. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

My brothers ended up selling three of the dealerships to help pay restitution. They rebranded them as Coastal Motors. They blamed me for everything that happened thinking it was Mark who set them up. We had never really been close beforehand anyway.

The stress was to much for mom and she passed away soon after dad made his plea agreement. He was allowed to attend the funeral before going off to prison. The church was full because mom was loved and respected by a lot of people. I was glad Jeff and Faye were able to bring the kids down.

I thought things were bad before I was afraid to guess if there was more coming my way. Is this what karma feels like? Now truly alone with no family, no job, no friends and what felt like no future. There was no way I could afford this big house. So I sold it and found a small cottage in Hope Mills just outside of Fayetteville. I landed a job in HR at a small company that does backend office work for small fast food franchises. Most of my work is over the phone dealing with different people with different brands. Its interesting but lonely. I haven't made any friends yet. Thankfully no one knows my history, personal or familial. So its a fresh start. 39 years old and starting all over again. I should be at Tom's game this weekend. I haven't been able to see the kids since I moved to help mom. I tried Facetiming them but that petered out after a while. Its just not the same. Plus I don't think they miss me all that much. The last time I saw them was at moms funeral.

I lost everything I had for having sex with another man 79 times over 16 years, If I could only do it all over again.

Epilogue - Marks final words

I got everything I wanted. When I found out Tom wasn't mine I realize the implications it meant. So I started making preparations. I remember a quote by Fausto Cercignani "A secret remains a secret until you make someone promise never to reveal it." I never made that promise. No one knew what I was doing. Things were taken from me so I took things from those perpetrators.

I made Bart pay a very high price. Yes, I sent all the information I had about him stealing to John, Yes I added my own little bit to involve Helene in the plot. Just to cause some friction in the family and keep Helene off balance. I definitely sent his wife the information about him cheating and his other kid in Canada. And being able to charge him with TBH was just frosting on the cake. I took his freedom.

As far as her father and brothers being charged with tax evasion and money laundering. I had nothing to do with it. When they charged Bart with theft the deeper the DA's office looked the more they found. It reminded of the time I went to buy furniture. This couple was buying $14,000 worth of stuff. Their kid knocked over and broke a $99 lamp. The owner went crazy saying they had to pay for it. He was willing to lose a huge sale over a stupid lamp. Maybe if Jeff just fired Bart none of that would have happened. Sure it was a lot of money but he lost more than money in the long run. I only knew about it when we had the meeting about the kids when I saw it on the Carolina First Facebook page on the way to the meeting. I didn't know Helene would respond the way she did.

The only thing that made me sad was finding out Hope passed away. She was the only good one out of the bunch. She was a sweet lady who deserved better. I made sure the kids attended the funeral and sent flowers.

For Helene I had to work slowly so she wouldn't realize what was happening. I spread word about what she had done. Not only to ruin her but to protect my reputation before she could spread lies. Her friends were also my friends. So I let them all know the real reason for our divorce. Most were disgusted. Alex told me what Beth said to her. I let a couple of people on her job know also. And like any business gossip spreads quickly. So now she was ostracized by friends and co-workers. I had heard things were getting bad at work for her until she quit. Was I worried that people would think I was a wimp or cuckold. No, I was a cuckold by definition. But everyone knew I wasn't a wimp. They knew how I treated Helene during our marriage. I had heard many times what a catch I was and how jealous they were of her. She quickly became the stupid fool who fumbled a good thing.

The kids, After I walked out I met with them when they were with my parents that first week. We spent those days together. I explained that while I wasn't their biological father I would always be there dad. And that I wanted them to come live with me. They were very happy but I told them it would take some time and not to tell their mother. They would have to move out of the old house but I would always make sure they had a place to live. We had texted back and forth the whole time. I would see them whenever they came to my folks house.

Suing for Parental Fraud was a gamble. I knew I could get something from Mental Pain and Anguish. Lisa came through again. She is getting quite the reputation for representing wronged husbands. Winning that case put me right were I wanted to be, able to pressure Helene into turning over the kids to me. And it worked.

So here I am. A slightly newly single 42 year old man with a hugely successful business. Trudy did leave and I decided to start an apprentice program with Highland Vo-Tech in the city. So now I have 3 eager employees for the price of one. I hope it pays off in the long run. I had to get someone to help Rosemarie in the office. An other intern from the high school.

I have a nice house and three great kids who love me to the moon and back. I talked to Tom and he felt bad about playing football. I found that interesting because he always loved it. It was hard for him to explain at first. He felt he was disrespecting me because he's Bio-dad played football. I explained to him he would only disrespect me by not doing what he loves and trying to be the best at. That was the last time he ever mentioned Bart. He made all county at Linebacker. His new school can't wait for him to play next year. And he's getting letters from college already. He said he would go to any school except Carolina.

Everyday gets better and better. Friends have begun the "Get Mark hooked up campaign". Especially Beth. And the kids always want me to meet this teacher or that teacher who happened to be female, pretty and single. I have dated some, not a lot. I know every woman is like Helene. But I'm enjoying my time being a dad.

Do I regret not having children of my own. I do have my own children. Ask that again and I'll punch you in the nose.

The End

Lisa Gardner appeared in February Sucks in Greenville.

Post Ramble - Some people may be upset with the last line. I take this from my own personal history. I met my first daughter when her mother was 5 months pregnant with her. We dated, move in together and I was there when she was born. My son came into my life when he was 5. I still remember the first day I met him. My youngest daughter is my only bio child. I have never and will never use the term step son or daughter. They are closer than some blood related siblings. They have made me proud and happy every single day. My second wife (son's mom) asked me once I regretted not having a son. I told her to never ask me that again. I'm not even going to get into the 7 kids who have adopted me as a grandfather.