Preemptive Strike

THE PREEMPTIVE STRIKE

PREAMBLE RAMBLE: Written very quickly in less than two hours when I couldn't sleep. And it may show. I've been wanting to write this story for a while except I'm fighting to finish three others. My goal was 750 words, than 1000, then the heck with it and just write what comes out.

For writing this between 3am and 430am I'm happy with the way it turned out. I wanted to do a placeholder type of story but ended up with this one.

No editor so all mistakes are mine.

I hope you like the story.

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Tom knew the time had come to pull the plug, This farce of a marriage had gone on long enough. He met Sara, formerly Mazzoni, in their senior year of college at Gardner Webb where he studied Computer Science with a minor in Business. Sara was a nursing student.

He did very well in his classes and was already being headhunted by several firms in the region. He was hoping to find a good job in his hometown of Greenville. They met after a basketball game when they had been separately invited to a party. Tom wasn't the party type but he was dragged along by his roommates.

GW is a Christian school so there was no alcohol at the party. He spotted Sara talking to a group of girls and was immediately smitten. He finally was able to make his way to her and start up a conversation. He found out she was a senior studying to be a nurse. She grew up in Hickory which is forty miles north of Greenville straight up 321. They hit it off pretty well and made a date for next week. That date led to many more and eventually marriage after they both graduated.

While dating they had talked about their past, hopes and dreams. Tom had been in one serious relationship during his sophomore year but they broke up when she transferred to another school in Georgia. They both knew a long distance relationship wouldn't work. Sara had dated a guy throughout high school into her junior year of college. She never really said why they broke up but Tom could tell Sara was really hurt by it. That was the only time she mentioned her ex-boyfriend Bill Castello.

They had been married for nine years. Sara had just gone back to work at Greenville Memorial Hospital in the Neo-natal unit a year ago after the kids were in school. Tom had been working for the city of Greenville in their IT department. They had two great kids. Jody, six years old and Darren seven. After Jody was born Tom got a vasectomy since they both had agreed on having only two kids.

Married life was pretty good for Tom. That was until five months ago. Sara had been acting different lately. She was working later than usual. Going into work earlier. Tom would have to pick up the kids more often. She seemed distant and at times distracted. Even lovemaking changed. Having kids cut back sex from three to four times a week to two or three. Now it was down to one day. When he tried to talk to her about it she blew him off or it would go back to normal for a while.

Tom wasn't normally a suspicious man. He never had a reason to distrust Sara. Except one of his co-workers had recently caught his wife cheating. It was a mess, he said it came out of the blue but looking back on it the signs were always there. Tom decided to take preemptive measures.

Three weeks later he was ready to confront Sara. That Friday he got off work early, picked up the kids and took them to his parents house for the weekend.

Sara was surprised to see him home at the that time. She asked about the kids. "Their at my parents house, Sara we need to have a serious talk." he said matter of factly.

Sara had a worried expression on her face. "What's wrong Tom? What do we need to talk about?" He lead her to the kitchen table.

With a serious expression he started, "Sara, I want a divorce." Sara looked at him with her mouth open.

Getting whits back, "Why, what, how come you want a divorce? I thought you were happy?"

"Sara, I love you and the family we built together but you know I dated Melissa before I met you right?' She nodded her heard wondering where this was going. 'Well she came back to town five months ago and we reconnected. I realize she's the one I was meant to be with. I'm sorry but after I divorce you we're getting married." He handed her a manila envelope.

Sara was stunned speechless. He was asking her for a divorce. She looked at the envelope sitting on the table like it was a snake ready to bite her.

Just than the doorbell rang. "I think that's for you, I'll get it." Tom said almost running the the door. Sara was still in a daze when she heard Tom, "Bill, so glad to finally met you. Come on in, Sara is waiting for you.' he led an equally dazed Bill Castello into the kitchen. 'Your timing couldn't be any better Bill. Is it okay if I call you Bill. I mean we have so much in common lately, don't we Sara?" Turning to look at his wayward wife.

"What do you mean?" She asked

"Well dear wife, once we're divorced you can be with the love of your life old Bill here. That is what you wanted right? The divorce agreement is for split custody of the kids, I hope you treat them like they are your own Bill.' giving him an evil look, then smiling, 'No alimony since your getting married to old Bill here. Since custody is 50/50 there will be no child support. Congrats Bill, you got a ready made family! Also I'm pretty sure Darren is going to need braces. And Jody wants to take dance lessons. She will need your support."

"I'm going now. The kids will be with me for the next two weeks than I'll bring them to you, okay Sara?" Sara was trying to understand what had happened in the last fifteen minutes. Her husband had asked her for a divorce, Her lover of the last five months was sitting in their kitchen. She was supposed to be the one asking for the divorce. She was supposed to get child support and alimony. This is all wrong. By the time she realized that Tom was at the door.

"I've already moved my stuff into my new apartment. Don't worry rent is paid for this month, but next month is on you. I've taken my name off all the utilities. My new address is in the paperwork. Have a great life." And he was out the door.

Tom had found out Sara had been contacted by her Ex. He found out Bill had been more than a boyfriend. He was her finance. They broke up because he went to jail for robbing a liquor store with a couple of friends. He got out a year ago. She was planning on leaving him and the kids to be with the love of her life. He decided to beat her to it.

The End