Heather and Cory

There is no sex in this particular story.

Any spelling or grammar mistakes are of my own accord.

I do use Microsoft Editor, but no program is perfect.

STORY BEGINS HERE.

It was eight-thirty in the morning, and Heather was sitting on the sofa hugging her husband's favorite coffee mug to her chest, while crying. Cory hadn't come home last night. He didn't call. His cell phone was going to straight to voicemail. Text messages went unanswered. The TV was on, but she wasn't really paying attention. Her mind was lost in a maze of thoughts.

Was he in an accident? Did something happen at work? Was he cheating on her? She shuddered at the thought of him cheating on her. If that were the case, it's not like she was really in position to do or say anything. Her mind went back to ten years ago, when she had a fling with a client.

Heather was a real estate agent, and had been assigned her first commercial property. It had been vacate for years. An out of state business was looking to expand. A few business lunches and showings later, she had a deal. Big announcement, a big luncheon to celebrate. Too much wine mixed with the euphoria of her first big sale, equaled the dumbest decision she ever made.

Sex in a limousine seems so cool and chic in the movies, but in reality, it's really not. It's actually really cramped, and the seat is uncomfortable. He wasn't bigger or better than Cory. After they were done, Heather started feeling ashamed immediately. She just stared out the window and didn't say anything. As soon as the limo stopped at the office, she opened the door, ran to her car, and drove home. It didn't occur to her until later, that she was lucky she didn't get picked up for a DUI.

Heather showered until the hot water was completely gone. Crying, she scrubbed layer after layer of skin off her body. Her internal monologue running through her head. What was I thinking? Is he gonna notice? The big one of course was, do I tell him or not? After drying off and getting into some of Cory clothes, she made some tea and just sat on the couch.

Heather decided a few things on the couch that day. First, she was never drinking again. Second, she was never selling commercial property again. Even if she had to quit her job and find a new one. She was going to sell only homes from now on. Third, she was never going to be alone with any male client again.

As it got closer to the time that Cory would be coming home from work, she had decided to tell him the truth. She dreaded it, and knew that either he'd leave, or he'd kick her out. The thought of having everyone find out what she had done, made her feel even worse. With her cup of tea empty, she put it on the coffee table in front of her. The stress of everything that day had made her tired, so she laid her head on the side of the couch, and ended up falling asleep.

Heather woke up the next morning, still on the couch, but covered with an afghan. In a panic, she ran into the bedroom to see if Cory was home. He was gone. She checked the closet and everything was still there. Grateful for that, she walked into the kitchen to find some breakfast. Opening the fridge, she saw a plate of pancakes and scrambled eggs covered with clear plastic wrap. A sticky note on top read..... "I hope you feel better soon. Love, Cory."

Her legs gave out and she fell to the floor crying. How long she sat there with her back against the refrigerator door, she didn't know, only that the chime of the doorbell snapped her out of it. Wiping her eyes, Heather walked over and opened the door, to see her boss standing there. Heather apologized and asked if she was late for something.

Tina asked her what was wrong, and Heather broke down again. Stepping inside the house, Tina quickly closed the door behind her, and hugged Heather. She led her to the couch, then proceeded to listen to Heather talk about what she had done. After half an hour of talking and crying, Tina agreed to keep Heather on, and on the terms she wanted. She asked her, if she was absolutely sure, she didn't want to do commercial property anymore. Reminding her, that the five percent commission equaled twenty-five thousand dollars for her.

Heather told her, that she considered it dirty money. Tina told her that it wasn't dirty money. She had sex with him after the paperwork had been signed, and that she never promised him sex in return. Heather was just a normal woman, who drank too much wine and got caught up in the moment. That the guilt she was feeling proved how much she regretted her actions and that she loved her husband.

Tina told her that if she viewed the money that way, then she should take it and turn it into a great memory. Go to Hawaii, go skiing, do something with Cory. Take this negative and turn it into a positive. Don't let a single mistake ruin a future of love and happiness.

As Heather was remembering the mountain retreat that they conceived their son on, a series of slamming car doors snapped her out of it. She ran to the front window and saw Cory getting out of his Durango. Beside him was her mother and, behind Cory she saw their attorney Dale. Heather immediately feared the worst. Somehow, he'd found out. She ran out the front door, wanting to hug Cory. Her mother and Dale stepped in front him. Her mother turned her around and led her back into the house and to the couch.

Heather saw that Cory was disheveled. His shirt untucked. His hair was a mess. It looked like he hadn't slept much at all. She watched Cory and Dale walk down the hallway and a door close.

"I don't know exactly know what you've done Heather, but it can't be good. The only thing Cory would say to me is ask Heather."

She watched her mother slump back into the couch, as she told her about cheating on Cory. As she was talking, Dale came back into the front room, and sat down. There was silence. Nobody talking to anyone. Dale kept looking at his watch constantly. After a few minutes, that seemed to drag on, the silence was broken by more car doors.

They watched Dale get up and walk to the door. Heather tried to follow, but her mother pulled her back down by the hand. In walked Dale, followed by a man and woman, and behind them, last to walk in, was a police officer. The three strangers stood side by side, while Dale walked back down the hallway, and knocked on a door. Heather was really scared now, and squeezing her mother's hand tightly. More silence as everyone either looked at one another, or the floor, or the ceiling.

A few minutes later, Cory and Dale walked out. Cory went and got a kitchen chair and sat it beside Dale. Before Dale sat down, he looked at the officer and asked if his body cam was running. The officer said "Yes" while nodding his head. Dale sat down.

"This is a very difficult situation for everyone here. I'm personally very sorry that this is happening. Heather, this is Bob and Brittney; they are from Family Medical Lab Incorporated. They are here to collect a DNA check swab from Cory to determine the paternity of your son Cory Michael Stewart Jr."

Heather started crying and looked at Cory, and saw that he was silently crying as well. Her mother rubbing her back and crying too. The officer stepped close to Cory with the camera tilted down to get a good view of the swab. Heather watched as Brittney took the swab and put it into a bag. Bob then sealed the bag and placed it into a box. Dale then had Bob, Brittney, and the officer sign paperwork.

Everyone watched as Bob and Brittney left. The officer asked Dale if he needed to stay. Dale told him no, and then the officer left.

"That was embarrassing and unnecessary Cory." Heather's mother said looking at him.

"Embarrassing! No. What's embarrassing is being interrogated by the police, and stuck in the drunk tank all night, because your daughter's fuck buddy was found dead. What's embarrassing is that fact that I have to do this test at all. Do the math. Her fucking around on me, matches the timeline of his conception. So fuck you Wilma, and fuck you Heather!" Cory yelled.

The whole time he was yelling, Dale was trying to calm him down.

"I'm so sorry honey. I never meant for it to happen. I swear it was only one time." Heather cried.

"Cory, I'm here to do my job. I can't do that with you hollering at Heather, as justified as it may be." Dale said.

"Fine. You're right."

Dale reached in his briefcase and pulled out some papers stapled together. Heather started crying loudly and buried her face into her mother Wilma.

"This is a ninety-day legal separation agreement. That means that the two of you are still legally married, but living apart. Cory wants you to leave the house for forty-eight hours, while he gathers his belongings and finds a new place to live. All money in the checking and savings account will be split fifty-fifty. You will be responsible for the mortgage and all utilities of the marital home for the duration of the separation. You will stay on his health insurance for the duration of the separation. Cory Jr will stay in the martial home during the duration of the separation, but Cory will have liberal visitation and gets him every Saturday at eight am, and returns him after church on Sunday."

"I don't want a separation or divorce or anything like it. I want us to stay together like we're supposed to." Heather said.

Dale turned to Cory and asked if he could go off the clock. Cory nodded in agreement.

"Heather. I know this is extremely hard. I've been here before. This is the exact same agreement that Carla and I signed when we went through our problems. I'm advising you as a friend and if you were to have hired me before Cory, I highly recommend that you sign this. This gives you the best chance you got, to save your marriage."

"But it was ten years ago. It meant nothing to me then and even less now. I've been a wonderful wife since then."

"It doesn't fucking matter Heather!" Cory yelled.

"Shut up Cory." Dale said, holding his hand up and not even looking at him.

"You know that I cheated on Carla. This is literally word for word, the exact same agreement. This means that Cory can't go out and have a series of one night stands as revenge. I'm not going to sit here and say that it will absolutely one-hundred percent save your marriage either. You've had ten years to come to terms with what you did. This is literally brand new to him. He found out by the police, while looking into the suspicious death of the man you cheated with. If he stays here, both of you will do nothing but fight, yell, scream, and end up hating each other."

Heather looked down, as Dale flipped the paperwork to the final page and pointed.

"He's already signed it. Cory is not filing or asking for a divorce. He's not even asking for free passes or anything of the sort. We've all been friends since middle school, and I do believe you are sorry for everything. I do believe that this is the best way to save the relationship that you and Cory have. You remember how Carla was when I cheated on her? Cory is feeling the same things that you saw with your own eyes. She needed the time and space, and so does he."

Heather took a deep breath, signed the paper, and ran out the door. Wilma quickly walking behind to catch up.

When Cory Jr got home from school, Cory sat him down and explained that Mom and Dad were not going to be living together anymore. When he asked why, Cory told him the truth. He didn't go into detail, only that his mother had cheated and broken the vows that she swore before God and family. Cory told him that his mother still loved hm, and that would never change. Cory packed his belongings and Cory Jr wanted to help. He turned it into as fun of an experience as he could. Using the suitcases and garbage bags as basketball hoops.

Cory had a friend from work, whose parents were going to spend the year going from cruise ship to cruise ship. They gave him permission to stay in their Redwood fifth-wheel camper at a campgrounds on the other side of town. It would add about twenty minutes of drive time for work, but at least he wouldn't be spending money on a motel. Just the propane to run the stove, oven, and heat, if needed.

When the forty-eight hour window expired, Cory and Heather went through the house with Dale. Cory Jr was downstairs with Wilma and a paralegal from Dale's office. Once the walkthrough was complete and it was time to go, Cory hugged and said goodbye to Jr, who was crying and begging him not to go. Eventually Jr let go and ran to his room, slamming the door. Cory stood up and looked at Heather.

"Courts always side with the mother. I'm only going to get him two weekends a month. That's only ninety-six out of seven-hundred-twenty hours in a month. That equals thirteen percent of total hours in a month. All the rest is lost time, and it can never be gotten back. Think about all the unrealized and potential memories we could've made as a family. That's all on you Heather."

Heather was sobbing on the couch with her face in her hands.

"That's enough Cory. She feels bad enough already." Wilma said defending her daughter.

Dale stepped between them, and whispered into Cory's' ear. He nodded to Dale and simply walked away. Heather looked up as the door slammed shut. Dale quickly spoke while her attention was up. He told her that he'd have the results of the DNA paternity test in thirty days. He announced that he was off the clock, sat down in the chair and loosened his tie. Heather looked at Dale, and asked if he thought they'd make it.

"I don't know Heather. You've created a hellava mess. The fact that there's child involved makes it even worse. As your friend, I'm telling you that you need to get an attorney. As of now, he's adamant about divorce. You also know that at this stage; Carla felt the same way. I'm really hoping the two of you can make it like we did."

Heather smiled weakly and told him thank you. Wilma thanked him too and asked him if he knew a good attorney. He told them that beside himself, the best attorney was Debroah Johnson. She'd take her case, but warned Heather that she hated cheaters. He reassured her, that it wouldn't interfere with how she'd represent her.

Dale stood up, wished her well and told her that he'd see her at church on Sunday. The paralegal who had been watching and listening the whole time chimed in.

"Just some friendly advice, don't love bomb him, but don't cut off all contact either. A text goodnight or a funny meme, once a day will let him know that you're thinking of him and love him, without being pushy. Good luck Heather."

In Dale's office.

Heather sat in a chair with her attorney Debroah beside her. The thirty days had been much harder than Heather thought they'd be. She never truly appreciated how much she loved the presence of her husband. The smell of him on the pillows and sheets on the bed. The way the bathroom always smelled like Irish Spring soap, because he never closed the plastic soap container.

Cory Jr had been with Cory two times since he left. She listened as he talked on and on about how they'd go fishing on Saturday morning. They'd clean the fish and soak the fillets in saltwater, while they'd go golfing in the afternoon. After golfing, Cory would bake the fish in the oven and they'd eat fish and chips, watch whatever movie Jr wanted on Netflix and crash out after a busy day. Jr loved the camper. It had a big bed for Cory and a pullout couch that he'd sleep on.

Cory walked in with Dale behind him. Debroah rose from her chair and shook hands with Dale. She thanked him for the referral, and the kinds words that he'd said about her to Heather. He said no problem. Heather was his friend and wanted her to be in good hands in this difficult time. They separated and he went and sat next to Cory across the table from them.

He opened up his briefcase and pulled two manilla envelopes out.

"Let's not beat around the bush here shall we, since we're on the clock and I know your wages," Dale said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

He slid one of the envelopes over to Debroah. She opened it and started reading and flipping through the pages. She asked Dale if Cory knew the results. He replied that his client did not. She asked why.

"No matter what that piece of paper says, he is my son. I understand that I have to be informed because of the law though." Cory said.

Heather started shaking and tears fell down her face. Debroah whispered into her ear and Heather started sobbing loudly. Cory felt anger bubble up, then he felt Dale slap him on the back.

"Cory, you are the father."

He slumped back into the chair and a big breath of air came out. He hadn't realized that he hadn't been breathing. Looking up at the ceiling, he felt tears run down his face. Heather looked up and saw Cory's reaction. As much as she wanted to hug him, and ask him to come home, she knew it wasn't right.

"As much as I hate to break up this wonderful news, this does bring the matter of child support to the forefront if your client wants to go the route of a divorce." Debroah said.

"A matter for another day counsel. I have even more good news." Dale said.

All three sets of eyes looked at him.

"The police are no longer looking at Cory for the death of Maxwell McGloin the third."

"Who killed him?" Cory asked.

"Who the hell cares." Heather said.

"Are you sure you wanna know?" Dale asked.

"Hell yes. I was interrogated and held in jail overnight. I deserve to know."

"OK. Some gangbanger confessed on his deathbed. He told the police where to find the gun. He told them a middle age woman in a wig, gave him twenty-five grand to pull it off. Gave him five in a bag when she approached him, and then the other twenty showed up in his car the day after he did it."

"Well let me play a fucking fiddle." Cory said, moving two fingers together.

The next day.

Heather got Cory Jr out the door and on the bus. She got in her car and drove into work happier than she had in a while. It was a relief that Cory now had the undisputed proof that Jr was his. Heather knew he was, because he had his face. She understood that he was blinded by his pain and anger. She was also happier because she thought she knew what happened to Max.

Tina was in her office on the phone talking to a buyer, who was inquiring about using her company to downsize into a new home. She heard her office door open, and she saw Heather close the door behind her. She waved as Heather walked and sat down in a chair on the other side of her desk.

"As a matter of fact, my best home agent literally just walked into my office. I'll let you speak to her."

Tina handed Heather the phone and then walked out. Heather setup an appointment to meet them in her office later, and hung up. Tina wasn't back yet, so she just sat back down in the chair and confirmed her lunch plans with Carla. As she was getting ready to pull up an e-book, Tina walked back in the room with two bear claws. She handed one to Heather and sat down in her own chair.

"Thank you for handling Midol-Aloe-Xanax problem. That was a wonderful solution. I hope that this is the start to a healthier new routine." Heather said smiling.

"You're welcome. The situation that started it all, came back a few weeks ago. After all those years, it came back and wanted the same exact thing. I, of course, sent it packing, but when it came back again three times as worse, I knew then that I had to find a more permanent way to get rid of the rash of problems it caused." Tina said smiling back.

"Well, I'm certainly grateful."

"That's what friends are for. Now get back to work. You got two commission checks to sign for on your desk."

Day Eighty-Nine.

Cory sat in Dr. Martin's office. He'd been seeing her once a week for eight weeks now. He'd finally gotten to the point of no longer having that bitter, vile, anger that he felt at first. He believed Heather that it was only one time and that she regretted it. Jr was always telling him what Heather was doing at home. He didn't ask him to spy, but they watched Harriet The Spy one night, and Jr thought it was so awesome, that he started copying the movie. After many tears in the office, he'd forgiven her. He didn't want to hold onto all of that. It's extremely unhealthy.

"Tomorrow is the day. Do you know what you're gonna do Cory?" Dr. Martin asked.

"I do. When she's at work; I'm going to move my stuff back in."

"That's a big step. Are you sure you're ready for it?"

"No, but are we really ready for anything. Besides, my staying married will come with conditions. If she doesn't agree, then she can move out and we divorce."

"Do you think that a conditional return is a healthy way to rebuild trust?"

"Everything is conditional. Marriage, education, even doctor patient confidentiality."

"Good point."

"I didn't fail as a husband. She failed as a wife. It's up to her to do everything to try and piece this back together again."

They stood up, shook hands, and parted ways. Dr. Martin thought about how far he'd come since she started seeing him. He was referred to her by her former clients Dale and Carla. She was cautiously optimistic that Cory and Heather would figure a way to stay together.

Day Ninety.

Cory had borrowed a friends truck for the day. He parked down the street and waited for Heather to leave. Once she had driven past, he waited fifteen minutes then pulled into the driveway. He sent a quick text to two work friends to come on over. Between the three of them, they got everything Cory wanted done right at lunchtime. He gave them a hundred bucks and said lunch was on him. He and his buddy exchanged keys back and they left.

Cory then proceeded to put hidden cameras with microphones throughout the house. Front room, kitchen, bedrooms, backroom, and garage. Instead of a camera in the bathroom, he put only a microphone. He made his bed, left a note on the kitchen table, grabbed his laptop, and left.

Heather unlocked the door and stepped inside. Jr rushed past her to go to his room. Stepping into the kitchen, she saw a piece of paper on the table. She picked it up, read it, screamed, and dropped the paper. Jr ran out to see what was wrong, but was met with his mother hugging him tightly and telling him that Daddy's coming home. She let go of Jr and ran up to the bedroom.

Opening the door, her heart sank. Gone was their big king size bed. Now replaced with two twin size beds and a bedside table between them. Heather walked back to the kitchen table and sat down crying. She called her mother and Carla. Living just a few blocks away, Carla arrived first. Heather told Jr to go outside and play while she talked about grown up stuff. She showed Carla the bedroom. Sitting down on her new bed, she was talking to her for a few minutes when Wilma walked in.

Cory watched as Wilma ushered them into the kitchen and started the tea kettle.

"I don't know if he's ever going to really come back." Heather said.

"Well, I think he's going to far with this." Wilma chimed in sitting down.

"Oh get off your high horse Wilma." Carla replied.

"Excuse me."

"You're acting like Heather is the damn victim here."

"He left for three months, doing God's knows what in that camper he stayed in."

"He didn't do a damn thing Wilma and you know it. You've known Cory his whole life, he's always been a man of his word."

"Carla's right mom. I'm not the wronged party here, Cory is. I just wish he'd give me a chance to talk and make it up to him."

"Oh sweetie, you can never make it up to him. Just like Dale can never make it up to me. If you want to stay married, you gotta suck it up and shut up. When Dale cheated on me, you told me to go get gangbanged."

"Heather Marie!" Wilma shouted.

"That that would teach Dale a lesson in civility. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, your opinions aren't the same."

"I've thought about giving him a free pass. I'd kill me, but it might help." Heather said.

"If anything, it'd have to be two free passes." Carla replied.

"What! That's absurd." Wilma exclaimed.

"No it's not. The only way to understand the pain of being cheated on, is to be cheated on. One free pass is what is owed. You'd hurt but it's more like an obligation. The second free pass is revenge. That's where the pain of being cheated on is.

"Where did you even hear something like that?" Wilma asked, as the tea kettle whistled.

"Cosmo, and I used it to remain married to Dale."

"You really slept with another person? You only told me about that British guy."

"Beautiful accent, but a lousy lay."

Carla and Heather started laughing. Wilma put two hot cups of tea down in front of them, then got her own cup of tea.

"No, I haven't gotten revenge sex. When I told Dale about Lars, it hurt him. Then he told me that he doesn't wanna know when I use my second pass."

"I simply don't understand how two wrongs equal a right." Wilma said.

"You gotta kiss a lot of wrong frogs to find the right prince." Carla replied, which got giggles from all three ladies.

They saw Jr come in the back patio door and smile. They smiled back, thinking that he was smiling at them. The three ladies watched him run by the table and into the arms of Cory. They never heard him come in the front door. He stared at the different faces on the three. Wilma had a look of shock on her face. Heather had a look of sadness on her face. Carla was smiling from ear to ear.

Cory told Jr that he needed to go clean his bedroom if he wanted to go fishing again on Saturday. Jr screamed yes, then took off to clean.

"For a woman that's never been married, you certainly have a lot to say on the subject Wilma. I respect that you're Heather's mother, but from now on, keep your uninformed opinions to yourself."

"I'm so happy that you're back sweetie." Heather said, looking at him.

"Well, as much as I enjoyed staying in the camper, it does feel good to be back home." Cory replied sitting down.

Wilma and Heather noticed that Cory was staring directly at Carla. They watched him slide her cup of tea over and take a drink. Seeing an opportunity in front of her, Heather broke the silence.

"Take her upstairs and wear her out Cory. I'll take mom and Jr out to eat."

"I can't watch this." Wilma said, as she got up and left the kitchen.

Heather could see Cory and Carla smiling at each other. It started to feel real to her. She hated it, as the tears feel down her face. The air in the room thick. Carla started standing up first, then Cory sprung from his chair. He grabbed her by the ass and set her on the table. Heather felt her breathing stop, and her mind went completely blank.

A few seconds later, she watched them both break out laughing and sit back down.

"Oh my god." Heather said, as she started breathing again.

"You staying for supper Carla? I got Chinese coming in about an hour. "Cory asked.

"No thanks. We still have some barbeque ribs back at the house."

"I thought you two were gonna fuck right here on the table." Heather said, breathing heavy.

"We're definitely gonna fuck sweetie." Cory said.

"Absolutely we are. Would you prefer he go find a hooker or some random bar chick?"

"No. It's just..... I don't wanna know afterwards. Just promise you won't leave."

Heather looked at Cory with pleading eyes. Hoping that he'll stay. Of course, the irony was never lost on her. She knew that if the shoe was on the other foot, that'd she'd taken his ass to the cleaner.

Over the ninety days that he'd been gone, she thought about some of the times she'd gotten mad at him about something. Coming home late. Forgetting to take out the trash. Letting the grass get a bit longer than she liked. All the while, withholding that massive secret. She knew that she could never really truly make up for it. Carla was right. All she could do was hope to be given a second chance, and then not blow it.

"I'm staying, at least for now. There is going to be a post nup agreement and conditions. It's up to you to fix this. If you think that all its gonna take is a few extra blowjobs and anal a time or two; then you can pack your shit and go to your mother's. I'm gonna make your life absolutely fucking miserable at times, because that's exactly what you would've done."

"That's right Heather. I still remember the things you said during our conversations, when Dale cheated on me. Guess it's time to find out if you really mean what you say or if you're just full of it."

Thirty days, post return.

Once again Heather and Debroah sat opposite of Cory and Dale. They were at his office to sign the post-nup paperwork. Debroah had seen situations like this quite often. Built in free passes to even things out, heavily one sided division of assets, all the normal things an injured party demanded.

"My client wants to make a change to this proposed agreement." Debroah said.

Cory leaned forward in his chair, but Dale put his arm out in front of him. He put his arms down on the table and simply stared daggers at them. As Dale asked what they were.

"My client wants marriage counseling and is willing to go to family court to get an order."

Dale reached into his briefcase, pulled out a folder and slid it over to Debroah. She opened the folder and couldn't help but smile.

"Why are you smiling? Heather asked.

"Because he's already been to marriage counseling. Eight sessions in eight weeks, while you two were living apart." she replied.

"What does that mean?" Heather asked.

Debroah didn't reply to her, instead talking to Dale.

"Judges prefer both parties be present during marriage counseling sessions."

"Precedent has already been established that it's not a requirement counselor."

"I gotta do what's in the best interest of my client." she replied to Dale.

"As do I, and my client has gone more than out of his way to try to fix his marriage."

"Fix it! He won't even sleep in the same bed with me! All he does is come home and play with Jr!" Heather yelled.

Debroah was turned in her chair, trying to calm her down.

"Sounds to me like he's putting his family first. Roof over your head. Bills paid on time. Being a father to his only son." Dale said.

"Come on Dale. You and I both know that she's devastated over what she did and the fallout of her actions."

"It's been over four months since we've had sex Cory! I'm dying here. I know it's worse for you, it's gotta be!" Heather said in a quieter tone.

"Is that what this is about? Force her to go out and have sex with someone else?" Debroah asked.

"My client fully intends to have sex, once she signs the paperwork, and we witness it." Dale replied.

"FINE!" Heather yelled.

Cory and Dale watched, as Debroah tried to talk to Heather. She grabbed the paperwork and signed where the yellow tab indicated.

"Let's go. I'm gonna wear your ass out." Heather said standing up.

Cory started laughing and Dale smiled. She looked over at Debroah and saw her slump back into her seat.

"What's going on?" she asked sitting back down scared.

"He didn't say he was going to have sex with you. He just said he was going to have sex." Debroah told her.

Heather looked over at Cory and Dale, then her arms and head fell to the table crying.

"You're an officer of the court. You have to sign counselor.

Debroah signed the paperwork and slid it back over to Dale.

Day Thirty-Two, Post Return.

There had been an influx of houses coming onto the market. That meant Heather spent a lot of time going through emails. Sorting out the ones that were serious and looking, and the ones that weren't. She had closed on five homes in the last month. Heather was happy, as it meant that the months of driving, meetings, and paperwork had finally paid off. She was looking forward to the commission checks coming her way.

Five in thirty days is unusual. The average real estate agent sells six to ten homes a year. Heather averages fifteen homes a year. Usually they're spread out more, but everything just seemed to come together in such a short period of time. She had just finished sending paperwork into the state, when her cell phone pinged.

It was a message from another agent in a different agency. It wasn't unusual to talk to someone from another agency, refer a client, or even work together. She opened it up, and saw a pictures of Cory and Tina sitting together at a table talking, with an attached text message.

Your marriage is none of my business, but everyone knows you cheated on Cory. I hope you both find a way to stay together, but I thought you should know. I know I would.

Heather studied the pictures she had been sent. Cory had his thinking face on, in all of them. No smiles, no anger, not even annoyance. Tina had her serious face in some and smiling in some. She thought about calling one of them. What would she even say to either of them? Briefly, she thought that there might be something going on, but it was quickly put out of her mind.

Heather just went about the rest of her day. She had an afternoon showing. Her pitch was a bit scattered, but the soon to be family of three, didn't seem to notice. They set-up a time the following week to have a state inspector walk through the home with them. Potential new owners have questions, and he does a great job explaining things to them. After locking up the house, she drove home and started supper.

Cory came home and went straight to the shower. Heather had supper plated up and waiting when he came into the kitchen. She asked him how his day was.

"Well, lunch was interesting."

"Oh yeah, what happened" she asked.

"Your boss wants me to spend the night having sex with her." he told her bluntly.

Heather just stared at him. She knew that Tina took care of the Max problem, but didn't think she'd go this far.

"What did you say? she asked, keeping her anxiousness to herself.

Cory took a bite of his mashed potatoes, then answered.

"I told her that I'm not going to be part of some scheme you two dumbasses cooked up."

"I didn't know she was going to do that Cory. I had nothing to do with it."

"When I do decide to get even, I'm not going to tell you."

"Thank you for your honesty Cory. As much as it hurts, I understand."

The rest of the night was in silence. Heather reading a book, while Cory watched baseball on TV.

The next few weeks, things seemed to get back into somewhat of a normal routine. Cory started talking to Heather more. They decided to go to a Chamber of Commerce fundraiser together. She enjoyed being out with him again. He held her hand and they checked in with one other, when separated for more than five or so minutes.

There were a couple times when it was hard for Heather. A few women tried to cozy up to Cory, while right in front of her. She watched and heard a lot of men and women praise him. He had to turn down a lot of offers for drinks. He was never really a drinker. He'd have a single beer at a ballgame, but that was it.

She had broached the subject of them having sex a few times since being home. He always told her that he wasn't ready yet. Once it started a heated exchange. She told him that it had been almost six months since they've had sex, and that it was killing her. Cory told her that even though the therapy helped, he can still imagine her getting fucked by another guy. He's not a pervert that gets off on his wife fucking someone else.

She brought up the topic again. Hoping that since they had a good night and things were going well lately, that maybe he'd be in the mood. He didn't say anything. Just grunted and walked into the kitchen. Feeling dejected and angry, Heather walked into the kitchen and slapped Cory.

"Take off your god damn pants and do you job Cory!" she practically screamed.

Heather saw the anger in his face. That caveman DNA in his eyes, and briefly thought that he was going to hit her back. Even as scared as she was in those seconds, she knew that she deserved it. Nothing happened. She watched him bite his lip, walk out the front door and leave. She sat down on the couch and cried. Heather had fallen asleep at some point, but was jolted awake and dripping wet. Sitting and looking up, she saw Carla glaring at her with one hand on her hips and a cup in the other.

"What the hell Carla?" Heather asked wiping her face.

"I can't believe you hit Cory. Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"I don't know what came over me. He literally grunted and dismissed me when I brought up having sex. Like I'm not even a human being."

"You slapped him and told him to do his damn job and have sex with you."

"So he ran and told you what happened?"

"He has cameras in the house. He showed Dale and I the video."

"What! He's spying on me!"

"Really! That's what your taking away from this Heather."

"I really am sorry that I hit him. I didn't mean it Carla."

"It doesn't matter Heather. Dale is required by law to notify the police about domestic violence."

"Oh my god, are you serious?" Heather asked falling back into the couch.

"Yes. Dale would've lost his license to practice if he hadn't."

"What am I going to do now," Heather said and starting crying again.

"Debroah's gonna be here in an hour." Carla replied.

"An hour! What time is it?"

"It's seven in the morning sweetie.

Heather went to her room, took off her dress, then took a hot shower. She stayed in there until the water was barely warm. Throwing on a pair of sweatpants and one of Cory's t-shirts, she went into the kitchen. Carla had gotten breakfast done. The two of them sat at the table and ate in silence. There wasn't really much more that needed to be said. They had just finished up when the doorbell rang. Heather started to get up, but Carla told her that she'd get it.

Debroah walked into the kitchen and saw Heather with her head on her arms. Carla sat next to her, while she sat opposite of them.

"Dale is paying for this house call, so I'm fine with giving you all the time you need Heather." Debroah said, trying to break the ice.

Carla laughed, and asked if she wanted something to drink. Debroah declined and opened her briefcase. When she saw Heather looking up at her, she started talking.

"I'm not gonna sugarcoat this Heather, you are d-o-n-e screwed. The only thing we can do now, is try to mitigate the damage."

"I don't want a divorce. I'll fight until I'm dead."

"That's an option, but we have a bigger problem, you're going to jail."

"I can't go to jail!" Heather yelled.

"Is there anything you can do?" Carla asked.

"I can probably strike a deal where you turn yourself in Monday morning, spend an hour or two in lockup, then get in front of a judge for bail and be out shortly afterwards, if you can afford the bail."

Before Heather could answer, there was another knock on the door. Carla went to answer it.

"As long as it isn't ridiculous, that won't be a problem."

They looked up and saw Carla was back with a stranger that Heather didn't recognize.

"Heather Stewart?" he asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"Can I see some identification."

Heather immediately knew what was happening.

"Hell no you can't, and you can tell Cory and Dale that I'm not signing shit." Heather screamed.

"I'm her attorney, I can accept it." Debroah said, reaching her hand out.

The man handed it to Debroah and took a picture of the two of them, then Carla showed him out. When she returned she sat down next to Heather and hugged her, as Debroah was reading it.

"He's asking for full custody of Cory Jr and...."

That was all Heather heard as she fainted onto the kitchen table.

Ninety-days post being served.

Dale and Cory were at one table, while Debroah and Heather were at the other table. They were all waiting for the family court judge to come out of chambers. Cory leaning forward onto the table with his hands clasped together. Dale leaned back into his chair. Heather had her head on her arms crying, while Debroah just rubbed her back in comfort.

Sitting behind Heather were her mother Wilma, her friend Carla, and her boss Tina. She was grateful for everyone sticking with her. Tina could've easily fired her for cause, after she turned herself in for hitting Cory. Thanks to Dale and Debroah, they talked the DA into doing an immediate sentencing to a lesser charge. The judge accepted. She was sentenced to 7 days in jail, which was suspended, one year of probation, fined five-hundred dollars, and ordered to complete an anger management course.

The first hearing sixty days ago, the family court judge ordered temporary custody of Cory Jr and residency of the martial home to Cory. Carla helped Heather find an apartment that leased month to month. Cory didn't keep her from Jr, regularly spending at least an hour or two with him every evening. She'd sometimes stay for supper. Her and Cory were able to sit down and be cordial with each other, but the moment she tried to talk to him about their relationship, he'd ask her to leave.

One hundred twenty days post being served.

Heather pulled in the driveway of her old home, and saw Cory Jr come running outside with her mother Wilma behind him. She picked Jr up and asked her mother if Cory was inside. Heather immediately knew something was off, when she saw her face.

"What's wrong mom?" she asked, putting Jr down.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but he's out on a date." Wilma replied.

Heather felt herself stop breathing, as her eyes filled with tears. She'd always known that this would probably happen, but she wasn't ready to actually know about it. She kept it together long enough for Jr to run back inside. As the tears fell from her eyes, and without thinking, she asked her mother one question.

"Was she pretty?"

"No. You're much prettier than she is."

Wilma tried to keep a neutral face, but Heather saw it. She walked over and cried into her mother's shoulder.

Divorce Court.

Cory and Heather sat at their respective tables with their attorneys. Nobody could believe that it had come to this. Everyone had hoped that they'd get back together. They all knew that Heather had screwed up. That Cory had every right to be angry, upset, hurt and to even go out and get revenge.

Heather had put on some weight. She was eating her weight in food, and not exactly eating the healthiest of diets now. She was also drinking the same in wine. Cory had put on more lean muscle that he had before. Since he was always the one pushing for better foods, nothing changed for him.

As kid do, Cory Jr had adapted well. He started working out with Cory at the gym. He was such a hit with the ladies, and the guys loved having a little guy to joke around with between sets. He understood that Heather had done something very wrong, but he was always able to see her when he wanted.

The judge walked in and ordered court in session. As he listed off all the things that had been agreed to, Heather broke down sobbing loudly. Debroah rubbed her hand up and down Heathers' back, trying to give some sort of comfort. She looked over at her counterpart Dale and Cory. Dale was doing the same thing to Cory, as he was looking straight ahead, with tears falling down his face. She'd always thought that he was being a stubborn, unfeeling hardass; but now she was seeing the sadness in him too.

After a few more minutes, the judge officially declared the divorce final, and banged his gavel down, ending the proceeding.

Nothing was said by anybody. This whole ordeal had been a drain on not just Heather and Cory, but also on Debroah and Dale. Debroah had never seen a client completely spiral like Heather had. She'd gotten violent, as she watched her marriage ending before her eyes. Dale saw that Cory was putting up a front. He had focused on his son and trying to keep things as good as they could be for him.

As Heather and Debroah got up from their table, a women approached them and introduced herself.

"I'm sorry for your pain and suffering Heather. My name is Margaret McGloin. I believe you knew my husband Max."

"Look lady, there's no reason for you to be causing trouble at a time like this," Debroah said, as she waved to the bailiff.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to thank you. Cory is a wonderful man. I'm very much looking forward to getting to know him better now that this is all over." Margaret said.

Heather and Debroah watched as Margaret walked over and gave Cory a hug, as they smiled at each other. Dale walked over to them, and shook Debroah's hand.

"Did you know about her?" Heather asked.

"I only found out yesterday. If it helps, they haven't slept together yet." Dale replied.

"Heather. It's time to let it go. I'm sorry." Debroah said.

They all glanced over, as they watched Cory and Margaret walk out the door holding hands and smiling.

Heathers apartment.

Cory Jr was sitting on the couch with Wilma watching Harriet The Spy for the umpteenth time. While she was tired of the seeing the movie, Wilma loved spending time with her grandson. They heard the door open and heard Heather crying. She tried to get up to warn Heather that Jr was here, but she came into the front room before she could. Heather froze when she saw Jr standing next to the couch.

"What are you doing here sweetie?" she asked, as she knelt down and hugged him.

"I'm staying here until Dad get back on Sunday. Don't you remember him telling you?"

"No honey. I'm sorry I forgot." Heather said wiping her eyes.

"I've already got supper in the crockpot." Wilma said, hugging her daughter.

Heather felt herself start to cry again into her mother's shoulder. She felt Jr put his arms around her leg and hug her as well. She had lost her husband, the love of her life, but she still had the love of her mother and her son. Pulling away from Wilma, she asked.

"Where did Cory say he was going?"

"Hold on." Jr said, as he let go and ran to get his notebook off the couch.

"He dropped off the itinerary last week. I think you put it in your room." Wilma replied.

"He's going to Hawaii with Margaret, and she's going to wear him down to a knub." Jr said, reading from his notebook.

Heather whimpered when she heard her son.

"Where did you hear that?" Wilma asked.

"Margaret said that when they were talking in the kitchen. They didn't know I was there. I'm getting really good at sneaking and spying." Cory said smiling.

"What else have you heard?" Heather asked, sitting down on the couch.

"Heather. Don't go down this road. It's not fair." Wilma said.

"Dad refuses to kiss her until the divorce is final, though she's kissed him on the cheek. Also, Aunt Carla and Uncle Dale spend a lot of time at the house."

"What do they talk about?" she asked Jr.

"They talk about you a lot. Dad still loves you, but he can't trust you because you lied for ten years."

Heather whimpered again, and Wilma just huffed.

"Uncle Dale thinks that dad just needs just to go bang a few women and things will be OK. Aunt Carla keeps saying that it's not that simple. Once trust is gone, it takes a long time to get it back."

"Well, your Aunt Carla is right sweetie." Heather said.

Cory Jr closed his notebook and looked at Heather.

"Mom. I know you cheated on dad. I know that there was a time when he thought that I wasn't his son, but the DNA test proved that I am."

"How do you know all of this" Heather asked.

"I found the test results and asked him. Dad always tells the truth."

"I know he does. It's one of the many reasons that I love your father."

"I know you do mom. Dad told me that he'll tell me everything that happened when I'm old enough to fully understand. Until then, I'm to listen and love you because you're a great mother and you love me not matter what."

"Alright, that enough Jr. Why don't you go into the kitchen and pick out what kind of sandwich you want for lunch." Wilma said.

Wilma hugged Heather into her, and let her cry some more.

"For the record, I think Dale is right. Cory needs time to figure things out. He'll see that there's nobody in the world better for him than you."

"What if he finds someone that rocks his world, and is better in bed?"

"Don't you think that he thought the same thing when you slept with that other guy?"

"Yeah, you're probably right." Heather replied wiping her eyes.

"I'm always gonna be on your side. Do I think he went too far with getting a divorce, yes, but I can see his side of it. I also know my daughter. I know you regret what you did. I know you love Cory. I know that you'll do anything to be with him again, and would never do anything like that again. I truly think that you'll end up back together."

It was at that moment that Jr popped into the front room.

"Why do you keep buying salami, it tastes like butt."

Heather and Wilma broke out laughing and walked into the kitchen for lunch. As Heather sat down and watched her mother and son, make sandwiches and get some chips out of the cupboard, she thought to herself, that even though it's bad now, it'll all work out in the end. She just had to have faith, and focus on her family.