I suggest you don't blindly trust her like I did. I thought she was totally incapable of being deceptive, but I'm obviously a schmuck. Now, what else can I tell you? Oh, yeah. If she's true to form, she'll probably stop going to the gym in about 6 to 12 months and stack on a bit of weight.
At this point, Dave stood and retrieved a photo album from a shelf and leafed through the pages. Here's a couple of photos from 2 years ago when she started going for her girls' nights. As you can see, her face and back get a little chubby. She never could lose the little pot. But after two kids, who would be surprised at that?
Mike flipped a few pages and saw a chubbier version of his fiance with far less makeup on than he'd ever seen. He was slightly stunned at the difference a little makeup made. He continued flipping back through the pages. Is this Deb's mother? I can see the strong resemblance, Mike asked.
Yes, it is. Hang on a minute. Dave stood again and retrieved a few more albums and flipped through them. As you can see, she was a fine-looking woman. This is her when she was about 50.
She was a very striking woman still. Dave picked up another album and opened it to a page. He waited for Mike to state the obvious. God, how old is she in this one? Mike asked.
About 55. She was one of those women that as soon as she hit menopause around 52 or 53, rapidly lost her looks. She took it very gracefully though. Just said that she thanked God for the outward beauty she'd been blessed with for so long. Dave watched as Mike alternated staring at the two photographs.
He remembered two months ago when he'd celebrated Deb's 49th birthday early because she wanted to spend her actual birthday weekend with her sister. He did notice that Mike seemed to have lost his easy smile and pushed home his advantage. Now, I promised to tell you all the mistakes I made that failed to get her to stay in love with me. I suggest you try a different approach. Mine was obviously flawed.
Dave paused to pour them fresh glasses of champagne. Now, if it's anything like 25 years ago, she'll want a flash wedding like ours. I tried to object saying we'd be better putting the cash into a house, but she guilted me into it. She said that if I had faith that we were going to be together forever, then I wouldn't resent splurging out on a big day for her. I'll hunt you up a copy of our wedding vows if you like.
From memory, we stuck to the traditional love, honor, obey, and forsaking all others. If you try something different, you may do better than me. Not really relevant for you, but don't bother working your fingers to the bone and do crap loads of overtime so she can get the flash house she always wanted. That obviously didn't keep her legs together. While I'm at it, don't bother nursing her for 2 months if she gets glandular fever again.
It didn't do me any good. Nor did going into debt so she could have the breast implants and tummy tucks she wanted 2 years ago. Actually, thinking about it, we're probably right here because I refused to pay for the facelift she wanted, preferring to put the money into our retirements. She can be quite persistent when she has her heart set on something. You've probably noticed.
Mike nodded while wondering if that characteristic of Debs was really the admirable quality he'd held her to have. Now, I thought I was being smart by taking her on a date night every month and making a point of inviting her to discuss anything about me or our relationship that was starting to niggle. You know, causing the slightest resentment type of thing. Our last date was less than a month ago and she didn't say anything. A man of your caliber will be able to think of a better way, I'm sure.
At that point, Mike noticed the twinkle in Dave's eyes and suddenly realized what he was up to. Nevertheless, he'd made some good points. The point of Deb being completely free from guile resonated strongly with some thoughts of his own in recent times. He was so put off by Dave's apparent amusement at this whole scenario that he ignored his internal alarm bells again. Dave kept talking despite the fact they were both obviously aware that Deb had stopped descending the stairs, easily within earshot.
Keep an eye out for lists of things she intends to remove from the house when you separate. That is a good clue that she's already treating your marriage with contempt and meeting your replacement. It won't change what will happen that much, but it will allow you to mentally prepare for the end game that she has planned and spur you to start digging elsewhere for other evidence. Mike blinked and looked around. For the first time, he saw the three champagne glasses and ice bucket.
Clear evidence that all three persons present knew about today's meeting beforehand when it should have been just two. In the high intensity of his entrance, his normal highly observant nature missed the clues. Dave watched Mike's eyes flicker around the scene. Yes. I knew it was tonight.
Deb rang me twice today to make sure I was going to be home by 7:00. Mike's eyes left Dave's and flicked towards where Deb was halfway down the stairs. Deb restarted her descent, obviously pretending that she hadn't overheard the last few minutes of conversation. Dave, do you want to talk about which of the family photos I can take now or do it some other day? She asked.
Dave ignored her and leaned towards the couch opposite, keeping eye contact with his rival. The last thing I think I may have done wrong was to forgive Deb the first time I caught her cheating on our marriage. What? Mike asked. No, from Deborah's mouth as it retreated at speed with the rest of her into the kitchen.
Yes, it was just after the birth of our second child. I forgave her because she and our counselor convinced me it was a one-off mistake brought on by postnatal depression. I've often wondered if I was too soft on her. Maybe a harder line at the time may have prevented it from happening again. I justified my actions at the time as being in the best interests of the kids.
They've grown up to be fine adults, so hopefully I did the right thing by them. For her sake, I hope you're generous enough to forgive her when your time comes. I don't know what to say, Dave. Mike muttered. No need to say anything, Mike.
Just answer me this. Look in your heart and ask yourself if you would have forgiven your late wife if you'd caught her with someone in your own bed. For the first time in almost an hour, Mike lost his cool. He leaned forward. Dave saw movement out of the corner of his eye and glanced to see an ashen-faced Deborah standing in the kitchen doorway.