was wrong.
Rachael opened the door. “Mommy is sick. I am taking care of her.”
I walked into the house, went to the bedroom, and Marilyn looked terrible. I asked, “What’s the matter?”
She said, “After you left Salva, Gilbert and Eli came by and we smoked weed. It made me sick. You should have stayed; we had a blast.”
I sighed, ran my fingers through my hair. “I am taking the kids to the park. We will be back and check on you in an hour or so.”
Marilyn nodded and rolled on her side.
We were gone two hours and had a wonderful time; I bought the kids ice cream and took them home, only to find a Mercedes in the driveway. We went inside and the three men were there. Marilyn was up and all four of them were smoking weed or marijuana. I took the kids to the backyard and sat on the porch and watched them play.
The first to come out was Gilbert. He offered me a smoke and I took one against my better judgement. I didn’t want to be an old scrooge.
By the time that I had finished that first joint, I was feeling pretty good.
I went into the house and smoke was everywhere.
Marilyn smiled a silly smile at me. “You told me to stay away from booze; I have. You didn’t say anything about weed.”
I looked at my watch. It was nearly three. I took Marilyn by the arm. “I have to go. You get these guys out of here, air out your house, feed the kids and cut the horseplay out. I will call CPS if I have to.” They would take the kids away from Marilyn.
My anger peaked as I left and went to my apartment. I put my clothes in the washing machine and I took a long, thorough shower. I ate a small dinner and left for Sharon’s at seven.
As soon as I walked in the door, she sniffed me and said, “You smell like marijuana. Where have you been?”
I told her all about my date with Marilyn and the joints. I showed her the two that I still had in my pocket. She shook her head at me, took one of the joints and lit it up.
We wound up smoking both joints, which led to early sex. I went home before midnight, wondering about women in general.
Sunday, I went to my church. I sat by myself, but my two kids came and sat by me, then Marilyn came and sat with me. Sharon glared at me; I raised my eyes and made a face at her.
After the service was over, Sharon asked me for lunch. We went to a cafeteria, and who should we see, Marilyn and the three men sitting with my kids. I was furious. I wasn’t sure what all was going on, but I had the desire to call CPS. I was certain that her house still smelled like marijuana.
Sharon and I finished our meal and we went our separate ways. She seemed to understand that I needed to be alone.
That afternoon I stewed. I wanted to call Marilyn in the worst way. I was worried about my kids.
Sunday night, I met Julie at the hotel. It was so nice to be with a mature woman that had it all together. She was only twenty-four but quite mature for her age. She didn’t have any children, but told me that she wanted children. She had filed for divorce and asked me where I stood. I told her, “I have filed, but it hasn’t gone too far. We are waiting on the next hearing.”
She gave me lots of good advice. I got the impression that I should dump both Marilyn and Sharon and just go on with Julie. There was just one thing that I couldn’t figure out: what did she see in me? She was probably the best-looking woman that I had ever seen. I couldn’t imagine her husband leaving her for his secretary. Then she told me something that made a difference: her husband had been fifty-two. She expected to be a millionaire after the divorce. I kind of liked that in her.
This night, Julie was nothing but a lady. She would make a good wife. She knew how to act; it seemed to come natural to her.
She had to leave at eleven, so I walked her to her car. It was a white Cadillac, a very beautiful car. Must have cost someone a fortune.
I went home to the apartment and went to bed. I had dreams of Marilyn sleeping with all three of the men. I woke up covered in sweat. I realized in that moment that I had to cut Marilyn loose. The jury was out on Sharon. Julie was in the lead. I was really feeling like I was in the driver’s seat. There was only one problem: my kids. Was I going to fight for them?
Monday morning, I waited until ten to call Marilyn. “You are getting pretty tight with those guys. They are going to get you into trouble. You had better leave them and the drugs alone. They will try you on cocaine next.”
She said, “We tried that yesterday. I didn’t like it.”
I was getting angry. “I don’t like the way you are carrying on around the kids. Either stop it or give me the kids and you can play all you want to.”
She surprised me. “You come home and I will be the perfect wife and mother to your children. I will even have more children for you.”
It was out before I could stop it. “I am not coming home. I am proceeding with the divorce.”
She was silent, then said, “Then don’t try and tell me how to live my life. You stay out of mine and I will leave you and Bimbo alone.”
I made another critical mistake. “I am not seeing Bimbo anymore!”
I could see Marilyn’s smile. “What happened? Did she cut you off?”
My lips tightened. “There is nothing between us, never was. It was just a fluke. But I am warning you, you keep doing the drugs and I will take the kids from you.”
She started to speak, then hung up the phone. I laid mine down on my desk.
I picked it up and called Julie. “Want to go out Friday night?”
She slowly said, “I am sorry, Brandon, I already have a date Friday night.”
I was hurt but managed to say. “Okay, how about Saturday?”
She was quick. “Yeah, that sounds fine. About eight, okay?”
I nodded like she could see me. “Sounds good. See you at eight!”
I didn’t hear from Marilyn or Sharon all week, so I went out alone Friday night and did my best to not get involved with any bar flies. I played a lot of video games. It seemed like everyone else playing was just a kid. Several of the young girls or women batted their eyes at me, but I ignored them. I didn’t get drunk, but got very close.
When I drove home, I was very careful with my driving and I just went to my apartment.
Saturday morning I called Marilyn. “May I have the kids next weekend?”
She was snotty. “Sure, pick them up at the daycare. I will be out of town. You can stay at the house if you like.”
Not only did I wonder where she was going, I wondered who she was going with, but I left it alone and just hung up the phone.
That afternoon, there was absolutely nothing for me to do. I had never been so bored. I tried getting excited about Julie, but my thoughts just kept going back to Marilyn, wondering what she was doing at that moment.
Saturday night I met Julie at the same hotel and we danced and drank. Neither of us was feeling any pain when she asked me to follow her home.
I followed her into a gated community and to one of the biggest houses that I had ever seen. It was just short of being a castle or mansion. She must be incredibly rich.
I stood outside the house staring at it.
Julie came up to me. “It is my husband’s house, but I expect to get it in the divorce. Come on, I will show you around.”
She showed me the entire house, the backyard, the pool, hot tub, the tennis courts, and a real putting green. It sat on a golf course and must have been worth twenty million, maybe more.
We went swimming and then got in the hot tub.
I looked at Julie. “I know we don’t know each other too well, but how would you like to live together?”
She made a face and seemed to be thinking.
“I promised my mother that I wouldn’t live with a guy unless I was married to him.”
I made a face back at her. “Okay, let’s get married.”
She lowered her head and stared at me. “That’s the worst pro
posal that I have ever heard.”
I got down on my knee. “Julie, will you marry me?”
She pulled me up beside her and hugged me. “Let’s get divorced first, then talk about it.”
I smiled. “Okay, want to go steady?”
She smiled. “You’re angry about my date last night, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “Julie, I want you all for myself.”
She softened. “Brandon, I have strong feelings for you, but I am not sure if it is love. But I promise you, I won’t get serious with anyone else.”
I stood up. “Well, I guess it’s time for me to go home.” I was hoping that she would ask me to stay. She didn’t though.
She handed me a white beach towel. I dried off, got dressed, and kissed her as I left.
Sunday morning I went to church. The sermon was on being faithful to God and your mate or spouse. I thought the pastor was talking directly at me.
When church was over, I snuck out a side door and left quietly.
Monday, I went to work with a chip on my shoulder. Marilyn was acting so weird and Sharon was ignoring me. Julie was acting too straight-laced. I felt like I had gone from three women in my life to none. I was an unhappy person living on the edge. That is, I was wondering where my life was going. Where I thought it was going, I didn’t like, and I didn’t know how to steer it in any other direction.
Tuesday and Wednesday were not much better. I felt like I was fighting depression. The only exciting thing in my life was that I was going to be with my kids this weekend. That made me smile.
Thursday, Marilyn called me. “Johnny has the sniffles. I took him to the doctor; he has medicine to take in the