Silence Gives Consent

JAQUELINE

“I don’t know what to say, Jack. I thought he worshipped you. I never would have thought he was capable of this,” Rena said.

“Russ had me so blind to what was happening that I never thought it possible either,” I said. We were sitting in her kitchen, eating ice cream and pizza. An hour and a half had passed since I arrived, and I already felt better just by being with her. I couldn’t thank God enough for giving me a friend like Rena.

My phone rang, and my attention came back to reality.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Mast, this is Harris McAlpin. I have some news for you.”

“Please, tell me,” I answered. My stomach did a flip, knowing that I was not going to like what I was about to hear.

“Your husband came home, and he wasn’t alone. A blonde woman accompanied him. If you want to catch them in the act, now would be the time. Some women find it helpful,” he said in a sad voice.

My heart clenched. What did I want? Would it help to see it with my own eyes, or would I be better off without seeing it? Part of me still wanted to trust my husband, and I was afraid I wouldn’t lose that unless I saw it with my own eyes. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go alone though.

“Would you and my friend go with me?” I asked. “I want it videoed, so there is no doubt. I don’t trust myself to be able to hold a camera still.”

Rena took my hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“I’ll stay. See you soon,” Harris said and hung up.

“Let’s go catch the shithead,” Rena said.

***

The drive over was short and silent. I was thankful Rena understood my need to be quiet. I needed to prepare myself.

As quietly as possible, we entered the house. The alarm wasn’t on. We slowly walked up the stairs. From the top of the stairs, I could hear squeals. They sounded so fake that I almost thought he was just watching porn.

“That’s right! You’re Daddy’s little whore!” I heard my husband call out. A slap, that must have been on her ass, rang out. It wasn’t porn.

I stood outside the bedroom door for a moment, gathering my strength. I could hear them telling each other how much they loved each other and all sorts of dirty little things. I bit the bullet and opened the door.

My husband was plowing into Casey, the receptionist, from behind. The sight of that alone was horrible but wasn’t even the worst part. She was wearing my wedding dress.

“Tell me I’m better than her! Tell me you love me more than her!” Casey screamed.

“You’re better than Jaqueline, and I love you more! You are my perfect match!” Russ groaned.

Casey cackled like a crazy woman, and the two laughed, never stopping their movements. They hadn’t noticed three people watching them. Harris and Rena were both getting all of this on film.

I decided that I’d had enough. I walked into my closet and pulled out my suitcase. I started packing everything I could as fast as I could. I was making all kinds of noise, and yet the two of them kept going. What the fuck were they on that they couldn’t hear me?

I pulled my bag out of the closet and looked at Rena. There were tears in her eyes. Her heart was breaking for me. I couldn’t love her more for it. Harris gave me a nod.

“I’m gonna cum!” Russ yelled out.

“I hope you wrapped it first. If I got an infection from you, it’s going to be so much worse for you in the divorce,” I said calmly.

Russ’s head whipped around. Casey’s did the same, but I saw the wicked smirk on her face. Russ opened and closed his mouth, gulping like a dying fish. He quickly pulled out. And guess what? No condom.

“Harris, will the no condom help me in court?” I asked, looking over at him.

“Absolutely. I would go get checked immediately,” he said stoically.

“Harris McAlpin?” Russ said. Then he noticed the cameras. “Jack, it means nothing, I swear! It’s a one-time mistake! Please, you have to believe me. I love you and only you,” he said, trying to walk toward me.

“Suuuuure you do, as you walk toward her with your dirty dick out!” Rena yelled.

Russ stopped in his tracks and looked down as if he’d only just realized that he was naked. Casey was sitting up like some kind of debutante in my wedding dress. I looked her straight in the eye and saw nothing but gloating.

“You can have my wedding dress and my husband. Secondhand isn’t really my style. So, why don’t you keep them both and save me the trouble.” I turned to Russ. “My lawyer will set up a time for me to get the rest of my things. Goodbye, Russ. I hope everything works out for you and your new friend there,” I said and turned to grab my luggage.

Harris and Rena were both still filming. Harris said we needed to keep filming as long as we were in their presence. Anything could happen, and he wanted to have plenty of evidence.

The entire way down the stairs, I could hear my shitty husband calling my name. He was pleading for me to stop and let him explain. There was nothing in this world that would have made me stop and listen to him.

“Just so you know, Jaqueline. We’re having a baby,” Casey called out.

“Shit,” Russ whispered.

I said nothing and never turned around. It felt like fate just wanted to kick me while I was down. I had given up years of my life to make sure he was getting what he wanted out of our marriage, and now they were getting the family I had always wanted.

All the times that Russ had told me he wasn’t ready came rushing back. He had all but forced me to take birth control, and there he was, having sex without a condom with his mistress. Having a child with her. That was what hurt the most.

“Jack! Please stop! Please talk to me!” Russ yelled as he chased me out the door.

“You may want to put some pants on before someone calls the cops on you.” Harris’s voice was even and a little angry.

I turned and looked. Russ had run out of the house completely naked. Our neighborhood was a nice, quiet suburb, and I was sure all the yelling had already attracted attention. Mrs. Spenser, our nosy neighbor across the street, had probably already called the police.

“Jack! Stop!” Russ shouted, pulling a gun out from behind his back. He pointed it in our direction, and I froze. When did he get a gun? Russ had never had a gun in the house before. I prayed someone had called the cops.

As if God heard me, an unmarked cruiser sped up the driveway. It came to a stop, headlights putting a spotlight on Russ in all his naked glory.

Two men stepped out of the car. The first was a tall blond. His dimples showed as he gave me a slight smile to signal he was here to help. I saw Rena stand a little straighter at the sight of him.

The second could only be described as droolworthy. He was tall and had muscles on his muscles. His black hair was cut short on the sides and longer on the top. As soon as he got close to us, I noticed he had the deepest blue eyes I had ever seen.