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Before you send me the name of your divorce lawyer, therapist, or favorite single’s bar, read on.
Do you remember the first piece you wrote that made you push away from your computer (or paper) and say, “Hey! That is pretty good!”? And can you remember your shaking hands when you gave it to someone to read and then holding your breath while waiting for their response?
I do.
This short story, “My Husband’s Mistress” was that piece of writing for me. In my professional life, I had been writing for years but it was boring business documents, grants, annual reports and the like. Writing this piece was the first time I let my creativity out of its cage and the words bounded onto the page like puppies after a good nap.
My Husband’s Mistress
By Robin Coyle
My husband has taken a mistress. And I, the ever-supportive wife, unwittingly encouraged him to do so.
It started out innocent enough. Our neighbor mentioned that my husband should meet his friend. He described the friend as athletic, outdoorsy, and quite fun. He thought they would have a lot in common and he was right.
An introduction was made and they hit it off right away. A serious friendship was slow to develop however. They would get together for occasional outings; sometimes in a group and sometimes just one-on-one. As my husband and his new friend got to know each other, they started to spend more time together. My husband is an attentive spouse and devoted father. Because he doesn’t like to take time away from the family, he doesn’t go out with friends much. So I, again the ever-supportive wife, encouraged him to branch out and spend quality time with his new friend.
They find interesting places to explore together. Roads less traveled and favorite old haunts beckon them. This new friend is strong, as is my husband, and they push each other to embrace higher levels of fitness, better technique, and endurance. They like to test the outer edges of their physical limits so it is a perfect match. The more they push each other, the more drawn they are to each other. It is all about competition, the challenge, and the next extreme adventure. My husband reached his new fitness level because of this attraction to his friend.
The new friend is eye-catching and alluring. The Italian heritage, with a bit of Japanese mixed in, gives this friend an intercontinental, sleek, and exotic aura. The friend is provocative with sex appeal that is a blend of coquette and siren. Animal magnetism and seduction wrapped up in a glamorous package. With a tight body and frame engineered by an angel, the friend has an element of beauty and intensity most men could never dream of having in a companion . . . expensive and unattainable for most.
When they go out together people want to talk about my husband’s friend. They ask how they met and how they spend their time together in training. They get noticed. They turn heads. They make a statement. No wonder. My handsome husband and his sexy partner look like they could grace the cover of a magazine.
I should have noticed things were serious with their relationship when my husband began to buy new clothes to wear when they went out together. These clothes are not run-of-the-mill outfits, but expensive European numbers that show off his new muscular physic. These items were things he never would have been caught dead in before. Gone were the safe businessman’s navy, brown, or black socks he usually wore. The socks he now buys have bold patterns and match his outfits. Then came new shoes too – fancy Italian models with intricate buckles and straps. He bought a hat to go along with the more racy outfits. It mattered how he looked when they went out on their adventures. This was from a guy who was most comfortable in broken-in blue jeans and a tee shirt soft with age. I knew I was in trouble when he bought his friend gifts of expensive accessories and high-tech gadgetry. He would do this without a word to me. I got new pots and pans for my birthday. Oh dear.
My husband’s eating habits changed. He now craves Italian food, in particular, pasta. He says he is “carbo-loading,” but I now know better. I’m sure it was his Italian friend’s influence. Mysterious supplements, energy bars, and disgusting sounding gel-packs appear on our garage workbench. The spur-of-the-moment-run to the ice cream parlor to stave off his powerful after-dinner sweet tooth has been replaced with a yogurt and banana in front of the television. Where food had been his guilty-pleasure, his eating energy is now focused on nutrition, power, speed, and performance. He turns his nose up if my meals have butter, sour cream, or velvety sauces. He used to love my comfort-food-dinners, but my husband is now a health-conscience food snob. You know, I think he is a hypocrite. I overheard him saying that he ate six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the last time he was out with his friend on a daylong adventure. Was he bragging or astonished by the number of calories he consumed?
For a time, all of this was fine with me. My husband was happy, in great shape, and the day’s stress melted away when he was with his friend. However, the amount of time they wanted to spend together escalated. They did their best to not let it interfere with family time, but after a while it did. As a result, my husband decided to take his friend to work with him so they could be together during the workweek. He coerced a work colleague to abet in this tryst by driving them to work. His email was filled with messages about things they could do together. Our dinner table conversation centered on what was new in their friendship. My husband would disappear into the garage for hours to get ready for each new excursion. They joined a club that centered on their common interests, held meetings, offered advice, and organized events. The club even traveled and ate together as a group. My husband’s relationship with this friend became all consuming . . . an obsession. I should have seen the handwriting on the wall.
It all came to a head and I exploded in a fit of jealous rage when my husband surreptitiously cut a romantic weekend away with me short. I discovered he did it so he could be with this friend.
So you ask, who is my husband’s mistress? Who is this seductress that stole his heart, mind, body, and soul?
His bicycle.
The irony is I am happy for them. She makes him happy, healthy, and fit. How could I be mad about something that brings such unadulterated pleasure to the man I love. And, it’s not another woman. Ride on honey . . .
What are your memories of your first creative-writing experience?
Or as my wise old grandmother said (Not!): “Money can’t buy you happiness but it can buy you lots of things that can make you happy”…………..lol
I think that is YOUR motto!
I had a feeling you were going there…my husbands girlfriend is a fast moving raven trollop with a V8 engine. (2002 Trans Am)
But then again I have a girlfriend too, she is a 72 year old girl with luscious curves. We spend long hours getting to know each other (1940 oldsmobile)
Curvy 72-year-old! Awesome!
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Hehe! I expected a twist, but not that 🙂
Oh good! Exactly what I was hoping to hear!
That was worthy of pushing away from your desk and saying, ohhh I like it. I remember that moment and you’ve not only give me a great story to read but a reminder of my own push away writing. Thanks!
Your comment has given ALL of us a reminder to push away from our writing (when worthy) and say, “not bad Mr./Ms. Writer!”
Thanks for thinking “My Husband’s Mistress” was a worthy-moment.
What was your first moment?
Robin, It was a little story I wrote about a wisp of wind that had a scarf collection from all the people it had twisted and turned its way through and how those scarves all had a story. Thanks for reminding me of it. I love those moments.
I love the premise. Are you willing to share it? I’d love to read it…please?
I shall dig it out and pop it up on my blog. Look at you, daring and introvert to share. 🙂
Awesome!
Great story – all the little details! I loved it!
The positive feedback has been wonderful. Thank you for letting me know you liked it! What a nice blog day it has been.
Great story, super twist! This is an excellent first ever short story — good for you! 😎
Thanks Judith! You flatter me and that tickles me no end!
You are welcome — I thoroughly enjoyed the story!
Loved your story! It wasn’t until I was nearly to the end that it occurred to me the mistress was probably inanimate. In the beginning I was ready to kill the mistress and throw cold water on the wife. Great idea for the story. Absolutely enjoyed reading it. Thank you.
Yes, I DO remember my first time and I still have that piece (around 1968), I was biting my nails, waiting for a (positive, please please a positive) response. Nowadays, I get all whoozy and feel ill. Everytime. The more I am in LOVE with the piece, the harder the waiting becomes
You made my day! Thank you so much and I’m glad you liked it. I thought long and hard about posting the story because opening myself up to potential criticism was scary!
I’d love to read your piece from l968. Care to share it?
Again, thank you for your kind words and willingness to kill the “mistress” for me!
Dear Robin,
You’re a good writer and a lucky woman.
Aloha,
Doug
Why thank you Doug and I am a lucky woman!
I was certain it would be a new puppy! Nice!
Thanks! It was fun to write.
That was really well done! (reminds me strongly of my husband’s relationship with Aikido).
And that sign about bikes? I have a similar one posted on my facebook that says “You can’t buy happiness but you can buy books and that’s kind of the same thing”. 🙂
I can’t remember the first time I gave creative writing to someone…it was much to long ago…but I’m still just as nervous doing so now as I was then!
Thanks Em! I’m glad you liked it. Aikido is a martial art, right?
Isn’t it a strange blend of emotions when you hand someone your work to read? You are proud of it and nervous at the same time.
Yes, it is a martial art. And agreed, it is quite the jumble of emotions when you choose to share something so personal.
By the way, I have no idea why my pic/link isn’t showing up on your site…I changed my gravatar today and it is working on a few blogs I follow but not all…hopefully it is just taking some time to catch up.
cheers!
Oh good, working now. 🙂
Ah! Great. I wonder what was up with that.