Neverending February

This story is popular and has had so many alternates created that I'm sure mine will get lost in the shuffle. But that's okay. I see this as a writing exercise. After reading the original and other takes on it, I conjured up my own idea and wanted to put it out into the world. This isn't a BTB or RAAC story. Where others have taken the anger and rage and (in my opinion) toxic misogyny to Everest highs, I'm going to go a bit more subdued. I've always found silence more dangerous than rage. You've probably heard the saying "it's always the quiet ones", well I've taken that to heart in a literary sense. This will be a story of mistakes. Psychological impact. Miscommunication. Lack of empathy and sympathy and a toxic world akin to the old world of Pride and Prejudice. The old world of quiet dignity and an underpinning of gossip and vitriol that simmers beneath.

Some of you will hate this. Find it boring. And that's okay. If you like the BTB stuff there's plenty of other versions out there that will wet your whistle. All that to say, here is my version. I hope you enjoy.

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"Jim, Linda loves you. She loves you and the children more than anything else in the world, and she always will, and you know it. But she is spending tonight with Marc."

I stood there with my mouth open, looking stupid as my world ended. Pictures whirled madly through my mind, or what was left of it. Linda at the top of the stairs in her beautiful blue dress. Linda at dinner; Linda at the club; Linda as we fed wings to each other. Linda in someone else's arms. My anger rose.

"She just... left me?" The words came out in a confused daze.

"Jim, she hasn't left you. She'll come home to you tomorrow, and you'll have plenty of other special nights together." Dee patted my arm, the smile on her face suffused with pity. But pity for what I couldn't say.

"Why wouldn't she tell me she was leaving me? She just snuck out?"

"Jim, listen to me. She hasn't left you..." Dee seemed almost annoyed at having to repeat herself.

"Well, if she hasn't left me, then where the hell is she?" My voice rose and I didn't care who heard me.

"Please, Jim. Settle down. People are staring. Listen, I know this hurts right now. But it's just for tonight, maybe tomorrow at best. Linda knows, we all know, that you're the only man for her and you always will be. You're the good guy."

I stared at Dee, someone who was supposed to be my friend. Our friend. Now it was like she was a Pod Person. Replaced by a facsimile. I always knew that among all of us, Dee was the one with looser morals. But I never thought... never thought this...

"If I'm the good guy then why am I alone? Guess the saying is true then? Nice guy's finish last?" My voice was tinged with bitter despair.

"Jim, it isn't like that. You're making way too big a deal out of this. It's only tonight, then she'll come back to you tomorrow and everything will be just like it was before." The way she spoke it seemed like I was supposed to understand. In fact the look in her eyes told me just that. Dee expected me to go along. As if this were some sort of common occurrence.

I never denied Linda anything. Why would I? But now I was being asked to accept a night, maybe two, of infidelity as if it were just like my wife going on an expensive shopping spree.

"What was your role in all this? Did you even need to go to the restroom? Did she tell you to stall me?"

"Yes, she asked me to do that, because she didn't want you to embarrass yourself by making a scene. She asked me to make sure you understand she loves you. She will always come home to you and the kids. So don't let this one night get to you."

"I don't suppose it occurred to you she might lose me over this?" I wasn't sure how I was keeping my voice level. How I wasn't yelling and screaming.

Dee looked me in the eye incredulously. "No, Jim. It didn't. She won't lose you over this. You're too good a man to let that happen. We all know how lucky she is. She's lucky because the man that every woman in the room wanted, wanted her; but she's even luckier because she has a husband who loves her enough to give her this opportunity. And yes, we knew you'd be upset, that's understandable. She's fully prepared to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to make it up to you." There is was again, this sort of confidence that my agreeing to sit at home and just... wait for my wife to come home after being in the arms of another man was a foregone conclusion.

"What if there is no way to make this right?" The room suddenly felt oppressive. As if all eyes were on me.

"Jim, I know how much you love Linda, and how much she loves you. This doesn't have to be a big deal. It's just a one time experience. Compare that to all the years and all the love you two have together, there's no contest. It's only a big deal if you make it one. She'll come home to you, and you'll be fine." Dee spoke gently but confidently. Was I supposed to be flattered she thought so much of me? That she thought me so deep in love that I'd forgive anything and everything?

I was reminded of so many episodes of The Twilight Zone. Where people acted 'normal' but there was something sinister lurking. Something about their actions that spoke of things being 'not right'.

"So if Marc had picked you, you'd have done the same thing?"

"I would." She answered immediately and with no visible evidence of shame.

"Does Dave know that?"

"No, and he doesn't need to, because it will never happen," she sighed, looking a little dreamy for a moment.

"Maybe I should tell him."

"Jim, don't think that way. I know you're hurting, but that won't help. Come back to the table. Let us take your mind off things. You haven't danced a single dance with me all night, you know." She smiled invitingly.

"I wanted to dance with my wife." Dee's smile faltered for just a second. I took the opportunity to turn and stalk back to our table.

The talk at the table stopped abruptly when I appeared. The averted eyes told

the tale: all our friends now knew that I'd just become a cuckold.

"Uh, Jim, you doing okay?" Dave asked hesitantly after he seated Dee.

"It depends on what you mean by okay." There were a couple of nervous giggles. That feeling of eyes intensified. I glanced around the room, at the people dancing, drinking, eating. Were they looking at me? Stealing glances? Sizing up the cuckold? Laughing?

"I mean, yeah, that was a shitty thing to do, but you two are gonna be fine. You're a good guy Jim, we all know Linda will always come home to you."

"Will she?" I responded coldly. There was a gasp around the table.

"Of course she will." Jane said matter-of-factly. Again there was that look of someone who thought I was being stupid. "Why wouldn't she?"

"Jim, it's Marc LaValliere..." Dee interposed as if that would explain things.

"So what? How is that supposed to make it better? She left her family..."

"Come on, Jim. She didn't leave! Just stop with that pity party. Linda will come back home. Think of it as a girls weekend. Nothing more. Hell, it's just one night. It's an opportunity she'll never have again. We know you'll get past this. That's the sort of man you are," Dee said, again reaching out and squeezing my arm in an attempt to comfort me.

The sort of man I am.

Those words echoed through me, a vibration that sank to my bones. I looked from one face to the next of each of my friends. Then looked out at the people dancing. There were stolen glances my way. Whispers. Laughter. Was it about me? At my expense?

What sort of man was I?

The good man. Husband. Father. Friend. And now... cuckold. And they expected me to embrace the title like I had all the others.

"Jim, try to think of it this way, maybe it will help." Jane was trying to sound sympathetic. "What if the cover model from the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue were here tonight? Say she picked you out of everyone here to dance with, and then she offered to spend the night with you. Can you honestly say you would turn her down?" The pleading look in Jane's warm brown eyes made her look like a winsome puppy dog and was usually quite effective in getting her what she wanted.

"Do you think I would?" My voice felt hollow. "That's not the man you think I am..."

There was silence at the table. Eyes darting and subtle body language showing me they were hiding discomfort.

"No." Dave finally said. "No I don't think you'd do it, Jim." Something in his voice sounded defeated. "You're the good guy..."

That term again. Good guy. Dave kept talking but I couldn't hear him. The walls of the club were becoming dark. Not literally, the lights were still bright and the music was still festive, but it felt like the room was becoming locked. Isolated.

I looked around the table at each of my friends. Could I really call them friends? Would friends side with a wife and mother that ran off with a stranger? And it wasn't even a secret affair. She'd walked out, not just in front of our friends, but a club full of people.

Numb, confused, my heart pounded so hard it hurt but somehow felt like it had stopped and I was dead. I pulled out a few random bills from my wallet and tossed them on the table. "That should cover my tab." I muttered and turned, walking towards the exit, hands in my pockets.

I could feel the eyes following me. The whispers.

Left with Marc LaValliere. His wife? Did he know?

"Jim!" Dee was hurrying after me. "Jim, come on. Don't leave. Stay. Dance with me. Have fun. Don't be such a spoiled sport. It's just one night. Hey, if it'll make you feel any better," She slipped close to me, pressing her chest against my arm. "I'll let you get a feel of anything you'd like." It was a sly whisper and a big smile on her face that, had she been offering any other time I might have found it funny.

"Dave be okay with that? What am I saying? Of course. That's how you guys operate right? And I just didn't know?" My voice was deadpan, flat.

"What's that mean? I'm not offering to sleep with you, and considering the circumstances I'm sure Dave would be just fine with you getting a little fun..." The look on Dee's face was too much. Like I was the one being unreasonable.

How had I so terribly misjudged these people? We'd known them for almost as long as Linda and I had been married. I thought we'd discussed everything. But somehow we had missed this one fundamental thing. That fidelity, vows, meant something. At least to me. I guess to them, those vows only went so far. To me they were all encompassing. We were on opposite sides of the planet when it came to our views on marriage.

I gently removed my arm from Dee's grip. "I appreciate the offer. But I'm not feeling well. I'm just... gonna go."

"Jim. You're not going to do something stupid are you?" Dee kept pace with me for a few more steps. "Seriously. Linda loves you completely. Just let her have this one night. She'll be home. It'll be like she was out of town for a business trip or something. It doesn't have to be that big of a deal. Hey!" She tried getting in front of me, but I was stronger than I looked and took her by the shoulders and moved her aside as politely as I could.

Without looking back and not uttering another word I left the club and stepped out into the brisk cold. Drifts of snow were piled up along the sides of the road. Some turning to slush. Flurries of new snow started to fall and the clouds in the night sky overhead looked ready to burst.

As I walked the couple blocks to the hotel, I checked my phone. No texts or messages from Linda. The urge to call her, to blow up her phone until she answered was powerful. Instead I checked the weather and saw that we were due for more snow. Possibly another storm that might close the roads again.

I stepped into the lobby of the hotel, shaking off the few flakes that clung to me and marched to the elevator and went up to the room I'd planned on spending the night in with my wife.

As I opened the door, I hoped that Linda would be there. Maybe this was all just a terrible, cruel joke. It was empty. The door clunked closed behind me as I stepped deeper into the hollow space. On the king bed, Linda had laid out a new set of lingerie. Deep blue satin that matched the color of her dress. The trim was black lace and the material was just a little bit sheer. The bra would have barely covered her nipples. Blue stockings and a black garter belt lay with the underwear. There was no doubt if I'd seen Linda in this I would have fallen to my knees and worshiped her.

I shuffled over to the minifridge, loosening my shirt collar, opened it and pulled out a couple of the mini bottles of vodka and took them over to the chair that was situated next to the large window looking out on the city. The lights were becoming fuzzy and obscured by the ice and snow falling from the sky. Turning the chair to face the sight outside, I slumped into the seat and cracked open the first bottle and drank it down in just a few throat burning gulps. The sudden feeling of dizziness hit me hard but quickly faded as my body adjusted to the alcohol.

The snow began coming down faster. Harder. Thicker.

I pulled my phone out from my jacket and quickly called Mrs. Porter. She picked up after a few rings and spoke quietly. "Hello? Jim?"

"Sorry to call so late Mrs. Porter. But I just wanted to check in. Looks like we might get snowed in tonight. Are you able to keep the kids an extra night? If not I can call my parents and I'm sure they'd be able to come get them."

"Oh. You're right! I hadn't even noticed it was snowing. The little darlings were keeping me busy. I got them down just a little while ago. I should be able to watch them, but if things get too bad I'll be sure to call your mom and we can work something out."

"I appreciate it." I said, cracking open the next vodka bottle and this time just taking a slow sip.

"Have you had a good time? Still out partying?" Mrs. Porter asked cheerily.

"It's been an interesting night. I appreciate you Mrs. Porter. Truly. I'll check in tomorrow."

"Don't worry yourself. I've got things under control here. Enjoy your night."

The line went dead and I gently tossed my phone to the bed, settled back and watched the snow fall, drinking slowly and for as long as I could, let my mind drift like the flakes outside. Getting caught up in the wind and swiftly flying away to parts unknown.

...

It was a dream. It had to be. There was no way I was standing at the foot of a California King bed watching my wife on her back, legs spread and a thick massive dick slowly spreading her bald labia.

"Yes! Ohhhh fuck Marc please... please fuck my pussy!" My wife was gasping. Crying out in the massive room. Her voice echoing through the mansion.

"Married pussy. Mom pussy. Say it Linda. Tell me what I'm claiming." He was strong. Muscled. Toned. His muscles rippled as he towered over her, arm on either side of her head staring down at her as he thrust slow and deep.

I could see him entering her. Her lips clinging tightly. Sucking. Wet and slick, making his shaft glisten when it slipped out to the head and then plunged back down to the balls, crushing them against her ass. I was watching it in 4K. 8K. Perfect high definition seeing every slick fold and dimple and goosebumps on her skin. Every ridge of his cock. His veins. The wrinkles in his heavy balls that were longing to empty inside her.

He was bare. There was no doubt a man like Marc would never use a condom. And there wasn't a woman alive that would deny him the pleasure of entering her bare and leaving his seed behind.

"Fuck my married pussy! Oh god please! It's so fucking big. So deep. Take my mommy cunt Marc! Make me a slut!"

"You are a slut! My slut. This pussy is mine. All mine. When you leave and go back to that silly husband, you'll know you're mine forever." His cock rammed down and my wife screamed.

"Yes! Yes oh god I'm yours forever Marc. Take my pussy! Take everything!"

The dream... it was a dream... all a dream... shifted.

Linda was on top. Riding him hard and fast. Gasping as Marc lay back, big hands holding her hips tight as she moved, swiveled and ground against him. Bouncing up and down. The sound of her beautiful ass slapping his strong thighs made me throw up in my mouth.

My wife looked back at me with molten eyes. Flames hot like the fires of hell. "Look baby. A real man is fucking me. Finally, Finally I have what I need. What I deserve." She reached back spreading her cheeks showing her puckering asshole and stretched cunt. Marc's cock massive and stretching her to the limit like I'd never seen before.

"Look! Fucking look you cuck! You pathetic little freak! Can't you even do that? Hm? Be a good husband and watch your loving wife get what she's been missing!" She was hissing and screaming and laughing. Bouncing on the famous football player.

Now she was on all fours. Staring up at me as Marc pulled her hair, arching her head and back. Her tits swinging. Marc behind her, ramming hard and fast.

"He's going to cum in me Jim. He's gonna fill my cunt! It's not yours anymore! Did you really think it was ever yours?" Her hair was like snakes. Her eyes slits. Her words hissing threats and teeth bared with fangs. The image rippled from the face I knew and that horrifying reptilian visage.

Marc groaned and cried out as he released.

"Yes! Fuck yes I want his cum! His cum inside me. I'm gonna bring it home to you Jim. You're going to eat it. To get sloppy seconds. Are you excited to feel a real man's cum inside my velvety mommy slit? Hm? Say it you cuck. Say it!"

She was screeching.

Suddenly I was on my back staring up at a monstrosity. A succubus. Skin mottled and leathery. Black and red like cooling lava. She had wings. Cross between bat wings and a birds. She was a harpy. Screeching and looming and swooping down to rip out my throat. To claw at my genitals and neuter me.

I screamed...

...

I woke up aching, sweating, trembling like I was in the depths of having the flu. My head pounded. The light reflecting off the fresh snow coating the world outside made me wince. I was slumped down in the hotel chair, several bottles of various kinds of alcohol scattered around me. Clearly I'd drunk myself into a stupor.

It didn't take more than a cursory glance outside to see that the roads were covered in nearly two feet of snow, maybe more. I wasn't going anywhere. At least not easily.

Stumbling to the room phone, I picked it up and groaned hearing the dial tone as if it were a bullhorn. Dialing the front desk, I told them I wanted to extend my stay another night. They accepted it, clearly many other guests were doing the same.

I hung up and lay back on the bed, arm over my eyes to keep out the light and let myself rise up out of the horrible nightmares I'd had. The buzz of my phone made me jump. Scrambling over to it I picked it up hoping to see something from Linda.

Dee:We are all snowed in. Going to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Come join us.

It was so casual. As if last night hadn't been the shattering of my world. It still felt like I was standing there in that room. Surrounded by judging eyes. The walls closed off. No way out. Everyone whispering. I was trapped in that moment inside my head. Closing my eyes, I could see it. Feel it. Smell it. Wings and alcohol. Sweat and snow. It made my stomach clench.

Ignoring the message, I got up and shed my clothes as I made my way to the bathroom, stepping into the shower attempting to wash away everything. I scrubbed myself raw. The water was blistering and when I finally stepped out I was red, almost glowing as if I had a sunburn.

I toweled off quickly and then simply wandered back into the room and threw myself down onto the bed.