He Couldn't Believe it Was All Gone

Story description line: And it happened in the blink of an eye.

For Randi's Saint Patrick's Day event. My sincere thanks to Randi for organizing the event and my invitation to participate.

Characters:

Adrian Austin: age 35, father of three, and married to Dallas for 13 years. VP of Operations for Arlington Industries.

Dallas Austin: age 33, Married to Adrian, mother of 3, and a stay-at-home mom.

Bryan "Brain" Austin: age 11 oldest child of Adrian and Dallas. IQ tested at 149 and enrolled in the GATE program. Parents want to enroll him in a prestigious private school.

Whitney "Whit" Austin: age 10 and oldest daughter, very bright and introspective, wants to be a writer

Victoria "Vicki" Austin: age 9 serious 'daddy's girl'

Houston Plano: Age 23, highly successful carpet salesman and gym rat.

Ennis H. Dixon: AKA "EH" family law attorney and reality TV host

Garland Austin: age 42, older brother to Adrian

Killeen "Killy" Austin: age 43, Married to Garland for fifteen years with two young teenagers at home.

Story:

Adrian Austin was on top of the world. At thirty-five, he had become the Vice President of Operations for Arlington Industries (AI). AI had never had anyone so young achieve VP status in the one-hundred-year history of the company. Everyone assumed that within ten years he would become CEO when Bill Travis retired.

Adrian had it all; a base income well into the six-figure range with huge annual bonus potential, a company car (a seven series BMW), expense account, and untold other perks and benefits. He was well-liked and respected throughout the organization. If you were on his team, you were going places at AI.

If Adrian was being truthful, he would probably say that he wasn't sure about the 'liked' part. He knew people kissed his ass and fawned over him to further their own agendas, but hey, isn't that how the workplace functioned? He rewarded performance not personality anyway so he never concerned himself with that aspect of corporate life too much.

As he was making the forty-five-minute drive home from another long Monday at work, Mondays were always long, his thoughts switched from work to his family. His family is what made all his hard work worthwhile. He and his wife Dallas had met when he was a senior in college. They had a bit of a whirlwind romance and then married after he graduated. Dallas didn't finish college; she always told him she only attended to please her father.

What Dallas really wanted was a family. She wanted to be a mother in the worst way, and Adrian admitted that she was a damn fine one too. Dallas was a bit of a taskmaster with her family but then, with three bright and active children, she had to be. Adrian always joked that she had better organizational skills than he did.

Adrian did have mixed emotions about Dallas being a full-time mother. On the one hand, he was thrilled that the kids would have the opportunity that a full-time mom offered. But he always wondered if, at some point Dallas would regret not having finished college and embark on a career outside of the home and the children. She was very intelligent with an outgoing personality. She was well-read and could converse intelligently on many subjects. He was proud of her but had a nagging concern that someday it wouldn't be enough for her.

Adrian's outstanding work ethic and performance allowed Dallas to be a full-time mother to their children. It also gave his family a very comfortable lifestyle. They lived in a large home in the best neighborhood with the best schools. They had some money in the bank. But with a large mortgage, a hefty car payment for Dallas's Land Rover, gym fees for both of them, numerous expensive toys, and child-related expenses. Then of course, there was their membership at the exclusive country club. In his position, it was very important to be seen in the right places with the right people. A large savings account was going to have to wait. He wasn't worried about it; he knew a much higher income package was in his future.

The two ten-day-long family trips they took each year put a significant dent in their finances as well. Every Christmas break, they took the whole family to a warm-weather location. Last year it was Hawaii. Every summer they would go to a national park such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. They had done the Disney World thing, and this coming summer, they were looking forward to something different. They were headed to Europe. What good was having money if you didn't enjoy it, right?

And finally, Dallas, unlike many full-time moms, somehow found the time and energy to have a very fulfilling sex life with Adrian. She was aggressive, fun, curious, and damn near insatiable in bed.

As he pulled into his long sweeping earth-tone stamped concrete driveway, Adrian Austin felt he was a very fortunate man indeed.

When he got home that Monday night, everything seemed normal. As usual, soon after he walked through the door, Dallas greeted him with her usual welcome home kiss. Dallas then told him that she wanted to have an adult conversation.

Now to some, that would have set off warning bells, but it didn't for Adrian. Dallas frequently requested these 'adult' conversations because she said after dealing with the kids' lives and issues all day, she periodically needed the mental stimulation that conversing with adults would give her. Sometimes it would be just the two of them going out to dinner and sometimes with friends, of which they had many. In either case, Dallas was usually so worked up by the adult 'stimulation' that it was followed by a long night of very vigorous sexual activity.

"Oh great, what would you like to do? Let me set something up. Will it be just the two of us or..."

"Definitely just the two of us for this one, and instead of going out, I think we should just talk at home. Dinner is almost ready. I sent the kids to spend the night with my parents so we won't be disturbed."

"Perfect, I'll go get changed and be right down." Adrian thought that unusual but not really that far out of the ordinary. Dallas's parents loved to watch the kids. As they were both retired, they had no issues with keeping the kids overnight and taking them to school in the morning. Recently, Dallas even had them pick the kids up from school and help with homework before dropping them back at the house. Everyone seemed to enjoy the recent routine.

As Adrian was showering and changing, he was once again reminded how lucky he was. He thought it unfortunate that in the modern world, a stay-at-home mother was generally looked down on. Adrian felt a general sense of sadness about how underappreciated such women were in society.

During their dinner, Adrian had supposed that what Dallas wanted to talk about must be her desire to go back to school or maybe get a job. He was actually hoping that was the case because he loved his wife and wanted the best for her. He was a firm believer in the old adage, 'happy wife, happy life.'

Usually, Dallas would be very talkative and upbeat during their meals together, but she was quiet and appeared nervous. Dallas seemed to be stalling. She talked about the children, which was highly irregular for these 'adult' talks. She first focused on Brian, whom they regularly referred to as 'Brain' because he was very smart.

"So honey, will your promotion come through so we can get Brain into an Ivy League School?"

"Ah, well since he is only eleven, and won't be going to college for seven more years, yes, I think it will come through by then?" He was chuckling at her penchant for future planning. Their daughters Whitney and Victoria were ten and nine, respectively. When Dallas started discussing their future, Adrian became concerned. It was just so different. She was obviously dissembling.

"Dallas, what is going on? Is talking about our kids what is really on your mind?"

She let out a long sigh. "No, honey, it's not. I want to discuss a significant change in our life together. It's going to be hard for you, and I...well, I want you to understand how important it is to me...that you accept that our life will remain unchanged..."

"Uhh, I'm sorry to interrupt sweetheart. But, how is our life going to undergo a big change, yet remain the same?" Adrian was genuinely confused.

Adrian already correctly assumed a change was coming before Dallas mentioned it. In retrospect, he had been half right. Dallas wanted a change. But the change she had in mind, had nothing to do with her starting a job or going back to school.

Adrian, dumbstruck, sat stunned with his mouth literally hanging open. He was unable to speak. He couldn't have heard her correctly. It wasn't possible. His astonishment made a cliché clueless husband look practically prescient compared to him.

He was finally able to put a few coherent sentences together. "So, let me see if I understand this correctly. You've been having an affair..." Dallas started to interrupt. "Oh yeah, my bad a 'supplemental relationship' outside our marriage for several weeks with someone ten years younger than you, and you wanted to bring me up to speed on this change in our lives, because?"

"Well, honey, it's because I love you so much. I just couldn't in good conscience keep it hidden from you. It isn't taking anything away from what we have together. But I've developed feelings for him. You shouldn't worry though; the feelings I have for him aren't like the love we share. Since my relationship with Houston is going to continue for some time, I felt the need to discuss it with you."

Adrian's shock and confusion were quickly morphing into a rage. He was trying desperately to regain control before he did something incredibly stupid. "I see" he fairly spat it out. "You act like I should be happy for you."

"Well, it would be nice if you were, but I suppose that would be a bit much to ask for. What I am hoping is that you will see how little this means and eventually come to accept it."

"You are fucking insane!" he screamed. "I am not going..." Adrian started to lunge towards Dallas but caught himself and took a deep breath. "Dallas, there is no way I am going to put up with this! The very fact that you've cheated on me these past weeks has killed our marriage..." Adrian was starting to hyperventilate, so he sat and took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. "Dallas, the only solution I can see here is divorce..."

"NO! We are not divorcing, period! A divorce would be bad for everyone, especially our children Adrian. You need to think about what it would do to your relationship with them. So please calm down, and let's talk rationally about how to make this work."

"Honestly, Dallas, divorce is the only possible option I see."

"Listen to me, honey. I know from your perspective, it looks bleak, but do me a favor, and don't do anything rash. Can you at least think of other possible alternatives? Let's say just until the end of the week. Then we can talk about how we move forward? If not for me, do it for our kids, please?"

"Ok, Dallas, I'm going to stay somewhere else for a few days, and I promise not to do anything until we talk again. But, I have to be honest here. I don't see any possible solution other than divorce. I just won't live the lifestyle you are suggesting. I just won't."

At the very least Adrian could use the time to form a more calm and persuasive argument than the blubbering he was doing now. It might also allow him an opportunity to talk with Dallas' parents. Maybe they could talk some sense into her.

Adrian quickly threw together an overnight bag. Dallas seemed oddly calm and detached as she leaned against their bedroom door frame with her arms casually folded, watching him pack.

"Tell the kids I had to go out of town for business on an emergency for a couple of days." Dallas self-composedly followed him to the door. He stepped outside onto the porch and then turned back to face her. "Dallas, please don't do this to our family. It's not too late, please." Adrian knew he sounded whiny and weak, but honestly, at the moment, that's how he felt.

"Adrian, sweetheart, I know everything will work out, you'll see. It will be fine." She had an unreadable expression on her face, one Adrian hadn't seen before, as she closed the door slowly on him while shaking her head.

Adrian thought she looked a little exasperated and somewhat bored? No, it was more like the look she would sometimes give the children when they failed to immediately grasp a simple truth. She was in charge, and they would eventually bow to her will. It sent a shiver down his spine. He headed for the Hilton across the street from his office. At least now he had time to think.

In the morning, Adrian was twenty minutes late getting into the office. This was despite the fact he was only across the street. Usually, Adrian was in the office before eight. But it was a minor miracle he got there at all, so he didn't feel too bad about being late. As he walked by his office manager's desk, she jumped up to greet him.

"Mr. Austin, your late today. This gentleman has been waiting..." She pointed to a man he failed to recognize, walking up to him, smiling.

"Mr. Adrian Austin, you have been served." In one well-practiced motion, he handed Adrian a thick, eight and a half by eleven-inch envelope and snapped a picture. "In addition sir, there is a restraining order prohibiting you from contacting your wife or three children. I urge you to read the details, which include that you remain a minimum of three hundred feet away from your home, the children's school, and your in-laws' place of residence. I strongly recommend you immediately retain the services of an attorney. Have a good day." And he was gone as quickly as he had appeared.

Before he could even react to the jolt he felt, he saw three uniformed police officers approaching him purposefully.

"Mr. Adrian Austin?" He could only nod his head. "You are under arrest for spousal battery. You are also being charged with battery on your minor children. Turn around and put your hands behind your back please, while I give you your Miranda Advisement. You have the right..."

Adrian heard the officer droning on, but the realization struck him, that Dallas had this all pre-planned. This was all done well in advance of last night's conversation. As usual, Dallas was three steps ahead of him. She understood exactly how he would respond and lied to his face anyway. His emotions were across the spectrum, but the preeminent ones fighting for dominance were rage and fear.

His arrest and booking experience was the most humiliating of his life. Adrian was handcuffed and perp-walked through the entire office building. At least it seemed that way to him. The looks on the faces of his co-workers were mostly shocked, but he could have sworn that he saw a few smirks from the opportunists amongst them.

It got worse as he completed the booking process at the local police station. Once that debasement was finished, he was allowed two phone calls. The first was to the corporate attorney's office at work. When he asked for guidance, the lead attorney told him they couldn't represent him because of a conflict of interest. What the hell did that mean? He only wanted a reference to a family law attorney! The call was disconnected, unceremoniously.

Adrian thought hard about his situation. He wasn't a stupid man. At least that's what he believed up until yesterday. He called an old college friend who happened to be an accomplished family law attorney and a celebrity lawyer of sorts. When he finally got through to Ennis H. Dixon, Esq. he relayed his predicament. He was informed by "EH" as he was known, to speak with NO ONE about his circumstance, especially the police. EH told him if he did otherwise he would have nothing to do with his case.

"Ok, EH, I got it. I will meet you at your office tomorrow, and we can talk about it more."

EH broke into a fit of biting laughter. He finally calmed back down and spoke solemnly. "Adrian, my friend, two things. First, you are totally fucked, and you are going to be in jail for quite a while. Someone has prepped your wife thoroughly, and unless I miss my guess, as of right now, you are flat broke. Her attorney has probably had all your assets frozen so that MasterCard Black you have? Well, it's probably only good as a shoehorn right now.

"And, secondly, you are being accused of one of the very few crimes in America where you are guilty until you prove your innocence. Yes sir. You are totally fucked. However, if you are telling me the truth, and you didn't do what you are being accused of, I will eventually get you clear of the criminal charges. But, as far as the divorce goes, you don't have a prayer of coming out of it in any condition other than raped and with arterial bleeding from numerous open wounds."

"But..."

"None of that matters Adrian, just keep your mouth shut, and I will get you out of there eventually."

EH turned out to be correct. He was flat broke. At his arraignment the next day, because he wasn't much of a flight risk, his bail was only set at 50,000 dollars. This meant he only needed five grand to bail out. It might as well have been five million because he didn't have two nickels he could rub together. He spent over thirty days in jail. Adrian's ne'er do well brother finally was able to raise the money for him.

Garland Austin was seven years older than Adrian. Garland wasn't really a ne'er do well. It's just that he was a truck driver who lived on the other side of town. It was only a few miles distance, but it was light-years away economically from Adrian's accustomed lifestyle. They just didn't have much in common so they rarely saw each other.

Garland was a happy-go-lucky guy, married to his wife Killeen for fifteen years, and had three young teenage children. They met while Killy was waiting tables at the local Denny's restaurant where she still worked. They lived in a mobile home in a nondescript park. Adrian didn't even know if they owned or rented the 1980's era doublewide they called "home sweet home."

Adrian felt an initial sense of shame when Garland offered to let him stay with his family. Even though he could only offer Adrian a well-worn couch to sleep on, he had no choice but to accept. Adrian knew he should feel grateful, but the ignorance of his current situation hadn't subsided yet.

When Adrian was finally released from the county jail, what he really wanted to do was to take a long, scalding hot shower to scrub away his shame and embarrassment. But he had to get to work to do serious damage control. He had, of course, talked with Bill Travis on occasion, but all he was told was that Adrian should come to see him as soon as he 'was able.'

The conversation with Mr. Travis was fairly short. It seems Adrian was no longer employed at AI. The whole situation being too unseemly for them, you understand. However, AI still cared about Adrian. Well, they cared to the point that they would give him a twenty-five thousand dollar severance, plus his accrued vacation, and the use of his Beemer for thirty days. He merely had to sign a standard confidentiality agreement. Just before Adrian was going to tell Bill Travis to shove it up his pompous ass, he thought better of it.

"Uh, Mr. Travis, how quiet can this package be? I mean, could I get it in cash?"

"Of course my boy, of course. We aren't heartless, you know."

Both of them knew that was a lie, but that fact only just now bothered Adrian. And, they both knew why Adrian wanted it in cash, as did they understand he had no choice but to accept it. It was just business, after all. That's how their world worked.