Some Days the Bear Gets You

This is my third story. I appreciate the comments from the readers, as that gives incentive to write more. Too bad a few have to take cheap shots. I was a technical writer in my day. One commenter said English must be my second language. I am reminded from Psychology 101 that people who snipe at other people do so out of a poor self-image. They get some sort puffing up as they put others down. So, when a commenter or anybody else takes a cheap shot, I just grin and feel sorrow for his/her poor childhood.

"Some Days the Bear Gets You"

My wife, Sarah, came home from work, opened the door with a flourish and proceeded to the kitchen where I was preparing dinner. It's normal for me to prepare dinner as I get home from work an hour before she does. Her aggressive entry, however, was not typical.

"How was your day, Honey?" I asked.

She responded with just a nod. Another anomaly.

"OK, sweetie, what's going on?"

She just looked at me and said "You are not going to like this, but here is the story. I am going to spend the weekend with Ralph Brewster."

I responded with "Well, that's interesting. How do you justify that little earthquake?"

She said he had been after her for a long time and said that unless she did this she would never advance in her job. Brewster was her boss.

My response included "He seems to have some type of complex if he thinks he can use his position to interfere in our marriage. Isn't he a VP?

She said that's right, and he seems to be holding all the cards.

I asked if she went to HR to talk about it.

She said she did not because it would be his word against hers.

"Do you want to do this?"

"No, she said, but I love my job. If you can get by it then I hope it will be a one-time thing and then done."

I said that was not likely, that he would probably photograph it and use that for further dalliances.

She asked what she should do, because she felt helpless.

I suggested she resign immediately.

Her response was that since the economy was in such a poor state, that getting another job would be difficult, if not impossible. We had too many bills to survive with only one income.

Sarah and I, Jim, have been married 15 years, we have three kids. Our relationship has been solid, thus my not going off like a nuclear bomb with her announcement. She is a nice 5' 7", weighing 130. She has that delectable feminine mystique that drives men wild. My first reaction when seeing her was to squirm like a nightcrawler on a hot sidewalk.

I am 6' 4" and 210 pounds. We have been going to the gym regularly and are in excellent physical condition. I concentrate on pumping iron while she uses the resistance equipment.

The results of our regular workouts and other physical activities together such as biking, hiking, swimming, kayaking and jogging has been nothing short of miraculous. I am muscular with over developed biceps, pecs, abs and legs. Sarah, though, is lithe. She is one beautiful woman with nicely defined muscles.

Her legs and rump would send a leg and derrière man to the happy house. Her chest is remarkable, without being obscene. She has a beautiful face and hair. In short, she is nothing short of being a raving beauty and I am extremely proud of her.

Sarah held a degree in management from the University of Texas. She was on her way up the ladder; having good reviews. Her job was as an assistant to the vice-president, one Ralph Brewster.

I also graduated from the University of Texas, holding a master's degree in Forestry Management. I loved working out of doors, spending half my time in one of the dozen or so national forests in Texas. The other half was in the office in which I was affiliated with the National Park Service.

I met Brewster several times, recognizing the snake he was. He did not hide his open interest in the women around him, married or not! This was interesting to me in that his wife was often at the social functions, yet she stood in the background while Brewster strutted his stuff.

But Mrs. Brewster had more control in the relationship than Ralph let on or, for that matter, liked. She held the family fortune, she owned the company in which he was vice-president.

She knew the time was coming for his final step into his own deep doo doo. Her board of directors and upper management were clued in as to what they should do should that occur, they had their marching orders.

Our family spent most of our vacations and many weekends tent camping in the the national forests. Jimmy, Jr. the oldest boy, was becoming quite adept at fly fishing and could handle that fly rod akin to an artist with a brush. Trout cooked on a open fire iare hard to beat.

We have been faithful to each other since our first date so many years ago. We have never been tempted to include anybody else in our love lives as what we have is wonderful. We are compatible in bed, on dance floor, watching a movie or doing any of our activities.

The thought of her spending a weekend with her boss was absolutely out of the question. "How about I have a little chat with your Mr. Brewster to see if he really wants to risk the consequences?" I asked.

Sarah responded with "Do you think he might talk with you?"

I replied "There is only one way to find out."

"Are you going to call him for an appointment?" she asked.

I said that I was not going to do that, preferring the element of surprise. I told Sarah to give Mrs. Brewster a heads up as to what might happen tomorrow.

She said she would be there.

The element of surprise was an essential part of my training in the Marines. I was in the infamous Recon Battalion. Not only did we learn stealth, but all sorts of use of weapons and personal techniques for subduing the enemy silently. I had training in five different types of martial arts. Saturdays at Camp LeJeune often found us in the grassy physical training area practicing our arts. That was fun but deadly. Some years back a men's magazine had an article "The Deadliest Marine." He was Sergeant Nadeau, a 148 pound guy who had studied with the masters of martial arts in Japan. Sergeant Nadeu was our instructor. He held no quarter with bullies, the bigger the better. Sure did add meaning to "stand by" when there was a bully in the bar, particularly if the bully liked to pick on smaller men.

I got dressed to impress the next morning. It was not spandex or tight tees, rather just enough to show physique. I went to work with Sarah.

The office went silent when we entered the office. We walked to her work area. Apparently, this action of Brewster was well known, Sarah not being his only victim. Brewster noticed the silence and stepped out of his office.

Seeing me, he approached with a smirk and said "Ah, you must be Jim, Sarah's other half. She brags on you often." He extended his hand. Big mistake.

I smiled, replying I was indeed Sarah's husband, reached out and took his hand in firm handshake.

He decided to go macho and began applying pressure. I responded likewise. He held his smirk, then his lips quivered a mite, he began to look worried, trying to let go. That was not in the cards. I continued to squeeze, slowly guiding him to his knees.

By this time a nice group was gathering to watch the show. I looked at him and said in a very loud voice which could be heard throughout the office "Are you the creep who insists my wife spend a sex-filled weekend with you or not have any chance for advancement?"

No response. "Well?"

Brewster said "Sarah must have misunderstood. Yes, a weekend, but it would be for team building, no sex."

About that time several executives, including Brewster's boss appeared. I asked, again in a broadcasting voice "Has he done this with any of you other ladies?"

A dozen or so voices chorused "yes!" I let go of his hand.

The president of the company, Brewster's boss, told him to pack his stuff up and get out.

Brewster sneered at the president and said his wife owned this company and before this was over, he would be the one packing up.

Mrs. Brewster stepped out of an office asking "How many, Ralph?"

Brewster said "Well, ah, err, don't believe all those women, they just have it in for me, Honey. They think I am a vice president because of you and not my skills."

It sounded like canned laughter on a TV soap opera as the staff and management guffawed.

Brewster looked like a trapped animal.

Big mistake number two. Part of martial arts training is to watch your opponent's eyes. His clearly focused on my left jaw which told me he was going to take a swing with his right. I was ready. I blocked the swing, used his momentum to turn him around, forcing his right arm up until I felt it dislocate.

In short order, Security watched Brewster fill a cardboard box with personal items from his office and then marched him out the door.

He had 18 years with the company. It was going to be hard to find a new job and without accounting for those 18 years. He would not get a recommendation since his dismissal was with prejudice.

The president of the company apologized to Sarah and me, telling Sarah to take the week off with pay and to not be concerned about her future being in any way jeopardized. A round of applause went up from the crowd.

Needless to say, I called in and took the week with her. We packed up the kids and equipment and drove off to Lake Casa Blanca International State Park near Laredo. It is an amazing 525 acres of nature at its best.

We never heard from Brewster again. It is rumored he became a used car salesman somewhere in New Mexico.

Sarah was promoted into Brewster's position.

The kids grew up, found their life works, one a doctor, one a lawyer, and Jimmy Jr. a career marine, now a full bird colonel. We have grand kids to dote on and spoil, often. Last time I talked with Jimmy he was fly fishing the Snake River. He caught several of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, all on green drake dry flies.

We think of that day so far back and the adage "some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you." Is that not correct Mr. Brewster?