Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:53:11 +0000 From: Jacob Latson Subject: Agony & Ecstasy Chapter 4 Disclaimer: This story will describe the life of John Miller from his time as a divorced man who has been devastated by the divorce and turns his life around into a new one of wealth. This story will include descriptions of male sex, including M/M, M/T, M/b, T/b and b/b. If stories involving sex between consenting males of all ages, including mainly gay sex, offends you, go back to the Archives and pick a different story for your reading pleasure. There has been minimal research for this story therefore, names, places, and events are mostly fictitious and similarities to real life are coincidental. Some companies and organizations mentioned actually exist, but references to the activities, policies, programs and procedures are fictitious. This story will include references to the United States government, the FBI, CIA and other agencies. Any references are purely fictional, and only used to develop the plot and characters. Thanks again to my editor, Bill, for his expert work in cleaning up my writing mistakes. Agony & Ecstasy Chapter 4 Reality Check John was headed back to work after the erotic week with Jamie. Tom was still struggling with the financial problems with his new apartment building and strip mall, and had never joined John and Jamie at the cottage. Margaret had been furious that John had gone away for the vacation, and had spent a small fortune on her own entertainment with her sisters and mother. She had applied for new credit cards, but had hidden that information from her husband. She deserved a better life, and was determined to buy her personal happiness with the credit cards. John struggled with the pain of ending the careers of many of his engineers, and wondered how long the plant would stay open. Each staff meeting was filled with more bad news about high costs and declining profits. The entire automobile industry in Michigan was in big trouble, and Ford and General Motors were outsourcing work and closing plants. It was late in November when the axe fell on John. The Plant Manager called him into his office and John knew that nothing good was going to come out of the meeting. When he saw the Personnel Director waiting for them, he knew that his life was going to be devastated. "I'm sorry to tell you that we're reorganizing our managerial staff" Jim Tibbits began. "With our losses in the last quarter, I'm forced to combine Engineering and Production under one manager." "With your seniority, you're eligible for a buyout and delayed retirement benefits when you reach the age of 65", Joe Nahler, the Personnel Director added. "We're both sorry to give you this bad news before the holidays, but we have no choice. You'll get six months of your salary and you'll be eligible for unemployment benefits from the State of Michigan." John was devastated! He knew that his plant was in trouble, but he never dreamed that he would lose his job and be forced to look for another job in a declining job market in Michigan. He felt nauseated, and wondered if he had any other options. "Did I do something wrong?" John asked. "I've always tried to do my best, and get the most out of my people. Why can't I be the one in charge of Production and Engineering?" "Our decision is final!" Jim Tibbits replied. "We don't want to lose you, but we have no choice. Your salary will continue until the end of the month, and then you need to clean out your office." John left the Plant Manager's office and headed back to his own office. He looked at the faces of his few remaining engineers and knew that they had already heard the rumors of his job loss. He fought back his tears and decided to clean out his office and leave the plant. He couldn't stay any longer, and wondered how he would be able to pay his bills without a regular paycheck. When John got home, his angry wife immediately confronted him. Margaret was livid that he was home early without calling her, and she demanded that John take her out for an early meal at a restaurant. "Get your worthless ass ready to take me out for supper!" Margaret screamed at John. "I'm hungry!" "FUCK YOU!" John screamed at his wife. "I just lost my job, and we're in deep shit with all of the spending that you've been doing lately!" Margaret was pissed that John had lost his job. She hoped that he wouldn't see the new credit card bills that showed that she had spent a small fortune on herself. She'd started her "change of life" and the constant hot flashes and hormonal changes were driving her crazy. She refused to take any estrogen treatment, and her weight was increasing with every day. Her own sisters had noticed the changes, and pleaded with her to get medical help for the physical and emotional changes that hit every woman at her age. Margaret was livid with anyone that suggested that she needed medical help, and continued to spend money like she was married to a millionaire. "Go down and watch your boy porno vids!" Margaret screamed before she turned away from her husband. She had evidence of her husband's perversion, and would use it to blackmail him if their marriage ever ended. She was livid, and stormed out of the house. John couldn't spend another second with his wife! He grabbed four beers and headed for the basement and his private moments with his computer. His life had come to a tragic end and he thought about putting a bullet through his brain to end his agony. He heard the door slam, so he knew that Margaret had left the house. He choked back his tears and drained the first beer, and wondered if life was worth living. "Hello" John said when he answered the ringing telephone. "Hi Dad!" Johnny said. "Kirsty and I were hoping that you could come to visit us!" "This isn't a good time for me to be around anyone," John admitted to his son. "Today I lost my job!" "OH SHIT!" Johnny exclaimed. "What happened?" "My plant has been losing money, and today the Plant Manager gave me the axe!" John replied. "I'll get six months of my salary, but I'm done!" "Can we do anything for you?" Johnny asked. "This is terrible news!" "Your mother is spending money like its water, and we're deep in debt," John admitted for the first time. "I'm at the end of my rope, and I'm having bad thoughts about my own existence." "Dad, don't you dare do anything stupid!" Johnny said when he realized that his father was deeply depressed and ready to take his own life. "Kirsty and I love you, and we'll do anything that we can to help you. We just found out that we're going to have a baby boy, and he'll have your name! Don't you dare do anything to take away little John's grandfather!" "This should be a time for celebrating, but I'm really devastated right now," John replied. "I've always dreamed about a boy to carry the family name forward, but I really don't know how to handle what happened today." "I'm coming to be with you!" Johnny replied. "Where's Mom? She should be supporting you right now!" "Your mother just cussed at me and left to spend money!" John replied. "She's cut back her hours at work, and says terrible things about me when we see each other. We really don't talk anymore! Most of the time she just refuses to accept the realities of life and continues to spend money. I don't like to say bad things about her, but I think our marriage is at the end." "You should have divorced her a long time ago!" Johnny replied. "I know that she's my mother, but she's been a bitch to you and me for a long time. I love you, and I'm going to drive there right now to be with you!" "Please don't leave Kirsty alone right now," John replied. "She's carrying our future right now, and I want you to be with your wife. I promise not to do anything stupid. I'll call Tom and talk to him about what happened today, but right now, I need to be alone!" "Just remember that Kirsty and I love you!" Johnny said. "You've always been there for me, and I'll always be there for you! Remember what you always said to me! Things may look bad, but God will always get you through the difficult times!" "You've always been a great son for me!" John admitted. "I've always been proud of you!" "Do you remember the Footprints?" Johnny asked. "Yes," John replied. He thought about the words of his favorite poem, and knew that his son was saying the words that he needed to hear. One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." John had tears flowing down his face when he remembered the lines of his favorite poem and thought about his own life. He knew that his son was reminding him about the trials of life, and that God would always take care of him. He thanked his son for talking to him, and promised that he wouldn't commit suicide. John struggled with his own fears about his future and made some important decisions. He knew that his marriage was a disaster, and that Margaret was destroying his life. He longed for freedom from her constant bitching, and decided to call his friend, Robert Goldman for help. He had drained all four beers before he made the important phone call, and hoped that his college friend would help him. "Hello" Mary Goldman said when she answered the phone. "Hi Mary, this is John Miller," John began. "I hate to bother you tonight, but can I please speak to Bob?" "You're never a bother to us!" Mary replied. "Bob's right here, and I'm sure he'll be thrilled to talk to you! We both wish that you'd come to visit us!" "Hi Buddy!" Bob Goldman said to his college friend. "Bob, I need your legal advice," John said. "Today I lost my job with Chrysler, and I just found some credit card bills to prove that Margaret has us deep in debt. I don't know what to do!" "Hang on!" Bob replied. "Let me get into my home office!" John waited and wished that he had grabbed a dozen beers before calling his friend. Bob's father, Abe Goldman, had been the lawyer who had secured a major settlement when his father had been killed at work, and Robert had followed in his father's footsteps to become a talented lawyer. Bobby had started in divorce settlements but had recently branched out into corporate law and was making some huge fees. "Tell me that you're ready to divorce Margaret!" Bobby began when he was in his office. "You know that I'll represent you for free and will do anything to take care of you!" "I get six month's salary from Chrysler, and then I'm eligible for unemployment," John said to his friend. "The Plant Manager and Personnel Director said that they are combining Engineering and Production under one manager, and that I'm not qualified for the combined job. Margaret has taken out some new credit cards, and from what I can see right now, we owe over $30,000 to the credit card companies." "HOLY SHIT!" Bobby exclaimed. "How did she run up the cards so high? Do you have any recourse with Chrysler Headquarters?" "She takes care of the bills," John admitted. "I never saw the bills until she stormed out of the house tonight! Our marriage has been a disaster for many years, but this is more than I can handle! I can file a protest with the corporate guys, but it won't change anything." "It's time for you to cut your losses!" Bobby replied. "She'll wipe you out if you don't file for divorce right now! With your education, you should be the president of Chrysler Corporation, not just a regular manager!" "I was only offered one major promotion, and Margaret threw a fit when she heard that we'd have to move if I accepted. I'm finished with Chrysler, but Margaret has something on me that I'm embarrassed to tell you about," John admitted. "She found some child porn on my computer, and threatened to blackmail me!" "Do you think that you're the first man to have porn on his computer?" Bobby asked. "My dad and I spend a lot of social time with a bunch of judges, and they all say that when a woman is in a divorce and uses the threat of disclosing pornography or child abuse, they know that the woman is a bitch and using the big trump card. They always get pissed at the woman when she plays that card!" "But the stuff is child porn!" John replied. "My father taught me how to handle this kind of situation," Bobby replied. "I can take care of that threat and use it against her! Do you want me to file a lawsuit against Chrysler to try and get your job back?" "I'm ashamed of what she found," John admitted. "Being married to Margaret has turned me off towards all women! I hate Chrysler Corporation, but I'm not ready to go after them. Let's just focus on my divorce and see what happens." "I don't care if you're gay or in love with a boy!" Bobby said. "I'm your buddy, and I'll take care of the bitch in court! I didn't graduate first in my class in law school because I was stupid! I know how to handle her and whoever she picks to represent her." "I've reached my limit!" John admitted. "I'm ready to file for a divorce, but I honestly don't have a cent to pay for legal services!" "You're the Godfather for my son, and I'll represent you for free!" Bobby replied. "To be honest with you, I've dreamed of this day! It's time for you to get rid of that bitch, and I'm going to make it happen! Let me handle everything! I'll start the paperwork tomorrow when I go to my office!" John felt sick when the phone call ended. His job had ended. His marriage was going to end. The only thing that kept him from blowing his brains out was the knowledge that he would have a grandson to love. He heard his dog coming down the steps and was happy to see Barney's excitement. The beagle was six years old and had bonded with all of the neighbors. John never had to worry about his dog because he had a food and water station in the kitchen and a dog door so Barney could come and go at any hour. He hugged his dog and shed tears at the state of his life. The dog could sense his feelings and licked the tears off from John's cheeks. John was supposed to go to work the next day, but he couldn't face his people after being told that he was being fired. He called in and said he was sick, and no one doubted that he was telling the truth. He headed for the law offices of Goldman & Goldman, and was anxious about meeting with Bobby. He was terrified of having his addiction to child pornography revealed in court, and was still considering suicide. "Mr. Goldman is waiting for you," Karen Wilson said to John. "Go right in!" John walked into Bobby's office and was afraid that his friend would decide not to represent him in his divorce proceedings. His fears were extinguished when Bobby jumped out of his chair and gave John a big hug. "I was ready to serve Margaret with divorce papers today, but I changed my mind," Bobby said. "Sit down and I'll explain why." John tried to relax, but his mind was filled with the images of Margaret displaying his collection of boy porn in court. He had copied his favorite files to disks and had wiped the hard drive of his computer clean of any illegal files. Before he had left home for the meeting with Bobby, he had hidden the disks in the rafters of the garage. "I have a friend who's a private detective," Bobby began. "Taylor owes me a bunch of favors, and I've asked him to tail you wife and see what she's been doing with her free time. She's only working three days a week now, and I suspect that she's doing more than spending money." "I didn't know that she was down to three days a week," John admitted. "I knew that she was down to 32 hours a week, but she never tells me anything and I never see her paychecks." "The first thing that I'll do today is shut off all of the credit cards," Bobby said. "When you get your severance pay from Chrysler, I want you to bring the check to me. I'll put it in a private account so she can't get to the money. She'll go ballistic when she realizes that she can't spend your money, and things might get really nasty at home for you. Mary and I want you to come to live with us until we get things settled." "I can't do that!" John said. "I'm not very good company right now, and I sure don't want to interfere with your family life." "You're the Godfather for Justin, and he loves being around you!" Bobby replied. "We have a guest room, and I won't take no for an answer!" "Margaret will explode if I move out and stop her from spending money," John said. "That's why I want you to move out," Bobby replied. "If she goes postal, she'll try to bait you into hitting her! You can't lose control and hit her! Spousal abuse will cost you when we go to court!" "What should I do about Barney?" John asked. "He'll go crazy if I'm not around!" "I want you to go home and make a video tape of every room in your home and ask your neighbors to watch the dog," Bobby said. "Open every cabinet and every closet and make a record of what's in the house. If she tries to take anything or sell anything, we'll have the proof of what's missing. Your computer will be her first target, so I want you to re-format your hard drive to get rid of any damaging evidence." "I already did that," John admitted. "She told me that she has copies of some of my child porn, and said she would use it against me." "That could backfire on her if my plan works," Bobby said. "I want you to go home and pack your clothes and anything that you'll need for the next few months. I really don't know when we'll file, but let's get ready for the worst case scenario." John left Bobby's office and returned home. He was relieved when he found the home empty, and quickly packed his possessions. He found the video camera and spent over two hours videotaping the contents of the home, just like Bobby had suggested. He left his computer in the basement and looked around the home and took a long look at the lake before loading his truck for the drive to the Goldman home. He didn't want to leave his boat and motor or dog, but he didn't want to take too much to Bobby's home. The boat was the last thing that he owned that had belonged to his father, and he loved it. He would miss the company of his dog, but knew that his neighbors would take good care of Barney. He took the videotapes of the contents of the home and left a simple note for his nasty wife. "I'm not coming back. If you need to contact me, call Bobby at his office. John" Margaret went to the hairdresser for her regular Wednesday appointment. She always had her hair done each week, and this week she treated herself to a manicure and pedicure. When she went to pay for the services, she couldn't believe the receptionist when she was told that her credit card had been declined. Margaret immediately produced another credit card, and was livid when it was also declined. She tried all six credit cards, and was screaming obscenities at everyone in the salon when she realized that she didn't have her checkbook or cash to pay for the services. Marcell hated Margaret, but he had to wait on the nasty bitch. He owned the salon, and all of the other hairstylists had refused to book appointments for Margaret Miller. He held the bill for $125 in the air and told Margaret that she wouldn't be allowed back in his salon, even after the bill was paid. He was thrilled that he was going to finally get rid of the bitch, and celebrated with his employees when Margaret screamed obscenities before slamming the door behind her. Margaret stormed out of the salon and headed home. She would find out why the credit cards were declined and take out her anger on her husband. When she got home and saw the brief note from John, she started throwing things against the walls. She called all of the credit card companies, and cursed at everyone she talked to when she learned that the accounts had been closed. Her demands for re-opening the accounts were rejected, and she was ready to kill her husband. She called Bobby's office and screamed at Karen Wilson when the receptionist refused to interrupt Bobby's meeting. John arrived at the Goldman home, and was surprised when Justin ran out to greet him. The seven-year-old boy was thrilled that his Godfather was coming to stay with them, and he wanted to help John carry in his possessions. The small boy had always been very affectionate with John, and John loved his special status with the cute boy. Bobby got home right before the evening meal, and he wanted to talk to John in private. Justin was upset that he couldn't be with John and his father, but listened to his mother when she told him "the guys need to talk in private". "Margaret called my office today," Bobby said after making Manhattans for himself and John. He knew the exact way that John made the special drinks, and had developed an appreciation for the simple formula. "God, I bet she was pissed!" John said. "Margaret didn't listen to the recorded message that all incoming calls are recorded," Bobby said. "The language that she used with Karen was illegal! She's playing right into our hands!" "Do I have to tell her where I am?" John asked. "NO!" Bobby exclaimed. "We filed a change of address for you with the post office and shut off her cell phone. We'll get the bills and use the new account to keep the payments current. She'll have to live on her own income, and that will push her to the limit!" "I called my boss at work today and told him that I won't be coming in again," John said. "I cleaned out my office when they told me that my job was terminated, and I don't want to go back there for any reason." "I think that you should call Johnny and your friends to tell them where you're living," Bobby suggested. "Make sure that none of them will tell Margaret where you are. Reality is going to hit her real soon, and she'll try everything to find you to make you miserable." "I'm already miserable!" John admitted. "I'm interfering with your family, and I don't like it!" "Do you remember when we were roommates in college?" Bobby asked. "I had mononucleosis, and you were the only one who took care of me! I would have flunked out without your help, and I still owe you a ton of favors!" John thought back to his college times with Bobby. They were more than just roommates. They were lovers, and their love for each other had been a closely guarded secret. They both had female relationships, but they always found time for intimacy with each other. They both had found women that they loved, and had been the best man for each other in their marriages. "You've always been part of my family, and now I'm going to make sure that you find happiness," Bobby said. John spent the next two months with the Goldman family. It had only taken the private investigator two weeks to uncover some dirt on Margaret. She spent a lot of time with two of her female friends, and the investigator had uncovered a pattern of cell phone calls that Margaret made to a secret club called "Kitten Klub". The club was a lesbian dating service that provided young girls for sexual activities. The credit card bills showed that Margaret had been using the "services" of the Kitten Klub for several years. The private detective had bribed some key people to obtain information that several of the girls that Margaret had sex with were as young as 16. The photos of Margaret eating the pussies of the teen girls would be vital in the impending divorce proceedings. Taylor Coleman was a talented private investigator, and had a friend who worked at the Kitten Klub who had provided the videotapes of the private sessions where women were "entertained" by the teenaged girls. When Margaret was served with the divorce papers, she went ballistic. Margaret was at work and lost control of her emotions and assaulted the process server. The security surveillance at the Department of Social Services recorded the altercation, and the security forces responded by subduing Margaret until the police arrived. She was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery. Johnny was in the apartment that he shared with his wife, Kirsty, when the phone call came from the Detroit Police Department. His mother was livid, and demanded that he post her bail to get her out of jail. Johnny refused to post the bail and Margaret was furious. She threatened to disown her own son, but Johnny had reached his personal limit. He called his own mother a "bitch" and slammed the phone down. Margaret spent the night in jail before her sisters came to her rescue. She wanted to kill John and her own son and cussed at all of the police officers before leaving the precinct. She was placed on suspension at work for her outburst and attack in front of the security personnel, and feared that she would lose her job. The next day, Robert Goldman served Margaret with a subpoena to appear for a deposition. She borrowed money from her sisters to hire an attorney, and was furious! She was going to destroy John's life and take every cent and asset he owned! John had to sit during the deposition and was humiliated. Margaret turned every answer to a pointed question from Bobby into an opportunity to berate John for his addiction to child pornography. John was embarrassed that the court recorder and police officer were listening to details of his collection of pornography, and didn't realize how Bobby was controlling the deposition. He was shocked when Margaret replied to Bobby's question about the pornography. "Do you have copies of the alleged pornography?" Bobby asked. Bobby just smiled when Margaret replied to his direct question. He knew that he was now in control and baited Margaret until she released her anger in an outburst of vulgarity. John felt like vomiting when the deposition ended. He was afraid that the police officer would arrest him and that the court recorder would tell everyone about his collection of pornography. Bobby filed a motion of formal separation right before Christmas, and Margaret was livid with the ruling of the judge. The mortgage payments and utility bills were pro-rated based on income, and John was unemployed. She would be forced to either borrow money to pay the bills or move out of the home on the lake. Her attorney, Trevor Robinson tried to calm her down, but Margaret screamed obscenities at the judge when she heard her ruling. She was threatened with Contempt of Court, and was practically dragged out of the courtroom by her lawyer. She had tried to disclose John's addiction to pornography, but the judge was adamant that she would only allow testimony about the financial arrangements for the formal separation. "I apologize for the behavior of my wife!" John said to Judge Amy Curtis after Margaret left the courtroom. "You have nothing to apologize for!" Judge Curtis said to John. "Your honor, now you have seen what we're dealing with in this divorce case," Bobby Goldman said. "My client will follow your instructions to the letter!" John left the courtroom and got into the car with Bobby. He was humiliated by the deposition and was thinking about ending his own life to avoid the embarrassment of a divorce in front of a judge and the people that Margaret would drag into the courtroom. "That went great!" Bobby said to John. "The bitch fell into my trap, and now I have her right where I want her!" "I could be arrested for what she revealed in the deposition," John said softly to his friend. "I thought that the cop would arrest me when the deposition ended!" "He's a friend of mine, and I wanted him there in case Margaret went postal!" Bobby told him after he started the car. "I don't know how you could put up with her shit! Just try to relax until we get home. I have this special recipe for Manhattans! Three parts Canadian Club, one part Martini & Rossi vermouth, half a teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice served over cracked ice! We both need some cherry soup to unwind after a very successful day in court!" John slumped back in the seat of Bobby's Mercedes and tried to push the thoughts of his estranged wife out of his mind. He knew that Bobby was reciting his own recipe for the special drink that he enjoyed at home, and he tried to push the thoughts of his bitchy wife out of his mind. He thought about Barney and worried that his dog would be upset that his master wasn't coming home. Stay tuned!!! Feedback is appreciated to Jacob_latson@hotmail.com If you are interested in reading any of my previous stories, they were posted on the Nifty Archives... Previous Stories Title Nifty Archive Last Date Washington Academy BiSexual/High School Jan. 11, 2007 CJ Gay/College Oct. 28, 2004 Brad Martin Gay/Adult Youth March 10, 2002 Land of Charta Gay/Adult Youth Feb. 15, 2002 Adam and Even More Gay/Adult Youth March 12, 2002 Christopher Robin Gay/Adult Youth Feb. 6, 2002 Life of Brad Gay/Camping Nov. 30, 1998 (this story was when I was using a different author name)