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Sam Considered the Pistol By Constance Grant
Copyright © 1999, 2000 by Constance Grant Manasquan, NJ all rights reserved
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is unintended.
Any comments are welcome.
This story contains adult situations, describes sexual activities, and deals with cross-dressing. If such material upsets you, or if it's illegal for you to read this - DON'T.
Sam Considered the Pistol by: Constance Grant ConnieBabe69@hotmail.com
Chapter 1
The sun was minutes from rising as Sam sat at his desk, but he couldnt sleep. Instead, he coolly considered the pistol on his hands, and remembered the day he purchased it.
It was a bright cheerful day in Downieville eight years ago, which itself was located amidst the near paradise of Tahoe National Forest, California. Ben and he had been shooting iron critters, and Ben had cleaned his clock. It wasnt that he missed often; it was that his .357 Super Magnum hadnt sufficient terminal velocity to reliably knock over the heavy iron targets unless hit just so. Ben used his new Ruger.44 Magnum, and while he missed occasionally, the iron fell each and every time he hit it.
Now this will do the job Sam thought as he looked at the sleek stainless steel .50 caliber single action revolver he purchased it on the spot along with the loading dies, bullets, and shell casings needed to load his own ammunition, fifteen hundred bucks if he remembered correctly.
Due to Federal restrictions and the distance from his home in Woodside, it was two weeks before Sam was able to pick up the pistol, however in that time he had loaded several hundred cartridges and was ready to clean Bens clock. And he did, naturally Ben purchased a .50 that day, and from then on the matches were even. Although Sam owned over fifty guns, the .50 became the weapon he kept ready for home defense. Why?
Well it was big and intimidating, fear failing it was heavy and could be used as a club, deadly force required the special "Safety" bullets made with seventy or so birdshot in a copper cup bullet would stop any attacker cold, and not penetrate walls to kill or wound unintended victims.
It was also the perfect gun to kill yourself, and for the umpteenth time in the past year Sam considered the act. Sam was badly depressed and sinking deeper as time went on, an agnostic, he calmly accepted that it was only a short time before he would cease to exist.
There was one matter to clean up and he resolved to do the deed once that was completed. His lawyer and long-term friend, Alex Marshal, had drawn up the papers and they were satisfactory. Sam placed the pistol on the documents and went over all the details in his mind, it was the best he could do.
The doorbell rung, and Sam looked at the clock. "Shit thats Ben, and I still have to take a shower." With that Sam put the pistol in his desk drawer, locked it and hurried to the shower adjacent to his study.
As Ben waited at the door he reflected for the umpteenth time lately how depressed Sam was, for, Christ for almost two years and it was getting worse. Ben and Sam were closer in many ways than brothers, they were business partners, friends, and shared many common interests. However, while Ben was outgoing and wore his heart on his sleeve, Sam was introverted and a very private person, Ben never really knew what was on Sams mind.
Catherine answered with a big smile, "Come on in Ben, hes just finishing his shower. I have coffee and Danish for you both in his den."
"God, but you are a life saver Catherine. How is Betty?"
"Shes doing great, I spoke to her yesterday. She just loves pre-med and feels she made the right decision. The only bad thing from my point of view is that she landed a great summer job with Syrll Pharmaceuticals and wont be coming home this summer or spring break."
"Syrll is a great company, we have done a lot of work for them. Is she in their work/study program?"
"Yes, if all goes well she will be with them right through med-school, and then be hired as a research scientist for some obscene salary. Girls have a lot of opportunities these days, thats for sure."
"Well Betty is a great kid, she deserves it." Ben reflected, that behind the scenes at Bettys request, Sam had arranged for the interview and made sure the right people saw her application, but Ben knew that in the final analysis Betty had sold herself once her foot was in the door.
"Ok Ben, please have a seat and enjoy some coffee, Im sure Sam will be right out. I was on the phone to Maggie and I have to get back."
Ben noticed a book and papers on the seat he would normally take, and remembering Sams habit of positional filing Ben sat behind Sams desk rather than move the papers. His eye fell on the document in front of him, and seeing his name he picked it up and began to read.
He was shocked, it was an agreement for him to buy out Sams interest in the company, but what really shocked Ben was the odor and slight stain from Hoppies Gun Oil. In a flash of intuition he realized Sam was planning to kill himself and provide for Catherine and Maggie when he was gone. Insurance made no payouts for suicides.
Sam was stiff and let the hot water beat on his sore back, the damn couch was uncomfortable. He wasnt deliberately keeping his old friend waiting, as he knew Ben would need time to drink his allotted two cups of Catherines great coffee. Sam wondered idly if there was coffee in the hereafter, that is, if there was a hereafter.
His back felt a little better and after drying himself off, he dressed in the clean clothes Catherine had hung up for him. Their presence here was like a barb that reminded him of the loss of intimacy with Catherine. He didnt know what to do to get that back, and despaired of ever doing so, so he joined his friend in the study.
Seeing Ben reading the document Sam said, "I tried to be fair Ben, I hope the terms meet with your approval."
Bens mind raced, he had to buy time. "Sam, this is a complete surprise to me. Will you give me a few days to think about it, and to get an outside opinion?"
Sam didnt look happy, he had made up his mind and wanted to get on with it, but what Ben was asking was reasonable. "Sure Ben, take as much time as you need I will be flexible, just let Alex or I know any problems, Im sure we can work them out."
"Good, but Sam, why?"
"Why not? The place runs as well with or without me now, our new wiz kids understand the application of neural network theory to our clients problems as well as I, give them their heads and things will be fine."
"Ill give this serious thought, but in the meantime what are your thoughts on the Norton situation?"
"Thats a strange one ." Sam became professional as he focused on a problem he could solve.
Two hours later, after Ben dropped off Sam at the office, Ben was at Sams front door again having told Sam he had to stop over at his bank and brokers.
"Hi Catherine, long time no see." Ben said with a big grin.
"Oh darn, what did he forget this time?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you, have any more coffee?"
"Sure, come into the kitchen, Ill ditch Maggie, she is still on the phone and Ill be all yours." Catherine saw nothing strange in this, as they all had been friends since college.
Seated at the table in the large kitchen Sam took a sip of coffee while Catherine seated herself. Catherine was neat and trim, she always reminded Ben of Mrs. Carver, and with help from a cleaning service twice a week, she kept the large home neat and spotless to a fault.
"What's on you mind Ben?"
"I dont know how to ask this tactfully, and if its none of my business tell me, but why does Ben want to sell me the company?"
"I dont know this is the first Ive heard of it. Are you sure, I thought he loved his work."
"Yes Im very sure. We havent been socializing much since Sandra and I divorced, have you noticed why Sam is so depressed lately."
"I hadnt noticed his being depressed, I really wouldnt know how he is feeling."
"You really havent noticed anything strange."
"No, nothing except this business of selling his interest, but I guess its his company and he can do anything he wants with it."
Ben couldnt understand Catherines attitude, but outside of seeing her most mornings as he picked up Sam, he realized they had had no social interaction since, Christ it was over two years when his divorce went through. And he thought ruefully, most the girls he was seeing these days were well not very presentable. Something is badly wrong he decided, and didnt mention his suspicions of Sams impending suicide. He made some small talk and left. Catherine seemed totally unconcerned, it was almost as if Sam didnt matter to her at all.
Ben noticed that Sam was meeting with the wiz kids, in that setting he was animated his old self Doctor Sam Whitley, boy wonder mathematician, PHD in advanced mathematics from Stamford at nineteen, PHD in advanced particle physics at twenty, MBA at twenty-one. Ben was really worried about his old friend, and once in his office he closed the door and thought the whole thing through.
Dr. Peter (Pete) Wilson, the marriage counselor Sandra and he had seen was a practicing psychiatrist, as well as a hell of a nice person. He wasnt able to reconcile them, but he was able to work through their anger, and now that they werent married, they were friends again. Sandra had remarried (to Mark Wallace her gynecologist) and now he had his many dollies.
"Dr. Wilsons office, how may I help you?"
"Hi Marsha, this is Ben Smith, is Pete available?"
"Hi Ben, those tickets you got me for Kiss were super, thanks again. Pete is with a patient, can I have him call you back?"
"Sure, Ill wait in my office for his call Marsha please tell him its very important, I really would like to see him for ten minutes or so."
"Ill take care of you, dont worry."
"Thanks, does that cover, say tonight, I mean for us."
"Wicked boy, I cant wait my place or yours? "
Ben was thinking of Marsha, in addition to working as a receptionist for Pete, she was a registered sex therapist, what she didnt know about how to derive pleasure from sex wasnt worth knowing. Ben was smiling when Pete called twenty minutes later.
"Ben, Marsha tells me you are corrupting her morals again."
"Christ Pete, thats better than I hoped for, she really said that?"
"Getting off on my office help, and now you want ten minutes for yourself with me, you gone bi or something?"
Chuckling a little, "No Pete, Im calling about a very close friend."
"Ive heard that one before, but Im easy, how about you take me to lunch twelve thirty sound good?"
"Ill pick you up at the office. Until then, bye"
Chads Steak House was crowded, but Ben and Pete were taken directly to a table off to itself where they could talk privately. After cocktails were served and their order taken Pete said, "Well Ben, whats on your mind?"
"Do you remember meeting Sam Whitley during your interviews of our close friends?"
"Yes, he was your partner in your business, nice guy as I remember."
"Yes, you have the right guy. He is my best friend and I have strong reason to believe he intends to kill himself."
"What makes you think so?"
Ben told Pete about Sams desire to sell his share of the business, the gun oil on the contract, and Catherines total lack of concern for Ben. This total lack of concern was from a woman who used to be very concerned by the least little thing having to do with Sams well being.
"Thats pretty thin. You couldnt take that to the police or anything."
"Pete, I have damn good intuition I know Im right Sam is planning to off himself. I thought I could get you two together on some pretext or other, well you are dynamite reading people, as a favor to me."
"Ok, Ill see him after lunch Marsha will give you an appointment. Now let me pick you brain about Sam and his wife as well as his attitude towards work."
Pete took out a digital tape recorder and over lunch did just that, completely and efficiently.
"Do you think you could get Catherine into me too?"
"Yes, I think so."
Chapter 2
As Sam got in Bens car Monday morning Ben said.
"I talked to Benson (Bens attorney) over the weekend, he strongly suggested that I have you talk to a specialist regarding the sale of your share of the business, he is concerned that there is no duress involved that might create problems with the validity of the transaction later on."
This was nonsense and Ben knew it, so he was prepared for resistance from Sam, however Sam said, "Ok, makes sense, when can we do it?"
"How about now, I checked with Lucy (Sams secretary) and she said you are free for a few hours."
"Ok. Who will I see?"
"You remember Pete Wilson?"
"Yeah, he was your marriage counselor wasnt he, why would he be interested?"
"Marriage counseling is only part of what he does, he is a clinical psychiatrist as well and has standing with the court as an expert witness."
"Ok."
Pete had come in early, cancelled his first two appointments, and as a result had over two hours to devote to Sam when he walked into his office. An anxious Ben waited in the waiting room kind of hoping Marsha might come in early. Friday night was spectacular and he was pretty well recovered by today.
"Hi Sam, good to see you again." They shook hands and sat in easy chairs a foot or so apart. "Since our meeting has to do with a legal matter I would like to record this conversation, if you dont mind."
Sam thought for a minute and said, "That makes sense, sure go ahead."
"Good," Pete pressed a button on a small cassette recorder, placed it on the small table between them, and continued, "Your name is Dr. Sam Whitley?"
"Yes."
"You reside at ." Pete asked twenty or thirty questions like that, mainly to lull Sam a bit and have him forget the conversation was being recorded. Pete was a little more devious; three hidden cameras were videotaping both him and Sam, and would continue to do so regardless of the state of the cassette recorder.
Sam seemed very relaxed and asked Pete, "It seems to me that selling my interest in my company is a fairly straight forward matter. Exactly why would you need to talk to me?"
"Well normally it would be, but I think you can see how questions could be raised after your body is found. Suicides are always thoroughly investigated by the police."
The color drained from Sams face, his body became ridged, and his hand twitched. "What did you say?"
"Nothing much, just that suicides are always treated with suspicion. I need to know what your real reasons are, and be certain Ben isnt pressuring you in any way Im sure you can understand that. Cant you?"
"Wha What wakes you think I will kill myself?"
"You are, arent you?"
Ben froze like a dear in headlamps, he said nothing for two or three minutes, Pete just waited looking totally unconcerned.
"Yes." Sam said almost inaudibly.
"Fine, now lets talk about why. How long have you been feeling depressed?"
"It started almost two years ago."
"Thats interesting, did Ben cause it in any way?"
"No, I did, it was all my fault."
"Interesting, then your depression stems from a identifiable event, that is good. What was it?"
"This is embarrassing."
"Im a doctor Ben, there is no need to feel embarrassed, besides I have to know. What did you do?"
"Its a very private thing, Ive only told my wife and that was a disaster."
"What did you do?"
"I got caught."
"Caught doing what?"
"My wife found out I cross-dressed."
"I see, lots of men do tell me all about it?"
"Ok, it isnt a new thing. I had a twin sister, from a very early age we would dress in each others things, it was a game we played and mother and dad let us. Obviously, we werent identical twins, but we looked identical until Sharon hit puberty, and of course two years latter when I did. This sounds foolish as I say it, but I got in the habit of studying in a dress, in fact I wore all Sharons things from the skin out. She would dress in my clothes, fix her hair like mine, and mine like hers it was a game with us. Whenever I would go outside or play with my friends I would dress in my things except for Halloween and a few costume parties, when we would reverse roles in public. We were very good, and only people we told ever knew.
I didnt have a normal schooling, my sister and I were considered prodigies, and my parents moved to an apartment in Santa Clara so we could attend a special school, I graduated the special high school at fourteen a year ahead of Sharon. I chose a private room in the dorm at Stamford, and was given one even though I was on a full scholarship, while at college when in my room I continued to study in a dress. I missed Sharon terribly, we always shared a room together, and I guess wearing each others things made us feel closer. I even slept in a nightgown, and wore little studs like she did, during the day I would wear just one earring, and since my hair was relatively long, it wasnt very noticeable anyhow.
At fifteen I got my first wet dream, and grew to my present five foot eight, I have always been slender and been told I have a baby face. However, I gradually stopped dressing, as my school work load increased I absentmindedly walked outside my room several times dressed fortunately I wasnt recognized but I was frightened by my forgetfulness and basically stopped altogether by the time I was nineteen.
At eighteen I met Catherine, she was the first girl I ever went out with, and I was the first boy to ever kiss her. Her upbringing was as sheltered as mine, and her family was devout Episcopalians. She was an English major and I met her in the pizza place on University Avenue where she had a part time job. Her dorm was near mine and I would walk her to work and then back to the dorm. At a party one night our friends spiked our drinks with vodka, neither of us had anything to drink before, nor realized what we were doing, before we knew it the long island ice teas had us high as kites. We staggered to my room, and as we sobered a bit we made love. I barely remember it and Catherine says she doesnt remember us doing it at all. It was our one and only time before our wedding day, nevertheless five months later we were married, four months after that Betty was born.
We lived off campus in a two-bedroom apartment, the owners daughter would watch Betty for us while we were attending classes. Naturally I had none of my sisters clothes there, nor did I mention my crossdressing to Catherine.
The first two years we were married were financially very rough, while Catherines parents were well off, they considered us sinners and didnt help us. My parents were having a rough time and couldnt help us. We lived on Catherines income from the Pizza place (and free pizza the owner would give her) and the small salary I received as a graduate assistant.
Then twin disasters happened, Sharon was in an ultimately fatal automobile accident, and Catherine developed an infection rendering her sterile. Sharons accident resulted in a very large settlement and she lived long enough to leave half to me, and half to our parents.
That was just as I received my MBA. I received an appointment to the faculty at Stamford and in addition to teaching I did research in mathematics and physics specifically computerized neural networks and their application to particle physics. Within three years, working on my own, I discovered an application of neural networks to several previously intractable business problems. I had known Ben since I was eighteen, but it was during this time we became fast friends.
Between money from his father, and my inheritance from Sharon we started our present company. It was rough for the first few years, but once we proved out theories actually worked we had more work than we could handle and steadily expanded to our present business. In that entire time Ben and I never had a serious disagreement, and I believe we love each other as brothers.
The nature of our business is such that I, or now either of two other scientists, must visit new clients and set up neural networks specific to their business. These visits occurred six to eight times a year, usually took a week or two, and I spent a lot of time in my room designing the networks.
I cant tell you why, but whenever I was alone like that I felt a compulsion to dress like my sister. It was very strong and soon I gave in. I started out with a simple nightgown, but within a year or two, I had two complete outfits, after five years I would even go out dressed. I never had a problem, even though I was not very good looking, I had feminine mannerisms down pat and had no trouble walking in heels.
I guess this went on for close to fifteen years, anyhow until two years ago.
I want to make one thing clear, I am not a homosexual; I have never had sex of any type with anyone other than my wife. When I dress; it makes me feel better and satisfies my compulsion. You have my word of honor on that, and I dont give that lightly in fact I dont lie even though there a times Im sure I should have. Another thing, I love my wife very much, until two years ago we had regular sex, missionary position only, but we cuddled every night I was home we never slept apart."
"What happened two years ago Sam?"
"I have a locked room in my cellar where I keep most of my guns and my reloading equipment, this is where I kept my suitcase with my female clothes. Catherine almost never went in that room, and the suitcase was normally kept in a locked cabinet and only I had the combination.
Two years ago the airline misplaced my suitcases, normally when that happens I make a trip to the airport and pick them up, this time when the airline called I was in a meeting, and a temporary office worker told the airline to deliver the bags to my house.
As soon as Catherine received them, she took them downstairs to our laundry room, and then she opened them.
When I got home I heard crying from the basement and I went downstairs, I found Catherine with the open suitcases holding one of my dresses in tears. When she saw me she choked back her tears and asked, "Just who do these belong to?" Well, what could I say? I told her just what I told you, one hundred percent the truth I realize now that I should have lied, and told her the airline delivered the wrong bag. I dont know whether you will understand, but thinking back on that day I believe I wanted to tell her. After all she was my wife, my closest friend, and I was tired of sneaking behind her back.
She didnt believe me at first when I told her about my crossdressing; she believed it all belonged to another woman who traveled with me. I offered to dress for her and show her these were my things, but she called me depraved and refused. Just then Betty came home and Catherine asked me to go upstairs and give her a chance to fix her face, and for me to order in Chinese.
I did, at the dinner table nothing was said, it wasnt until we went to bed and I tried to kiss her as usual that she told me to stay on my side of the bed. I felt really bad, but she wouldnt talk to me.
The next day I looked downstairs and didnt see that suitcase, I didnt have much time as just then Ben came for me, so I forgot about it. I never saw my female clothes again, and I assume Catherine threw them out. I called her several times that day, but as soon as I mentioned anything about dressing she hung up.
For the past two years its been the same, we have never discussed it. The next day I did tell her I promised never to do it again, and I havent, but she said she didnt care any more.
At first she simply kept to her own side of the bed and refused any physical contact with me. Then she started wearing facemasks, clay things that she knew I hated. Then she spent hours in the bathroom; just as I would go to sleep she would get into bed and turn on the television. She knew I couldnt sleep with it on, and after awhile I started going to my den to sleep on the couch. She made up the guest room, but I never used it that would be like giving up entirely. When she moved my things in there I moved them back. After a few times she gave up, but would put the clothes I would wear the next day in the dens bathroom and lock the bedroom door to me.
Catherine is always polite, and when Betty was home things outside the bedroom were normal, I even lied and said I was in the den so much because I had a lot of work to do. Betty knew there was a problem, but neither Catherine nor I tried to get her to take sides.
It wore on me, at first I thought she would forgive me, but she didnt. I have the compulsion to dress all the time now, and its driving me crazy. I miss the intimacy I shared with Catherine, not just the sex, but the cuddling and warmth together at night. I have lost that which I love, its worse than if she had died, the deliberate shunning of me has destroyed my soul. That is why I must leave this world, my soul has already left."
"Why are you selling the business?"
"None of my insurance will payout if I commit suicide, I must leave Betty and Catherine provided for, I cant duck that responsibility. If I dont have an agreement with Ben for my share, it could be years before the company is liquidated and money would be available."
"Why dont you simply divorce her and move on with your life, you are wealthy enough?"
"I gave my word, to death do us part."
Pete then began asking questions, in fairly rapid order. There were two reasons behind this, first to see if the answers were consistent, and second to match against Catherines answers to the same questions. After an hour Pete stood up, and asked Sam if he could draw some blood, explaining he wanted to test for drugs among other things. After he has filled sever vials, Pete shook Sams hand and said he might want Sam to come back a time or two. Pete toyed with having Sam committed, he probably had enough on tape, but he decided to talk to Catherine first. He didnt believe Sam would do the deed before Ben signed the agreement. It was a significant risk because in Petes considerable experience, people lie, lie all the time but he was curious, what would Catherine have to say?
Chapter 3
It was nine Wednesday morning.
"Ive met Dr. Wilson if you remember, why are you bringing me here Ben?"
"Sam has a real problem, I thought you might be able to help him."
"It isnt my business, he is perfectly capable of working out his own problems."
"Are you mad at me Catherine?"
"No, whatever gave you that idea?"
"Sam is my best friend, if you wont do it for him will you do it for me?"
Catherine paused, Ben got out of the car and opened Catherines door, and stood there holding the door and saying nothing. Almost five minutes went by; finally Catherine sighed and joined Ben. Both thought the little drama went unnoticed, but Pete was watching the whole thing from his office window, he smiled.
Pete met them in the reception room and invited Catherine into his office, this time he arranged for Catherine to sit in a comfortable armchair and he sat behind his desk. Two cameras were on Catherine, one from the front showing her head and shoulders, and one from the side, which showed her whole body. Another focused on him. He went through the charade with the tape recorder and began.
"Good morning Catherine ."
He asked the usual thirty or so questions to put her at ease and then asked, "Catherine, Ben has been offered Sams portion of the business, for a fair price. He is considering taking Sam up on his offer. The problem Ben has is that Sam plans to commit suicide, and he is fearful the purchase might be disputed. The problem you have is that the agreement offered Ben names you and Betty as the beneficiaries of the future payments pledged by Ben. This puts Betty and you in the unenviable position of being prime suspects in Sams murder, that is if the police investigation doesnt buy suicide."
"He would never commit suicide, he couldnt even kill animals, he loved to shoot, but shot iron animals and paper targets."
"My point exactly, dozens of people would tell the police the same thing. The only way I could convince them otherwise is if I could prove he was sufficiently depressed to actually kill himself. I need your help to do that."
"How do you know he will do it, did Ben tell you?"
"Ben told me he suspected, Sam has been depressed, it started two years ago and has reached this point now however he does his work with enthusiasm so ordinary acquaintances wouldnt notice, only long term friends like Ben have noticed. However to answer your question, Sam told me. He was sitting in that chair and told me flat out, with no ambiguity and I believe him. Unfortunately there is little I can do to stop him; all I might be able to do is ease the burden of his passing on those he leaves behind."
"Go to the police, commit him somewhere for Christ sake. That would stop him."
"Wont work, this is California in nineteen ninety eight, and while I might delay him for a few days, he will take his life before the month is out, I will bet money on that." Pete had his fingers crossed.
"I havent noticed no wait if Ben says he is, you say it goes back two years?"
"Thats what Ben says."
"We had a severe personal problem, about then, but I really dont think it bothered Sam."
"Tell me about it."
"No, its very personal."
"Im a doctor, its all right to tell me after all its in your own best interest."
"To understand where Im coming from, you have to know our other dark secret. Sam and I met in college, we went out for almost a year, and then we went to a party and some of Sams friends gave us Long Island Ice Tea a lot of it. I wouldnt be surprised now if he didnt put them up to it, but we both got tipsy. We made love that night, we were unmarried, but nevertheless Betty our daughter was conceived. He used no protection, he said, because he never expected to have sex until he got married, I know I wasnt on the pill because I damn well knew I wasnt going to have sex before marriage."
"So he raped you then."
"No, my will was weakened by the alcohol, but I was willing enough, even by todays standards and besides Betty resulted from that union, I can never regret that."
"Sorry to interrupt, please go on, when did you marry?"
"Four months before Betty was born, at first it was very difficult, there was almost no money. At the time I admired Sam and didnt begrudge him his education he is absolutely the smartest person I ever met.
When his twin sister died she left us a considerable sum, Sam and Ben invested most of it in their business, it was Sams concept, but the both worked like dogs to make it successful. Sam would go on frequent business trips listing ten days or more, and until I found out his secret two years ago I never suspected anything was amiss. I know now he would I cant tell you its just too horrible."
"Was he a child molester, a murderer of his lovers?"
"No nothing like that, by comparison to those things its pretty tame. He would dress as a woman and solicit sex from men, there Ive told you."
"Did he tell you that?"
"He told me he dressed like a woman. I didnt believe him at first, my first thought was that he traveled with a woman and told me the crossdressing story to cover that up. However I hired a detective agency to trace his movements on recent trips, and he was able to secure pictures from surveillance cameras clearly showing Sam dressed as a woman. I didnt believe them until the agency I hired showed computer enhancements eliminating the effects of makeup. Once I saw that all the pictures were clearly Sam, besides he only had two complete outfits."
"Was the agency able to provide pictures of homosexual activity, was he ever photographed with a man?"
"No, there was no hard evidence. But that is what the detective said transsexuals usually do, why go out dressed as a woman if not for purposes of sex?"
"I dont know, do you look for sex whenever you go out?"
"Heavens no, I never do, but that is hardly the same thing."
"No I suppose not, do you remember if his clothes had evidence of sex, it is usually unmistakable, homosexual love is usually much messier than heterosexual love."
"No, as I remember they were worn but presentable Sam is usually fastidious about his appearance. I kept the things intact."
"Would you mind giving them to me, I have a friend in the police lab who will check them for me, it wont prove he didnt, but will prove if he did."
"Ill give the locked suitcase to Ben, Ill ask he bring it to you. Please dont tell him its contents its ok with me if the police lab breaks the lock."
"Ok, one more personal question. Was Sam sexual potent when he returned from his trips, or was he disinterested in you."
Catherine turned scarlet, after a minute she said, "He was horny as hell if you must know, for a few days he couldnt love me enough frankly thats why I never suspected."
"Then he was able to produce significant amounts of semen?"
"Very significant, it was downright messy at times. We used a towel to save the sheets."
"Thats a little strange, if he was experiencing wild homosexual sex, one would suspect his semen production would be reduced. How was the production, oh say the following week?"
"Reduced by quite a bit, about normal Id say. I cant believe Im sitting here telling you all this."
"Im a doctor, dont worry, its nothing I havent heard dozens of times before. Now please tell me what you did to Sam, did you hit him, kick him out of the house, turn Betty against him?"
"Certainly not. At first I simply wouldnt let him touch me, I thought if he was with another woman eventually I would reconcile with him providing he didnt see her again. I didnt then and dont even now want to divorce him, I took a vow and I dont intend to break it. Outside of providing intimacy I have been a perfect wife, and I must say he has been a perfect provider and husband.
Then when I received the detectives report I realized reconciliation with intimacy was impossible. I became most unpleasant and forced him out of my bedroom."
"Two questions, one why was intimacy impossible then?"
"Because he has AIDS of course, dont all homosexuals?"
"No they dont, a lot of them do though. Besides there is a remote possibility he just might not have had any sexual relations while away, it is remotely possible he was telling the whole truth. But my second question is, how did you force him out of your bedroom?"
"When he didnt take a hint, I wouldnt let him have a good nights sleep. I can sleep with the TV on and he cant, I would wait until he was asleep and turn the TV on, he would wake. Pretty soon he started to sleep in his den, I felt sorry for him on that lumpy couch so I moved his things into the guest room, but he would have none of that for some reason, so I gave up and his things are still in my room.
After that I just do my best to ignore his feelings, I feed him, care for his clothes and clean our house. As far as anyone knows, until today that is, we are a happily married family."
Pete then asked a long series of pointed questions as he had Sam. Pete asked Catherine not to mention her visit here to Sam. As Catherine was leaving she turned to Pete and asked, "You think he told me the truth dont you?"
"I dont know Catherine, people lie to me all the time, and sometimes they dont even realize they are doing it. When I give Sam a chemical interrogation and see the analysis of the clothing, I will have a much better idea. Tell me Catherine, is Sam usually truthful?"
"To a fault, it would have been so easy to simple tell me the airline delivered the luggage, why didnt he?"
"I dont know, maybe because he was tired of dressing behind your back, it was apparently important to him. Try to get some rest this afternoon; this has been very difficult for you, would you like a little pill to relax?"
"Yes, thank you, please."
An hour later Ben returned with the suitcase, "Well Pete, what do you think."
"I really cant tell you, but if Im lucky you may have done your friend a big favor. Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure what is it?"
"Get Sam here about eight thirty tomorrow morning, we will be most of the day."
"Hey, thats our golf day!"
"Not this week, but rest easy I will send you the bill."
"Ok, you help Sam and Ill double it. Ill get Sam here on time."
Pete performed a chemical interrogation on Sam, and also hypnotized him. Sams stories didnt deviate at all from his conscious testimony, but in addition Pete had Sam relate his activities while moving about while dressed, as Pete suspected no sex was involved. Then he called Ben and asked that he bring Catherine in the next morning at nine and Sam in at eight. Then he spent most of the evening editing the videotape to a third machine without destroying the original.
Chapter 4
Catherine looked to Pete as if she had been crying; she was very surprised to see Sam in Petes office too. Sam was very, very surprised to see her walk in.
Pete had them sit in two easy chairs while he sat behind his desk. There was a large screen Sony TV visible on the sidewall, where all could see it clearly, Pete held a remote.
He started, "I asked Ben to bring you both here together, and normally in cases like this I play a videotape of each parties statements. I use video, as people will usually watch it without becoming too argumentative. In this way I at least get each party to listen to the other sides story, and negotiate from there. In this case you agree on almost all of what happened while you were both together, so the video is not all that important for that purpose. However, it is important for Catherine to understand the basis for my belief that Sam is very likely to take his own life, exactly what Sam did on his business trips, and that reconciliation just might be possible. With that in mind, do you both agree to see the video together?"
Both Sam and Catherine looked confused, but said yes.
"Ok, first segment is an excerpt from the answers Sam gave under the influence of sodium pentothal. The questions are a bit out of a logical sequence to prevent and detect attempts to fool the interrogator. It is possible Sam could have been trained to provide false information under this type of questioning, however, I dont believe Sam has had that training."
The TV crackled to life, and a very clear and very pale vacuous looking Sam appeared on the screen, Petes voice could be heard but the video remained squarely on Sam.
"Sam, do you know why you dress as a female while away from home?"
"I guess its because Im lonely." Sam replied in a monotone, almost detached voice.
"Why not go down to the lounge and have a few with the other guests?"
"I dont like bars, too smoky, and I dont enjoy drinking."
"What do you like about dressing in female attire?"
"I feel comfortable in it, I always have."
"Any other reasons?"
"I feel I am close to Sharon and Catherine, I dont understand it, but I do, I feel I am."
"Do you remember the years since Catherine found your things?"
"Yes."
"How do you feel today?"
"Lonely and hurting."
"Did you dress today?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I promised Catherine I wouldnt."
"Since Catherine found your things, how have you felt?"
"Isolated and lonely, like Ive lost the best part of me like when Sharon died."
"Did you try to kill yourself back then too?"
"No, but back then Catherines love saw me through that."
"Have you dressed any time since Catherine found your things?"
"No"
"Dont you want to?"
"Of course, I want to so bad I can taste it."
"Have you ever has sex of any kind with a man?"
"No."
"Have you ever kissed a man?"
"Yes, my father and my uncles.
"Were those kisses erotic designed to be sexually arousing?"
"They were not sexual in any sense of the word."
"Did you ever kiss your father while dressed?"
"Yes, it was wonderful, I almost never kissed him as Sam. Sharon and Samantha loved to cuddle with mommy and daddy."
"Who are Sharon and Samantha?"
"Sharon is my twin sister, she is dead now. Samantha is my female alter ego I am Samantha."
"Did you dress for sexual gratification?"
"No, thats unthinkable."
"Have you ever had sex with a woman as Samantha?"
"No."
"Never?"
"Yes"
"Have you ever had sex with a woman as Sam?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"Catherine."
"Just Catherine?"
"Yes."
"Why only her?"
"She is my wife, I promised to be faithful to her."
"No one else?"
"No one."
"Are you going to kill yourself?"
"Yes"
"Why didnt you do it this morning?"
"The sale of my share of the company to Ben isnt completed yet."
"Why is that important?"
"It will provide security to Betty and Catherine when Im gone."
"Why is that important?"
"They wont be able to collect any of my life insurance after I kill myself."
"But why is that important to you?"
"I love them."
The TV went blank and Pete stopped it. Tears were visible in Catherines eyes, though she was fighting them, Sam looked sad. Pete observed, "That was just a excerpt from over an hour of raw footage, I have a copy of the entire interrogation for you here." He pointed to a VHS videotape cassette. Continuing, "The next segment is from my attempt to hypnotize Sam, I started while his mind was still relaxed by the drug." Pete described in some detail the process, mainly to allow Catherine to calm down. He concluded, "Based on my past experience I believe the hypnosis succeeded, and what you hear is Sams accurate recollection of the actual events."
The TV flashed back to life, this time Sam was sitting with his eyes closed, and if not for his semi-erect posture one would think him asleep. Petes voice could be heard, and rather then the sharp crisp questions from the chemical interrogation his voice was calm and soothing.
"Sam I want you to go back to the day you returned home and found Catherine holding your dress, go to the minute you walked into the basement laundry room an and first saw Catherine. Tell me what you see and hear, you will be there on the count of three, one two three."
Sams whole expression and body language changed; first he looked terrified, and then resigned. He spoke, "I hear Catherine crying, she is crying in a way I havent seen since the day she found out she was sterile. My own stomach knots, I run up to her to comfort her, but she pushes me away telling me never to touch her again "
Sam recites in detail the whole scene and Pete pauses the tape and asks, "Catherine is that how you remember that event?"
Catherine is crying softly, but she makes an effort and composes herself, "It is exactly as I remember it, I had been crying for some time when Sam came in, when he touched me I reacted just as he said. I dont remember everything he said with such clarity, but from what I remember that was how it happened. Why didnt you lie to me Sam, at least until I calmed down?"
"Catherine, I never lie to you, besides I though you would sense that I was, and that would only make things worse."
The talked a little more then Pete asked, "Are you two prepared to see the next segment?" Both nodded affirmatively, and the TV flicked into motion.
Petes voice said, "You are back in the quiet place now, do you feel calm and relaxed?"
Like magic Sams face went from anguish to peaceful composure and his eyes closed.
"Now Sam," Petes voice continued, "I want you to travel back to your hotel on the trip immediately preceding Catherines discovery. Specifically I want you to describe the first time on that trip you dressed and subsequently went out, tell me what you were feeling, what you were seeing and what others said to you. Be concise, but hit the all the high points. You are there on the count of three, one two three."
Sams face became alive, "Its my second full day in the hotel, and its about four in the afternoon, I am entering my hotel room and cant wait to get dressed. I first take a long hot shower, I wish I could shave all over but then Catherine would know for sure, corky is behaving himself, so it is easy to tuck after I dry off and powder. I put on my undies, silicon liquid breast forms to fill out my breasts, and tights; they are not sheer but cover up my leg hair nicely.
I put on my heels and slip, I love the feeling of the slip and heels, after hours, heels hurt a bit, but at first, its a heavenly feeling. I remember the first time Sharon and I wore high heels, mother knew it was a special memory so she bought both Sharon and I matching outfits and watched us dress, then she handed us the heels she had hidden in a bag, they were less than two inches, but it was very special to Sharon and I.
Now Im putting on perfume, its Wind Song, Catherines favorite, I feel she is in the room with me. Then I apply make up, I remember the times mother taught Sharon and I to use it, then I arrange my hair, I wish it were longer and easier to style but it looks ok. Then I put earrings and jewelry on, I love the feeling, my right ear hole is almost closed up, but I manage to push in the stud. I look in the mirror and Samantha smiles back, she isnt very curvy, but looks passable as a tall rather horsy looking girl, Sharon, mom and dad loved her, and Im pleased she is back.
Now that Im all dressed, I open my PC and work for three hours. Im hungry and decide to take a cab to a restaurant Kyle has told me was excellent. Its warm out so I only take my raincoat less the lining, I freshen my makeup, pee and leave the room.
Downstairs I enter a cab for the Outback Steakhouse, once there I wait in the lobby for a table; the room is filled with mostly businessmen and families, but fortunately I am just ugly enough not to attract much male attention. What little I do attract is easily, politely, but firmly turned away."
Sam went on to describe the dinner, leaving the restaurant, and returning to the hotel, only to work for two more hours, shower and go to bed in a nightie.
Pete intoned, "Now Sam you are in the quiet place." Again Sams eyes closed and he relaxed. "Please reflect on the things you would do dressed while away on business trips, please describe the things you do, you will start on the count of three, one two three."
"Most of the time I work at my computer. I go out for dinner, many times I go to a mall and widow shop, maybe pick up a pair of tights or a new dress. I try on a lot of dresses, but buy very few, I have no room to keep more than two, and must discard one when I leave to go home. Its easy to imagine Catherine is shopping with me, I can smell her wherever I go. Sometimes I go to a movie, I sit close to the screen and immerse myself, and its easy to imagine both Sharon and Catherine are with me in the darkened theater. Thats about all, I have tried sporting events and concerts, but it is too easy to be groped in a crowd, and I fear discovery even though I think corky feels a little like a pussy to a casual touch when hes tucked between my legs."
Sam went on for a few minutes and Pete interrupted, "Sam I want you to return to the quiet place." Pete stopped the tape again.
Pete looked at Sam and Catherine, and judging by there thoughtful faces his plan was working, now for the last element.
"The next segment is relatively short, I usually compile the recollections of events and complaints of each party, and play them back to back, and then seek to come to agreement of the facts and their true emotional impact."
Pete turned the tape back on and the screen came back to life. He had edited the tape such that his question was followed by an answer from Sam and then Catherine. It only took ten minutes or so until they reached the issue of Sams suicide.
"This is the first real point of disagreement, Catherine you dont believe Sam will do it, but Sam says he will. Catherine, after viewing the previous tape, do you wish to change your assessment of Sams intentions?"
Catherine burst into tears for several minutes, when Sam moved to comfort her Pete motioned him away, finally she choked out, "My god what have I done?"
Pete asked, "Then you agree with Sams stated intention?"
Catherine replied between sobs, "Yes."
Pete stated, "I concur, Sam will kill himself as soon as his arrangements are finished. I believe this because Sam is a very truthful person and he says he will, second under chemical interrogation he affirms he will and third under hypnosis he affirms his intention. Now if you are ready lets continue."
Pete spoke as if this was perfectly natural and restarted the tape. Several trivial issues followed with both Sam and Catherine agreeing on the answers, Pete had planned it that way to allow their emotions to quiet.
Then the question or reconciliation was reached.
Sam was always open to reconciliation, but expressed frustration with Catherines refusal to talk to him about issues concerning their estrangement. Catherines answer indicated willingness to reconcile early on when she thought there was another woman involved, but complete rejection once she thought there was a homosexual relationship and the probability Sam had contracted AIDS.
Sam looked very thoughtful, just then Marsha interrupted them saying, "Dr. Wilson, these just came, and you asked me to bring them to you as soon as they both arrived." Actually Pete had signaled her.
"Thank you Marsha." Pete opened the envelopes and read looking serious as a heart attack, but then his face broke out in a grin. "Catherine, this is the lab report on the clothing you gave me, there are no detectable semen stains on any of the garments, Sam didnt you masturbate while dressed?"
Sam actually turned red, and Catherine couldnt help smiling. "Er no, I did a few times when I first went through puberty, but as I always felt close to Sharon when dressed and I didnt want her to see me doing that. When I would go on trips, I wanted to save myself for Catherine, besides my hand is no substitute for her love."
Pete opened the second envelope, and smiled again. "You guys will be pleased to note Sam does not have AIDS or any of a dozen diseases commonly associated with sexual activity. In fact he is very healthy, physically at least."
"Thank god," Catherine intoned, "I was really concerned, but its not surprising, I believe he has only had sex with me. Im so sorry Sam, but Ill try to make it up to you if you will let me."
Pete knew when to quit, he turned off the TV and said, "Shoo now you two, do you want this tape?"
Sam looked at Catherine and she shook her head, Sam said, "No thanks Pete words cant thank you enough."
But Catherine planted a big kiss on Petes forehead, leaving lipstick mark and the tape.
Pete just smiled thinking of Bens promise of double payment, and then he realized a good outcome was rare enough to be reward enough. Naa, he corrected that thinking, quickly, before it took root.
Epilog
That night Sam was happily back in his own bed, the bad memories of the two past years seemed to be fading quickly. Catherine thought she would have difficulty sleeping without the TV, and surprisingly Sam had difficulty making love, corky wouldnt work.
At first they werent concerned, but after two nights of the problem.
"Whats the matter Honey?" Catherine asked with concern in her voice.
"I dont know, I havent been getting erections since about a year after our fight."
"Why didnt you mention it to Pete while we were there?"
"I didnt think about it, I was far too upset about other things, and then the other day when you realized I was still important to you well that was all that mattered to me."
"Ive been so selfish, I just dont know what possessed me well whatever is the matter, we will fix it together, I wont make the same mistake twice. Even though he was upset, Sam had played racquet ball with Ben earlier and was physically tired falling asleep during a episode of Mystery.
Catherine lay there next to him and her hand unconsciously moved to stroke his privates, as she thought of them. She had never kissed them before, but she was feeling very loving and nurturing toward Sam, she moved down, and began kissing them. Soon he began to respond, and she continued her loving and began to suck him into her mouth. This went on a long time; Sam was pretty hard now, but still fast asleep. The TV timed out and still she held him in her mouth, falling into a half awake, half asleep state. Soon after he reached the first REM state, he twitched and she bit down slightly. Sam woke then and realized Catherine had corky in her mouth, and that he was hard, he reached down and stroked Catherines head and said, "That feels very nice."
With that encouragement Catherine became fully awake and continued, she had never done this before considering it depraved, but soon Sam was very hard. He gently pushed her head away and mounted her missionary style as always, and they made love for the first time in two years
Catherine still had trouble sleeping without the TV, but vigorous love making tired Sam and he fell asleep each night, she applied the timer to the TV, enjoyed her post lovemaking glow, snuggled to Sam, and went to sleep herself. The TV was off before he reached a REM state and woke him up.
It took three months, but curiosity got the better of her, she had to meet Samantha.
That Saturday morning she asked Sam, "Will you go shopping with me dear." He made a little grimace, but before he begged off she added, "As Samantha of course."
His face lit up, but then he said, "I have nothing to wear, and your things wont fit me."
"Not a problem, I had your things cleaned after Pete gave them back to me and theyre in my closet. Come lets take a shower, I have lots of Nair, and you can do it all right."
Sam let Catherine apply Nair all over his body; he applied it to her legs and the waited for it to work. It burned a little, but Sam was so pleased Catherine accepted his quirk that he didnt mind. After their shower they applied lotion to each other, and promptly got sidetracked for a little lovemaking. They found the contact between their hairless legs and arms was very erotic and made love twice, in quick secession, something they never did.
When Catherine put on her panties she wore a panty liner to be on the safe side, there was a lot of Sam in her, and the thought of that pleased her. Catherine was amazed that his testicles could disappear into his body and that his corky drawn between his legs and held by a thong could make his front thoroughly feminine. In a flash of inspiration she placed a panty liner on him and pulled his thong back up, she felt and certified him grope ably undetectably with an enormous grin. As she dressed she noted Sam donned his female clothes effortlessly, soon he was in a slip and heels.
He applied his makeup almost as quickly as she did, with only a little friendly tussling to first use the makeup table, they decided to purchase another one at the earliest opportunity. His hair was difficult, it was fairly long, but hadn't been styled professionally. Between them they did something with it, but resolved to have it styled, and Catherine made an appointment for both of them at three.
They discussed what dresses to wear; she had a navy A frame that was similar to his robins egg blue dress, so they settled on those. Once dressed, all his male mannerisms seemed to leave him to be replaced with those of a contemporary female. Even his voice seemed to change; it was pitched on the low side for a woman, but was believable, especially when he spoke relatively softly.
His ears had closed but Catherine loaned Samantha a clip on jewelry set including necklace, bracelets, ankle bracelet, rings all with man made diamonds and emeralds. Sam recognized it as a gift he had given to her, piece by piece over years when they were first married and poor, and they talked about the happy memories associated with the set as it gradually filled out. It made them feel very close as they reminisced, and that was something they would ordinarily never reminisce about.
Sam let Catherine drive as his license was in his male persona, and there was no reason to take a chance. He had an Arkansas license as Samantha, but it had expired and he hadnt renewed it. He made a note to do so; he had a client there and a post office box and would arrange to visit the client. In a flash of inspiration, even better he would take a vacation with Catherine and see the country she almost never traveled with him.
For her part Catherine was very happy, she liked to shop, but since Ben and Sandra broke up, her relations with Sandra were strained, and she hadnt bothered to do things with her other friends. For the first time she realized that not only had Sam been depressed the past two years, but she had been too. She smiled to herself as she realized Samantha was changing that too. She resolved to call her friends and begin to socialize normally again while Sam was working.
Shopping with Samantha was a revelation, she had no idea Sam had absorbed so much intimate detail about her likes and dislikes, nor did she realize he had a keen sense of what looked great on her and what was blah. They discussed everything, and tried on just everything; in the end they purchased two dresses each, and one they planned to wear tonight when they went out for a fancy dinner and dancing.
Once the dresses were chosen, they shopped for appropriate lingerie. Catherine thought a merry widow would give Samantha a few more curves, so they each bought one. They also picked up some really sheer and silky stockings as well as stockings for normal use. Samantha changed, in the stores dressing room, into a garter belt and stockings to replace the much heavier tights that she had been wearing to hide previously hairy legs. The sheer hose felt great, and the garter belt gave a free and open feeling that was well it felt dangerous. Catherine also changed from panty hose she almost always wore to stockings with a garter belt too, and they shared their feelings as they walked around.
Samantha had her ears re-pierced and Catherine picked out real emerald and diamond studs to match.
They arrived early for their hair appointment and decided to do their nails with tips, so that the transition back to Sam would be easy, they elected pedicures also. That settled they looked through magazines for a hairstyle for Samantha. They chose a layered look with soft curls, without the curls it would comb into a masculine cut. Sam always wore his hair on the long side, it fit his image as a scientific wunderkind, and if Samantha were to appear the next day, she would curl her hair the night before. The salon had a cosmetologist from Lancôme visiting so they each had a makeover, making the attractive girls day with several hundred dollars in purchases. Catherine looked great, but Samantha thought it was only a relatively small difference from her usual look. However, even with minimal eye brow-shaping Samantha looked much better, almost pretty given her great clear eyes. They had their manicurist match their nails to a shade harmonious with their new makeover.
They were ecstatic over how much fun they had together and talked about it continuously on the way home, once in their bedroom they kissed. Samantha mentioned seductively, "You know that Ive never done it with another woman."
Catherine said shyly, "Well I certainly havent, what do they do?"
"I picked up a Forum while you were looking for notepaper, its a issue on lesbian love."
"Samantha, thats depraved."
"Yes, isnt it lets see what they do."
They sat on the bed and basically looked at the pictures together, Samantha was able to read the whole article, in less than two minutes while Catherine commented on the pictures.
"I think I have the gist of it, we are very fortunate to have a built in dildo."
"You evil minded girl, whats first?" Catherine said as she returned Samanthas kiss.
They kissed each other gently and helped remove each others dresses, and then they began petting one another. It wasnt very much different than their usual petting, except Samantha made an effort to keep her touches feather light and of course they both looked like girls. Catherine removed Samanthas padding and played with her breasts through the slip and bra, just as Samantha was doing for her.
They lay on the bed together and reveled in the new sensations, legs intertwined with hose, arms, and hands gently caressing, then for the first time Samantha went down on Catherine. Samantha remembered in detail the article she had just read and Catherine was transported to heaven. For over an hour, Samantha focused all her senses on Catherine's pleasure. For the first time with her mouth and tongue brought Catherine to at least six orgasms, the last so mind blowing Samantha thought Catherine would suffocate her, so hard was she pressing her into her need.
Catherine lay panting as Samantha crawled next to her nibbling on her neck, ear, earring and tonguing her ear canal. As Samantha tweaked her breast, Catherine shuddered to another small orgasm. Catherine then made the trip down and starting at Samanthas silk encased painted toes, and licked and sucked her way up, finally releasing Samanthas raging dildo. Taking a page from her lovers book, she focused on Samanthas pleasure, and it was a glorious torture for nearly a half hour until she couldnt resist mounting it. She had never done so on top, but Samanthas unfettered access to her breasts was most satisfying. Her lover was so hard it was several minutes of delightful torture before it was possible for her to find release and they climaxed together.
Some time later she dismounted from the now deflated dildo, kissed it and started to undress, a few minutes later Samantha joined her in the shower. There was no getting around it, their professionally applied makeup would have to be removed, but they wore caps to protect their hair.
While they showered Samantha said, "I called Armands Bistro and ordered dinner in, it should be here in an hour."
"Good, great new dress or not, I really dont have the strength to dress and go out."
After they dried off they practiced the new makeup with the benefit of the instant photos the Lancôme lady provided. Samantha was done when the dinner was delivered, so in a new negligee and slippers she took the delivery, she fully set the candle lit table with the meal, and was waiting when Catherine walked into the dining room.
"I didnt know you could do this, who showed you how to set a table?"
"You did silly, Sam loves dining with you, its always so elegant."
"I didnt realize he noticed."
"He always tells you how nice it is, doesnt he?"
"Yes, but I didnt realize he really noticed, I mean all the details."
"Catherine I love you, I pay attention to what you do, and you are appreciated."
Catherine kissed him and they sat down to enjoy a superb dinner. Samantha brought up the idea of a trip together over the steak au poivre, new potatoes and green beans, they eagerly made plans, and the meal passed finally as they dipped their chocolate covered strawberries in zabaglione Catherine asked,
"Do you think Samantha will stay with us tomorrow?"
"If you want, I never had a more perfect day than today."
"Nor I, Ill set your hair before bed."
Authors note:
This ending is how the story should have ended, in reality it ended for Sam with a .50 ripping his brain from his head.
© 2000
The above work is copyrighted material. Anyone wishing to copy, archive, or re-post this story must contact the author for permission.