The 10 of them Chapter 7

We go to the bank, and open an account for Marshall. I transferred the twenty-five thousand dollars into his new account. We then go to lunch and Marshall had a certain restaurant in mind as he had me drive to it.

We eat a great lunch. Just before we leave the Judge shows up. He watched as Marshall put a one hundred dollar bill on the table for the tip. The Judge curious asks, “Marshall, how in the world do you have money the throwaway like that?”

Marshall laughs and then says his reply, “Dad, I said I was taking a year off from school, not from working. JJ is instructing me in how to be a stock market trader. Today was my first day. I just made a little over forty-two thousand dollars.” The Judge sets down in chair next to Marshall and begins to smile.

Marshall continues. “JJ believes by the time I’m ready to leave for college I will be able to pay for it without scholarships. If today’s typical I’m sure we will do that.”

The Judge looks at Marshall and me before he says, “Are you sure Marshall that’s what you want to do? I know son, I went about this the wrong way. I just want you to understand how important your education is.”

Marshall’s shakes his head yes before lifting Misty’s hand to kiss it. Turning back to his father he says, “Dad I know how important my education is, but also I know how important Misty is to me. It would just be too hard for me to be without her. I’ll be too busy thinking of her to get a good education this year. That would make it harder next year. I think this is best, what I’ve learned this week is important too. What JJ taught me so far is that friendship and love is more valuable than money. You need money to live on, but love makes it worthwhile.”

The Judge now displays a sad smile with more understanding he says, “You and JJ are right there. I miss your mother more every day. Maybe if she was here I wouldn’t have made the mistake of forgetting that. I’m sorry son. I should never make you choose between college and the love of your life. You made the right choice. I didn’t, not this time. I did the same thing and waited on your mother. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but now I realize it was worth it. The only time I was truly happy was when I was with her.”

We let them talk for over ten minutes. Misty is constantly at Marshall’s side, and the Judge only smiling at the two of them. When they finally left I drove them home. I explain on the way to them that we’re going to get our house guests from the airport. They will be arriving in about three hours. We’ll probably stop by the mall to kill an hour to an hour and half before going to the airport. Marshall and Misty are going to help Mom set up the small house; the furniture hasn’t been delivered yet.

Kathryn and I took the new SUV on our trip to the airport. Stopping at the mall too gave us some time to stretch our legs. We walk hand-in-hand into the mall. Kathryn had changed into a dress that shows off her figure, I see several men that give her a second glance. If any of them stare too long and hard I took her left hand up and give it a kiss to show off her wedding ring.

Kathryn giggles, “You really don’t like for other men to look at me.”

Half joking I say, “Of course I don’t mind them looking, I just want them to know they’re looking at my wife. It saves them time realizing they don’t have a chance with you.”

Giggling Kathryn says, “That’s so nice of you.” Kathryn then drags me off to some of her favorite stores for a quick look around before buying a couple dresses. It’s now time for us to head off to the airport to meet Alyssa and family.

We arrive at the airport I park in short-term parking and we walk in at 5:45 waiting for their six o’clock flight to arrive. Checking the board their flight is on time and a little after 6:05 PM the first class passengers begin walking into the baggage claim area. I spot Alyssa but not Edward, a young woman beside her is Joan and there was Johnny who was just walking up to them. Still waiting but Edward never shows up.

I point the three out to Kathryn who immediately recognizes Joan from some of the pictures off of her Facebook. We walk to them as they stood by the baggage carousel. We actually manage to get within ten feet of them before they notice we’re there. Joan was the first to notice and she wraps both of us in a hug. Giggling Joan says, “I knew you weren’t going to make us stay in a hotel.”

Alyssa came up and gives us a hug as well, Johnny offers me his hand I quickly shake it. Looking around I still don’t see Edward so I ask, “Where’s Edward, isn’t he here with you?”

With a sigh Alyssa says, “We fought on the way to the airport, and he refused to leave LA. I’m afraid our marriage will not last past the next few months.” Johnny and Joan tensed up hearing that, they still want their parents to stay together.

I say sadly, “I’m sorry to hear that Alyssa. I’ll drive you home tonight. Tomorrow if you want to rent a car we can do that or you can use one of ours, but we will be happy to drive you anywhere you would like to go.”

Kathryn quickly said, “As long as you don’t mind his wife coming along.” Kathryn shows off her wedding set to Alyssa and Joan to some confused expressions we giggle, we then start to tell the complete story about what happened yesterday, how it turned out to be our first wedding and why. But there still going to be a wedding on the fourth just like we said. Johnny is getting the luggage as it comes around the carousel. Once the luggage is retrieved we head out to my new SUV.

As Johnny and I loaded the SUV I ask him, “How do you like my new SUV Kathryn bought me for my birthday last week?”

Johnny looks a little shocked asks, “Didn’t you tell Joan she’s only just now turn fourteen?”

With a large smile I say, “That’s right yesterday she turned 14, we got married and earlier today we made another million dollars.”

Johnny says, “Wow, how did you guys manage to make $1 million this morning?”

Smiling I say, “Traded stocks on the Internet. I found out Kathryn is a natural when it comes to the stock market. She can easily out trade me on a daily basis. I was just smart enough to realize how awesome she is at it.”

We finish arranging their luggage in the SUV. Before we get back on the road I ask, “It is an hour drive or a little more with traffic, is anyone hungry we just get something to eat and let traffic clear.”

Alyssa says, “I really want someplace where I can stretch my legs a little. I’m still on California time and not really hungry yet. But I feel like I need to stretch my legs after being cooped up in the airplane for nearly five hours.”

I suggest, “How about a shopping mall, there’s a fairly large one on the way home only ten minutes from here.” Joan brightens and shakes her head yes to her mother and Johnny just shrugs his shoulders not caring either way.

Alyssa says, “That should work, Joan loves to shop.” Kathryn and Joan are whispering between each other, giggling merrily, they act like old friends. I’m really happy that my wife is getting along with one of my oldest friends. We all pile in and I drive us off to the mall.

On the way to the mall Kathryn is suggesting some things we can do tomorrow, when she suggest water skiing Joan groans it seems she’s forgotten her bathing suit. Kathryn giggles and said, “You could borrow my white one.” Kathryn laughs at the expression on my face but she continues, “Better idea we’ll buy you a new one here at the mall.”

Traffic between the airport and the mall isn’t bad fortunately, arriving back in the mall to find a nice parking spot and everyone piles out, Kathryn and I walk hand-in-hand back into the mall for the second time today. Joan walks beside Kathryn as they continue to talk. Alyssa’s beside me but she’s as quiet as a church mouse. Johnny stays by his mother’s side. We both can tell that she’s very upset. There’s not much we can really do about it other than being there for her.

Well over an hour we spend walking from store to store as Joan and Alyssa discover just how generous Kathryn can be. Alyssa brightens up a little as Kathryn insists on buying her new clothing and a bikini as well. All their purchases are in bags Johnny and I carry.

I like the way the three of them are getting along. It is obvious Alyssa has forgotten Kathryn is six months younger than Joan. Alyssa speaks to Kathryn as an equal, while still treating her daughter like a child. Alyssa doesn’t seem to notice how frustrated Joan is getting by being treated like a young child by her mother, which I see I’ll have to speak to Alyssa about. Kathryn speaks to both women as equals, which pleases Joan to no end.

When I get the chance I pull Alyssa aside to speak to her, “Alyssa, you do realize you’re treating Joan like she still five years old not nearly fifteen.” Alyssa’s expression shows the sudden realization why the two of them have such problems of late. Pausing for a second for Alyssa to think it over, once her expression eases a little I continue, “I know it’s hard for a mother to realize their child has grown they all want to keep them as their babies. You really can’t stop nature and shouldn’t try what you end up with is hurt feelings and resentment from your child.”

Shaking her head as a wide smile crosses Alyssa’s face she said, “JJ, you sure you’re only eighteen. That Forbes article was absolutely right you are wise beyond your years.”

With a wink I say, “It’s easier to spot when you’re my age.”

Now with a small laugh Alyssa says, “Don’t you forget that, when you become the father of a fifteen-year-old.”

I know I never will. That’s either my strongest asset or my curse, from the brightest moment of my life to the deepest pit of misery I’ll never be able to forget one second. So I do my best to make sure nothing goes terribly wrong. I think through all my actions. That’s one reason I’ll never cheat on Kathryn I don’t want to be without her. If she never forgave me, there’s nothing that will make it worth that. Even if she did forgive me, I would always remember how badly I hurt Kathryn, and there is still nothing worth that.

Other people and other couples may choose a different lifestyle than Kathryn and I. There’s nothing wrong with their lifestyle, but there’s nothing wrong with the lifestyle Kathryn and I have. There’s just something different for different people. Kathryn and I are exclusives. We only need and want each other to be happy. Other people with their lifestyles may not practice exclusivity and that’s fine for them. It’s their choice and who am I to make decisions for them, as I reserve the right to make my own decisions I can want no less for them.


Pushing the combination of buttons that do the remote start on my SUV, is a hot muggy day here. The three recently from California really can tell the difference in climate. Joan complains, “How do you guys stand this humidity?”

Kathryn said flatly, “It isn’t the best here; you got to travel to South Carolina, Georgia or Florida to get the really good higher humidity.” As Alyssa and Joan expressions turn to one of confusion Kathryn begins to laugh. Then she says, “Air-conditioning, that’s how we really deal with it. We stay inside as much is possible.”

A little more than an hour drive back home from the Mall. Kathryn and Joan talk a lot along the way, and Kathryn points out points of interest. We even took the time to show them around our little town, stopping at a restaurant for a late dinner for us but early one for them with their bodies still on West Coast time. Mom, Michael senior and Helen joined us for dinner, they used Kathryn’s speedboat to come across the lake faster, and the restaurant was by the marina. Alyssa’s mood lightened up a little, she actually was smiling a couple times during dinner.

Mom and Alyssa hugs warmly the two old friends had missed each other. Mom introduces Helen to Alyssa and within ten minutes the three are the best of friends. Thankfully Mom doesn’t ask why Edward isn’t here.

When it’s time to leave Mom wants to take the SUV back and stay with Alyssa. Kathryn wants to show her new boat off to Joan, so Joan and Johnny trade places with Michael senior and Helen. We have a little more than an hour before the sun goes down to give a small boat tour of the lake.

There is actually a small island in the middle of the lake with a quiet cove as we around the island I whisper to Kathryn, “That’s where I want to make love to you for the first time out of the house.”

She giggles before Kathryn whispering back, “Funny that’s where I was thinking of too.”

Once you cross its muddy banks, the island offered decent shelter and a good place for a picnic lunch. When you made your way to the top which is a large moss covered rock forming twenty by thirty foot platform above the canopy is a great place to watch the fireworks from town. I knew a few people would always go there on the fourth. The Park service discourages this, because of the littering the partygoers would leave in their wake. Other than the Fourth of July hardly anyone ever use the island, and I doubt anyone has set foot on it from the last Fourth of July. People would start camping out probably tomorrow night to ensure a spot at the top.

Kathryn turned the boat towards the river a good four miles from here, with a grin Kathryn opened the throttle full and we speed up covering the 4 miles very quickly. She pulled back to a little less than half throttle to navigate the river up to our boat house. We still move very quickly through the narrow water way covering the mile from the lake to the dock.

I know she’s showing off, she’s actually moving too fast to stop at the dock. Kathryn quickly decides not to try, and killing the throttle and we coast up river past our house. Pointing it out to Joan, like she meant to do that, after the boat dropped enough speed Kathryn spends about and slowly floats back downstream to the dock. Just using the motor enough to bring us along the dock, where I secure the boat to the dock.

Taking the walkway from the boat house to the main house Joan and Johnny look wide-eyed at it. They both knew I own the house and Joan asks, “JJ, how many rooms are in the house?”

“Thirty-two, four master bedrooms, six bedrooms all with baths and two half baths, living room, den, kitchen, dining, Pool solarium, billiards game room, home theater, family room, safe room and utility. Kathryn’s and mine bedroom makes up the third floor with a bath and walk-in closet.”

Giggling Kathryn said, “Don’t forget we have an elevator.”

Opening the solarium door Joan’s eyes take in the full size pool and wide area covered with outdoor furniture that leads up to set of stairs and a glass wall that separates the kitchen dining area from the pool. Through the wall we can see Alyssa speaking with Helen and Mom. It’s obvious that Alyssa is very upset and crying, as the two women comfort her.

I stopped Joan from running in by saying, “It may be best if we let them work this out. Your Mom may feel more comfortable speaking to them. She probably doesn’t want to say anything negative about your father to you. Let’s give her a chance to work it out.”

Joan says, “I know my father isn’t a perfect person, what they’re doing to each other isn’t right. I really hate to see my Mom crying.”

Sadly I say, “I know, but for her to be happy again she’s going to have to work through the grief.”

Johnny is little angrier than Joan is and he says, “Joan you know dad is cheating on Mom. Mom asked him to stop, and he lied to her. Mom probably would’ve let him do whatever he wanted if he would’ve been honest about it. He acts like he doesn’t love her anymore. That’s when she started acting like a bitch, all the fights started after that. Dad caused it all, and you know it.”

Even in tears Joan slowly shakes her head yes, Kathryn pulls her over into a hug and Joan cries on Kathryn’s shoulder. After a few moments Joan gets herself under control, I led us through the lower door into the family room and we ride the elevator up to Kathryn’s and mine room. After there for a few seconds Kathryn asks, “JJ, could you go down and get the bags from the SUV?”

Taking Johnny with me we go to the garage and retrieve all the bags from the SUV. Returning to my room Kathryn said, “JJ you’re such a good husband.” And she pulls me into a kiss. When she broke our kiss she whispers, “Why don’t you and Johnny go play some billiards? I need some girl time with Joan.”

I give her another quick kiss before taking Johnny and show him the basement, where the home theater and billiards game room is located. Johnny was more interested in the game system I have in the game room. I have fifty inch flat screen with an Xbox and PS3 with about fifty games for each. I tell him, “Go ahead and pick out any game you want to play.”

Kathryn had me move the system down to the game room when she redecorated our room. Which is good, Eddie spends a lot of time here that he used to spend in our room. Listening to the games is a little distracting when we are trying to decide on a stock purchase. That’s how I ended up purchasing more stock of a small company than I intended. I nearly ended up on their board of trustees until I sold enough stock to keep that from happening. I was only fifteen at the time and didn’t want to travel or leave school and relocate to attend their meetings.

I sat and watched Johnny play about half an hour, I asked him if he wanted anything shakes his head no and continued to play. I go over to the intercom and called up to our room, Kathryn answered and I asked, “Is it safe for me to come up yet?”

Kathryn asks “What’s Johnny doing?” I inform her he was playing PS3 right now.

Joan giggles and says, “Good luck getting him off of that he’ll play all night if you let him.”

Kathryn says, “We’ll be down in a minute, meet us in the home theater.”

Getting Johnny’s attention I told him, “I’ll be in the home theater for the next hour if you needed me.” He shook his head to acknowledge what I said to him and took the game off pause to continue. I go to wait by the elevator for Kathryn and Joan, not long before I hear the elevator moving.

The doors open Kathryn and Joan start to step out when I grabbed Kathryn and pull her into a passionate kiss. Joan giggles watching us. When we finally break Kathryn playfully smacks me on the ass and says, “Didn’t I tell you to wait in the home theater.”

Chuckling I say, “I couldn’t wait that long to kiss you again.”

Joan rolls her eyes and giggles. She asks, “Is he always like that?”

Kathryn replies, “Yeah, pretty much all the time.”

Now it’s my turn to playfully whack Kathryn’s ass and say, “You know you love it and you wouldn’t have me any other way.”

Kathryn pulls me back into a passionate kiss breaking she says, “You’re right I do love it and I love you my husband.”

Joan giggles and says, “You two deserve each other you’re both corny as hell.” That just sets the two of us to giggling as we lead Joan to the home theater. The three of us watch a show Kathryn had recorded.

It’s nearly 10 o’clock before Mom, Helen and Alyssa show up.