Duplicity - A True Story of Crime and Deceit by Paul Goldman (general ebook reader .TXT) 📕

two hour trek up to Cocoa Beach and stayed with hergrandmother for four days every week, until her aunt relieved her.I admired her sense of responsibility and concern, but I hatedbeing away from her so much and worried about the toll the work wastaking on her.

Even more, I wondered about the toll it wastaking on her own children. She and the kids were currently livingat her parents’ condo part-time, while Joe Munson kept the kids onthe days she was with her grandmother. I couldn’t imagine beingaway from Johnny for four days at a time every week. Nor could Iimagine why it was acceptable for her and her children to live inthe hurricane-damaged home, while her parents’ rented a placeelsewhere. It seemed Audrey was in need of serious support andstability, and I was more than happy to provide that for her.

That night, I took her to dinner.

“Oh, what made you choosethis place?” Audrey asked, when we pulled up to the café where wefirst met, her hands twirling her hair as she scanned the frontentrance.

“I don’t know. I guess Iconsider it our special place,” I remarked wistfully, while Iturned off the car. “Shall we?”

We made our way into the café, and I placedmy hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the door andthen to the table. She looked stunning and I felt proud that shewas with me. Everyone in the noisy restaurant was engulfed in theirown lives, and nobody seemed to notice us. I was pleased that theyhad an open booth in the relative quiet of the back of therestaurant.

Audrey dived into themenu, softly reading aloud the entrees that piqued her palette,while I struggled to contain my excitement. After only threemonths, I was certain of my love for her, I believed she would makeme eternally happy, and now I was ready to make her my wife. Ifaintly heard that little voice of caution that was reminding me ofthe last marriage I rushed into. You've really only seen her onceor twice for the last twelve weeks, the voice continued. However, Ihad convinced myself that I knew what I wanted in life, Audrey, andI was ready to go for it. So, like closing a music box, I shut offthe little voice.

I was completely taken with Audrey. Ofcourse, the relationship wasn't perfect, but what relationship is?Her weekly absences kept me from knowing her as well as I wouldhave liked, but I knew that this was the right decision. What couldpossibly be the downside?

“Can I start you off withsomething to drink?” It was the exact same waitress from before,still flustered, and still speckled with stains. She, of course,didn't remember us, but I took that as a welcome sign.

After dinner, I encouraged Audrey to orderdessert, something I had never seen her do.

“I don’t think so. I’vehad enough,” she said, and pushed her seat away from the table abit.

“Well, how about somechampagne then?” I suggested. I couldn't hide my smile, nor myanticipation.

“Champagne? What for?” sheasked.

“Audrey, I know we haven’tknown each other that long, but I'm in love with you, and I want usto be like your parents. Marry quickly, and stay married forever.Will you marry me?” I leaned in and clutched her hands in mind. Istared at her intently as my mind raced. Not knowing what toexpect, I searched her eyes for some reaction, anyreaction.

“Yes, Paul, I will,” shesaid, matter-of-factly. My joy over her acceptance was not at allmarred by her emotionless response. I jumped out of my seat,scooped her out of her chair and kissed her. The crowd in therestaurant faded away and I was lost in the moment. Audrey, alittle less comfortable in our public display, pulled away andsmiled, “Of course I will. What a wonderful surprise, Paul. I'mreally happy.”

After dinner, I drove Audrey back to herparents' condo. I decided it was a good time to open up adiscussion about her strict “no sex before marriage rule.” Since wewere now officially engaged, I carefully planned my argument infavor of amending the rule. When I pulled into her driveway, I tooka deep breath and prepared to plead my case.

“So, honey, I waswondering how you might feel about reconsidering your pre-maritalsex rule. I mean, now that we’re engaged, and, well, you know I'mfully committed to you… ” I stumbled along, my thumbs tapping thesteering wheel. Audrey didn’t even seem to be listening. She wasrummaging through her purse in search of her keys. “I mean, I loveyou and I want to be with you, in every way and… ”

“Oh, there they are,” shesaid, freeing her keys from her cluttered bag. And then, finallyturning her attention to me, she responded, “I know what you’resaying and you’re right. I guess I’d be okay with that too.”Disbelieving that my awkward attempt at persuasion had actuallybeen a success, I was just about to reassure Audrey of my sinceritywhen I was interrupted by her hand on my belt buckle. “Move theseat back, Paul,” was her directive.

When the seat clinked against the stops,Audrey undid her seat belt, unbuckled my belt, pushed her pantiesaside, and positioned herself on top of me in one shockingly fluidmotion. Was this really happening? I was entirely too shocked toregister my own involvement in it. There was a flurry of hands andbrief kissing, as I tried not to worry about the uncomfortablecircumstances or the potential neighbors. Before I knew it, themoment was over and I was breathless, flabbergasted, and not at allsatisfied. Was this what I had been yearning for all these months?I sat in the seat, not sure what to do or say while Audrey busilyre-adjusted her clothes and reclaimed her keys.

“So, I’ll call youtomorrow?” she said, completely indifferent to what had justoccurred.

“Uh, okay,” I stumbled,still caught in my own confusion. With that, Audrey hopped out ofthe car and hurried into the house, leaving me alone in the car towonder how someone who had put such a high price on sexual intimacycould then be so indifferent to it when it actuallyhappened.

On the car ride home, I convinced myself thatI was the one who was acting strange. Perhaps