A good day gone horribly wrong

Where to begin?

The beginning, I guess.

An enjoyable morning was followed by a trip to Lowe's. Three cartloads later, we were on our way home. Lumber for the garden beds, composted manure, concrete blocks for Ken's Mom, and a new patio table and chairs for us (the wooden one is rotting). We were relaxing at home for a few minutes before heading up to Ken's Mom's place, when the phone rang.

It was a family member, and she had a bombshell for me. "I need moral support," she said. She'd found out her husband is having an affair.

I was in shock. I got a few details, but that didn't lessen my shock at all. Another family member was coming over to see her, but not for a couple of hours, since she was working today. I didn't want her to be alone, so after I got off the phone, I headed out. Ken said, "Be careful. Set your cruise control." Good advice, and I managed to make it there without incident, although the massive adrenaline rush was bad enough.

I'll try to make a long story short. Surprising charges on the cell phone bill cause this family member to question the charges. When getting into the account, she found over 20 pages of texts and calls to a particular number. When she confronted her husband, he said it was platonic, he was trying to be a friend to this younger woman. He said he wanted their marriage to continue, and he promised to break it off. When my family member (heretofore known as FM) got back from a walk, he said the "friendship" was over. However, FM was able to check some of his emails later, and he'd sent another email to the broad saying that they'd have to lay low for a while, but this wasn't over, he wasn't giving her up.

[pause for me to unleash a mouthful of profanity—I probably looked like angry kitty above]

I got to read some of these emails, and it almost made me sick. I was shaking with anger. All I'll say is that someone has some major issues and needs to see a shrink.

Fast forward a couple of hours, and the bastard gets home from work. Surprise, surprise, looks who's there: ME. When confronted with the follow-up email (the one about laying low for a while), this exchange took place:

Bastard (to FM): Why don't we talk about the things you've said to ME lately?

Me: DUDE, don't EVEN go there.

Bastard (to me): As far as I'm concerned, you're not welcome in this house.

Me: I think my FM might have something to say about that.

Bastard (to me): Let's talk about MARK. [That would be my ex-husband...the one I divorced twenty fucking years ago. I've moved on, dumbass...maybe you should, too, and get some new material.]

Me (laughing): Sure! What do you want to know?

FM: She's not here to argue with you, she's here for moral support for ME.

Oh. My. God. His complete and utter arrogance as he sat there with no remorse whatsoever; his attacks on FM, and then on me for supporting her; his initial refusal to leave...he actually asked, "I own half of this house. Why should I be the one to leave?" I laughed at that point, because I could not believe he had the NERVE to ask that! FM stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park: "Because you're the one who betrayed the marriage under this roof." BOO-yah!

I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to call the sheriff, but he eventually agreed to leave. FM and I discussed things some more, she called other FM's, and then the FM who was working came over after she got off work. A locksmith is coming over tomorrow to change the locks, Ken and I advised her to protect herself financially so she is going to the bank tomorrow, and from there...? I guess it will be one day at a time. It will be totally up to her if she wants to try to work things out and continue this marriage, and I told her that I would support her no matter what she decides. It's all very raw right now, but she rightfully feels that she can't trust him one bit. He said it was over, but then sent the broad an email saying that he would never give her up.

I can honestly say that I never want to see that bastard's face again, and I want nothing to do with him. Ken was almost angrier than I was, and it's probably a good thing that he wasn't there. That could have gotten ugly, because Ken wanted to tear him a new one after I told him what had transpired.

I am absolutely sick at heart, and I ache for my FM. Today is also the first time in a long time that I have seriously craved a cigarette. I didn't act on it, of course, but it was pretty intense for a few moments. It's a rare thing for me to want to do bodily harm upon anyone, but I honestly wish I had the ability to beat this guy to a quivering mass of bloody protoplasm. I'm exhausted, and I hope I can shut down my racing mind tonight. Tomorrow will be a day spent here at home, and I told Ken, “I need a Nutwood day.” I need to regain my equilibrium. I'm still horribly angry, although I've gone from being filled with rage to a numb disgust.

I'm also very thankful for Ken.