Chapter 10

Amanda

Carol and Amanda arrived back from their shopping expedition and Carol announced that I was to celebrate that night and stay overnight with Amanda. They had huge amounts of stuff they had bought. The girly and baby talk was not for me so I excused myself.

I went to my work room. My father and I are sort of inventors. Dad was like me not interested much in money but we like thinking of and making things. Mum managed the money and we always lived modestly. Mum was supportive of Dad's and my "fiddling" as she called it. We are both also quite artistic. Dad loved ceramics and ceramic theory and in the latter years got into plastics. He and I spent lots of time making high temperature tolerant plastics and making shapes with them.

We made quite a lot of fun stuff. Some of the ceramics and some of the plastics were great in the kitchen. Mum often helped us document the processes in detail. She spent time asking us for possible uses for these things. She then used to ask Dad if she could try and patent some of it. Dad used to laugh and say if she wanted to waste her time. Mum thought lots of our stuff was very useful and she had it all over our house as did Zelda and Harriet. Mum used to also send some of our stuff to dealers and set up a few exhibitions of our artistic work. Mum used to spend a lot of time with Zelda and patents and with Claude about our work. They would both ask us some questions but in general did not bother us much. Mum said we were quite successful with one or two processes. The business side of it was a bit of a bore. Mum said Claude managed the licences and the investments for us for their super and a trust for me.

When they died they left me a bit of cash which I gave Carol for furniture and a trust which Claude managed. About the trust Claude said I would ask when I needed to and not before. Carol nagged me incessantly to a least look at my affairs.

Carol took over from mum with regard to documenting the processes and spending time with Claude and Zelda.

Her father had a bigger interest in the medical stuff I began to work on with plastics and titanium. I was working on ceramics, plastic and titanium for a wide range of what I thought could be good in medicine. They also talked patents and business which left me stone cold.

Carol was like mum, very supportive of my hobby. I spent many happy hours too with her father who helped Carol with some of my medical stuff. He said he even got some of it into production. It was for plastic lenses for the eye and corneal substitutes. It calmed me and I felt that I was doing good work for mankind. Carol said that she had reasonable success in patenting some more of my processes.

Amanda was also quite artistic and we sometimes had spent time making a few pots together and firing them. We had probably only done it twice together in the year due to time constraints and her family obligations.

Carol had put in a couple of kilns and all the equipment I needed in the week after my father died and then when we moved into the apartment had had it all rebuilt.

I now began to worry about what had happened to the patents and if they had been taken from me. I recalled signing lots of documents after my father's death and even more after Carol's father's death but as Zelda was handling them I didn't worry. However Carol and Zelda had got awfully close and perhaps I had lot all dad's work. Then I thought it couldn't have been worth much as we had lived modestly. Carol was just trying to be a good wife and take over for what mum did and indulge the eccentric males.

Dad had always worked days at some sort of government facility. It seemed dull work from what dad spoke about in electronic research for the military. It mustn't have paid much.

The time passed quickly. Carol called me for dinner and said Amanda had gone home to cook for the children. Tonight she said it was meet the children and talk with them and Amanda. She said she had packed my bag. She was seeing Rob.

I felt the same nausea and anxiety when she said that. It was like a punch in the stomach.

I was increasingly convinced that Rob was better than she had made him out to be and she wanted him and was handing me over to Amanda and really was in love with him, was pregnant with him and somehow she planned to clear herself of me.

She would not divorce me because she might have bigger claims on her trust. She would keep me in limbo and on a string while she had children also with Rob. She had not wanted children with me because I was her starter husband and she wanted to move to Rob her definitive man. All this niceness and loving me was to keep me from threatening the trust though I was sure that I could do nothing.

This family trust of hers I was sure was designed to keep me powerless. There was not much in it and Carol's assets were hidden. The fact that I had no obligation to them for money was a great relief but a puzzle. I knew there was a trap somewhere in all of this.

In tears I left for Amanda not saying anything to Carol. I did not let her see me cry. I began to wonder if Claude was involved in some way. He had been a partner of Carol's father. Could he know more about all of this and was part of this group keeping me from getting more from the trust.

I knew Claude loved me as did Harriet so it didn't make complete sense. However I thought there could be enough money involved to bend Claude.

I thought even more deeply. I could see I was the sucker all along. Carol selected me as a guy not interested in money. She paid me attention never letting me have children with her while she looked for her ideal husband. That was what all the interviews were with the guys she slept with. I was never enough for her. It was fine to humour me and keep me busy with medicine, and my plastics and ceramics. It was a small price to have a convenient male around while Carol screwed all and sundry. I was the consistent dummy to go to the social events and provide a consistent face while cuckolded constantly. Hester was used unwittingly to keep me pacified and contented. Zelda was there also to keep me in my place. Some of it made better sense than others. I had the feeling that I couldn't quite put my finger on all the issues.

Now the question arose of Amanda. Was the child Rob's. She and Carol seem unusually easy about this whole thing and then Carol gives me some money but gives it to Amanda to manage. My paranoia was running rampant at this stage.

Positively however I didn't have any debts. These were forgiven by Carol's father. Boy that was an odd contract. He must have thought that I was the ideal sucker for Carol. Forgiving me a few debts while setting up a prenuptial agreement that allowed Carol to have all her men to find the right one left me in real trouble. The money in the trust was held for me and reinvested. I had no control of my destiny and could be ruined in an instant.

By the time I reached Amanda's door I was a wreck.

She ushered me into the lounge and said its meet the children time. She smiled and looked friendly. She kissed me lightly on the cheek and said

"Ready my love?"

The boys were on the couch and Amanda and I sat facing them in separate chairs.

Amanda began "I wanted to talk to you guys about what is happening with me and Dan and explain what is happening with your Dad and me in more detail.

"Dad has been having affairs for years. You know he was married before and has 2 children with his ex wife. He met me 2 months after she threw him out.

A year ago he took up with Carol and now I have thrown him out and have taken Dan as my boyfriend. I am pregnant with his baby."

The questions came hard and fast.

"Will we see dad?"

"Yes of course he can see you as much as he wants"

"Will you and dad get divorced and will you marry Dan?"

"I am in the process of divorcing your father, but Dan will have to decide about divorce from Carol, it is not a big issue for me"

"You were still sharing the bedroom with dad till 2 weeks ago with dad?"

"Yes"

"How do you know the baby is Dan's?"

This kid was sharp I could see. I was very keen to know that answer too for obvious reasons.

"Your father had a vasectomy years ago."

I could see lots of my theories bite the dust.

But of course vasectomies could be reversed.

"Also" Amanda said "he was almost sterile before the vasectomy due to having been treated for a cancer. We were concerned about abnormal children as he had chemo and radiotherapy"

Some parts of my theory bit the dust.

That was why Carol was not concerned about condoms. How could Carol be pregnant?

"Dan, how do you feel about mum?"

"I love her"

"Are you going to divorce Carol and marry mum?"

"I am investigating this."

"What does that mean?"

"I am caught in very complicated legal arrangements with Carol that unless she wants to divorce me which she doesn't I will have massive legal battles for many years. I don't have the ability to fight such battles as I don't think I have much to fight with"

Amanda arched her eyebrows at me. She grinned giggled and then said

"Carol said you had no idea of your finances. Claude told me too. I now know for myself. Claude phoned me to explain this evening.

Right, off to bed boys. Dan you read to one and I'll do the other."

We put them to bed and met in the lounge for a drink.

Amanda asked me what I knew of my financial situation?

I explained about Dad and me working on his inventions but we had not much money. I told her about the patents that mum got involved with and later Carol and her father.

I told her how I could not ask my parents for money when dad was sick as I did not want to make them feel that they should give me money. They would have sold the shirts off their backs to give me money and they could ill afford it. Mum was a good money manager but had never worked outside the home. Dad only had a government job that I thought was low level.

Amanda sat there with her mouth open mumbling "Oh my God, Oh my God, how can this be?"

That was how I landed up living with Carol and entering the contract with her. Had she not helped me I was sure that I would never have managed to afford medical school.

Amanda asked if I had ever spoken to mum about their financial situation.

Well I hadn't. I did ask if I could give mum some money every month to help her a few years ago when I started earning some money but she said she was managing. I hadn't wanted to upset mum as she loved dad so much and missed him after his death and pined after him.

I explained how dad had left me 10 000 in his will as well as a share in the family trust that Claude managed. I understood this was mum and dad's pension fund and wanted nothing to do with it. I encouraged mum to use all of it for herself as I didn't need to be left anything. Mum had wanted to explain the trust to me on a number of occasions and even told me about it once but I was thinking of something else at the time and only recall that some royalties went into the trust fund. I never knew how much. It couldn't have been much as they lived so modestly and never had anything luxurious. Mum preferred to eat in and said restaurant food was for "occasions."

Amanda asked about Carol and mum.

I told her that mum was relieved when she met Carol. She said Carol had the necessary brain power to take over her duties with the trust and royalties and getting processes defined. After dad's death she handed it to Carol and she continued to indulge me in my inventions and humour me in my processes. Carol's father used to get involved as well in helping frame my concepts and ideas.

I got quite upset then and Amanda wanted to know why.

I explained my suspicions about being Carol's starter husband and that I was powerless in the situation. Carol had even given money directly to Amanda to manage. I explained that while I appreciated that it was done and relieved my anxiety I still had no idea about what was going on.

I was convinced that Carol was getting rid of me with Amanda and would reverse Rob's vasectomy or get a sperm by direct injection form a testicle and fertilise one of her eggs. I was being got rid of.

I explained how desperately worried I was about being able to be a man and at least help support her and my baby. I knew she only worked part time and Rob might become vicious.

Amanda listened to this diatribe with a calm face and at the end began to laugh hysterically. I knew now I had grasped the major issues and she realised it. I sat back pleased with my analysis but with nagging worries about my finances.

"Heavens above" she finally managed to get out, "I have never heard such an incredible theory". "When Hester, Claude, Stan, Carol and Zelda hear all this I don't know what they will say."

"Let me think. Go upstairs and fetch your stuff, you forgot it. I am sure Carol packed your bag. Come back here and we can go through what I know."

I walked into our apartment and headed for our bedroom to get my case.

I heard Carol screaming out

"Oohh I love it fuck meee."

I sounded like a crashing orgasm.

Then " that was lovely Rob I do love you. "

I put my hand around the door got my bag and fled in tears.

I thought I cannot tolerate this for a much longer I must get a lawyer.

When I got back to Amanda I was beside myself.

She said she didn't understand what Carol was up to. She said Carol saw right through Rob and still was with him and behaving like this.

This was the first time they had had sex in our bedroom. They could have chosen 5 other rooms. I told Amanda this. She said that she thought the arsehole might have insisted.

I asked if I could stay with her for awhile. She said she would love me to stay but I had to resolve stuff with Carol.

I thought trust or whatever I had to get a divorce.

I got a call from the hospital and had to go in. So we never discussed Amanda's take on the financials.

I got back at 3 am. I knew Claude had got back that evening.

I phoned mum and told her what was happening. She told me she loved Carol but if I had to see a lawyer she had another friend who had a daughter Lettie .Lettie was the daughter of one of her many friends from Lithuania. I remembered Lettie as a child as a plain girl with dirty blond hair braces and plaits. All her friends and their children had such odd names.

Mum said she never understood what Carol was doing. It hurt her but she felt Carol was a wonderful person and was very good for me. She thought I should try and work it out.

She was very excited to hear she was to be a grandmother. She came alive for the first time since dad's death. She wanted to meet Amanda.

Mum said can't you keep them both like Claude. So now I knew. Work it out she said.

One woman at a time was hard enough. I am a one-woman man. Carol was driving me nuts. I needed to simplify things.

Lettie saw me after 5:30. I didn't recognise the lovely young woman who came to meet me. She hugged me and said I am so sorry and took me to her office.

She sat me down in front of her and we sat next opposite each other in front of a low table. She had lovely legs and a short skirt. She crossed her legs and the swish encouraged Daniel Montgomery to raise himself in my pants and want to have his way with this lovely shapely young woman.

She put on stern looking glasses and looked very professional. Her perfume wafted my way and further encouraged the firmness of young Daniel. I was uncomfortable and she looked down and smiled as I tried to shift more comfortably. She said she was delighted that that was for her and I blushed. I told her the story and I instructed her to start proceedings.

She hugged me tight and said she would do her best for me. Mum had said she was the top student at law school and had a mind like a steel trap. It was mum's ultimate compliment.

Carol was out at a seminar but had left food for me.

I packed my clothes and took them and my toiletries to Amanda.

I told Amanda I had filed for divorce. She put my clothes into the bedroom. Once more we delayed the discussion of my financial affairs.

I took a couple of sleeping tablets, cuddled Amanda and fell asleep. In the morning, I found myself between Amanda and Carol in bed.

Amanda whispered that at 12 Carol had come to the door hysterical saying you had moved out and was you there and if you were she had to speak to you. She told Amanda that as I had taken some tablets she wanted to or rather had to be with me.

She was sobbing desperately said Amanda and climbed into the bed with both of us. She had sobbed till 2 am and Amanda eventually gave her a sleeping tablet.

I woke Carol. Amanda left the room.

I told Carol that I was seeking a divorce. I needed a stable relationship with one woman and could not tolerate what was happening with Rob. She said she loved me but would not when pressed say she would stop seeing Rob or any others.

I left her sobbing on the bed, dressed and left. I could not face any food. Amanda kissed me on the way out and said she would look after Carol.

This whole situation was just too freaky for me.

I went to work and had to shut off my phone. Carol called every 10 minutes all day.

Lettie called to ask me to confirm that I wanted the papers served and she advised the next day so I could have the chance for a last minute change of view.

I got home at 6 to find Carol in Amanda's apartment. She rushed into my arms and pulled me into the lounge, sat me down and sat on my lap. She held me desperately. She kissed me on the cheek and talked of her day. She asked about my day. She asked if I would come home. I said no. She said I will fight a divorce till the last cent she had. She told me how much she loved me and wanted me to understand her and accept it. She could accept Amanda. Why couldn't I accept Rob.

She left after 45minutes. This was a pattern that continued over nearly 10 months. She would come over whether I was home or not. Spend some time with Amanda. When I came home she would drag me to the lounge and sit on my lap hold me and chat and beg me to restart my relationship with her.

The divorce papers were served the next day. Carol went absolutely ballistic at work. She then disappeared. Her car was found parked in a large park early next morning. She had drunk a large amount of alcohol. She attached a hose to the exhaust and started the car. She must have put the hose in the exhaust when intoxicated. It fell out and she was found by the police at 5am. She was very combative. She had be sedated and was taken to Hester who admitted her to hospital for a couple of days. I went to see her in hospital. She said she would never try suicide again but would fight a divorce till her dying day. When I asked why she went through the usual. No change. I thought there were limits to what she could do. Rob then attacked Amanda for a settlement and battle was joined.

A war of paper began.

Carol was with Amanda when I got back from work. She pulled me into the lounge and it was more of the same with crying and begging. I did not have the heart at any time to take legal action to prevent her spending time with me.

On the weekends I got into a pattern of cycling with Carol in the early mornings and having breakfast as was our long term pattern. It just wasn't worth the crying and begging to stop. Amanda didn't seem worried at all about Carol or Rob's attacks on her.

Amanda finally spoke about our financial situation.

She explained that she was a founding partner of a national financial consulting firm that set up superannuation and other financial vehicles. They had close to 90 billion dollars under management and offices in every state. The business was growing 30 per annum and had been growing rapidly for fifteen years. She started it managing investments for family and friends when she started university and by the time she completed her MBA she had 3 partners and 30 employees.

They planned investment strategies for some of the wealthiest individuals and created funds and structures for them.

She now only worked half days in the business 2 days a week and most of her work was done at home. She said she earned a minimum of 120 000 per month. Her share in the company was worth at least 200million. She said if worst came to worst she could look after me financially in the style that I was accustomed to or would like to become accustomed to.

She said that she managed Carols' trust for her as well. She had managed it for her father since its inception. My 10 of the trust had a value of approximately 37 million dollars and was earning an average of 22 over the last 3 years.

She also administered the trust of my parents and my mother had given her permission to tell me about it 15 years ago if I asked her or Claude. I owned 50 of the trust and it would all come to me on my mother's death. She said the Royalty income was approximately 223 000 per month and growing at 45-55 per annum and the trust was valued at three quarters of a billion dollars. Much of the value was in property. She said my mother had a major property company and ran it from home. Amanda said my mother was a property genius. She ran multiple property syndicates and was associated with the richest of the rich. She advised Claude on property investments and owned a third of this building.

Amanda said that the most amazing thing was that had I asked my mother she could have without blinking while my father was ill paid for my University, and anything I wanted. Instead I had been concerned about their finances and landed up with Carol.

So she said "What do you think of all that?"

I hadn't know because I hadn't listened wanted to listen or asked. I was a fool. Now I knew why Carol didn't need money. She had increased my wealth massively in eight years according to Amanda. Amanda had done the same. My mother was a star. I had no idea. My father and I had been the luckiest people in the world. My mother cooked for us. We lived simply played with our inventions and she made us into the super rich. Carol and Amanda made us all much richer. I was a much bigger fool than I had ever realised. Carol may have screwed around on me but she did a hell of a lot for may family too. All I had lost was my self respect. That and my honour were the main things I valued. I was the honourable rich cuckold fool, father to be.

All my theories were now defunct. I was defunct, gloomy and an idiot. Fortunately my self esteem was intact. I would go on. Was Carol's aim to punish and humiliate me as she couldn't punish and humiliate her father for what he had done? Why would she hurt someone so much who loved her?