Coma

Over the next few days, a lot of things happened. I was trying to remember what all happened in the days before my accident. Tony worked with me and I was now walking with crutches but taking it slow. My parents came in everyday and told me more things about Julie; none of it good.

She had taken all our savings, which was around twenty-five thousand dollars. She tried to get the insurance company to give her the money for my car but the company owned it, so dad received the money. I found out she maxed out our joint credit card to the tune of fifteen thousand dollars.

My mom told me that Julie had me taken off our lease and was now living there with her boyfriend at our apartment. Mom and Dad went with the police to my old apartment, removed my personal things, and put them in their garage for safekeeping. Most of the stuff was keepsake items and clothes. They did get my phone, and other electrical stuff. I guess I was a broke homeless person right now. My parents told me not to worry, that they didn't give Julie my disability checks. They'd put them in a special account for me.

Julie tried to get them, but she was not able to except as a beneficiary and I wasn't dead yet. Dad said my back pay was near fourteen thousand dollars and I'd be able to get another company car. I was very grateful to my parents.

I gave a call to Cindy who was excited to hear my voice. I explained to her that I was trying to piece my life together in the week before my accident. She said that she kept my daily calendar with all my appointments in it and maybe that would help. She came to see me and said she was happy that I was getting better. She couldn't wait for me to come back to work so her life could get back to normal.

****

Back to Annie, she was there every day to see me. I have to admit I was a bit embarrassed when she removed my catheter. She smiled at me and said it wasn't the first time she saw my private areas. She gave me sponge baths regularly. I thanked her time and time again for all she had done for me. How do you thank someone for saving your life?

Annie grew on me and I constantly thought about when we used to be together in class. If I wasn't with Julie at the time, I know I would have dated Annie. I guess I picked the wrong girl.

It had now been three days since I woke up and Julie still hadn't as much as called. My parents were going back to Cleveland, but would be back the following week to see me. I still worked out with Tony who told me that Annie had fixed him up with another nurse that was a friend of hers. He suggested that maybe the four of us could go out sometime.

It occurred to me that he was talking about Annie and me. I told him I would like that, but wanted to wait until I could walk on my own and besides, Annie would have to agree to go out with me. Tony just smiled.

Annie would stop by after her shift everyday and talk with me. We talked about my life with Julie and why we got married. I told Annie that I knew everyone considered me a playboy. My parents were wealthy and I got most everything I wanted.

During high school, I dated and bed a number of girls. When I started college, I was one of the party animals. It was parties for me most every weekend. I slept with my share of women but usually practiced some sort of safe sex. Why I was telling Annie all of this, I just don't know. I guess I wanted to let her know I'd changed.

It was when I met Julie that I stayed with one woman. I met her at a party and she was the sexiest woman I'd ever been with. We hit it off and all my friends would tell me how lucky I was. The funniest thing is, it was all about the sex and being with the one woman most other men wanted. We became a couple and when she got pregnant, I felt I had to do what was right.

I mentioned to Annie that Julie and I still attended parties but I never cheated on her and she never cheated on me. That was why I married her. I explained about my parents not trusting Julie and all the things they told me. When I mentioned Julie's miscarriage, Annie just stared at me. That wasn't like her so I asked her what was the matter.

"Justin, Julie wasn't the honorable woman you thought she was. I'm sorry but you deserve to know the truth. I don't know if you remember when Julie and her girlfriends went to Myrtle Beach for a few days."

"Yes I remember, they went two years in a row just to get away from the class work. She asked me to go but I had to work at the dealership and couldn't go," I replied.

"She didn't want you to go and knew you had to work. Why do you think she went with three of her girlfriends? They went to party. It was the nude day party at a private beach."

"How do you know this?" I asked.

"My friend Kelly was one of the three girls that went with her the second year. Kelly started working here and we became friends, and she told me all about it. I didn't know anything about what happened until you were brought in, due to the accident. Do you really want to know what went on? I'm not really comfortable with telling you."

"Please tell me; I want to know since I was living a lie."

"Kelly said that they all partied for three days even though the nude day party was only one day. She said it was one big orgy and that she had a blast and she was drunk most of the time. It was the only time that she was with two guys at once. She did say it was a one-time thing for her. Kelly said she's glad she went but that life style isn't for her. Now she's dating Tony and asked me not to mention it to him. I think she really likes him."

"What about Julie?"

"Kelly said it was Julie's idea to go the second year since she enjoyed the first one so much. Kelly took photos of Julie with her cell phone. Believe me; you don't want to see them. Julie was so out of it that she doesn't even know Kelly took the pictures. She was with as many as three guys at once. Julie is a very sexy woman, every guy wanted a piece of her, and Kelly said they got it. When they were done with her, she didn't look so sexy. According to Kelly, she looked like a drunken whore who had just gotten gangbanged."

"Did you see the pictures?" I asked.

"Yes, it was as bad as any porno I'd ever seen."

"You've seen porno?"

"Oh my God! Yes, the girls in my dorm got hold of some and we watched them. I have to say it was more funny than sexy. Actually it was somewhat boring at times." I had to laugh after Annie said that about the porno's, but I started to hate Julie for playing me for a fool.

"Maybe, I shouldn't have told you about Julie, I'm sorry," replied Annie.

"No, I'm glad you did. I needed someone to tell me the truth. I'm still trying to piece my life together. Is there anything else you can tell me besides Julie being a slut?"

"I didn't say that she was a slut, even though she was," said Annie. "I don't think she had a miscarriage either, but I can't prove it."

"What do you mean? You think she had an abortion?" I asked. "What makes you think that?"

"She went to a Family Planning clinic and during the procedure she had complications and was brought to the hospital and they finished with the miscarriage."

"So why do you think it was an abortion?"

"People go to Family Planning for abortions. If they are miscarrying, they usually come to the hospital. I can't prove anything but I thought you should know."

"She didn't seem as sad as I was at the loss of our baby. Maybe it wasn't even mine. She started exercising the follow week saying she wanted her body back. After a couple of months she went back to work at the real estate company."

After Annie left, I started looking through my calendar book for last December. I noticed two calls from a Norma Wilson, both in late December. I notice the last one was on December 22, the day of my accident. I decided to call her and maybe she could shed some light on the twenty-second.

I called the number on the calendar; a woman answered and I asked for Norma.

"This is Norma," she replied.

"I'm Justin Wright..." and Norma seemed astonished.

"You're awake! Oh my God. I'm so sorry; I'm surprised to hear from you. I haven't heard from you since your accident. Rob said you weren't going to make it."

"Norma, my memory isn't the greatest right now and I'm trying to piece together my last few days before the accident. Can you remind me of why you called me?"

"The first time I called was to tell you I thought your wife was having an affair with my husband. I called you on the twenty-second to tell you that I found out they were meeting at the Holiday Inn. You told me you had to know for sure and was heading there to find out for yourself. The next thing I'd heard is that you had an accident and were in a coma."

"I think I'm remembering the call. Is your husband Rob? I heard that my wife came to the hospital with a Rob somebody the next day."

"Yes it is, but we're in the middle of a contested divorce. He left me for your wife. He moved out of the house and in with your wife right after Christmas. Our kids want nothing to do with him. They really aren't kids anymore, they're in their twenty's. He came up to us after Christmas and said he loved another woman. He's paying alimony and I'm receiving half our assets.

"I am half owner of the real estate business but I don't work there anymore. I hope the information helps you out. I won't be talking to you anymore. My attorney said I shouldn't be talking with your wife or her friends. It all has to do with the divorce. I am happy to see that you recovered. Take care."

Wow! I lay back on the bed and thought about what Norma had said. It was all beginning to make sense to me. Julie said she was going to the company Christmas party and I asked her why she didn't ask me to go. I remember her saying it was for employees only.

It was then that I received the call from Norma and decided to check it out. She told me there wasn't any Christmas party and my wife was meeting her husband. Damn! It was all making sense now.

I wasn't sure where I was going from here but I knew I wanted a lawyer and start divorce proceedings. I wanted out of this marriage as soon as possible. Ken, my lawyer came to see me the next day. I explained the situation to him and he said he would get right on it.

Annie came in to see me and I explained everything I had found out from Norma. She smiled when I told her I had talked to my lawyer and getting started on a divorce. She told me she had some news for me. I was doing better than expected on my rehabilitation and would be released from the hospital in a couple of days.

I would still have to come in for an hour or so each day and work out with Tony. I could also start eating soft foods, but not to overdo it. Now I had a new problem. Where was I going to live on such short notice? I couldn't move back to Cleveland with my parents. I was hoping to get back to work within a couple of weeks.

Annie told me not to worry about it. She would take care of everything. I don't know what I would have done without her. Tony was right, she was one special lady.

I was up and moving around using a walker but I could get by with a walking stick when necessary. I was still a bit unsure on my feet. I was eating lunch when low and behold who comes in to see me but, Julie. She didn't seem the least bit happy to see me.

"Your lawyer called and stated you want a divorce." That was the first thing she said to me. No hello, how are you or glad to see you're finally awake. Of course she wasn't happy, but she could have lied to me like she's been doing for the last couple of years.

"Yes I do. You've been cheating on me since I met you," I told her.

"Who told you that, Miss Prissy, your housemaid? Maybe it was your parents who never liked me. Let me say one thing; I'll go down fighting. You'll be paying some big alimony for what you put me through. You owe me for sticking around." I couldn't believe what she was saying to me.

I responded, "You got to be kidding! You go fucking your boss and move him in to my apartment. I know his wife kicked him out and is getting a divorce. I also found out that you fucked a dozen guys at the nude day party you went to, two years in a row."

"Who told you that? That's a lie," she replied.

"Pictures don't lie and I got my hands on some."

"Bullshit! You're bluffing, you don't have any pictures." She looked a bit worried.

"You'll get a chance to see them at our divorce hearing. I'm sure Rob would be interested in seeing his slut girlfriend at play."

"You wouldn't dare! You leave Rob out of this."

"So, I see you're admitting it and afraid you might lose your meal ticket. I also know you cheated on me with Rob the night of my accident. I even have proof of that." I was making up a few things but I could probably get Norma to testify if I needed too.

"I do have a question I would like answered. Was the baby that you aborted even mine?"

She looked like she had seen a ghost, got up and left the hospital. It was the day I was released from the hospital that my lawyer said that Julie agreed to the terms of my divorce. I asked him what terms, since I didn't have anything.

"She doesn't get any alimony and she has to pay half the credit card bill that she ran up since it was a joint account. I know she took the money out of your savings account but you can't get any of that back. Since your name was taken off the apartment lease, you have no expenses there. You will be free and clear of her. All she asked for is that no pictures of her in compromising situations be shown. You never told me about any picture so I just went along with it. This is a pretty easy settlement. The only thing is, she wants a 'no-fault' divorce."

"Sounds good to me Ken. How long before I'm free of her?"

"I believe it could be over in just about a month if you both agree to the terms and she has already agreed to it but not signed it yet."

Annie came in after my lawyer left and asked me how it went. I explained the terms of the divorce and she laughed, knowing I didn't have any pictures of Julie having sex with anyone. Now my biggest problem was to find a place close to the hospital to live until I could get a vehicle and when to start back to work.

Annie told me she had my living problem taken care of. She has a two-bedroom condo a half mile from the hospital. I could stay there for the time being, until I could work out other arrangements. The hospital hospitality bus went right by her condo and I could ride it to therapy everyday. She said that way she could make sure I ate right.

I didn't know what to say. This angel saved my life, took care of me and now offered me a room in her home. "Justin, I like you and consider you a good friend. I just want to help you out, till you get on your feet. No strings attached."

I wondered if I would have a problem living at her place. I knew I was developing strong feelings for her, but didn't know if it was because she was so nice and helped me out or because I was falling in love with her. I thanked her and agreed to stay at least a few days. I needed some time to get my affairs in order, do my rehabilitation and find out where my life was headed.

I went to therapy and Tony said he heard of my good fortune that I was staying at Annie's place. "I knew she liked you," said Tony. "Don't hurt her and always be honest with her. She's one of my best friends. I've never known her to let someone stay at her place. You're one lucky guy."

Annie put me in a wheelchair to wheel me out of the hospital and to the hospitality bus. She helped me on and we headed to her place. I was both excited and nervous as we pulled up to a gated housing unit. This was one ritzy area. We got off the bus and the guard at the gate smiled as he greeted Annie.

"Roy," she said to the guard. "Can you give my friend Justin and I a lift to my condo? He will be staying with me and going to rehabilitation each day."

"Anything for you Annie," he said with a smile on his face. He gave me a look that said, 'you better not hurt Annie', but acted nice enough.

Her place was really nice and exceptionally clean. It was two steps up to the porch and then into the house. I looked around; the place was immaculate. "Annie, I know it's none of my business but are you rich?" Since my parents were wealthy I grew up having many of the finer things in life and never worried about money till I married Julie and had to make it on my own.

She laughed, "My parents are and I've done pretty well for myself. Most people don't know and I hope you won't spread it around. I had a lot of guys asking me out when they found out who my parents were. I guess they thought the way to their future was through me."

"Why are you doing all this for me? Help me understand. We were lab partners and never even hung out with the same people. As I understand more about my life I'm finding out you've done more for me than anyone ever has. I understand my parents helping me but why are you doing so much?"

"Justin, you must know by now that I had a big crush on you in college. I would often dream about us being a couple. Needless to say, that dream was crushed when you married Julie. That didn't mean I no longer liked you. I've seen what you've been through and I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Those feelings I had are still there. Now, let me show you around."

Did she just say she still liked me, I asked myself?

I walked with a sturdy cane as she showed me the apartment. Her place was big, clean and very well kept. She showed me to my room and all I could think about was being with her in the big king size bed. She pointed to her room across the hall but we didn't go into it. There was a bath across from my room. There was another bath off her bedroom which she said she uses.

The living room was decorated like a woman would have. There was a couch, loveseat and a lounge chair. There was also a big screen TV. Annie said she didn't watch it much.

Off the beautiful kitchen was a patio with a hot tub. I looked over at Annie and pictured her in a bikini getting into the hot tub. "You can use the hot tub but be careful getting in and out. I don't need you falling and suing me," she smiled.

I didn't have many clothes, hell I didn't have much of anything right now. Annie handed me a couple of shopping bags. She said she went and bought me a couple of outfits so I would have something to wear. I had called my parents and told them where I would be staying and they were blown away. They said they would bring some of my clothes and I could go through them and see what still fit me.

I couldn't help but think that this was the kind of place Julie talked about having. I realized now that she was all about money and material things. How could I be so stupid and not see through her. She had the looks, that was for sure. I guess she was all about sex and money.

My parents were wealthy but I blew most of my money on good times. I started saving after we got married and Julie took all of it. I remember my parents telling me they weren't going to fund Julie and my life. It was time for me to take care of myself and family. Dad did give me the managers job that paid a thousand dollars a week. I thought it was great but it just wasn't enough for Julie.

Annie said she would make us some dinner. She told me to sit down and relax. I couldn't do it, I got up and went into the kitchen to help her out. I didn't want to take advantage of her and have her waiting on me. Together we made a simple meal, sat in the living room, and watched a little TV while we ate.

Afterwards we talked about how we would do things. It was mostly, play it by ear as we went along. She would get up in the mornings and leave for work. She usually drove but sometimes used the bus. She did tell me I had full use of her place but I had to clean up after myself. I laughed when she said she wasn't my maid. We both started laughing. God! Was I falling in love with her?