Single Husband

Chapter 5

Victoria and I decided that we would stay at the hospital over night with Prince. My Mother-in-law decided to take Michael home with her.

By the time one a.m. hit, Prince was finally asleep and Victoria and I lay on the couch talking.

"Michael, what happened to you?" Victoria asked as she brushed my hair from my face.

"What do you mean?"

"We don't sleep together much anymore. Are you mad at me?"

"No, V."

"What is it then? I want to know. You used to be crazy about me Now you rarely show me any affection. I'm not attractive anymore?"

"Victoria, you're gorgeous. I'm still crazy about you. I just don't know how to show it anymore."

"Well," she got on top of me. "You can start by satisfying me."

"I will. Just not tonight."

"I didn't expect tonight. Maybe later on...?"

"How about on your birthday?"

"Aww, Michael. I don't want to wait that long." She whined.

"Trust me, baby the longer you wait, the better the sex." I kissed her.

"Fine." She smiled and lay back beside me.

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In about an hour, Victoria was sleep. I was still awake texting 1 and 4. For some reason, I just couldn't sleep. Maybe it was because we were lying on this uncomfortable plastic couch. Or maybe it was because I was on brick. I can't sleep with a hard one. All these pictures 1 was sending me kept me on brick.

Michael, I'm going to sleep. 1 texted me.
Damn, you're gonna leave me hanging like this? I replied.
You have a wife. Goodnight. So demanding. I sighed. Guess I'm sleeping with a hard one tonight.

So your son is okay, right? 4 texted me.
Yeah. He has asthma.
I hope it was just a false alarm. He shouldn't have asthma. You or your wife don't have it, right?
Right.
Hmm. Well, I hope he's okay.
He's fine, baby
Alright. I'm going to sleep now, Michael.
Okay.
Before I go, I have to tell you something.
What?
I love you.
Me too.
Goodnight, Michael
Night. This wasn't the first time 4 has ever said that to me. 4 is the type of girl who still confuses love with orgasm. Something teenage girls normally think. I think 4 is stuck in that teenage girl mindset. That's what I loved about 1 when we first met. She never confused love with orgasm. Maybe she did as a teenager, but those thoughts are long gone now. To her an orgasm is an orgasm. Get the fuck out and I'll call you back when I want another one.

I deleted my messages, put my phone on the table and held my wife in my arms.

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The next morning, I woke up on the couch alone. Even Prince was out of his bed. I sat up and turned on my phone. Ten messages from 1,2,3, and 5. What does 5 want from me? I forgot to delete her number. Remind me to block her. I stood up and stretched. As I looked around, I saw Victoria's purse on the floor beside a black bag. Her mom must be back. I wonder where everyone went. V's wallet was gone, so they must have gone to the cafeteria or something. I walked out the room toward the elevator and checked my messages.

Are you ever going to call me? 2.
What are we doing tonight? 3.
Michael, I am terribly sorry. You and I have to talk ASAP. 5. Delete.
I need you now. 1. I smiled and pressed the main floor in the elevator. As I went down, I called 1.

"Are you on your way?" She answered.

"No."

"Then why did you call me?"

"To know how bad you need me."

"So, you're teasing me?"

"Obviously."

"Oh...because I left you hanging last night? What was I supposed to do?"

"Tell me to come over and say you'd take care of it."

"How would your wife had taken that?"

"We're not talking about my wife. But she was sleep. She wouldn't have even known." I walked out the elevator when it got to the first floor and went to the cafeteria.

"Should have told me."

"I never tell you any other time."

"Whatever. Just get your ass over here, Jackson."

"Will do." I hung up as soon as I entered the cafeteria.

"There's daddy!" I heard Prince say. I looked around in search of him. Suddenly, I felt two hands around my legs. "Hi, daddy." I turned around to see Prince hugging my legs.

"How's my boy?" I lifted him up and walked over to the table where Victoria was sitting.

"Good. I feel better now."

"That's good." I put Prince down. "Hey, baby." I kissed Victoria on the cheek. "Morning, Mom."

"Hello, Michael." Victoria's mom half smiled and looked away. What's her problem?

"Prince has asthma, Michael." Victoria said. "The doctor diagnosed him earlier. I didn't want to wake you."

"Michael, Victoria is healthy. Very healthy. I'm pretty sure you are too. But unfortunately, we do have traces of asthma in our family." Mom pat me on the shoulder. "I assure you it's no one's fault."

"I know" I nodded.

"Michael, you can go out if you want. Mom and I were going to take the boys today anyway." Victoria said.

"You sure?" I asked. "How about we all watch the boys?"

"Mom just wants it to be her and I. You know how she gets when other people join our time together."

"Alright," I sighed. "I guess I have business to take care of anyway."

"Okay, just make sure you get all of it done before eight tonight. Mom is taking the boys this weekend."

"I'll try, baby. Okay?" I kissed her lips and hugged Prince, Michael and Mom. "I'll see you all later." I called as I went out to my car. When I got in, my phone rang. 2. "Yes?" I answered.

"Meet me at St. Jude's Hospital. We have to talk."