Chapter 2

Bob's mouth dropped open as he looked at his wife standing before him in nothing but black lace bra and panties. Her large breasts almost overflowed the bra and the panties were so small she had been forced to shave her mound. He couldn't believe what he was seeing as he starred at her incredulously. "Angela, what....what are you doing?"

She moved to his side and ran her fingers over his chest and shoulders as she moved close behind him. Her arms slid around his waist and her breath flowed sensually over his neck and ear as she whispered, "I thought I would wear something to make your birthday really special."

Bob stepped away from her and whirled to face her. "I can't believe you're acting like this! You should be ashamed!" He walked quickly toward the door. He paused and looked back at her. "I'm going to the hospital to visit some members of my congregation and then I am making some home visitations. I won't be back until late. I hope you spend some time thinking about how you're acting!" She watched in tears as he got in his car and drove away.

Angela slowly put a dress on over the lingerie she had bought in the hopes it would please her husband. She needed something to distract her from the heartache she felt. There were always things that needed doing at the church. She drove to the church and entered the large building next to the church. It was called the family activity center and was frequently used for church dinners, youth parties and wedding receptions. She started to inventory the food in the kitchen.

A few minutes later Luke parked his truck in front of the building. He had found some books at a garage sale and was bringing them to the church library. He carried the books to the library and was putting them away when he thought he heard something. He listened for a moment and was sure he could hear the sound of someone crying.

Following the sounds he found Angela sitting on a couch in a back room weeping as if she had just lost her best friend. Luke quickly sat down beside her and took her hand. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Angela blushed and turned her face away as she sniffled and tried to control herself. Luke put his arm around her comfortingly and sat quietly as she struggled with her grief. When he squeezed her shoulder, she whirled and buried her face in his shoulder as she burst into tears.

He held her as sobs shook her body. After a few minutes her shuddering tremors eased and her gasping cries slowed. She didn't want him to see her like this and didn't want to look at him. She felt a sense of safety and comfort as he held her, so she remained in his arms.

Finally she lifted her head from his shoulder and sat back on the couch. He reached out and with one finger gently smoothed her hair back from her face. She could hear the concern in his voice as he asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, but still wouldn't look at him. "I'm sorry you saw me like this."

He got a box of tissues from a table and brought them back to her. Angela accepted them gratefully as he sat down next to her again. His voice was soft and caring as he asked, "What happened?"

Angela paused as she thought about how her husband kept rejecting her. She felt as if she was going to explode if she didn't let it out and tell someone. She took a deep breath and said, "I shouldn't tell you this, but I have to tell someone."

She finally looked at him and she could see the worry in his eyes as he took her hand. "You can tell me anything."

"My husband and I have had a hard time lately, I just don't think he finds me attractive anymore. He never, uh, well, he never wants to make love to me. I do my best to be attractive for him, but he never notices. I've started to wonder if he even wants me anymore." She stared at Luke with her eyes brimming with fresh tears. "I shouldn't be telling you these things, but I have no one else I can tell. If anyone knew about this I would die of embarrassment. Please swear you won't ever repeat it to anyone. Promise me Luke!"

"I swear I won't tell anyone." He squeezed her hand and looked into her eyes. "You're so beautiful he would have to be crazy not to want you. Any man would be lucky to be married to you."

She smiled faintly through her tears. "Ahhhh! Now I see how you get all the women. You know just what to say don't you." She hugged him and he could feel the fullness of her breasts pressing against him. "Thank you for listening," she whispered. Turning, Angela hurried from the church.

Angela fretted all afternoon about what Bob was going to say when he got home that night. She quickly took off the new lingerie and hide it away in the back of her closet. She cooked supper for him, but when he wasn't home by seven she put it away. He didn't answer his phone when she called and by that time he got home she was a nervous wreck.

She met him at the door, but he didn't even acknowledge her as he walked past and went into his office. She followed him and stood in the doorway watching him as he sat down and started working on his computer.

After a few moments she couldn‘t stand the silence any longer. "I'll warm your dinner for you."

His tone was cold and brusque as he replied, "I've already eaten."

Angela turned to walk away, but his words stopped her. "I won't have my wife dressing like a whore!"

Angela stiffened and her hand gripped the door as his words ripped into her soul. She was trembling as she whispered, "I wasn't acting like a whore. I was trying to get some attention from my husband."

He didn't even look away from his computer as he told her, "Decent women don't dress like that."

Tears filled her eyes as she slowly turned to face him. "There's nothing wrong with a woman dressing sexy for her husband in the privacy in the home."

His eyes were filled with contempt when he finally looked up at her. "A respectable woman doesn't do that and I won't allow it."

Now Angela was getting angry. "Allow it!? You don't allow me to touch you! You don't allow me to make love to you! We're married! A man and his wife are supposed to make love!"

Bob responded to her anger with his own. "We don't have to wallow around like animals! We will respect the sanctity of our marriage and have sex when we decide to have children!"

"Children? I've always wanted children, but you always said the time wasn't right! Now I'm forty-two years old and it's probably too late!"

His voice thundered as he shouted, "You're my wife and you will do as I say!"

The tone of her voice matched his. "You don't own me! What else won't you allow?" Turning she slammed the door behind her as she ran to the bedroom. She fell across the bed and her body shook as she wept with despair. Her heart ached as she wondered, ‘How had their marriage become like this?' She hoped that he would relent and come comfort her, but his shadow never crossed the threshold. Of his own choice, Bob slept in the guestroom that night. The next morning Bob's attitude was icy and he only spoke to Angela when absolutely necessary. He slept in their bed that night, but he kept his back to her and refused to let her touch him.

This went on for days and after over a week Angela's nerves were tattered. Thursday night she went driving in her car as she tried to clear her mind. She was so absorbed in her anger and grief she didn't realize where she was until she looked up and saw she was in front of Luke's house. She felt like if she didn't talk to someone she was going to explode. She got out of the car and slowly walked to the door. Angela was trembling nervously as she knocked.

Luke was about to eat dinner when he heard the knock. He was surprised when he opened the door and saw Angela standing there, but he recovered quickly and invited her inside.

Angela hesitated for a moment. Luke was wearing a t-shirt and tight jeans that emphasized the muscles of his chest and his youthful physique. He could tell she had been crying. He took her elbow as he welcomed her and ushered her inside. He led her to the sofa and asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

Angela shook her head as she sat down. "No thank you." She paused for a moment and then looked up at him. He could see the tears glistening in her eyes when she pleaded, "I really shouldn't be here, but there's no one else I can talk to about this."

She started crying again and he sat down next to her and took her in his arms. She sagged gratefully against him as her body shook with sobs. Luke made comforting sounds and caressed her shoulder and arm as she wept.

Finally her crying slowed, but she stayed snuggled in his embrace. It felt so good to be held again. She slowly sank down and stretched out on the sofa with her head in his lap.