Here we go.

Joe picked up the phone.

Hello Marsha, what’s up?” Joe had vowed to keep his mouth shut as far as the details of his and Suzans breakup. Marsha was an old friend of the two of them though Joe had met her through Suzan.

“Hey Joe, how are you doing?” “I’m fine, what’s on your mind?” I heard about the breakup Joe, I’m so sorry.” This “good friend” then proceeded to tell Joe about some of the gory details of what Suzan had been up for the last few months. Joe wondered why Suzan had been doing this and why this woman was now telling Joe about it.

“I didn’t have a clue. I thought we were happy and doing pretty good. I’m not perfect but is neither is Suzan.” “Well Joe, the boyfriend is always the last to find out, obviously.” “I just can’t believe it, but it is what it is. What else can I say or do now? I didn’t see that side of her.” “We all have that side Joe. It’s called self preservation. I’m just making sure that you are going to get through this.” “What choice do I have?” “That’s the right attitude Joe. Call me anytime you need someone to talk to.” “I will Marsha.” “Promise?” “I promise Marsha, thanks for the call.”

Joe couldn’t help himself and called Janet Smith, another one of Suzan’s best friends to see if Marsha was telling the truth. he found the number on his contact list and dialed it. Joe hoped she would give him some more information on what Suzan had been up to for the last few months. Part of him wanted Marsha to have been lying.

He knew that Marsha had a little crush on him and he thought that she might be making some kind of overture to him. Janice was a hard nut to crack. He had tried to get to know her over the time he and Suzan had been together but she had kept her distance in there three way friendship. Now he was out of the loop and hoped to use his new situation to get her to tell him more of what she knew. He called her right after talking to Marsha.

Janice knew plenty and was eager to share. She didn’t like Joe and didn’t hold anything back. She told Joe about all the men that Suzan had been dating while they were “together”. She told Joe that Suzan had been casually looking for Mr. right while dating Joe. “Then who was the jerk and the liar in this relationship Janice?” Joe said half trying to redeem himself in Janice’s eyes for some reason he didn’t even understand. She was momentarily silent. Then she spoke. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do Joe,” was all she said. There was no guilt or shame in her voice. Joe felt sick to his stomach as Janice laid out the whole awful story.

After the phone calls, Joe felt like a fool. Joe was left feeling like he deserved some type of revenge on Suzan. She had changed the course of his life, after all. And not in a good way as far as Joe felt at the moment. He had seen a long and wonderful life with Suzan. Now sadly, he knew who she really was. He couldn’t believe what she had done to him. She had done plenty. How and why that had come about, he still had no idea. He had felt like he was making headway on his faults that Suzan had pointed out so often. He had at least tried. He only knew that at some point she would have to pay for her decision.

After the last meeting of the day was over Joe talked to his boss about his vacation article ideas. Mr. Crowley had no objections. Perhaps something could or would come of this time away from the office for Joe. “Maybe this trip will get those creative juices flowing again Joe, like in the old days.” Joe didn’t know what to think about that statement.

Mr. Crowley was glad Joe was leaving for his vacation soon. He wanted all of the sick leave and overtime off the books even if Joe’s marriage was off.

Joe walked out of his boss’s office and ask Charlene to join him in his as he passed her desk. He pulled the chair facing his desk back so Charlene might sit there.

“So Charlene, I’m going on this trip as a single and will be working a good deal of the time. There were at least three spots available on the trip as of last night. You can come along as a single at your on cost of course.” “I understand sir. We aren’t a couple. I know that sir.” “We won’t be in the same tent.” “I understand that sir. Charlene added in her imagination, “that’s up to you Joe. I’m flexible on that issue.”

“Well as long as we are straight on the rules, I guess we are all set. make what ever calls you need to make so that we have this all settled.” I’m on it sir.” “This might just turn out to be fun Charlene.

Charlene called the travel agency when she got back to her desk. She replaced Suzan’s name on all the arrangements with hers. The woman on the phone was very surprised. Joe had lost his marriage but now had another woman traveling with him. “He’s a fast worker,” she thought. Joe didn’t know that Charlene and he would be sleeping together in the same tents all through the safari. “Do you need to change the sleeping accommodations?” “No, a kingsize bed will be fine.”

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So, the trap has been set. More tomorrow.