Her hand gently caresses my breast as I feel her other hand run along my inner thigh. I feel her lips slowly make their way down my torso. Passing my navel, she momentarily pauses, torturing me with her lips. She removes her hand from my thigh and moves it up to caress my pulsating center. Her fingers enter me as she raises her head. Oh T, I say, just as Candace looks at me

Now sitting straight up, breathing heavily, sweating and shivering simultaneously, I realize it was a dreamit was just a dream. I look around, trying to get my bearings. Im in the living room. I must have fallen asleep out here on the sofaafter she walked out. Looking down I remember what happened. Im still wearing my clothes; whatever clothes I had on at the time. Lowering my head to my hands, I can smell her. I smell that perfume she wears, and her shampoo, and the soap she usesand I can smell her womanly scent. What did I use as a blanket? I pick it up to seeits Tinas robe. Holding it up to my face, I take a long, deep breath. I close my eyes and see hermy love. Shes looking at me with some much love, her eyes dancing with delight. Then the smile fades, she clenches her teeth as I single tear runs down her cheek.

HHHOOOOOONNNNK! I car horn startles me back to reality. I stand updetermineddriven to get her back. I walk swiftly towards the bathroom for a shower. Stopping at the bedroom for my robe, I open the doorthen freeze in my tracks. The disheveled bed, Tinas boots and torn dress piled in the corner. She must have just left them there when she changed to leave. I approach the vanity, where he picture isor was. Where is it? Did she move it? I look around frantically, finally finding it on the opposite side of the bed. The glass is broken. I bend down to pick up the silver frame and notice itthe ring. Tina left her ring. I put the frame on the nightstand and carefully place the ring on the vanity. I then grab my robe and head for the shower.

I rushed through my shower so I could go to Tina as soon as possible. Returning to the bedroomthe room where we shared so many happy memorieswhere we conceived a sonwhere my desperation tore us apart. I dress quickly and grab the ring, Tinas ring, on my way out. Finding my keys on the kitchen counter I realize that I dont know where she went. Who would she have turned toor did she go to a hotel? Think, you idiot, where in the worldAlice. She shared so much with Alice. Thats where she must have gone.

Without remembering the drive, I find myself outside Alices apartment. I walk up to the door, not knowing what to expect. Is she here? Has she told Alice everything that happenedeven what happened last night? Will Alice even open the door? I wont know until I knock.

Calming my nerves and errant thoughts, I focus. I bring my hand up and lightly knock on the door. Hearing footsteps, my heart quickens. Will Tina answer the door? It swings open to reveal Alice. She has such a look of distain on her face. Tina must have told her everything.

Where is she Alice?

Where is who? she replied.

You know who. I can feel myself growing angry, wheres my wife?

I dont think she Alice trails off as I push past her and head down the hall. She must be in the spare bedroom.

Is she in here? I ask Alice as I grab the door *****. My anger has overcome me and I knock more forcefully than I intend. Tina? T, open the door. Baby, we need to talk. I can feel Alices eyes boring into me and turn to her. What did she tell you?

She doesnt answer. Alice!

Nothing, she finally responds, but she added a name to the board.

I turn to see Alices boardmatrix of all our lives. Approaching it, I see Tinas name. Tracing the line from her name, I find my own. There it is, staring back at mea line leading, roughly written, from my name toCandace.

To Be Continued…