THURSDAY, DAY FOUR OF LIVING TOGETHER

THE GRAND EXPERIMENT ISN'T WORKING
 

On Thursday morning, Victoria left her sweet 'Destiny' letter on the kitchen table, then left.  Unfortunately we never got the chance to discuss her letter.  That is because the thoughtful woman who wrote that letter failed to reappear later that night. 

Victoria taught on Thursday nights.  When I saw her at the studio that night, she was in a really bad mood.  Victoria's mood grew worse when her 7 pm class did not make.  So we incorporated the three people who showed up for her class into my 7 pm Intermediate class and let Victoria do her best to catch them up.  At 8 pm, once again there were not enough people in either class, so for the second time we combined to make a class of eight. 

Added to the poor attendance on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, it was obvious Disco did not have long to live here in Houston.  I could not help but recall Victoria's constant lament.  "How will you ever support me if I move in with you?"  Good question.

When the two of us returned to my house later that night, I asked about her bad mood.  Apparently she and Michael had gotten into it right before she left for the studio earlier tonight.  When things got heated, Michael had made his most overt divorce threat to date.  Victoria needed someone to take her anger out on, so she lit into me as soon as we walked through the door. 

"You and your goddamn Madame X!  Michael says he's going to file on me.  There are times when I really hate your guts for getting me into this mess."

Amazing how some people can take the facts and pervert them to mean whatever they want them to mean.  Irritated at being blamed for the fix she was in, I replied, "Look, Victoria, I don't blame you for being unhappy about your situation.  But don't go pointing the finger at me.  No one asked you to knock on my door Monday night."

"You made me do this with all your Madame X crap and that stupid Ultimatum!"

"No one made you do anything.  Take some responsibility for a change."

We argued some more, but it was same old story.  We had been through this many times before.  "You said this!"  "No, you said that first!"  When will this ever end?  Sensing we were on the verge of a knock-down argument, I got up and went to the spare bedroom.  I took the dogs with me and locked the door.  After inviting the dogs to join me on the bed, I got my first night of good sleep all week.  As I hoped, Victoria was gone on Friday morning when I awoke. 

FRIDAY, DAY FIVE OF LIVING TOGETHER

CLOCKWORK
 

So what was Victoria's Friday like?  I assumed she drove home at 6 am, met her husband at the door as he went to work, spent the day with her daughter, cried a lot, waited for Michael to come home at 6 pm to take over kid duties, argued till 8 pm, met me at the dance studio at 8:30, looked around in vain for Madame X, then followed me home to be depressed some more.  Are we having fun yet? 

I was wrong about Victoria's boring day.  Her day was much more interesting than I guessed.  Shaken to the core by Michael's divorce threat, Victoria visited an attorney that morning.  However, she did not tell me about this until the next day. 

Although I was disgusted at how utterly horrible our Grand Experiment was turning out, I did make one interesting observation.  When it came to their daughter, Victoria and Michael worked together with the precision of a Swiss watch.  They maintained a carefully orchestrated schedule to take care of their daughter.  The precise timing Victoria showed in the morning and Michael showed in the evening was a marvelous display of teamwork.

I doubt Stephanie even knew her mother was not sleeping at her house.  Since she was used to going to bed before her mother typically came home, how would she know?  Stephanie was so accustomed to her mother being gone at night, Victoria's evening absence did not raise suspicion.  Unless the girl woke up in the middle of the night looking for her mother, I doubt Stephanie had any idea what was going on.  Both parents were determined not to traumatize their child. 

For all their quarreling, Michael and Victoria were deeply responsible, committed parents.   When one factors in that both people had to be deep in pain and no doubt hated each other's guts, their dedication to reliability and punctuality seems remarkable.  Given how much they cared for their daughter, it broke my heart at the heartache they suffered.  When I first met them, Michael and Victoria fit like a glove.  What could have possibly caused these two people to drift apart?  I suppose I was getting blamed, but that was not fair.  Victoria put the dance studio before her marriage of her own free will.  In fact, how many times had I asked her to reverse her priorities?   Mind you, I was a child of divorce.  My father's affair had ruined my childhood, so I followed the gory details with morbid curiosity.  There was nothing I could do to solve their problems, but that didn't stop me from empathizing with their struggle.

To my eyes, Michael and Victoria had always seemed so right together.  Here were two decent people who somehow got lost.  I saw first-hand how Victoria was filled with grief and guilt over her foolhardy move.  I imagine Michael was grieving too.  I wondered if Victoria wished she could take it back.  Who knows?  Victoria wasn't talking to me very much. 

FRIDAY NIGHT, DAY FIVE OF LIVING TOGETHER

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED
 

On Friday night, Victoria seemed in a better mood.  More than likely, her visit to the attorney had reassured her.  As we sat in bed watching TV, on a whim I suggested we try making love again.  Since we were living together, why not?  Victoria was taken aback, but after some thought she said okay. 

I regret to say our latest attempt had no better results than the colossal failure on Doorstep Night.  The moment I touched her, Victoria started to cry uncontrollably.  Too much distrust, too much pain.  Deeply embarrassed, I stopped immediately.  I apologized to Victoria and said this was not the way it was supposed to be.  Victoria said nothing, so we just laid there staring at the TV in subdued silence.  To my surprise, five minutes later Victoria suggested we try again.  I guess she was curious to see if there was any kind of spark.  Nope, no spark.  Victoria didn't have much enthusiasm nor did I, so after a couple minutes we quit and gave up.  Call it 'anti-climactic'. 

I had a mystery on my hands.  There was a time starting in April all the way through August when I climbed the walls with torment to touch this woman.  Where had that passion gone?  Although Victoria was one of the three most beautiful women I had ever made love to, there was no pleasure in this.  The biggest problem was the tangible presence of Michael in the room.  In my mind, Victoria was Michael's wife and I had no business doing this.  No doubt Victoria felt the same way.  Her body still belonged to Michael.  Consequently the fireworks phase of our new relationship fizzled out like a defective firecracker.  We were worthless as impassioned lovers.

SATURDAY MORNING, DAY SIX

VICTORIA MOVES HOME
 

It was Saturday, October 6, Day Six of the Grand Experiment.  Throughout the week, I deeply resented Victoria's presence in my home.  I asked myself over and over how I was ever going to get myself out of this mess. 

Although there was no further mention of the blackmail threat that always seemed to hang over my head, I was fairly certain Victoria would not hesitate to strike back if Madame X returned to the picture.  Since I had not spoken to Jennifer since she hung up the phone on Tuesday, I had no idea what she was thinking. 

Considering I had no obvious way to get rid of my unwelcome guest without inviting a reprisal, I felt trapped.  Victoria made no demands.  Nor did she quarrel.  Nevertheless, she felt like a foreign occupying force living here against my will.  I smartly kept that opinion to myself.  I told myself to give this living arrangement a fair try.  Maybe things will be better next week.  

On Saturday morning, Victoria had a surprise for me.  The moment she arose at 6 am, she began to empty out her drawer.  This curious action took all of two minutes.  I was a bit mystified because Michael theoretically did not have to go to work on Saturday.  In fact, I thought Victoria and I might have some coffee and actually talk things over.  We still had not discussed her Destiny Letter.  When Victoria threw her alarm clock into the suitcase and went to fetch her toothbrush, I decided to ask what she was doing. 

"I am moving home.  I made up my mind during the night.  I will talk to you later."

Victoria gave me a brief kiss on the cheek, then rambled out the door.  When I realized this would be the full extent of her explanation, my mouth dropped open.  This woman was full of surprises.  I tried my best to show regret, but in truth I was overjoyed.  I have heard of plot twists, but never a Plot U-Turn. 

Considering Victoria was the most unpredictable woman I had ever met, I never saw this coming.  Victoria's decision had to involve her daughter.  I based this on the fact that Victoria's pain over leaving her daughter behind had doomed our impromptu living experiment from Day One. 

Victoria had made the worst mistake of her life and knew it.  She had cried practically every night she was here.  This experiment had been an exercise in sheer misery for both of us.  And now she was gone.  Did this mean I had my freedom back?  If so, I prayed I could resurrect things with Jennifer.  Yeah, right, over Victoria's dead body.  But I held out hope for Jennifer nonetheless.

SATURDAY, DAY SIX, THE FINAL DAY OF U-TURN WEEK

VICTORIA LAYS DOWN THE LAW
 

Thrilled to be alone again, I sat at my kitchen table drinking coffee.  It was too early to call Jennifer.  Besides, I expected Victoria to call.  I needed to know where I stood before approaching Jennifer.  Sure enough, two hours later Victoria called to explain.  Apparently her husband had left to play golf or something, so she was free to talk.  As I guessed, this U-Turn stunt revolved around Stephanie.  Victoria explained her bad mood on Thursday night had been caused by Michael's threat to sue for full custody.  While Stephanie was at Mother's Day Out on Friday morning, Victoria had consulted an attorney regarding her husband's escalating divorce threat.  The attorney said she had good reason to be afraid.  Since Victoria was vulnerable to an accusation of abandonment, it was urgent she return home immediately. 

"I thought it over in bed last night and decided to move back home.  I just didn't have the heart to wake you and tell you."

Assuming this meant Victoria was gone for good, I silently rejoiced.  Aw, gee, Victoria's gone.  What a shame. 

In the year I had known Victoria, she had made no attempt to involve me in her daughter's world.  Ditto for her decision to move in with me.  During U-Turn Week, there was never any mention of fixing up the extra room in my house for her daughter.  I completely understood.  Stephanie was far better staying in her own home.  She had a perfectly good father and a bedroom where she was comfortable.  Nevertheless, Victoria's disdain for the extra bedroom at my house spoke volumes.  I concluded there was never any Master Plan to merge her life with mine.  Although her impulsive action was supposed to be about Undying Love, I concluded Victoria was more determined to keep me out of the arms of Madame X than to explore a serious relationship.  I also wondered if Victoria had sex with me to punish Michael.  Whatever her motive, it wasn't for gratification, that's for sure.

I had felt bullied the entire week.  What Victoria wants, Victoria gets.  Victoria had forced herself into my house and insisted we have sex.  As for living together, it was an exercise in misery.  People might wonder why I didn't just throw the woman out.  I suppose if this 6 am nonsense had extended into Week Two, I would have said something.  Basically Victoria called it off before my patience was exhausted.  So why did I go through with this?  I was sacrificing my personal happiness for the good of the studio.  Victoria was so obviously self-destructive that I did not dare set her off for fear of retaliation.  Now that I had sacrificed Jennifer to calm Victoria, the studio was all I had left.  Determined to protect my program at all costs, I assumed I would return to my appeasement strategy. 

During the first ten minutes of Victoria's phone call, the Sniveling Whining Woman had spun her usual tales of woe regarding how badly Michael was treating her.  However, without warning, Snarling Tiger Woman came on the phone.  Speaking with unmistakable anger in her voice, Victoria dictated her 'Updated Rules'. 

"I need to be direct about something.  I have made a serious commitment to you.  I have crossed a sacred line and made a great sacrifice on your behalf.  Based on the week we spent living together, we are now a committed couple.  I intend to spread the word of our new status using phone calls and lunch with my girlfriends.  So listen carefully.  You have made a choice and I expect you to honor that choice.  You need to accept that Madame X is off limits.  You have cheated on me once; you will not cheat on me again.  I will be very upset if I discover you are trying to mend fences with her."  

I got the message loud and clear.  If I wanted to keep my dance program intact, I was stuck with Victoria whether she lived with me or not.  Now that we had crossed the 'Forbidden Line', it was now the 'Sacred Line'.  Having sacrificed her marriage and her virtue, I was indebted to her, so I better cooperate 'or else'. 

Just to be perverse, I said something to annoy her.   "You say that I am yours and you are mine.  Aren't you overlooking the small technicality that your husband shares your home?" 

As expected, Victoria was outraged.  Shouting over the phone, she replied, "You have a lot of nerve!  Michael has not touched me in ages.  Besides, I intend to tell Michael to move out.  As far I am concerned, he and I are officially separated."

Oops.  I should have kept my mouth shut.  But then I wouldn't be me, would I?  Victoria's voice grew stronger. 

"Pay attention, Rick!  I have taken the greatest risk of my life on your behalf.  My marriage is destroyed and I am going to be very angry if you turn around and betray me after all I have done for you.  If you desert me at this point, you will demonstrate to everyone at your studio that your promises were meaningless.  I have kept your Ultimatum as written proof of your promises to me.  So get it through your mind that Madame X has to go and stay gone."

Victoria saved her best for last.  It was time to update the Blackmail threat.

"Just so you understand, I am planning to stick around at the dance studio.  This is my dance studio too.  My lawyer has informed me that I have a strong case for wrongful termination if you try to get rid of me at the studio.  In fact, I have been told that if I press the matter, I am entitled to fair compensation for my many contributions.  If you ever try to cross me AGAIN with another Madame X stunt, FIRST I will collect my back pay, THEN I will ruin the studio for good measure."

Victoria paused to let me reply.  When I said nothing, she added, "Do you understand me?"

"I suppose.  Is there anything else you wish to say, darling?"

Victoria ignored the sarcasm.  "No, that's it for now.  I think I have made my position clear enough.  We are now in a committed relationship and you will be faithful.  Is that correct?"

"Yes, dear, I read you loud and clear."

And with that, I hung up.  Two seconds later, I dialed Jennifer.  No luck, she didn't answer.  Jennifer was probably in Dallas with Jeff. 

THE CITADEL
 

After Victoria's call, my mind focused on my predicament.  One phrase in particular echoed in my mind. 

"I have crossed a sacred line and made a great sacrifice on your behalf."

I snorted with disgust.  She crossed that line on my behalf?  Of all the nerve.  First she barged into my home.  Then she insisted on having sex, something that neither of us wanted.  Now she's telling me to say thank you for a week of persecution.  I took a deep breath.  Having sex with this woman had to be the stupidest thing I had ever done in my life.  During U-Turn Week, never in my wildest imagination did I anticipate that Victoria would threaten to use our pathetic lovemaking as a weapon to subjugate me further.  In Hindsight I suppose I should have seen this coming.  Now that Victoria had the precious Poison Pen ammunition she had been seeking, her Blackmail Threat was stronger than ever.  Not only did she have my Ultimatum to bolster her case, she had my flowery promise to "give up any other sexual, romantic relationships I now have" for good measure.  Convicted by my own words, Victoria was in a strong position if she ever chose to act on her threat.

There had been considerable hostility in Victoria's voice.  Although Doorstep Night and her subsequent U-Turn decision were her idea, her attitude was to suggest I was to blame for everything.  And why was that?  Because in her mind I had betrayed her by cheating with Jennifer.  Although today's phone call was the first time all week Victoria had said anything about Madame X, she had just made it clear how angry she was to discover she had a serious rival.  I seethed with resentment.  Victoria had an immense amount of nerve to take this position.  I wanted to point out that I had a perfect right to seek a girlfriend.  Not once since the moment I met Victoria had I ever made a promise to be faithful.  Why should I?  Victoria was a married woman and we were not having sex.  This was a small technicality that no doubt escaped Victoria's mind.  However, now that I was back to appeasing the woman, there was no point in protesting the issue.  Things were bad enough without aggravating her further. 

Something that left me in awe was her sudden rise from meek to monster.  I swear, sometimes I wondered if Victoria was another Sybil, the woman with multiple personalities.  For an entire week, I had watched this once proud woman reduced to an endless bucket of tears.  She had ceaselessly moaned about leaving her daughter and the destruction of her wonderful marriage.  As recently as last night I had shared a bed with Helpless Sniveling Whining Woman.  Yet the moment she returned home, she was Snarling Tiger Woman again, bossing me around again, making threats with the greatest of ease.  The rapid change in her demeanor spooked me considerably.

Last night Victoria had about as much strength as a boxer flat on the mat after a knockout punch.  Today she was dominating me with the sheer force of her personality.  Victoria's otherworldly strength caught me off guard.  How did she rally from the depths of despair so fast?   Victoria's rise from the ashes seemed almost supernatural. 

Noting Victoria had magically regained her strength the moment she returned home, I decided her house operated like a Citadel.  The return to her house strengthened her powers in a manner reminiscent to Count Dracula's mountaintop castle.

This was not the first time I suspected the woman had access to dark energy.  Was Victoria actually two people?  Or four? Somewhere under all that evil I wondered if Sunshine Victoria was manacled to the wall in a cold dungeon beneath the castle.

Victoria had risen from the Dead.  Too bad I didn't put a stake through her heart when I had the chance.