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Sash's secret

Serving revenge

By Ron AddenbrookePublished 3 years ago 14 min read
1
Before the revelation

Angela peeled back the skin exposing the flesh beneath, lay it gently on the bench and chopped it into thin slices. Dave screamed and finished with a mix of swear words.

“What?” She called out and popped the end of the banana into her mouth.

“Bloody cork… It’s gotta be this wine, I don’t have trouble with any other!” He called back.

“More likely the operator.” She mumbled under her breath and continued chopping bananas for her fruit salad.

He appeared at the door holding the clear wine bottle at eye level. “I don’t suppose I could serve this like this ay?” He swirled it spinning the cork and its pieces around the bottle.

“No!” She raised her eyebrows in disgust.

“Put it in a wine thingy on the table?” He queried. Angela thought for a second placing interpretation on ‘thingy’.

“No,” and shook her head. “Give me a glass and stick it in this fridge, keep it for us!”

He nodded and having completed this task returned to the bar.

“Be careful this time!” She called out, shook her head, and mumbled incoherently.

“Have we ever met the couple they’re bringing with them?” He called back.

“No I don’t think so it’s her sister!” She repeated louder, noticing Dave at the door again holding the cork from another bottle triumphantly up at eye level and grinning as if he had completed the impossible. “Why?” She finished quieter.

“I hope she’s not like Sash, I don’t think I could handle two of her.”

“You’d like to!” She smirked. Dave had told her regularly how ‘hot’ he thought Sash was and ‘such a perfect body, never seen anything like it in a bikini before’. He kept on and on, but she did enjoy the quiet afternoons with them at the poolside, when she could ignore Dave’s drooling.

She was sure Sash had seen his tongue hanging out on numerous occasions, but had never mentioned it, nor did she ever encourage it, in fact last summer she had taken to wearing a one piece and covering up with a towel often when out of the pool. They rarely changed here anymore, opting to come in their bathers and leave in them. Angela assumed that it may have something to do with Dave but in her usual manner dismissed it.

When the doorbell rang Dave was there in a flash, always the perfect host, as far as Sash was concerned anyway.

Sash’s husband Mitch took up the introductions and presented Tara, Sash’s sister, and Mark, her husband, visiting from Sydney.

Dave gave Angela a look that told her, nope, Sash was safely still his favourite’ and even Angela noticed, that whilst Tara was attractive, Sash had that certain feminine poise and obviously that allure that kept Dave on a leash like a puppy. Originally Angela was upset over this, but it had carried on for so long now it had become more of a joke.

She realised that she was attractive in her own rite, yet it riled her to see her husband still drool over Sash after all these years. A joke yes. But a joke that, at times, still hurt.

“Hey Angela!” Sash’s call broke her musing. She had returned to the kitchen to finish and Sash had just entered. “Deep in thought I see.”

“Sorry Sash, I was miles away.”

“Trouble on the home front?” Enquired Sash.

“That obvious ay?” Sash was spot on when they were able to talk.

“You know if there’s anything I can do… Even just an ear, I’m here.”

“Oh here you are.” Entered their reason for being unable to carry on extensive girl to girl talks.

“Sorry Dave, me and your lovely wife were just having a girl chat!” Hinted Sash.

“Never mind that, you can do that anytime.” He grabbed her arm. “Come and see this,” and dragged her away as she threw a look cut between disgust and apology to Angela.

Angela had just downed another glass of wine when Mitch pulled up a stool at the kitchen counter. She was dragging her feet in the kitchen, not really wanting to face what would be going on around her in Dave’s presence. Mitch was a nice man and they got on exceedingly well.

“Dave’s a bit full on tonight!” He commented.

“Oh! No more than normal I would have thought.” Angela replied a-matter-of-factly. She studied Mitch; he appeared disgusted in what was occurring. Had this happened before, and she just did not notice? Or were they about to lose their best friends because of Dave’s rabid dog actions?

“Would you like another wine?” Mitch asked reaching his hand for her glass. She nodded and pointed the knife towards the fridge. He was always the gentleman like that; it had been many years since Dave had offered to fill her glass.

“I see Dave’s been corking the wine again.” He held up the bottle with the floating cork and they both burst with laughter.

“It’s the only chance he gets to poke things in these days.” She grinned and regretted the comment immediately as Mitch flashed an almost embarrassed, thoughtful look. He re-seated after filling her glass, took a good swig of his can then stopped her incessant chopping with his hand on hers.

“Problems?” His eyes drooped with sorrow.

“Yeah, but we’ll get over it.” She fought back her desire to burst into tears and seek a hug.

“You know Sash and I are always there for you Ang!”

“If I could get Dave away from her.” She snapped without thought, apologised instantly and turned her back to him, moving dishes in the sink.

Dave’s voice was clearly the loudest and most boisterous outside, as was the norm, and Angela was stuck inside again. She did not overly mind however as with any gathering, in here she could hide away, to avoid any confrontation with Dave. His carrying on annoyed her more and more these days. Even when it did not involve Sash, just the way he was riled her. She turned to mention this to Mitch, to open a little and possibly receive an understanding word, a nod that would aid in her decision, a…

“Haven’t you finished in here yet Angela?” It was Sash from the patio doorway.

“I’m done, I’ll just put this away!” She called back, just catching the ‘rescue me’ look directed at Mitch. How long have they put up with this?

“I’ll just…” Mitch waved his finger towards the patio and sheepishly followed his drink hand out the door.

Angela managed to stretch the kitchen work out to another fifteen minutes when Tara and Mark walked in mumbling to one another.

“Hi Angela… Need a hand?” Enquired Tara.

“No, but thanks anyway.” She slipped the fruit salad into the fridge attempting to make out she had just finished it.

Mark smiled pointed a thumb at himself and proceeded up the passage towards the toilet whilst Tara pulled up a stool and sipped at her drink.

“Is Dave always this…” She appeared stuck for words.

“Loud?” Angela finished.

“No… No… Umm, boisterous, I suppose.”

“At least, but Sash brings out the best in him.”

“Does that for a lot of men for some reason… Would you like your glass refilled?”

“Thank you… no that’s fine… I’ll get it.” Even visitors had more manners towards her than her own husband, she noted as she poured another drink.

Mark returned from the passage; men never seem to spend long enough in the toilet. Just when a conversation appeared the slightest bit interesting, they return. Angela looked at him, he seemed nice, a little quiet, submissive maybe. Doted on Tara and hardly left her side, or at least that’s how it appeared this evening. But then maybe Dave being on heat nurtured Mark’s protective streak… That she would understand.

“Okay… Well I’m finally finished here… Shall we?” She motioned to the back door and with reluctant glances the other two headed out with Angela just as reluctantly following. She had only just reached the back door when Dave remarked. “Well when the kitchen’s closed a man has to eat out!” They all noticed her, but only Dave showed no concern as to the statement and carried on attempting to coax Sash to dance.

He was in full heat and it was as if no one mattered, nobody else was here except him and Sash’s body, and they were all beginning to feel extremely uncomfortable, most of all Sash.

Angela sat quietly beside Mitch, almost reveling in the embarrassment that Sash appeared to be fighting. How dare she take Dave’s attention, how dare she… Angela turned away, how could she blame Sash? After all, she never encouraged it, in fact after tonight it appeared, she may never come back and who would blame her?

Aside from Dave’s continuous pleading and groveling the others sat quietly, Mitch intent on dragging his attention towards the music and mouthing the words of the song. He was seething and Angela wished he would snap, walk over to Dave, and give him the beating she could not, but Mitch did not have that in him.

Tara and Mark sat in their own conversation building a wall of oblivion towards Dave. How Angela wished she could do the same.

She looked at Mitch as he forced a smile through '‘can't get no satisfaction’ and shuffled in his seat caught in between what actions his should be. He abruptly stood and Angela hoped it was about to start, but then he turned towards the door and disappeared inside.

Angela sat entrenched in her own world as the minutes dragged on and when Mitch finally returned, she decided it was time to save them and flatly announced dinner, saving even further embarrassment by sitting Sash opposite her rather than Dave as was the norm. Dave’s look was scathing, but the relief on Sash’s face would have made her night, especially if the rest were not to have followed.

It was towards the end of an almost pleasant dinner that Angela’s world took an abrupt turn. Tara had begun a tale about Sash.

“And he…” She giggled and pointed at Sash. “My brother, said…”

“I thought you were Sash’s sister?” Dave jumped in appearing a little confused at the exchange.

“I am, he’s my brother.” Tara looked genuinely puzzled.

Dave and Angela sat with their mouths agape.

“Oh no Sash…” Tara turned to her. “You hadn’t told them?”

“Cause…” Sash glanced from Angela to Dave. “I’m sure… Oh shit!” She stared back at them almost mimicking their slack jawed disbelief. “Oh shit!” She sat her wineglass down. “I’m sorry… I… Thought I… Oh shit!” Dave recovered first, much to Angela’s disgust. “You… You prance around here…” He glanced at Angela and back to Sash his emotions were boiling in him. “You’ve been naked with my wife… You…” He was chasing words.

“Is it true… Were you… Have you?” Angela spoke just above a whisper, her eyes pleading truth from Sash. Who returned a sorrowful look.

“It’s not like…” Sash begun.

“No matter what…” Dave waved his finger at Sash. “No matter what’s happened there, you’re… You’re a man up here.” He poked at his head with his finger. “And to think I… Shit!” He pushed the chair back allowing it to tip, bounce off the wall and clatter sideways to the floor, raised his face and glared at Sash about to say something else, shook his head and stormed from the room.

“Ang, I’m…” Sash looked at Angela a mix of emotions caressing her face. “Mitch, chase up Dave!” Sash held her hands out across the table to be accepted, but Angela stared blankly at their outstretched comfort. What was she to do? She glanced pleadingly at the apologetic, sorrowful faces in front of her.

Screaming and yelling erupted from the rear of the house and a barrage of curses followed Mitch back into the dinning room.

“I think we should go!” He noted.

“Go?” Sash queried as she looked between Angela and the others. “Yes, we should go!” She stood up and studied the still motionless shocked Angela. “I’m sorry Ang… I really thought I had told you… We’ve been friends for so long… I’m sorry!” Tears ran off her cheeks as she accepted Mitch’s arm. “I’ll call you… When things calm down a little… I’m sorry Ang…”

As they left Angela could hear Tara apologising profusely for her slip of the tongue, then the door closed, and the silence slapped Angela across the face breaking her shocked trance. This was not right; she could not let her best friend go just because she was a he. But she wasn’t. Angela sighed. Sash was all woman as far as Angela knew, as far as she had seen, so where was the problem? Though, according to recent events, she was born a male, obviously she did not feel like one and therefore the change. Angela dropped her head into her hands and sobbed. Dave would never allow their friendship to continue. He would probably be abusing himself for being attracted towards a man.

She chuckled through her tears, how ironic, never having heard the end of how sexy and attractive Sash was and how Angela should try more to emulate her and now… Well… Now who was the sexy one? She sniffled, ten years… Ten long years and they never knew. Now Sash’s secret was out.

Angela heard her husband sobbing in the other room, of course he would deny it later, but, for now, his whole world was shattered. She grinned cruelly, and tomorrow she would crush those pieces of his world when she packed her bags… Then maybe she would be able to talk to Sash… Girl to girl.

“So, do you think that worked?” Sash turned to Mitch as he pulled the car out of the drive.

“It sure looked like it and your bait certainly hooked him tonight.” He grinned back and accepted the lit cigarette handed him.

“Do you think he?” Began Tara from the backseat, blowing trails of smoke from her own cigarette.

“Oh he did… Trust me, he fell for that hook line and sinker. I’ve never seen him so distraught; I think he was on the verge of tears.” Smiled Mitch slipped a sim card from his coat pocket and passed it to Sash.

“Is this it?” She enquired.

“Appears to be and the only one I could find, that could be.” He also handed over two USB sticks. “You’re on those, but I don’t know how much.”

She caressed his hand as she accepted them and held them out like a trophy. “How’d you go Mark?” Sash spun in her seat to look back at him as he unloaded a variety of re-writeable discs from his coat pocket.

“Well we picked the brand right.” He handed one over. “Next time he downloads that replacement disc he’ll enter a virus that’ll slowly fry his hard drive. Of which, by the way, he has nothing of value.” He pointed at the disc she held, “some nice pictures of you on that too, he certainly did a lot of work to get a hold of some of those.” He winked at her. “Are you sure I’ve given you the right one,” and patted his coat pocket grinning.

“Just as long as there’s no photos or video of me left in that lecherous bastards’ hands… Thanks!” Sash lent across and kissed Mitch’s cheek. “If you hadn’t found that video camera running on the top of the cupboard he’d probably still be collecting.” Mitch smiled his response. “And” she spun back to the rear. “Thanks guys, we really couldn’t have done it without you.” “No prob.” Replied Mark along with Tara’s smile and nod.

“Are you gonna tell Angela anything?” Asked Tara.

“If she finally gets the courage to leave him, yes… If not, this time she deserves what she gets.” Sash responded bitterly.

“You’re a hard case sis, a hard case indeed.”

“She’s a good friend, but how blind can one be?”

“I think she’s struggled with a lot over the years and from what I saw this would have finally set-in motion her resolve.” Noted Tara.

“That’s the psych. in you speaking… I’d have left the bastard years ago.” Sash snapped back.

“Then maybe sis, you are not as strong as she is.”

“You figure that takes strength?” Snapped Mitch.

“I don’t know… Strength or stupidity, who’s to say?”

“Well I thought about telling her many times, but what woman wants to hear that her husband is so infatuated, or whatever, that he’s sneaking video of her best friend in the buff.”

“Wouldn’t you want her to tell you if Mitch was?” Asked Mark.

“Hey, I’ve got some great shots of Angela.” Mitch joked and received a playful slap from Sash in response.

They sat in silence; there was no real answer to these questions.

Where does one draw the line, does friendship transcend a marriage or a marriage transcend the friendship?

They had seen the good and the bad in Dave and Angela’s marriage and Sash did not wish to be the sole catalyst in its destruction and regardless of Angela’s decision she could not forgive Dave nor tell Angela of the reason for tonight’s proceedings. Maybe, just maybe some time in the future. Maybe, if their friendship survived.

fact or fiction
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About the Creator

Ron Addenbrooke

At 64 years young I finally have the time to dedicate to my writing. The series Shadow Light is my baby. Now up to three completed novels and seeking an Agent to accompany me on the journey of publishing and marketing.

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