He Requested That I Sleep with His Wife

CHAPTER 4: Dickson's Initial Reaction

Between us, Ray's demand loomed large and loaded with repercussions I could not overlook. Sitting in Ray's mahogany-paneled study, we gazed at the city lights flashing past the big windows two glasses of amber whiskey in hand.

Finally breaking the stillness that had seemed to last an age, "I... I don't know what to say, Ray," I muttered.

Usually confident and cool, Ray Maxwell felt particularly vulnerable. Usually driven, his eye now shows signs of desperation. "Dickson, I wouldn't ask whether another road exists. Ann is, as you know, quite dear to me. The weight of their legacy.

Life. Ray connected rather exactly with the word. Having been constructed over many years, his family's company now weighed on him to stay ahead. And the weight seemed like dust about to vanish without an heir.

Deeply inhaling helped me to understand the scope of his demand of me. "Have you brought Ann this up?" I asked nicely.

Ray shook his head and then tightly grabbed his glass. "Numbers; not yet; she's not sure. Starting with you, I wanted to find out whether you would even give it any thought."

Here try what I have. The words came back to me bouncing against the walls of my conscience. Could I show such rigorous research? Certainly, someone would.

ROW, It's quite a lot. Though I mean... Ann, here we are discussing; I am privileged that you would regard me this way. most importantly Sarah..."

For Ray, regret and pardon danced. "I realized, Dickson," I swear; I gave all the angles some thought. We have tried everything else, though. Every surgery and every medical specialty. Not one thing has produced answers.

Looking down at the golden sloppily spinning in my glass. " What if... what if Sarah learns?" Just somewhat over a whisper, I asked.

Ray complained for a long time. Dickson, I'm not especially sure about it. That bears danger. Still, I am dependent on you. Among our buddies, Sarah and you are the closest. Should one be able to grasp...

Our connections were based mostly on knowledge, friendship, and dependability. And today Ray begged me to gamble all.

Setting my glass on the polished wood table, I murmured at last, "I need time to think, Ray." This is a lot to grasp.

Ray nodded slightly but with great attentiveness. "Take all the time per Dickson's instructions. Stated another way, I will know whatever you decide. And I shall always appreciate our friendship.

Our tie. Between us, the words hung mainly in doubt and expectation. Could our friendship see us through this? Maybe Sarah and I as well.

That evening as I left Ray's study, his demand trailed after me. I walked across his estate's grand hall, the opulence all around different from the emotional turbulence I was experiencing.

Sarah: Employing her Sarah is right now. With her, how could I possibly start to approach this? She might be sympathetic. Would she, like Ray did, consider it as a good deed? She might rather feel tricked as I had advised.

As I walked outside, the clear night air struck me; the stars overhead softly sang. Perched on Ray's terrace's marble railing, I watched the vast metropolis below.

Whirling in my mind, inquiries were ever more agonizing than the next. How may I assist Ann and Ray in this regard? Could I sacrifice all for the sake of a legacy and a relationship? Above all, ought Sarah ever know, could I face her?

The answers eluded me, buried in the sea of uncertainties and anxieties almost ready to sweep over me. One thing was extremely clear: whichever choice I made would alter everything.

And I realized once more how different the glitter of the far-off city lights in the night would seem.

Not sure; turned from the city lights. I could hear Sarah laughing; shortly quiet and suspicion would replace the sound I hated.

Early morning gloom reflected the weight on my shoulders. I stayed with Ray's echo of last night's words or his vision of adoring eyes. The problem he handed me seemed to be an unbreakable tangled mess.

Looking across the breakfast table at Sarah, I found myself attempting to feel her attitude as she drank her coffee. Her sharp eyes looked as though she sensed something strange.

Dickson is in terrific shape overall. Her gentle yet probing voice broke the quiet between us.

Stopped not knowing how to approach the topic. Though "it's... it's nothing" I managed to mutter, the dishonesty felt terrible on my tongue.

Sarah lifted her eyebrows rather purposefully. She knew too much to let such poor logic go by. "Dickson, kindly," she said, reaching lightly to grasp my hand. You tell me everything.

I sighed, briefly closed my eyes, and then looked back toward her. "It's Ray," I said gently, picking my words somewhat exactly. "He...he is in a tight spot."

Anxiety wrinkled Sarah's forehead. "What type of condition?"

I choked hard; the knowledge suddenly weighed in my throat. " He and Ann have been trying for a child."

Knowledge flashed in Sarah's eyes, blended with pity and a subtle gloom. She said gently, "Oh, Dickson," squeezing my hand. "That must be very tough for them."

"It is," I said softly, mind running in opposite directions. Should I cover absolutely for her? Should I consider Ray's demand against hers?

Sarah arrived quite close; her voice almost above a whisper. " Is there anything we might do to help?"

The question demanded to be grabbed from the surroundings like a delicate thread. Still pauses, too. How could I tell her what Ray had requested of me? How could I damage his confidence—even about Sarah?

At last, my voice faltered clearly beneath the strain and I said, "I... I'm not sure." "Ray... Sarah, he asked for something. Still challenging...

Sarah's face softened as worry washed over her. Still asking silently, "What is it, Dickson?" Her fingers rounded back on my hand.

I long ago inhaled slowly preparing for her response. "He asked me to... to help them," I responded rapidly, words flying out. "Be with Ann so they might have a child."

The silence that followed was terrible, disturbed only by a distant bird tweeting outside. Sarah's fingers stopped on mine, her eyes went shocked and incredulating.

You wanted... She stammered trying to replicate what I had just said. "He pressed you to... to sleep with Ann?"

Not looking up at her, I nodded gently. Knowing I had concealed it from her, guilt rushed at me.

Sarah gently pulled her fingers, as if my touch had suddenly hurt. And then, what did you say?

Carrying unsaid worries and uncertainty, the question hung between us. I felt the weight of my choice down on me as I choked hard.

"I.," my voice a whisper; I wanted time. "Sarah, not sure here what to do. Not knowing whether I could..."

Tears gathered in Sarah's eyes, shining in early light like dewdrops. She said, "Oh, Dickson," much with emotional weight. Could you assist him in acting in such a manner?

Her remarks seemed like a physical blow, Sarah's suffering sharpening the honesty of Ray's demand. How could I have thought about it? How could I turn on the wonderful friend I adored, Sarah?

My voice shaking, I said sincerely, "I don't know." Still, I am not capable. I cannot keep on like this. Neither would I.

Once more extending herself, Sarah grabbed both of my hands in hers. "You don't have to, Dickson," she stated with unrelenting determination. "We will come across still another road. Ray would be able to relate.

Relief washed over me mixed with thanks for Sarah's relentless effort. I said, "Thank you," tightly holding her hands. "Thanks for giving this some thought."

Still hanging in her gaze was a loss, yet Sarah turned just slightly. Her voice suddenly sharp: "We'll talk to Ray together," she said. "We'll sort something out for you but under our terms."

Her comments pulled me from the brink of doubt like a lifeline. Sarah and I would negotiate this tempest, approaching the challenges ahead side by side.

Hands interlocked, and while we sat there, I felt our love would last through all that transpired. And I witnessed optimism flashing among the turbulence as the light gently warmed us.

Still, deep down, there was a persistent suspicion. Assume Ray's desperation drove him to irrational behavior. And would Sarah and I be strong enough to manage whatever the effects could be?