Ginny and he had been arguing about everything for a year. Their caustic comments in public publicized the inevitable.
The divorce happened. Each wondered if they were doing the right thing. Each felt lost that their dreams and fantasies about the future suddenly ended with the meare signing of the legal papers.
They stood side by side for the last time, neither daring to look at each other as the judge slammed the wooden hammer down.
Ginny hadn't asked for wealth or property. They agreed to sell the house and split the profits if there were any. They each had their own bank accounts and split the joint account balance. They even paid their own attourney fees.
Charles had heard so many stories of messy and poverty resulting divorces. But divorcing Ginny wasn't like that. He wondered if he hadn't made a mistake afterall. How many divorced women would behave so civily.
He turned and looked at Ginny. There was water in his eyes and hers. They shook hands and hugged half way.
"Sorry" he said.
"Well, it wasn't meant to be" she responded.
He slouched on the couch. His face bore the half beard that had grown over the days of the week off from work. His wore the same boxer shorts he had on when he came home from the court.
Ginny had already moved out. The house would begin to be shown in another week. He planned to move out before then.
He was naked except for his boxers. He had tried to distract himself by watching porn on the TV but his cock didn't respond. It wasn't that he was sad, Charles was lost.
Ginny called home that day long ago. She was staying with her sister for a few days. That stay would be longer, she said.
Charles dressed for tennis said "OK" and looked around for a partner. The club was an escape.
"Hey you looking to play?" the voice was young. "I"m Matthew" the red headed young man stuck his hand out. His freckled smooth torso astounded Charles.
"I see you usually playing with a woman" he added.
"My wife, she's uh away" Charles felt his cock stir and harden. He was confused at his own reaction to the sight of the young man. He reminded Charles of a friend he had years ago.
"Better put on a shirt, you'' burn out there" He shook Matthew's hand.
"I have to, the club doesn't allow. Shame, I never burn, not like other redheads" Matthew smiled as he struggled to pull on his white shirt.
There was something sexy about seeing his bare skin disappear under the shirt.
Charles closed his eyes remembering that day now. He sighed and while regretting his actions, savored them. His cock hardened.
"Wow you're good" Matthew said. The sweat soaked strands of hair dangled in his face.
Charles too was exhausted. "Good workout Matthew, thanks" he shook the guys wet hand.
"Shower?" Matthew asked.
"What?" Charles had already wondered what the younger man looked like naked.
"Do you shower here or home?" Matthew asked
"Uh usually home, want to come over?" Charles asked.
Matthew looked back with a blank reaction.
"My wife's away, we can shower, relax, drink a beer, whatever" Charles offered and realizing he sounded like he was coming on to the guy added "I don't like to shower here, too many germs"
Matthew nodded "Shit I thought you were trying to seduce me" he smiled.
Charles was back on leave years before. Corporal Loudin and he were escaping the threats of shipping out and curses of authority as they bounded into town.
"Let's get a room so we have a place then we can go out and do whatever" Loudin suggested. The motel room was where they found each other. Stripping out of their uniforms they intended to put on civilian clothing and explore the town.
Nearly naked they wrestled for while and in the surreal privacy their hands found each other excited by their intimacy. Their underwear didn't hide their excitement and their lips met. They rarely left the room for the week of leave.
"Maybe I was" Charles said back to Matthew.
Neither were modest as they stripped and shared the hot shower. Neither was hesitant as they soaped, rinsed, kissed, felt and explored each other.
Their sex was unbridled by acceptance, fears, opinions or self doubt. Matthew liked older men and had been watching Charles over the months he had been going to the Tennis Club.
Charles had left behind the memories of Corporal Loudin. After their time together, he left the Army and Loudin was transferred. A few letters carefully written maintained contact but eventually one or the other stopped writing.
Matthew cooked, he dressed Charles, he snuggled, sucked and fucked and was sucked and fucked the week long.
"Ginny's coming home on Sunday" Charles sighed as he pet Matthew's head that lay on his bare chest.
"What about us?" Matthew asked knowing the answer adding "I guess I have to go back too".
There were letters sent to Charles at work. He answered one or two but knowing there was no point, eventually stopped.
Mistakes made fill our minds often. Charles muttered that allowed. His boss understood and gave him the week off.
He fondled himself trying to recall the freckled body and red hair his mind drifting to that dark motel room years ago at the same time.
The door knock awoke him.
"Hey" Matthew had a half smile "I heard about you and your wife. Sorry. Thought I'd come over"
There was a moment of awkward silence. Charles didn't know what to say or do.
"You look uh fuck you look horrible" Matthew said and stepped forward. Charles backed into the house.
"What we're gonna do is clean you up" Matthew was peeling his shirt and trousers off.
It was s if in a trance, Charles found himself naked, bathed, shaven, massged and he was back on the couch feeling fresher.
Looking down at his new caretaker, the warm lips were stroking his long ignored cock milking from it the forgotten lust.
Charles didn't resist any of it, the shaving, bathing or sex. He let Matthew wave over him like an ocean wave.
The morning awakened him. Charles lay in the bed had shared with Ginny for three years. The head on his chest nuzzled. His arm encircled Matthew and rested naturally on the back of his neck.
"Good morning" he said not only to Matthew but to the beginning of the life he had long ignored and now was given the opportunity to find again.
The condo was theirs now. The house sold and Charles could afford to buy the new home. Matthew paid part of the down payment too. They had a home, a life and a future.
Ginny was surprised but responded "Now I know why things didn't work out. Why didn't you tell me?" she said on the phone.
"I didn't know" Charles said. "I guess I should have but sometime it takes time to find out."