Switching Wives

Amanda decided not to confront Jase about the insurance policy she'd found. She was tired of all his lies. So instead, she began packing her bags.

As she did so, she was startled to hear banging coming from Jase's new office. She hadn't realized that Michael had began construction once again.

Quietly, she worked her way down the winding staircase. At the bottom, she stopped to gather her coat and handbag from the coat closet. When she turned back around Michael was standing there.

"What's up with the bags? You taking a trip?"

"I'm leaving Jase," she bravely declared. "Here's why, if you must know." She handed Michael the copy of the insurance paperwork.

"I'm confused, then," Michael stated. "What does this have to do with your reasons? I mean you both took out a policy."

"What are you talking about?" Amanda looked genuinely shocked. "I don't' have an insurance policy on Jase."

"Of course you do. It's right here." With that, Michael reached into the hallway desk drawer and pulled out the paper. "I was witness for both of you. How can you not remember that? You took physicals and everything."

"I don't know what you are trying to pull, Michael Collins, but I'm not falling for it. This is some kind of scam for Jase to collect upon my death."

"Look, don't take my word for it. Call you doctor. He'll confirm everything. He's the one that did the physicals."

Amanda dropped her handbag. She felt the floor coming up to meet her.

Michael caught Amanda as she began to fall. "Amanda, it will be all right. Do you want me to call your doctor?"

At the last minute, the blackness that threatened to engulf her receded. She pushed herself back up to her feet and threw her arms around Michael.

"Well, big fella, I've been wondering how long it would take you to make a move. What were you waiting for?"

Michael starred into the eyes of his best friend's wife but saw no trace of the woman he'd come to know. "Amanda, what are you talking about? It's me, Michael."

"I know that, sugar plum. I've been waiting to get my hands on you." With that, Amanda planted a passionate kiss on Michael's lips.

Caught off guard, it took him a minute to regain his composure and pull away. "Amanda, I don't know what is going on here but I think we should call Jase. You aren't acting like yourself."

"Well maybe that's because I'm not Amanda, you big dope. I'm Shelly. Besides, I don't want Jase. I want you!" She attempted to kiss him again, but this time Michael was ready and he held her at arms length.

"Would timid little Amanda do this?" With that Shelly pulled her sweater up over her head exposing her naked chest.

It took all of Michael's willpower to turn and walk away. He had to get to Jase and let him know what was going on.

"Hey, where you going big boy? I want to have some fun."

"Sorry, not interested," Michael stammered as he slammed out the door. Still shaking his head, he had no idea how he was going to explain the turn of events he had just witnessed to his childhood friend.

Inside the house, Shelly laughed and headed for the liquor cabinet. It was time to loosen up before Amanda's husband came home. She still hadn't formulated a plan for ridding herself of him without suspicion. However, she realized now that she's have to get rid of Michael too. Maybe a fire. . . .

"Amanda, you are one stupid broad," she toasted her reflection in the mirror. "But that's okay. As usual, you'll only remember what I want you to and that won't be much." The chill of her laughter filled the empty house.

Finished with her drink, Shelly put the liquor away; washed and dried the glass. Then she put her sweater back on, hung up her coat and bag and then carried her suitcases back upstairs. As she unpacked, she worked out her next plan.

Once everything was back the where it was supposed to be, she waited. As soon as she heard Jase's car pull up she fell to the ground in a dead faint. That's the way Jase and Michael found her.

"Amanda, Amanda wake up." Jase sounded irritated as he shook his wife awake.

She looked up at him with confusion. She started to speak but then caught a glimpse of Michael and started screaming instead.

"Get him away from me, Jase. Make him leave. Make him leave right now," she demanded as she clung to her husband in genuine fear.

"He tried to rape me, Jase. He kissed me and then demanded more. I was so scared that I fainted."

Jase turned to look at his best friend, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Amanda, tell me your side of the story. Michael says you came on to him, not the other way around."

"Why would I do that, Jase? We just got married. I love you. You know that." Amanda buried her face deep into her husband's chest and heaved what appeared to be terrifying sobs. But not before Jase had looked into her blue eyes. What he saw there was real. She didn't appear to be lying.

"Michael, I think you should go." Jase picked up his wife and placed her on the bed. "We'll sort all of this out later. Right now, I must take care of my wife."

"Jase, come on. You have known me since kindergarten. I've never gone after a girl of yours. Do you honestly think I'd make a play for your wife?"

"I don't know what I think right. I'm confused. Things have been all wrong since I brought Amanda here to live. She's been different from the girl I met and married. I don't understand any of this."

Amanda kept sobbing as she noted Michael leaving. Insider her mind she thought she caught the sound of evil laughter.

Shelly was pleased with her own work. She finally had them all right where she wanted them.

The above combines two plot suggestions that I couldn't choose between. One comes from Nancy Czerwinski. She suggested that there were two insurance policies; one from Jase and one for Amanda. Good one, Nancy.

The other idea came from my sister. It was that a part of Amanda was harbouring a crush on Michael. I kind of gave it my own unique "spin."

If you have ideas for continuing the story line, leave them in the comment section below. The story will be wrapped up within one or two more publications.