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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: LUST (all-consuming desire; excessive craving) (01/08/15)
"Honey, great dinner. I'll see you later, I have to take care of a project that's pending. So, don't wait up...I'm going to be in there again all night. Lots of things to do and lots of things to assess. So, please, don't disturb me. See you in the morning."

I acknowledge with a slight nod as I clear the table...another night with him in the den. The silence is deafening, almost shattering my eardrums in the process. I pause to hold my head in resignation. How long has it been since Bill came home and cuddled with me on the couch? How long has it been since he whispered sweet words into my ear? Instead, his behavior has morphed into a personality akin to the Pavlov dogs. The salivation commences as he races for the den each night after dinner, lights up his computer, and closes the door.

I know what he's doing in there. I know because I checked his browser of the places he had visited. I was almost sorry I had…because when I did, my heart nearly stopped. Before my eyes were pornographic sites of the vilest despicable acts—blinking in a come-hither fashion—emblazoned across the screen. I tasted the bitter bile as I stared transfixed. I was numb and didn’t know what to do. So I shut the computer off and robotically continued chores about the house. That life altering discovery was three weeks ago. Since that revolting night I haven’t been the same since.

It's almost pathetically funny. We attend church each weekend and counsel couples in need. And, yet...here I stand looking at a closed door where I envision hypocrisy undercover. We live in a community and are respected, and we attend all charity functions and provide help where we can. I think that’s pretty darn amusing…who would have thought that Bill could be addicted to such filth? I know I’d have to approach him eventually, but the time didn’t seem quite right. I guess I’m hoping for a confession from his lips without coercion on my part.

The next morning at breakfast Bill seems overly happy.

“I’m making quite a dent in the project honey. I have about two more nights before I can break out of this pattern of locking myself away all night. I’ve missed being with you, but what I’m doing is essential and so important.” He chugged down his juice and stood up quickly. “Well, gotta go. Time is money you know. See you later. I love you.”

“Okay.” I managed to utter.

“Oh, and Jared is dropping by today.”

“The computer guy?”

“Yeah. He has to check something for me.”

“What time will he be here? I have a consulting job I need to do at the hospital.”

“About 8:30. That okay?”

“Yeah. That’s fine.”

“Okay, see you later honey.”

A quick kiss and he’s gone. I look at his impeccably dressed body walk away. I fume inside while I cringe at the thought of my husband being a porno freak. It’s eating me up. After clearing the dishes, I grab another cup of coffee and walk to the literal den of iniquity. I stop at the computer and glare at it, almost daring it to take me on. Minuscule, yet lethal in all aspects…encouraging depravity to those who wish to indulge. It sits high atop the desk enveloped in a snug and cozy cubicle. I walk toward the enemy stopping inches from it. Picking up a stray piece of paper, I crumple it, and throw it at the blank screen, before racing from the suffocating presence that almost overwhelms me.

The doorbell rings.

“How’re ya doing? I’m back to fix another problem in Bill’s computer.”

“Please, go right in. I’m going to be working in the kitchen if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

After thirty minutes, I decide to see how Jared is progressing. As I approach the den, I hear strange sounds. I listen more intently—cussing, swearing, and sounds of perversion resonate in a sickening fashion. I open the door to witness him engaged in a self-manual activity while looking at the screen.

After calling the police, Jared was apprehended. He was a sexual deviant wanted in three different states.

I thanked God for so many reasons that day…especially for Bill. Turns out he was working secretly to raise money for an addition to our church. He met the goal with a surplus for missions. God is awesome.




Fiction
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This article has been read 1118 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sheldon Bass 
01/15/15
Wow, this hits close to home. I found that my neighbor, who would visit to use my computer for supposed "job-searches", was perusing some of those detestable sites. It was discovered after he one time forgot to erase the browsing history. That's when I realized I needed to set certain safeguards on my computer. We don't have children at home anymore, but it appears the "parental controls" were still needed anyway.

You did a good job of building the sadness of the tale, and then leaving us with an "ahh" of relief at the end. Good work!
PamFord Davis 
01/15/15
Reality is hard to deal with. Yet, life in the real world is filled with perversion. Thanks for the reminder. God is still in control and Light overcomes darkness...

Wing His Words,
Pam
lynn gipson 
01/16/15
Whoa..what an awesome story. I was heartbroken for the MC until the very end, when I found out Bill was really a good guy. What a relief.

You put the reader through all sorts of emotions, and finally, WHEW!

Great writing, as usual. This one is a winner, in my book.

Blessings, Lynn
Linda Goergen
01/16/15
Unfortunately lustful temptations offered freely on the internet is a sad reality in today’s world. And that some would use others computers to cover their tracks into that dark world, seems to be an all too frequent occurrence. This is a good message for safe guarding— not only our equipment—but our own hearts— and judgment of another based on assumptions. Good read, good message.
Dannie Hawley 
01/16/15
You did a terrific job of building emotion as the paragraphs passed. I, too, felt just sick for the MC. This is such a pervasive problem in our world today, and a relevant use of the topic to alert us all. I would never have thought a neighbor would have taken such advantage of a kindness. Super job!
Danielle King 
01/16/15
It's all been said already but I have to add, skilful writing that leaves me in awe of your talent.
Trace Pezzali
01/21/15
Very very good. Thanks for an absorbing read.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/24/15
I think you did a marvelous job. I thought the computer guy was there to fix pop ups or a virus so the ending took me by surprise. I did believe the husband was innocent and was delighted to find out that he was. Great take on the topic.
Lois Lewis
03/22/15
Yay, Bill! Boo, Jared! Great job! You have to watch those neighbors. I once knew of a neighbor who put an ad in the newspaper for an estate sale at her next door neighbor's house, while the old lady was in the hospital.