Just Off Center

I've just made a bet to the tune of ten thousand American should my wife ever allow her friend Scott to get to first base with her. That's split up five thousand apiece for Mike and Carl. Ten huge if she even allows a wanton kiss.

Mike is always busting my balls with quips about how Nina and Scott are in bed right now or how she's sucking him off in the truck on the way to another exterminating job. I can usually deal with this tumult. I trust my wife implicitly. But the point that was being driven into me wasn't that my wife isn't to be trusted. It was that Scott isn't to be trusted.

The premise is that heterosexual men think only of beer, sports, money, and of course pussy. Scott's befriending of Nina must therefore be related to one of these limbic goals. One could argue that it's sports that binds them (if one were to believe that the premise weren't bullshit). But they don't watch sports together very often. And they are together basically every day. It couldn't be money because neither have anything financial to gain from the relationship. In sharp contrast, if Scott's girlfriend were to find out how much time they actually spend together she may well kick his ass to the curb. She isn't as confident in love as I. And since Rhonda owns the house, its contents, the services, and the checking account Scott could potentially suffer a considerable financial loss from the relationship with Nina.

Beer. Nina doesn't drink it. But how about broadening that to alcohol in general. Nope, still nothing. They don't really drink together. So then it comes to it. The answer must be pussy. Scott must, by process of elimination, be involved with my wife simply for the potential sex. Except that there is no potential sex. Nina would never touch this man. In fact, I'm amazed that any woman would.

The debate progressed and I was again berated for allowing my wife to be in a relationship with another man, even though it's nature is platonic. Once I finally had them convinced that they are actually great friends and nothing more Carl and Mike were forced to agree that he "is playing the friendship card and biding his time". And for those who wonder how I can make such a bet and have any means of enforcement, my faith in Nina's honesty is such that I know she'd come clean within 12 hours.

Now they did bring up one valid point. If Scott's the kind of man that could hide his relationship with Nina from Rhonda, than how can I trust his intentions so blindly. I suppose the answer is that I don't. Scott's a nice man, but that doesn't mean that he's incapable of putting the moves on my wife, I know this. My faith and trust lie in my wife. In fact, on a long enough timeline, I have little doubt that Scott would begin to feel romantic love for Nina. Is that reason enough to deprive my wife of her best friend outside of marriage? Even if it was, is our relationship such that I could even make such a demand? I hate saying that our relationship is different, because that instistence usually comes from couples who simply haven't recognized all the ways that they're just like everyone else. But Nina has her own life and I want it filled with every experience she cares to entertain, without restriction. As long as she's honest, I'm open to discuss any desire. If Nina were to express an interest in Scott for sex or whatever else I would listen and talk to her about it. I'd also tell her no fucking way and probably call her a whore, so I guess I'm typical in that regard.

So what's a man to do? I can handle being looked on as a chump by those of lesser faith in love, but I don't necessarily trust this guy's intentions. As Mike tells me, "it's a player's game". I must assume he means that Nina and I are getting played while Scott waits for that right moment. But even if this is true, and even if I fuck up big time and Nina finds herself alone and vulnerable, can't I trust that Nina's senses will guide her to fidelity? Whether I can or not, I think I shall.

One of the key arguments was that in that one key moment Scott might reveal that he actually has a really huge dick. And we all know that women are powerless when bathed in the soft glowing light of a large penis. This argument alone was worth the price of admission.

Well, despite the advice of basically everyone I know, I suppose I'll continue to not only allow but encourage the friendship between Scott and Nina. I feel comfortable in this decision for two reasons. First, it makes me feel good to trust my wife even in seamy situations. And two, Nina must by now understand the wrath that would be incurred should this endless and perfect trust be betrayed. I guess fear makes a good garnish for love.