Gratitude

 

My best friend, Josh, also a close colleague at work, one day spotted that i had made a big error with a client's account by a factor of almost three hundred percent. It was the kind of mistake that would automatically result in instant dismissal and a ruined career.   

"Don't sweat it Malcolm," Josh told me, "I will show you just how to rearrange the figures to make it look like a trading loss."  

"But that's illegal. Isn't it?"   

"Of course it is mate," he replied laughing. "But we all do it anyway."   

"Oh thanks Josh," I exclaimed, "how can i ever repay you."   

"I fancy a bit of home cooking Malcolm. Would that be okay?"  

"Of course. Come to dinner tomorrow night," was my immediate response, knowing that he had a bit of a crush on my Wife.  

Jane seemed excited to hear that i had invited Josh to a short notice dinner party, so when i told her the reason she was adamant that he should be rewarded.  

Josh arrived early the following evening, while Jane was still in the shower; it was then no surprise that Jane called down the stairs to say, "Bring Josh upstairs to say hello."  

i was not surprised by Jane's invite because i had long suspected that they were attracted to each other, and when she told him that she was grateful that he had saved my career i knew in my heart just what was going to happen next. Standing before her hubby's best friend in nothing but a towel is an invite in any language, and my Wife made little effort to conceal her availability.

There are moments when a hubby understands why he should not interfere, and i have always been a very 'understanding' husband. That evening, dinner for me was a ham sandwich while i sat in my armchair listening to the squeaking rhythm of love coming from the bed directly above my head. Josh must have had Jane at least four times that night and their physical desire for each other continued the next day, followed by the ensuing days, weeks and months.   

A year later I asked Jane if our gratefulness had run its course. 

"Of course not Malcom," she replied, as she held Josh's little daughter to her milk filled breast. "Gratitude is unlimited and forever."