Abandoned Honor

By Deborah Tadema

Suffering from hopelessness is hard enough for Mitch Wilder to contend with. Remembering to take his medication is a chore. Keeping on top of his secrets and lies is nearly impossible since he's been diagnosed with manic depression. And living three different lives is starting to crash down upon him.

Mark Wilder is Mitch's only legitimate son. After his mother's second husband dies, Mark begins to hope that his parents will re-unite. If they do, then maybe his father will stick around more. But the only re-uniting they are doing is in the bedroom. Neither one seems to want anything more than that.

Mark worries about what his parents will do when they discover his own secret. That him dating Naomi Palmer is a ruse. And that all he wants to do is run around naked...with her brother.

Darren Hoffman has two loves; Lily Marie Marshall and drag racing down country roads. His only problem is keeping Bret Campbell away from the woman he plans to marry one day. But Bret is the only one who can challenge him on the quarter-mile runs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deborah Tadema
• Release date: Apr 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781983081781

Deborah Tadema

Deborah Tadema received a diploma in “Short Story and Fiction Writing.” Following this, she completed three levels of a creative writing course. She currently belongs to a writing group and has her work critiqued on a regular basis. Deborah has worked with an editor over the past year to craft and polish the “Honor” series and the "Sievers" series.Deborah spent her childhood in a small town and currently lives in a rural community She’s well acquainted with small town politics, which form a foundation for her writing.The Sievers Series is a Historical Fiction that takes the Sievers family from taming Upper Canada, through the War of 1812 and the aftermath of the war.

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Abandoned Honor

Honor Series

Book 2

Other books by Deborah Tadema

No Honor Between Brothers

Book 1

Honor Series

Break in The Wind

Book 1

In The Wind Series

Abandoned Honor

For my husband and best friend

Mitch Wilder

WIVES:

Rose Hayes 1946 – 1953

Sandy Scott 1957 – 1959

Claire Lester 1967 –

Children:

(Rose)   Mark Wilder April 7, 1947

(Kathy)   Darren Hoffman June 28, 1947

(Rose)   Victoria Wilder July 7, 1950 – 1954

(Sandy)   Leslie Scott April 9, 1958

Mistresses:  Linda, Peggy, Diana, Dawn

Hookers:  Blondie

Siblings:

Nora Wilder – Joe Breckenridge

Children:  Todd – August 19, 1949

Tom Fleming - stepbrother

Bob Marshall

WIVES:

Claire Lester 1948 - 1949

Julie Nagle 1949 – 1967

Sue Channing 1967

CHILDREN:

Twins:  Lily Marie and Justin July 20, 1949

Julie and Stan Cleary – Sissy Oct. 24, 1964

Others:

BRET CAMPBELL – WORKS for Joe Breckenridge – Darren Hoffman’s best friend

Stan Cleary – police officer

Neil Cleary (Loser) detective.  Stan’s brother

Becky and Billy Thurgood (siblings) associated with Todd and Darren

Sue Channing – business partner with Bob Marshall 

Becky and Billy Thurgood (siblings) associated with Todd and Darren

JT Wharton – mortician for Wharton’s Funeral Home

Naomi and Nathan Palmer siblings

Christine – Nathan’s girlfriend

Jody and Melissa Baxter – twins

Hudson – manager Carlyle Motel 

Amy Phillips – Justin’s girlfriend

Marty Simons – Tom’s lover

Pete Hoffman – man who raised Darren

Chapter 1

IT WAS GETTING COLD in Bob's Diner with no glass in the big picture window.  Mitch Wilder, the only customer still in there after the scuffle, shivered in his seat but didn't move.  All he did was watch Bob Marshall, the owner, clean up the glass that had shattered all over the place.  Outside was Mitch's son, Darren Hoffman, with another broom. 

Here.  Bob's wife handed Mitch his watch.  Didn't I say it would show up?

Mitch held it in his hand.  I'm sorry, Sue.  I didn't mean to cause all this.  He looked over at her husband.  I hope Bob believes us.  That there's nothing going on between us.

Me too.  She slid into the booth across from him.  We've explained it often enough.  It's just a thank you gift for helping with my divorce and getting me away from John.  She looked wistfully over at her new husband.  Bob was sweeping glass into a pile, his jaw set in a hard line as he concentrated on what he was doing.  I wish now that I hadn't had the watch engraved with your name on it.  That trucker wouldn't have known whose it was.

Mitch shook his head.  I've never done anything like that before, leave something for a husband to find.

I never thought I'd see anyone jump through that window either.  They both glanced at the gaping hole in the wall.

Mitch wiped the blood from his swollen lip.  Well, that trucker sure hit hard. 

Uncle Mitch, Todd Breckenridge said as he walked into the diner and stopped a few feet away.  Can we borrow your truck to get a couple sheets of plywood?  He was the spitting image of Mitch's sister, Nora. 

Justin Marshall, who followed Todd, added, Dad wants the window covered so we can lock up.

Mitch handed his nephew the keys.  Wait, he said, reaching for his wallet.  I'll pay for it.  He handed Todd two twenties.  That should cover it.  He looked back down at the watch.  After the boys left, he pulled the pins out to set the time and date.  Monday, 3 p.m.  April 1, 1968.  Happy April Fool’s Day, he said.

Hey, Darren yelled through the window.  You just going to sit there and let us clean up your mess?

Mitch's left eyebrow went up as he looked over at his son.  I didn't make that mess.  He didn't want to move; his body ached all over.  Depression was his enemy now, hitting him when he felt tired or run down.  He made a mental note to take another Paxil soon. 

Bob turned to face Mitch. It's sure your fault, though.  If you'd learn to keep your pecker in your pants, you wouldn’t get into these situations.  He shook his head.  No wonder your wife ran off with your brother.  Claire ran to Tom Fleming, Mitch's stepbrother, after she caught Mitch with yet another woman. 

Go to hell.  Both of you.  Mitch would have stormed out, but his truck was gone.  Instead, he slipped the watch onto his wrist and stood.  Bob threw a broom at him.  Mitch thought about throwing it back, then decided he better not.  He went outside to help Darren.  Most of the glass scattered all over the sidewalk.  Piss off, he said to Darren when he grinned at him.  Mitch did the zipper up on his jacket.  The wind was picking up, the temperature was dropping. 

By the time they had all the glass swept into a pile, Todd was back with the truck.  He and Justin carried the sheets of plywood over to the wall.  Bob brought out a stepladder, a bunch of nails and a hammer.  As the boys held the plywood over the broken window, Bob hammered it into place.  Darren swept the shards of glass onto the shovel that Mitch now held.  He dumped it into a garbage can that Bob had taken outside earlier.

Big Joe Breckenridge ran up to them from four doors down.  He owned Elgin Gym and was as big and solid as a house.  Todd looked over at him.  Hi, Dad.

Joe nodded at his son then looked at the boarded-up window.  What the hell happened?

Darren pointed at Mitch.  Joe shook his head.  It never ends.  Does it?

Some big guy dragged his wife into the diner, Bob said, as he looked down from his perch on the ladder, looking for our Romeo, here.  Stan handcuffed him, but he got loose and made another door.  He said this as he nodded toward the window. 

Mitch stood there, caught in his brother-in-law's stare and shrugged.

Joe shook his head.  Are you ever going to grow up, Mitch?

Sue stepped out the door.  I have coffee on.  Come inside and warm up.  Bob hammered in three more nails. 

As the group headed into the diner, Mitch grabbed Darren's sleeve.  I'm going home to pack.  And like I told my bastard brother; I don't know when I'll be back here.

Sure, Dad.  Darren pushed his long dark hair out of his eyes.

Don't ever forget that I love you, Darren.  I'll keep in touch.  But I think I need to stay away for a while, to recuperate. 

Darren nodded.  I know.  It must have been hard on you when Claire moved in with Tom.

Yes, it is.  Mitch gave Darren a hug.  I'll miss you. 

Me too, Dad. 

Mitch let go, turned around, and opened the truck door.  Shit, he said, heading back into the diner.  Todd, where are my keys?  He ignored the glares from Joe and Bob as Sue poured them their coffees. 

Oh, sorry, Uncle Mitch.  Todd reached into his jacket pocket and pulled them out.  Mitch grabbed them and stormed out of the diner.  Want your change? Todd yelled.  Mitch just kept going.  He drove over to Darren's house, where he lived when he was home, in Port Shetland.  He packed a big suitcase and threw it into the back of the truck.  Mitch drove across town.

Diana Smithers let him in when he knocked on her door.  Her eyes were red from crying.  I'm sorry, Di, Mitch said.  What are you going to do?

I'm in the middle of packing.  I'm leaving my husband while he's in jail.  She wiped her eyes.  I called the police station.  He's being charged with assault, for hitting you.  And for destroying property.

Mitch pulled her into his arms.  Come with me, I'll take care of you.

To Hamilton?

Yes.  I'll set you up in an apartment.  Your husband won't find you there.  I'll even help you get a divorce if you want.

Oh, I'm going to get a divorce, Mitch.  One way or another.  He'll probably throw me out now, anyway. 

He looked down at her from his six-foot height.  Diana was short compared to most of the women Mitch took to bed.  So, what do you say, you want to become my mistress?

Diana smiled up at him. I get my own apartment?

Yes.  Mitch let her go.  I have someone living with me there.  She must never know about you.

I thought I did a good job of staying away from your wife.  She knows about me now, doesn't she?

Yes.  But she won't know that we're still seeing each other.

Are you going to get a divorce?

He shrugged.  I don't know.

TOM FLEMING HELD CLAIRE as soon as he shut the door to their apartment.  They left the diner after the trucker punched Mitch in the jaw.  Claire buried her face in Tom's chest and sobbed.  Tom whispered. I'm sorry, sweetheart.  He's never going to learn.  He stroked her long blonde hair.

Why, Tom?  Why does he have to be such a jerk?  Claire left him and went over to get a tissue.  After she wiped her eyes, she sat down on the couch.  I'm sure glad you aren't like him.

Tom sat beside her.  I told you before, you are the only woman for me.  He turned away from her.  She was the only woman because he didn't want women.  He didn't even want her.  But now was not the time to tell her.  Well, he said.  That's two you caught him with since your wedding.

I really believed Mitch has changed.  Nora and Sue kept pushing me to marry him.  Nobody's seen him with other women when he was in town.  And he kept after me; swore that I was the only one.  I don't know why he wanted to get married so badly for.

Probably for this reason right here.

You?

Yes, he's been jealous of me ever since Dad brought me here to meet him and Nora.  It was just after we found out about each other.  That was fifteen years ago.

I remember Nora telling me all about it.  Yet, no one knew who you were until last year when your father passed away.

Tom nodded. You know how Mitch treats me.  I stayed away from here because of him.

But Nora loves you. 

And I love my sister and her family.  Tom held her hand.  I know your dad wanted you to marry Joe.  But I see how happy Nora is with him.  Keep her talking.  Take her mind off Mitch.

He was glad that his sister had a solid marriage.  It was too bad that she couldn't have any more kids, though.  Nora kept having miscarriages.  Todd was the only baby to survive full-term.  Tom kept in touch with Nora and Joe, even though he hadn't seen much of them until he moved down here a year ago.  Have you ever wanted kids?

New tears pooled in her eyes. Yes.  Mitch always said he didn't want any.  And every time he came home, he drilled that into me.  And Bob ruined that on me too.

Tom nodded.  I heard.  He got Julie pregnant just after you married him.  I’ve only seen her once, and I heard that not many people liked her.  I like the twins, though.  He met the Marshalls at his father's funeral. 

Yes, Justin and Lily Marie are good kids.

And the twins like Sue.  Bob told me that Julie wasn't much of a mother.

No, she'd rather chase after men while Bob was working his ass off.

And, Constable Stan Cleary, the town's only cop, had been screwing around with Julie all throughout her marriage to Bob.  Seems Julie had a few men on the hook.  Yeah, Tom said.  I'm glad Pete Hoffman got life in prison.  Pete confessed to killing Julie in a fit of jealousy when she preferred a draft dodger from the States over him.  That's three guys they knew of that Julie screwed around on Bob with.  Then after Bob kicked her out, she moved in with Stan and screwed around on him.

Me too.  Claire shivered.  Like I told you before, I dream about him killing Darren.

Darren's safe, Claire.  Pete can't touch him anymore.

I know.  She looked past him.  Sometimes I wonder how close it had come.

I think Stan's finally getting over Julie's murder, he said, to get her mind off Darren this time.  She would only get further depressed.  He doesn't look so sad anymore.  Sometimes I think he took it harder than Bob did.  Claire nodded.

Tom went back to work for a few hours that afternoon even though he promised Claire he wouldn't.  He sensed that she wanted to be alone for a while.  He unlocked the secondary office of the Great Lakes Shipping Company... his tiny office, while Mitch ran the big luxurious one in Hamilton.  Mitch took over the company when their father retired.  Tom was coerced into working with Mitch when their dad died just over a year ago.  If they didn't work together, the company would have been lost to both of them.  But eventually, Tom would own half of it, which he knew pissed Mitch off.  Mitch thought he'd get the whole thing.  Tom was surprised with the conditions of the will; he thought his father had disowned him. 

Tom hung his jacket up and opened his office door.  He stood there, looked toward his brother’s office and sighed.  At times like this, he wished he had stayed in Windsor, where he had been a teacher.  But he did make better money now.  And his intent was to ruin Mitch when he first moved down there.  Screwing his brother’s wife was just part of his plan...all because Mitch didn't want anything to do with him and shunned him.  He's a bastard, Tom can go to hell.

Tom opened his door and sauntered in.  He plunked down in his chair and swung it around to look out of the window.  For the better part of an hour, he watched them working across Waverly Creek, dumping coal into trucks from the huge piles.  After the last truck pulled away, he closed his eyes.  And then just last year Mitch confessed that Darren Hoffman was his son.  Hypocrite, Tom said.  He thought of treating Darren like Mitch treated him; glaring at him or ignoring him completely.  Except, Tom liked Darren, so he treated his nephew like he treated Todd.  Because Tom knew he'd never have kids.  And Darren and Todd were his only nephews, there were no nieces.  He thought about when he first learned he had a brother and a sister.  It was three months before his dad brought him to Port Shetland to meet them.  Nora had been married to Joe for a year already.  And Mitch stuck around long enough to let Tom know that he didn't want anything to do with him. 

So now, here he was, living with his brother’s wife when he had fallen in love with someone else.

DIANA FOLLOWED HIM into Hamilton and parked beside his truck at a motel.  Mitch got out and walked over to her.  She rolled down the window.  He leaned on it. You'll stay here for now, till I find you a place.  She shut her car off and waited while Mitch went in to secure a room.  He helped her in with her luggage and set it on the floor.  Diana was looking around the room when Mitch walked up behind her and encircled her in his arms.  You're trembling.

I'm nervous, is all.  It's not every day I leave my husband and run away with another man.

Are you having second thoughts?

No. 

Mitch turned her around.  Hungry?

Starving.

I know a good place where we can get a nice juicy steak.

She smiled.  Then what are we standing around in here for?

They walked to the restaurant.  Mitch tried to keep Diana calm; in case she changed her mind.  The meal was perfect.  He joked as they ate dessert.  It felt good to make them both laugh.  Mitch tried not to let his depression get the better of him.  He didn't want to think of how he tried to commit suicide last month.  Darren found him on the floor in his bedroom, after he had taken a whole bottle of sleeping pills.  He didn't remember the ride in the ambulance or of them pumping out his stomach.  He only remembered how sore his throat was afterward.  It was when Tom announced that Claire was moving in with him.  Now Mitch was on these damn antidepressants.

He kept an arm around Diana as they walked back to the motel.  She looked at him.  I take it that your wife doesn't know you live with someone in Hamilton, does she?

Her name is Peggy.  And no, she doesn't know.  He unlocked the door when they reached the motel.  She hung her jacket on a hook on the back of the door and faced him. Thanks, Mitch, for everything.

Mitch took off his jacket and walked up to Diana.  I need you, Di, he said as he undid her blouse.

I'm here for you.  I'll always be here for you.

I'll be careful.  Mitch marveled at how she was able to take all of him.  He was well known for having a bigger dick than most men.  That, coupled with his extraordinary good looks, got him any woman he wanted.  Mitch ran his hands over Diana's full breasts while she undid his pants.  He stepped back to finish undressing.  She took off her slacks and stood before him naked.  You're beautiful, Di, he said as he kneaded her breasts.  Lie down.

Diana looked up at him as he climbed in between her legs.  He slid his swollen member into her slowly to make sure she was ready for him.  She wrapped her legs around him.  He pumped in and out with long strokes.  Diana hung on to his neck, kissing him while he rode her.  Her eyes went wide when her body shook with orgasmic rapture.  It sent Mitch into his own release.

He collapsed down beside her, gasping for air.  Diana kissed him on the face and snuggled in.  You know, it takes a few minutes before I can even walk after you're done with me, she said.

He lay there smiling, knowing he did that to a lot of women.

The next morning, Mitch went into work.  Diana knew not to expect him for a few days.  He took the elevator up to the fifth floor and greeted his personal secretary when he walked up to her desk.  Shirley looked up at him and left the document she was typing.  I heard you tried to kill yourself.

Who told you?  He noticed the letterhead on the paper in the typewriter.  She had come up with the new design for the company logo.

Tom called; he's really worried about you.

I'll just bet, Mitch said as he headed to his office.  Did he tell you he stole my wife?

Shirley was right behind him.  He said he didn't want her to move in with him.  But that she was persistent. 

Mitch sat in his chair behind his desk and motioned for Shirley to take a seat, refusing to say anything more about his brother.  Let's get work over with.  Then I want to talk to you about something.  It was 3:30 by the time he closed the last file.  Mitch got up and went over to his little bar.  Want anything?

A sherry, please.

Mitch poured a drink for her and made himself a neat whiskey.  He handed her the glass and plopped back down in his chair.  Now, he said after he took several sips of his drink.  I need to find an apartment in a hurry.  Preferably furnished.

You landed another mistress?

He smiled. Yes.  Her husband found my watch in their bedroom.  So, she ran away with me.

Shirley shook her head.  I don't know how you do it.  How do you keep track of all your women?

That's where a good secretary comes in.  He winked at her.  We have to make sure Peggy doesn't find out about Diana.

Why don't you just get rid of Peggy, once and for all?

I know you don't like her, Shirley.  The next time I catch her screwing around on me, I will get rid of her, for good.

How can you put up with her when you can have anyone you want?  Get rid of Peggy and move Diana in with you.

Like I said, the next time—-

Okay, I heard you.  She has something on you, doesn't she?  You didn't put up with that with the last one you were living with.

Mitch sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes with the tips of his fingers.  His depression seemed worse today.  I think I'll go home.

You do look pale.

Yeah and take the damn Paxil I'm on now.  He finished his drink and set his glass down on the desk, knowing that he shouldn't be drinking while taking antidepressants.  Did anyone tell Peggy I tried to kill myself?

Shirley shook her head.  No.  Tom thought that the less people know the better for you.

He's probably right.  I'll tell Peggy I'm depressed, which isn't a lie.

Chapter 2

DARREN DROVE INTO LONDON on Wednesday after he left work early.  His boss at the Texaco Station told him he'd be sorry to see him leave in the fall.  Darren was going to go to Western University, compliments of Mitch.  Now he'd be able to get a decent education and a better job than being a grease monkey for the rest of his life.  Today he was registering and taking a tour of the campus.  Mitch wanted him to take over the shipping company when he retired, or at least his part of it.  Tom would have to find someone to take over his half when he retired.  Darren wondered what his uncle would do then.  Maybe he'd end up with the whole thing.

His Mustang roared with open pipes as he drove through London.  He was grateful that Mitch finally told him the truth.  Darren wondered for years—-and so had everyone else—-if Mitch was his real father.  But Mitch, true to his nature, kept denying it until Bob and Joe cornered him one day.  There was no doubt, Darren looked just like Mitch.  They had the same color of eyes, a dark hazel with the same distinct shape to them...the eyelids drooped on the outer corners.  Although Darren hid his under a mop of long dark hair, Mitch was blond.

Darren shut his car off after he pulled into a parking spot and looked up at the university.  A year ago, he never even thought he'd get any further than high school.  The man who'd raised him refused to pay for him to go.  Pete Hoffman had that job since his mother died of cancer.  Darren was seven.  And now Pete was in prison for murdering Julie Marshall.  Darren tried, unsuccessfully, to unclench his stomach as he shut off the car.  He closed his eyes and laid his head on the steering wheel.  And saw images of Pete chasing him with a belt in his hand.  Darren opened his eyes.  He refused to think about that now and forced Pete into the deep recesses of his mind.  After several shallow breaths, his anxiety ebbed as he watched a couple of girls walk by his car. 

Darren strode into the building and lined up with his papers in his hand.  He would be two years behind some of his friends, but he didn't care.  He was going to do this; he had the smarts and the determination.  If he got his degree and took over his father's business, he could become a very rich man. 

By 3:30 he was waiting in front of the high school back in Port Shetland.  Darren smiled as Lily Marie Marshall got into the Mustang beside him.  He leaned over and kissed her.  How was school today, sweetheart?

Fine, Todd and Jody had a fight.

What else is new? he said as he pulled out and drove down the street.

Jody might fail again.

Darren shook his head. She better smarten up.  Melissa will be done university and she'll still be in high school.  Jody and Melissa Baxter were twins. 

Well, if Jody hadn't already failed, she'd be in grade thirteen with me, Justin, and Melissa.  And if Todd hadn't failed grade three, he'd be there too. 

Yeah, but Todd caught every childhood disease going around then, so you can't really blame him.  Jody just pissed around in grade nine.  He turned two corners before he pulled into his driveway on William Street.  Darren got out of his car and walked up to the small white house he had inherited from Claire's father when he died last summer.  Darren had been like a grandson to Bud Lester, and he still missed the old man. 

Lily Marie went into the kitchen and put the teakettle on.  You want one? she asked as she reached for a cup.

Naw, I'm having a beer.  Darren took a bottle out and opened it, dropping the church key on the counter.  After he took a drink, he set the bottle down.  Know what I heard?  I heard that Justin's dating Amy Phillips. 

No.  The cup landed hard on the counter.  He would have told me. 

Darren held her arm.  That's the rumor going around town.

She frowned.  I know Todd doesn't like her, but he won't tell me why.

Darren shrugged.  Maybe for the same reason I don't.  I've seen her being real cozy with Billy Thurgood.

Why would she screw around with him?  He's nothing but a drug addict.

You know what I think?  I think that since he got his sister put in jail for carrying for him, that he's using Amy now to pick up the drugs for him. 

And what?  Her reward is letting him screw her? 

I don't know.  All I know is that we better keep Justin from doing something stupid.

Has anyone talked to him about this?

Darren shook his head.  No.  You know what your twin brother is like, stubborn and headstrong.  He won't believe me if I did tell him.

Maybe I should talk to him.

You can try.  Darren wrapped his arms around her.  She was staring off into space.  What are you thinking?

I was thinking about how Dad doesn't even like her.  She looked into Darren's eyes.  He never did trust her, even when we hung out together in public school. 

He let Lily Marie go.  I just hope Amy doesn't break Justin's heart. 

MITCH SPENT TWO DAYS lazing around in his apartment.  Peggy frowned at him when he called an ex-wife, Sandy Scott.  I was wondering if I can have Leslie tomorrow, to give her her birthday gift. 

Yes, you can pick her up after school, as long as she's home by nine.

Okay, I'll be there.  Mitch hung up and scowled at Peggy.  Leslie is my daughter.  It's about time you at least tried to act like you liked her.

It's not that I don't like her, Mitch.  It's just that kids make me nervous.  You know I can't handle them.

Well, Tuesday she turns ten.  I already have her gift, so you don't have to shop for me. 

Are you going to take her out for supper?

Mitch nodded.  I usually do, don't I?

Peggy bit her bottom lip and looked over at the patio doors.  I think she'd just as soon be alone with you, anyway.  I'll go to Niagara Falls and visit my girlfriend then.

Mitch wondered if this girlfriend was really a man she was seeing.  He let it go.  He didn't want her around when he was with Leslie, anyway.  They had a lot more fun when Peggy wasn't there.  She left the next morning.  Mitch went over to see how Diana was making out.  I haven't found anything yet, Di.  I hope it won't take too long.

It's okay, Mitch.  She walked into his arms.  I was out looking for a job.  I might have one in a factory in the industrial region. 

You don't have to work, Diana.  I can support you.

I have to do something with my time.  I can't sit around waiting for you to show up.

Yeah, I guess you're right.  He winked at her.  It'll also keep you out of trouble.  He slid his hand up under her top and squeezed her breast.  I have an appointment at three. 

She put her arms around his neck.  That gives us a few hours.

Mitch sat in his truck in front of the public school later that afternoon and watched the kids pour out of the building.  His thoughts turned back to Sandy.  He married her in 1957.  Leslie was born six months later.  Their marriage ended after two years, the same way as his and Claire’s...she caught him screwing around.  He wondered if he was inflicted with some sort of disease that made him the way he was.  It wasn't