April's Fool

By Edna May Cieslewicz

The first book, Aprils Fool shows Judge Gerald S. Clark as an incurable ladys man (women his only weakness), born on April 1, his mother called him her April Fool baby but his brother Paul had an even better name Aprils Fool. Although Geralds married to a very jealous wife and has two daughters, he has a torrid affair with a well-known actress whos related to Paul by marriage. Geralds father-in-law, a wealthy industrialist only wants one thingto see Jerry dead. And he does everything in his power to achieve that goal.
This story is full of suspense in every chapter with a dynamic surprise ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 15, 2008
• ISBN: 9781465332110

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Quarrels and Questions

Dusk was falling as the Lincoln Continental made its way down the quiet street. The driver pulled over to the curb. Then he casually opened the door and got out in front of his red brick colonial-style house on Meadow Road. As he did so, a small girl on a tricycle came down the sidewalk calling, Daddy! Daddy!

The man smiled and held out his arms to his little daughter. Behind the child was her dog, Charlie, running and barking. Judge Gerald (Jerry to his friends) Clark was greeted this way almost every evening when he came home from a long day at the courthouse. How’s my little girl tonight? he asked as he swept the tot up in his arms. The child kissed him on the cheek while he deposited a pat on the head of Charlie. The door opened; his wife stood in the doorway. She was about five feet five inches tall with long brown hair that hung below her shoulders. Her large brown and very sad-looking eyes had held back many tears in her lifetime. The father put the child down on the stoop and greeted his wife. Hi, dear, he said as he kissed her on the forehead.

Hi, Jerry, she replied. Then she turned to the child.

Karen, bring your bike into the house.

The little girl stomped her feet. I don’t want to, Mommie.

The mother looked annoyed. I said you must bring in your bike. You can’t leave it outside.

The child cried.

It’s okay, Karen. You don’t have to bring it in if you don’t want to, her father said.

Karen looked at her father and then glanced at her mother. The mother turned away angry, and she retreated into the house. Her anger turned to fury. She didn’t like the fact that Jerry always stuck up for the children. She hurried into the dining room where a maid was setting the table. She tried to compose herself. Is dinner almost ready, Sue?

Almost, answered the maid as she busied herself with placing the centerpiece on the middle of the table. When she was finished, she went back into the kitchen. The door opened, and in came another little girl. Mommie, I’m hungry, she said as she entered.

That’s good, Joanne, because dinner is almost ready, said her mother.

Her husband and Karen also entered the room. I want you to wash your hands, girls, then come to the table.

Oh, Mommie, do we have to? asked Joanne.

Certainly, she answered.

Oh, Madeline, you’re too much, said her husband. So what if they don’t wash their hands? What’s a bit of germs between us anyway?

Madeline Clark became angrier. She suddenly picked up a dish and threw it against the wall. It smashed to smithereens. She fled from the room and ran up the stairs.

The maid heard the commotion and opened the door a crack.

Jerry ran after his wife who was already at the top of the stairs. The two little girls just stared at each other with their mouths open. They knew there was going to be another scene. It wasn’t unusual since there were many like this.

*     *     *

Upstairs outside the bedroom door, Jerry gripped his right hand firmly around the doorknob. He turned it and got it open. The room was dark. He could hear sobbing coming from the direction of the bed. He stumbled over something as he made his way to the sound of the crying. Reaching out his arm, he felt for the lamp on the night table. He found it and turned it on. He saw his wife lying on her stomach in the middle of the bed. Madeline, Madeline, he called as he bent down near her. Madeline, please, he said.

Go away, she sobbed. Leave me alone.

What’s gotten into you anyway? You’re acting like a child.

"I’m acting like a child? That’s a good one coming from you. Tell me, why do you do it?"

Do what?

She sat up. Why do you always undermine my authority over the children? Whenever I tell them what to do, you always jump in and tell them they don’t have to obey me.

Now, Maddie, I never said that and you know it. I just think you are too damned strict. Ease up on them. They’re only kids.

How does it make me look every time I tell them things, and you come along and tell them they don’t have to wash their hands before dinner. Or put away their toys. I’m their mother, am I not?

I said you’re too strict. What do you want them to do—make them grow up nervous like you? Just because your old lady always hit you with a stick when you were growing up doesn’t mean—

Now just a minute. Leave my mother out of this.

No, I can’t leave her out because—

Jerry couldn’t finish his sentence because the phone rang, interrupting his train of thought. I’ll get that, he said. He picked it up saying, It’s probably for me anyway. Hello.

He sat down on the side of the bed beside her. Madeline reached out for her box of tissues that were on the nightstand and dried her eyes. She sat up and became more attentive as her husband put his hand over the mouthpiece and whispered, It’s my brother, Paul.

Madeline nodded. She got up and walked to the window. She looked out. Her husband was still talking as she drew the blinds. She heard him say, Okay, Paul. I understand. I’ll be right over. So long. He hung up.

What is it? she asked.

I’ve got to go to Paul’s immediately. There’s some kind of trouble over there.

What kind of trouble? What is it, Jerry?

I don’t know yet. I’m going now.

Now? You didn’t have your supper.

That’s okay. I’m not hungry. Don’t worry about me. I’ll call you if it’s something big. He came toward her. He tried to kiss her, but she just turned her cheek. A quick kiss and a fast exit, and he was out of the room. She could hear his footsteps going down the stairs. She heard the front door close behind him.

She went slowly down the stairs. The children were waiting in the hallway, watching their father leave. When their mother got to the bottom of the stairs, she ushered them into the dining room. Come on, girls. Sit down at the table.

Where’s Daddy going? asked Joanne. Isn’t he going to have dinner with us?

Their mother forced a smile. Uncle Paul called. He asked your father to come over to his house, she told them.

She heard the car starting up outside. Sue came out of the kitchen with a tray of hot soup and put it on the table. As she served the children, Madeline told her that her husband had to go out. I don’t know how long Mr. Clark will be, she went on.

Mommie, is something wrong at Uncle Paul’s house? asked Joanne.

Why did he have to go out? asked Karen.

Questions! Questions!’ cried the mother. How should I know why your daddy went out? I only wish I did."

CHAPTER 2

Pursuit and Passion

As Jerry drove down Main Street, he was sure he was being followed. He glanced into the rearview mirror. He saw headlights. He made a right turn on Horace Avenue. The car in back of him also made a right turn. He drove around the block, and so did the other driver. He was annoyed and curious at the same time. His running for state senator caused him to have many foes. Could this be one of them? He applied more pressure to the gas pedal. The pursuer did the same. Then he had an idea. The police station was just a little farther down the road on Main Street. He headed in that direction. The other motorist kept pace with him until he reached the precinct. He made a right turn into the parking lot. The person in back of him drove straight ahead. Jerry sighed a sigh of relief. He put on his overhead light and looked at his watch. It took him eight minutes out of his way. He put the gear in reverse and headed back to Garden Road. He hoped Paul would realize that he was still on his way.

It wasn’t a long ride from there to the little side street in back of Paul’s house. That was where he was supposed to meet him. He slowed down as he approached another car at the curb. He looked around to be sure no one was about. So far so good. He couldn’t see anyone in sight. He parked his car in front of the parked car. Then he got out as a man from the other car came near him.

Where the hell have you been? called the man.

Sorry I’m late, Paul. Couldn’t be helped. Some damned nut followed me all the way from the house.

Did you lose him?

Yeah! I drove to the police station, and you should have seen him take off!

Great!

Is she with you?

She sure is. And do you know what? She’s hot in the pants for you tonight.

How would you know?

Paul threw back his head and laughed. Oh, come on, big brother. He laughed again. You’ve got to be kidding.

So hurry up and open the door, I don’t think I can wait much longer.

Oh, do I envy you. Here you are running for state senator and fucking the sexiest broad in Hollywood. Imagine! Murial Metcalf, my wife’s sister. Oh, boy, are you a lucky guy.

Will you can the chatter? My heart’s pumping fast with anticipation.

Okay, big brother. Just have a good time, he said as he opened the back door. Then he walked quickly away into his brother’s car.

Jerry stepped into the backseat. There was a young woman sitting there with long red hair. She was wearing a raincoat even though it wasn’t raining. She spoke, Hello, Jerry. I’ve been waiting a long time to see you.

I know, doll. But it wasn’t my fault. I got held up in traffic. There was an accident down the road.

Did anyone get hurt?

Who cares as long as I’m with you, doll. He pulled her very close to him and kissed her. Paul tells me you need me tonight. Is he right, doll?

She didn’t answer right away as she unzipped his trousers. He started to unbutton her raincoat. Now what do you think? she finally answered.

He managed to get her coat down off her shoulders. She had nothing on underneath. His breathing got heavier. She smiled as she took his hand and placed it on her right breast. He then said, Oh, doll, this is what I call ‘heaven.’ I love you. I love you.

She then took his hand and placed it on her left breast. He couldn’t wait. He had his trousers off and slipped off his undershorts. He pushed her down on the seat. Their legs were entwined. Their bodies met. His lips were on her lips. They were both in another world, a world far apart from the real world of reality, away from a horrible world that they both wanted to escape from. He was dazzled by her glamour. She was fascinated by his position. She never knew a judge before, at least not on a personal level. A judge running for state senator and maybe someday the White House. Perhaps someday she’d be the first lady. He had promised her many things—one, that he’d divorce his wife, and two, that he’d marry her. She wanted to marry him more than anything else in life. Meeting this way was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her. Even more than her career. She thought her career was gradually coming to a close. Murial Metcalf was a fairly good actress. She always thought her looks and her near-perfect figure exceeded her acting ability. However, it was only her personal opinion. She worried and she agonized over her career all the time. She hoped she’d never lose her looks. That meant everything to her next to marrying Jerry Clark.

Jerry suddenly was elated as he had an ejaculation. He withdrew himself from her. She was elated too. Their passions were spent. He sat up, but he really wanted this night to never end. More, he pleaded. More.

All right, Jerry. Why not? There’s plenty of time.

Paul, sitting in his brother’s car, was getting impatient. He didn’t mind setting up these meetings for Jerry. In fact he enjoyed it. He gave himself a mental pat on the back for being the one who introduced the two of them. He also remembered how he introduced him to Trudy Grant, the famous musical comedy star. He knew they once had an affair, but as fate would have it, Grant married a man twenty-seven years her senior, and now, they were in France. The old man she married was her fifth or sixth husband. He wasn’t sure. He lost count after the third. That’s the way the woman lived. Going from man to man. Never finding Mr. Right. Never satisfied. Empty loves. Empty lives. Never really happy. Always looking someone better to come along. And that someone never does.

He closed his eyes. He was getting drowsy. His head began to nod. He went off into a light sleep. He woke suddenly when he heard a tapping on the window. He jumped, startled. It took him a few seconds to orient himself. Then he remembered where he was. He looked up and saw his brother. He rolled down the window. Is it over?

Jerry nodded.

I guess I must have dozed. What time is it?

It’s nearly ten. I’d better get out of here, and so should you.

Paul stretched, yawned, and got out of the car. He held the door open for his brother. As his brother passed him, Paul whispered, How was it?

Jerry smiled broadly. Words and descriptions we not needed. The smile told it all.

Jerry got in behind the wheel. She wants to know when I’m going to marry her. Can you imagine? She actually wants me to name the day.

That dopey broad must have some imagination, whispered Paul.

You’re telling me, answered his brother while starting up the engine and driving off.

When Jerry got to Main Street, he headed north to his street. He glanced in the rearview mirror. He saw the same car following him again.

CHAPTER 3

Anguish and Anger

How many times have I told you, Madeline, that you’ve made a mistake? A terrible mistake! Why don’t you pack up and leave him? Why, for Christ’s sake, do you take that crap? You don’t have to. You can always come here again. Your mother and I will be glad to have you back. You know that, don’t you? We are your parents, and we love you. Your old room is still here. Leave him. Bring the children here. Don’t stay with him anymore. I’ll back you up.

Oh, I know, Father. I know you will, his daughter replied. She sat down on the sofa in her father’s study. She looked distressed. A deep frown appeared between her brows. She swallowed. Father, you know that divorce is out of the question.

I’m not talking about a divorce. I’m talking about a legal separation.

I know, Father. But there’s the children to consider. They love their father. I must think of them. And of course, I am a Catholic.

What’s that got to do with it? he asked.

Why, Father, I’m surprised that you’d ask me a question like that. Especially when you know how strict the church is about marriage being a sacrament.

Marriage is a sacrament in all religions, said her father.

The door opened. A middle-aged woman walked in. Madeline, your husband is on the phone.

Tell him I’m not here, Mother.

But I told him you were here.

Please go back to the phone and tell him that I left and that you made a mistake.

Oh, I think you had better talk to him. He sounds like he’s been . . . er . . . drinking. The lady cupped her hand and raised it to her mouth. The point was well taken.

"Oh no! You mean he’s drunk?"

That’s what he sounds like.

Madeline got up slowly. She glanced at her father and then to her mother. I suppose I’ll have to talk to him, she said as she left the room.

Her father tried to stop her, but he was too late. She closed the door behind her and walked to the vestibule where the phone was off the hook. She raised the receiver slowly. Hello, Jerry. Hello. There was no answer on the other end. She waited a few seconds and said hello again. She looked up to see her stepmother standing beside her.

Is anything wrong? she asked.

I think he hung up. Madeline put the receiver back on the cradle. I said hello several times, and there was no answer.

Oh, too bad, dear. Would you care for a glass of sherry? You look so pale and drawn, like you haven’t slept in a long time. Poor dear. Did you have an honest-to-goodness talk with your father?

I did, Mother, but it didn’t resolve anything.

That’s too bad. Let me get you a glass of sherry. I’ll be right back.

Just at that moment, the sound