“Rhonda?” Marcus called out. There was no response. Marcus looked in the kitchen. There were empty takeout boxes in the trash, but the kitchen was relatively clean. Maybe she had changed while he had been gone.

Marcus turned toward the stairs. He slowly made his way up as the wooden stairs creaked on every step. He could hear noises coming from their bedroom. It sounded like she was up watching TV.

“Guess who’s-” Marcus stopped in his tracks as he opened the door. The TV was off, but there was his wife, on all fours, being mounted by another man like a dog in heat. They were both naked except for the man- he was wearing Marcus’ boonie hat.

“Oh my God!” Rhonda screamed as she jumped up and covered herself with a stray pillow. Her lover just stood there naked, frozen by fear as he contemplated his fight or flight instinct.

Marcus took a step forward, his fists clenched, “YN1 Herrington.” He recognized the offender. He was an admin clerk with the Navy. Herrington had helped process his travel claim on his last TDY before he left for Bosnia, and now he was violating his wife in his house and in his bed. Herrington’s car had been the one parked out front.

Suddenly the man leapt forward, choosing fight over flight. His right arm swung wildly at Marcus as Marcus stepped back and ducked, sending the man stumbling away naked under his own momentum.

“You’ve got the nerve to try to fight me after you’ve been fucking my wife?” Marcus growled. “And wearing my goddamned hat?”

“She told me what a piece of shit you are!” Herrington yelled as he gathered himself and prepared to reattack.

Marcus gave Rhonda a look of betrayal. He had been gone for three months, serving his country the best way he knew how, and providing for her while she sat at home and lived a relatively comfortable life. Her repayment was to fuck this guy? An admin weenie?

“I suggest you put your fucking clothes back on and go home before you get hurt,” Marcus said to Herrington as he waited for any explanation at all from Rhonda.

“Fuck you!” Herrington said as he charged Marcus. Again, he swung wildly as he neared Marcus. Marcus took another step back and redirected Herrington’s momentum into the dresser. Pictures and a jewelry box went crashing to the floor.

“Marcus, Jacob, please!” Rhonda pleaded.

“This asshole doesn’t deserve you!” Herrington yelled as he gathered himself up a third time.

Marcus finally lost his patience as the man picked himself back up. As the man steadied himself, Marcus jabbed his throat, careful not to crush his windpipe, but enough to make him gasp for air. As he doubled over, Marcus threw an elbow to the man’s jaw, dislocating it instantly. He grabbed the man by the back of the neck and sent him head first into the dresser. Blood gushed from the man’s broken nose as he writhed in pain.