Act Three of A Complex Apology:   Back in Utopian Saint Paul

SCENE ONE:    Fast forward to the late 1980s.  You had to figure that the Darymple boys and Joy’s daughters would become expert tobogganists, really good downhill skiiers (right in their front yard), and some of the most popular kids in town.  Meanwhile, the monotony of marriage surfaced surreptitiously with bedroom eyes exchanged across backyard fences and the ladies’ book club taking up a book of the adventures in the science of female desire.  Ms. Darymple simply couldn’t take her mind off how handsome and well-built the guy next door was.

One thing led to another and one afternoon while the boys were out playing she found herself asking that handsome fellow to help her move some furniture into the Grandmother Apartment above her garage (recently constructed, yet to be occupied).  A romance ensued and once again an East Como Boulevarder was facing an ethical dilemma wondering if what she was doing was right.  Turns-out it was all serendipitous.

While lady Darymple was having a secret life of great sex, Mr. Darymple was often working late at the office and having his own secret affair.  When they both found out about each other’s unfaithfulness, it saved the marriage!  They found out they still loved each other, they really loved their kids, and that their disagreements and disappointments – many as they were – no longer loomed as important given their separate pursuits of happiness.  Only their closest friends (and a couple of neighbors) knew about their open marriage and how one time even Ms. Darymple invited her overnite beau into the kitchen for breakfast with Mr. Darymple.  No apologies necessary.

Tomorrow:  Scene Two