Our Sunday ride was much more meaningful. Horseback riding together as husband and wife added to our enjoyment. We stopped in the woods, alongside the stream. David tied the horses to some trees near the bank. He took a blanket from his saddle pack and spread it out on the ground. Both of us wanted to make love but there were too many people out riding to afford us any privacy. The seclusion and quietness was the perfect setting for intimate conversation.
“How does it feel to be Mrs. Thompson?” David whispered in my ear.
“Wonderful!” I responded, smiling. “I couldn’t be happier.”
David held me close in his arms, giving me a gentle squeeze.
“Wouldn’t you just love to have a place like this?” I muttered.
“Yeah, it’s always been a dream of mine.” David responded. “Maybe someday we’ll have a place of our own.”
“You’ve always wanted a horse farm?” I asked. “I didn’t know that.”
“Well, it’s just a dream.” He said. “Doesn’t hurt to dream a little.”
The two of us spent most of the afternoon sitting on the blanket, talking about our future. How long I’d stay in the adult movie business was undeterminable. I knew it was on David’s mind but he never asked. For now, I had his full support and cooperation. I couldn’t ask for anything more. David wanted me to be involved in his electrical company but finding the time would be difficult. I had too many irons in the fire and too many obligations that had to be kept.
I made a blind promise to David that I’d seriously consider getting out of the adult movie business once I’d fulfilled my agreement with James Harris and Colin Douglas. In reality, I knew I’d never quit the business if the money was too good to walk away from.
Over the next six months, Venture Productions produced thirty full-length movies. We shot numerous outdoor and remote locations using the mobile studio trailer. We’d added several new female and male performers to keep pace with demands from CalWest Distributing. Matt offered me a considerable bonus to let them be our exclusive distributor. The money was too good to turn down so I signed on with them. I still retained all the copyrights. I wasn’t about to let them get away from me.
J.R.’s was still doing great. My investments in the new sound equipment and lighting had paid off. Within another year or two, I hoped to have Jack and Barbara paid off. I spent as much time at the club as necessary. Marcus and Fawn had things well under control. They didn’t need my supervision nearly as much as they had.
David’s contracting business had almost doubled. He was spending more time at work or out of town on jobsites. We spent more time talking on the phone than in person. Our marriage was still strong but our intimate time together had dwindled. Enjoying sex together was practically non-existent.
We still had our Sundays together with the horses. I think that’s what kept us together through our busy work schedules. Maybe it was the only thing that kept us together. Neither of us was willing to break that routine.
Frank and I still had our frequent “fishing” trips. Usually Friday mornings, right after the meeting, the two of us would head to the marina.
Frank and Jackie were happy with their marriage. Jackie seemed to be smiling every time I saw her.
I felt Frank was trying to distance himself from the movie business. He’d lost his enthusiasm and interests in Venture Productions. I decided to confront him about it during our “fishing” trip. We were sitting out on the boat at our favorite lagoon on the lake.
“How’s things between you and Jackie?” I cautiously asked. “Still happy to be married?”
“Oh yeah. Our marriage is great!” Frank exclaimed. “We couldn’t be happier!”
I handed Frank a tube of sunscreen so he could rub some on my back and legs while I lay out in the sun.
“I get the feeling you’ve lost interest in our video production company.” I said. “Is there anything wrong?”
“It’s just all the sex.” He responded. “Shooting two scenes four times a week is getting to me. I just wish it would all come to a quick end!”
“If you don’t want to work with us, you don’t have to.” I stated. “I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I’m only obligated to Jackie and you.” He snapped. “I could care less about the fucking movie business.”
“How’s Dave feel about you still so involved in the business?” He inquired. “Does he ever say?”
“We hardly get anytime to talk, except for Sundays.” I replied. “Even then, we avoid discussing business.”
“David knows I’ve got obligations to meet.” I added.
“Maybe you should consider your obligations to Dave.” Frank stated. “Get out of everything, including the strip club.”
“And do what?” I asked. “Sit around and do nothing all day.”
“No! Spend more time with him for one thing.” He responded. “Don’t let distance between the two of you, destroy your marriage.”
Frank gave me a hard slap on the butt. It stung for a few seconds.
“Hey! What the hell was that for?” I shouted.
“For not paying attention! For not listening to my advice!” Frank exclaimed. “I’m the closest thing you’ve got to a father. You better head my warnings!”
I didn’t argue any further with him. I knew it would be useless. Frank was as bullheaded as I was. No sense in butting heads. We spent the rest of the day fishing, trying to avoid any unnecessary conversation.
I didn’t head Frank’s warnings. During the next six months, I spent more time than ever churning out adult videos. Shooting sessions started mid-morning and often lasted till early evening. After the sessions, I often spent much of the evening at the club.
