Three cheers for Hellen
Actually, I almost (stress almost) felt uncomfortable for her. She truly sounded like she had no idea why he was calling. She was angry that he hadn’t called her sooner. Once he began to say what he had to say, she became quite creative in the terminology she used for him. I may have to save some of them for future use. When he mentioned that she needed to go through our lawyer for future discussions, she started freaking out that I had anything to do with her baby. I can understand being protective of your child, I don’t fault her that, but she played a game of chance by going after a married man and I can’t be sorry if it doesn’t pan out for her. Like I said, who knows if it will pan out for me either.
On a brighter note, I’m off to see Finding Nemo On Ice. Personally, the title makes me think of sushi, but I’m going to try not to share that info with the little one.
And since this Pit thread devolved into a big old mushy love-in, I promise to make my next filled with expletives and various goat-felching descriptors to make up for it.
Oh, trust me, if he’d chosen the other woman we would have had your goat felching right here. Wait, that didn’t come out right. But you know what I mean.
Wow, Helen. I think that you are both handling the situation with an amazing amount of grace and mutual respect. It was good for him to call her with you there, it really shows that he’s not trying to pull punches and keep secrets. You stood up for yourself and for your family.
You are absolutely someone to look up to and I wish you and your little one all the best.
Well, didn’t this just brighten my day! BOTH of you, in fact, acted just so admirably. I’m happy to hear how things are going.
Sincerely,
Yet another person who has been avidly refreshing this thread
Wonderful.
Been where you are. And did. Not. Like. It. Twice in the first 3 years of our marriage. Stood by my word with regard to “…for worse…” both times while she worked out what it was she wanted.
She’s been my best friend for 17 of the 22 years we’ve been together, the last 9 of the 12 we’ve been married. I have no problems trusting her these days, she knows I’ll allow her to be human, and she knows how not to get in these kinds of messes. We focus on the kids now, and when money gets tight the stress runs high and I have to work late, she knows where I’m not, and I know where she’s not. We are free of the cheating demon because we killed it together.
All my best to you.
You sick sick puppy. 
I hope this officially means you’ve de-lurked. Good luck. Please keep up posted.
And consider the restraining order.
{{Helen}} I am so happy for you. You are an amazing woman. I truly hope that he holds up his end and you guys can move past this.
Enjoy Nemo… mmmm, sushi. (well, at least I’ve stopped wondering what to have for dinner )
Helen . you are very brave, & things might just work out, if he really means it.
In the meantime, don’t forget that stress management.
Guys, guys, guys!
Come on… where’s the “Helen rocks so much she could start a fifty-foot tsunami in the Pacific Ocean” party?
Really, people!
Wouldn’t that be Finding Nemo on Rice?
Helen, I am yet another one who has been lurking in this thread, not saying anything - because I tend to get over-emotional, having been cheated on in the past, however, the situations are not even similar in any way, but I would still let my bad judgement cloud any real advice I could have given. So I held my tongue, knowing I would just scream vicariously through you obsceneities at the husband.
Finally, I have to say, I admire your strength. I couldn’t (didn’t!) ever handle a situation like yours as gracefully as you did. I hope whatever happens, it is the best for you and your child, be that with your husband or without him. And I also hope you can always remain strong, and proud. You earned it.
Some people say love is for the weak. I say they haven’t tried it yet (no, I’m not about to bust into “Love is a Battlefield”!)
Good luck and stay strong, Helen. I hope things work out for you. Counselling is a great idea.
Wow. I just happened upon this wonderful thread. I laughed. I cried. I became thoroughly nauseated at the prospect of eating Nemo with wasabi…
I just want to say–I would have loved to have seen the expression on Helen’s husband’d face when he asked when he could come home, and she said “you can’t.” Oh, to be a fly on the wall!
Helen: My thoughts and good wishes are with you. I think you were extremely generous in allowing the possibility of a reconciliation, and you were extremely smart in setting up those guidelines. I’ll be looking forward to hearing what eventually happens. And I’m definitely looking forward to you posting more often!
:Raises a glass of single-malt scotch whiskey to a woman who’s as good and strong as it is:
Congratulations, lady. You’ve done the hard thing and the right thing. I can’t tell you how much I admire you, right now. You really do have character. Oh, and the “Finding Nemo on Ice” and sushi business is marvellously twisted!
CJ
Sure! First you have to decide whether you’re going “planned” or “scrappy”, and then whether you’re blocks are going to even or wonky… (Why are you all looking at me like that? Those are Real Terms, honest!)
Oh, and Helen? I’m proud of you. Your response was thoughtful, firm, and responsible.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s sending lots of support and encouragement in your direction!
Fine! I’ll just throw a party for Helen all by myself! 
I’ll bring the bloody Mary’s!
I’m guilty of the same thing.
Helen, you should be about nine kinds of proud of yourself. 
I’ve been lurking the entire time, myself.
I’m glad to hear that you made a solid choice for yourself and your kid, even though it was hard and took guts.
I hope everything works out well.