After lunch, Sylvia did return to the lodge. After she left, her mother and Jason washed the lunch dishes, and while they did they continued to talk about a wide range of things and, in doing so, learned more and more about each other. It surprised Jason how much he liked being with Sylvia's mother, even when they weren't making love. And, the more they talked, the more he came to like her. They discovered they agreed on a lot of things, and each of them seemed to understand and respect the other's position in areas where they weren't in agreement.
When the dishes were finished, they walked into the living room. "What would you like to do this afternoon?" Karen asked. She sat down on the sofa and folded her legs under her.
"I'm not sure," Jason said. He walked over to the huge entertainment center and looked over the stack of CD's. He was surprised to find a few he found interesting. "Want to listen to some music?" he asked.
"Sure, why not?" Karen replied.
Jason took a couple of CD's out and put them into the player. Then he pushed the button to start the machine playing. Soft, romantic music emerged from the speakers.
Sylvia's mother smiled at him when he turned around to face her. "My goodness," she said. "I'd forgotten we had those albums. It's so nice to hear good music for a change. It takes me back to the days when I used to like to dance to that kind of music."
Jason walked over to the sofa and smiled down at her. "Want to dance?" he asked, holding out his arms.
"Why, Jason, that would be wonderful," Karen replied, smiling softly. She rose gracefully to her feet and moved into his arms. "You dance very well," she murmured as they glided around the room.
"My mom taught me how to dance like this," he replied. "She told me it was important that I know how to dance for when I went to school dances and the prom. I guess she figured they still played this kind of music at school dances. Thing is, they don't. And I look like a total jerk when I try to fast dance."
Karen slid her arms around his waist and pressed against him. "As far as I'm concerned, this is how dancing should be," she said softly. "I've never really understood how dancing but not being in your partner's arms can be any fun."
"Me, either," Jason replied. He did like having her in his arms.
They danced for a while, as the CD player switched silently from one gentle tune to another. After a while, Sylvia's mother leaned back in Jason's arms and looked up at him. "Does any of what we're doing bother you, my darling?" she asked hesitantly, as if she almost dreaded his answer.
He kept moving in time to the music and replied, "Not really, I guess."
"Does the fact that I'm married bother you?" she continued, her lovely gray eyes holding his.
Jason nodded a little and said, "I guess that does, sort of. I mean, I know you have a husband and all. And I guess what we're doing isn't right, but it sure doesn't feel that way." He took a deep breath. "The thing that really bothers me..." he began, then he stopped.
Karen continued to study his face. Then, almost whispering, she said, "Are you worried that I'll be making love with my husband, my darling? Is that it?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Jason said.
Karen pressed herself against him and buried her face in his neck. "My husband hasn't touched me in three years," she whispered. "And to be totally honest with you, I haven't wanted him to."
