I wasn't sure in which category this belonged, so ...
In this one recently estranged Jason meets his sexy mother-in-law for a drink - Elaine is attempting, in a very unconventional way, to reconcile Jason with her daughter.
Anyway, as usual, I hope you enjoy it. feedback, of the constructive criticism kind, is welcome; either in public comments below, PM on Lit, or email. If you want a response then email is best.
I apologise, as ever, for any errors in the text. If there are howlers in it all I can say is 'oops'.
GA - Antigua, Guatemala. 10 May 2012.
He couldn't deny it; she had a point, and the truth of it made him squirm.
They sat in the bar, corner table away from flapping ears. The woman, Elaine Thomas, his mother-in-law, swept blonde tendrils away from her face with long, well-manicured fingers, and Jason caught a flash of early evening sunlight reflected from the platinum wedding band. Elaine reclined against the seat cushion, crossing her legs in a sweeping, typically elegant manner. She settled, palms smoothing the black cotton skirt over her crossed legs, an elbow against the chair arm, forefinger touching one cheek bone. She regarded her son-in-law seriously.
The man, late twenties, blushed, even his head beneath the fuzz of blond crew-cut reddened. He felt like he was at an interview, so intently did Elaine study him. Then the woman smirked, her face taking on that knowing, expression that fascinated Jason, as though she knew a deep, dark, embarrassing secret. He found himself staring at Elaine, mouth hanging slightly unhinged. Realising he appeared moronic and, uncomfortable at being cornered by Elaine's succinct revelation, anger flashed swift and hot.
He wasn't the one in the wrong, Jason was the injured party; Elaine's daughter was the one to blame.
Why did I agree to this meeting?
'That isn't the point, Elaine,' Jason snapped. 'It might be true, but I never acted. You can't accuse me of ever making a move.' He leaned forward in his seat, almost spitting the words but keeping his voice low, he didn't want everyone in the hotel bar to know his business. A finger stabbed the air for emphasis. 'Your daughter,' he snapped, 'is the guilty one in all this.' Anger spent, Jason slumped back into the seat.
The woman's smirk broadened to a grin, she enjoyed teasing her son-in-law, even in these trying circumstances. 'It wasn't an accusation, Jay,' she said, her voice even. 'I'm trying to help. I want you and Ingrid to make it up.' She shrugged, her mouth tightening. 'I know you're hurt. What she did was stupid. She betrayed your trust andβ'
'She slept with someone else, Elaine,' Jason interrupted, anger, reignited, flared in his chest.
The blonde winced. 'And for which she's absolutely, to the point of devastation, sorry for, Jason. But,' Elaine held up a palm when her son-in-law's mouth opened, 'I'm not here to argue Ingrid's side, I asked you to meet here so we could perhaps study the possibility of opening dialogue; which might, hopefully, lead to reconciliation.'
'You sound like a United Nations diplomat, Elaine,' Jason scoffed. His eyes rolled. 'Reconciliation ... Right ...' He turned his head away from the woman, pretending to be distracted by a group of travellers straight in from the airport.
Elaine sighed. 'Please, Jason,' she implored. The man turned at her touch on his knee. 'All I want is for you and Ingrid to be happy. Like we are, Sean and me, happy together.'
Her mother would defend her, Jason thought. The three of them, the Thomas family, Elaine, Sean and Ingrid, so thick with each other, so smug inside their little bubble, united. With the wound of his wife's adultery eight weeks fresh Jason lashed out verbally. 'How do you know Sean hasn't been as deceitful as your darling daughter?' he spat.
'Because he has no reason to deceive me,' Elaine responded coolly. 'We understand each other. Which,' she added shifting her position. Her legs, uncrossing and re-crossing distracted Jason momentarily. 'Which is why there wasn't any problem when I told him, a few years ago this was, Jason, not long after Ingrid brought you home, that you fancied me.'
She was back to that again, Jason thought. So what? He wouldn't be the first bloke to find his wife's mother attractive. It certainly wasn't a crime, and as he'd pointed out when the subject had first come up a few moments earlier, he'd never made a move.
'What the hell has
any
of this got to do with Ingrid and me?' The tourists at the bar looked up from the menu they were studying at this outburst.
Elaine's head tilted, her lips pursing. 'Directly with Ingrid?' Her shoulders shrugged. 'Not much perhaps, but if I can explain how Sean and I work together ...' She shrugged again. 'Well,' she went on, 'it might give you something to think about with Ingrid.'
Jason lifted his hands in a sceptical gesture.
Go on then
, his expression said as he folded his arms.
'I'm not telling you anything my daughter doesn't know already. And I'm quite surprised she didn't ever mention anything to you.' She peered at the man slumped petulantly in his seat opposite. 'Ingrid
didn't