In the weeks following the dinner party at Conway and Alison's, Wendy did her best to avoid her brother in law, Conway. However this didn't prove easy, because Alison had isolated herself and would only socialise with family. So it was that Mary and her husband Ryan threw a family BBQ the following Saturday.
"I don't really want to go," Wendy told her husband, John.
"Why not?"
"I thought maybe we could spend some time alone. You've only just got back from your work trip."
John had secured a job doing accounts for a winery, through a contact of Conway's. Unfortunately the owner liked him to travel up the Valley and stay overnight, two nights a week.
"I can take you out Friday evening after work, but Saturday we'll need to go to Mary's," he said, exhibiting a forthrightness Wendy rarely saw in her husband.
"Yeah, but I...,"
"This isn't about Conway again is it?" John continued, now sounding decidedly irritated.
"No, no; not at all," Wendy lied, while quite enjoying her husband being so firm. To her disappointment it didn't last.
"Don't be upset babe; I can make it up to you. Maybe we won't stay too long."
"No; it'll be fine. I'll enjoy it once I get there," Wendy said, hiding her disappointment that her meek husband had returned.
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It was a warm California evening and Wendy actually found herself looking forward to the family BBQ. Her "Claims Section" at the local municipal office was largely staffed by older people and the chance to talk with people of a similar age to her was inviting. She chose to wear jeans, open toed heels and a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Under the shirt she wore a white T shirt.
"You'll be too hot in that," said John. "This is California."
Wendy often asked her husband what he thought of what she was wearing, so it wasn't unusual for him to comment. However, she couldn't help but wonder if he was saying this so she bared some chest for Conway. Despite this thought she removed the T-shirt and liked the look.
The BBQ proceeded well and everyone ate and drank freely, while the children played in the pool. John was driving, so Wendy didn't concern herself when the hostess offered her a refill.
"I shouldn't really Mary," Wendy said, as her glass was again topped up with a nice white wine from the Napa Valley.
"Go on Wendy; John's driving and he's being a good boy, so you can enjoy yourself," Mary said.
"Yeah; I guess."
"John said you weren't so keen on coming tonight."
"Oh no, no; not really; I just thought...," Wendy trailed off, annoyed that her husband had said anything.
"It's fine; really; don't worry. It's not because of Conway is it?"
This was the first time anyone, other than John, had mentioned Conway to her as a potential problem. She was a little thrown by the comment.
"Did John say something?"
"No," answered Mary.
"Oh!" said Wendy, now upset for admitting that she had raised Conway as a problem with her husband.
"Look, he's harmless," Mary continued as Wendy followed her glance across to where he was speaking to Mary's sister, Faith.
Conway raised his glass to salute them. In Wendy's eyes, the fact he was looking their way undermined Mary's reassurances about him.
"If you humour him a bit he's just a big puppy. But you have to be nice to him. He gets a bit put off if he thinks you're rejecting him. Take his interest in you as a compliment."
"Oh; OK," Wendy said, trying to process what her sister-in-law was telling her.
"Another family member telling me I just have to play nice with the King Cobra," Wendy thought as Mary moved away. "My god; just like my mother. Are they all so naive?"
Wendy was left by herself for a moment. She decided to take the bull by the horns and go on the front foot. She summoned up all the courage she could muster, fortified by the wine she'd consumed. She downed her glass and turned to move over to Faith and Conway.
As she walked toward them Ryan went past and filled her glass again. She felt just a little light headed when she got alongside them. Faith immediately excused herself.
"Get me a steak will you Faith," Conway called after her, in his Latin American accent.
Faith looked back at Conway and Wendy thought she was going to tell him to go and get it himself. She had heard Faith talk to both her partner Caleb and her brother John in this manner. But Faith didn't answer as Wendy had predicted.
"Sure thing Con," she said smiling, as she turned and walked to the BBQ, leaving Wendy and Conway alone.
"You having a nice time?" Wendy began lamely, still processing the interaction between Conway and Faith.
Conway didn't answer her, merely staring after Faith as she gathered him a steak and some salad. This pause was a little embarrassing for Wendy, but didn't seem to concern Conway at all.
"Why would Faith adhere to such a curt, impolite request?" thought Wendy. "Does everyone just jump to do what Conway wants, or are they all scared of him?"
"Here you go Conway," Faith said, returning with his steak. "Done rare; just how you like it."
Conway merely took it from her and grunted.
"Is that all you need?" she asked.
"Sure," said Conway and Faith turned away.
'Yeah; I'm really enjoying myself now I'm talking with you Wendy. You look great," Conway said, now answering her question, a large smile returning to his face.
"Yes; it's really nice all the family able to get together so often," she said ignoring his pass.
