Marilyn and her son, Brandon, were at Heathrow airport.
Her husband, 60 years old, Fred Jacob, was a self made multi millionaire. His construction company had contracts all over the country. Lately, the business expanded internationally and Fred was always travelling, sometimes for weeks on end. He was flying to Dubai to secure a road construction contract.
She had married him when she was 20 and he was a young civil engineer.
Their only child, Brandon, was born 2 years later. Brandon was in charge of Fred Jacob Associates UK facilities. He is married to Jean and they have no children.
There were rumors that Fred was having an affair, but Marilyn never broached the gossip with him.
When his father's flight was announced, Brandon wondered if he imagined the rather cool farewell between his parents.
As he made his way in the London traffic back to his parent's apartment, Brandon noticed that his mother was quiet and not her usual demeanor.
"Anything wrong, mom," he enquired?
"What do you mean," she countered.
"I noticed you are rather quiet," he said.
"Oh," she said, looking at him. "I was contemplating whether we should move to Dubai if your father's contract is successful."
"You can always hop on a flight whenever you miss London," her son said jestingly.
"I know, but it's not that. What are you doing after this? Care to keep me company for a while?" she said.
"Of course, anything for you, mom" he replied. "Jean has her committee meeting today and I'm eating out alone, anyway."
"You poor dear, your wife should be looking after you," Marilyn countered.
"It's ok, I would rather spend time with you," he smiled at her.
It was late in the evening when they arrived at the apartment.
"Make yourself a drink while I change," she said, walking off to her room.
"Ok, anything for you?" he asked.
"No, I'll get it later," Marilyn replied.
Brandon sat down on the sofa and looked around the living room. He had a good relationship with his father but it was Marilyn that he dots on, even when he was a kid. He loved her to a fault and sometimes he wondered if he was secretly in love with her, not as a son but as a woman. That was a fantasy he kept locked, deep in the recess of his mind.
Brandon wondered if there were problems between his mom and dad. After years of marriage, nothing should be a problem, he thought.
"Oh, there you are," Marilyn said as she walked into the living room.
Brandon had not been around his parent's apartment for quite some time. He usually meets his mother for lunch at the restaurants. She looked nice and fetching in her home casuals, a satin blouse and long skirt.
"Gee, mom, you look great, I could fall in love with this woman anytime," he teased her.
"I bet you say that to anyone in skirts," she laughed.
She sat down and crossed her legs.
In the stillness of the late evening, Brandon instinctively knew that his mother wanted to pour out something to him.
"What's between you and dad," Brandon said.
"We hardly talk anymore. Do you think there is something wrong with me?" Marilyn said, with a catch in her voice.
"Why do you say that," Brandon replied.
Brandon felt the sadness in Marilyn's voice and he stood up, walked over and sat beside her.
"I know your father is seeing someone else, people are talking and I feel such a fool," she said.
"Jesus, mom, there is no one out there who could hold a candle to you," Brandon replied.
She smiled at him and he noticed the glistening of tears on her lower eyelids.
