Note: This is loosely based on our real-life. I can only be 100% sure of the things I personally witnessed. The rest are recreated from my mom Jan's and husband Mike's recounting. I also cannot be sure of they "felt" at any moment, only what I saw or was told later. There are some moments that are so personal, I didn't ask about, so there is a certain amount of creative liberty. I do have their permission to write our story, but they are by no means active contributors. This is part 5, so of course you should read the earlier parts first.
In the last chapter, I mentioned that were three incidences that propelled our relationship forward in the first February of our enlarged family.
The first was the night of the Oscars. The second the day before Valentine's Day. The third requires a bit of background to truly understand what occurred. I am truly not asking you to understand or approve of how we choose to live. Just know that this is how we do things and do so not just willingly but joyfully. So, "no judgement please", as the kids nowadays say.
We are Christian by faith but are not religious by any means. This is true of Mike and his parents and mine too. I say this because, Mike and I have always practiced a form of accountability to each other than I later discovered some people call "Christian domestic discipline." I want it to be perfectly clear that both Mike and I subscribe to no such nonsense. He has always considered me an equal and expects that we both hold ourselves to the same high standards. In our years together, it has always brought us closer and helped us put behind actions that sometimes other couples let fester perhaps to their detriment. Anyway, I am not an expert and don't pass judgement on the others and simply ask that you do the same for us.
So what exactly transpired that last week of February?
It turns out Mike was not making an excuse about needing to go out of town. His trip enabled him to obtain the last of the certifications for his firm that allowed him to start bidding on work from the federal government. This out his firm in a whole different ballpark in terms of the revenue they could bring in. With that of course comes a ton of work and the need to raise investment money. After 2 weeks of crazy running around, he had landed a meeting with an investor who was ready to sign on as a minority partner. John Devon, the partner who came to finalize the deal, was invited to our home for dinner, so we could all get to know each other.
The conversation flowed easily and my mom and I played the perfect hosts.
John seemed very taken with mom and spent the night chatting away with her. Was there some light flirting? Yes. But let's be honest, any woman trying to impress a man employs tools from the same toolkit that one might call "flirting". The difference is all in the context and boundaries.
Everything went swimmingly well until the time for goodbyes that night. Mom took John to the coat room while John and I called him a limo to take him to his hotel. As we finished and went to join them, we could clearly hear the conversation in the mud room.
"Jan, I hope it wouldn't be too forward of me to ask if you would be interested in a night cap at the hotel bar."
"John, that is such a charming thing to offer. I am sure there are much younger girls at the bar waiting to take the mysterious visitor from New York for a spin!"
"At my age Jan, I have developed a strong preference for a beautifully aged whiskey. I would much rather prefer your company."
"Believe me John, your offer is very tempting! I don't think I can get away without Nancy noticing though. Here is something for the road though."
I can't be sure what happened next, but I assume she gave him a kiss. Mike and I hung back and then made some noise as we approached the room. As we got there, it was clear John had got a handful of ass in addition to the kiss by the looks of mom's outfit.
As we locked up for the night, the look on Mike's face said it all to me. He was not happy. All I couldn't tell was whether he was unhappy with what she had done or with whom she had done it.
As we all sat down on the couch to discuss how the night went, all we got from Mike were nods and grunts. After a few mins, my mom blurted out, "What in the world is the matter Mike? I thought you would be happy with the deal shored up?"
