Vincent arrived home at five-thirty just like always. His job wasn't much, just factory work, but it paid the bills and at least he was on the day shift. He looked at the scene before him as he entered the house. His son Matthew, all five feet ten inches of him, was half sitting, half lying on the couch watching T.V. while his father-in-law, Harley sat in his usual chair working on a crossword puzzle book. Vince almost sneered at him, but stopped himself just in time. He didn't like the man living in his house. Still, he carried his own weight, helping with food expenses and even some other bills. He just didn't like the old man. Probably because he didn't really like the old man's daughter, either.
Vincent had known years earlier that he didn't really love his wife. In fact, if it hadn't been for the fact that she had been pregnant with Matthew, he wouldn't have married her in the first place. But his parents had taught him to take care of his responsibilities and they encouraged him to marry the girl when he had gotten her pregnant. Years later, he found that there was no way that he could let her go. If he did, he would be very hard pressed to survive, since he knew nothing about how to do the regular household chores like cooking and laundry.
It was strange, he thought, that he had no resentment towards his son anymore than he did his daughter. They were both good kids and he loved them like any father would. But other than this fact, he hated where he was. He still wished he could be with the one woman he really loved, but knew there would never be a way that he could. Since that was a fact, he was sure that he had better get Pamela pregnant again now that their daughter was eighteen and didn't really need her mother to take care of her. If she were pregnant, she would have to stay so that she had a way to be able to take care of the baby and he would have her there to take care of the house.
He went further in to the house and found his wife in the kitchen getting dinner ready, along with his daughter Meghan. This was Pamela's kitchen, but she required everyone to help out at least twice a week. Everyone except Vincent, that is. He just didn't have the knack for food preparation, and she had finally given in and let him not worry about helping. So it was that their two children and her father all helped during the week, setting the schedule as they saw fit. This day, a Wednesday, it was Meghan's turn.
As she worked, Pamela was also humming. Vincent wondered about that. She seemed to be in an awfully good mood. That was a bit unusual. Her demeanor usually didn't go beyond slightly smiling. What was she so happy about?
"Hi, Vince," she greeted as she noticed him entering the kitchen area. "Dinner is just about ready. Why don't you go ahead and wash up and we'll get it on the table."
"Sure, hon," he answered.
"Dinner, guys," Meghan called to the other two as she and her mom started loading things on the table.
As they all sat down to eat, Meghan couldn't help but comment on her mother's good mood. "So, Mom. What's with the humming? You're in a good mood. Whatever it is you've done to get you that way, I hope you'll keep it up."
"I haven't done anything," she replied perhaps a little too quick. "I just felt like humming, I guess."
An expression of concern crossed Vincent's face briefly but was then quickly replaced by one of indifference.
"Okay, Mom," Meghan said. "No need to get defensive."
"Defensive? What do mean 'defensive?' I was simply answering your question. What's defensive about that?"
"Um, I guess nothing. Sorry, Mom."
Harley looked at his daughter trying to convey to her and her only that she needed to calm down and act normal. No one, not even she, noticed. Matthew just shook his head and dug in to his food.
"Hey, sis," he began. "I got you some brochures an shit from the college. You can look them over and I'll give you a tour so that you can decide if you want to go there or try for someplace else next year."
"Uh, sure, Matt," she replied hesitantly.
"I'll bring them to you a little later."
"Okay."
From there the conversation centered on what the two youngest had planned for their futures and things moved along more smoothly.
Once dinner was complete, Pam and Meghan took care of putting things away and cleaning the kitchen. Matthew took the opportunity to get a shower before making his way to his bedroom and Harley sat down in his chair to continue his crossword puzzles. Vincent barely acknowledged the fact that this was where everyone was as he made his way to his room to prepare to go out for the evening.
Rarely would you find the man at home in the evening. He kept his evenings filled with anything he could think of to keep him from having to sit with his wife and especially her father. Wednesday meant the American Legion and he hurried so that he wouldn't be late. Yet, by the time he was ready to leave, the kitchen was done, Meghan had gone to her own room and Pam sat in her usual chair with a book.
"See ya later, Pam," he said as he passed through the living room and out the door. As the door shut, he was already walking to his car and hastening to get to his evening.
"Pam," Harley began.
"I know, Dad," she replied.
"You've got to keep calm, sweetie, if you don't want him to know that something is going on. You have to be careful"
"I know. I almost blew it by getting too defensive about being defensive. I'm sorry."
"I think it's okay for now. Just be sure to keep looking like you always do from now on."
"Yes, Daddy," she answered as she rose from her seat. She plopped down on his lap and putting her arms around his neck, gave him a most un-daughterly like kiss. "I love you Daddy. Forgive me?"
"I don't know. Maybe I out to punish you," Harley teased. She giggled, knowing where his mind was headed. "The kids are here, Pam. We need to stop. We'll continue another time, though."
"Yes, Daddy." She got up and went back to her own chair and picked up her book. Harley couldn't help but noticed that she would take the opportunity to rub her crotch once in awhile over her light blue shorts.
Matthew watched his father drive off to his usual Wednesday night rendezvous. With a bit of a sigh, he tightened the robe he was wearing and grabbed the brochure he had told Meghan about before exiting his room and walking to hers next door to him. Without even so much as a knock, he opened her door and entered.
