Jacob's head snapped around
at the sharp bark. He cringed guiltily
as his father stalked past him to the
bathroom.
Blocking Jake's illicit
view with his body, Jon quickly tugged the bathroom door shut before turning to
fix a disbelieving glare on his son.
"What the HELL,
Jake?"
"What, Dad?" Romeo's eager question came before Jacob
could answer. "What did he
do?"
"Never you
mind." Jon's stern gaze didn't move
from his sheepish older son's face.
"Is he in
trouble?" Romeo chirped gleefully,
climbing onto the bed and bouncing excitedly on his knees.
"Romeo! Enough!"
"Ha Ha! Jakey's in trouble!"
"ROMEO!" Jon had to turn
his head to shoot a glare toward his youngest boy. "Shut up!"
"What did he do?"
"This doesn't concern
you!" Jon's exasperation was apparent in his almost-shouted reply. "Just... watch the damned TV or
something. For Christ's sake!"
"You turned it
off."
Jon scowled. He squeezed his eyes closed and reached up to
pinch the bridge of his nose. Silently
he willed himself to calm. It wasn't enough
that he had to figure out how to deal with Jake's transgression; he certainly
didn't need to have to explain the situation to Romeo. He took a deep breath, then opened his
eyes. Jon gave Romeo a stern glare
before returning his stormy gaze to Jacob.
"Get your trunks on
and grab your towel. Right now."
Jon's command was terse,
leaving the boy no doubt of his father's seriousness. Not waiting for a response, Jon turned to
face the now-fully-closed bathroom door.
He rapped his knuckles lightly against its veneer.
"Cate?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna go on ahead, take the boys to the arcade."
There was a brief pause,
then the rattle of the doorknob turning.
Jon didn't budge when the door opened a crack, his body still blocking
the view from the bedroom. Cate's face appeared
in the opening.
"I'm almost ready, if
you want me to go..."
"Nah,
s'okay." Jon cut her off, shaking
his head firmly. "Take your time
here, we'll meet you at the pool. You
know how nutso they get with video games."
He gave his wife a tight-lipped smile.
"Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can."
Cate arched a quizzical
brow. "You sure?"
"Yeah."
Cate stared at Jon for a
moment. She could tell something wasn't
quite right, but she also sensed he didn't want her to acknowledge it. "Okay.
I'll meet you down there in awhile.
Want me to bring some drinks or something?"
"That'd be
great." Jon nodded. "Some sodas or something. Grab a few chairs and we'll meet you
there."
"Okay...." Cate gave Jon a questioning look. The slight shake of his sandy head told her
they would discuss the matter later.
Heeding his cue, Cate smiled again and closed the door.
Jon growled a sigh before
turning back to the bedroom. Romeo
continued to bounce on his knees on one bed while Jacob rummaged through the
beach bag Jon had retrieved from the carport.
"Come on. Get your shoes and towels." Jon's command was stern but calm. "We're going to the arcade. Your Stepmama will meet us at the
pool." Jon absently patted the
pocket of his board shorts to confirm possession of his wallet.
"What games do they
have?" Romeo inquired excitedly as
he clambered off the bed.
"I don't
know." Jon watched Jake drop his
flip-flops onto the floor and step into them.
His stern countenance softened as he recognized Jake's remorse. The boy's head was bowed in an attempt to
avoid eye contact with his father.
"Can I play Grand
Theft Auto?" Romeo continued his
chatter, oblivious of his brother's silence.
"No."
"Why not?"
Jon sighed. "Because. Your mother doesn't want you to play those
kind of games. And you know it."
"But that's on the X Box."
Jon rolled his eyes. "Romeo, look around. Do you think this place even has Grand Theft Auto? Hell, you'll be lucky if they have Pac-Man
and Space Invaders."
"Space Invaders? What's that?"
Jon snorted, shaking his head
wearily. "Just.... Never mind. Let's go." He waved a hand at Romeo, cueing him to move. He sighed again when Romeo rolled off the
bed, purposely falling onto the floor.
Romeo giggled and crawled around the end of the bed to the armchair in
the corner, where the beach bag sat open.
The boy climbed to his feet and dug through the bag.
"Romeo! For Christ's sake! Hurry up!" Jon stalked over to his youngest son's
side. He yanked a pair of flip-flops
from the bag and dropped them on the floor, then pointed. "There!"
Jon watched as Romeo stuck
his feet into the shoes. The boy did a
full revolution before skipping toward the hotel room's entrance and pulling
open the door. Jon rolled his eyes and
picked up the beach bag.
"Come on." Jon directed his quiet command at his older
son, tipping his head toward the door.
As Jacob trudged past him, his head lowered and his expression sheepish,
Jon felt a pang of pity. He reached out
to gently grasp the boy's arm.
"Listen... you're not
in trouble. But we're gonna have a
talk. As soon as I get Romeo set up in
the arcade."
Jake didn't answer,
shrugging off his father's hand. He
shuffled out the door after his brother.
Jon shook his head and
followed Jacob out of the room, careful to close the door securely behind
him. He guided the two boys across the
motor court grounds, toward the entertainment complex in its center.
When they approached Jon couldn't suppress a wry smile at the title of the structure housing the indoor pool, jacuzzi, and arcade: "The Pleasuredome." The last such-named place he had frequented had been decidedly less family-friendly.
When they approached Jon couldn't suppress a wry smile at the title of the structure housing the indoor pool, jacuzzi, and arcade: "The Pleasuredome." The last such-named place he had frequented had been decidedly less family-friendly.
Jacob said nothing during
the trek, while Romeo chattered exuberantly.
Upon arriving at the arcade Jon pushed a twenty-dollar bill into the
change machine, then handed Romeo a cup of quarters. The boy immediately darted to an ancient
Super Mario World game machine and began shoving coins into the slot.
Jon waited until Romeo was
engaged in his first game before scanning the room for a seat where he could
keep an eye on his youngest son while turning his attention to Jacob. He spied the right spot in a corner near the
arcade entrance: a small round table and
two dingy red plastic chairs.
"C'mon." Jon poked Jacob gently on the arm and pointed
at the table. "Over there."
He waited for the boy to
step toward the seats before moving himself.
His hand curved over Jacob's shoulder, a gesture of reassurance. Jacob didn't react, shuffling to the corner
and slumping into a chair. Jon dropped
the beach bag on the floor and settled onto the hard red plastic, wincing more in anticipation of the awkward conversation to come than from physical discomfort.
Glancing back to see that
Romeo was still fully engaged in his game, Jon took a deep breath. As he gazed at his sheepish son Jon silently
reminded himself to stay calm. Jacob was
clearly embarrassed by what had happened, and this conversation wouldn't be
easy. For either of them.
"Jake, look at
me."
Jon waited until two blue
eyes peered up at him through a curtain of shaggy dirty-blond bangs. He felt his expression soften though his lips
remained pressed into a disapproving line.
"Okay, I'm listening. What happened back in the room?"
Jake sat silent for a long
moment, then his gaze dropped again. Jon
saw a pink flush tint the boy's smooth cheeks, visible even in the dimly-lit
arcade. Jake shrugged.
"Look... I know what I
saw. Or what I think I saw. But I want to
hear your side of it. Now... what
happened?"
"It doesn't matter
what I say. You'll still be
pissed." The boy's answer was a
defeated mumble.
"Who says I'm
pissed?"
That drew a derisive snort
from Jacob. "Yeah, right."
Jon peered at his son as
inside he flinched. Truth be told, he
didn't know how he felt about what he had witnessed. This was one parenting situation he had never
faced before.
"Jake, I'm not mad...
exactly."
This drew Jacob's gaze up
from the scratched-laminate tabletop.
"You yelled at me,
Dad. Sounded pretty pissed to me."
"I was surprised,
Jake. It was an instinctive
reaction." Jon sat for a moment,
awaiting a reply. When he got none, he
sighed.
"Look, Jake... I don't
know what else you expect. I walked into
the room and saw you staring into the bathroom with your mouth hanging
open. Where I knew Cate was undressing. I
mean..."
He hesitated, searching for a description of his thoughts. Jon let out a little sigh of frustration when the words didn't immediately come. "Well... I just... I never expected something like that, Jake. To find you being a... uh... well... A Peeping Tom."
He hesitated, searching for a description of his thoughts. Jon let out a little sigh of frustration when the words didn't immediately come. "Well... I just... I never expected something like that, Jake. To find you being a... uh... well... A Peeping Tom."
The boy looked up again,
this time his expression registering confusion.
"Huh?"
"A Peeping
Tom." Jon enunciated the words more
clearly.
Jacob blinked. "What's that?"
"What?" Jon was taken momentarily aback by the
question. "What's... you've never
heard of a Peeping Tom?"
Jacob gave a little shake
of his head, then shrugged.
"A Peeping Tom is a
guy who sneaks around and hides in the bushes and looks in windows at people...
Spies on people's private lives."
Realizing his spontaneous definition wasn't exactly cogent to the situation,
Jon cleared his throat and started again.
"Okay, it doesn't really have anything to do with windows or
bushes. A Peeping Tom is somebody who
intentionally spies on a person without their knowledge. Invades their privacy. Sometimes to... well, to see... things they
shouldn't."
Jacob stared back at his
father for a long moment, then shook his head again, this time more
forcefully. "Dad, I wasn't spying on Cate. Or... peeping... whatever."
A flicker of anger crossed Jon's expression. He had
caught the boy in the act, and now Jake was denying it? Jon took a breath and counted to three before answering.
"Jake, I know what I
saw. You were sitting on the bed,
staring at the opening in the bathroom door, you eyes big as saucers and your
mouth hanging open. I'm pretty sure you
weren't watching the faucet drip."
Jake shrugged and slumped
lower in his chair. His gaze dropped to
his hands in his lap. "You don't
believe me, so what's the point of telling you anything?"
Jon's jaw tightened even as
his heart squeezed at the sullen misery in his boy's voice. "Jake, you gotta give me something to believe.
Explain yourself."
"Why? It won't matter."
"Try me."
Jacob sat silent.
Jon stared at his son for a
long moment, then sighed. He let his
head fall back as he reached up to run a hand through his hair. Jon slid down in his chair, mirroring his
son's slump.
After a moment Jon returned his gaze to Jake's shielded face. He reached under the table to nudge the boy's leg with his foot. When Jacob begrudgingly looked up Jon gave him a wan smile.
After a moment Jon returned his gaze to Jake's shielded face. He reached under the table to nudge the boy's leg with his foot. When Jacob begrudgingly looked up Jon gave him a wan smile.
"Look, Jake... this is
embarrassing for me too. But we gotta
talk this out. I promise you, I won't
get mad at you, whatever you tell me.
I'm not mad at you. I just... well, I thought I had at least
another year before we had this talk."
Jacob regarded his father
for a long moment before his shoulders slumped in defeat. He shifted in his chair, sitting up
straighter and leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees. Recognizing the openness of his son's
response, Jon mirrored his posture.
"I... it was an
accident. I wasn't... I didn't mean to
see her...naked." Jake's begrudging
admission was a low mumble.
Inwardly Jon cringed,
though he knew his son had gotten more than a fleeting indecent glimpse of his
Stepmother. He waited a beat before
answering. "Okay. How was it an accident?"
"I dunno. I just looked up and... and there she
was. In the mirror."
Jon's brow furrowed as he
tried to suppress a frown. "How did
the door get open?"
Jake shook his head, then
looked up at his father. His earnestness
was reflected in his flush-tinged expression.
"Honest, Dad. I didn't open
the door. I didn't. It just... it was
just open!"
"And you just happened to look inside?" Jon tried not to sound accusatory but was
only half-successful. He saw Jake
flinch.
"Dad, honest! It was an accident!" The boy's response was more insistent, his
voice no longer a low mumble.
"How was it an accident, Jake?"
Jon's blue eyes narrowed a bit.
"What exactly
happened?"
Jacob sighed heavily. "I got up and got my trunks out of my
bag and sat back down on the bed. I took
my t-shirt off, and when my head came out of the hole I was looking straight at
the bathroom. It was kinda bright, and
the door was open, and..." His
voice faltered, but he continued.
"...And in the mirror... I could see... Cate." He swallowed hard.
Jon's heart twinged
sympathetically at the miserable note in his son's voice.
"Okay. So you just looked up and saw... what you
saw." He took a breath and leaned
forward, resting his elbows on the table.
He swiped a hand over his mouth and stubbled chin before asking the more
difficult question.
"Jake... what exactly did you see? About Cate?"
The boy's blush darkened
and again his eyes dropped to his lap.
"She was changing into her bikini."
"Was she just...
topless?" Jon squirmed slightly
with the pointed question. "Or was
she completely..."
Jake nodded. "Completely."
"And did you see...
uh... everything?" Jon
involuntarily held his breath, though he knew what Jake's answer would be. The boy's expression in the moment had spoken
volumes.
Jake nodded again.
Jon exhaled silently. "Okay.
Okay...." He paused for a
minute, formulating his next question.
"Jake, look at me."
When the boy complied Jon
continued, trying not to sound accusatory.
"How long did you watch her?
Cate, changing into her bikini?"
"I... I dunno."
Jon tilted his head,
evaluating Jacob's response. He couldn't
have spent more than two or three minutes retrieving the bag from the
Navigator, which was parked immediately outside the front door in the attached
carport. When he had exited the hotel room Jacob was rummaging in his duffel bag.
"Was it just,
like...like a second? Or a minute? Or what?"
"I dunno, Dad. It was..." Jake shrugged. "I guess maybe a minute?"
"And why..." Jon
couldn't stop an involuntary flinch before continuing his questioning. "Why didn't you look away, Jake? When you saw that she wasn't... decent. Why did you continue to watch her?"
Jacob blinked and shook his
head slowly. "I... I just... I
didn't mean to, Dad." He swallowed
hard. "I was just... like...
frozen. Like I couldn't move."
"Like you couldn't
move?" Jon arched a brow. "Jake, all you had to move was your
eyes. Or close 'em."
"I know, but I was
just... shocked, I guess." Jacob's
expression turned pleading as a note of desperation crept into his voice. "I swear, Dad! I didn't mean to spy on her!"
"Jake, do you think
you did the right thing, how you reacted?"
Jon's reply was firm, unswayed by Jacob's insistence.
"Dad, I didn't do it
on purpose! I just looked up, and there
she was, and... and it was like..."
The words tumbled out of Jacob's mouth as he earnestly tried to defend
himself. "I just... it was like my
brain was just stuck!" His bright
blue eyes misted with his frustrated attempt to explain his cloudy memory of
the moment.
"Okay,
okay..." Jon raised a hand to halt
his son's ramble. His heart squeezed
again and the corner of his mouth curved sympathetically. He sighed.
Though he believed Jacob's explanation there were still a couple other points
he had to address.
"Jake... I'm gonna ask
you something, and I'm not trying to embarrass you or anything. Just... I want you to answer me honestly,
okay?"
The slight quaver in his
father's voice made the boy look up.
"Okay."
"How... how did it
make you feel? When you saw Cate...
naked?" Jon watched his son's
expression as Jake considered the query.
As he expected, the boy's cheeks reddened and he shifted in his chair.
"It was weird."
"Weird how?"
"It just... I
dunno." Jake sat with his mouth
half-open for a moment, considering.
"I mean, it's Cate. And it was like I was just... like I was
struck by lightning or something."
Jon half-smiled at Jake's
uninformed analogy. He was certain
Jake's reaction had been neither as painful nor fatal as a lightning strike,
but he understood the sensation the boy was trying to convey.
"Like... because you
couldn't move? Or because you felt...
your body felt... different?" Jon
found himself struggling for his own age-appropriate verbalization.
"Yeah. Both."
"How did your body
feel different?"
The boy half-shrugged. "I guess it was like something, like...
shocked me? Then I felt kinda
prickly. And hot."
Jon swallowed hard. Though he knew Jacob had received the
"Family Life" unit of instruction at school, he still wasn't quite
sure how to address this delicate and potentially premature topic.
"Anything...
else?"
Jacob cringed and dropped
his head. "Da-aad!" His whine of
protest made it clear he understood where his father's line of questioning was
headed. And he did not want to go there.
Jon again swiped a hand
over his face to hide his own involuntary grimace. He had had "The Talk" with Jesse at
age twelve; Jacob was nearly that age now.
But Jon had had time to prepare for his fatherly chat with his eldest
son. They hadn't been forced into it by
circumstance. And it certainly had not
taken place in the corner of a dingy arcade while Jesse's brothers played
nearby.
"Umm...
okay." Jon quickly decided to delay
discussion of the physical aspects of this incident. But he still had fatherly responsibilities to
fulfill.
He dropped his hands onto
the table top, splaying open his fingers before allowing them to relax. "Look, Jake. You're growing up, and you're gonna start
going through... changes. I guess I can
understand why you reacted like you did, when you saw Cate in the
mirror." Jon took a breath. "I get it, it was an accident. And you were stunned. And it probably was only a minute or maybe less, but still... Jake, it was still
wrong. You can't just secretly watch a
girl undress or... whatever. Even if you
didn't mean to see it or try to see it."
Jake nodded slowly, then
shrugged. "I know. But I didn't mean to."
"I believe you. And I know you're embarrassed. But what about Cate? How do you think she would feel if she knew
you were watching her change her clothes?"
Jake's eyes widened at his
father's implication. "Dad! You're not gonna tell her are you?"
Jon's expression
sobered. That wasn't his plan at all,
but Jacob's reaction made him realize it was something he should probably
consider. Cate wasn't just some girl
Jacob had accidentally seen naked, she was his Stepmother.
Though not a blood relative Cate was very much part of Jacob's
life. She probably deserved to know
about her stepson's transgression, both because she was the subject of his illicit
attention and as one of his parental figures.
And he should probably tell
Dorothea about the incident as well.
That would be a fun conversation.
Silently Jon cursed the
responsibilities of parenthood.
"Don't you think she
has a right to know?" Jon couldn't
hide a note of weary sympathy from his voice.
"No! Dad, PLEASE!
You can't tell her!"
Jon gave Jacob a grim
half-smile. "Actually, I was
thinking more along the lines of you apologizing
to her."
Jacob's expression was one
of horror. "Dad, I CAN'T!
It was an accident! If she knows
she'll think I'm ... I'm some sort of perv, or something! I swear, I won't ever tell anybody it
happened! And I promise, I'll NEVER do it again! Just, PLEASE...!" Jacob's blue eyes again misted with tears as
he pleaded with his father.
Jon swallowed against the
lump forming in his throat. As difficult
as this incident had been for him to talk about with Jacob, it was more
gut-wrenching to see his son's panicked reaction. He wasn't sure he could put him through the
shame of facing up to his stepmother.
And would it really be the
best thing for Cate to know about the unwitting peep show she had starred
in? Maybe this was one of those times
that discretion was the better part of valor.
And maybe it was in the best interest of their family that this matter
stay strictly between father and son.
Jon looked at Jacob, seeing
his weary blue gaze mirrored in his son's teary azure pools. He felt his resolve crumble.
"Alright. We'll keep this just between us. But you gotta tell me, Son. You understand, right? It's wrong to spy on anybody, but it's
especially wrong to take advantage of a situation to see someone in their
private moments. No matter how it happens. You got it?"
Jake nodded earnestly. "I got it, Dad."
Jon sighed heavily. "Listen, Jake. Soon you're gonna be getting interested in
girls. And you'll wanna hang out with
them, and date them, and.... Well, that's a conversation for another time. Sometime soon." He gave the boy a direct look. "But Jake, I want you to remember
this: always treat girls and women with
respect. It's what they deserve. That's how your Grandpa raised me and your
uncles, and that's what I expect from you and your brothers. Promise me, Jake, you will always do that."
Again Jacob nodded, his
bright blue eyes reflecting his sincerity.
"I promise, Dad."
"Good." Jon dragged a hand through his sandy hair,
then gave Jacob a weary half-smile.
"Alright, another thing."
Jacob's response was
wary. "What?"
"I want you to check
the attitude. We're on a family vacation
here. And so far you haven't exactly
been a joy to travel with." Jon
gave Jacob a pointed look. "You got
it?"
Jacob sighed. "Yeah, okay."
"I'm serious,
Jake. I wanna have a good time with
you. We don't get to spend as much time
together anymore, not like we used to."
Jon felt the lump re-forming in his throat with the sentiment. "So drop the 'tude, Dude. Okay?"
He smiled to mask his moment of melancholy.
" 'Kay, Dad."
"Good. And Jakey... one last thing." Jon glanced sideways, making a visual check
of Romeo's location before continuing.
The boy was still engrossed in the Super Mario console. "You know you're gonna see Cate in a few
minutes. And she's gonna be wearing her
bikini. It's probably gonna be kinda
weird for you."
Jake cringed. "Um, yeah."
"Just remember, she
doesn't know what happened. So if you
act all goofy or pissy around her she's gonna pick up on it, and she's gonna
ask you what's wrong. Don't forget,
she's a cop. She can read people. Too well." Jon snorted wryly at his last comment.
"What do I say to
her?"
"That's up to
you. But just remember... this is your deal. So don't you make her feel like she did something wrong. Capice?"
Jacob sighed. "Okay."
"And if you wanna talk
some more about it, you know we can, right?" Jon gave his son a smile.
"Yeah, Dad. Umm.... I'm good."
"Good." Jon groaned out an audible sigh. "Alright, let's go convince your brother
to step away from the machines. I need
to get in that jacuzzi." He braced
his hands on the tabletop and pushed back his chair. Jacob slowly followed his father's lead, his
expression still downcast.
Jon picked up the beach tote
and waited for his son to step forward, then circled an arm around the boy's
shoulders. He gave a reassuring squeeze
before releasing him and strolling toward the Super Mario game. Jon's mouth twisted into a little grin and he
rolled his eyes as he realized his youngest boy had not budged from his stance in
the entire twenty minutes the conversation with Jacob had taken. When he reached the game Jon gently tapped
Romeo on top of the head.
"C'mon, Buddy. Finish up.
We're gonna go swim."
Romeo's only response was a
half-squeal as he hit the "jump" button.
"Romey."
"I'm winning,
Dad!"
Jon snickered quietly and
braced a hand on the side of the machine, leaning down to view the screen. "You oughta be. I think you've played that thing every day
since your Mama gave birth to ya."
"Dad. No I didn't.
And this one is different."
"Yeah, it's old." Jacob clarified sarcastically. A raised eyebrow from his father quickly
curbed his tone.
"I know. But it's fun." Romeo squeaked again as he smacked the button
and yanked the joystick to one side.
Jon reached to gently poke
Romeo in the ribs, making the boy squirm.
"Okay, you've been at this for twenty minutes. Time to go, Buddy."
"But Dad!"
"Come on. I know you can play that thing for hours, to
level three hundred and twelve or whatever." Jon poked Romeo again. "So I'm not gonna stand here and wait
for your guy to get killed."
"Awwww....." Romeo's lips curved into a pout, though his
eyes didn't leave the screen.
"Let's go. Swim time." Jon reached up and covered Romeo's hand on
the joystick with his own, stilling the boy's movement. Romeo squeaked again in protest as his
character froze on the screen. The
abrupt halt was followed by a plinky electronic melody announcing the player's
demise. The boy's shoulders slumped.
"DAAAAAAD!"
"Jeez, it's just a
stupid game," muttered Jacob.
Jon slung the beach bag over his shoulder and stepped behind Romeo,
placing both hands on the boy's shoulders.
He gently turned him away from the console and nudged him toward the
door. "Come on, march. Hup-two-three-four...." Though Romeo initially resisted, a grin
spread across his face and he giggled softly.
In less than a dozen strides he had bounced away from Jon and to the
arcade's entrance.
Jon and Jake followed Romeo
as he skipped exuberantly through the lobby, following the signs to the indoor
pool. When he stepped through the
steam-clouded glass door into the pool area Jon immediately spied Cate. She gave him a smile and a little wave from
her seat on a poolside lounge chair. Jon
breathed a silent "thank God" when he saw that his wife's bikini-clad
figure was modestly concealed by a tasteful knit cover-up. It
would be awkward enough for Jake to face her fully-clothed, let alone showing
some skin.
Noticing the falter in Jacob's
step when he spied his stepmother, Jon glanced sideways. The boy's cheeks were tinged with pink and
his gaze dropped to the concrete deck.
"Jake... be cool,
okay?" Jon reminded him quietly,
trying to bolster his son's composure.
"Just you and me, nobody else knows."
Jacob's shaggy head nodded
slightly, then he shuffled ahead of his father.
Jon followed Jake over to the space Cate had claimed for their family,
where Romeo was already giving his stepmother an animated recounting of his
adventures in Mario World.
Jon grinned at Cate's
amused expression, then threw her a wink.
He dropped the beach bag on the deck and kicked off his flip-flops next
to it before tugging his t-shirt up over his head. As Jon stooped to drop his shirt into the bag
he saw Jacob dart toward the pool and leap into the deep end. He sighed softly, knowing Jake hadn't even
said hello to Cate before escaping to the pool.
Hopefully he would settle down with a little distraction and separation
from the embarrassing incident.
Grabbing a towel from the
tote and tossing it onto the chair next to Cate's, Jon looked again at his wife
and youngest boy. Romeo was still
chattering a mile a minute, bouncing and leaning as he described his game play
while Cate listened with a broad fake smile plastered on her face. When she noticed her husband's attention Cate
gave Jon a wide-eyed look that clearly said "Uncle!"
"Romeo! Go get in the pool!" Jon leaned down and plucked the Nerf football
from the bag, then tossed it at the boy's backside. It bounced off his behind, but made him pause
his tale long enough to protest.
"Hey!"
"Hurry up,
Chucklehead. I wanna have a water fight!" Jon rounded the end of his lounger and
grabbed the hem of Romeo's t-shirt. The
boy giggled and squirmed as Jon pulled the garment off his torso. He shrugged himself free of the shirt, then
kicked off his flip-flops and scampered for the pool's edge.
"Careful! Don't run!" called Cate.
She watched Romeo slow for a few paces, then duck-walk around the pool's
edge to the shallow end. The boy quickly
climbed down the submerged steps into the water, then turned to call to his
father.
"Hurry up, Dad!"
Jon chuckled and waved.
"Gimme a minute, Bud!" He
extracted his wallet from the pocket of his board shorts and set it on the
chair before leaning down to drop a kiss against the crown of Cate's head.
"There are some sodas
and juice boxes in the cooler bag," Cate commented, pointing to a blue tote
between the chairs. "Boys have fun
at the arcade?"
Jon chortled. "You didn't get that impression from
Mario Bongiovi, there?"
"I was wondering when
he was going to stop talking long enough to take a breath." Cate chuckled. Her smile gentled and her expression turned
quizzical. "Everything okay?"
"Sure. Why?"
"I got the sense when
you left that there was something up with the boys. Plus you got outta the room pretty
fast." Her voice carried a note of
quiet concern.
Jon sighed. He didn't like having to lie to his wife, but
he had promised his son. So he opted for
a half-truth.
"I had to give Jake a
little attitude adjustment. Father to
son."
Cate's brow furrowed. "Really?
He's been pretty good this trip, so far.
I mean, I know he's not happy about your 'no screens' rule, but he
hasn't been too sassy. And you know Romeo pushes his buttons."
"Yeah, I know. That's why I had to get them outta the
room. Cooped up together was a recipe
for disaster. So I stuck Romey in front
of a Mario game and had a sit-down with Jake." Jon gave Cate a weary smile.
Cate snorted. "So you let Romeo play a video game...
though you don't want him playing video games on this trip?" She smirked ironically.
"Hey, we were enjoying
the hotel's amenities, which happen to include an arcade. I didn't technically
violate the no-screens rule... so guess I'm kinda a parenting genius,
huh?" Jon's protest was sarcastically
playful.
"Mmmm hmmm. I guess so." Cate chuckled. The soft gleam in her blue eyes made Jon's
heart squeeze happily even as a little pang of guilt at his deceit flashed in his
gut.
"So, you two worked it out?"
"So, you two worked it out?"
"Yeah. We came to an understanding." Jon glanced at the pool, taking visual note
of the two bobbing dirty-blond heads belonging to his boys. "It's gonna be a good trip."
"Good." Cate smiled and leaned forward to offer her
lips. Jon smiled as he brushed a sweet
kiss across her mouth.
"Okay, I'm goin'
in. You comin'?"
Cate sat up and glanced to
the pool, then gave Jon a half-coy smile.
"I think I'm gonna stay on dry land, if it's all the same to
you."
Jon arched a playful
brow. "Oh? Why?"
Cate shrugged and reached
down into her own tote bag. She cringed
guiltily as she pulled out her iPad.
"I kinda wanna read a little..."
Jon smirked, then shook a faux-accusing finger at his
wife. "You're in violation of the
no-screen policy, Miz Sullivan."
"I know, I know. But Baby, I downloaded a crapload of new
books before we left." Cate gave
Jon her best innocent look. "I'm
not playing games or anything. It's an
educational pursuit. And it's
relaxing." She fluttered her
lashes.
Jon chuckled and leaned
down to kiss her cheek. "Sure,
Baby. Do what you want. It's your vacation too."
"Thanks,
Baby." Cate grinned. "Actually... I already started
reading. While I was waiting for
you."
"Ahhhh.... of course
you did," Jon nodded, half-chuckling the words. "Because you knew you'd convince
me."
"No, because I didn't
give a shit what your decision was," Cate answered sweetly. "I was gonna do it anyway."
Jon rolled his eyes. "Rebel." He raised his arms over his head in a
stretch. He groaned softly as he felt a
gentle pop ripple along his spine. He
really was looking forward to a dip in the hot tub, to un-kink his knotted back
muscles after the day's drive.
"Yep." Cate giggled again.
"Okay," Jon
half-sighed as he dropped his arms.
"Lemme play with the Chuckleheads a little, then you can join me in
the jacuzzi, maybe."
"Oh..." Cate shifted on her chair. "Before you go in, could you sit with
our stuff for a minute? I need to run to
the bathroom."
"Sure." Jon nodded.
"Just hurry. Don't know how
long it will be before the Terror Twins start playing 'Jaws' on poor
unsuspecting nice kids in the
pool."
Cate chortled as she
stood. "Be right back." She leaned up to quickly buss Jon's stubbly
cheek, then stepped past him. Jon turned
to watch his wife hurry to the far corner of the pool area and through a door
marked "Mermaids."
Letting out a long sigh,
Jon reached up to scratch at a tickle on his pectoral before lowering himself
onto the lounge chair to await his wife's return.
Again his blue gaze swept the pool area, noting about a dozen adults and
a couple dozen children playing in the water or relaxing on the deck. No one seemed to notice or recognize him,
which was good.
Smiling at that thought,
Jon returned his attention to the space Cate had claimed for their family. He picked up his wallet from his chair and
leaned to tuck it into Cate's tote, next to her iPad in its purple leather
case. His mouth twisted into an
inquisitive smirk as he retrieved the tablet from the bag and set it on his
knee.
"Wonder what she's
reading now?" Jon murmured his
query. His wife's taste in literature
was eclectic where he preferred nonfiction.
Jon pressed the button to illuminate the screen.
He squinted briefly as his gaze focused at the text on the page; Cate had apparently stopped reading at the beginning of a new chapter. Jon scanned the header, then blinked. His smile faded, quickly replaced by a frown of concern.
He squinted briefly as his gaze focused at the text on the page; Cate had apparently stopped reading at the beginning of a new chapter. Jon scanned the header, then blinked. His smile faded, quickly replaced by a frown of concern.
The Harder I Try, the Worse Things Get
Is my marriage failing because of sex, or is sex failing because
of our marriage?
Cate and Jon have too talk about their sex life, Jon has too know there is a problem and Cate has to tell him how she feels now, can't wait too find out what happens next, don't make us wait so long for the next chapter please, great chapter.
ReplyDeleteLove the chapter honey! And please don't wait so long again this is way too good!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteO!M!G! I was peeing myself laughing! That talk...Great writing Catte! Poor Jakey! I can only imagine the confusion and embarrassment!
ReplyDeleteCate, you and Jon MUST talk! Please, before you compromise your relationship and marriage!
lol...I dont know who was more embarrassed ....what an uncomfortable talk that would of been...but as usual it was written brilliantly....& a big 'Uh OH' on Jons find....can see a big chat coming up...family vaccy is going to make it difficult tho...fun times ahead....
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they'll talk during this trip or if they'll have to wait until Dorothea takes the kids back. Lately, most of the time when they're in NYC work obligations and stress prevent them to communicate efficiently. It must be horrible to tell to your man that he became some kind of sperm donor, that the fun part in their love/sex life is long gone, she'll have to be diplomatic and he'll have to keep his temper under control. IMHO bringing a kid in an unhappy marriage might be a bad idea. I hope they'll be able to make things work.
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt say their marriage is unhappy, and coming from someone who did all the fertility crap...fun sex is ruined with planned sex, plain and simple. They will get it back, i know it. Jon is so good for her. A patient,understanding man. I just hope she fesses up when he calls her our on the book. Post again soon cate!
ReplyDeleteI read this story for almost two years but I've just noticed the tiny baby's fingers wraped around the dad's pinky finger, this is so cute. I hope Cate and Jon will also have a little miracle, a little Bongiovi-Sullivan baby. Maybe the Florida doc she met a few weeks ago could help them.
ReplyDeleteSending love and prayers your way, I hope your friends, your co workers and yourself are OK. Take care :)
ReplyDeleteCate has been in the bathroom a REALLY long time! I'm resorting to begging.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Catte is super busy, usually we can only hope for a chapter every four weeks or so, but this month, with the crazy f*cker in DC, I 'm not sure she had the time and peace of mind to write. Maybe she'll post Saturday or next week end .
DeletePleaseeeee post another chapter
ReplyDeleteYes, please continue! It's so good!
ReplyDelete