Jealous

They both sat at the table and made small talk. I made a real effort to look at Beth as little as possible. Lance was going on and on to my father in law about how he was supposed to be playing golf today. Apparently, two of the four members he normally played with could not make it this morning so it was called off. Soon my mother in law was finished and we were moving to the dining room to eat.

"Jeff, would you help me bring the food into the dining room ?", she asked me.

"Sure, Mom, no problem.", I replied.

When everyone had left the kitchen for the other room, she touched me on the arm and looked at me with a very troubled look on her face,

"Are you ok, Jeff ?", she asked, "You seem very quiet today. In fact you haven't said a word since Beth and Lance arrived."

"I'm ok Mom.", I answered, "He just gets under my skin sometimes."

"I know, but he is family." she said.

If you only knew I thought, as she handed me the large pot of gumbo. I carried the pot to the dining room table, returned to help her with the bread and drinks. My in laws took their usual seats at both ends of the table. Lance and Beth sat at the two chairs across from me. I took a chair across from them and made sure I was directly across from Beth. I sat down and began to eat. As was usual when Lance was around, he was the center of the conversation. I only joined in when I was asked a direct question. I replied as quickly and briefly as I could and would return to my meal. I noticed that Beth was extremely quiet as well in spite of her Dad's best attempts to get her in the conversation. I looked up a few times and caught Beth glancing over at me. I would quickly look away as to not let everyone know with my eyes, what was apparently written all over my face. I had fell head over heels in love with my wife's younger sister. Soon it was time to head home and I said my quick goodbyes and made for my car.

On the drive back I began wondering how long this charade would play out. The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that there was no way we could effectively have an affair and keep it quiet. And to be honest, I realized that I wanted much more than an affair. The more thought I gave this situation the more I realized it just could not continue. By the time I arrived home, I made a decision not to pursue Beth any longer.

The next two to three weeks passed and I made no attempt to contact Beth and she made no attempt to contact me. I figured by that time, she pretty much felt the same as I did. As good as it was, it was just not something that could continue.

It was the beginning of December and Christmas was almost here. I really had grown to hate holidays these past few years. Everyone was always so happy and surrounded by family. With Susan gone and no children, Christmas was just depressing as hell for me. The extent of my Christmas shopping was a present for mother and father in law and one for Beth and Lance. I had no family since I was an only child and my parents were both deceased. I always waited till the last minute to shop and this year was probably going to be the same. About a week before Christmas I got the usual call from my in-laws inviting me for Christmas Dinner. I told them that I might not be able to make it this year, I may have other plans. In fact I had no plans, but the thought of spending hours that close to Beth again was something I did not think I could handle. It was better to stay home and have a quiet day.

On Christmas Eve I stopped by my in laws and dropped off gifts for them and Lance and Beth. I told them I had been invited to a friends this year and wished them Merry Christmas. My mother in law walked me out to the car. I knew she wanted to talk to me about something.

"Jeff, what's going on with you lately ?", she asked me, "And don't tell me your just tired."

"Mom, you know, its just this time of year.", I responded.

"No, its more than that.", she replied.

I tried my best to reassure her nothing was wrong but as most mothers can do, I think she saw right through me. I continued to make excuses as I got in my car to leave. Once again, I wished her Merry Christmas and pulled out of the drive.

Christmas morning arrived and felt like any other day. I got up, looked out in the front and saw a few of the neighbor's children out playing with their new toys. I made some breakfast and settled in front of the television. A few hours passed and my cell phone rang. It was Beth. I answered the phone.

"Where are you, Jeff ?", she asked, "We are at Mom's, she told me your not coming today."

"No, I have other plans Beth." I replied.

"Jeff, are you avoiding me ?"

"Not at all. I was invited to a friends this afternoon and I decided to go.", I answered, trying my best to sound convincing.

"Ok." she said, "Have a nice day, I miss you."

"I miss you too, sweetheart."

The next week was just about done and New Years Eve was approaching. Again I had no plans, and figured I would spend the holidays alone watching TV. Friday night was New Year's Eve, on Wednesday, I received a call from a longtime friend of mine. We had went to the same high school together and both had played ball later at the same college. I had heard he had just opened up some sort of night club in the city, but never really heard much about it. We quickly caught up on each other's lives, not that I had much to tell. He told me that he was having a huge party on New Year's Eve at his club. A sort of grand opening, he explained. He invited me to come, adding that, I would be his VIP Guest and everything would be on the house. I'm not much of a drinker and I definitely am not the club type. I started to make my excuses but Riley would hear none of it.

"You know you have absolutely nothing to do but sit home and be miserable.", he said, "You will be here or I will come and get you, period."

I knew Riley, he never bluffed. He would come and get me. I agreed to go for a while and he gave me the address to the new club. He told me the party would start at about 9 p.m. and last till who knew when. He told me to bring anyone I wanted as a guest and he would VIP them as well.

Thursday morning at work, I went online and typed in the address for the club and saw it was only a block off Bourbon Street. In fact there was a website for the club. I clicked on the link, it took a while to load. When it did, it began apparent, this was just not a club. It was a very high end Gentleman's Club. I had never been to strip club before so I had no idea of what to expect. All that day, I really wanted to call him back and give him some excuse for not going. But knowing Riley, that would not fly. Soon it was time to leave and head home.

I arrived home a bit later and saw the recorder light flashing, I had a message. I clicked on the machine and heard Beth's voice. She asked if I would call her at home when I got in. I picked up the phone and dialed her number. She answered the phone quickly.

"Hey Jeff.", she said, "I want to invite you out with us tomorrow night. We are going to a huge party at one of Lance's friends house."

"Thanks Beth, but I already have plans." I replied.

I told her about my invite to Riley's new club for the Grand Opening. I was now glad I had accepted the invite. A night of Lance getting drunk and hanging all over Beth was nothing I wanted to see. The only time he paid her any attention is when he was drinking. And after a few drinks, he usually became rude and obnoxious to her.

"You're going where ?", she exclaimed, "You know what kind of club that is ?"

"Yea.", I told her, "But I really have to go, I have known Riley forever."

"OK, I understand, but if you change your mind let me know.", she added.

We hung up and I made dinner and sat down to eat. The phone soon rang again. I answered and this time, it was Lance. He told me Beth had just informed him of where I was going tomorrow night. He was very excited.

"You know that is the hottest new club in the city ?", he asked.

"Not really.", I responded, "I grew up with the guy who owns it, he invited me."

"Can you bring us with you ?", he quickly asked.

Great, now I am back to square one. I get to spend the evening watching him get plastered and Beth get abused. What a great way to usher in another year.

"I guess so, if you both really want to go. You sure Beth is ok with a strip club. I mean I have never been to one, but I am sure there won't be many non working girls there."

"Oh its ok, she will be fine.", he said.

We arranged to meet there about 9 pm, I did not want to ride with them, I knew I would want to leave long before Lance did. And you could never convince him that he was in no shape to drive at the end of the night. We agreed to meet in a parking lot next to the club that had secure parking.