Joneses – 4.8 Show Time

John arrived home and stood in the foyer for a minute. He was tired and very stressed out over their financial situation, the stale job situation, and internal battles that waged in his mind. Mary saw him as she was walking through the kitchen to clean up. She went to him to see what was wrong.

“I’m just… I’m tired,” he said. “Need to clear my head. I’m gonna shower.”

Mary stifled the urge to giggle. Oh, John dear…you’re not tired. You’re just thirsty…

After he got over the initial shock of finding her lips on his, he rather enjoyed being kissed. It had been so long. But, at some point the reality of their situation confronted him, and he was confused. He pulled away from her a little. “Wh-wha-what are you doing?”

“I’m helping you relax,” she said. Thirsty was an understatement. He’s PARCHED! Mary took a little pleasure in realizing that he hadn’t been unfaithful in a while.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I can’t kiss my husband?”

“What’s going on, Mary? Why are you doing this?”

“Because you need it.”

He saw the look in her eyes, and he knew she was offering more than just the kiss. John knew more than anyone how much he needed it, but he was unsure of how to respond and was even more conflicted. What was the catch? Where was this coming from? As much as he wanted to know, there was no way he was going to turn down freely offered woo hoo in the state he was in. She took him by the hand and led him to the master bedroom. He followed partly unwillingly and partly relieved at the opportunity to release the tension that had been building up for so long.

The next morning, John couldn’t deny how much better he felt although he was still confused. He wasn’t sure what to expect when he faced Mary and quickly drafted a few responses in his head before he went and got breakfast. She was always up before him, and like many mornings, she was just finishing up the dishes when he emerged from the bedroom. He was heavily guarded and unsure how to behave around her. She, on the other hand, was her usual self.

“Umm…good morning,” he said tersely.

“Good morning!” She was still loading the dishwasher.

He appreciated that she wasn’t overly excited or didn’t try to kiss him, but he was even more confused at her casualness. Perhaps he simply needed to state the facts so she understood. “Last night…it doesn’t change anything. Ok?”

She put the last dish into the dishwasher and started it. “Whatever you say, J-Bear!”