ιηтєηтισηѕ

The Family

"What are you doing? Why would you even go in there? You're just asking for it at this point." Jeanette talks out loud to the fearless main character of the suspense/mystery book she's reading, curled up on the couch sipping a mimosa. She pauses to look at the engagement ring that catches the sun streaming in through the window. Thinking about the most romantic date with Chris last night, she smiles almost as bright as the diamond shines.

Well aware that he's still married, she didn't say yes to his proposal, but he asked if she would at least wear the ring as a promise for their future. That, she said yes to. And it's a beautiful ring. He did good. They also agreed to keep this between just the two of them. Not wanting to be judged, she decided she'd only wear the ring at home or when it was just her and Chris.

Jeanette goes back to reading her book when there's a knock at the door. She huffs as she sets her book down and gets up from the couch. Thinking it's Chris she doesn't look through the peephole.

"Did you forget your key again?" And pulls the door open.

A woman and two boys stare bewildered at her. She's just as curious. "May I help you?"

The woman looks at the door number, then back at Jeanette more puzzled than before. "I'm looking for Chris... Chris Watson. This is his apartment, right?"

It instantly clicks for Jeanette that this is Chris's family. His wife and kids. Awkward. But she has to say something. "Yes it is. He went out, but he should be back soon." She holds her arm up to look at her watch. "He actually should've been back by now."

The woman catches sight of Jeanette's ring, and it perplexes her further. She looks her up and down then introduces herself. "I'm Simone Watson, Chris's wife. And these are our children..." She throws her arms around the boys' shoulders pulling them closer. "...Christopher the third, but we call him Tre. And this is Christian. Who are you?"

"I'm Jeanette. Jeanette Ellis."

She fully expects Simone to probe deeper, but she doesn't. It's clear she's heard the name before. Simone looks her up and down once again. This time with disdain. Visibly annoyed already.

Jeanette tries to calm the situation before it even has a chance to begin. "Listen, I can tell by the look on your face that you know who I am. This is uncomfortable for both of us, so how about you come in and we talk rationally. There's a game room downstairs that your boys could go to while we talk."

The elder boy, Tre speaks up. "I'm not leaving my mother with some felon."

"Honey calling me a felon does not offend me, but the adults are talking so zip it" Jeanette looks sternly at the boy.

"Don't talk to my son like that. Don't talk to him at all." Simone chides.

Jeanette chuckles to herself. "I see it's gonna be that kind of visit. Okay I'll bite. Come on in." She steps to the side allowing them entry.

Simone takes a moment to look around, then focuses her attention back on Jeanette. "So what are you doing here Jeanette Ellis?"

"I live here and have since January."

"That's a lie! My dad didn't even come here until January!" Tre argues.

He's an angry kid and having been one herself, Jeanette knows he needs compassion more than anything, but she's not the one to give it to him. She turns to him with a smirk. "I know."

"And you're perfectly okay playing house with a married man who as soon as he's done with his business out here, is coming back to Michigan to be with me and his real sons."