"I'm really sorry, Callie. The man's an idiot! With his priors, he's gonna do big time this time, for sure!"
Paul hung his head, and I felt so bad for him. His big brother, my husband, was someone he always looked up to, even idolized, from when Paul was a kid.
The reality about Jake had set in over time for me. I was stuck with him, and two little mouths to feed. His going away for some time, could be my opportunity to move on with my life. I'd have to decide that, soon enough.
But for Paul, Jake was the coolest big brother, nobody messed with Paul, just because Jake was his relative. Growing up, Jake always had money, from where, no one knew. By extension, Paul always had the best sports gear and tickets to movies and games.
Now, Paul was 21, Jake, 35 and arrested again, this time for passing bad checks. Me? I was 40, and had been drawn to Jake when he was Paul's age. He was young, brash, good-looking, and cocky. He saw me as the older woman of his dreams, moved in with me, and we finally married when I got pregnant with Joey, our oldest, who's now 10 and staying with my mom.
I sucked on my Jack and Coke, wondering how I got into this mess. Before Jake, I worked as a model, hoping to become an actress. Although they said I was good-looking enough, I had no talent, couldn't sing or dance, but I could stand there for cameras or artists.
I'm 5'8, and my blonde hair was pulled back by a scrunchie. I clutched my robe, having awoken to Paul at the door, informing me about Jake. No bail set yet, and I didn't have money to get him out, anyway. It was cool in the kitchen and the night air traveled under my robe, right through my nightie. I felt my nipples harden from the draft, hoped they wouldn't show through the thin robe. I drank some more.
Paul looked so much like Jake, sitting there, a young Jake, only gentler. So many times, I'd caught him looking at me, at my body, and he would blush and look away. I didn't tease him about it, but it felt good to know I still looked decent, even if it was to a 21 year old.
I must have looked a mess anyway. It was 3 AM. Jake had been gone for three weeks. My face was scrubbed clean of makeup, and I'm sure my roots were showing, not having done them in over a month. The normal wrinkles around the eyes had developed. And I just felt old and ugly.
But looking at Paul watch me, I knew he didn't notice, because he was trying to get a peek inside my robe, to those 36C's he admired so much!
"Can I have another beer? I won't be able to sleep now, anyway."
"Sure," I said, "I just got a fresh drink, hmm a strong one! That'll help me sleep. You're welcome to stay, honey. no sense rushing home."
He smiled as he got the beer, and I saw his eyes going to my robe again. That perv! Well, he's the only man who's looked at me in the last 6 months anyway. Six months its been? Wow!
So you like to look, huh? I thought. Let's give you a peek, maybe get me stirred up for my dildo tonight. I sat next to him at the counter stool and the robe shifted, showing thigh and cleavage at once.
Poor Paul didn't know where to look, first! I made like i didn't notice, but had to raise my glass to hide my smile. This was fun.
"So, how's Sheila?" knowing they had broken up.
He blushed. "Don't know or care. I think she may be Bi."
I laughed. "Yeah, is that bad or good?"
"Huh?"