[ Dear Readers:
If you prefer to read episodes of this series without their predecessors, that's fine and I hope you enjoy them that way. Just a heads-up, though: It's not meant to be an anthology. All the episodes (except the first) build on those before them, so you'll probably conclude some things differently from what was intended.
Some of our readers' public and private comments touch on unmentioned matters, just a few of which are safe sex, STDs and common real-world consequences of things and events in the story.
Two chief rules in theatre are, first, everything on stage must have a reason to be there, second, everything that the action requires must be present, whether explicitly or implicitly. It's not much different in written fiction. By the second rule, if a story does not get into some particular issue explicitly or implicitly (for example, indirectly through consequences) then it is irrelevant because the author deems it so and asks the reader to consider that issue adequately handled without mention. Sometimes action may be simplified a little from what is actually meant for the sake of smoothness and avoiding distracting details unnecessary for understanding the scene. A good author has respect for the reader's intelligence and imagination and does not feel compelled to paint every scene in photographic detail.
In short, if it ain't there, it don't matter. Please remember that this is a story, not a case study or the news.]
SECRET NO LONGER
Chapter 04
Janine's First Secret, and a Painful Decision
Daybreak delivered all of the stress and pain the hours preceding it had threatened. The empty shell of a woman drifted weary and half-dazed through the routines of morning. I saw Fred growing increasingly concerned as he observed me while going through his own routines.
"You don't look well, Linda," he said. "Are you sure you're OK?"
"I'm fine, Fred," I replied, hollowly. "Just didn't sleep well, that's all."
"Something on your mind, Lin?" he asked, placing a tender kiss on my forehead, which I was too numb and bitter to appreciate. "Anything you need to talk about?"
Yep, plenty, you bastard! I wanted to confront him, but fatigue and my own shame held me in check. And anyway, this was a lousy time for that.
"Nothing much," I forced myself to say. "Just have a good day. I'll feel better when you get home."
He clearly didn't believe me. I couldn't help but feel my anger subside somewhat in spite of myself seeing that sincere concern on his face as he looked me over carefully.
"OK then, but if you need anything, please call. If you'd like me to come home early, remember that it's no problem."
"Thanks, Hon. I'll be all right." I kissed him absently and saw him to the door.
"Baby, you look like you've just come back from a vacation to Hell," Jannie said as we met for what would obviously be a coffee day. "Then again, I'll bet I don't look so great myself."
"I've seen you looking better," I replied. It's nice to have the kind of friend who can tell you exactly what she means, and who is just as willing to hear you do the same.
"This is tough for you, I know. Both of us, really, though it's worse for you. Jason is your son, after all."
"Yes, he is," I said like one confessing the worst of sins. "What can I say, but..."
"Linda, stop!" she quickly interrupted, once again anticipating exactly what I was about to say. "Remember what I said before. I'm not about to hold any of this against you; that's the last thing you need to worry about. I only mentioned it because I know that's most of the reason why this has been so painful for you."
I took her proffered hand in mine and placed its back against my cheek.
"Jannie, you are the friend every friend should be, but few are."
"Eh, well, I try," she replied, grinning.
"I just can't get together with what the guys are doing and what, well, we're doing," I said. "They're being bad; we're being bad; and I don't know which is the worse. And some nagging part of me is saying, forget it, nobody's really being bad at all."
"That's a bit of a stretch, though, let's admit it."
"Right, but still..." I paused as a thought that had insinuated itself into my night's tortured ruminations surfaced again. "Tell me honestly, Jannie, how do you feel about what Jason is doing? Really?
Jannie looked at the table, tracing the rim of her coffee cup with a fingertip for quite a long time.
"You know, Lin, sometimes it seems we have no secrets left, you and I, but I have a few that I think I can declassify for you and they just might surprise you. Maybe, just maybe, they'll help a little with the Jason question." She paused for quite some time, leaving me intrigued. The little hint of mystery took my mind off my pain and I felt quite a bit better.
"All right, all right, are you gonna just keep me in suspense all afternoon now?"
"Maybe I should, just to give you something better to think about," she replied teasingly. "But no, I'll spare you. Ready for a little shock?"
"Ready. Fire at will."
"The first secret is this: Every now and then Sammy and I have enjoyed a little, shall we say, free-love stuff. Nothing really outrageous, but it does have quite a wild-and-free feel to it." She studied my face a while. "So, are you shocked and disgusted yet?"
"To tell the truth, Jannie, I'm utterly amazed, but not in the least shocked or disgusted," I replied. "Hey, why not, if you're enjoying it? I confess, though, that I wouldn't have guessed that in a hundred years."