So this happened, but a little background first.
I'm widowed with kids but they're aging up and mostly out of the house. We're extremely close and they remain the center of my universe. We vacation twice a year - once to the beach and once to ski at Christmas. This story occurs during one of our annual beach trips.
Our beach trip this year was back to Turks and I was going to stay for a couple of weeks and our kids were coming for a week due to work/grad school. I typically rent a large, Grace Bay front condo and this year my sister-in-law and her family were also vacationing with us in their own condo but in the same small complex. We remain quite close primarily because she is committed to maintaining a family connection for her kids. She and her kids are younger and her husband could only plan to join us for the week that my kids were there due to work. Her husband, Jamie, and I get along reasonably well. Neither of us are particularly interesting or great at conversation so I find him tedious and boring. I'm sure he would describe me similarly.
I have known my sister-in-law, Jess, for more than 30 years, since she was probably 14. We've always been close in a cautious way since she had a somewhat obvious crush on me when we met. At that point I was a college student, a summer life guard with a deep tan, and somewhat wild. I was easy to like during those days. Her face bears a remarkable likeness to my wife though Jess is slightly taller (maybe 5'5"?) and somewhat athletic. Her hair is long and wild. It looks like it is permed but it isn't. She is an avid/compulsive runner and when she's training for a marathon she is particularly thin and lithe. She has a beautiful wide smile and is a fun-loving and enthusiastic partier, much like her sister and my wife. She is also fun to talk to because she is one of those people who lacks a filter. She's engaging and can be outrageously shocking.
Because I know specifics are important, I'll say her butt looks fantastic in jeans and her breasts are smaller, maybe b-cup at the very most. I've always found her attractive but, again, from a distance. I have no idea what her weight would be. Best guess is 120 or less, but it fluctuates with her training. Her best look is in a bikini. For my part, I'm 6'1", around 200lbs, and very athletic but in a body that suffers from work, worry, and drive. I'm quite well-educated, gainfully and reasonably successfully employed.
On to the story.
We'd been at the beach now for a week and my kids and her husband were flying out to different parts of the US. Jess and her family lived on the east coast and we lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We saw them off and headed back to the condos. As we arrived, Jess asked if I was heading to the beach. I declined and said I was going to play nine holes at Provo golf club, grab an early dinner and turn in early. We wished each other a good day and headed in our own directions.
I arrived back at the condo around 5pm and ordered fish for dinner, turned on ESPN, ate, and read my book while waiting to succumb to sleep. Jess texted me (thanks to wifi or ATT's $10/day international plan) and asked if I wanted a beer. Not wanting to be anti-social I said sure, come on up.
She arrived within the hour and we sat on the large balcony enjoying local beer.
I asked, "How do you like Turks?"
She answered, "It is incredibly beautiful, with great food, and a fantastic beach. The condo is spectacular and the service can't be beat. I love it and would come often if I could afford it!"
"We've always felt the same. It's been a favorite for years but reserved for special occasions or when bonuses are at their peak. I'm sorry Jamie had to head back. He would've enjoyed the course."
Some silence ensued following which Jess said, "I'm glad to have a break from him. We've hit a rough patch... again. We rarely agree on anything, he has no hobbies, and sometimes I run and train just so I can get away from him."
My wife had told me that they could go hot and cold but they'd been married for almost 20 years. I very suddenly felt awkward and extraordinarily uncomfortable. I'm a prototypical introvert. I'm not awesome from an interpersonal standpoint and am rarely prepared to extend a conversation past topical niceties. I knew it was important to respond appropriately and carefully but was momentarily stumped. Finally, I said, "I'm really sorry." Yeah, that's what I said. Holy crap. Did that just come out of my mouth. I should add more. No, maybe that's enough.
Finally, Jess laughed and said, "Well, I knew you'd struggle with that one."
"I'm sure it will get better" and then I nervously laughed asked, "Have you talked to Jamie?" Where do I get this stuff? I need to watch more Oprah or something.
"Sure, I've talked to him. He's useless, uninterested, and doesn't take me seriously. One of us needs a wake up call."
"Maybe you could try counseling?" I'm amazing at this. My confidence is growing with this font of emotional intelligence spewing from my pie hole. Holy crap. Kill me.
"I've suggested it," Jess said. He laughed at me and said, "No freaking way, but you can go."
"Maybe that's a good idea?"
"Yeah, I tried it," Jess said, "and it was one-sided and difficult to solve without a partner to solve with. I don't think I want a divorce but an extended vacation wouldn't be out of the question."
"Trial separation? Maybe that's his wake up call."
"Yeah, maybe."
By this time we were both struggling and it was getting late (for me). She said she was going to try to satisfy herself and get some sleep. I was appropriately shocked and embarrassed and chose to ignore her comment.
We agreed to meet for breakfast at the local pastry shop with the kids and then head back to the beach for the morning. The normal schedule had us at the pool in the afternoon.
Jess, her two girls, and I met the next day around 9am and enjoyed breakfast outside. It was going to be another beautiful day. We headed back to the condo, through the "portal" and out to the beach. Gathered chairs and began to settle in for the morning. This is when there was a change.
Jess took off her beach cover up with her back to me. This was not a bikini I had seen before and I was dumbstruck as usual.
Now, it wasn't a thong or grossly inappropriate, but, my goodness, it was awfully close. It was one of those bikinis that pull pretty far into your butt cheeks but still has enough material to not be a thong. For sure she had not worn that prior to this day. It was a medium orange color that looks great on a tan and when she turned around she for sure caught me staring before I looked down or away.
The second thing I noticed about the bikini as I stealthily (only from my perspective I assume) studied her in her prone position throughout the morning was that it seemed thinner than normal. It wasn't translucent or anything, but don't most women's bathing suits have pads and such to hide stuff? It wasn't cold outside by any measure (it's almost always low 80's and sunny in Turks) but I was definitely seeing her right nipple. The other one appeared to be depressed.
Obviously I was enthralled because Jess said, "Enjoying the view?"
"Huh?" I stuttered while I tried to come up with a reason for staring at her.
She said, "It's such a beautiful day."
"Oh, yeah, it is." I was so relieved. I wasn't caught. I resolved to keep my mind out of the gutter.
"Talked to Jamie this morning," Jess said.
"Great. Hope it went well." My witty banter is improving, I thought.
"Bought the same, really. I'm thinking of having an affair."
"WHAT THE FUCK?" Oops, I thought.
Jess laughed hysterically, and said, "That was fun."
"Are you serious?"
"I don't know, but maybe. There's this guy I see at our swim-tennis club that I fantasize about."
Crap, I'm uncomfortable again. "Single? Married? Have you guys... done anything?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that. Can't be sure he's interested but I'd sure like to find out."
I blurt, "Well, it sure looks like you've got all the equipment you need to figure that out!" I don't ever say things like this. This is ridiculous. I need to play more golf.
