Something New (9781101612262) by Thomas Janis

Author:Thomas, Janis [Thomas, Janis]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781101612262
Publisher: Penguin USA
Published: 2012-11-05T22:00:00+00:00

• Fifteen •

When the key turns in the lock at eleven fifteen, I’m on the couch, Sally at my feet, staring blindly at the big-screen TV, which is playing an old Adam Sandler movie I’ve never seen. I have absolutely no idea what’s going on because my brain has been busy processing the evening, reliving and dissecting every moment from when I first laid eyes on Ben as he listened to the street performer to watching him slowly retreat from my car.

Connor, Matthew, and Jessie appear at the archway into the living room, trailed by Jonah. My three children look tired yet energized by their evening out.

“Okay, guys, kiss Mom, and then straight to bed. It’s late.”

One by one, they come over to me and give me kisses. Jessie’s eyes are already at half mast and I know she will be asleep within seconds of hitting her pillow. Matthew yawns right in the middle of kissing me, and I am treated to a sample of his ten-year-old pre-tooth-brushing breath. Connor bends over and gives me a hug, then kisses my forehead.

“How was it?” I ask.

“Awesome!” Connor exclaims.

“Totally,” Matthew chimes in.

“Those guys are really silly,” Jessie says with a giggle.

“You can give me all the details tomorrow,” I say. “Right now, get some sleep.” I pat Matthew on the behind as he turns away from me. “You’ve got a game in the morning, partner.”

“I know,” he returns in a weary voice.

Connor lingers as Jessie and Matthew make their way to the stairs.

“Thanks for letting me go,” he whispers. I smile and ruffle his hair, then nudge him toward his siblings.

“Teeth,” I order, watching the three of them as they trudge up the stairs.

“Yes, Mom,” they say in unison. Jonah remains in the archway, also following their ascent with his eyes, then steps into the living room and heads in my direction. He glances at the TV, then squints at me.

“I thought you hated Adam Sandler.”

“I liked Wedding Singer,” I point out.

“This is Happy Gilmore.”

“Right,” I reply. “It’s not too bad.”

He perches next to me on the arm of the sofa as I grab the remote and pause the movie.

“The kids loved it, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. We had great seats. Three rows back, center. We missed you.”

“I missed you guys, too.” Liar, liar, pants on fire.

“Did you get the honey for Mom?”

“Yeah, it’s in the kitchen.”

“Great, thanks. So, you had a nice evening to yourself?”

“Mmm-hmm.” I can’t bring myself to look my husband in the eye, even though I have decided, after careful consideration, that I have nothing to feel guilty about. Ben and I behaved innocently, despite what might have gone through either of our minds. Despite what went through my mind. If there was a definite attraction between us, and at this point that is no longer an if, we resisted, ignored, and suppressed it, just like two honorable, respectable, moral people should.

So he kissed my hand, I tell myself for the tenth time. It’s not like he fondled my clitoris in the back of Starbucks.

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