Jenny couldn’t help but feel a small bit of anger at the strawberry-blonde casually chatting with her husband next to the pool across the plush yard. She really did not want to go, but Bill insisted, especially after the kids got excited upon hearing about another opportunity to go splashing and carousing with the Turner children and their wonderful home.
A new tug on her patience shot though her hearing another of Betty-Jo’s irritating titters cut the air in response to another of Bill’s corny jokes drawing laughs from the people around him. Gosh, just a moment to pull him from her conniving paws, can’t he see she’s trying to work her way between us!
The plastic cup in her hand creaked a bit, unintentional but her state of mind fighting to maintain control of her emotions. Jenny took a brief look away from the scene thinking how silly she was being for thinking that Bill would even consider this woman, her temping figure and full lips as alluring as a black widow spider tempting a new male to—
“What am I thinking here,” she muttered looking back at the group. Wouldn’t you know it, Betty-Jo was gazing back at her, that flash of perfectly white teeth sparkling beneath the mid-day light. The witch gave her a small wave almost as if she were attempting to invite her over and join them in their conversation. Why couldn’t she poach someone else’s husband. The Lord knows many a man here would jump at a chance to dance in those fields.
She held faith in her husband though, a timid wave in reply then a gesture in the direction of the bar with her cup gained a thoughtful nod from her.
Jenny turned away, but knew she would have to deal with this threat eventually. Despite her hopes, she could only feel a burning ire in her chest that could only be smothered by the need for some direct offline action.
But not here…
There could be better moments, but opportunity has a way of not falling in step with your plans, thought Betty-Jo looking over the fine specimen of a male casually chatting with the group of people at this middle-class gathering making merry around her.
She so wanted to separate herself from these people, well that is all but Bill, masculine Bill, a man so caught up in marriage that he could not see offerings lay before him. His firm looking biceps, dark brown hair, thick mustache, a towering mass of manhood standing before her.
Yet every other line was Jenny this or Jenny that. What can she see in that plain-Jane of a wife? I’m sure she doesn’t ‘entice’ him in the bedroom like she could. Playfulness, that’s what she would show him, no loss of the fire there or between them, no.
He was deep in something the others around them found humorous, her laugh added to the others though she did not hear what it was that drew their responses. She wondered about Jenny, wondered how deep her love for Bill was. Sure, there were the two boys a strong indicator of commitment and devotion, but did she still hold the passions that drew them together?
Bill’s eyes caught Her’s, and she gave him a wide smile, a light toss of her reddish hair inviting him to explore more that she could offer. Instead, he smiled back then continued looking around and she knew he was not aware of the silent invitation offered to him.
Jenny again, darn it all.
Past him, Betty-Jo could see her standing off clutching a drink in her hand. Best to give the impression of a friendly ally, but Jenny had turned away looking at something out of view. Bill had not noticed, and she wasn’t about to give him a pointer. Instead, she maintained her gaze upon his wife waiting until the woman turned back around.
She did and their eyes met. Without pause, Betty-Jo flashed her trademark smile at the Jenny, waving for her to join them. A hollow gesture to be sure, but if it gained her points with Bill worth the effort.
Something was off with Jenny, a tension that seemed to cut the air then it faded. Jenny raised her drink gesturing towards the bar and Betty-Jo understood watching her head across the lawn. That odd feeling returned something about the way she walked, determined steps more pronounced than she remembered, almost cat-like.
Could she suspect something?
Bill’s gentle call broke her from her thoughts, grinning once more as she looked back up at him.
He deserves better, thought Jenny continuing her small talk with Bill.
