Jennifer sat trying to read a magazine on the flight, but to no avail, she just couldn’t concentrate. As she looked around her surroundings yet more happy memories came flooding back, the trips they’d taken on this plane, the first time they’d joined the mile high club. Once again tears threatened but she held them off. She didn’t want a tear stained face when she met her father. He knew something was wrong, but she hadn’t expanded as to what the problem was. She wasn’t sure whether she would either. Somehow, in the back of her mind, she felt like a failure, like it was her fault Jonathan had strayed. She wished she had her mother around to talk to. She had female friends, but no one who knew everything about her. Well she did have one friend from whom she had no secrets – Jonathan. God they shared everything, she let out a ‘humph’. Perhaps this was one thing they shouldn’t have shared.
She sat pondering that question for the remainder of the journey. Would she rather not have known? The impact of what he’d done though had meant Jonathan couldn’t keep it to himself, she supposed she was glad about that. Something still bothered her though. He’d admitted his infidelity, she’d had it from the horses mouth, but she always believed she know if he was having an affair. Okay, it wasn’t an affair and he had changed after the encounter, but still it hadn’t crossed her mind that him being unfaithful was at the route of the change.
"Pa," she cried as she threw her arms around her waiting father.
He hugged her tightly to him. "It’s good to have you home, sweetheart." He still referred to Maryland as her home despite her not having lived there for over fifteen years. It always amused Jennifer. She’d said she’d be alone on this visit and it had surprised Stephen. She and Jonathan were inseparable except when work interfered, but he knew she’d left Jonathan in LA this time. He could hear the depression in her voice when she’d called last night but wasn’t going to pursue it, she’d tell him when she was ready.
"How long do I have the pleasure of your company?"
"I’m not sure yet pa. Let’s take it a day at a time shall we."
"You stay as long as you like. I’m just pleased to have you here."
"Thanks."
"I’ll get it Max," said Jonathan walking towards the ringing telephone. "Hello."
"Jonathan, its Jennifer."
His heart still fluttered at the sound of her voice despite the coolness.
"Hi." Conversation had never been a problem before now, but there was an air of hesitation from both ends.
"I just thought I’d better let you know I’ve arrived at dads."
"Thank you."
"How’s Freeway?"
Jonathan looked down at the amiable dog.
"Missing you." He hesitated, "so do I."
Jennifer sighed deeply. "Mmm. I have to go."
"Will you call tomorrow?"
"I don’t know."
"Okay, bye."
Jonathan waited until he heard the click of the phone being put down before he followed suit.
"I miss you too," whispered Jennifer to herself.
Jonathan sat silently eating the meal Max had prepared. He wasn’t really that hungry but Max had made the effort, and so would he.
Max had joined him for dinner, foregoing his poker evening. There wasn’t a lot of conversation that night and what there was, was stilted, but he was glad he stayed in.
Jonathan had decided to go in to work the next day. He hoped at least something there would help occupy his mind. Entering their bedroom, he shut the door silently behind him. He wandered thorough the dressing room picking and stiffing a number of Jennifers perfumes on the way through. He noted his particular favourite was missing.
Changing into his pyjamas he climbed into bed. It was as close as he could feel to Jennifer as he pulled her pillow into his arms and smelled it for her aroma. Once she came home, he had to think positively that she would, he would move in to the guesthouse until she was happy for him to be around. He drifted off to sleep clutching the pillow as tightly as he could.
Jennifer groaned out loudly and woke herself up. Her body was slick with dampness, as were other parts of her anatomy. Jonathan as per usual was invading her dreams. Thankfully, they were dreams, and erotic ones at that, not nightmares. She was grateful in a way that he could still have that sort of effect on her. Despite everything, she missed his touches and caresses. She didn’t know whether she’d be able to let him touch her intimately ever again, and that hurt a lot. Never before had she had the feelings she had for Jonathan, and she knew she’d never feel like that about anyone else. Max had been right at the airport, he’d reiterated what she already knew, they were made for each other. So why had he betrayed her? She still couldn’t get her head around it.
Jonathan left for work early the following morning. He still hadn’t slept well and each morning he hoped it had just been a bad dream. Finding Jennifer not lying in his arms as he awoke he sighed heavily. If it was a nightmare it was going on too bloody long!
Jonathan locked himself away in his office for the most part of the day. He hoped Jennifer would call him at some stage, but didn’t hold out much hope.
By locking himself away he hoped to avoid any questions about her. She was well liked by all Hart employees. He was too, but opinion of him would plummet if this got out.
Rachel knocked quietly on the door.
"Come." Came Jonathans voice from the other side.
"I’ve brought you a coffee Mr Hart."
"Thanks. It’s just what I need."
Rachel stood silently shuffling some papers for filing as she watched Jonathan consumed the drugged coffee. As she saw his eyes close, she closed the door to his office so as not to be disturbed. Walking swiftly back to the chair she pushed his body back into it.
"Jonathan, Jonathan," she whispered into his ear.
"Mmmm," replied Jonathan rousing from his comatose state.
She stood in front of him making eye contact, the way she had been shown by her father.
"Jonathan, do you hear me."
Jonathan nodded.
"Jonathan, why didn’t you come to work yesterday?"
"My wife left me," he replied in a monotone voice.
"Why did she leave you Jonathan?"
"I slept with someone else."
Good Rachel thought to herself, his subconscious still held the memory she implanted there.
"Who did you tell?"
"Just Jennifer."
"Okay. Jonathan when I click my fingers, you will forget the conversation we’ve just had. You will remember and believe you have been unfaithful to Jennifer though."
With that Rachel resumed her position at the front of Jonathans desk and clicked her fingers.
"Will that be all then?"
Jonthan looked at Rachel and shook his head as if his mind had gone blank.
"Sorry, yes, that’s fine."
"Right. I’ll see you in the morning."
"Well?" Sally jumped from her armchair as she heard her sister open the front door.
Rachel grinned.
"He still believes doesn’t he."
Rachel nodded. "Oh he believes alright. In fact his wifes left him."
"So, when do we send the note?"
"Day after tomorrow. You can deliver it to the house after he’s left for the office."
Jennifer didn’t phone that night, or the next. Jonathan was desperate just to hear her voice but was adhering to her wishes. He’d picked up the phone a number of times and dialled the first few numbers but always hung up. He knew she was okay though. She had phoned during the day and spoken to Max. Max just relayed the message that she wasn’t ready to speak to Jonathan yet.
Stephen Edwards watched as his adored daughter sat silently by the lake. She’d managed polite conversation since she’d been there, but he was still no nearer finding out what the problem was between her and Jonathan. He wandered down to join her.
"Penny for them," he said sitting beside her.
"Huh." Jennifer came out of her trance like state.
He smiled at her and put his arm around her, Jennifer leaned her head to the side against her fathers shoulder.
"I can’t talk about it," she said despondently.
"That’s okay. But I’m not the one you should be discussing this with anyway. I can be a sounding board for you Jennifer and I’m here for you if you need me. I’ll be here for you whatever you decide to do at the end of this."
Jennifer knew what he was hinting at. If she decided to leave Jonathan, she’d always have a home in Maryland. She wasn’t prepared to give up on her marriage yet. Her heart was still like an open wound though and she needed time.
"Thanks dad," she responded quietly.
"Did she call?" asked Jonathan as he entered the kitchen. It was the same question he’d asked Max each night as he came through the door.
"Yeah, she called."
"Oh." Jonathan knew if she’d called during the day, then she probably wouldn’t be calling later.
"She’ll talk to you when she’s ready Mr H."
"I know Max, but we’ve never gone so much as a day without talking to each other before."
"If it’s any consolation, she does ask after you."
Jonathan allowed himself a slight smile at that last comment.
"This was hand delivered for you today," said Max handing Jonathan an envelope.
"Thanks."
Jonathan sat at the kitchen table and opened the letter. There was silence in the room as he read.
"Oh Jesus," were the only words muttered as he finished.
"Mr H!"
Jonathan stood.
"Max, call the airport and get the Hart jet ready. I have to see Jennifer."
"Mr H. Are you sure that’s a good idea? You know she doesn’t want to speak to you yet."
"I know Max, I know. But this can’t wait. If she calls please don’t let her know I’m coming. I can’t afford to miss her."
Jonathan packed a few items then headed out of the door to the airport.
