CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. Jill looked up as the kitchen door opened, surprised to find Arlene in the doorway

Jill looked up as the kitchen door opened, surprised to find Arlene in the doorway. She closed the lid on the pot as she glanced at her mother-in-law, wondering at her unannounced visit.

" Hello, " Jill said. " Usually it's only Angie and Craig who don't bother to knock when they come in that door, " she said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

Arlene ignored her comment as she walked into the room. " Dinner? "

Jill nodded. " Soup."

" To hear Angie tell it, you seldom cook dinner."

Jill frowned. " I cook dinner every night. Well, every night that someone's here to eat it." She moved away. " Which is not often, " she added.

" Yes, well, I'm wondering if you have a minute to visit, " Arlene said.

'Visit? "

" Yes. I'm worried about you. About you and Craig."

" What in the world for? "

Arlene clasped her hands together then released them. She shook her head slowly before answering.

" He tells me something's wrong. He says it's been... well, it's been awhile since you've... well, since you've been intimate. I know that part of your marriage is none of my business but—"

" You're right. It's none of your business, " Jill said as she walked to the door. She held it open. " It's absolutely none of your business."

" My son is my business."

" Well my sex life is not."

" Jill, you're like a daughter to me, you know that, right? "

Jill barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She could not, however, resist a sarcastic laugh. " Sure, Arlene."

" Of course you are. And if you're having some issues now, some problems, I'm here for you."

" Issues? "

Arlene took a step closer, her voice low. " If you're seeing another man, it's only fair that you let Craig know."

Jill took a deep breath, hating the fact that her heart was pounding nervously. " Arlene, as you said, this is none of your business. But rest assured, there's not another man involved."

" Then what is it? "

Jill glanced to the ceiling then closed her eyes. " I'm not having this discussion with you. If Craig has questions, he can ask me. But I refuse to go through you." She opened the door wider. " Now, if there's nothing else."

Arlene walked past her to leave but paused at the door. " You best be careful, " she said quietly. " A man like Craig may find he's wanted elsewhere. What you won't give him, someone else will."

She turned and walked away before Jill could reply. She stood there, watching her mother-in-law as she moved down the driveway. She finally went back into the kitchen, lifting the lid and stirring the soup without thought, wondering what in the world she was going to do.

She couldn't go on like this for long. Craig would demand answers. Answers she wasn't prepared to give.

In fact, she and Carrie hadn't spoken at all about their lives, their husbands, their families. What in the world were they going to do?