Wedding Bells, Part 2

The next week passed with little excitement. Jase worked until 6:00 p.m. each evening and then he and Amanda spent the evenings quietly together. It had become an uneventful ritual until that following Monday morning. Amanda was sitting in the kitchen when she heard the front door open.

She listened as the footsteps quickened and a little terrier poked his head around the corner and began to bark at her. Before Amanda could slip from the chair, a woman's voice bellowed out, "who are you?" Amanda was suddenly aware that she hadn't yet dressed and was standing in her nightgown in front of a complete stranger.

"I might ask the same of you," she responded as she reached into the side closet to throw a sweater over her nightgown. "How did you get into this house?"

"I have a key." The pale, cool blonde gave Amanda the once over, trying to make her as uncomfortable as she could. "How did you get in here?"

"I live here. I'm Jase's wife." With that Amanda reached for the key the woman held in her hand. "I believe that belongs to me."

The woman snatched her hand back, preventing Amanda from retrieving the item. "Try again. I happen to know Jase doesn't have a wife."

"I'm afraid he does." Amanda huffed, pulling the sweater tighter around her thin body. "We were married last week. Now tell me what you are doing here before I call the police."

"I work with Jase. I think he would have mentioned the fact he was married. The woman walked to the back door letting the terrier out in the yard. Then she turned to gaze coldly at Amanda once again.

"By all means call the police. I can't wait for you to explain all of this to them." With that she poured herself a cup of coffee as if she belonged where she stood.

As Amanda picked up the phone to call Jase, she couldn't help but wonder why he had not mentioned his marriage at work. Was he ashamed of her? Was there some reason he didn't want his coworkers to know that he'd gotten married?"

"Jase, thank goodness. There is a woman here. . ." She stopped mid sentence realizing that she hadn't gotten the woman's name.

"It's Jennifer," the blonde snapped. Then she pulled out another chair to prop up her feet. "Not that I really think you are talking to Jase."

"There is a Jennifer here," Amanda continued. "She says she works with you but that you haven't mentioned our marriage to anyone there. She let herself into our house with a key that you apparently gave her."

Jennifer could make out a male voice on the other end of the phone. Still she was surprised to discover it was Jase's voice when Amanda finally handed her the phone.

"Yes, Jase, I understand. I am sorry for the confusion. I'll be back in the office shortly."

Anger filled her countenance as Jennifer threw the phone onto the table. "It seems you were telling the truth." She spit out the sentence as if it were poison. With that, she handed the key over to Amanda.

"If I were you; however, I would wonder why it is that your husband hasn't told anyone of your existence. I find that quite interesting myself."

"Get out of here now," Amanda stammered, her Irish/Native American temper just about to the blow. "My husband is none of your business." After Jennifer grabbed her dog and left, Amanda slammed the door behind her. The sound puncuated the air with a sense of finality.

Furious at the events of the morning, Amanda headed to the shower. She intended to clean up and go to confront Jase at his office. She was determined that before the day was out there would be no doubt in anyone's mind that Jase Marstin was married.

Amanda took time to carefully apply her makeup and do her hair the way Jase liked it best. She chose her clothing wisely so as to paint herself in the best possible light. As she pulled them on, she heard a strange rustling sound and turned to find Jase's best friend Michael watching her.

"That is the second time today someone has just let themselves into my home. I thought we agreed, Michael, that you were going to knock before entering. I know you are doing construction work here but . . . ."

Michael cut her off mid sentence. "I did knock. I also rang the bell several times. I even called. There was no answer so I assumed you weren't home. I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to startle you."

"Was it your intention to get a free peep show?" Amanda couldn't let the matter go despite the fact she knew he was likely telling the truth. He had probably tried to contact her while she was in the shower.

"Of course not, Amanda. I'd say I'm sorry but I don't think you'd believe me anyway." With that he walked down the hall to the continue his work on Jase's new office.

Tears now streaming down her face, Amanda crumpled to the ground in frustration. Something wasn't right with the whole situation, including her marriage. She felt it deep down inside. Unfortunately, she had no clue what it was.

Take part in building this story. It is now open for suggestions on how to continue the plot. Just post them in the comment section below.

Many thanks to Michele Starkey for adding her ideas to the story in the italicized paragraphs above. Great job, Michele!