Jailbreak

So with plans made, everyone was looking forward to the trip.

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The week of Thanksgiving, Matt was staying with Mary, and her parents were going to host the Thanksgiving dinner. Mr. Stevens, Mary's dad, called Jason to try to get him to come, but he declined, saying it would be too awkward. He was planning to fly to Nashville, where his parents were RV-ing for the week and visit with them.

Mary even tried to persuade him to come, but he said he just couldn't. He thanked her for the kind offer but thought it was best if he stayed away.

Upon his return from Nashville, the kids had dinner with him and told him how much they missed him at Thanksgiving. They also told him he should have come. Mary had been on her best behavior. Matt said her counselor seemed to really be helping her. Sheila watched her father as he processed that information, wondering if he was picking up that Mary might like for him to come back.

Jason smiled and nodded and was glad they had a good holiday.

Sheila didn't miss her father's lack of enthusiasm.

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Chapter 7 - Casing the joint

It had been a busy Monday and Tuesday morning for Jason. His clients were happy, but he had a lot of paperwork to do as a result. He was looking forward to arriving in Knoxville and spending time with Matt.

It was likely that Grace would stay with her mom or other family members while she went to school, so finding a place to live wasn't as critical. Given the state of most UT dorms, old and tiny, she didn't want to live in a dorm. Leanne scoffed at that because it was what she did.

Matt didn't have the luxury of living with a family member, nor did he want to. He was looking forward to getting out on his own. Even if being on his own meant that his parents would be paying for where he lived.

When Jason arrived at the airport, Matt was there to meet him along with Grace. He wondered if those two were ever not together. It was Myriam that drove them to pick him up, and she gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek upon seeing him, which was nice.

He got an even bigger surprise as he picked up his luggage and heard, "Hi, Daddy. Surprise!"

"Sheila! What are you doing here?" He pulled her in for a big hug.

"I needed a break. I worked my butt off this last semester, and a few days in Knoxville sounded a lot nicer than cold Pittsburgh."

He knew all about that. After over two decades in Pittsburgh, he often felt the same way.

Sheila was sleeping at Leanne's parents' house, along with Leanne and Grace. Matt had slept at Myriam and William's house the previous three nights. With Jason in town, he would share a hotel room with his dad.

Everyone enjoyed being together on Wednesday and Thursday, but those days really were not that successful in finding a place for Matt. They took one look at the dorms, with no guarantee of exactly which dorm in which Matt would be placed, and quickly went looking at apartments. Those were disappointing also, but not because they weren't nice. Many were. The nicest ones near campus were very expensive, and as expected, were occupied mostly by students, not all of whom would have good and quiet study habits for which Matt was hoping.

With his AP credits, Matt would probably finish in less than the five years that an architecture degree normally takes, and Jason did the quick math of $1400 per month for five years and came up with nearly $80,000 for the cost of an apartment near campus. Damn. That would be quite the down payment on a house, which gave him an idea.

At dinner that evening, Jason talked with Myriam and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. McClane, about Knoxville traffic and desirable versus less desirable areas to live. They knew a couple of good realtors should Jason decide to go that route. He really enjoyed the homecooked southern meals that Mrs. McClane and her girls cooked for everyone.

On Friday morning, everyone was excited to go together to see the Biltmore House. The McClanes let the group borrow their Toyota Highlander to shuttle everyone over to Asheville. Their rooms were at the Village Hotel on the Biltmore estate. Originally, he booked three double rooms, because he was expecting only six people to make the trip. With Sheila along, he needed an extra room, unless he wanted someone to sleep on a fold out bed, which he didn't.

With the extra room secured, Leanne and Myriam would share a room, and so would Grace and Sheila. He let William and Matt, share the third room and he had a room to himself. There were of course other possible combinations, but that seemed to make the most sense...and he was paying.

They had a wonderful day touring the magnificent house, which is comparable to many large European manor homes, but not the larger castles. It is still the largest home in the United States. It is beautiful all year, but especially so when decorated at Christmas. The visit doesn't come cheap, but Jason could afford it.

They had a private guide just for their group. Jason was pleased that during the tour Myriam regularly engaged him in conversation. She had been to Biltmore many times and had season tickets for several years.

He said, "We should have let you give the tour."

Her smile in reply was captivating. Today, she was simply dressed in tight jeans, a fluffy black turtleneck sweater, a jacket, and a beautiful scarf. Jason thought she was gorgeous.

With her hair color so much like Grace's, Jason couldn't help but tell Matt, "If Grace grows up to look like her aunt, her husband is going to be a lucky, lucky man."

Matt agreed.

By the end of their private morning tour, that information had been relayed to Grace, who couldn't help but tell her mom, who told Myriam, who seemed to be watching Jason throughout much of the tour. They enjoyed their barbecue for lunch at the Stable Café, and then set out for an afternoon exploring the rest of the grounds, gardens, and the many overpriced shops. By the end of the day, Jason and Myriam were mostly conversing with each other. Leanne and the others found it amusing.

As the sun was going down, they wanted to view the house lit by candlelight and hear the Christmas Carolers singing. They made a stop at their hotel and changed into their nicer clothes for their dinner reservations and returned to the manor for the evening viewing. Jason suggested Sheila and Matt have a picture taken together to send to their mother. After that, several combinations of pictures were taken, including one of the whole group.

They had reservations in The Dining Room, which was the fancy restaurant at The Inn, which is Biltmore's upscale hotel. When they got off the shuttle, Grace possessively put her arm through Matt's as they entered the hotel to find the restaurant. That brought a chuckle from Leanne who did the same thing with Jason. Myriam latched onto the other arm.

Sheila said, "Come here, William. We're not being left out of this parade."

William flushed at the pretty young lady grabbing his arm but smiled the whole way to their table.

With them dressed up for the evening, they had an elegant and delicious dinner a little later than normal. At their round table, covered in white linen, Jason had Myriam on one side and Sheila on the other. By the time they finished, it was after 10:30 pm and the staff was beginning to wrap up for the evening.

It was a little too far to walk in the cool evening at night from the restaurant back to their hotel, so they took the shuttle. Jason allowed everyone to get off before him, and Myriam made it a point to wait for him.

He asked, "Would I be too forward in asking you to meet me for a drink downstairs after everyone goes up to their room?"

She replied, "I think that's a grand idea. I'll meet you there in a few minutes. Would you order a white Russian for me?"

"I'd be glad to."

Again, that smile. He liked seeing that smile.

He said good night to everyone at the elevators and turned to go to the bar. Myriam ensured that William was settled for the evening with clear instruction not to be wandering the hotel. He rolled his eyes and complained that he had just turned sixteen and knew better than to get into trouble.

Myriam stopped by her room to use the restroom, and on the way out the door told her sister not to wait up. Leanne smiled and replied, "Go get him, girl."

She intended to. She and Leanne had conversed quite a bit about Jason since their summer hike in the Smokies. Leanne had told Myriam that he would be a good fit and a good catch for her.

Jason had been watching the elevators for her, feeling silly and insecure at the same time. While he had been out with Leanne, in the presence of Matt and Grace, several times, this was the first time he had an interest in another woman since the warden. And he was very interested in Myriam.

As he saw her approach, he couldn't help but smile. While not a gown, she was wearing a long, green velvet dress which was perfect for the holiday season, and it accentuated her lithe figure flawlessly. It also drew attention to her beautiful red hair.

She said, "Seeing you smile like that is the nicest compliment I've received in a long time."

He replied, "That is a shame, because you should be complimented often, and I've enjoyed seeing your smile during the day today."

They found a couch on which to sit, and now that they were alone, they could fill in a lot of the holes about their background. He told her about his production planning consulting business. She was a pharmacy manager for a Knoxville hospital system.

She knew a little about his marriage and 'the warden,' and he told her a little more. The divorce was still grinding its way through the court system because Pennsylvania is a notoriously slow state for divorces, even non-contested ones. She told him about her ex, William's father, who was a surgeon that had a habit of 'playing doctor' with his nurses, and he now lived in Atlanta.

He ordered another Old Fashioned for himself and a white Russian for her. Finally, approaching midnight, when they were the last two customers in the place and only the bartender was remaining, he returned their glasses so the bartender could leave.

They remained on their couch enjoying their conversation and being in the presence of each other.

She asked about his business, "Given that you don't have an official office building, I guess that means you could live anywhere."

"I guess I could."

She smiled at his reply.

Nearing 12:30 am, they decided to call it a night. Once in the elevator, Jason told her, "Myriam, I usually feel awkward giving compliments, so I hope you'll take this the right way. Between your gorgeous hair, adorable, kissable freckles, and mouthwatering lips, I do believe you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I'm achingly attracted to you, and I hope you will allow me to visit you and take you to dinner sometime."

"I enjoyed the way you said that, and yes, I hope you will take me to dinner again. However, I do have to question your judgment regarding 'most beautiful.' I guess that means you've never been to a beach in Miami."

Jason looked at her seriously and said, "It has been about 10 years, but yes I have. About eighteen months ago, I was on a beautiful beach in Italy, also. And I still stand by my statement."

She smiled at him, again. "I wouldn't say this to just any man, but I will tell you that flattery will get YOU everywhere."

He had to smile back, "As attracted as I am to you, and if you knew how long it had been since I've been intimate with someone that I cared about, you would not say that to me."

"Maybe I would or maybe I wouldn't. It has been years for me."

He leaned in and kissed her, and the elevator dinged for her floor. Neither of them acknowledged the ding but continued their kissing. Soon their tongues were delightfully dancing with each other, and her perfume and the kissing had awoken a portion of him below the belt, and she noticed. She pulled him in tighter for a moment and then broke the kiss.

She whispered, "Please don't ask me to join you in your room. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to say 'no."

He kissed her on the cheek. "I really want you to say 'yes.' But what I think I want even more is for you to continue saying 'yes' in response to my asking you to dinner or to keep seeing me. If being reluctantly reserved tonight means a better chance for tomorrow, then just know how 'hard' it is for me to let you go tonight."

She laughed. "Yes, I can feel how hard it is for you, and that isn't helping me to say 'no.' You had better call me. I'll be extremely disappointed if you don't."

"I have no plans for disappointing you."

"Goodnight, Jason. Thank you for this trip. I've enjoyed it and getting to know you."

"Any time, Myriam."

"Careful. I may take you up on that." She opened the doors to the elevator which still hadn't moved.

He laughed, "It will be my turn to be disappointed if you don't."

She smiled and replied, "Touché," as she walked out of the elevator and towards her room.

Unfortunately, Jason now had a date with his hand.

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After breakfast, they drove back to Knoxville. Even though everyone could see the little glances and touches between Jason and Myriam, they were trying hard not to be overly obvious, and mostly failing.

Grace and Leanne liked the idea of Myriam and Jason as a couple. They thought he could make Myriam happy. While Sheila and Matt were not against it, they had the feeling that their mom might not be so pleased.

Early Sunday morning, everyone was at Leanne and Myriam's parents' house to say goodbye. The Pierce's thanked everyone for their hospitality, and Jason was thanked for the trip to Biltmore. Apparently, something had been mentioned to Mr. McClane, because the look he gave Jason upon shaking hands when saying goodbye, was a much more studious look than he had given previously.

Leanne drove the kids away, and Myriam drove Jason to the airport. At security, they hugged and kissed each other wondering if something was really starting between them. They both hoped so.

"I'm going to miss you, Myriam. You've gotten under my skin in a short period of time."

"I and Knoxville would love to have you. While you are there shivering and shoveling your driveway this winter, there is someone warm wanting to see you here."

"You really know what to say to a guy, don't you? That makes me not want to go."

"Good, but since you have to go, I hope it will help you to come back."

"It does, and I will."

A final quick kiss and he was into the TSA line.

With no direct flight available, he only beat the other travelers home by an hour. Matt and Sheila had the next week off, but Jason had work he needed to do. He found himself constantly distracted by thinking about Myriam.

He found her a beautiful scarf and sent it to her for Christmas. She sent him a pair of hiking boots and told him to start breaking them in.

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Chapter 8 - The Warden wants to cop a plea

For Christmas with his family, Jason stayed at his new home and celebrated Christmas morning with Sheila and Matt. Then he encouraged them to spend the rest of the day, and most of the next several with their grandparents and their mom, especially since Matt would be leaving town sometime next year. As Jason had told Leanne, now that he wasn't under Mary's thumb, he was in a good place.

Once again, Mr. Stevens invited Jason to attend a holiday dinner, and once again, he politely declined, replying that everyone needed to get used to the separation, at least for now. He wondered how it would have been if he did go. He could just see him showing up with presents for his ex-in-laws, but not for his ex-wife. What exactly is the protocol for that? He missed them but being around Mary didn't seem like a good idea.

Mary had other ideas.

Sheila did him the courtesy of preparing him for the ambush. Between Christmas and New Year's, Matt and Grace were at the Phipps Conservatory, Holiday Flower and Light show, and Sheila was visiting with Jason early one evening when the doorbell rang.

Sheila said, "I think that's my cue to leave."

Jason replied, "Don't go too far. One of us is likely to need you." Then he chuckled and said, "Or maybe both of us."

"Be nice, Dad."

"You know I will."

Jason got up to pour his soon to be ex-wife a big glass of wine that he knew she would want for the upcoming discussion. He could hear Mary and Sheila whispering near the front door. He got himself a couple of beers, figuring it would be at least a two-beer conversation.

When Mary entered the kitchen area, Jason extended the goblet of wine towards her.

She asked, "You knew I was coming?"

"I did."

With a smile, Mary said, "the little traitor."

"Be glad she gave me a heads up. If she hadn't, I might not have been so welcoming."

"Oh." She knew she was going to have her work cut out for her.

She saw the two bottles of beer, one open, and tried to withhold her normal reaction. Jason said, "that's improvement right there. There was a time not long ago when you would have sneered at the second bottle and told me I was going to get fat or become a drunkard."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I did bite my tongue this time. I am trying."

"I believe you."

They both sat in the living room awaiting the discussion to start. It was her show, so Jason sat and sipped his beer while looking at Mary expectantly. She sipped her wine and gauged him.

She asked, "Have you lost weight? You look good." She was delaying.

He snickered a little and replied, "No. Still the same. You look nice, too, but you always do."

"Thank you. I've been trying to hit the gym more and burn through some frustrations, mostly self-inflicted."

Jason just slowly nodded his head.

More moments of silence passed, and Mary said, "Jason, I'm sorry. I was a controlling, hateful bitch who made your life miserable. You didn't deserve it, and I wish I could undo all of it. I know I took you for granted, and I hate that I hurt you. I didn't mean to."

"Objection, Counselor. You need to restate that last sentence. It isn't that you didn't mean to hurt me. For the last three or so years of our marriage, you simply didn't care."

"I know. I was ashamed to admit it."

"I understand you've been talking to someone to try and help you figure some of this out. I'm very, very glad that you are. Have you learned anything that will help you?"

Mary said, "Well, my therapist has been brutal in her assessment of my behavior. I don't have OCD, but I do seem to overstress on being in control of everything." Then in a lower voice, she said, "and everyone. That has aided me in my professional life but not in my personal life."

"Hmmm. I would say that is a good start. Next, the two of you get to explore your sarcastic comebacks to any genuine comments; your making mountains out of molehills; your being dismissive of any and all advice from others who love you versus the sharks you swim with; your wild moods swings; your refusal to speak to your husband for weeks though often months at a time; and most importantly, why your family just didn't really matter to you for long stretches of time."

She scoffed, "Don't hold back, temporary husband of mine. Tell me how you REALLY feel. I AM trying. Honestly. I think I'm getting better, though clearly, I have a long way to go."

Jason sipped his beer again, waiting for her to tell him the real reason she came.

"Uh, Jason. I can tell you're still upset with me, but I would like us to work towards your forgiving me, and you giving our marriage another chance. I love you. I miss you, and I need you in my life."

"So, the woman who hopped into another man's bed the same week as the divorce papers arrived, misses me now?"