Incest/Taboo Ask Me Why

Jack went silent as he considered the situation. Once he came to a decision, he looked around. Three women were intently staring at him. "Okay," was all he said.

Three females squealed in delight. Kansas jumped up and rushed to Laura. Jack watched as the two embraced tightly. Laura kissed the girl on her forehead. He glanced at his mother. Tears were running down her cheeks. Jack wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and stood.

"I hate to break up this love fest, but I think we need to get moving. We don't know when, or even if, we'll be getting official visitors," announced Jack. "We need to see your house and decide how this is going to work."

"Of course," agreed Laura. "Why don't you follow me to my house right now so we can determine what we need?"

"Can I ride with Coach... I mean Mom?" asked Kansas.

"Mom?" repeated Jack. "Sure. Why do I have a feeling I've lost control."

"You only have two bedrooms," observed Jack as he looked around Laura's small ranch house. "I don't see how this can work."

"It's simple math," replied Kansas with a devious grin. "Two people share one room and one person gets a room to herself."

"I'm not sharing a room with you, Kansas," stated Jack flatly.

"Of course not!" agreed Kansas. "I'm not your wife. I'm a teenage girl and need my own room. You two are married, so sharing a room shouldn't be an issue."

"We're doing this charade to prove, falsely, that we're a normal family," replied Jack. "Sleeping with Laura goes beyond a charade."

"Sleeping with her, but sleeping only, with her, would still make it a charade," teased Kansas. "Is that so difficult?"

"I'm standing right here," interrupted Laura. "Kansas has to have her own room. Jack, you and I can share my bedroom. I have a queen-sized bed, so you can keep your honor intact. I'll even let you have two drawers and some space in my closet."

Jack and Kansas were moved in before eleven that night. Laura was moved to tears when Kansas asked her a question before going to bed.

"Would it be okay if I called you Mom? If I get in the habit, it'll seem natural if someone comes here to check on us," reasoned Kansas. "If it bothers you, I won't do it."

"Sweetheart, nothing would make me happier," managed Laura as tears formed in her eyes.

"How about at school? What do I call you there?" wondered Kansas.

"I'll still be your mom, so it'll be fine," responded Laura.

"I don't think it would be a good idea," cautioned Jack. "We don't want to suddenly start acting differently. We are trying to sell that we've been a family for some time. If Kansas called you "Coach" last week, I think she should continue to do that."

"Except I'll ride home with Mom after practice and help her make dinner and clean the house," promised Kansas. "I can't wait to be part of a real family."

Jack was tempted to caution Kansas about taking the family thing too far, when Laura caught his eye. She shook her head almost imperceptibly, but Jack caught the meaning.

Laura was in bed watching Jack as he came out of the bathroom and carefully slid under the covers. "You sleep in pajamas now? You always used to sleep naked."

"I'm trying to be a gentleman. It's kind of unnatural to sleep with a beautiful woman and not try to maul her all night. I've had a pair of pajamas I can slip on when I get up ever since Kansas began living with me," explained Jack.

"I won't be calling the police or anything if you accidently wrap an arm around me or squeeze me in the middle of the night," replied Laura. "I know you find me repulsive now, but if you forget who I am in your sleep and act accordingly, I won't complain."

"Thanks, Laura. I doubt it will be a problem," assured Jack as he turned his back and fell asleep in a remarkably short time frame.

Jack was an early riser. His internal clock woke him up at five AM. He was surprised to find he was clutching Laura's left breast and her ass was pushed up against his morning hard on. He noted he was still on his side of the bed, so she must have moved during the night.

Laura stopped at her mother's place the following evening after soccer practice. Kansas walked in the door behind her and faced Brenda. "Your daughter is my mom now. Is it okay if I call you Grandma?"

Brenda had been determined to show Laura and Kansas her disapproval of the entire charade, but her resolve disintegrated when Kansas made her request.

"Of course you can," exclaimed Brenda as she hugged the girl cautiously. "Would you like some milk and cookies? I just made them?"

"So Mom's heart melted already?" joked Kate as she walked into the kitchen and hugged Kansas. "I'm your Aunt Kate and you're my favorite niece, Kansas. We're going to have so much fun!"

"I get a new Grandmother, and an Aunt?" responded Kansas with a huge smile. "I hope we spend more time with all of you. Dad knows Grandma doesn't like him very much, so we'll have to get together when he's working."

"Well, I like your dad plenty," replied Kate. "He's sure a good looking guy. How are he and Sis getting along?"

"Okay, I guess. They spent half an hour working out their bedroom rules. I don't seem to quite have a normal family; at least not yet," added Kansas meaningfully.

"Ah! You think there's a chance?" prodded Kate.

"Well, Dad is a pretty much a red-blooded male. Mom looks like a fashion model, but with more curves, so I don't think he has much of a chance," acknowledged Kansas as Laura blushed fiercely.

"You're not thinking of getting back with Jack permanently, are you?" demanded Brenda. "That's not what this is about, is it?"

"Mom, I stopped in to ask about some of your recipes, not to get a lecture on how to treat my husband and daughter," countered Laura immediately. "I don't know how this will turn out. Jack doesn't like me very much right now, so you can take solace in that."

Jack walked into Laura's house shortly after she and Kansas began dinner. He looked around and then went out the back door with a pad and measuring tape. Once dinner was over, Jack mentioned what was on his mind.

"Laura, I'd like to build an addition on this house. I was thinking we could go out another 26 feet by 14 feet. It would give you a bigger master bedroom with a large master bath and a huge walk-in closet, along with a half bath for guests. Can I show you what I'm thinking?"

"That sounds great, Jack, but I can't afford it, so there's no sense even discussing it. I've struggled with my mortgage a few times, already," replied Laura.

"I'd pay for the addition, if you'll allow it," revealed Jack. "You're making a huge sacrifice for Kansas and me. I'd feel a lot better if you'd let me do it. It would add to your equity and give us a lot more room."

"Is sleeping with me that bad?"asked Laura as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Does looking at me make you ill?"

"No! It's not that. There's no reason for us to be so crowded. We'd still be in the master bedroom, but we'd be a lot more comfortable and we'd have a lot more closet space," stated Jack.

"I'll go along with it if you promise you'll still sleep with me for as long as we live together," demanded Laura. "Take it or leave it."

Jack looked at the set of Laura's jaw and knew she was serious. He glanced at Kansas to find her making a weak attempt at hiding a smirk. Shrugging his shoulders, Jack told the two women, "We have a deal."

The soccer team remained undefeated in league play. As the season was winding down, Jack overheard Laura talking to Kansas about volleyball. By the end of the conversation, Laura had a new recruit for her team.

Jack couldn't help but notice how close Kansas and Laura had become. They joked, shopped, cooked and participated in team sports together. Kansas was as happy as he had ever seen her.

His relationship with Laura was complicated. Laura respected his boundaries and remained friendly without being romantic or pushy. She never had any negative words about the work being done on her house. Jack had moved an excavator on-site the first week he had moved in. Living in a mild climate allowed work to progress through the late fall.

The addition to the house was scheduled to be completed by Christmas. Kansas and Laura were excited about the expansion and how it would give them each a lot more closet space. Kansas was going to move into Laura's old master bedroom. That would give her a private bath and a closet big enough to contain her clothes and accessories.

Jack and Laura often discussed how they would respond to any agency which came to their door asking about Kansas and the family unit. They forged a plan which both solidly supported. As time went on, they began to wonder if anyone was ever going to interview them, or if the entire thing had been vastly overblown in their minds.

The sleeping arrangements remained the same. Neither Laura nor Jack ever came to bed without wearing pajamas. Jack had stopped worrying about waking up with one or both of Laura's breasts in his clutches, or his hard on pressing against her. She never mentioned it, so he decided it wasn't an issue.

One night he was lying in bed thinking about a bid he was going to give on a job when he felt Laura squirm. He was surprised when she reached over and took his hand and placed it on her breast. She released a satisfied sigh and fell back into a deep sleep.

Two days before Thanksgiving, Laura and Kansas returned home from school to find Jack in the driveway in a deep conversation with a blonde woman. They continued to talk as Laura pulled into the garage. Jack came into the house a few minutes later. Kansas was in her room, so Jack approached Laura.

"That was Beth Harding," remarked Jack casually as he watched Laura for her reaction.

Laura tensed up as she bent over the sink. Jack saw her tremble as she squeaked out a question.

"What did she want, Jack? Is she angry? What did she tell you?"

"Her husband, Chuck, has a brain tumor. He's dying and she asked if I'd go visit him," revealed Jack.

"Don't do it! He wants to rub your nose in it! He's trying to hurt you, Jack. Don't let him. Please don't let him," begged Laura.

"I told her I would, even if it was just to watch him die," replied Jack. "I'd love to hear what he has to say."

"He'll tell you I'm a slut. He got in my pants with very little effort. He'll probably try to tell you it was more than the one time you caught us; that I'm a lousy lay and laugh in your face.

"He's evil. It was my fault. I should have known better, but if he was a real man, he never would have pursued a married woman," reasoned Laura.

"Why did you sleep with him, then? You didn't sound like a woman suffering too badly that night," recalled Jack. "In fact, you were saying his name over and over and telling him how good he was. I was crushed. I thought about killing you both, but I decided it was better to simply step out the back door and drive away."

"I don't know why I did it!" sobbed Laura. "He was the big man on campus. He was a senior and I was a sophomore. He was the football star while I was just a wife, a married woman who was off limits to most men, but not to him. He was nice to me. I knew what he wanted and for some goddamn dumb reason thought I could take him for a spin and you'd never know. It was going to be my one fling.

"I ruined my life. I lost something I loved because I was young and stupid. I never blamed you for leaving. When I found your ring on the kitchen table, I knew it was over, that you must have come home and seen me with him. Now I'm living in a hell I created. I love Kansas, but we aren't a family, not really. I can't make it up to you. I know that. We'll never have that love binding us together like families should. It's totally my fault and I live with that knowledge every day."

"Why didn't you tell me you weren't happy, or you wanted to try other men?" asked Jack softly.

"I didn't want to try other men. I just wanted to feel like I was something special for one night. The school stud wanted me! The ironic part is how much smarter I became after you left. You were better looking, kinder, totally devoted to me; a better man in every way that mattered.

"Believe it or not, that was the last time I had sex," stated Laura. "You're still the only man who ever made love to me. I guess I can be thankful for that. I now know the difference between love and sex, and it's huge."

"I don't think I'll ever forget hurrying home from that seminar so we could spend the night making love only to find someone had taken my place," replied Jack with a scowl. "You almost killed me, Laura. I would have given my life for you, and you nearly took it! Saying you're sorry doesn't make up for the pain I've endured for six years."

"I know that, Jack. I really do. I'm not asking you to forgive me. I don't deserve it. You're not the kind of man to overlook the tremendous disrespect I showed you," reasoned Laura. "I've suffered because of my stupidity, too.

"I'm in a sham marriage with a wonderful man and a beautiful daughter. Think how it hurts to know I had it all and I pissed it away. Every time I look at you or Kansas, I'm reminded of how foolish I was. The pain hasn't lessened over time. In fact, it's increased as my love for you and Kansas grows.

"You can't ever love me again and I can't ever truly be Kansas's mother if you don't. I understand that. I just try to enjoy every day we spend together. I know it'll end, and probably soon," acknowledged Laura.

"Every night when we go to bed, I lie there hoping you'll run your hands over me, kiss me, make love to me, but it never happens. You don't have any trouble resisting me," stated Laura sadly. "You simply tolerate me. That's on me. Most men wouldn't resist me so easily, but the one guy I want has no interest. Karma's a bitch."

In early December, Jack stopped at the local hospital and asked for Chuck Harding. He wasn't prepared for what he saw when he entered the man's room. The person on the bed looked like they were lucky to tip the scales at 100 pounds. He looked like a skeleton with skin stretched tightly across it.

"Jack! Thanks for stopping in. If you want to slap me, or even suffocate me, feel free. I deserve it," said the sick man in the way of a greeting.

"I just came by to make sure you know how happy I am that you're fucking dying," revealed Jack. "If you look close, you can see the smile on my face."

"That's one of the reasons I told my wife I wanted to see you. I thought my suffering might make you feel better," admitted the sick man. "It feels good to know I'm making amends, even if I have to die to do it.

"You're talking shit," replied Jack. "Nobody wants to suffer, and nobody wants someone else to enjoy seeing it. What the fuck do you really want?"

"I did you wrong, Jack. I spent most of my life being an asshole. You caught me in bed with your wife, but you didn't kill me like you wanted. I saw the old shotgun propped against the wall when I came downstairs. Laura only saw your ring on the table. To this day, I've never seen a person in as much pain as Laura felt that night.

"I owe you and I got no way to give you payback. My life isn't worth shit. You can see that. The only thing left for me is dying. It's going to happen whether you're here or not. I'm just offering you a chance to watch me die. It might bring you some peace and it won't hurt me in the least," concluded Harding.

"How would your wife feel about that?" asked Jack. "It seems pretty damn macabre to me."

"I told her what I did to you and Laura. She understands how I want to do something to ease my conscience. My dying won't win me forgiveness, but it'll help you feel better, so she accepts it. I would ask that you don't cheer or applaud when the grim reaper takes me. That would hurt Beth and she doesn't deserve it."

"Why'd you do it, Chuck? You had lots of girls. Laura was all I ever had or wanted. You fucking ruined it!" snarled Jack at the ill man.

"Because I was an asshole. Because I could. How the fuck is that for a reason? It wasn't until I met Beth that I realized what an asshole I had been," admitted Chuck. "I didn't give a shit if your marriage ended. Laura didn't mean anything to me. That's how low I was. It's embarrassing as hell to admit."

"It wasn't personal?" asked Jack. "You weren't trying to ruin my life or break us up for some reason? I always wondered why you'd go after a married woman when you had so many available."

"I hardly knew who you were. I wasn't thinking about you, except that I was tapping some guy's wife," confessed Chuck. "She's a beautiful woman, so I wanted to try her pussy. That's all she was to me, a little married pussy on the side."

"If you weren't so sick, I'd kick your ass!" threatened Jack.

"If I wasn't so sick, I'd want you to do exactly that," replied Chuck. "I've grown up, a bit too late, admittedly. There's no excuse for my actions. I realize it now. A bullet between my eyes would be too good for me."

"You miserable bastard," growled Jack. "I'd be doing the world a favor by holding that pillow over your face."

"True, except you'd be in a world of trouble. Killing a dying man is considered the same crime as killing a robust, healthy person," reasoned Chuck. "Why don't you just stop in when you can? There's a good chance you'll see me go to the happy hunting grounds."

Jack had never been as angry as he was at that moment. The guy wrecked his marriage simply because he wanted a strange piece of ass. To Jack, Laura had been the perfect wife, a woman devoted to him, willing to share the rest of her life with him. Then Chuck Harding decided he'd like to try some strange pussy!

"I think I'll take you up on your offer, asshole," replied Jack vehemently. "I'll be pissing on your grave in a few days, motherfucker!"

Jack was true to his word. He visited Chuck Harding several times a week, although he didn't mention it to Laura or Kansas. He knew his intentions were morbid, at best. The third time Jack stopped in, Chuck's wife, Beth, was there with a small boy.

Jack nodded to the woman and took a seat, but he soon rose and left the room. It was impossible to revel in the death of even the vilest human while his wife and young son were present. Jack vowed to himself that he would not end his death watch. Harding deserved exactly what he was getting.

The next time Jack stopped in, Chuck was in a pensive mood. "You left because my wife and kid were here, didn't you? It's harder to enjoy my death when you see the innocent people affected by it, isn't it?"

"I'm here to see you die. I have no quarrel with your family," replied Jack. Even as he spoke, Jack realized he sounded pathetic. Was this the kind of man he was?

Chuck started telling Jack about his son and the things the boy enjoyed. Then he went into detail on how he met his wife and how she had turned his life around. Jack knew full well Chuck was trying to gain sympathy. He also knew it would never happen.

Jack stopped to see Chuck on Christmas Eve. The man had become noticeably weaker since Jack had first seen him. This time, Jack had a purpose and he quickly got to the point.

"Chuck, I hate what you did, but I can't maintain my hatred for you. I've given it some thought and I realize the best revenge is to live well. I'm here to tell you I'll make certain your wife and son will never go wanting. You'll die knowing the man whose life you ruined is caring for your family."

"I can see where you might think you're getting revenge that way," replied Chuck weakly. "You're really not very good at the whole vengeance thing. I hate that I did that to you and Laura, but it somehow turned out to be a good thing for my family. That's some irony. A despicable act ensures the future of my wife and kid."

"It's the best I could come up with," offered Jack. "I won't be stopping in anymore. I don't want to see you die, or even suffer. That's gone. It gives me no pleasure."

"You realize you're pretty much telling me you're forgiving me, don't you?" responded Chuck. "You've found it in your heart to move past what I did to you, something no man can ever be expected to forgive."

"I never said that, but you can think whatever you want. I really don't give a shit," retorted Jack.

"Tell me this, Jack. I hurt you almost beyond your ability to endure. How can you forgive a miserable bastard like me, yet not find it in your heart to forgive a woman who loves you like Laura does? What have I done to gain your forgiveness that she hasn't?

"I saw the relief on your face when you let your hatred for me go. Imagine how good your heart would feel if you forgave Laura. Imagine her in your arms, maybe having your children. Wouldn't that be better than punishing her?"

"Fuck you, Harding! You're the one who said I've forgiven you. I never said that!"

"Not is so many words, but you did say it, Jack," replied Chuck softly. "I'm going to die soon. I'll die happy knowing you've managed to grant me forgiveness, and you'll take care of Beth and Charlie. You really suck at revenge, Jack. It isn't your strong point. If I never see you again, please tell Laura I'm sorry."

Jack left the hospital in a rage. The dumb fucker thought he was forgiven. He wanted Jack to forgive Laura. It would be a cold day in hell when that happened. As Jack drove, he went over his last conversation with Chuck Harding. The man had gotten to him. Jack had to admit that. He never should have gone to the hospital that first time.

When Jack got home, his driveway was filled with cars. He had to drive down the street a hundred yards to find a parking spot.

He had forgotten about the party Kansas and Laura were having! It was a house warming/Christmas party. The addition had been finished for two days and the furniture, including a huge king-sized bed, had arrived yesterday. Every friend, relative and coworker of his, and Laura's, had been invited. Kansas had asked many of her friends to stop in.

He was still fuming at the last words he had with Chuck when he pushed the door open and stepped inside. Guests turned at his entrance and suddenly went silent. Laura and Kansas had been serving drinks and snacks when Jack walked into the living room.

It was immediately apparent that he was not himself. Laura had never known him to drink much, but she considered the possibility as Jack's eyes swept the room. Once his eyes fell on her, he stopped moving.

"Uh oh!" mumbled Kansas as she realized her father was in a state she had never before seen.

Jack finally took a few steps farther into the room, but his eyes never left Laura. The silence continued as everyone became mesmerized by the intensity of the emotion on Jack's face.

"What is it, Jack?" asked Laura with concern.

"Do you really want to be my wife?" demanded Jack.

"Yes... yes I do," replied Laura softly.

"A wife gives her husband all of her love. She belongs to him, only him!"

Laura's father tried to step in, but Kate quickly stopped him with a hand gesture.

"I agree," managed Laura as tears formed in her eyes.

"A husband takes care of his family. He gives them everything he has. He deserves respect," stated Jack emphatically.

Laura simply nodded, completely ignoring everyone who was watching her exchange with Jack.

"A good wife wouldn't complain if her husband took her whenever he needed her, including right now, and on that big damn bed."

"Not if he loved her, and she loved him," agreed Laura.

"Right!" snarled Jack as he moved quickly to scoop Laura into his arms.

"Kansas, close the door behind us!"

"Okay, Dad!" answered Kansas immediately as she pulled the bedroom door closed. "I'll entertain the guests, so don't hurry on their account!"

"What just happened?" asked Laura's mother. "Will Laura be okay?"

"Oh, yeah!" said Kate with a laugh. "Sis is going to be okay for the first time in years!"

It was just half an hour later when Jack and Laura sheepishly opened the bedroom door. They were freshly showered and wearing different clothes. Laura clung to Jack as their company began gently kidding them.

"That didn't take very long," observed one of Jack's equipment operators. "I hope the boss managed to get the job done."

"He did very well. Thanks for asking," quipped Laura before she quickly kissed Jack's cheek.

"Jack, I don't pretend to know what all went on between you and my daughter, but her mother and I are damn glad to see things are on an even keel now," stated Laura's father as he extended his hand. "Just don't do it again."

As Jack shook his father-in-law's hand he glanced at Laura before answering. "I don't think there's any chance of that happening. Laura and I are going to be together from now on."

"To think it was my idea for you two to live together so Kansas's adoption wouldn't be challenged. It's funny nothing ever came of that threat," pointed out Kate.

"Well, I was interviewed at school a few days later," admitted a grinning Kansas. "I told them we had a great family. Mom and Dad loved me, and each other. I knew they'd come to realize it sooner or later. I never told anyone about it because I wanted us to stay together. It was the reason we moved in with Mom."

"How come you were so emotional when you came home, Jack?" asked his curious mother.

"I guess I was trying to determine exactly who I was hurting, and why. I finally realized the pain created by revenge is mostly self-inflicted. I needed to treat myself better. Laura's going to have to suffer with me for the rest of our lives."
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