Chapter 24
'Ouch!' Mallory said teasingly. Jarod half-smiled over at her.
The two were sitting up in bed. It was after ten in the evening. Mallory was in a red silk nightgown, with spaghetti straps. She had a bunch of mail spread on her lap from the past few days and was catching up on bills and such.
Jarod was grading papers. He taught two classes and recently, had been offered a book deal. He had also just given someone an F!
'They deserve it, dear.' Jarod said, tossing the paper aside and looking over another one, his red pen poised.
Mallory set aside the bills and reached for the F paper.
'Oh come on, Jarod! Did you have to make the F so big? I mean I'm sure this poor guy...what his name here...Doug, knows that he probably didn't pass. Why make it worse by making the F so big!'
Jarod reached over and took the paper from her.
'Since when did you become such a bleeding heart? This student didn't study and that's that.' he said, his tone teasing.
Mallory smiled back but did not answer. It has been 8 weeks since she and Jarod had brought Brian back home with them. Needless to say, it had been an uphill battle from day one.
Brian was not doing well in school, something his parents had not known, until Mallory accidentally found a report card sticking out from underneath his mattress. 2 D's, 4 F's and an A in Gym.
Jarod had been less than thrilled. Mallory was more surprised than anything else. She had somehow assumed, that because Jarod was a genius, Brian was one too. After all, he had been trained as a Pretender.
But she knew that her son was smart. She also knew that Brian was still in shock over this sudden move back to Delaware.
Then, of course, there was the thing with Lyle. Lisa Vang's headless body had turned up in a nearby creek, close to Lyle's home. Lyle of course, swore up and down he knew nothing about it. Then, he fled with little Bobby.
Sidney Bristow and the CIA were looking for him. For it also looked as if Lyle, during his stint at the IRS, had embezzled funds from some very wealthy clients. Many of them were criminals as well.
Mallory tried not to think about little Bobby. If she could leave and hunt down her brother herself, she would. But she had a family now. And Brian, needed her more than ever.
He barely said a word to either one of them, although, Mallory sensed he did care about Abigail. He took care of her without complaint, whenever Mallory asked him to. And that wasn't much. She knew a teenage boy did not want to be stuck taking care of a baby all of the time.
But the sad part was, Brian seemed to have all of the time in the world. He was flunking in school, and seemingly had no friends. Not like he did in Alaska.
'Where were you just now?' Jarod asked, peering over at her. He was dressed in a blue pajama top, which he had open, and matching pants.
Mallory tossed aside the mail.
'I was thinking about what I seem to be thinking a lot lately. Maybe we were wrong to force this. Maybe Brian belongs back in Alaska.'
'No.' Jarod said firmly. 'He belongs with us and it's just going to take him some time, that's all. We can't give up on him because things are hard now.'
Mallory stood up.
'I don't want to think like this, Jarod. And I for damned sure don't want our son living with your father and my lying mother! But you must admit, they did take good care of him.'
'We do too. And now is not the time to back down. His living here is no excuse for those grades, Mallory.'
Mallory sat back down on the bed.
'Jarod, maybe your student had other reasons for flunking that test....just like Brian.'
Jarod stared at her.
'Mallory, this particular student, Doug, only shows up when there is a test or a quiz. If he showed up to lecture, maybe he could earn a D-. Now the situations are not even remotely the same here. Tell me what's really bothering you?'
Mallory sighed and shook her head.
'He doesn't communicate with us. He goes out of his way not to. I don't know what to do for him to make things better. If I could go back to highschool for him, I would. I would do anything to make this easier for him.'
'We both would.' Jarod whispered, picking up her hand and kissing it.
But she pulled her hand away.
'I wonder if we should send him to see someone?' she asked him.
'And you think this 'someone' could get him to like us?' he asked in a gentle, but teasing manner.
'Jarod, this could all be something Centre related. Some trauma he suffered there that not even your father knew about. Maybe there's another reason he is so closed off from us.'
Jarod put aside the test papers.
'I will admit that he seemed to always like us both just fine, before he came to live with us.'
'I don't think this is just about him having to leave your father and my mother. Something else is going on here.' Mallory said firmly.
'Maybe we could get Sydney to talk to him?' Jarod suggested.
Mallory shook her head.
'I think it should be someone we don't know. No offense to Sydney, but until we know for sure that this isn't some Centre trauma thing, I don't think anyone associated with that place will help.'
Jarod nodded, then decided now was the time to broach two other subjects.
'Now that we're talking about Brian, there is something else I need to talk to you about.'
'What?' she asked.
'I think it would serve us both well, if we could agree to be on the same side here.'
Mallory raised a brow.
'What on earth are you talking about? Of course we're on the same side!'
'Yes, generally. But when our son does something wrong, we need to stick together as far as discipline.'
'We do.'
'Mallory, remember that lawn cutting incident a couple of weeks back?'
Mallory blinked.
'Lawn cutting incident? What are you talking about?'
'Mr. Foster, our neighbor across the street, asked me about what kind of riding mower we had, since you had finished the lawn in ten minutes. Sound familiar?'
Mallory looked away. God! What was the big deal? Jarod had asked Brian to mow the lawn some time back, before it had turned cold. Brian said he would do it, but did not come home in a timely manner. Mallory did it before it got dark, then questioned her son as to his whereabouts. He had answered, 'out walking around', before heading to his room and slamming the door.
He was like that at dinner too. He ate with them, but had little to say. And apparently, according to his grades, little to do as well.
'Jarod...'
'Look, just promise me that when this kind of thing happens, you won't cover for him with me. I need to know when he hasn't done what he's told.'
'So you can what? Punish him? He already thinks he's being punished by being here.'
'Mallory!'
Mallory shook her head.
'Fine. Fine, I'll do as you ask.' she said tiredly.
Jarod smiled.
'Good girl. Now, on to more unpleasantness...'
'Now? Jarod it's after ten thirty.'
'Emily called me yesterday.'
Mallory's ears perked up.
'Your sister? How is she?'
'Fine, with the exception of how she thinks it's terrible how I've been treating Dad.'
'What?!'
Jarod nodded.
'Oh yes! She spoke with my father recently by phone, and was told an interesting tale about how we both just swooped in and snatched Brian from him. And no, apparently she does not know that your mother is her step-mother.'
Mallory jumped up again!
'I don't believe this! Your father is making us look like the bad guys?'
Jarod rubbed the back of his neck.
'Thanksgiving is coming up. I want to invite Ethan and Emily here to have dinner with us...and tell them the truth about our parents.'
'On Thanksgiving? Jarod have you lost your mind?! No one wants bad news on a holiday!'
Jarod stood up as well.
'We're not a normal family, Mallory. And I don't want to help our parents continue with their lies. It is one thing for them to not tell everyone the truth. But it is quite another to lie on us.'
Mallory didn't say anything. He was right, of course. But still, on Thanksgiving? No one would be hungry after hearing all of that!
'Jarod, I don't want Brian around a lot of turmoil, not on a holiday. We're having enough trouble making him feel like this is his home as it is.'
Jarod didn't answer that. He folded his arms.
'Do you want to try and get in contact with your sister?'
Mallory's eyes widened.
'No!' she snapped. 'I need a drink.'
'Honey, you can't go on pretending as if she doesn't exist.'
'Oh, yes I can! Now, I'm going downstairs to fix myself a little drinkie poo. Can I bring you back anything?'
'It's a little late, don't you think?'
Mallory ignored him and walked out of the bedroom. Jarod sighed and followed her. She headed towards the stairs, while he walked down the opposite hallway and peered into Abigail's room.
She could now stand, and was still up, holding on to the side of the crib. She smiled a greeting and Jarod's heart melted. Now this child, was a piece of cake!
****
Mallory stomped into the kitchen and began opening cabinets, looking for some form of liquor. Hell, at this point, she'd have downed cough syrup!
She knew Jarod was just worried about her. He had always been the stronger of the two of them.
But she did not want to meet her 'twin' Melanie, ever! She didn't know why she felt this way, since it certainly wasn't her fault that her mother chose to raise her and leave another kid behind.
Mallory's thoughts moved to Lyle. He had no idea that Catherine Parker wasn't his real mother. In many ways, Lyle was just as much a victim as well. He never stood a chance.
Voices began to permeate her senses, and she realized that someone must've left a TV on somewhere. Mallory left the kitchen and began following the voices, that now sounded like just one.
Her sense of direction brought her to the study. Brian was lying on the couch, his back to her. He was talking on the phone.
Mallory stood there quietly, wondering if her son had indeed made a friend? Then she wondered why this 'friend' was calling so late?
'Get me out of here, Dad! You don't know what it's like! They use me like a babysitter all of the time and....and...Jarod hit me a couple of times!'
Mallory gasped loudly! Brian jumped up and turned around. He spoke into the phone.
'She's here!'
''She' is indeed! Who is that you're talking to?!' Mallory snapped, heading towards him. She snatched the phone from his hand.
'Who is this?'
'Mallory, it's Major Charles.'
'I gathered it was either you or my bitch mother!'
'Shut up!' Brian yelled. 'Don't call her that!'
Mallory dropped the phone from her ear.
'Go to bed!'
'No!'
'GO TO BED!' Mallory screamed. Brian turned and ran out of the study. Mallory then took a deep breath and got back on the phone.
'Is that the way my son and you always talk to Brian?' Major Charles asked, his tone bordering on sarcastic.
'No, Jarod never raises his voice. Now, what I'm wondering is are you the reason my son is having such a hard time adjusting here? How many times have you called him?'
'Never! He calls us! Don't you ever look at your phone bill?'
'Listen you sonofabitch! Don't call here again! When we're ready to let Brian see you, then we'll contact you, okay?'
'I think that Jarod and you should know, that your mother and I have sought legal representation.'
'Why? So that you can make everyone love you again?'
Major Charles ignored her jibe.
'Our lawyer thinks that we have a good chance getting a shared custody agreement...'
Mallory slammed down the phone! How dare they! How dare they pull this crap! Her mother and her father-in-law had been poisoning Brian against Jarod and her from day one! No wonder he never warmed up to them! He was too busy thinking her mother and Major Charles were coming to get him!
Her eyes fell upon a shelf behind the desk. That was where the DSA's were kept. She had not touched one since the day she viewed the one of Brian's birth. Mallory began walking towards them, when loud voices stopped her. What now?!
Mallory hurried out of the study, down the hallway and towards the stairs. She ran up them, only to be stopped by the sight of Jarod and Brian. The situation looked tense.
'What's going on here?' she asked.
'I heard shouting,' Jarod began in a tight voice. 'Next thing I know, I'm coming from Abigail's room, only to find Brian here coming from God knows where. When I asked him what was going on, he told me, and I quote to 'fuck off'!'
Mallory ran a hand over her face. Brian had told Jarod to fuck off. Brian had told his own father to fuck off. This was worse than she had thought!
'Go to bed, Brian.' Mallory ordered. Brian glared at Jarod, then went into his room, slamming the door behind him. Jarod turned to her.
'I will not have him swearing at me in this house!' he snapped.
'I know...'
'No, you don't know! You just let him go! What if Abigail had heard that word?'
Mallory blinked.
'Jarod, Abigail will probably hear that word, sometime in her life...'
'Not while she's a baby she won't!' Jarod yelled, then turned to bang on Brian's door. Mallory reached for his arm.
'Jarod, listen to me. I caught Brian on the phone downstairs.'
Jarod stopped pounding.
'On the phone? With who?'
'Your father! They've been in contact with him all of this time! Jarod, Brian was telling your father that you've hit him.'
Jarod just stared at her. Mallory was sorry that she had to tell him that. The look in his eyes.... he was truly wounded.
'How could he say something like that?' he whispered. It almost seemed as if all of the fight had went out of him.
Mallory took his hand and pulled him back into their bedroom. She closed the door and watched as Jarod sat down on the end of the bed. He put his face in his hands.
'Jarod, there's more. Your father told me that he and my mother have gotten a lawyer and are looking to get some kind of partial custody.'
Jarod said nothing to that. He was sure that that decision had come, once Brian told his father of the 'beatings'.
Mallory hated seeing him look like this. He was the one that usually reassured her that their son would come around. Now it seemed as if all of their hoping had been for naught.
But Mallory refused to give up.
Jarod took his hands away from his face and looked up. He was momentarily startled. Mallory, had slipped off her nightgown, and was now pulling on his hands. He stood up.
'We won't let them take our son away from us, Jarod.' she whispered, as she slipped off his pajama top. She then tugged at the pants. They fell to the floor.
'No one will.' Jarod whispered back, as Mallory began kissing him. They both fell to the floor, as Jarod was seduced by his wife. He liked it when she did that.
'Ouch!' Mallory said teasingly. Jarod half-smiled over at her.
The two were sitting up in bed. It was after ten in the evening. Mallory was in a red silk nightgown, with spaghetti straps. She had a bunch of mail spread on her lap from the past few days and was catching up on bills and such.
Jarod was grading papers. He taught two classes and recently, had been offered a book deal. He had also just given someone an F!
'They deserve it, dear.' Jarod said, tossing the paper aside and looking over another one, his red pen poised.
Mallory set aside the bills and reached for the F paper.
'Oh come on, Jarod! Did you have to make the F so big? I mean I'm sure this poor guy...what his name here...Doug, knows that he probably didn't pass. Why make it worse by making the F so big!'
Jarod reached over and took the paper from her.
'Since when did you become such a bleeding heart? This student didn't study and that's that.' he said, his tone teasing.
Mallory smiled back but did not answer. It has been 8 weeks since she and Jarod had brought Brian back home with them. Needless to say, it had been an uphill battle from day one.
Brian was not doing well in school, something his parents had not known, until Mallory accidentally found a report card sticking out from underneath his mattress. 2 D's, 4 F's and an A in Gym.
Jarod had been less than thrilled. Mallory was more surprised than anything else. She had somehow assumed, that because Jarod was a genius, Brian was one too. After all, he had been trained as a Pretender.
But she knew that her son was smart. She also knew that Brian was still in shock over this sudden move back to Delaware.
Then, of course, there was the thing with Lyle. Lisa Vang's headless body had turned up in a nearby creek, close to Lyle's home. Lyle of course, swore up and down he knew nothing about it. Then, he fled with little Bobby.
Sidney Bristow and the CIA were looking for him. For it also looked as if Lyle, during his stint at the IRS, had embezzled funds from some very wealthy clients. Many of them were criminals as well.
Mallory tried not to think about little Bobby. If she could leave and hunt down her brother herself, she would. But she had a family now. And Brian, needed her more than ever.
He barely said a word to either one of them, although, Mallory sensed he did care about Abigail. He took care of her without complaint, whenever Mallory asked him to. And that wasn't much. She knew a teenage boy did not want to be stuck taking care of a baby all of the time.
But the sad part was, Brian seemed to have all of the time in the world. He was flunking in school, and seemingly had no friends. Not like he did in Alaska.
'Where were you just now?' Jarod asked, peering over at her. He was dressed in a blue pajama top, which he had open, and matching pants.
Mallory tossed aside the mail.
'I was thinking about what I seem to be thinking a lot lately. Maybe we were wrong to force this. Maybe Brian belongs back in Alaska.'
'No.' Jarod said firmly. 'He belongs with us and it's just going to take him some time, that's all. We can't give up on him because things are hard now.'
Mallory stood up.
'I don't want to think like this, Jarod. And I for damned sure don't want our son living with your father and my lying mother! But you must admit, they did take good care of him.'
'We do too. And now is not the time to back down. His living here is no excuse for those grades, Mallory.'
Mallory sat back down on the bed.
'Jarod, maybe your student had other reasons for flunking that test....just like Brian.'
Jarod stared at her.
'Mallory, this particular student, Doug, only shows up when there is a test or a quiz. If he showed up to lecture, maybe he could earn a D-. Now the situations are not even remotely the same here. Tell me what's really bothering you?'
Mallory sighed and shook her head.
'He doesn't communicate with us. He goes out of his way not to. I don't know what to do for him to make things better. If I could go back to highschool for him, I would. I would do anything to make this easier for him.'
'We both would.' Jarod whispered, picking up her hand and kissing it.
But she pulled her hand away.
'I wonder if we should send him to see someone?' she asked him.
'And you think this 'someone' could get him to like us?' he asked in a gentle, but teasing manner.
'Jarod, this could all be something Centre related. Some trauma he suffered there that not even your father knew about. Maybe there's another reason he is so closed off from us.'
Jarod put aside the test papers.
'I will admit that he seemed to always like us both just fine, before he came to live with us.'
'I don't think this is just about him having to leave your father and my mother. Something else is going on here.' Mallory said firmly.
'Maybe we could get Sydney to talk to him?' Jarod suggested.
Mallory shook her head.
'I think it should be someone we don't know. No offense to Sydney, but until we know for sure that this isn't some Centre trauma thing, I don't think anyone associated with that place will help.'
Jarod nodded, then decided now was the time to broach two other subjects.
'Now that we're talking about Brian, there is something else I need to talk to you about.'
'What?' she asked.
'I think it would serve us both well, if we could agree to be on the same side here.'
Mallory raised a brow.
'What on earth are you talking about? Of course we're on the same side!'
'Yes, generally. But when our son does something wrong, we need to stick together as far as discipline.'
'We do.'
'Mallory, remember that lawn cutting incident a couple of weeks back?'
Mallory blinked.
'Lawn cutting incident? What are you talking about?'
'Mr. Foster, our neighbor across the street, asked me about what kind of riding mower we had, since you had finished the lawn in ten minutes. Sound familiar?'
Mallory looked away. God! What was the big deal? Jarod had asked Brian to mow the lawn some time back, before it had turned cold. Brian said he would do it, but did not come home in a timely manner. Mallory did it before it got dark, then questioned her son as to his whereabouts. He had answered, 'out walking around', before heading to his room and slamming the door.
He was like that at dinner too. He ate with them, but had little to say. And apparently, according to his grades, little to do as well.
'Jarod...'
'Look, just promise me that when this kind of thing happens, you won't cover for him with me. I need to know when he hasn't done what he's told.'
'So you can what? Punish him? He already thinks he's being punished by being here.'
'Mallory!'
Mallory shook her head.
'Fine. Fine, I'll do as you ask.' she said tiredly.
Jarod smiled.
'Good girl. Now, on to more unpleasantness...'
'Now? Jarod it's after ten thirty.'
'Emily called me yesterday.'
Mallory's ears perked up.
'Your sister? How is she?'
'Fine, with the exception of how she thinks it's terrible how I've been treating Dad.'
'What?!'
Jarod nodded.
'Oh yes! She spoke with my father recently by phone, and was told an interesting tale about how we both just swooped in and snatched Brian from him. And no, apparently she does not know that your mother is her step-mother.'
Mallory jumped up again!
'I don't believe this! Your father is making us look like the bad guys?'
Jarod rubbed the back of his neck.
'Thanksgiving is coming up. I want to invite Ethan and Emily here to have dinner with us...and tell them the truth about our parents.'
'On Thanksgiving? Jarod have you lost your mind?! No one wants bad news on a holiday!'
Jarod stood up as well.
'We're not a normal family, Mallory. And I don't want to help our parents continue with their lies. It is one thing for them to not tell everyone the truth. But it is quite another to lie on us.'
Mallory didn't say anything. He was right, of course. But still, on Thanksgiving? No one would be hungry after hearing all of that!
'Jarod, I don't want Brian around a lot of turmoil, not on a holiday. We're having enough trouble making him feel like this is his home as it is.'
Jarod didn't answer that. He folded his arms.
'Do you want to try and get in contact with your sister?'
Mallory's eyes widened.
'No!' she snapped. 'I need a drink.'
'Honey, you can't go on pretending as if she doesn't exist.'
'Oh, yes I can! Now, I'm going downstairs to fix myself a little drinkie poo. Can I bring you back anything?'
'It's a little late, don't you think?'
Mallory ignored him and walked out of the bedroom. Jarod sighed and followed her. She headed towards the stairs, while he walked down the opposite hallway and peered into Abigail's room.
She could now stand, and was still up, holding on to the side of the crib. She smiled a greeting and Jarod's heart melted. Now this child, was a piece of cake!
****
Mallory stomped into the kitchen and began opening cabinets, looking for some form of liquor. Hell, at this point, she'd have downed cough syrup!
She knew Jarod was just worried about her. He had always been the stronger of the two of them.
But she did not want to meet her 'twin' Melanie, ever! She didn't know why she felt this way, since it certainly wasn't her fault that her mother chose to raise her and leave another kid behind.
Mallory's thoughts moved to Lyle. He had no idea that Catherine Parker wasn't his real mother. In many ways, Lyle was just as much a victim as well. He never stood a chance.
Voices began to permeate her senses, and she realized that someone must've left a TV on somewhere. Mallory left the kitchen and began following the voices, that now sounded like just one.
Her sense of direction brought her to the study. Brian was lying on the couch, his back to her. He was talking on the phone.
Mallory stood there quietly, wondering if her son had indeed made a friend? Then she wondered why this 'friend' was calling so late?
'Get me out of here, Dad! You don't know what it's like! They use me like a babysitter all of the time and....and...Jarod hit me a couple of times!'
Mallory gasped loudly! Brian jumped up and turned around. He spoke into the phone.
'She's here!'
''She' is indeed! Who is that you're talking to?!' Mallory snapped, heading towards him. She snatched the phone from his hand.
'Who is this?'
'Mallory, it's Major Charles.'
'I gathered it was either you or my bitch mother!'
'Shut up!' Brian yelled. 'Don't call her that!'
Mallory dropped the phone from her ear.
'Go to bed!'
'No!'
'GO TO BED!' Mallory screamed. Brian turned and ran out of the study. Mallory then took a deep breath and got back on the phone.
'Is that the way my son and you always talk to Brian?' Major Charles asked, his tone bordering on sarcastic.
'No, Jarod never raises his voice. Now, what I'm wondering is are you the reason my son is having such a hard time adjusting here? How many times have you called him?'
'Never! He calls us! Don't you ever look at your phone bill?'
'Listen you sonofabitch! Don't call here again! When we're ready to let Brian see you, then we'll contact you, okay?'
'I think that Jarod and you should know, that your mother and I have sought legal representation.'
'Why? So that you can make everyone love you again?'
Major Charles ignored her jibe.
'Our lawyer thinks that we have a good chance getting a shared custody agreement...'
Mallory slammed down the phone! How dare they! How dare they pull this crap! Her mother and her father-in-law had been poisoning Brian against Jarod and her from day one! No wonder he never warmed up to them! He was too busy thinking her mother and Major Charles were coming to get him!
Her eyes fell upon a shelf behind the desk. That was where the DSA's were kept. She had not touched one since the day she viewed the one of Brian's birth. Mallory began walking towards them, when loud voices stopped her. What now?!
Mallory hurried out of the study, down the hallway and towards the stairs. She ran up them, only to be stopped by the sight of Jarod and Brian. The situation looked tense.
'What's going on here?' she asked.
'I heard shouting,' Jarod began in a tight voice. 'Next thing I know, I'm coming from Abigail's room, only to find Brian here coming from God knows where. When I asked him what was going on, he told me, and I quote to 'fuck off'!'
Mallory ran a hand over her face. Brian had told Jarod to fuck off. Brian had told his own father to fuck off. This was worse than she had thought!
'Go to bed, Brian.' Mallory ordered. Brian glared at Jarod, then went into his room, slamming the door behind him. Jarod turned to her.
'I will not have him swearing at me in this house!' he snapped.
'I know...'
'No, you don't know! You just let him go! What if Abigail had heard that word?'
Mallory blinked.
'Jarod, Abigail will probably hear that word, sometime in her life...'
'Not while she's a baby she won't!' Jarod yelled, then turned to bang on Brian's door. Mallory reached for his arm.
'Jarod, listen to me. I caught Brian on the phone downstairs.'
Jarod stopped pounding.
'On the phone? With who?'
'Your father! They've been in contact with him all of this time! Jarod, Brian was telling your father that you've hit him.'
Jarod just stared at her. Mallory was sorry that she had to tell him that. The look in his eyes.... he was truly wounded.
'How could he say something like that?' he whispered. It almost seemed as if all of the fight had went out of him.
Mallory took his hand and pulled him back into their bedroom. She closed the door and watched as Jarod sat down on the end of the bed. He put his face in his hands.
'Jarod, there's more. Your father told me that he and my mother have gotten a lawyer and are looking to get some kind of partial custody.'
Jarod said nothing to that. He was sure that that decision had come, once Brian told his father of the 'beatings'.
Mallory hated seeing him look like this. He was the one that usually reassured her that their son would come around. Now it seemed as if all of their hoping had been for naught.
But Mallory refused to give up.
Jarod took his hands away from his face and looked up. He was momentarily startled. Mallory, had slipped off her nightgown, and was now pulling on his hands. He stood up.
'We won't let them take our son away from us, Jarod.' she whispered, as she slipped off his pajama top. She then tugged at the pants. They fell to the floor.
'No one will.' Jarod whispered back, as Mallory began kissing him. They both fell to the floor, as Jarod was seduced by his wife. He liked it when she did that.