Why did I make such a joke?

Jackson ran upstairs to get changed. He rushed into his room and approached the pile of clothes on the floor that he had left there previously that morning. Jackson grabbed a pair of dark blue jeans and a sleeveless white t-shirt.

"Babe, are you sure you want to go now? I mean, mom is still here. Plus, it would seem disrespectful if you just walked out like this. Why can't you invite Steven over? That way, we can all be together, and nobody will feel left out or hurt." Jennie explained to her hubby as she stood by the doorway.

She had followed her husband. Rose is not her favorite person right now, and Jennie did not want to be left alone with her mother-in-law at this time. She could have misled her husband, but Jennie did not believe she could do the same with Rose. Her mother-in-law remained married for forty-five years now, and with that amount of years, Rose had had a lot of marital experiences.

Jennie knew she could not trick her way out of Rose's questions if her husband was not with her. Jackson stared at his wife as he wore his trousers, then his t-shirt, and last, his sneakers. When he finished dressing, Jackson walked up to Jennie and deeply kissed her on the lips.

"I wouldn't stay long. I love you." He whispers as he passionately touches her cheek and lips. She nodded her head obediently. His actions left Jennie speechless as Jackson walked past her. After a few seconds, Jennie heard her husband declaring, "Momma, I'll be right back." She overheard Rose replying, "Okay, son! Say hey to my baby Steven for me!" Jennie realized that her husband did not answer her question, and he had tricked her with romance to get his way.

She hurried downstairs and out the door, but his car was already on the move. Jennie sighs and goes inside. After she locked the door, Jennie turned and saw Rose behind her. She jumps back a little. "What are you waiting for, dear? Let's continue our breakfast. We have a lot to talk about afterward." Rose said and walked away with Jennie following her.

Jackson saw Steven's car packed not far from the bar. He drove his BMWi8Roadster behind his buddy Volvo XC40 and stopped the vehicle. Steven heard the door open, and he turned his head. His sight rested on Jackson, and Steven smiled. "Liam, a bottle of Vidal ice wine for my buddy and me, please?" He told the bartender. Liam seemed happy to see Jackson entering the bar. He knew these two friends' conversations were always interesting. "Sure thing!" Liam replied.

Jackson sat on a stool next to Steven. "Mom extended her greeting. Her exact words were, 'Say hey to my baby Steven for me!" He said. Steven's eyes lit up. "Mom is at your place. Why didn't we drink there? I miss that woman so much. I have been so busy these days I have not had the chance to visit her. I know my poor mother is sad that her boys left her alone. Get up! We are leaving." Steven stated, pulling Jackson's arm as he attempted to lift his buddy out of his seat. However, Jackson kept still and did not comply with him.

"You don't want to go to my house at this moment. Mom feels enraged, and Jennie keeps panicking. So I left them together to settle the issues they have with each other. Plus, I need a break. They have been depleting my tolerance the entire morning. I would have gone bonkers if you did not rescue me in time." Jackson said and grabbed his glass. Steven seized his hand as Jackson was about to sip his drink." What happened to your hand?" He asked as he gazed at the bandage on his friend's hand.

"Like I said, drama! I had to change the dressing two different times because of my mother and wife. How exhausting is that?" Jackson said and swallowed his alcohol. "Wait! Is mom at your house because of you and Jennie's quandaries? Also, how did she find out you guys were quarreling?" Steven asked with enthusiasm. Jackson took his next glass and drank the entire drink at once. "Yep, she overheard our argument about Jennie believing that Julie and I were committing adultery. Plus..." Jackson explained, but his explanation got cut short when Steven grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him closer.

"Was Jennie right about Julie and you?" Steven asked sternly. Their face was so closed that Jackson could smell Steven's mint breath, and he could feel the air on his face. Jackson tried to pull away, but Steven had him hooked. He gave his buddy a sly giggle, and it made Steven more curious. "Man, I am not kidding. Did you and Julie have an affair?" He asked wildly. Jackson relished the fire in his friend's eyes and wanted to tease him further.

"Why? Are you guys together?" He questioned Steven with a sarcastic grin. The bartender had his eyes focused on them and could not hear the other customers screaming for their alcohol. "What's so funny? You don't need to know. Just answer the damn question?" Steven barked as he shook Jackson a bit. Most customers' concentration got drawn to these two friends. The bar did not appear crowded like it is at night, yet there was still a sufficient amount of people inside, and they were all interested in what would transpire next.

"Come on, brother. We are not in the right area to have this kind of conversation. I mean, everybody is watching. Chill a little, okay? You're going to rip my shirt if you don't let go." Jackson replied with a carefree laugh. Steven stared at his pal's t-shirt. "Oh, you mean this shirt I am holding?" Steven asked. Jackson thought for a second that his friend's question was stupid, then Steven tears his t-shirt open and exposes his six-pack stomach in public. That's when Jackson realized that his buddy's words were full of sarcasm.

"Dude, she's not even your girlfriend if I have sex with her, what's there to make you upset!" Jackson screamed, then he realized that he had taken his joke too far. Before Jackson could take back his statement and tell Steven the truth, he got a solid punch in the jaw that left him bleeding from his mouth.