“Do You remember Dave Vought from High School?” She nodded her head, yes. “It was his old man’s, and he wanted it. He gave me $30,000 for it, plus the truck. You take the $20,000 and find something you like. I don’t think you’ll want to use my credit.
We need a new roof before we get leaks, and it does more damage. I want you to go down to Home Depot and pick some colors to paint the exterior. The house looks like shit. I’m taking the last $2000 and installing a sprinkler system.
Mary, I know you’re embarrassed every time you pull into the driveway. You won’t even invite people over because of how the house looks. I am going to fix that. I’ve talked to my company, and they will let me use the Ditch Witch to lay pipe. They’re allowing me to buy materials for the same price they pay. Mary, for once, I want you to trust me. I definitely have a plan.” Mary shook her head.
Over the next four Sundays, Bobby worked installing the new sprinkler systems. Mary looked out the window to see the neighborhood women watching Bobby installing the sprinkler heads. It was in the nineties that day. Bobby had removed his shirt and was wearing shorts.
Roslyn and two other neighborhood trollops were bracing themselves against the chain-link fence, that separated the houses. They were admiring Bobby’s well-defined sweaty body. Especially when he bent over adjusting the sprinkler heads.
The women were gigging, making lewd remarks to each other about Bobby when they heard the voice come from behind them, “Maybe I should sell tickets and popcorn, ladies.”
“Hey, Mary,” replied Roslyn. “We’re admiring, Bobby laying his pipe.” Everyone laughed except for Mary.
“Mary,” smirked Roslyn. “I hear Bobby is sleeping in the basement. If he needs a warm bed, send him over my way. I got plenty of room in mine,” smiling at her friends.
Mary hated Roslyn. In high school, Roslyn was always throwing herself at Bobby. Then the fight when Roslyn accused Mary of sleeping with her ex, caused their friendship to evaporate.
“Don’t give me any shit, Mary,” Roslyn hissed. “I know what I am. I know you and Bobby are in an open relationship. Bobby cheated on you one time, and you’ve fucked half the city. Just because they drive nice cars and wear suits, you’re still married. So you don’t look down on me.”
Mary stiffened at the comment. She replied, “He’s free to do whatever he wants. For the first time she caught Bobby with Patti, she felt a pang of jealousy.”
Later that day, Mary looked out the back window to see Roslyn offering Bobby a beer. He shook his head. Bobby turned to walk away. Roslyn grabbed his arm and lightly touched his pecks, moving her hand to his washboard’s abs. She saw Bobby shake his head and mouthed, “I’m too busy, but thanks anyway.”
…….
It was August, and the centipede grass that Bobby planted back in June, was just about filled in. Then all hell broke loose. Goddam crabgrass sprung up. He stormed into the house, yelling for the kids to get outside now for weed pulling duty.
“Dad, we don’t want to do. It’s too hot,” complained John.
“Everybody except your mother is outside now. I’m tired of you guys sitting on your ass while your mom and I are busting our asses. Now outdoors.” Pointing his finger towards the front door.
“What are you doing, Mary?” Bobby asked. After seeing her grabbing her hat and shoes.
“I am coming outside and helping,” she replied
“No, you are not. You work your ass off a week and then do housework. The kids are not doing shit around here, and that’s stops now. You stay in and rest. You could make us some sweet, iced tea or lemonade if you feel like it. If not, they can drink water.”
Five hours, later three whining and complaining kids followed Bobby into the kitchen. Mary had ordered pizza and had it waiting on them. “Thanks, Mary,” smiled Bobby. The kids dove into the pizza.
Bobby slammed the palm of the table, making a loud slapping sound. Bobby bristled as he spoke, “You three will be assigned choirs to do. If they’re not done, on time, and correctly, there will be consequences like losing your phones and computers.
And Darlene, just because you are twenty, now you still live under our roof, and you will comply. If not, find someplace else to live. Your mother is starting Law school next month, and she needs our support. And, it will be given by all of us.”
Darlene looked at her siblings. With a snarky reply, “Who are you? And what did you do with our dad?”
He turned and looked at all three of them, “Let’s get his straight right now. I am not your friend. I’m your father. And although not a very good one, I am still your father. Darlene, if you don’t comply, I’ll take away the Kia, and you can ride the bus downtown to school. Also, if your grades don’t improve, we won’t pay for your next semester. I want a 3.5 GPA. You have a choice, go to school. Or go to work. If you go to work, you will still be required to pay rent and do chores.”
Mary raised her eyebrows at the man sitting across the table from her. “Mary, put together a list of choirs that needs doing each week and who you expect to do it.
Dalene, you will be responsible for supper each night. Mary, start her off with easy recipes and work her way up. Oh, by the way, the person who cooks dinner doesn’t do the dishes.” Looking at John and Amanda.
After the kids left, Mary walked over to Bobby, wiping off the table. She grabbed his huge biceps and smiled, “You know it has been almost six months since you’ve come home. Your side of the bed is still available,” rubbing up and down his arm.
“Mary, you have to believe me, I would love to, but I just can’t yet. It’s not you. And I promise there is no one else. I just need some more time to work on myself before going there. I’m sorry.” Then he walked towards the basement.
Mary stood there in shock. She wasn’t used to being rejected.
The door rang about 15 minutes later. “Bobby,” yelled Mary, “It’s Mike Baker from down the street. He wants to talk to you.”
“Hey, Mike,” smiled Bobby. “What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you would like to make some money on the side. Man, I look at your yard, and now mine looks like shit. Marge is complaining about it. Thanks a pant load.”
I replied, “Listen, I’ll do it, but there are caveats.
One. You have to rent the Ditch Witch. I can’t use the companies. That would be stealing. Two. I want you to go to a supplier we use and buy the parts I tell you. I will not install the shit my company furnishes for me to use. I didn’t use it in my yard. Three. I want $2000 cash to do it. And I can use you as a reference. I’m starting my own company. And this will be a good advertisement.
Oh, by the way…. You cannot tell anyone what you paid. You are paying about 60% of what it should cost. If you agree, I’ll do the layout and have the list of supplies for you to purchase. Call me when you get them. I will only be available on Sundays to do it. I expect a little sweat equity out of you.
Also, I want you to understand, Mike, that just watering grass will not get you the results you desire. I’ll put together a package for you to take care of your yard. If you don’t want to mess with it, you can hire me to take care of it for you.
I’m starting my company soon. It will include irrigation as well fertilizing and pest control. I have to finish up my degree before taking the state test. I have to have a license to buy chemicals. And to do that, you have to pass the state test.
I settled into a life of school and work, work and school. One night I heard Amanda sobbing in her room. I tapped on Amanda’s door and asked. “What’s the matter, Pumpkin?”
Oh, Daddy, they are Cyberbullying me. Looking up at him with swollen eyes filled with tears. How can I make them stop? Will you make them stop?”
I smiled at my little girl, “Yes, I can stop them for you, honey,”
“Thank you, Daddy, with the biggest grin.”
I walked over to her computer pulled the plug out of the socket. See, I said, “No more bullying. Let me tell you from firsthand experience. Don’t worry about being popular in high school. The second you graduate, your popularity means nothing to anybody.
In college and the workplace, your popularity won’t buy a stick of gum. The only thing that matters is how you perform and treat other people. Look at my life. And you should understand that by watching what happened to me. Why don’t you come on downstairs, and I’ll kick your tail in Halo 3?”
“That John’s game,” Amanda replied. “He’ll kill us.”
I laughed, “Johns at football practice, and besides, I’m bigger than he is. On top of that, I’ll go for the jugular. I’ll cut off his food supply,” chuckling.
Sunday afternoon, Mary came down to the basement to see Bobby reading. “What are you studying, Bobby?” she asked.
“Oh, just reading up on my stuff for work. What can I do for you, Mary?”
“I wondering if you escort me to the company Christmas Party this year.”
“Mary,” sighed Bobby, I will do it if you force the issue. But I’m asking you not to make me. Most of those people you work with me went to school with us. I’m not ready to face them yet.”
Mary was disappointed. She had been bragging to all her fellow office workers how hot Bobby looked now and wanted to show him off. “Ok, Bobby, maybe next year,” she disappointingly replied.
Bobby knew what she was about to say. “Goodnight, Mary,” before she could speak.
….
“Mary, can you come to my office?” came her boss’s voice over the intercom. She walked to see her long-time boss smiling at her.
She asked, “What’s going on?”