Lori smiled, “Bobby, it’s good to actually feel a working man’s hands again. Every man in this place has softer hands than mine. Bobby, you’re a wonderful dancer. You used to have two left feet. Have you been taking lessons?”
I chuckled, “YouTube Video.”
I went back and sat down and took a sip of his drink when Thomas walked over. I stood up, waiting for a confrontation. Thomas gave a halfhearted smile. “High Bobby.”
I snapped back, “You’ll get your money. As matter of fact, I have been paying ten times what the court ordered me to pay each month.”
Thomas, trying to stay calm. “Bobby, I was told you two had an open relationship, and she came after me. If I’d known that wasn’t exactly the case, I wouldn’t have gone with her. And she apologized to me because she thought you knew. I was hoping we could shake hands and in the future try to remain civil towards each other.”
I spoke mildly in an attempt to remain in control of my temper. “I want you to know this right now. I will never be your friend, understand? But with that said. “It was totally my fought, and I moved on from it. And I’m sorry about your knee. I should have just faced you up, man to man. I’ll tell you what. We can step outside now, and I’ll let you have the first swing unchallenged.
Every one of Mary’s actions was caused by me. I’ll have to live that. But I don’t have to live with you. And am sorry about posting those pictures of you online.”
Thomas laughed, “How do you think my wife found me.” I snarled. “Just kidding,” trying to calm me down. I didn’t laugh.
“I came over to talk to about doing my yard. Everyone in the neighborhood is pissed off at you. You did my neighbor’s yard, and he is gloating about how bad everyone else’s yards look.
And after engaging with you, I don’t think you would be interested in giving me a quote. And besides, you’re too dam expensive.”
“Too expensive, uh!” I responded. “Do you remember the lawyer I hired to sue your law firm’s ass? Should I say more about price?” Thomas guffawed at my reply.
“Listen, Thomas. What is between you and me is personal. I have employees that I am responsible for, and they need work. And they expect me to keep them busy. So if you still want me to quote you, have your wife call my receptionist Monday. She’ll make an appointment for me to come out.
Unless you get a sprinkler system installed, your yard is going to look like shit. Your neighbor does the full treatment. Fertilizing, weed control, and pest control. You sign a service contract and forget it. Also, we give a five-year performance bond on the sprinkler system.
Even if we go out of business, you’re still covered. We bill by the quarter for maintenance. I hope to put on a quality control guy in a few months. He’ll come out and inspect your yard monthly. You also get free in-between maintenance service if needed.
With the executive service, you get free aeration in the fall. You get what you pay for. I hope next year to put in a yard mowing service to become a one stop shop for lawn service.”
I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Mary standing there looking at us. “Thomas, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get my husband to dance with me since this is the last dance and he has danced with everyone here but me. I think I deserve at least one.”
Mary giggle and teased me, “I think some of the young interns have had a little too much to drink. They were trying to get a little closer to you than they should have.”
I took Mary in my arms. I kept a safe space between us. Mary smiled with pride and said, “All the girls and wives were telling me you have become quite the dancer. How come you didn’t ask me to dance?”
“Mary, I didn’t ask them to dance to me. They asked me. I just didn’t want to do anything to embarrass you. Like I have done so many times in the past. Just trying to be a gentleman.”
Mary giggled and teased me. I think some of the young interns have had a little too much to drink. They were trying to get a little closer to you than they should be.” I ignored her. She was the one that had had too much to drink. She was repeating herself.
Mary giggled, “You really impressed them with your dancing skills. Have you been taking lessons and not telling me?”
“No, lessons. Amanda and I have been practicing together. As I said, I didn’t want to be an embarrassment to you anymore. I know how I was in the past, and I’m so sorry. If I could go back and slap the shit out of the younger me, I would.
I am struggling every day to prove myself to you, so please, give me time to find my way back. I promise I’m not seeing anyone right now, even though we are now in an open relationship. That’s ok for you, but not me. I know you keep offering me. For the time being, I have to turn you down. So please forgive me.
You’re as beautiful now as the day I first saw you. No, that’s wrong. You’re even more beautiful today. But I am asking you not to ask.” Mary knew he had changed but was beginning to think something happened to him in prison he had to deal with.
“Mary, I am heading to Vegas the first week of March. There will be displayed new lawn spray machinery I want to look at and purchase. All the different manufactures will be there showing their products at one time. I can compare all the products and accessories made at the same time. I also need continuing education credits. So I will be attending professional courses.”
Mary kiddingly asked, “You’re not planning on getting any other education while you are there, are you, Bobby?” Unfortunately for Bobby, he could never tell a lie without Mary knowing. She knew Bobby wasn’t telling the truth. When he said no, Mary caught the fact he looked away from her with his eyes for a split second. She decided not to push the issue that evening.
….
“Mr. Baurs,” came over the intercom. “There’s a lady out here that says she is your wife. She wants to come back to your office.”
“Send her back, Sandra,” I nervously replied. Standing up, wiping my sweaty palms down the front of my pants, I waited on her to come back to his office.
She walked in and smiled, “So this is where you go when you’re not home.” She slowly circled the room, touching and looking at the trinkets that vendors dropped off when making sales call on me. She didn’t say anything as she circled the room.
I asked, “What brings you here, Mary?”
“Just looking,” she replied. She kept her back to me as she sauntered through my office, acting as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Without looking at me, she asked, “When did you hire the receptionist? She is very lovely. What is she, 26, 27? She turned to look Bobby in his eyes.”
I bowed his back and barked back, catching Mary’s surprise, “I do not know or care. I didn’t hire her based on her age. Sandra is on parole, just like me. And needed a job.
Her husband had beat her constantly.
Finally, she had enough. One night, after he passed out from drinking. She sewed him up in his sheets and beat him half to death with a frying pan. She has gotten out on parole and has two kids. She needed a job to support them.
I provide health care and reasonable hours. If her kids are sick, she can answer the phone and work from home. And I needed a receptionist.”
Mary gave no reaction to his reply. She continued to wander around looking through the mail on his desk. “Why haven’t you invited me down to your office, Bobby?”
“Mary, I wasn’t hiding anything. You are working full time and going to law school. You get home and exhausted on weekends. I am trying to make it as easy on you as I can. I hired a housekeeper to keep the house clean and do the laundry.
I make sure that Amanda is where she is supposed to be and is taken care of. And besides, you never asked. I’d give you a tour, but all the trucks are out, and the only thing you’d see is an empty warehouse.
“Listen I’m really busy, and I have three large quotes to get out today. But do you want to go for a quick lunch?”
Mary smiled and replied, “Not necessary. I already have lunch plans. I’m taking your receptionist, what’s her name, Sandra, to lunch.” with a knowing smile.
I was pissed at Mary for going there, “Go ahead, Mary. I haven’t done anything with her that I wouldn’t have done in front of you. Unlike some people in their own office.” Mary stood in shock. And left without saying a word.
An hour and a half later, I heard laughter coming from the front of the offices. I walked out to the reception area after Mary left.
Sandra smiled, “Mr. Baurs, I mean Bobby. Your wife is a wonderful woman. I just love her. You’re a lucky man to be married to a woman like her. She said she would see you after classes tonight.” I knew now I had a spy in my office.