Mary caught up with Bobby later that night, “Wow, Bobby, that brilliant.”
“Thanks,” as he hurried away.
……
“Hey, Bobby, it’s that time of year again. I want you to go to the Christmas Party with me.” She could see Bobby’s gears turning in his head trying, to get out of it.
Mary smiled, “Bobby, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I know you are doing quite well with your company. I’m very proud of you. I’m begging this time.” I nodded my head, yes.
I sat at a table watching my wife dancing with everyone when he heard my name spoke. Bobby, may I sit down? “It was Lori Harrison, Mary’s boss’s wife.”
“Huh,” I replied, taking a second to understand what she asked. “Yea, sure, as I stood and pulled a chair back for her to sit down.
She smiled, “God, Bobby, you look great. You look like you’re in your early 30’s again. Mary says you are doing quite well with your company, and she brags about you all the time.”
Bobby just smiled. “Bobby, what are you drinking? I thought you were a beer man. You always said hated hard liquor.”
I picked up my glass, tilted toward my lips, and replied, “Diet Coke. I don’t drink anymore. It kills the smart brain cells. And God only knows I only have so many left, and I didn’t have that many to start with. Not to mention it gets me into too much trouble.”
“I want to dance,” demanded Lori. “Mary is out dancing with everyone, and you’re just sitting here like a knot on a log.” She stood up, not taking no for an answer.
I took her hand in his and glided her around the floor. I could feel Lori adjusting her hands in mine. “I’m sorry, Lori, my hands are a little rough. They get wet and chapped. I bang them up, carrying and installing pipe and fittings. And getting the glue off them is a nightmare.”
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.”