I had just put my briefcase on my desk when Nancy entered my office. She said that Mrs. Timbrook wanted another meeting with me at ten-thirty. I told her I’d check my schedule; Nancy laughed as she left my office. She has a great sense of humor, but business is finished when she puts her foot down. Ten-thirty found me standing in front of Nancy’s desk. “You’re seven seconds late. That will be four demerits,” she laughed a...

The next morning, I got up before Cynthia. Perfect. I snuck into the hall bathroom and freshened up. I’ll shave later. I pressed the button on the coffee maker and got out a box of breakfast cookies we usually have on Sunday. So what, today is Saturday and a new life. I went into the bedroom to surprise Cynthia. She was sitting up in bed with the cover over her head. Okay, I’m – wait a minute. She hasn’t had time to do he...

The three of us got into the truck and headed for the house. Beta yawned the entire way. At the house, I helped Beth out of the truck as we watched Beta, tail dragging, head for his door and his room. Beth brought our beer into the living room. It was almost dusk. We looked at each other and headed for the porch. The night sky was beautiful. So many colors as the blanket of the night covered the sun until tomorrow. “This...

The witching hour was approaching and the bottles were upside down in the chilling buckets. Sometime during the night, Carl and I decided that my life with Beth had been planned. He finally convinced Cindy that he had to go to work in the morning. He gently nudged Cindy to the door. I stayed out of it. I hoped Beth would call off tomorrow, I mean today. He got Cindy to the door and twenty minutes later, got her in the car...

Clatter – crash – thud scared me out of my wits Saturday morning as I rushed to the bathroom. “Loretta, Baby!” “DON’T COME IN HERE! I’m fine. My crutch fell, I’m okay,” Loretta reassured me. Then I noticed her crutches were not in their spot. I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for my heartbeat to return to normal. Maybe I’m overprotective, but I’m not changing. With my heart rate back to normal, I went to the kitchen t...

When I woke up on Sunday, I didn’t smell the coffee. I thought we forgot to set the timer. I thought I set it for nine, but it was only seven-fifteen when I looked at the clock. I growled at the coffee pot and headed back to bed. Loretta was coming out of the bathroom. “Is it time to get up, Baby?” She asked through a yawn and stretching. “Sweetie, it’s seven-fifteen, and even the coffee pot is still asleep,” so much for...

On the way home from work the next day, I phoned Frank. I asked him if he and Alice were free on Friday the thirteenth. It will be our six-month anniversary, and I wanted to have a little party for Loretta. I hoped to have him and then ask Travis and Annie. I would ask Annie at the party. Frank said he would tell Alice. He was sure nothing would keep them from being there. I phoned the Crystal Goblet next. I explained it...

Jack was always good for his word. At five-thirty he pulled up in front of Loretta’s apartment. Loretta was upstairs filling up the empty tubs we brought with us. Jack and I carefully carried the chest of drawers down to his truck. He had borrowed some moving blankets to cushion from damage. We loaded the tubs, loaded them up, and headed for my place. Jack stayed after his truck and my car was unloaded. Not surprisingly,...

“Umph, oh, umph, damn it,” Loretta was trying to get to the bathroom. “Wait, Honey, I’m here,” I jumped out of bed and grabbed her. We walked to the bathroom, I closed the door. I heard Loretta sobbing. Finally, she called to me, “Michael,” she was sniffing. “May I say something?” I asked. Loretta nodded her head. “I need you just as much, Honey,” I hugged her. “Oh, Michael. I’ve never been in this situation, I mean not h...

The next morning, Valerie was visibly sad. Jeff dressed poured her coffee and took it into the bedroom. He stopped and watched Valerie arrange her gown and his robe on the bed. The bed was as they left it when they got up. He heard Valerie sniffing. “What’s wrong, Ginger Snap?” Jeff said tenderly. “I don’t want to leave; I don’t want this to end. You made this so wonderful Jeff.” Valerie was tearing up now. “It was wonder...

The next morning was all sunshine. The couple went to the restaurant and had the Bridal Breakfast including mimosas. Valerie was on top of the world. Sitting across the table with real linen and the elegant setting was something she had never experienced. Then she looked at her husband. Her husband. Valerie’s heart fluttered. The server, attired in a white shirt, black bow tie, and comber bun poured their coffee from a si...

When Valerie got to work on Monday, she was still all aglow. Her best friend, Crystal, met her in the lunchroom. Valerie was putting her lunch in the refrigerator and her left hand was on top of the door holding it. “Well, how much longer are you going to be MISS Hudson?” Crystal was holding Valerie’s hand and smiling. “I don’t know yet. Jeff is so full of surprises. For all I know, he’s crazy enough to bring a minister h...