Bobby sat straight up in the bed. His head pounded, his stomach rolled & he broke out in a cold sweat. He looked at the clock-5:30 AM. Things didn’t seem right-at least not as he remembered them. He got up, padded to the bathroom where he downed two aspirin. He went back to the bedroom and took one look at the bed and decided it must have been a rough night. The sheets were un-tucked, the covers thrown back. Bobby half-heartedly straightened the linens and stretched out on the bed.
His mind wandered back to the center’s opening last night. He remembered the center was nearly full with dignitaries, celebrities and community leaders. He also remembered Louise’s grand entrance on the back of Sam Deed’s motorcycle dressed in the skin tight leather pants, jacket, five inch heeled boots and her dismount from the cycle. As she strutted toward him, he felt the green eyed monster of jealousy whack him on the back of the head and asked him what he was going to do. And there were other feelings too. Bobby had no idea what to do but he did know his feelings were out of control. He was totally infatuated with Louise. He searched his mind for what else happened. He finally decided that maybe a shower would help clear his mind. He walked slowly to the bathroom, adjusted the water, stripped off his boxers and stepped into the shower. Jeez’ he never knew water could make such noise, each drop sounded like the crack of a rifle in his head.
He showered in short order, wrapped the towel around his waist and headed toward the kitchen. He turned on the coffee maker and decided to try a couple of pieces of dry toast. He opted for black coffee and filled a large mug, rescued his toast from the toaster (the timer went out on it months ago), padded to the living room and sat down on the couch. He savored his coffee and nibbled on the toast. “Think Bobby, think” he said to himself, “what happened last night”. He had always prided himself in being detailed oriented and in control, but he had to admit he was failing miserably at the present.
About that time the phone rang. Bobby’s head felt like it exploded. He caught it on the second ring. His first attempt to speak was low and hoarse. He cleared his throat, which didn’t help his head, and tried again. “Hello” he said. Cheerfully Louise’s voice chirped, “Good Morning! Sooo, how are you feeling this morning?” Bobby’s first thought was “There’s no reason for anybody to be that damn cheerful in the morning” He cleared his throat again and said “I’ve had better days. Sorry I’m running late. I’ll be in shortly” Louise replied, “Don’t worry about it. Just get over the hangover and tomorrow we will discuss the new project. I really want your input.” They talked (actually Louise did most of the talking) about the center’s opening. Finally Bobby interrupted Louise incessant chirping with the question “Louise, what else happened last night?”
“Well, if you really want to know”, she responded, Bobby swallowed hard and closed his eyes in dread.
“Let’s see,” Louise began. “Do you remember after the ceremony, you and I stayed to clean up?” Bobby hesitated then replied, “Yeah. And?” Louise continued “I challenged you to a drinking contest. Who could drink the most tequila shots before getting buzzed.” “I guess I showed you,” he replied. Louise laughed and it made Bobby’s heart jump. “I stopped at four or five. You were still throwing them back. I lost count but between the two of us we polished off almost two bottles of tequila. You know Goren, I figured you could hold your liquor better than that.” Bobby grunted and rubbed his forehead. Louise continued with the story, “Well, you were knee-walking drunk by the time Sam and his fiancée arrived to take me home. Anyway Sam drove you home in your car and she and I followed in her car. We finally got you in the apartment and got you to bed.”
After several moments of awkward silence, Bobby swallowed hard and said, “Um, Thanks.” Louise chucked that throaty chuckle that made Bobby catch his breath, “You’re welcome,” she answered. She continued “Well, I need to get off the phone and let you nurse that hangover. Remember; drink plenty of liquids, liquids of the non-alcoholic kind.” Again that chuckle than was hers and hers alone. The phone clicked off.
Bobby held the receiver to his ear for a few more moments before he placed it in the cradle. He sat quietly and finished his coffee. He slide forward on the couch, leaned back and rested his head on back of the couch. His eyes filled as he thought about the death of his mother, his brother, the circumstances in which he left Major Case. He mulled over the conversion with Louise. Marriage, doting on children, grandchildren and growing old with the love of his life was not his to own. A tear ran down his cheek. It was ONLY A DREAM.
2 comments:
WOW, lol. That's awesome. Great turn of events. Poor Bobby and his hangover. Nurse Bev to the rescue.
Great chapter, Lynn! Sad but very typical of Bobby's story. Don't worry, Bobby; it may happen for you one day. After all, you haven't met me yet! But...I would pay big bucks to have seen Bobby and Sam Deed in the same car! Talk about a double delight!!
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