I want to give special thanks to my editor, Alabasterthighs. Her assistance is greatly appreciated.
*
I rolled into the office later than usual for a Wednesday morning. Fighting an uncharacteristic midweek hangover, I sat at my desk, booted up the computer, and played back the messages from the night before. Nothing urgent; at least, nothing that rated a higher priority than my first cup of coffee. I opened the calendar and scrolled through the appointments. Again, nothing that would require delaying my morning recovery ritual. I glanced at the deadlines and, seeing nothing due today, went to the kitchen to get that longed for cup of coffee. Ten years ago I could have drank all night and been relatively unaffected the next day. Now, at age forty-five, a late night drinking binge has left me huddled in the office with the shades drawn, the door closed, the ringer on my cell phone turned to the lowest setting, and the DO NOT DISTURB light flashing on my office phone. If I could have turned the volume of the light down any lower, I would have.
As I returned to my desk I heard the last few bars of the cell phone ring tone assigned to my wife's sister, Bibiana. Bibiana is a gorgeous creature, in many ways a younger, smaller, and -- I hate to admit -- prettier version of my wife. Bibiana also has the good fortune of not being burdened with a conscience. This allows her the luxury of doing whatever she wants, whenever she wants, with whomever she wants to do it. Her lack of intelligence, however, has allowed her to make some very bad choices, and as a result, I have had to bail her out of some ridiculous situations, sometimes at considerable personal cost to myself. She is always quick to repay me for my troubles with her preferred currency: mind blowing sex. This arrangement has worked to our mutual advantage for most of my fifteen year marriage to her sister, Ileana.
By the time I reached my cell phone, it had already stopped ringing. I closed the office door and looked for a message. The inbox showed no new messages, so I called her.
"Ah, my hero," Bibiana cooed into the phone. "Coming to rescue me again?"
"That depends," I answered. "What's the problem this time?"
"No problem, actually. I was just calling to give you a heads up. Someone is going to be calling you today."
"I would say that someone has already called me today."
"Silly man, I am not talking about me."
"Then, who?"
"I ran into a friend of mine at the gym last night. We started talking, and she has a situation that requires some assistance. She asked me if I knew anyone who could help, and I suggested you."
"So I have to rescue your friends now, also?"
"It's not like that. I'll let her explain. I gave her your name and number, but I did not promise that you would help her. Whatever you decide to do, that's your decision. It makes no difference to me, one way or the other."
"That's a pretty vague explanation."
"I know. I'm sorry. I don't know if you will be interested in her proposition, but I believe it would be better if you heard it from her. I might not explain it properly, and that could influence your decision."
"You can't give me a hint?"
"Sorry. I'm not getting involved in this. You do whatever you like, and don't worry about me. I won't hold it against you if you say 'no'."
"Alright, I'll wait for her call. What is her name?"
"Dawn. Dawn Kennedy. She should be calling you sometime this afternoon. She leaves work at five, so my best guess is between five and five thirty. Good luck, and have fun."
"OK, thanks, I guess. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
* * *
I survived the rest of the morning, and after eating a bowl of soup at lunch, I started to feel better. The rest of the afternoon was uneventful. I was grateful for that, although time seemed to slow to an imperceptible crawl after three o'clock. At precisely five o'clock my secretary left for the day, and that was pretty much the end of my productivity, as well. I would have left by five fifteen if I were not waiting for Ms. Dawn Kennedy to call.
Finally -- at five thirty-one -- the generic ring tone sounded, and an unfamiliar number flashed on the cell phone display.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hi, my name is Dawn Kennedy, I am calling for Mr. Santos," a soft feminine voice responded.
"This is Victor Santos. How can I help you?"
"I have a situation. Bibiana recommended you as someone who might be able to help me. Can we meet tonight to discuss what I have in mind?"
"Umm, sure," I answered, with some hesitation in my voice. "Do you know where my office is located?"
"I know where you are, but I don't want to meet you at your office. There is a supermarket located one-half mile south of your office. Can you meet me there in fifteen minutes?"
"Ah, sure, I guess. Is this urgent."
"It's not urgent, but I would like to get moving tonight, while I have time to meet with you."
"Will this take long?
"Not more than fifteen or twenty minutes, I would estimate."