Plus One -

Plus One Part 2 - A Greenville Story.

Does Alice get her man?

People asked for a follow up. I hadn't planned on doing one but took it as a challenge. Hope you enjoy.

The middle part is mostly Frank telling his story.

**************************************************************************************

Frank was as usual on time. I watched him from my bedroom window as he got out the car and walked to the door. Frank really looks good in a Tux, Like a James Bond without the accent and not as smooth. Yet, that's what makes him cute to me. I was going down the stairs when I heard his knock. I didn't answer immediately. First part of my plan was shock and awe. I waited a few seconds before answering the door and steeping back.

For the first time ever Frank was speechless. He just looked at me like it was the first time. "Do you like the dress you bought me"? Doing a little twirl. "How about the new shoes' Sticking out my foot which made the slit open almost to my panty line, If I was wearing panties. Maybe it was the open toes shoes. Maybe he has a foot fetish. Either way I hope to find out.

He actually blushed. I've never seen him this embarrassed before. "Um, you look, Fantastic' He mumbled still looking at my legs. 'I like that color on you. Then again green is my favorite color."

"I didn't know green was your favorite color. I seen this in the window at Belks and had to have it. I figured tonight would be the best time to wear it. So you approve?"

"Yes I do, you look lovely.' He said with a smile.

I thanked him with a kiss on the cheek. It was the first time we ever had any physical contact. I was going to make sure it wasn't the last.

He lead me out to his car and open the door for me. I made sure I showed him more leg as I got in. I smiled to myself when I heard an audible moan. He took a second longer then usual to close the door and walk into the driver side.

We chatted about nothing in particular. I made sure to be turned towards him. Touching him on his arm as we talked. Something I had never done before.

When we got to the venue he seemed a little disappointed that the Valet opened the door for me. After running around to my side he helped me out the car. I saw the interaction between him and valet. That little look men give each other when one has a hot woman with them. A little sign of respect.

As we were walking in I grabbed Franks arm as we entered the building. Usually we just walked side by side. He looked at me with surprise but didn't pull away. We didn't make it 10 steps into the party room before we were greeted by Joan Whipple. She runs several charities.

"It's good you two could make it'. She finally noticed the way I was hanging on Franks arm. She raised her eyes questioningly. I just gave her a sly smile. 'Alice, I could use some of your legendary organizational skills Frank speaks so highly of."

"Oh does he now? I might have to ask for a raise if I'm so good' Looking at him and laughing. 'We'll talk about my availability with my boss. He can be a ball buster" Joan and I both laughed as Frank just stood there and finally saying he was going to get a drink.

We he was leaving Joan pulled me to the side, "Okay spill it, whats going on? Something is different between you two. Have you finally made it official?"

"Not yet but I'm working on it. I've been a plus one far to long."

"We all were wondering when that was going to happen. Both of you are such good people. We see how much influence you've had on Frank. Even though he's still stiff as a board he was even worse before you from what I hear."

"Thanks Joan, I know I'm walking a tightrope on trying to take our relationship the next level. I'm all in, even if it cost me my job" I said with confidence.

Hugging me Joan said, "We're all routing for you. You both deserve to be happy."

I went to get a drink and find Frank. Only Frank found me first. He has a glass of red wine for me. Its these types of things he does without realizing how sweet it is that has endeared him to me.

I thank him, "oh Frank, you're so sweet to get my drink" and lightly touch his arm and give him a peck on the cheek. I keep hold of his arm as we walk towards our table.

We ran into more people we know from other social and civic events. Frank isn't the most sociable person so I do most of the heavy lifting at these types of events. As we mingled more and more people give me knowing smiles. I know Frank noticed. I would see a man give him, what I guess is the Bro Nod. The women giving me happy smiles. I feigned innocence but held onto his arm and occasionally putting my head on his shoulder. At first I felt him tighten up the first time I did it. I knew he wouldn't make a scene.

I was complimented on my dress several times. The women who were on my side, even though I had no idea until the fourth lady said, "Doesn't she look beautiful in that dress Frank"? Needless to say he had no choice but to agree.

The third time I turned to him and asked "Do you really think I'm beautiful Frank?" Which turned the compliment completely around.

Trying to be cool and collected he slowly responded, "Yes Alice I think your beautiful in that dress."

"In the dress only, not out of the dress. I mean not naked, I'm sorry, I meant is the dress the only thing that makes me beautiful to you?"

I saw a small blush before he answered "No Alice your always beautiful. One of the prettiest ladies I know."

Grabbing his hand, "Thank you Frank" and kissed his cheek. Yes you can see the lipstick prints on his cheek. At least you could until someone pointed it out to him and he ran to the bathroom to wipe them off.

Sitting for dinner we had an enjoyable conversation with the other people at our table. Men talking business, women talking about what was going on in the world. Simone the women sitting next to Frank asked if we had finally made it official.

The table got quiet waiting for an answer. I looked at Frank as I wiped my mouth with the napkin. "If it was up to me it would have happened a long time ago. Frank has the keys to this car so its to him when he gets to drive it."

Frank's eyes opened wide with my reply. His face changed into something I couldn't understand. Did I push it to far and to fast? Was he going to yell at me and even worse fire me on Monday? For the first time I wasn't confident in my plan.

The tension was broken when Eric Day said "Frank you're a lucky man and didn't even realize it. You have the keys to a Roll Royce sitting there. You better drive it."

Other people jumped in to affirm Eric's opinion of me and our possible relationship.

Frank held up his hand to silence the table. "I appreciate what everyone is saying. I know how special Alice is as person, friend and employee. But the key word is employee. Workplace relationships are difficult and while I'm not trying to be negative if it goes bad it can out the business jeopardy as well as ruin a great friendship." He looked at me, shrugged and went to the bar to get another drink.

People at the table were worried they had messed things up. I assured them everything was okay and went to talk to Frank at the bar.

He was standing there with his usual Ginger Ale and OJ since he doesn't drink. I went to stand next to him and ordered red wine.

"Frank, I'm sorry for what happened at the table. I didn't put them up to any of it. I didn't even encourage it. None the less I didn't discourage it. As always I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not going to say I'm in love with you but I'm extremely attracted to you. We've been coming to these things for 5 years. Worked together for another 5. I know you better than I knew my ex-husband. People see us together all the time. I get asked all the time when we will make it official and I think you get the same questions also. Am I right?"

"Sure I get the same questions. You're a beautiful woman. I meant it when I said it at the table. But we work together Alice. It may prove to be troublesome if it went sideways."

"Than lets make sure it doesn't go sideways. Frank, I want to give this a chance. I don't want to spend another day wondering what if. I know you haven't dated anyone since I've been working for you. I don't know what happened in your past. People make promises they can't keep. I feel someone broke a very serious promise to you.' holding up my hand to stop his response, 'I won't promise, not that I feel I can't keep it. I'll try my best to be everything you need and want. But I want the same thing in return. I want to share my life with you Frank.."

Taking a big swallow of his drink he looked me in the eye. "Alice, I know how I feel about you. I'm comfortable with you. Its been a long time since I've been comfortable with a woman. Another issue is that your an employee and I'm the boss. No matter what people think' he said as an inside joke that many people think I ran the company. Which I do but, "it could be bad for business if this doesn't work."

"Don't you think I've thought of that. How about this, I quit effectively immediately."

"What' he says in bewilderment, 'You can't quit. Now people will think you quit because I wouldn't date you.' He was getting exasperated. 'Why are you doing this?"

"Because if I have to be poor, and lose my house, and live on the street in rags to date you I'm willing to take that chance. However you can take a chance for once to see what we might have together. Aren't you tired of going home to an empty house. Don't you want to share your life with someone who cares. If it wasn't for my cat I would have an empty home. And even my cat wants me to start dating. I've waited long enough. I took the bull by the horns. I've handed you the keys. Are you going to drive or take an Uber?"

"Damn Alice', he said without the heat that that particular statement would normally carry. ' When I got up this morning the only thing I was worried about was making a fool of myself on the dance floor. Lets go for a walk. I have a story to tell."

He led me out the door and we started slowly walking down the street. "I was married before. I've never told anyone this story since I moved to North Carolina almost 20 years ago.

When I was much younger. We met in high school. Yes the proverbial High School sweethearts. We were each others first, giving our virginity away after prom our senior year. Got married a year after I graduated from the police academy. We were living in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia. Back then it was a nicer area than it is now.

I was working patrol and she worked at Wawa as a manager. Considering our ages we were doing pretty good. We agreed on having kids, at least 2 but no more than 4. We tried and tried but after 3 years nothing. Finally we decided to get tested, Both of us. She went and they didn't find any issues with her plumbing."

I could tell Frank was getting more and more upset the more he talked. I didn't say anything, just let him continue at his own pace.

"Because of my schedule I couldn't get in to do the test for a couple of weeks after she had her test and gotten the results. And then didn't get my results for another week. I came home one day to balloons all over the house with everyone there celebrating. She was pregnant. I was over the moon. After all that time trying for a child it finally happened. I was going to have a little Frank Jr. or Francesca. I've never been so happy in my life.

That happiness lasted 3 days. I got a call from the doctor asking me to come in. I told him there was no need since Pam, my wife, was already pregnant. He insisted that I came in. He said the test found something I should be aware of. I began to worry. You always think the worst in these situations. I didn't tell Pam because I didn't want her to worry.'

We stopped at a bench and sat down. The evening was warm and comfortable.

'So I go to the doctor as a future father. I come out as a cuckold. He told me I was sterile and wasn't able to have children. When he found out my wife was pregnant he ran the test twice more. There was no illness that would cause it. I guess I was cursed to have been born sterile. No Frank or Francesca. I was the last of my name since I didn't have any siblings.

Sitting in my car mentally dealing with the worst news of my life I realized I had even worst thoughts. Pam had cheated on me. Not only cheated but got pregnant by someone else.

Most people don't know but police have one of the highest divorce rates by profession. They even talk about in the academy. Well, who really thinks about divorce when your getting married. I thought we had a solid marriage. I had the world by the tail. I made it a point to take her out on dates and brings flowers to the job. We weren't stressing over bills. Had a good start on saving for a house to buy in the burbs. Always told her I loved her. I guess it wasn't enough.

I wasn't ready to confront her let alone be alone with her. My one true love had betrayed me in the worst way possible. I was 26 years old and had never been with another woman besides Pam. I questioned everything. Did she cheat because I'm not a good lover?

I called Pam and told her I had to work a special duty shift and would be home in the morning. Of course I didn't have to work. I drove over the Ben Franklin into Pennsauken New Jersey and found a cheap motel for the night.

Since she tried embarrass me I was going to embarrass her. I didn't care if she thought the baby was mine or not. Her having slept with someone else and getting pregnant was enough to be condemned. I called both sets of parents to invite them to a celebration dinner tomorrow night at Cucina Maria in South Philly. I told them not to say anything to Pam because I wanted to surprise her. I asked Pan's mother Loretta to tell the rest of the kids. That would be almost 15 people including spouses and children if everyone showed up. It would cost me a pretty penny. Since we're not saving for a house I would use the money from that account.

I called Pam in the morning and told her to be ready to go out at 6pm. I had made reservations. Since it was for a Wednesday it was easy for them to fit us in.

I may have seemed cool and calm but I was devastated. I couldn't let my anger get to me. When you carry a gun for a living crazy things can happen. Stories of cops shooting a cheating wife or husband happens all the time, Even when you have it locked away its still there.

My life had been great. I was moving up the ranks on the force. I was looking at Detective in less then 10 years. Pam was at work when I got home. I knew I would be leaving soon. I looked around the house and made a mental note of things I wanted to take with me. I didn't have a lot besides clothes. The biggest thing was finding a place to live. I checked the paper to see what was available.

I was dressed when Pam got home. I knew she would be forever in the bathroom. Looking at her I didn't see anything different about her. I couldn't remember if any of her habits had changed. As far I knew she always came home the same time. She works at Wawa so its not like she could dress for her lover. I work rotating shifts so he could come over at night when I'm at work. Hell, he could have come over during the day. I was killing myself thinking about it. I didn't care when she got fucked, Excuse my language Alice. Where or when it happened, I know it happened.

At dinner everyone was again congratulating me and Pam. The food was good as always. I waited until everyone had eaten. I stood up for what people for a toast. I still remember the words, "I'm so glad to have all my family here tonight to celebrate Pam's pregnancy. Its good to see everyone so happy. But there is one important person missing. The father of the child. You see I found out yesterday that I'm sterile and can't make a baby."

Her father, Ed, was the first to say something. "What hell are you saying Frank? Are you accusing my daughter of cheating?"

Her oldest brother, EJ for Ed Jr, threatened me by saying, Shit Frank, Pam loves you. How can you think she would so something like that. I should beat your ass."

Pam was just sitting there not saying anything. The look on her face was priceless. I pulled the test results from my coat pocket and handed it to Ed. As he read it his head dropped lower and lower. Pam's mother was reading with him and started crying. She looked at Pam, who was shaking her and repeating over and over, 'No No this can't be happening.' She asked "is this true Pam, is Frank the father? Please honey, tell me you didn't cheat."

Everyone was looking at Pam now. She burst out in tears and ran to the bathroom. She was soon followed by her mother and sister. It was pandemonium. People were yelling, asking questions. Some where mad that I embarrassed Pam like that. I didn't respond to any of it. I went to my parents and told them I loved them and would be in touch. I also went to Ed and asked him to take Pam home for the night. I would be gone by 6pm tomorrow.

My heart was broken. I sat in my car and cried like a baby. The fact that I would never be a father. My wife cheated on me. The only woman that I ever loved. Philly is a big city but your social circle is also big. People who know people who know people. That kind of thing. I knew my co-workers would find out. I felt I couldn't live with everyone knowing I had been cuckolded. So I packed my clothes and left. I gave my supervisor my notice, Told my parents and left town.

Was I running away, yes. You can't see the smirks or hear the laughs in your car has your driving away.

Everyone and everything was in my rear view mirror. The thing about living in Philly, its a big city and its close to everything. NYC and Baltimore are 90 minutes away. The Jersey Shore is an hour. For many people that's their world. And it had been mine.

I had no destination in mind. Just to get away. I drove west on the PA Turnpike and something made take I83 south. I stopped at a couple of places on the way that caught my eye. It took me 3 days to get here. I didn't even think about settling down in Greenville. When I stopped to get something to eat the people were so friendly and welcoming. I don't know if it was the fresh air but I felt renewed. My heart still hurt though. So I decided to stay. I got a job on the police force thanks to a recommendation by my former Sargent.

The only drawback was I didn't or couldn't trust women. The only one I ever truly loved crushed my heart. I know I had changed fundamentally. I wasn't the nice easy going guy I was before. I wasn't smiling. I didn't have that joyful laugh any longer. People started using the terms, Sullen, Morose, Brooding, and many other sad terms. Co-workers tried to invite me to parties but after a year of declining every offer they gave up.

So Alice, I've never told anyone my story. All anyone knew of my past is that I used to be a cop in Philly. I let them fill in the blanks for themselves."

I realized I was holding Franks hand and my breath as he told his story. I felt so bad for him. The life he lived with all that pain. I knew I wanted to be the one to take away the pain.

"Frank, I understand more of how you feel and I truly appreciate you letting me in. But, doesn't the fact that you trusted me enough to tell me about your past tell you something. That's a gift you have given me, Your Trust.' Gripping his hand even tighter 'you need to reclaim your time Frank. I don't know Pam but I'm pretty sure she is living her life. You need to start living yours. And yes, I so much want to be a part of your life. You still have a lot of time left. Stop wasting it on something that happened so long ago and the anger that someone caused. Don't her win."

"I know you're right Alice. I've been holding this anger in for so long. I had hoped I left it behind in Philly but its always with me. I see a woman with a baby and it reminds of Pam even though I haven't seen her in decades. I don't even know if she had a boy or girl. I'm so used to living like this I don't know if I could live any other way."