THE WAGES OF SIN—PART 3
I did talk to the girls, lining them up as I cooked a pound of bacon before frying two eggs for each of us. After my "discussion" they all understood to mind their own business and not Amy's and mine. I kissed everyone goodbye afterwards and drove off to work.
Fridays are always hectic. The men turn in their time sheets then Carolyn and her assistant Barbara review them, compute their wages and withholding for taxes and benefits using a payroll program I had bought last year. Finally, the program told me not only how much money I needed, but the exact number of each bill denomination, as well. Carolyn and Barbara were salaried and so was I. With all that information in hand I drove to the bank for a withdrawal and returned so the payroll was ready before noon. I always tried to visit the men on their jobs to deliver their pay personally. I had learned that this was an effective way to bond with and support my employees. I usually wished them a great weekend, but this weekend would be special.
I left early as was my habit on Fridays, but first I stopped by to check on the Johansen job. It was making great progress. The skylight was in and the roof completely repaired. They had selected a top brand that could be opened with a remote control, a wise decision in my opinion. It would be much easier to open and close than a manual and it would close automatically in the event of rain. The tile work was done and grouted. Only the placement of the plumbing and electrical fixtures and final painting of the upper walls and ceiling needed to be done. Mrs. Johansen was ecstatic. She told me how pleased she and her husband were with the job. Even better, I had earned similar jobs with three of her neighbors. Gotta keep up with those Joneses!
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Saturday morning the girls knew they were responsible for their own breakfasts so Amy and I lingered in bed. Okay, we did get up to pee and use mouthwash, but then we were back in bed for even more fun and games. Amy had proven to be an adventurous, imaginative, and energetic lover. I had always tried to please Terri and now those lessons were used to Amy's advantage. We had worn each other down last night and now we barely had the energy to move. I pulled the blankets over us again, whispering, "I love you" in Amy's ear before we fell asleep again.
I knew that Amy planned to take the girls out to do their nails before their hair appointments, but she gathered the three of them in the living room just before lunch. I knew that something was up. "Tim, the girls want to get their ears pierced. I think they're more than old enough." I agreed. It was Terri who had refused them earlier. Amy told me she would buy them two sets of posts, one in gold and one in their birthstone, also in gold which I knew was good at avoiding infection. I agreed, telling Amy I had a few things to pick up for the party. I'd take their dresses and shoes to a room adjacent to the Coffee Pub's office where they could change before the party. They left at 1:30; I left at 1:45 to go to the restaurant and then to the airport.
I stood outside the exit's security area with a sign saying "MELTON" as I awaited my future in-laws. I recognized them immediately from the photos I'd seen on Facebook. We waved then I shook hands with George and received a hug from Margaret as they thanked me over and over for bringing them to see Amy and Amber. "I can't wait to meet your daughters, Tim. Amy phones us every week and Amber always has so much to tell us about them."
"They're good kids, Margaret, just like Amber. They've really stepped up since their mother disappeared." I grabbed their suitcase from the carousel and led them out to my truck. Two minutes later we were en route to the Sayville Motor Lodge. I explained that they were only a few miles from the restaurant. It's not the best motel in the area, but it has always been clean and I could testify about the quality of the plumbing. I dropped them at their room, gave George $30 to cover the cab and told him to call for it at 5:30.
I didn't know much about the restaurant's history, but I'd always considered the name "Irish Coffee Pub" to be a misnomer. It sounds like a bar or coffee house, but it really is one of the area's most elegant restaurants and catering halls. With an open bar for my guests I'd pay substantially more than $100 per person for tonight's party plus twenty percent for the tips. I didn't mind at all.
I returned home to shower and shave before dressing. Amy phoned around 5:00 to tell me that they should be able to leave the parlor around six. I replied that I'd meet them at the restaurant's entrance. I was there at 6:20; Amy's parents were already seated in the bar behind menus when we strode past. Twenty minutes later what I now referred to as my harem joined me in the restaurant. Our table was near the door so I would be able to greet our guests as they entered.
I had arranged the seating so Amy was on my left and Amber, Andrea, and Chrissy were on my right. I planned to put my parents next to Amy and hers next to Chrissy. Everyone was there by seven so I stood for some introductions.
"I think that everyone here knows my daughters Andrea and Chrissy." They stood as I mentioned them. Then I moved to my parents who had been thrilled to meet Amy and Amber. Finally, I pulled Amy and Amber up beside me. Before speaking I whispered into Amber's ear. "Turn your head when I push against your cheek. It'll be a surprise. Okay?" She nodded and I returned to my remarks. "You all know that I've asked Amy to marry me so now I'd like to tell you about our courtship." I explained how we had met at the supermarket and how we had gone for more than two months spending every weekend with our girls before Amy's housing emergency had finally brought us together. "Not only did I get a wonderful woman, but I also got another beautiful daughter. I intend to formally adopt Amber once Amy and I are married."
I nodded to the restaurant manager who had been standing in the doorway as requested before continuing. "Now I have the pleasure of introducing our final two guests. I just met them this afternoon, but I can already tell that I'm going to love them. They came all the way from western Pennsylvania to be with us tonight."
I moved Amber's head with gentle pressure from my finger. She screamed and jumped for joy when she saw her grandparents. "Grandma! Papa!" She pulled away and ran to them before Amy even had a chance to react.
Amy looked at the doorway then at me and finally back to the doorway. "How? How did you get them here?" By now they had approached the table and Amber was introducing them to my daughters and parents.
Finally, they reached Amy and me. "You have the most wonderful fiancée, Amy. He phoned me Thursday morning and invited your dad and me to join you. Tim offered us his office sofa-bed for a few days." She hugged Amy and then me before taking her seat next to Chrissy.
"I still don't understand how you managed this."