David sat back and stretched, enjoying his time off. He'd always taken this week off because of Valentine's Day and his anniversary, even though it eventually didn't help to keep his marriage intact. After the divorce, he'd just kept up the tradition because it was part of the way he balanced his vacation weeks.
A scowl crossed his face when the door downstairs slammed shut. David looked out the window to see his son climb in the car. He'd converted the basement into an apartment when Greg turned sixteen and decided to move in after living with his mother since the divorce. David had thought that giving him his own space might lead him toward independence, but it had the opposite effect.
Need to start charging the boy rent or something to straighten him out,
David thought.
Might keep him from wasting all his money on beer and that car.
He levered up out of his chair as the car roared to life and pulled out of the driveway.
Speaking of beer...
Fortunately, his son either hadn't found the six-pack of beer, or had learned not to take any when it rarely appeared in the refrigerator upstairs. David didn't mind his son drinking, but the boy often drank to excess, and sometimes drove afterward.
David shook his head and sat down, flipping through the channels until he found a bowling tournament to watch.
The knock on the door surprised him, as most everyone he knew was at work. Wondering who it could be β and hoping it wasn't one of his son's annoying friends who didn't know about the door downstairs β David answered the door.
A smile spread across his face when he saw Greg's girlfriend. She was one of the only wise decisions that the boy had ever made. Not only was she attractive and outgoing, but she was also going to school for a nursing career. "Well, hello Katrina. What can I do for you?"
"Hey, Mr. Marsh." She paused and corrected her mistake, which he'd always insisted upon. "David." She looked down for a moment, and then asked, "I was wondering if you could call my cell when something shows up. I had it shipped here."
"Well, sure. Greg can be a bit unreliable at times, I know."
Katrina sighed and said, "He broke up with me last night."
"What? Two days before Valentine's? Ah, sweetheart, I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Things weren't going well, and I was thinking that I might have to break it off." She let out a deep sigh and added, "Everyone will know when I don't get flowers tomorrow."
"Give me your number, and I'll keep an eye out for that package."
Katrina had already written it down, and handed him the slip of paper. "Thanks."
"Not a problem. Greg doesn't know what he's doing. You're the best thing that ever happened to him."
Katrina blushed a little and said, "Thank you. I'm going to miss your cook-outs."
"I'm going to miss having you around, too." He waved the piece of paper and said, "I'll call as soon as it shows up."
"Thanks again. Bye."
"Bye." As David shut the door, he couldn't help but glance at her perfect ass swaying as she walked to her car.
That boy of mine is an idiot,
he thought as he returned to his chair.
****
"So are we going to bowl a few frames tonight?" David asked his friend on the phone.
"Sure. I'm at the wife's shop helping her where I can. I'm starting to get in the way now, though."
David laughed when he could hear in the background,
Yes, you are!
"Want me to pick you up there?"
"That will work. I'll be by the front door."
"See you in a few," David said, and then hung up the phone to fetch his bowling bag.
A few minutes later, Carl stepped out the door when David walked up. A call from inside sounded before they could leave, however.
"Could you bring us one more box of vases before you go?"
"Okay, honey."
"I'll give you a hand," David offered. He could immediately tell why anyone who didn't fit into the controlled chaos within the flower shop would be in the way. Once he helped his friend put down the case of vases, the sight of all the flowers got him thinking.
He turned to Carl's wife and asked, "Is there any chance you could do something for me β last minute?"
She narrowed her eyes and wiped sweat from her brow, but then shrugged and said, "I suppose."
"My son broke it off with his girlfriend, and she seemed really upset that everyone would know about it when she didn't get flowers for Valentine's."
"Aww β and you want to spare her for a while?" She then turned to her husband and pointed at David. "Are you paying attention?" She shifted her gaze back to David and said, "Just tell me where to send it. From a secret admirer?"
David waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, "Just
Happy Valentine's Day
."