After finally coming to grips with the reality that Mim left me and does not want to see me again, I plunge back into running the garage. Although we are busy, it does not absorb me as it once did. I feel disjointed and uneasy.
One night Sam stops over my house. We are having a beer when she says, "So, what the fuck is up with you?"
Getting a little irked, I say "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Oh, nothing, other than you've blown off dinner with mom and me for three straight weeks, you're grumpy all the time, you never want to hang out with me or do shit with me and Crystal, and you generally are walking around with your head up your ass."
She finishes her beer and goes to kitchen to fetch two more.
"I think you're exaggerating," I say lamely,
"The fuck I am. I was actually not trying to make it sound as bad as it is."
"Bullshit, Sam. I'm ok. Just busy at work. That's all."
"Mac, this is Sam you're trying to convince. Something's eating you."
"I told you it's work."
"Ok, you asked for it." She takes a deep breath and continues. "So it's work?"
I nod and drink some beer.
"Well, I've stopped by three times last week and you weren't there. Charlie tried to cover, but finally I worked it out of him that you were taking a long lunch at the Pub. I happen to know the bartender there. I was able to find out that you are there almost every day. Your lunch seems to consist of a bowl of peanuts and four beers."
I recognized the signs that Sam was just beginning to get wound up.
"And, your shop looks like a pig pen. You never had so much as a magazine that wasn't in chronological order. Your waiting room is dirty. The wastebaskets are overflowing. There are all kinds of invoices lying around. I put Charlie's nuts in a vice and made him tell me that you just don't seem to give a shit. So, don't dare give me the "it's just work" line, 'cause I ain't buying it, Cuz."
"Again you're exaggerating. Besides, what's it to you?"
I thought Sam was going to punch me. She got in my face.
"What's it to me? I tell you, asshole. I fucking love you. You are my family. It's like you're my dad and big brother rolled into one. I can't even imagine life without you. You are also my rock. Whenever I get myself so completely fucked up, you always help me get my shit back together. So, when I see you falling to shit, then I make it my business. So, there, you fucking idiot."
Sam starts to cry. I don't remember the last time she did that.
I pull her into my arms. She tries to push away, but I'm stronger and she finally relents. She starts bawling. I understand her love for me, because I feel the same way. Tears start flowing down my cheeks.
I regain some composure.
"Sorry, Sam. I never meant to upset you. I love you. I hope you know that."
She nods against my chest.
We sit on the couch for a long time just holding each other. Sam slides down and rests her head in my lap. I softly stroke her hair.
Sam says, "It's Mim, right?"
I can barely make a sound, but manage to get out a yes.
"Mac, I know you fell for her. I can understand. She's beautiful, smart and fun. I would've added nice, but she ditched you. That's not nice."
"I just don't get it, Sam. I know we said we weren't dating. You even warned me about that. But, still, I was sure we connected on a deeper level than just acquaintances. Then she just disappears. She leaves me a letter, but nothing else. Not a word since then.
"Then Dede explodes the bomb. She's married, Sam. I've been falling in love with a married woman. She knew I was falling for her. Did she say, 'Oh, by the way, the reason I don't date is because I am fucking married'? No, that quite never came out. Sam, I feel like such a total jerk."
We sit in silence for a long time.
"Now, I hear from Dede that Mim made it clear she does not want to see me. God, that hurts more than anything."
"For the record, Mac, I never knew about Mim being married. That was news. I know she bolted on Christmas, but didn't know she told Dede she didn't want to see you. So, I get that part. But what's going on with you now?"
I decide to tell Sam the whole story. I explain how close I came to taking Ruthann's virginity. I describe how Jocelyn and I connected.
Sam looks up at me.
"Chrissy's mother is Jocelyn Armbruster?"
I nod.
"Fuck. I've known Chrissy all the time she's been at the academy and never knew she was her mother. Jocelyn is beyond hot. Hell, I'd do her in a second."
I laugh.
Sam realizes what she's said. Laughing, she adds, "hypothetically speaking, of course."
"Of course," I reply.
I admit that what Dede and Jocelyn said is true, I am fucked up.
I explain that I felt I shouldn't see Dede right now. I have cut myself off from the people I like the most. I have also cut myself off from sex. I tell Sam that I went a long while without sex and didn't miss it that much. But, my night with Dede, my interaction with Ruthann and flirtation with Jocelyn, loosed the beast. Add to that, my frustration by not ever being able to be intimate with Mim, and I find myself in a sexual funk of epic dimensions.
"So, you're horny?"
"Well put, dear cousin."
"Well, go get laid."
"Easier said than done."
"Why?"
"I don't even know where to start. I don't want a relationship. I'm still crazy messed up about Mim. I just want some human contact and some sex."
Sam is quite for a while. Then, she turns her head to meet my gaze.
"Mac, you know Crystal is semi-bi."
"Semi-bi?"
"Yeah. We're committed to each other and are definitely exclusive. But, she's dated guys before. She's told me she likes to fuck a man once and again."
"Sam, you aren't suggesting..."
"Think about it, Mac. She likes you. She thinks you have a hot bodβfor a guy. You like her. She is beyond sexy. She is definitely not looking for a relationship with you. It'll be perfect."
"But, what about you?"
"Mac, remember the time in your bed you let me satisfy my curiosity about the male anatomy."
I smile and nod.
"Well, now I would be able to see what a guy looks like when he cums."
Sam grins widely as she looks into my eyes.
I bend over and kiss her forehead.
"Sam, I love you. You are just so there. So open. Crystal is lucky to have you. I would never do anything to jeopardize that. I appreciate how much you are putting on the line, but I cannot accept."
Sam kisses me and hugs me tight.
"Mac," she whispers in my ear, "I'd do anything for you. I'd fuck you if I thought it would help."
I squeeze her back.
"I believe you. But, I'm afraid I'd get stabbed by one of your piercings."
We both laugh.
I take Sam out for dinner and Crystal joins us. I admit looking at the two of them and imaging them naked crawling all over me does hit some buttons. But, I will just keep that in my fantasy file. I pray I do not have to retrieve it.
My talk with Sam has helped clear my mind a bit. I can't put my life on hold while I mope about. I remember my conversation with Jocelyn. I understand that Mim never asked me to wait for her or to make more out of our relationship than it was. I am still pissed and hurt, but I think I need to get what I have of a life back on track.
I go back into work and start making things right there. I cleaned up the mess and caught up on all my billing and paperwork.
Charlie keeps eyeing me carefully and I know I have to say something.
I call him into the office.
"Charlie, I know you spoke with Sam."
"Mac, look I'm sorry. It's just that you were acting so strange. And, the business was starting to hurt because of it. I need to work, Mac. Plus, I hated to see you that way."
I nod and say. "Charlie, I think you know that I don't like people talking about me and my business."
"Yeah, but I was worried."
I stare at him until he can't hold my gaze.
He can't see my smile as I add. "Well, I guess it's ok. Sam told me she put your nuts in a vise and made you talk."
He looks up warily.
"Well, that might be a slight exaggeration," he says, "but I think she woulda done it."
We laugh and shake hands.
A few weeks later on a Friday, a Volvo pulls up in front. The office door opens and Jennifer Condron enters.
"Hey, Mac."
"Hi, Jennifer. What's up?"
"My husband thinks there's something the matter with my front end. Can you take a look and can check it out."
I wonder if she purposely offered up the double meaning.
I call for Charlie and he takes her keys and pulls it inside.
"We'll take a look. Might take a bit. Can I drop you somewhere?"
"Thanks. Can you take me to Caroline's? She can bring me back later."
We climb into my truck. I know where Caroline lives and we head off.
"So, Mac, how are things with you?"
"You know, the same old. How about you?"
Jennifer turns toward me in the cab. "How about me what?"
There it is. I know that we can go either of two ways from this point. One way is that I play dumb and we talk about the weather or some shit. The other is a dangerous route.
I decide. "Like are you and Caroline still having fun together?"
I could swear I hear Jennifer purr.
"Oh, yeah. And, Mac, that offer is still open."
"Offer?"
"Don't be coy, Mac. It really doesn't become you. But, just to be sure we are communicating. The offer is you, Caroline and I get together and collectively fuck each other's brains out. Clear enough?"
Jennifer spreads her legs and rubs her hand along the crotch of her tight jeans.
"Crystal clear. Is Barney away again?"
"For another week. I have the kids to deal with, but our housekeeper can watch them for an evening and manage for a short time."
"And, Caroline?"
"Malcolm is with Barney. Her kids are away at boarding school."
"So, would you guys like to come over for a drink, or something?"
"Definitely 'or something'", she says.
"When?"