This is part two of a three part story. I recommend reading part one before starting this part. Sorry for the delay in posting part two; unexpected interruptions and a re-write were the causes. Part three is being re-written due to the changes in part two, but it should be posted soon. A heartfelt thanks to my editor, Lindsey Marsh, for his patience and excellent advice. K
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Easing Julie Chapter 2: Decisions
Friday, March 26
th
.
It had been almost five years since Gus had visited Simon and Seafort's restaurant, but he had remembered tables with a view of Cook Inlet were difficult to get and by calling ahead, had managed to secure the last table overlooking the water. He had arrived a few minutes early and as he admired the view, he sipped his wine and let his mind wander over the day's events.
That morning he'd had a curious visit from his friend Charlie that had left him slightly bewildered. During the previous week's surveillance of Julie and her lover, the field agent for Charlie's firm had recorded a suspicious conversation between Greg Peterson and another man. The recording had detailed a business deal with international implications and Charlie's firm had contacted Federal authorities in Seattle. A short time later a Federal 'alphabet' agency had appeared at the firm with a search warrant for all of its observation material of Greg and Julie. Charlie's firm had been directed to cease all surveillance of the couple and in a gesture of good will, the agency had paid Gus's bill with the understanding Gus would be satisfied with the information he had already received and would cease his investigations. Much to Charlie's relief, Gus had agreed to his request.
It was a good idea to take a break from his divorce deliberations and the morning's drama with Charlie; erasing Julie was taking more time and effort than he had expected. He had, however, spent the better part of the afternoon on a far more congenial task; preparing a short talk on marriage for Bess and Brian. It hadn't been easy; if he'd had to prepare it a month ago, his task would have required little effort, but his wife's infidelity had made it significantly more difficult. In the end he had decided to make use of the lessons he had garnered from his situation and impress upon them marriage wasn't an eternal state of bliss, but an ongoing relationship which, if it was to succeed, required work from both parties. If he could save them from making the mistakes Julie and he had made, he would be pleased.
It was his son who arrived first to interrupt his father's musings, followed closely by his daughter and her boyfriend. As usual Josh and Bess were effusive with their greetings, Brian a little hesitant. After shaking hands with his son and accepting a kiss from his daughter he turned to her boyfriend and extended his hand.
As they shook hands he looked closely at his future son-in-law. Brian would not have been his choice for his daughter, although he wasn't sure if anyone would really be good enough. It ought to be enough that Bess loved him, but there was something about Brian which, while he couldn't articulate what it was, he didn't like.
"Daddy, thank you so much for meeting with us! Brian and I have wanted to get married for a while, but wanted to wait until he graduated."
It was clear Bess was excited by the prospect of being married, but would she feel the same way in a year -- or ten years? He could only hope.
"Before we start, I'll tell you what I've arranged for the evening." Gus began. "The staff knows we have some business to conduct before we eat. They will take a drink order and once they have delivered the drinks, will leave us alone until we finish our discussion. I've asked Josh to video our meeting because I think you should watch it every year on your wedding anniversary, to remind you how it all began. Okay?"
Bess and Brian nodded and as they did, as if on cue, a waiter appeared to take their drink orders. They chatted about the weather, school and jobs until the drinks were delivered. Once the waiter had left, Josh stood up and stepped a few feet back from the table.
"Okay, you can start," Josh told them, holding up the video camera he had brought to record the proceedings.
"Brian," Gus began formally, "I understand you have a question for me."
"Yes, sir," Brian replied. "I want your permission to marry your daughter."
Gus turned to his daughter, "Bess, do you want to marry Brian?"
"Yes, daddy, I do. Very much."
It's easy to say at this moment, he thought, but would you have given the same answer if you had caught him sleeping with an ex-girlfriend? He realized it was the thought of a bitter man and had no place in what should be a happy occasion, but he had good grounds for his bitterness.
"Brian and Bess," he asked, "do you both agree to love, support and honor each other above all others for as long as you are together?"
"Yes!" Brian and Bess said in unison.
"Then you have my permission and blessing to marry," Gus said solemnly.
"Thank you, sir," Brian replied, before leaning over and kissing Bess.
It was time for his speech. He knew it was florid and might even be seen so by Bess and Brian, but it was what he believed.
"I know you might think me an old fogey, but I think I've got some advice to offer you on marriage and relationships which you will find useful. Marriage can be the most rewarding and fulfilling activity you experience in your life, but it can also be frustrating, difficult and challenging. There will be joy and pleasure, but you will also be faced with many difficult situations.
"Marriage is never a completed journey, merely a work in progress. To succeed you must invest in your marriage every day. When a marriage becomes stale it is an indication one or both spouses have stopped working on the relationship. Make your marriage your priority; your focus in life."
He paused to glance at his notes, he believed in what he was saying, but knew people were capricious and it only required a single slip by one of the parties to upset a lifetime of endeavor.
"Marriage comprises three pillars: love, respect and trust. All the pillars are necessary if the marriage is to be successful. If any one of them is absent or lost, the marriage will be sure to fail.
"Love is the easy one. It is obvious you two love each other and that is good. But love by itself is not enough.
"Respect means you consider, at all times, the effect your actions may have on the other and the marriage. You must be selfless, not selfish and place the well-being of your spouse ahead of all other considerations.
"Trust must be complete and absolute. You can't half trust someone; you either trust them or you don't. If there is trust you know your spouse is always there to support you and it makes marriage much easier. Be each other's best friend and be each other's confidant.
"The cement holding the three pillars in place is communication. Talk to each other - often. Make time in your day to express to each other your feelings, your wants, your fears, your doubts. From bitter experience I can tell you that failure to communicate is the beginning of the end of a marriage. Remind each other of the love you feel for each other. Say "I love you" daily. Make communication a top priority. It's more important than sex.
"Sex is over-rated. I know it's pleasurable, fun, legal and there's no other feeling like it, but you will spend less than one percent of your married life having sex and sex by itself won't support or sustain a marriage. Without love, respect, trust and communication a marriage is doomed to failure."
As he finished his homily on marriage, he paused. He believed what he had said, but what if Julie had not subscribed to the idea sex was over-rated? Had she slept with Greg because he had failed her in some way? He had enjoyed making love to her and had thought she had felt the same. He had to admit they had made love less often over the years, but working on the Slope was tiring and left them little time together. Perhaps he had not been as adventurous as he might have been, but she was the only women he has slept with and he'd had no experience to bring to the marriage.
If there was anything he regretted, it was turning down her offers to add some variety to their sex life. He had been surprised by her suggestion they engage in oral sex and try making love in a position, which he had since learned, was called 'doggy fashion'. He had refused her offer out of embarrassment; he didn't know how to do either. If there was one thing her infidelity had taught him; it was the next time he made love to a woman he would be more open-minded. All he had to do was to find someone he could trust.
His musing were broken by a word from his daughter,
"Thank you Daddy, that was lovely."
"Thank you Bess. You know if you ever need to talk, I am here for you, either as a couple or individually. If you ever need help, please ask me. If I can help, I will.
"God bless you both."
Having finished, he smiled at the couple and put away his notes and as he did so the silence was broken by applause. He looked around to see a number of the people at the closest tables looking at him; some of whom were clapping. A few came over to congratulate the couple and to compliment him on his speech; embarrassing him, but pleasing Brian and Bess.
After the well-wishers had left, Josh told them a number of their friends had indicated they would like a copy of the video and he was going to post it on his Facebook page as soon as he got home. As he sat down he congratulated his father,
"That was great, Dad."
"Thanks, son."
Saturday, March 27
th
.
