"I'm leaving now, Doctor Baker, is there anything I need to do for you before I go?"
"No thanks, Millie. See you on Monday."
To Eileen he said, "You're my last case of the day. Now where were we? Cover your left eye and read the smallest line you can..."
As Eileen was preparing to leave, he asked, "You got anywhere you have to go right now? The happy hour next door is surprisingly good..."
"I don't have to be anywhere for eight more days... Sure, sounds good." she replied.
"What happens then? Back to work?"
"No. Hubbie gets home. Back to PLAY!" She responded with mischevious emphasis on "play."
" Oh. You're married. You don't wear a ring, how was I supposed to know?"
"Hey, I agreed to walking next door for happy hour with you. I don't see how my marital status comes into it. I just don't like metal on my skin. These pearls are about the only jewelry I ever wear," she said, fingering the strand around her neck.
"Well, I was kinda hoping..."
"Never hope. Hope will get you shot. Besides, I'm old enough to teach your mother how to play bridge..."
"You don't look it," he mumbled.
And she didn't: Eileen looked fabulous at 48, "strong of limb and glossy of mane," as her husband was wont to joke. In a simple square neck black linen dress, the single strand of pearls, hose and low heels, she could easily have been any mid-thirties professional.
Happy hour was indeed surprisingly good, and she tucked into tequila lime buffalo wings, and the build-your-own- tostada bar with gusto. "The $2 margaritas weren't bad either," she thought as they crossed the parking lot afterward. Just as she reached her scooter, big fat summer rain drops started to fall.
"Fuck!" she said. "I'm gonna be drenched."
"Quick, hop in, I'll run you home. You said you live pretty close, right?"
"Ok. Thanks. 16 blocks that away!"
When they pulled into her drive, he asked "Mind if I pop in to use your facilities? I've got quite a drive ahead of me."