It was a warm evening, the temperature in the low 80s. An occasional breeze wafted through the window causing the curtains to flutter sporadically. The kitchen clock, mounted on the opposite wall, ticked the minutes away, sounding loud in the stillness of the room.
Ken Weber noticed neither the breeze nor the clock, his thoughts were inward, confused, angry. He was still trying to make some sense of what he had witnessed that evening. He had thought to surprise his bride-to-be by just showing up at her office at quitting time. He was supposed to be away for 5 days, but the training session had been cut short by a day due to the illness of the lead trainer.
He had arrived at her office building just as the workers were streaming out of the front door. His eyes had quickly picked up Connie's tall, slender form as she exited the building and he was about to call out to her, but the words of welcome died in his throat when he noticed the man who was with her. They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't even notice him, standing just yards away. It was their apparent intimacy that caused Ken to pause.
Connie's hand was wrapped in his arm and she was chatting animatedly, her eyes sparkling. Ken had stood there for long moments, too shocked to even think clearly. With a shake of his head he quickly followed the happy couple to the parking lot next to the office building. They moved down the last row of autos until Ken saw them headed toward the distinctive silver Jag that Connie's parents had given her for her 24th birthday that spring.
They were apparently oblivious to the few people in the area. Upon reaching the Jag she turned to her companion and Ken's heart had almost stopped when he saw her lean into Chuck Moore, place her hand behind his head and pull his mouth down to hers. It was no mere peck, it was a prolonged, deep kiss. Ken saw Chuck's hand descend to her ass and squeeze gently. Her quiet laughter was a dagger in his heart. He had seen enough. Ken turned and quickly moved from the parking lot. Upon reaching the street he hailed a passing cab and went home. He had a lot to think about.
********************
Ken Weber had met Connie Sterling at, of all places, a church social for singles. He was 24 and doing quite well at the investment bank where he worked since graduating with his degree in finance two years previously. The bank president had made himself Ken's mentor and it was virtually impossible for him to refuse the invitation.
Sterling had intercepted Ken in the hall. Placing a meaty hand on his chest, he rumbled, "Kenneth, I really must insist that you be our guest this Saturday. I know that you've been working your behind off in the office and at school and you do need to get out and meet people. Who knows, you may even see a young lady there that captures your interest," said Horace Sterling with a chuckle. "I also have noted that you do not seem to be a church goer, Kenneth. That shocks my wife and I. It is absolutely essential that you belong to a church. You must put your soul in the hands of those who can guide you."
Sterling had recently, for some reason, singled Ken out for his special attention, which while flattering, also tended to be a bit uncomfortable at times. Sterling was also the deacon of his church and his wife, Margaret, was the head of the ladies auxiliary and the primary arbiter of church social matters.
Ken had clenched his teeth and forced a smile to his lips. He considered Sterling to be an asshole of the first order and a total hypocrite. In business he was an immoral shark with absolutely no sense of ethics or integrity. Ken had already made up his mind that this was not the location for any long term plans. He would stay for a couple of more years for the experience and then move on. Fortunately, he would be receiving his MBA in a few months.
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate the invitation and I'll certainly be there, baring any unexpected difficulties," Ken waffled.
Sterling's eyes narrowed a bit and his voice became just a little less jovial. "Oh, you'll be there, my boy. I know that you won't disappoint me," he said quietly, patting Ken on the shoulder and walking away.
Ken watched the tall, very stout man waddle down the hallway. "I'm not sure that I can take another two years of this," he muttered quietly to himself as he walked to his office.
"Hey, Kenny. I see that Papa got his claws into you," chuckled Reggie from the doorway.
Ken looked up and laughed, albeit a bit feebly. "Hi, Reg - come in and take a load off".
Reggie Sterling was Horace's only son and as different from the father as night is from day. He was tall, blond and slim with a wicked sense of humor. He and Ken had gotten to be friendly and had astounded his new friend by freely admitting that he deserved to be VP of Community Relations only because he hadn't the talent to be anything else. "I get along smashingly with the ladies and their husbands don't find me to be a threat, the fools - so Papa made me a VP. Not a bad deal, Kenny, what?" and he laughed delightedly. He had a self deprecating sense of humor and almost constantly assumed the British nobility tone, a sly dig at the pretentiousness of his family.
"Okay, Ken. What does the old man want from you now? It seems that he's had his eye on you for a bit" Reggie asked.
Ken related the brief conversation and the invitation that Sterling had extended, emphasizing that it was more like a command. "Damn, Reggie. I really don't know why your dad wants me there. It's really not related to anything to do with me."
Reggie seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Well, Ken...I'm not sure myself. You know what kind of religious nut he is, maybe he's worried about your soul," That very thought seemed to tickle Reggie and he laughed as he arose. "Don't worry about it, Kenny. I'll watch your back. I have a few suspicions and If something is going on, I'll know it," he said and he waved and left the office.
Ken looked after him for a moment, puzzlement evident on his face. He then shrugged and returned to the paperwork on his desk.
********************
Ken was no fool, he knew that he had to at least put in an appearance to appease Sterling so the following Saturday evening saw him park his car and stroll into the front doors of the huge, pretentious house of worship. There were a stream of people heading in the same direction and he allowed himself to be swept along into the main ballroom of the building. He glanced about him and noticed that while this was supposed to be a singles affair, there were quite a number of older, middle aged couples present. He was just a bit puzzled by this incongruity until he saw that almost all of them were accompanied by a much younger, single female. It seemed almost like a coming out party for the single girls of the congregation. Ken smiled to himself, "oh no," he muttered, "not this boy.
"Kenneth, Kenneth, my boy," boomed a loud voice behind him. "So glad you decided to attend this little soiree. I told my wife you would be here. Let me introduce you," Sterling put that meaty hand on his shoulder and turned him. Ken saw before him a heavy, buxom woman with an imperious glare in her eye, examining him as if he were a specimen on a slide.
