It is Monday, the day after our weekend encounter with Karl and Connie. On work days my usual routine is to awaken early, do my shower and bathroom rituals, dress and have coffee on the patio, weather permitting. I usually skip breakfast in favor of a light snack later at the office. I use the coffee time to prepare myself mentally for the upcoming workday.
I was having some difficulty doing that today. I couldn't help thinking about the events of the past weekend.
I had been sitting and thinking for about half an hour when Linda joined me. That is also per her routine. She usually waits for me to leave our bedroom before she begins her morning rituals. This puts her about a half hour behind me arriving at the patio.
She said, "Good morning," and kissed my cheek.
She seemed cheery and carefree. I knew that was just a show she was putting on. Her mind had to be as much in turmoil as mine was. I poured coffee from the carafe for her and refilled my cup. We made the coffee ready with a lump of sugar and in her case a splash of milk.
She sipped from her cup. In a moment she said, "I want to talk to Kay. I'm going to call her and ask her to meet me for lunch." Kay is the grandmother of one of the girls that work with Linda. She is a retired psychiatrist that we have befriended. She is in her early sixties, as best as we can figure. She also dates Linda's Uncle Gus off and on.
I thought for a minute then said, "I think maybe both of us need to talk with her. Why don't we take a couple days to settle down and then call her? You can have lunch with her Wednesday or Thursday and I can cook for her Friday evening. I can spirit her off to my office for a few minutes for someone on one time if I think I need to. That seemed to work well the last time."
Linda agreed to handle it that way. She said, "I'm so glad you want to see her. I was afraid you would think I just wanted to air our dirty laundry."
I answered her, "We don't have any dirty laundry. We didn't do anything wrong. You and I together shared a fun weekend and we didn't do anything we didn't both want to do."
I wished I could totally believe what I just said.
Time marched on and soon it was time for me to leave. I rose and helped her to her feet. I held her close and kissed her. I finished the kiss and said, "I will always love you." I kissed her again, more fervently.
Her eyes misted over and she said, "I feel so lucky to have you. I will always love you."
Thirty minutes later I walked into the reception room at my office. Alice was there ahead of me. Alice is a rather cute young woman in her late twenties. She has worked for me for a little over four years and is quite capable. I call her my assistant, but she is really my protΓ©gΓ©. She also acts as my receptionist and makes damn good coffee. My business is growing and we will have to hire help for her soon.
Alice followed me into my office and set a tray with two cups of piping hot coffee on my desk. The chemistry in each cup was already perfect. It is our custom to share the coffee and a few minutes every morning. We have found this the most efficient way to start our day. We can get on the same page as to what has to be done today and what we want to accomplish.
Alice went through her notes and informed me of my appointments and obligations. I let her finish and then said, "I need for you to get Lex up here sometime before lunch and find a way for me to have fifteen minutes with him."
She consulted her notebook and said, "Yes Sir, I can do that. Will there be anything else?"
I answered, "I don't think so. Let's get to work. If we can get caught up, I would like to slip out of here a little early this afternoon."
Alice drank her last sip of coffee and as she stood she said, "Yes Sir." She took the coffee tray with her and walked back to the reception room. I watched her go and thought, "She is maturing into a lovely woman."
The first thing I did after she left was fish out Karl Ziegler's business card. I transferred the pertinent data onto a handwritten note for Lex. I also wrote what information I could remember on Bobby Wilkinson. When that was finished I started on the pile of work Alice had for me. The first thing on my agenda was to mark up a new contract for revisions. Alice had put it and the folder it was associated with on my desk before I arrived. I went to work.
An hour or so later Alice's voice came over the intercom. She said, "Sir, Mr. Barns is here. May I send him in?"
I answered, "Yes, please and hold my calls while he is here."
She said, "Yes Sir."
The door opened and Lex walked in. Lex Barns is my head of security. He and I have over twenty years of history together. We first met when I was in the Marine Corps. He was an Army Ranger but we were both stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam at the same time. I stood as he came to my desk.
We shook hands and he asked, "What do you need, Boss?"
I said, "Damn Lex. Haven't you got time for asking about the wife and kid? I haven't seen you in a month."
He answered, "Alice told me I only had fifteen minutes. Let's get our business done. If there is any time left, we can do pleasantries."
I laughed inside and thought, "That's the same old Lex." I said, "Okay, have a seat."
I sat and found the note I had made for Lex. I handed it to him. I said, "I need a dossier on both of these gentlemen. I need accurate information so take what time you need to get it right. I do want it as soon as you can make it happen. The information on Mr. Ziegler is current. I transposed it from his business card that he gave me last Friday. The info I have on Mr. Wilkinson is a little sketchier. He left the area at least ten years ago. Get out your pad and I'll tell you what I know about him."
Like a good detective, Lex produced a pad and pen from his pockets. He said, "Shoot."
I told him what I knew. I said, "Bobby Wilkinson is probably in his early 60's now. He is a mechanical engineer from somewhere near Edinburgh, Scotland. He was here about ten years ago to supervise the installation of a European made extrusion machine for a company in Carrollton. I became acquainted with him because he was my son's soccer coach for a while. I assume he is back in Scotland and probably retired. Find out what you can about him. I may need to talk to him."
Lex asked, "What am I looking for?"
I answered, "My impression of both of these men is that they are in fact, good people. I need to know about their finances, education, and business experience. If you do find any dirt on them, I especially need to know about it. It may be that I will have to negotiate with one or both of these gentlemen in the near future."
Lex made his last note. He moved to put his pad and pen away and said, "That's all I need Boss. I can have what I think you will need by close of business Friday. If in fact, you need for me to delve deeper it will take longer. How are Linda and Mike?"
I said, "Linda and Mike are well. Tell me about the newest lady in your life." We burnt the rest of our fifteen minutes enjoying each other's company and then Alice put us both back to work.
Alice and I did get caught up and I left the office about three. Linda works part-time, usually two or three days a week. Today was a work day for her and she had told me she would work until five. I beat her home and decided to take a ride around the place.
I changed into some walking shorts and one of my golf shirts and then went to the barn. I pulled a four-wheeler out and rode it to the highest point on the ranch. I could see almost everything from here. This is a good place where I can sit comfortably on the cap rock and think. I had successfully immersed myself in work most of the day. As far as Karl and Connie were concerned, I had actually given my mind a rest. They were back on my mind now.
I recalled a picture of Karl lying naked on top of and between the spread legs of my wife. His head was raised up and he was looking at me with the question on his face. "Is it alright to fuck her?" I wasn't offended, upset or jealous. I wasn't the least bit angry with Linda. I can't believe this. I must be in denial or in shock.
Then I recalled an image of Connie standing in the faint light from the night sky. She was next to the pool at the motel. She glistened from the water clinging to her skin and her wet bikini hid almost nothing from my view. She was the beautiful Amazon. The monster began to swell. That was the only reaction from my mind or body. I need to talk to Kay.
I drove the long way back to the house and still beat Linda there. I went in and opened a bottle of her white wine and set it aside to breathe. I made myself a double Crown and sat on a stool in the kitchen. I was watching the news on the countertop TV but I wasn't paying attention.
Karl and Connie had crept back into my thoughts. Linda had already told me she wanted to see them again. The monster's reaction when I think of Connie tells me he wants to spend more time with her. Where he goes I go. In my mind, I said, "We'll see what Lex comes up with."
The chime went off and I looked up at the monitor. Linda was about to come through the gate. I poured a glass of wine for her and went to meet her at her parking spot. Her car stopped in front of me and I sat both our drinks on top of it. I opened the door for her and held her hand as she stepped out and stood. I kissed her and held her close for a moment. I said, "I love you." I stepped back and handed her the wine. I said, "After you change clothes and rest a minute, I want you to walk around the lake with me. I just need to be with you. We can talk but only if you want to."
She replied, "Let's don't do that Luke. I do want to change but then let's take our drinks and go sit in your chair together. I always feel so safe when we do that. I will talk if you want me to."
I agreed to her suggestion. She kissed me and went into the house ahead of me. She took her wine with her and continued up to our bedroom. I watched her walk away from me as I always do. The way her body moves never fails to get a reaction from the monster. This time was no exception. I watched her until she climbed the stair and went out of sight. I rebuilt my drink and went to the den. I sat in my chair and left the TV and the stereo off. It was quiet in the room.
A few minutes later, Linda walked by the open double door and said, "I'll be right back."
I noticed she was properly dressed to win any argument we might have or successfully run any con on me that she wanted to. I'm sure you have guessed it. She was wearing one of my dress shirts and most probably nothing else.
I heard her rattling an ice bucket. In a minute she came into the den. She had put the rest of her wine on ice and was also in possession of a bottle of Crown. She placed her burden on the table by my chair within easy reach and flopped down with me.
I asked, "Are we going to get drunk?"
She answered, "That wasn't my intention but we can if you want to."
I gave her a quick, "I'm glad you are here with me," kiss while I ran one of my hands under the shirt. I had been right earlier. I said, "No panties."
She replied, "I'm glad you didn't check out by the car. They came home in my purse again." She giggled and went on, "I didn't get any work done today. I've had Karl and Connie on my mind all day. I couldn't think about anything else."