*Author's Note: I had three other stories 'in the hopper' when this idea hit me. I stopped everything else until this was finished. It's probably one of my top five favorites, and I hope you'll enjoy it, as well.
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"I really don't understand. Why do you stay with him?"
She was surprised at the question and even more so by having to think about it. The truth was she couldn't provide a logical answer and said the first thing that came to her mind, and the tone was clearly defensive.
"He's...a good guy."
Her best friend stared her down until she had to look away.
"He's not a good guy, Becky. He's an ass! And a jerk. And he...sucks! Sorry, but that's the nicest thing I can say about him. Good guys don't treat women like that."
Becky Tate was 32 and divorced. She was no longer married because her husband became abusive. Physically and mentally. Now five years out she was still choosing the wrong men, and her latest boyfriend, Todd Andrews, was one of them.
He taught high school and coached the football team. Yes, he was a little on the macho side and okay, he slapped her ass and said occasionally said some mean things, but they were all in fun. She liked that he was five years older. He made her feel safe when they went somewhere. Except for the time he broke some other guy's nose for saying his girlfriend was hot. Had the other guy pressed charges, Todd would have lost his job and his coaching gig.
So if he really was a decent guy, why did the things he routinely said or did make her feel like she'd felt when she was married?
Feeling defensive, she told her friend, Gayle Ennis, she'd like to see some support for her instead of always criticizing her.
"I'd love to, Becks, but I can't be supportive until you're with a guy who treats you well."
She hesitated then kept going.
"Or at least doesn't treat you like a doormat."
She knew Gayle was right, but she couldn't let herself admit she'd made yet another mistake, so she dug in her heels.
"I'm going to the game with him tonight, and we're going out after we win."
"We? You didn't go to high school here, Becky. You moved here after your divorce, and you hate football. So what's with the 'we'?"
Those things were also true, and Becky knew it. She was, however, in for a penny and now for a pound.
"Gayle? Don't take it out on me that you can't find a man," she said, knowing how much that would hurt and instantly regretted it.
She saw the look of hurt on her best friend's face and immediately apologized and hugged her.
"It's okay. It's also true," Gayle admitted as the sting of Becky's words faded.
She was 30 and had never been married, and it wasn't due to a lack of desire. Unlike Becky who was 'cute as a button' Gayle...wasn't. She wasn't 'ugly' she just didn't have a lot going for her in the looks department, and she was so picky that even the average-looking guys who asked her out could never meet her standards.
In stark contrast, Becky was a very attractive woman with long, thick, silky black hair, blue eyes, a great smile and a very nice figure Gayle would have killed for. Now feeling defeated Gayle tried to smile and told her friend to have a nice time.
Becky went to thank her but saw her staring at her and asked, "What is it...now?"
"I know it's chilly outside, but...you're wearing a sweater? Todd is not going to be happy."
Todd had scolded her once for 'looking like an old lady' when she wore a very nice, dressy sweater with a skirt. He let it be known he liked to see a little skin.
"I like to show my woman off a little. Especially when they're as hot as you are, babe!" he told her just before he slapped her ass for the first time.
She hated being called 'babe' but let it slide. She then hated herself because she kowtowed and changed into a sheer blouse and a pair of high-waisted jeans. She hated the way it made her look, but when Todd whistled and said, "Now that's more like it!" she decided it wasn't worth the fight.
"It'll be fine," Becky assured her. "Besides, I'll be wearing a coat, so he won't even notice."
"Until you go out...later," her friend reminded her, her eyes telling her to please listen.
Gayle almost didn't say what else was on her mind, but she'd opened this can of worms and felt like she had to.
"Hon? Why do you put up with him? The macho crap is enough to make me want to vomit!"
"I...I like masculine men," Becky said defensively.
"Me, too, but macho isn't masculine. It's an oafish caricature of masculinity."
Again, Gayle was right, and she'd explained it perfectly. Becky wanted a masculine man but not an egotistical...boor.
"And the ass slapping? I'd...knee him in the balls!"
Becky finally laughed and admitted she'd thought of it.
"Honey? Just don't let any man treat you like that. You're young and beautiful and vibrant, and you deserve so much better. I promise you there are masculine, non-macho, non-ass slapping men out there who don't call your boobs...tits...in public."
Becky laughed again, and thanked Gayle for being so open and honest.
"Hey, I love you, girl. So...love yourself, too. Okay?"
They hugged, and Becky realized it was too late to change clothes now, anyway, and if Todd got upset, then he'd could just be upset. Besides, the chilly temps would become cold temps by game time.
This brief talk with Gayle made her realize that maybe he wasn't such a good guy after all, and if she had to wear what he liked to make him happy, then maybe it was time to cut bait or go fish--or whatever people said when faced with a decision.
Becky was secretly relieved Todd couldn't pick her up. After all, he had to be there two hours before the game started to review strategy with his assistant coach and their quarterback. She was also grateful for Gayle being willing to drop her off as that gave her another chance to make amends for what she'd said.
Once inside the small stadium she found a spot in the bleachers by herself and sat down and thought about how ungodly long a football game could be. There were four, 12-minute quarters, but a 'quarter' could easily last half an hour with timeouts and penalties, and....
"I hate football," she mumbled as she pulled her phone to find a game to play and music go listen to via her air pods.
The only enjoyable aspect of the game came at halftime when the school's marching band played for the home team. She'd always loved the uniforms and the music and the precision marching, and tonight was no exception. The drums, the brass, the pageantry. She dearly loved it all.
Todd, however, hated it. It was part of football, something he loved more than life itself, but he thought the band was a bunch of 'faggy nonsense' and couldn't understand why any self-respecting young man would ever join the band.
"The band, for Christ's sake!" he said the first time she mentioned how much she enjoyed their performance. "Flittin' around in some geeky uniform? And those hats? What the hell is that all about?"
The highlight of her night was a brief trumpet solo that caught everyone's attention, and when it was over, the person playing it got a standing ovation as the band then continued marching and playing. Becky played the piano when she was young but otherwise had no musical talent, but she loved listening to those who did, and whoever the trumpeter was, he had talent.
She was buried deeply in her phone when the game ended. Only then did she realized they'd won as she glanced at the scoreboard and saw 21-14 in their favor. She felt a sense of dread knowing that Todd would come looking for her and be on a post-win high. Then again, he could be an unbearable grump when they lost.
It wasn't uncommon for Todd to take a full hour after a game, but 90 minutes had passed and the parking lot was nearly empty. The school custodian had turned off the field lights, and while there were a few street lamps in the parking lot, Becky didn't feel comfortable.
Ten minutes later she heard his booming voice and relaxed. Until she heard the laughter of two females who happened to be cheerleaders. There were on either side of Todd and lapping up his macho-man comments like puppy dogs.
"Come on, ladies! You can ride with us!" Becky heard him say as he got closer.
"Ee-yay-eee!" the pom-pom queens squealed as Todd called out to Becky, "hey there, sweet cheeks!"
Becky rolled her eyes and didn't answer. Todd actually noticed and asked what the problem was. She glared at 'The Ditzy Chicks' then at him.
"What? We're all goin' in the same direction, so what's the big deal?"
He slapped her ass and told the girls to pile in, but Becky grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Whoa there. What's up with that?" Todd asked as he looked at her hand wrapped halfway around his huge upper arm.
"They're not coming with us," she said quietly but firmly.
He scoffed, pulled his arm away and told her, "Yes, they are."
Thinking the disagreement was settled he kept the passenger door open and nodded.
"Let's go! Giddy up!"
