Ben and Karen's story will soon come to a close. There are one or two ideas i have planned for them. If you have an idea you would like to see comment on the story. Maybe i can make it work.
Karen gets a pleasant surprise. Her Mom while volunteering heard about a pediatrician that was looking for office help, someone good with kids to turn into a medical assistant. Her Mom set up an interview and Karen got the job, without any help from me or Ezzie. I am proud of my girl. She and the doctor really hit it off. He liked her and the way she interacted with the kids. He told her that he intentionally left her in the waiting room with the kids waiting so he could observe her with his patients. He is even ok with a three week delay in her starting so we can get married and have a two week honeymoon.
I still haven't told her where we are going and I have gotten Ezzie to promise not to say. One night I hear Karen get exasperated with Ezzie. I have just come in after my nightly walk with Shannon. "Come On Ezzie. You are my girl. Girlfriends tell their girlfriends everything. Tell me where the honeymoon is. Please." She begs and then laughs. "Fine be that way. See if I tell you a secret I know next time."
I speak up. "You can't keep a secret from her. She can see your thoughts."
"Aarrgghh. I hate both of you." She laughs. Karen walks up to me trying to play nice. "Ben, I have to know how to pack." She runs her finger along my chest. "Sexy lingerie, bikinis, shorts, cute tops and sexy dresses."
"It all sounds nice." I say.
"Ben! Come On!" She pouts.
"Pack like you did for the cruise." I say.
"It's a Cruise?" She says excitedly.
"No, I said pack like that, only for two weeks. Maybe a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt if it gets cool one day." I say smiling. Karen doesn't know that on the Spring Break cruise, after I sent her and Katie to a spa treatment, I met with a cruise agent. I booked a transatlantic cruise for our honeymoon, first class all the way. It was more than my $10k winnings, but nothing was spared. Captain's table dinner, couples massage, sightseeing tours. I booked it all, right down to streamers, room decorations and champagne when we arrive. I also booked First Class seats on the plane to NJ & then from England back home.
The next day I am out to show one of the first time buyers a house. They truely like it, they can afford it, and there is nothing major wrong with it. Thanks to Ezzie I am placing an offer for it when I get a call from the jeweler. The rings are ready. I head there ASAP after getting everything signed.
I compare them to Ezzie, and you really have to look to see the difference. Even the aged coloring is just a tick off in some of the deeper engraved spots. It's amazing. I put the velvet bag in my pocket. I am going to save them for the night of our rehearsal dinner.
This weekend is our bachelor & bachelorette parties. Joe and some friends are taking me out. Beth, and some girlfriends are taking Karen out. I decide beforehand to have everyone meet at our house. We can have a few drinks, and eat a little. I don't want to be tied to the grill so I have a local place delivering two big platters of sandwiches and two big things of salad.
I know Beth is already spending the night so I am hoping for a fun night afterwards. Beth arrives before noon. Karen is out with her Mom. So Beth and I talk. I know better than to ask about BJ. I tried calling him, but he isn't answering or returning calls so no I am not bringing up BJ. "How's the job search going?" I ask.
She lets out a big sigh and pouts. "It sucks. I can't find anything in HR like I want. I am bumming off my parents, and waiting tables gets old real quick." She says and finishes off her wine, and grabs the bottle to pour more.
Ok. "Have you ever thought of moving this way? There are a bunch of big companies. I have a few ins. I could get you in somewhere." I say.
"Where would I find something cheap enough to live?" She asks.
"Don't forget I work for a real estate company. We do rentals too. I could help you find something affordable." I say.
"Really Ben?" Beth asks.
I lean forward. "Beth, you are Karen's BFF. You helped her through a very hard time up at school, when I couldn't. That alone gets my eternal thanks." I say and Beth's face gets a little emotional. "Plus you know if you needed.....that baby help can still be arranged." I say with a smile.
She laughs. "You couldn't just have a nice moment could you."
I stand up and walk to her. I put my arms out for a hug. "No way. No baby making hug for you." She says with a smile.
I reach down and pull her up and give a great big hug. I hold her tight, and say softly. "Thank you for always having Karen's back." Then I think to Ezzie. "Ezzie, please be sure Beth knows my honest feelings right now." Ezzie doesn't have to answer.
Beth grips me a little tighter. "We have always looked out for each other. I miss my Bestie." She looks up at me. "I am so happy she finally connected with you and admitted she liked you as more than a friend. I always thought she did."
The pre-party get together goes well, and then we go our separate ways. Karen wants to take Ezzie, but I won't give her up. I am a little nervous she will get too drunk and do something stupid.
My party is typical. A bar for too many drinks, and then a strip joint for naked women and beer. I start remembering the strip club I took Karen to. Watching her get shackled, and spanked. I remember Kat. That flows into the Bondage convention, and then Kurt and Tracy. It makes me realize Karen hasn't been strapped down and fucked yet.
We are all buzzed and drunk. I want to get home and hopefully celebrate with Karen and Beth. "Guys what do you say we head home, it's almost last call anyway?" I say.
My best man Joe looks at me. "Not even married and he doesn't want to look" He says.
"No you are right. I want to go home and touch." I say.
"I want to touch the maid of honor." Laughs Joe. "It's been a while for me since Linda and I broke up because she said she didn't want kids. I mean I don't want a ton, but I always thought a couple of kids would be nice."
Wow, Joe and I have never talked about this stuff before, and here we are in a strip club getting deep if you will.
I have a plan formulating in my head on the ride home. We get home and I send Joe G and Matt home in the limo. They are too drunk to drive.
Shannon is excited to see us. She runs around and then poops. I open the basement door to get the scooper. I turn after scooping it, and tossing it into the woods over the fence. I see Joe looking at the bondage horse, and back to me. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
I laugh. "Nope."
"You do bondage with Karen?" He asks surprised.
"Yup."
"Sweet little Karen?" He says with a smile.
"Yup."
"Fuck." Sighs Joe. "I am so out of the loop. That's what I get for working with my Uncle's roofing company. Good money, but long hours." He says. "Hey, would you mind if I chatted up Beth?"
"Ezzie, what does Joe think of when he thinks of Beth?" I ask.
"He thinks she is beautiful and sexy. He thought she was very nice up at Uncle Ray's cabin." Says Ezzie.
I am remembering back to our high school years. He certainly has grown up. I guess I have too. I am getting married! "Joe, I am ok with it, but not just for fun. She is Karen's Best Friend. I don't want her best friend and my best friend hating each other." Although Ezzie could resolve that.
"No nothing like that. I want to find 'the girl'." He says using air quotes. "I am not looking to get married next week, but maybe in a few years. I think it would be nice to have kids while I am a little younger. So maybe I am 50 when they are our age. Maybe I don't have too big of a beer gut and can still enjoy life with my wife." Says Joe.
"Wow, that's deep Joe." I say as we walk inside for a beer.
I pick up my phone to text Karen.