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The old man had beena piece of work. He had been given 'the talk' since he was ten. Hisfather had taken him inside his den and sat him down. He recalledthat it had been after a particularly rousing game of baseball at thepricey private school he had attended.
He had beenuncomfortable sitting on that padded chair in front of the largedesk, as if he was in for a lecture about being a man.
"You are a mannow, son. And we men have things to do to prove that we are men. Oneof those things is having sex, and I have arranged for someone - wewill not tell your mother, of course, because, being a woman, shewould not understand. It will be someone experienced who will takeher time."
Swallowing theliquor, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Going away toattend business in Europe had been good for him. It had made him putit all behind him. But now he was back and would play a big part inhis life, according to his mother.
*****
"What do youthink of this one?" She asked anxiously, holding up the creamwool with the cowl neck.
"Lovely."
"Are you evenlooking?" She asked in exasperation.
"They are alllovely, and you are getting anxious over nothing."
"I have to makea good impression."
"I am alsocertain that the woman will be more impressed with your brainactivities than the proper attire."
"Firstimpression says everything, and her son is back."
"So I read."Plumping the pillows behind his head, he gave her an amused look."Trying to make a good impression on him too?"
"Please do notjoke about this." Putting the dress carefully back on thehanger, she slid it into a slot in the closet before coming to sit onthe bed. "I am scared as crap."
"You can dothis." He tugged at the ends of her hair.
"I am trying totell myself that."
"I know you andknow you are smart and have been doing your job for a long time. Yougot this. The service this morning was bracing."
The laughter escapedher as she flopped against his chest. "That's one way to putit."
"The pastor wasbehaving as if we were all on trial. 'Hate is something we shouldavoid at all costs. Divorce is a sin and not from the Lord'" heturned his head to look at her with a grin. "Did you discuss mysituation with him right before the service?"
"Of course Idid. How else was he going to get a topic for his sermon?"
"Why do youinsist on going there?"
"It's my aunt'splace of worship, and I have been going there since I came to livewith her. It's not that bad, and the members are very nice."
"I am sure theyare. Especially the one who propositioned me right as I was gettinginto my car."
"You mean thelovely and recently divorced Diana Livermore?"
"I have no ideawhat her name was. Nice rack on her, though." He winced as sheelbowed him.
Wrapping his handsaround her, he kissed the top of her curls. "Thanks for invitingme."
"Aunt Ilenewould not have it any other way." Turning her head to look athim, she examined his face. "How are you?"
"I am gettingthere." he rubbed her arm absently. "I bury myself withwork more than ever now. My apartment is empty, of course, and Iprefer to crash at the hospital rather than go back there. Shebrought him along to get the rest of her things. Claimed that she didnot want an argument."
"That bitch."
he smiled at herirate expression. "Thanks for that. I behaved like a gentleman,of course, and locked the door behind her as soon as she left."His pager beeped, and he sighed. "I am afraid that's my cue."Easing her away, he rose. "The cream wool. It's classy."
