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“Does it have to do with Natasha?” Ray was reading my mind again. I didn’t have to answer. He was already nodding his head. They sky was overcast overhead and it made the water of my favorite fishing spot take on a cold, hard, charcoal look. The water rippled just enough to make the small motor boat we were in rock gently like we were babies in mother’s arms. Birds flew overhead and squawked amongst themselves in the trees along the shore. So far, after hanging around for over half an hour neither Ray nor I had gotten so much as a nibble in the ends of our lines.
“Can I be honest with you, Marty?”
“I’ve come to expect nothing less.” I braced myself for Ray’s words. To look at him a person might thing he was a logger or a lumberjack. He was about over six feet tall and had a huge barrel chest that was usually covered in some flannel shirt in the cool months or gray or navy blue t-shirts in the warmer months. His jeans were old and faded after seeing many hours of work outside and even though I paid him well he was happy to live simply. His quarters at my home were small upon his request and although at any time I would have bought him a new truck, he insisted on driving an old pick-up that had seen better days. Ray’s philosophy, it if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“You need to slap a ring on that girl and start living the life of a family man.”
“What?”
Those words were not what I had expected. And the twinkle in Ray’s blue eyes told me he was amused by my response.
“That’s right. That house has been empty long enough. She’s been over several times now and each time she gets more and more pleasant. A real lady, too.”
“But she’s been seeing my brother, too, for a while.”
“I’ve heard that. Seen it in the papers myself.” Ray said, rubbing his chin. “But, you haven’t given the girl the ultimatum. Have you told her you don’t want her to see anyone but you?”
“No. But…”
“Have you told her you think about her all the time?”
“Ray, kind of, but…”
“Have you told her anything about your brother’s history?”
I swallowed hard.
“No. I was afraid if I did that she might think I was being competitive. That she was just some kind of trophy or something and I didn’t want her to feel that way.”
“I can see that.”
We sat quietly for a few minutes. The water lapped at the sides of the boat and it was amazing how soothing it was.
“You should bring her out here with you some time.”
“I don’t know, Ray. I don’t know if she’d like fishing.”
“You are so dumb. She’d like it if she was with you, Marty.” He looked around smiling. “It’s beautiful out here. Peaceful. A nice place to propose marriage.”
“Now don’t you think you are jumping the gun a little?”
“I don’t know, boss, you tell me. If I am then what the hell did you bring me out here to talk about?”
Ray was right. I did bring him out here to ask him what he thought of Natasha and the whole situation with my brother. He had been at the main house when Natasha had told me she had been seeing my brother, too.
It had been a beautiful night. I had invited her out with me after work. We had left together via the private elevator and taken my car to one of my favorite out of the way places. When we both walked in I felt Betty Jean’s eyes on me right away.
“Well, hello stranger!” The heavy red-headed waitress called, waving wildly from behind the counter. Several of the regulars turned around and gave a quick grunt of salutation.
“We haven’t seen you in a while, Marty. How’s business?”
“It’s good, Betty Jean. How are things around here?”
“The same.” She said, rolling her eyes at the line of regular fellas who were at the other end of the counter.
“Betty Jean, this is Natasha. Natasha, this is Betty-Jean, the most beautiful waitress in eight counties. Ain’t that right, Cletus?” I yelled to an older man at the end of the counter who had bright brown eyes and hair graying at the temples.
“Please don’t encourage him, Marty.” Betty Jean said, pulling out her order pad and a pencil from the back of her big red hair. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sweetheart. What can I get you two?”
