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After a few moments of silence, he finally speaks again. “So, what brought you to the financial office of Chris Jacobson this afternoon?”
Deciding honesty is probably the best route with this man, I say, “Probably much of the same as you. But with more violence.”
That makes him snort. “Oh, believe me, son, I would have loved to have popped him in the mouth a few times over the years, but I learned a long time ago that not everything can be settled with your fists. Chris just needed someone to politely prod him along in this whole divorce mess, and since the happiness of each and every one of my granddaughters means more to me than anything, it was time to make the visit.”
“He sent her flowers. I was going to ask him to stop.”
“My Emmy got her hair done this morning and Lexi mentioned the flowers. She said Chris is dragging his feet still on signing the divorce papers, and I realized that he would just continue to do it until he got what he wanted.”
“And what’s that?” I ask, stopping in front of the car.
“Her.”
My throat tightens and suddenly it’s hard to breathe.
“Not that she would take him back. She wasn’t happy. I’m not one hundred percent sure what he did, but they’ve been on the fritz for a while now. Hell, it could have been a bunch of little things that all piled up. He never came with her to anything, never spent any time with her. The boy worked nonstop. It was sad.” I don’t tell him what Lexi confided in me that night she was drunk.
“But you, son, you make her happy. I see that sparkle in her eyes that had long dimmed, and for that, I thank you.”
I shift my weight from foot to foot, not really knowing what to say. I’ve never been on the receiving end of too many compliments; let alone what feels like approval from a family member of a girl I’m seeing. “It’s my pleasure to make her smile.”
Orval nods and walks around to the driver’s door. “Be sure that her smile never fades,” he says as he opens the door. I get ready to return to my truck when I hear, “Oh, and Linkin? Make sure you keep extra rubbers in your wallet. If she’s anything like her grandmother, I couldn’t keep enough of those puppies on hand. Ravenous, that woman is. Do you know that one time we actually got it on during a church picnic? Yes sir, the pastor was giving a tour of the new Bible study room when we snuck off to inspect the plumbing in the mechanical room. My Emmy convinced the pastor that we were praying hard in there, which is why the room was filled with her screams of ‘Oh God!’”
“Wow, that’s…something I probably could have lived without knowing,” I mumble, a little overwhelmed at the direction this talk has taken.
“All I’m saying is that when the lady wants it, it’s our duty to give it to her.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I add, taking a retreating step towards my vehicle.
“Nice seeing you, son,” Orval hollers before sliding into his car.
I wave before returning to my truck, a little extra spring in my step. I can only hope Chris will actually take the advice of Lexi’s grandpa and quit stalling the divorce, because I’m afraid the next step is a conversation with me.
And I don’t think that one will end as friendly.
