31 comments/ 39756 views/ 22 favorites On The Other Hand By: woodmanone There are no graphic sex scenes in this story. Your constructive comments and emails are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my work. Please enjoy the story. ****************** "Charley Best, just the man I want to talk to," my boss said on Monday coming into my office. By the way I'm Charles Best, a troubleshooter for Dillon Software Products. I'm one of the best in the country and for the last six years the alpha dog at my company. "I need you to go to Seattle and straighten out the new programs for Dynamic, our big customer out there," my boss continued. "You need to be there for the meeting Wednesday morning, so you'll have to leave tomorrow afternoon at the latest." "Ralph, I just got back from a three day trip to Cleveland," I stood and tried to reason with him. "You promised me I could have some down time before I had to travel again. You know my wife's company awards party is this Friday. Send Jim, he knows the software." "Can't. Jim broke his leg skiing and won't be available for at least two weeks. This won't wait." Ralph turned to leave my office. "I want you to stay there until the problem is solved; even if it means staying over the weekend. See Stella, she has your flight and rental car info. See you in five or six days." It's tough to argue a point with someone who has just walked away and when that someone is your boss. I slumped back onto my chair and thought, damn Theresa isn't going to be happy about this. Theresa Riley Best is my wife of three years and she has somewhat of a volatile temper. No that's not quite right; she has an explosive temper with no off switch when she gets going. She is Mexican and Irish, but her Irish temper overrides a lot of the good features of both of her heritages. And the news about this trip would set her off. What would really make her go ballistic was that I would probably miss her company awards dinner Friday night. A dinner I had promised to attend, no matter what. She was getting an award and her promotion would be announced at the dinner. Naturally Theresa wanted her husband there. I picked up my itinerary from Ralph's secretary Stella and decided to head home. Might as well get this over with, I thought. Maybe I could take Theresa some flowers and soften the eruption. No, if I did that she'd know that I'd either done something or was about to do something she wouldn't like. I guess I'll just have to face her and weather the storm, I said to myself. ******************** On my way home I thought back to the first time I met Theresa. Her brother Julio and I played on the company baseball team; him at second and me at shortstop. He worked in a different division but we became friends as well as teammates and co-workers. After one game I drove him home because his old beater of a car had died. We pulled up in his driveway and I saw this 5' 3, slender, raven haired tornado giving some guy hell. Later I learned that he was her boyfriend and she'd caught him playing around with another girl. The guy was about 6'and it was funny to see this little slip of a girl right up in his guys face telling him off. "Shut up bitch," he told her. I guess he decided he'd had enough and pulled back his hand to slap her. The slap was never delivered. I don't know what made me do it, he was two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than me, but I was on him in a second; beating Julio by three steps. My dad, just before he left us, tried to use my mom and me as punching bags. Maybe that's why I got so worked up seeing a guy about to beat on a woman. I'm not a big guy at 5'10 but the fight was over pretty damn quick. I hit him and he hit the ground. The young lady started kicking him and Julio pulled her away. "C'mon Theresa, that's enough," Julio said. Turning to the guy as he was getting up holding his bloody nose Julio told him, "You better get out of here Chico before I turn her loose on you again." Holding his nose where I'd hit him, Chico looked daggers at me. Before he could say anything Julio said, "And don't even think about trying to get back at Charley. If he so much as gets a paper cut, I'll get Juan involved. I think he'd like a shot at you anyway." Chico's reaction when Julio mentioned this Juan was almost funny. His face got pale, his eyes opened wide and he actually started to shake. He turned and almost ran to his car. "Who's Juan?" I asked. Julio smiled and grimaced at the same time. "Juan is our brother. He beat some guy half to death for hitting a female friend of his and was sent to prison for assault. He just got out. Oh, this is my sister Theresa." Chico had really good taste, I thought. Theresa was not just pretty but she approached beautiful. She was slender but with bulges and curves in all the right places. Maybe her most striking feature was her green eyes. They really jumped out at you with her creamy tan complexion. "Hi, I'm Charley Best. Your knight in shining armor," I greeted Theresa trying to be funny. She was still steaming and answered, "I could have handled him. If he'd tried to hit me he would have drawn back a stump. I didn't' need your help." "Okay, I'm sorry. Next time I'll just stand there and watch while you get your ass kicked," I replied. The hell with you little girl, I thought. I put myself out there and not even a thank you. Screw you. I turned to walk back to my car. "See you tomorrow Julio." The next day after work Julio asked for a lift home; he said his car was on life support and the mechanic was about to pull the plug. As we got close to my car I saw a giant leaning against the front fender. Julio smiled and started running toward the big man. Turning his head Julio back toward me, he said, "It's my brother Juan." I'd learned that Julio and Theresa's father was a big, redheaded Irishman named Bill Riley. Their mother, Maria, was Mexican with dark hair and eyes. Julio and Theresa took after their mother who was only 5' 5 with dark hair and eyes. Juan must take after his father, I thought. He had to be at least 6' 4 with auburn hair worn in a ponytail. His eyes were the same green as Theresa's. He stood as I got to my car and came to meet me. "I'm Juan Riley," he said sticking out his hand. "I wanted to thank you for protecting Theresa." Then he smiled and added, "Even if she's too much of a bitch to thank you herself." "You're welcome and it's nice to meet you Juan. I'm sure Julio would have jumped in if I hadn't. But I can't stand a man that'll hit a woman." "Don't know if I'd call Chico a man," Juan replied. "He's been getting full of himself lately but I think you brought him back to reality." I heard him mutter under his breath, "And if you didn't, I will." If Juan decides to have a "talk" with Chico I feel sorry for Chico, I thought. I gave Juan a ride back to his apartment and took Julio home. Theresa was waiting on the front porch as I pulled into the driveway. She walked out to the car and waited for me to get out. Instead I stayed in the car; I didn't even turn the engine off. "See you tomorrow Julio," I told him as he got out of my car. "You'll have to catch another ride home; I've got a dinner meeting with a client." "Charley, I want to thank you for your help yesterday," Theresa said. She had to bend down to talk to me. "And I want to apologize for the way I treated you after you knocked Chico down." Not seeing the reaction she expected Theresa continued. "I was still hyped up from fighting with that cabron and sometimes it's hard for me to control my temper." "You're welcome," I replied. "No problem." I waved at Julio and backed out of the driveway. Theresa stood there in shock and watched me drive away. My dinner meeting the next evening went well and the client drove me back to my car. I was almost to my car and I looked up to see Juan leaning against my car again. He smiled as I got close. "Give a friend a ride home?" Juan asked. "Sure," I replied. "Get in" There's something more here than Juan needing a ride home, I thought. "I heard Theresa thanked you for helping her." Nodding I didn't say anything. "I also heard that she tried to apologize for the way she treated you." I nodded again. Juan looked at me for a few seconds and added, "I heard you wouldn't talk to her or accept her apology." "That's not true. I said you're welcome," I responded. "She really feels bad about it," Juan told me. "I'd like for you to get out of your car and talk to her the next time you give Julio a ride home." We arrived at Juan's apartment building and I pulled into the parking lot and stopped. I shut off the car and turned toward him. "Is that, I'd like for you to talk to her as a favor to a new friend or is that I'll sit on you if I don't?" "Does it make a difference?" Juan asked with a little grin. "Yeah, it does," I answered. "If you're asking as a friend, I'll think about it" "And if it's the other?" "Then we have a big problem," I replied. "Actually I guess I'm the one with a big problem. You." "Why do you have a big problem? "Because I won't be forced to do something I don't want to do; and I don't respond well to threats." I looked Juan in the eye without flinching. "If you feel its necessary we can get out of the car and discuss the situation in more detail." I know it wasn't smart, it fact it was pretty stupid. There was nothing to lose by talking to Theresa but my contrary mind wouldn't let me do it because I was ordered to. I waited, almost not breathing, for Juan reaction to my challenge. Juan returned my stare for several seconds and then he grinned. "I would appreciate it if you would talk to Theresa; as a favor to me. It will make my little sister feel better." "Okay by me. If she's home tomorrow I'll talk to her when I give Julio a lift." Juan got out of my car and took a couple of steps toward the building. He turned back and said, "I got a question for you Charley." I nodded and he continued, "Would you have really gotten out of the car?" I grinned and answered, "Yeah, I would have. I don't know how I would have gotten back into the car but I would have gotten out." He waved his hand and turned to leave. I heard him say, "And I thought the Irish were crazy." The next day after work I drove Julio home again. During the ride he said, "I understand you told Juan to go to hell last night." "I did not," I replied. "I simply refused to take an order from him but I did agree to do a favor for a friend." Julio shook his head and chuckled. "I thought the Irish were supposed to be the rebellious ones." We pulled into Julio's driveway and Theresa was again sitting on the porch. She walked toward me and I got out of the car. Julio went onto the porch and stopped to watch us. Theresa gave me a shy little grin. "I really am sorry, Charley. I behave badly and after you put yourself out there to protect me. Thank you." I had to smile; this was a different Theresa than the one I'd seen going after Chico. "You're welcome Theresa and I accept your apology." Returning her smile I teased, "Now please tell Juan to get off my case." Instead of laughing or smiling back, Theresa got mad again. "Is that the only reason you came to see me, because my big brother made you? Well the hell with you mister. I don't need or want....." "It was a joke Theresa. I was just teasing you," I interrupted her. "Lighten up a little." Before she could go off on another tirade I said, "Juan asked, not told or ordered, asked me if I could come and talk with you. He said you felt bad and really wanted to apologize. I felt bad about the way I'd brushed you off so I came over." As I talked my voice got louder. "Now I wonder if I wasn't right the first time." "What do you mean the first time?" "I thought you were a spoiled little girl who couldn't control her temper." Theresa took a deep breath, sort of puffed herself up, and started to yell at me again. I held up my hand to stop her. "Look, you're sorry, I'm sorry, and the whole mess is sorry," I told her. "You've apologized and thanked me. I accepted your apology and said you're welcome. That's the end of it, I'm outta here." I turned and walked back to my car leaving Theresa standing there glaring at me. So much for making her feel better, I thought. I honked my horn and waved at Julio as I drove away. Julio met me at my car the next day after work. As we drove toward his house he tried to talk about Theresa. "Enough friend," I said stressing the friend with a sarcastic tone. "She's jumped on me twice about trying to help her; I won't give her another chance." I paused and added, "And tell Juan to mind his own business." He was quiet for the rest of the drive. As I pulled into his drive way he said, "My car will be ready tomorrow. If you can give me a ride to the shop you can retire from the taxi business." I nodded and drove away. Julio was leaning against my car the next day. Theresa was standing next to him. Oh no not again, I thought. "You're right," Theresa greeted. "I was acting like a spoiled little girl. My only excuse is that Juan and Julio have been over protective of me my whole life. And my Dad keeps preaching to us about being self sufficient. I guess I went to extremes trying to assert myself." I nodded, "You certainly did." "Please forgive me, again." Theresa smiled and believe me she looked a lot prettier smiling than she did mad. "Let me take you out for pizza and beer and make it up to you." I was going to say no but she smiled that mega watt smile again. Hell why not, I thought. Looking a pretty girl all evening and sharing a pizza sure beats the hell out a frozen TV dinner and the boob tube alone in my apartment. "Okay Theresa," I replied. "Let's get Julio to his car and we'll go from there." We dropped Julio off at the mechanics and waited just long enough to make sure his car was ready. I honked goodbye as Theresa and I left. I took her to a little mom and pop place near my apartment for our "peace talk". Our evening together went very well. We learned a lot about each other and I was sorry to see the evening end. I drove Theresa home and walked her to her door. Theresa refused to let me pay for dinner. "Thanks for letting me redeem myself," she said and kissed my cheek before she went inside. "Looks like that went well," Julio said. I hadn't seen him sitting on the porch swing. "Yeah, if she's not mad or yelling she's a very nice person," I replied. "Are you going to see her again?" "I think so." I looked at him closely and asked, "Is that a problem?" "Not at all. It's about time Theresa got a break," he replied. Smiling he added, "She's something of a bum magnet. Seems like if there's a jerk within fifty miles without a job who treats women like crap, she attracts them." "Well at least I've got a job," I joked. He laughed and said, "See you at work." The next day I called Theresa. "How about letting me get even?" "What do you mean get even?" She asked suspiciously. "Let me take you to dinner and this time I pay." Theresa laughed and accepted the invitation. I picked her up on Friday evening, taking her to another mom and pop place that I liked. Saturday morning she called me to invite me to the movies. Sunday we had a picnic. The next couple of weeks went the same way and all of a sudden we were a couple. In three months we were engaged and got married two months after that. We were like most newlyweds and for the most part our new life together was a great adventure. Life was good. Theresa had a well paying, challenging career and I was quickly becoming the fair haired boy at Dillon Software. The problems started when I got a promotion to Senior Accountant Manager. My job was to fix and correct any glitches in our installed software. Basically I was a tech guy with a big title but I received a very large raise to go along with my new responsibilities. The problem was that I had to travel at least once a month and sometimes more. I was never gone more than a couple of days but sometimes I had to leave on a Sunday for Monday morning meetings and stay until Tuesday afternoon. This effectively meant I was away for home and Theresa for almost three days. She didn't like it at all. It wasn't just that I was gone, sometimes the travel made me miss important things at home. Example: Theresa's father's birthday party was on a Friday night. Bill was leaving on a fishing trip early Saturday morning. I had gone to Seattle Thursday morning but couldn't leave until late Friday night. So I missed the party. I called and wished him a happy birthday and asked to speak to Theresa. She refused to talk to me. I got back to my apartment about midnight on Friday. Theresa didn't want to hear my apologies or what she called excuses. She made it a point to let me know how upset she was; rather loudly too. That was the first of several such incidents. "If a problem comes up with a customer, I have to go fix it," I explained each time. Looking her in the eye with what I hoped showed sincerity I said, "I'd much rather be here with you." "You should tell them you have plans with your wife and family and to get someone else to go," Theresa responded in a voice somewhat louder than a jet engine. Biting back a smart ass retort I took a deep breath. "This traveling won't last much longer. I'm sure to get a promotion to District Manager and won't have to travel anymore. Please Theresa, I'm sorry but short of quitting my job there's not much I can do now." It usually took Theresa at least a full day and night to get over her mad. I must say that my not wanting to hear her bitch and complain made the problems worse. If I knew a week or more in advance that I'd have to leave town when we had something planned, I'd wait until a day or two before I had to leave to tell Theresa about the trip. It was very selfish, almost cowardly, but this cut down on the amount of time that I had to listen to her complain. It also cut down on Theresa's tolerance of my behavior. After I missed a half a dozen of her company's functions, such as dinner dances or award ceremonies, she told me to do what I wanted. Theresa said she planned to attend them whether I went with her or not. Her decision caused more than a little tension in our household. "I don't like that idea at all Theresa," I objected. "You're a married woman and shouldn't be at a dance without your husband." "Then I suggest you do something about the amount you travel," she replied. Actually she was calm considering her temper. But that didn't last long. Theresa thought for a minute or so as I grumbled and I could see her Irish temper building. "Wait, you don't trust me." This was delivered in her 'I'm mad but I'm in control' voice. "You actually think I'd cheat on you." Theresa stared at me and if her green eyes had been lasers, I would've been burnt to a crisp. "You idiot, if I was going to fool around I have plenty of time while you're on one of your 'save the day' trips. I wouldn't have to wait for a company function." I tried to explain that it was the men I didn't trust but she didn't see, or maybe didn't want to see my reasoning. "If you don't want me going alone, stay home once in awhile," she suggested. This time it took most of the weekend for her to get over being mad. It didn't help that on Tuesday I had to go on another trip. It was very cold and very quiet around my house for over a week when I got back. That was just over a month ago and now I had to break another promise to her. ******************** As I walked into the house, Theresa greeted me. "Dinner is almost ready Honey. Go change your clothes and get comfortable." She walked over and kissed me. "I'll put it on the table while you get relaxed." On The Other Hand Great, just great, I thought. She's trying to make things better between us after the last month and I'm going to piss her off all over again. Well, I'm gonna wait until after dinner before I tell her. It may be the last meal she cooks for me for a long time. I'm the one to blame here, I thought as I changed clothes. Maybe Theresa could control her temper better but if I tried to understand and consider her feelings we would be better off. Please God, don't let this ruin our marriage, I prayed silently. During dinner we talked about day to day things, nothing of importance. My trial by fire didn't begin until Theresa started talking about her company's awards party. "I had your new suit pressed and bought you a Christian Dior white on white dress shirt for the party," she said. "I want you to look your best when you finally meet the people I work with." "I'm sorry Honey, but I have to leave for Seattle on Tuesday afternoon," I interrupted her before she could go on. "I don't know if I'll get done and be back in time for your party." Theresa dropped her fork and stared at me. I could see her anger building. "You promised you'd be there this time Charley," she said in a tightly controlled voice. "I know and I'm sorry, but there's a problem with the software we installed for Dynamic and we need to straighten it out." "Let someone else go this time," Theresa suggested. "Jim's the only other person familiar with this software and he broke his leg," I explained. "He won't be available for a couple of weeks." "Can't Dynamic wait until Monday?" "You don't tell your biggest customer to wait when they need help. If I don't go we could lose the account," I told her almost pleading. "I promise I'll try to get back in time to at least meet you at the party." "Another promise? And I'm supposed to believe you this time because .....?" Theresa sat quietly for almost a minute. "You need to get over this 'center of the universe' syndrome about your job. If you're that indispensable they're not paying you enough." "But Honey..." I started. You need to develop some cojones and tell Ralph no sometimes," she said. After a few seconds she added, "With or without you, I'm going to the awards party. But when you get home from your trip we need to talk seriously about this marriage." Theresa stood and stomped to our bedroom; I really expected her to lock the door. Instead after a few minutes she came out with some of my clothes. She went into the guest bedroom, dumped my stuff on the bed and returned to the master bedroom. Guess I'm not welcome in our bed tonight, I told myself. The next morning she was gone before I got up. She's really mad this time, I thought. Usually I'm the first one out the door. I'll call her at work and take her to lunch. About ten, I called and was told that Theresa wasn't available. She wasn't available the next three times I called her and she didn't return my messages. I never did get to talk to her before I flew to Seattle. About an hour before I had to leave I did get a call. It was certainly a surprise. My father, Bill Riley, told me that he wanted to talk to me. The tone of his voice gave no room to refuse. "What's going on between you and Theresa Charley?" Bill asked and before I could answer he went on. "You two are about to screw up a good marriage." "Nothing major Bill, just a little rough spot," I replied. "We'll work it out." "El Toro pooh pooh," he responded. "What?" Bill chuckled and answered, "It's what my wife, Marie, says when she knows someone is spouting bullshit." Then he got serious again. "I know all about your little game of not telling Theresa about your trips until the last minute. And I know you do it to cut down on the amount of time you have to put up with her temper." "Well, I don't think you....." I began. "Theresa takes after me as far as her temper goes. It's something I've learned to keep a handle on. She'll learn to control it too but not if you keep traveling all the time and not if you continue your shenanigans." He paused for a few seconds and added, "You two are heading for big trouble." "How did you find out about everything Bill? Did Theresa come running to you with our problems?" I was getting angry myself thinking she'd run home to daddy. "Nope. But I heard her and her mother talking about it," he replied. "Guess you could say I was eavesdropping." He chuckled again. "Doesn't matter, I just know you both need to get your heads on straight or you're gonna ruin your marriage." "But I just can't quit traveling, it's part of my job," I explained. "El Toro pooh pooh," Bill replied. "You told me yourself you were top dog. Make them treat you like it. I think Theresa's right about you needing to grow a set of cojones as far as your job is concerned. And Theresa needs to get a handle on her temper and be a little more understanding about your work. But you playing the games you're playing sure don't help matters." I didn't say anything for a few seconds and then responded, "You're right Bill. I'll have a sit down with my boss when I get back." I laughed humorously and added, "I better have a sit down with Theresa too." Bill chuckled and said, "Good luck with that Charley. Let me know if I can help." Then he hung up. The more I thought about Theresa and me the more I knew that our problems were largely my fault. Of course Theresa's temper didn't help matters but my constant breaking promises was what got her mad in the first place. Throw in my little game of not telling her I had to travel until the last minute and we had a recipe for disaster. I made another call to Theresa at work and got the same run around from her secretary. "Susie, is she really not available or is she just not available to me?" "Please Mr. Best, I can't answer that," Susie replied. Her tone said she was uncomfortable being caught in the middle. "You just did Susie," I told her. "Hey kid, don't worry about it. Give me her voice mail again please." I waited through Theresa's recorded greeting and to wait for the tone to leave a message. "Hey baby, it's me again. I've been thinking and you're right about the job. I promise when I get back I'll talk to Ralph. You and I need to have a talk too. See you when I get back. I love You." ******************** During lunch on Wednesday with Jim Starks, the I T guy from Dynamic, he remarked that I seem a little distracted. Like my mind was somewhere else. Jim and I had gone to school together and considered each other as friends. In fact I helped him get his job with Dynamic. "Yeah, trouble at home," I said. Shaking myself I continued, "Don't worry about it, I'll straighten it out when I go home." "Maybe talking about it will help," Jim suggested. "I mean, get an outsider's opinion on your problem." "Thanks Jim. You're a good friend." I told him the whole sad story about Theresa and me. When I finished, Jim motioned to our waiter. "Make our orders in to go and bring the check please," he requested. I gave him a puzzled look. "We're going back to the office and work on this software problem. We'll work nights if we have to but you're going to get back in time to take your wife to that party," he told me. We worked until 1AM that night and again on Thursday. The finishing touches were made in time for me to catch a flight home Friday afternoon. Then Murphy's Law reared its ugly head. You know, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. My flight was delayed and then delayed again. Instead of getting home at 5 PM, in time to take Theresa to the awards party, I didn't walk in my front door until nearly 8. Theresa wasn't home and I assumed she'd gone to the party. A new speed record was set that evening for getting showered, shaved and dressed. I wore the suit Theresa had picked out for me with the new shirt she'd bought me. The party was due to start at 7:00 with a cocktail hour, then dinner at 8:00, and the awards ceremony afterwards; dancing would follow the awards. Ever if I couldn't take her to the party, I'd be there for her big night I said to myself. Another speed record was set that night getting to the hotel where the party was taking place. Finding the ballroom, I stepped inside just as Theresa's boss was giving her the award and announcing her promotion to department head. Theresa and her boss were up on a stage and he spent several minutes praising her. Even from the back of the room, I could see her blush at the compliments. When her boss finished, everyone in the room applauded; me the loudest. I guess the shrill whistle I gave was overkill. Theresa and everyone else looked to see who had whistled and saw me. Her face was a study in contrast. First she smiled and then as someone shook her hand she frowned and looked away from me. I could see she was upset. As Theresa came off the stage, several people intercepted her to offer their congratulations. Not wanting to rain on her parade I went to the table where her boss was sitting. I thought that Theresa would be seated at the same table and I circled it until I saw her name tag. Hers was the only empty seat at the table, so I sat in Theresa's chair. There was a man in the next chair that I didn't know. "I'm sorry, that chair is taken. You'll have to move," he told me in a nice tone. Before I could respond he added, "My dinner companion is sitting there." "Your dinner companion?" I questioned. "Yes, Theresa Best. She just got an award," he answered pointing toward the stage. "She'll be right back so you'll have to move. I'm Roger Allison," he added sticking out his hand. I was shocked and speechless. Theresa had said she planned to go to some of her company's functions even if I wasn't available, I remembered. I just didn't realize she meant she'd be dating too. "My name's Charley," I replied shaking his hand. I looked at Theresa; she was still surrounded by well wishers. "Give my congratulations to Theresa will you?" I stood and walked out of the ballroom; she's made her point, I thought. I might as well go home and get packed. ******************* Driving home a lot slower than I'd driven to the party I passed my favorite water hole, Connors Pub & Grill. Connors was where I took my guys for dinner when we had to work at night. It was also the place I took customers for an informal lunch. The place was owned by the Jake and James Connors. They poured an honest drink and served great food. I pulled into a parking space in front of the pub and went inside. Theresa's party won't be over until midnight and if, and that's a big if, she came right home she wouldn't be home until 1 or so. Gives me time to have a drink or two, I thought. Then I'll go home and pack my stuff. Jake looked up as I walked end and smiled. He poured a drink and set it on the bar. It was Gentleman Jack, my drink of choice. I nodded my thanks and downed the whiskey. Putting the empty glass down I motioned for a refill. I got the second drink and a look from Jake. As I picked up my glass I swiveled on my bar stool and looked around the pub. There were several people in the bar but they weren't crowded. At a table nearby were a man and woman having a late dinner. They were laughing and having a good time, just like Theresa and I used to do I thought. At another table there were four men dressed in identical bowling shirts; obviously out after bowling to celebrate their victory or console each other on their loss. The last group consisted of six women and three men. Apparently they worked together and were having a few drinks before starting the weekend. One of the young ladies looked familiar but I couldn't remember where I'd seen her. She looked up, saw me and smiled. Saying something to one of the other women, she stood and joined me at the bar. "Could you like, use some company Charley?" I'd never considered myself to be a lady's man, even before Theresa. There weren't many nights that I didn't have a date if I wanted one but I wasn't a player and hadn't had a string of women chasing after me. But this young woman was coming on to me. She was tall, almost voluptuous with long natural red hair. A smattering of freckles across her nose and her deep blue eyes completed the picture. In short, she was what most men dreamed about. Being the smooth operator that I am, I said, "Do I know you?" Giggling, she put her hand on my forearm. "I'm Mary Beth Hill," she answered. "I like work at First National Bank and have seen you there, you know." "I'm sorry, I don't remember you waiting on me Mary," I replied. "And I'm sure I'd remember if you had." See, I'm an old silver tongued devil. Mary Beth chuckled and said, "It's Mary Beth and thank you, that's a nice thing to say. No, I've never waited on you, you know, but I asked your regular teller about you." She looked at me expectantly and I caught the hint. "May I buy you a drink?" Mary Beth turned to Jake and said, "White wine please." We talked for several minutes and I began to feel better about myself. Maybe I'm not the loser Theresa thinks I am, I told myself. About ten minutes later I asked, "Why would you ask about me?" "Well...You're not bad looking," she answered with a smile. "And you're like, always polite and friendly with the other girls. I just thought it would be nice to get to know you." Mary Beth slid her glass toward Jake and asked, "May I have another please." When Jake put her drink in front of her, she asked, "Aren't you going to like join me?" I held up my glass. "I try to limit myself to one or two a night. Sometimes I get a little crazy if I drink more." "You look like you need to get a little crazy tonight." She took my right hand and held it. "C'mon, lighten up and let's have a good time, you know." What am I doing? Well it looks like you're thinking real hard about letting this hot red head entice you to go back to her place, I answered my own question. And it appears that she's not going to give up, at least based on her continued thinly veiled suggestions. Why am I even thinking of doing this? Face it; you've reached a point that you feel your marriage is on life support, again answering my question. My wife and I have been at odds for the last month or so. And now she was on a date at the awards dinner. So when a woman looking like a California hard body makes a run at you, you're tempted; very tempted. Under normal circumstances you wouldn't waste your time with someone whose every fifth word was "like" or "you know", but these aren't normal circumstances. Why not? I asked myself. If Theresa can go on a date, why can't I? Maybe she'll see that other women like me just the way I am. Mary Beth's knee was peeking out from under her skirt. Actually it was more than peeking; her skirt had ridden up higher than mid thigh exposing a lot of very attractive leg. She held on to my right hand and as she pulled my other hand toward her knee I saw it. She held my right hand but there, on my other hand, staring me in the face, was my gold wedding band. I stiffened and pulled my left hand back. This isn't the way, I thought. If my marriage goes down the tubes it wouldn't be because I've cheated on my wife. "I'm sorry Mary Beth," I said as I freed my right hand from her grasp. "You're a beautiful woman and I'm very flattered that you'd like to spend time with me. I'd like nothing better than to get crazy with you tonight. But I'm married." Mary Beth smiled. "I know. But I'm not like talking about a long term relationship or even a relationship. I just thought we might have some fun, you know." After I shook my head no to her suggestion, Mary Beth smiled again. She stood, patted my shoulder and returned to her table. I have to admit I was surprised at her attitude; surprised hell, I was shocked. In my day most women wouldn't have been so straight forward and I wasn't that old. Turning back toward the bar, I raised my glass motioning for another drink. "Having a tough night Charley?" Jake asked as he slid another drink to me. "Guess you could say that Jake. I just found out that my wife is on a date." "From the way you've talked about her when you're in here, I'm surprised," Jake responded. "Not nearly as surprised as I am. I knew we were going through a rough patch but I didn't think it was that bad." "How did you find out?" I told Jake about being out of town, making it back in time to meet Theresa at the awards party and about good ole Roger. "I'll have this one drink and then I'm going home, pack and go find a place to stay for awhile." "Shouldn't you talk to your wife first?" It was a pretty young woman asking. Seeing my surprise at her interruption she added, "I'm Juanita, Jake's wife." "Hi Juanita, I'm Charley Best. To answer your question, there's no need. She made her intentions plain before I left on my business trip." "Did she really tell you she was going to go on dates? " Juanita asked. "Tell us what brought all this on" So I explained the problems we'd been having; everything. I didn't sugar coat it or try to spin it to make myself look good or Theresa look bad. "Looks like what we have here is a failure to communicate," Jake said with a little smile. He pulled my drink from the bar and yelled to the kitchen. "Chief, can we have some coffee please?" The Chief was Jasper Quinn, a retired Master Chief who ran the kitchen with an iron hand, the same way he'd run galleys for the Navy for over thirty years. "Right away Jake." When he brought cups and the coffee pot he smiled at me. "You need a clear head to solve your problems son." "Thanks Chief. Maybe you're right." I had to smile as he set the coffee down on the bar. He was a stereotypical Navy Chief; short, bowlegged, bald, and grizzled with a no nonsense air about him. The Chief had big hands and very large forearms. If he squinted one eye he would look like a real life Popeye. "Jake and Juanita are right. You should talk to your Mrs. before you go running off," he offered as he returned to his kitchen. Juanita poured coffee and handed me a cup. "I've seen you in here before but I don't remember your wife," she said. "What does she look like?" In spite of what had happened that night, I had to smile. "Theresa is special. She's shorter than you and has this mane of almost black hair that shimmers in the light. She's slender and athletic looking with this beautiful face; at least to me anyway. I guess the thing that strikes you the most about her are those startling green eyes." "Something like that you mean," Jake said pointing over my shoulder. I turned and Theresa was walking toward me. Her eyes were shinning but she had a frown on her face. "What the hell do you mean running off and leaving me at the party Charles Best!?" Theresa demanded. I knew I was in real trouble; Theresa never called me "Charles" unless I'd stepped way over the line. "Your date informed me I was sitting in your chair so I thought you'd find your own way home," I answered somewhat heatedly. Theresa wasn't the only one that had a temper. She just hadn't seen mine in a long time. "Date? What date? I didn't have a date." "That's not what good ole Roger said." "Roger? ...Roger Allison?" Theresa seemed puzzled for a moment. "Roger told you he was my date?" Nodding my head I replied, "I tried to sit in your chair to wait for you while everyone was congratulating you and he told me that I couldn't sit there. That the chair belonged to his dinner companion for the evening." I gave Theresa a hard look and added, "I didn't want to disrupt your evening so I left." Theresa looked at me for several seconds and chuckled. "You big dummy!" She walked over to me and put her arms around my neck. "My boss asked him to fill the empty chair at our table. Roger didn't know who you were so he told you he was my dinner companion to get you out of my chair." She leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. "I wasn't on a date with Roger or anyone else." On The Other Hand Before I could respond, Jake leaned across the bar. "Why don't you guys grab that back booth? It'll be a little more private for your conversation. I'll bring your drinks to you." I got off the bar stool, took Theresa's hand and led her to the booth. We went to the booth and after she sat down I sat across from her. Theresa got up, came to my side of the booth and slid in next to me. "We've been away from each other enough." Juanita brought two cups of coffee, set them in front of us, and smiled. "Jake said you'd had enough Charley." Taking a small drink Theresa asked, "Why would you think I would date someone?" "You were really mad at me when I left. I mean, you wouldn't even take my calls or return them Tuesday." Taking a deep breath I continued, "And you said you were going to the party without me." I paused, took a sip of coffee and continued, "You looked like you were still mad when you saw me in the back of the room. When you didn't come back to the table and Roger made his announcement I decided you'd made your decision and I left." "That jackass shaking my hand wouldn't let me go and I wanted to come to you; that's why I was mad. Then all those people stopped me as I came off the stage and by the time I got to the table you were gone," she replied and then laughed. "What's so funny?" I asked. "When Roger found out who you are he almost passed out. He said, 'you mean I told your husband you were with me?' The poor man was scared to death," Theresa said laughing again. "I'd taken a cab to the party and he offered to drive me home. I saw your car outside and here we are." "I'm glad I didn't react to Roger the way you would have if some woman told you she was my companion," I told her but smiled to take the sting out of it. Theresa frowned. "You're right, sometimes I over react and let my temper get the best of me. That's one of our problems," she replied in a serious tone. "I promise that I'll work on it and try to be more understanding," she promised. "Speaking of another woman," she continued but with a little smile. "Who was that skank redhead at the bar with you?" "Oh, you saw that?" She nodded and I finished, "That's Mary Beth." "And where do you know Mary Beth from?" "I don't really. I mean she works at First National and has seen me there. You know, like when I go to the bank?" I was definitely rattled because I was talking like Mary Beth now. "She just came over to say hello," I added not very convincingly. Even I didn't believe me. "Does saying hello include holding your hand? And where was she pulling your left hand?" I swallowed hard took a deep breath and said, "Well...I think she was going to put it on her leg." I waited for Theresa to explode. Instead she turned so she could look me in the eye and in a more serious tone said, "I saw you look down and then pull back. What made you do that?" Now it was my turn to be serious. "When she pulled my left hand toward her leg I saw my wedding ring." I returned Theresa's look. "If we were going to split up it wouldn't be because of another woman." Theresa looked over my shoulder and tensed up. Turning my head I saw an example of really bad timing; Mary Beth and one of the guys from their table were walking toward us on their way out. She stopped at our booth. "Hey Charley. If you like, change your mind give me a call." She laid a card with her name and number on the table and turned to leave. I sort of ducked my head, waiting for Theresa to go ballistic. She slid out of the booth, picking up the card as she got up. "Hey skank," Theresa said. When Mary Beth turned around Theresa threw the crumbled up card in her face and gave her a hard look with her laser like eyes. "Charley belongs to me; keep your hands off! Understand?" Mary Beth saw the challenge in Theresa's eyes, nodded, and beat a quick retreat out of the pub. As Theresa sat back down, I heard her softly muttering about Mary Beth. Skank, slut, and bitch were the nicest things she said. "I thought you handled that very well," I told her. "I mean there's no blood or body parts to clean up." "Told you I was gonna work on my temper." She paused, smiled and added, "But it was a real temptation to pull out all that fake red hair." I didn't think it was the best time to mention that Mary Beth was a natural red head. I'm not as dumb as some people think. "When I go to work on Monday, I'm gonna have a talk with Ralph." I took Theresa's hand. "Like you said I need to grow a set of cojones. If I'm the best I shouldn't have to go running all over the country for every little problem that comes up." Theresa nodded her agreement. "My trips are gonna have to be planned and never if it interferes with family plans," I told her. "What if he won't agree? You don't want to lose your job." "Software Solutions has been after me for the last six months to go to work for them to run their I T department. If Ralph won't work with me, maybe it's time I switched companies." Theresa smiled, and pulled my hand to her knee. "Let's go home so my husband can show me how proud he is of me and my promotion." I waved at Jake, Juanita, and the Chief as we walked out the door.