Andrea Donovan Pt. 01

***The origin of this story is my 10 part series entitled "Andrea Millhouse." The two main characters in this next series of the story (Tim and Andrea) are a middle aged couple that have just recently gotten hitched. Follow them now as they blunder along as newlyweds, each in turn facing their own ghosts from the past and learning to trust each other. The couple also has an uncanny way of uncovering decade's old mysteries during their adventures which they are usually able to solve in one way or another. Tim and Andrea aren't always intrigued with one another but they are in love.

As always, comments and constructive criticism are appreciated!

___________ (1) ___________

NEW BEGINNINGS

..."I want you in your suit and tie by six o'clock tonight. We have to be there at seven" she said abruptly.

" 'K " I mumbled, sipping my coffee, not yet awake.

"Have you made the appointment to have your colon checked yet?" she suddenly demanded.

"Not yet, I've been too busy with the stables and coral this week ...but I will soon" I replied, tired of the subject.

"It's important!" she snapped.

"I know, I've just been too busy" I said hoping to drop the subject.

She made no reply but her silence was louder than if she had yelled accusations at me. Her silence was intended to be loud, I knew.

"You see Duffy tomorrow" she reminded me, matter of factly. ...She was using her "Executive Real-Estate" voice now.

"One o'clock" I replied, showing her that I was on top of things and in compliance.

"...I want the stables and coral nicely painted when they're done" She said, switching subjects again - which was perfectly legal, as long as she was the one switching topics in the middle of a discussion.

"White with Turquoise trim" I confirmed.

"What's wrong with that green thing in the driveway? I see you have it all apart." She now said, adjusting her scarf in front of the mirror.

"I'm grinding some of the valves, it'll be running again and out of your way this afternoon" I replied, quickly, adding " - after I work on the coral some more."

"I want you to have that appointment made by the time I get back this afternoon and get that green thing out of the driveway" she demanded now, picking up her briefcase and walking past me toward the entryway, enroute to the garage.

"Yeah, I'll try to get the appointment made soon" I replied dismissively.

Andrea now turned toward me. There was hurt, disappointment and a degree of anger in her eyes.

"Everything I've GOT is invested in YOU now! I was doing JUST FINE before you - YOU and your silly little ass waltzed into my life and turned everything upside down in my world. - I could travel at the drop of a hat, I had my freedom, enough money to be comfortable and I was even getting laid Mondays and Thursdays by that kid at the carwash - he wasn't very bright but he had a great body and he was easy to get rid of whenever I didn't need him around, he was perfect! ...Then YOU showed up... fffuck!...

...I need you to step up and be an adult now, I need you to hold up your end of this deal. MAKE THE FUCKING APPOINTMENT; YOU'VE BEEN PUTTING THIS OFF FOR MONTHS NOW! YOU DON'T LIKE HAVING TO BE RESPOSIBLE? TOUGH SHIT, NO ONE ELSE DOES EITHER, SO YOU BETTER SUCK IT UP, BUTTERCUP! AND GET THAT PIECE OF SHIT OUT OF MY - ...fuck ...get it -out -of -the -driveway -TODAY! ...AND MAKE THAT FUCKING CALL - NOW!" Andrea spat, pointing to the phone in the kitchen with her arm extended.

She then spun on her heel and walked briskly down the hallway with the echo of her fast paced heels and perfume trailing closely behind her. The door to the garage slammed shut and she was gone - it wasn't a FUCK YOU slamming of the door, just an -I'm pissed at you slam ...I could work with this. She drove away a few minutes later as I stood in the kitchen refilling my coffee cup; I then sat down at the kitchen table. I knew she was right and I knew that we were still in-love, just experiencing some growing pains within our marriage. I was also aware that I had been irresponsible in some areas of my life, our life now. I sat drinking my coffee but didn't make the call to schedule an appointment; I was being defiant now and would make the call whenever I was damn good and ready. ...I'd probably be ready in about ten minutes.

Half an hour later I called and made an appointment to have my colon checked and was told that I had to first go down to the main office and pick up a solution to clear my system which I would digest a full day and a half before my procedure. After finishing another cup of coffee I put on my windbreaker and Jumped in the Nissan and drove down to the physician's office in Casa Grande and retrieved the solution. On the way back I stopped at an auto parts store and picked up gaskets, valve grinding compound and a few other items for my truck project. It was now December and Andrea and I had been back in Arizona City for a total of three weeks now, having spent the summer in Alaska - me working the construction season. ...I had just, within the last few days now, purchased a nineteen seventy six Chevy half ton truck for six hundred dollars from a kid in Tucson to use for work around the ranch.

The truck was a no-frills utility vehicle with the old reliable in-line six cylinder and Muncie four speed transmission, complete with a faded lime-green factory paint and a various assortment of dings and dents at no extra charge. Two of the valves in the engine were burnt so I had removed the cylinder head the day before and now began preparations to grind the valves by hand. I had purchased several used valves from a local junkyard after buying the truck with plans to simply get the vehicle running better for now. Later, when Ricky and Brenda got here, I would remove the engine completely and do a complete overhaul. I drove the ten of so miles home and parked the car directly behind the old Chevy, which was essentially blocking Andrea's parking space ...I hadn't even thought of that when I had disassembled the engine the day before.

...Putting on my coveralls and getting down to work now, I removed all of the valves from the cylinder head casting and opened the tube of valve grinding compound. I also opened the package containing a nine inch tall wooden dowel with suction cups on each end, which I had purchased with the gasket set. I had used such a tool several times during my life and was actually rather surprised that auto parts stores still carried them in stock. To grind the valves I first applied some of the abrasive valve grinding paste onto the valve seat and then inserted the respected valve into the head casting.

Next I'd attached the suction cup on one end of the wooden dowel, onto the head of whichever valve was being ground and then begin spinning the wooden dowel back and forth between my palms like a kid's gyro stick. The valve grinding paste was a thick mixture consisting of minute stone fragments and the back and forth action of my hands would actually "Lap" each valve into its own respected valve seat to create an air tight seal. This was the "poor-man's" method of valve grinding, the engine would need valve work again within twenty thousand miles of this job but I enjoyed this kind of project and it was always gratifying for me to accomplish something for little or no money.

Working with my hands always brought my Grandfather to the forefront of my mind. The man had been blessed with the most creative hands and mind that I had ever known. I really don't know what my grandfather's I.Q. had been but the man had been phenomenal, even among geniuses - and he had known several. Grandfather had personally known many mechanical engineers, some from as far away as Germany and Sweden and he had also held his own tool and die patents at one time. His gift had primarily been in metal fabrication and machine work but he had been capable of absolutely anything. Now as I worked, I could so vividly recall the sound of his gentle voice as he stood beside Ricky and I during our adolescence whenever we were engaged in one project or another over those years. Ricky and I with our nineteen eighties long hair and ever present motor oil smeared Coca-Cola cans beside us; diligently hanging onto Grandfather's every word...

I stopped what I was doing and went into the garage, returning with a can of Andrea's Coca-Cola and just leaned against the fender of the old piece for several minutes as I stared at the truck's engine block and piston tops. Gramma and Grandfather had been gone a long time now. Doc Feldman was also gone and so was Mom. I silently sipped my soda and after a few minutes finally managed to shrug off the feelings of melancholy, I still had Andrea, Ricky and Brenda would be here soon too. Pushing myself away from the truck's fender now, I suddenly decided to clean my hands and then went back into the house, coming out a few minutes later with a thick roast beef sandwich. After eating the sandwich and knocking back the rest of the soda, I picked up my tools and began work again.

...I ground all the valves and then began cleaning the engine's parts and painted the cylinder head casting - Caterpillar yellow. Once the paint had dried I began reinstalling the valves and valve springs. Next, putting on my safety goggles, I took a grinder fitted with a wire wheel and cleaned all of the mating surfaces of the block, manifolds and cylinder head to a mirrored finish. I was ready to reinstall the cylinder head back onto the block when my phone suddenly alerted me of a text message from Andrea, "clip your toenails", the text read. Translated this meant, I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier but I need you to step-up and be a team player, I love you. I replied to her text with "I love you", and then pushed 'send.' Setting the phone down, I began working again. The little Chevy six cylinder was an easy engine to work on and I had the truck running again and purring nicely when Andrea pulled up in her BMW three hours later in the late afternoon. She briskly walked by me carrying her briefcase, only stopping long enough to quickly kiss me without getting too close to my greasy clothes.

"Get in the shower now and put on the suit and tie that I lay out for you" Andrea said as she turned and walked toward the house now.

No mention of my engine work was made and she didn't even ask if I had made my appointment. I was rather disappointed by this because I had wanted her to marvel at my mechanical abilities and tell me how proud she was when I affirmed to her that I had stepped up to the plate and done the right thing by making an appointment with a nonchalant "- Hey, told ya I'd do it". ...With this thought I suddenly seemed to remember my mother often saying to me "You're a young man now, son; I shouldn't have to ask you to do these things." ...Yeah grow-up, I thought, as I began collecting my tools and wiping them off with a paper towel ...but who the hell wants to grow-up? I like the hugging and kissing part of being married but not all the responsible adult stuff, no not that. That's Andrea's part of this deal, not mine...

I put away my tools and then checked the coolant level of the Chevy as it sat running. After adding some more antifreeze to the radiator I replaced the cap and closed the hood. I then got in the cab and moved the truck next to the side of the horse stables that I had begun constructing for Andrea. I was quite pleased with how well the engine was running now and a bit disappointed that I couldn't take the truck out for a test drive but that would have to be tomorrow. Walking into the open garage now I slipped out of my coveralls and entered the house so I could take a shower and get ready to go; Andrea and I had a function for Real-Estate people to attend to this evening and it was formal with suit and tie. ...Oh, the things that I sacrifice and put myself through for you, Andrea Millhouse, I thought grimly as I stepped into the shower.

At six forty five we got in the car with Andrea at the wheel. We pulled out of the driveway and proceeded down the little paved road leading us to Sunland Gin, which would take us to Route Ten and then onward, to Casa Grande. Stopping at the stop sign now at Sunland Gin, I stared out the passenger window at the little boarded up Texaco gas station which sat on the edge of property bordering our ranch. I had stopped there and day dreamed several times while riding my bicycle and looking through the chain link fence at the quaint little station. The place was for sale and apparently still had electricity running to it. I would love to purchase the antiquated station but Andrea and I had paid more for the ranch than the equity of our two combined condo's had been appraised at. Besides - you can't have everything I knew. I stared at the station now like a young kid watching an electric train running around the track inside a hobby shop window as Andrea drove the car.

"Are you listening to me?" Andrea now asked as we turned on Sunland Gin from the stop sign.

"Sorry, what?" I asked, coming back to the moment.

"Did you make your appointment, like I asked you?" she asked.

"Yes, the seventeenth" I replied, looking in the rear view mirror and watching the station fall behind us in the fading light.

"Don't plan on doing anything during the sixteenth then" Andrea informed me.

"I know (sigh) the receptionist explained all that" I said, closing my eyes.

"Honey, this is important" Andrea said looking at me.

"Anything for you, Love" I replied, thinking of the little gas station.

By seven fifteen that evening, Andrea and I arrived at the banquet hall "fashionably late," a term which had been unknown to me before meeting Andrea. After parking and locking-up the car we strode arm and arm into the entryway foyer where we were immediately greeted by several of Andrea's colleagues in real-estate. Dressed in my suit and tie, I stood tall while "presenting" Andrea as my wife, something which Mom had drilled into Ricky and I relentlessly since the time we had begun dating girls from school. I would much rather have stayed home that evening but I knew the occasion was important to Andrea so I had just decided to make the best of it and enjoy the outing as much as I could, this was for her.

Andrea was essentially retired but as she would sometimes say of herself "I've got a bad habit of flipping houses." She was at the point now where the houses were coming to her, strays, she called them. Realistically, she enjoyed mixing with people and wheeling and dealing. When she didn't feel like getting involved or had plans for recreation, she would simply pass-on whatever came along to one of her friends who was "in the same racket" as she so often liked to say. As a result her reception among her peers was always warm and welcoming.

As Andrea began to mingle with some of the other ladies and talking shop, I moseyed over to the banquet table and began building myself a rather large roast beef sandwich while another gentleman, probably close to seventy stood nearby me, drink in hand. It was soon obvious that he was undoubtedly a bit drunk but not obnoxiously so. Glancing at him briefly, I continued to remain quiet as I spread horseradish on my creation.

"Bob Harrington" he now said abruptly, nodding at me.

"Tim Donovan, nice to meet you, Bob" I said in return as I carefully completed the construction of my sandwich.

"I don't know why she always insists on coming to these damn things, all they do is blab. Hell, she could do that from our living room - but that's not how the game's played" Bob said with finality and tossing back the rest of his drink.

"No, I guess not" I replied taking a bite from my sandwich and looking around the room at the other guests.

"Had a brother-in-law once that claimed it was in their make-up to blab like a bunch of old hens, if anyone would have known, it would have been him - poor bastard" Bob said, speaking of women in general and shaking his head.

I remained silent, chewing my sandwich.

"It's my money she throws around at all this damn property; you'd think I'd, at least, have some say in where we go on vacation, - but that's not how the game's played. Always go down and see her sister every damn year, says it's too hot in summer here - bothers her indigestion. I worked thirty years in Armament to get exactly here." Bob said bitterly, more to himself than me.

I simply nodded my head and continued eating.

"Well, see you at the bar, Tim" Bob said as he walked away to refill his glass.

I did a lot of thinking for the next few minutes on Bob's words as I continued to eat my sandwich. "Sometimes the best example - is a BAD example" Mom would sometimes say. I believed now that I understood her logic. It was sad to see someone like Bob that was so disgruntled with life when he should have been enjoying his retirement and golden years with his wife. Finishing my sandwich, I glanced over to where Andrea was standing as she continued talking with the group of ladies. Andrea's champagne glass was almost empty I now noticed. ...I may not be able to do anything to help Bob's marriage but I could sure as hell do something to help strengthen mine. Picking up a full glass of champagne from the liquor table now, I walked over to Andrea and traded glasses with her, boldly kissing her on the lips in the process. Andrea drank very little and would most likely not consume the glass of champagne I now handed her, my action was simply a symbolic gesture and public display of affection in front of the other ladies, her friends.

"Oh ladies, please, let me introduce my husband, Tim" Andrea now beamed.

"Hello ladies, it's an honor" I said putting my arm around Andrea and nodding.

The other ladies now marveled and fawned over my attentiveness toward Andrea, coyly asking if they could take me home and keep me. This flattery was directed now at Andrea not me, and I was genuinely happy that I was able to fill Andrea with pride in front of her friends momentarily. The love and affection I felt for my wife was genuine, I was in love with this woman and I wanted the whole world to know it. I also believed wholeheartedly that she was in love with me. I was suddenly very glad that I had accompanied Andrea to the function this evening and I was extremely proud and grateful to call her my wife. It was my belief that she knew this.

Twenty minute later Andrea and I went through the buffet line along with everyone else and then sat down at a table with two other couples, who were in the same racket as Andrea, flipping houses. The two couples whom we sat down with were in their late fifties and decent enough people but I couldn't remember their names five minutes after we had been introduced, I was still thinking about the little Texaco station and how a person could turn it into a man cave, equaled by none. ...Two acres, and two bays, the front office could even be turned into some sort of antique shop with the other rooms for antique car part storage. Ricky was bringing down his nineteen fifty tow truck and we could even paint it a standard Texaco red with-

"-Honey, Mike just asked you a question" Andrea now said, nudging me.

"-Oh, what's that Mike?" I now asked the man closest to me.

"I'm William, that's Mike" the man closest to me now said, nodding his head.

"Didn't mean to rude" I replied sheepishly, looking at Mike now.

"That's alright, what year is Andrea's green car?" Mike asked, apparently for the second time.

"Nineteen thirty four, Ford, five window coup" I now answered.

"That is SUCH an adorable car" one of the ladies now interjected.

"Silvia dated a guy with a sixty four Mercury once I think, it was an almond color" the other lady now said, looking up from her plate and smiling...

...The discussion around the table proceeded onward as we continued eating but in all honesty, I was on auto pilot. I liked Andrea's friends and made an honest effort to try and be present and interact with the group around the table but I just couldn't focus on any of the conversation which eventually reverted back to real-estate, brokerage firms and mortgage rates, leaving me completely out of the loop. I would occasionally nod my head and laugh with the others whenever it seemed appropriate in an effort to support Andrea in front of her friends but to be completely honest; these weren't my kind of people. In fairness and admiration of her, Andrea was always very patient and supportive whenever we were around my friends and doing "truck stuff' as she so often referred to it. This being the case, I could at least try, and be just as courteous around her friends. Acting in this manner was being a good husband and that was my job now.