Best Friends Forever

"Wonderful," said my ex-wife.

"Great," said my ex-best friend. "Oh, and we had it washed before we brought it over. It's in primo shape. It and everything in it is yours. Okay?"

"Yeah, yeah sure," I said. "Thanks, it's a nice present." My ex-best friend smiled the smile of someone who had just won the marathon; and, I guess in a way he had.

"Rebecca had not accompanied the cheaters on their visit to us. Something about one of her friends having need of her company. We'd find out later that her friend was one Gerald McCready, nineteen and boyfriend of our daughter.

Mister McCready would turn out to be a very nice fellow, and someone who would be around for a long time, oh yeah, a long time.

It was coolish outside but our patio was enclosed with Plexiglas, well, the half nearest the house was, and we adjourned there with our drinks.

Things were pleasant I would have to say. I was actually having fun, that primarily because I had me a woman who was every bit Claire's equal in all ways, her wounds and injuries notwithstanding.

Rodney had cornered me after our third round of drinks. He had one more ploy he intended to lay on me.

"Really glad you accepted our gift to you, Jim, and it, the gift, is little enough. I know it, and Claire for sure knows it. Please," he said.

"Yeah okay," I said. "Ann's good with it so, so am I."

"Yes, and I am so glad you found such a wonderful woman to be yours. But, I have one more request I'd like to throw your way. Would that be all right?" he said. My eyes narrowed. His tone of voice made me uncomfortable.

"Okay," I said, "what?"

"A job, a damn good one. Whaddya say?" he said. I snickered.

"Don't be pushing your luck, Rod, old buddy. When it comes to jobs, I get my own and on my own," I said. He nodded, but I'm sure he expected my response and no more was said.

The rest of the evening was pleasant and then they were gone and we had our place to ourselves once again. I did take the time to repark the van in the driveway. It was then I discovered what the man had meant by everything that was in the van would be mine. The $20,000 wheelchair was in it. Was I pissed off at what I saw as them snookering me? Oh yeah, but apparently my wife was good with it, so I gnashed my teeth, swallowed my pride, and sighed my acceptance of yet another present from the cheaters.

CHAPTER 22:

And then it was nine years later and we were solidly middle aged and on the cusp of seniorhood. I was 54 years old, my Ann was 45 and I guess we were doing good. And yes, she had trained me as to how to please her; and, I can say with some confidence that I had learned and had as well determined to never disappoint my woman no matter what. Yeah, I was in love, serious love. I never argued with her, never. If she said to do it this or that way, whatever it might have been, that is the way it was going to be and there was no discussion. The good news for me was that she made it her business to keep me happy, and, she loved me back. Man, was I a lucky sonovabitch or what!

All of the above having been said, that I'd gotten my wife because of the machinations of Mister Pollard still rankled. Though peace in the Valley reigned, I had never quite gotten over all of the betrayals and bad stuff that the Pollard clan had heaped upon me.

We were not all that communicative with them over these last years though we did see each the other on the big holidays and a few other times since my marriage to Ann. And Ann, though more amenable to having closer relations with the Pollards than was I, never pushed things. She, Ann, had however forged a better relationship with Rebecca than with any of the rest of them and I suppose it has to be said that so did I. We saw her, Rebecca, no less than once a month and sometimes more than that. I think I could claim that she and I did have a somewhat improved father-daughter relationship than had been the case before; but, there was no doubt that I was still in second place in that regard, and that's just the way things were. I was going with the flow.

And, I guess it's necessary to point out here that she had finished college with Magna cum Laude honors. I wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but it was a matter of "honors" so I knew it was good. I was proud of her for that. And, she had gone into business with her dad, her other dad. And, the money I'd gotten from the Marcort settlement, half a million plus the interest accrued over the years had been delivered to her the day of her graduation. We hadn't been there, Ann and I, but we heard about it after the fact. She was enormously impressed and grateful. Claire on the other hand was kind of sour in her approbation. It was her feeling as it had been at the time, that I should've used the money to set myself up since it was clear that none of them needed my help financially speaking. Anyway, my kid was thrilled that meant way more to me than the money ever could have.

******

"Okay, I know you haven't forgotten," she said. "So what are the plans? Don't just be springing them on me. Okay?" She was of course referring to our tenth anniversary which was but a month off.

"Okay, okay," I said. "We're going to be staying in Vegas for the whole week. The boss has given me the green light on taking the time off. Sammy will be covering for me."

I had gotten a job with my old company, Allied, and no not driving; I was now a dispatcher. Henry had been instrumental in that. He was now head of HR and had run interference for me and gotten me back on a year after my marriage to Ann. Hence, I was back to working with my buddies and on my old stomping grounds. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Ann too, had gotten a better job at a company that Rodney had an in with; she was doing even better than me; sell, she had her military DI to add in to the mix.

"That's wonderful, honey," she said. "I can't wait!" I was glad that she was glad. Vegas was a fun place.

"I'm glad you're glad," I said.

"Yes, well, and I've scheduled a dinner for the weekend too," she said.

"A dinner?" I said.

"Yes, you, me, Becca, Sam, Henry, and the Pollards," she said. "And, I also invited the Traynors but they haven't RSVPed me yet. I frowned, but didn't object. The dinner was fine with me but part of the guest list was another matter. I would never really forgive the cheaters for what they'd done to me, long in the past though it all was.

******

"So, you're sticking me behind a desk to cover for your little vacation," said Sammy, but he was smiling.

"Yeah it's our tenth. So you're coming to the party Saturday night?" I said.

"Wouldn't miss it," said Sam. "Sounds like a lot of folks."

"Hmm, yeah maybe ten or so," I said.

"The Pollards?" he said. He saw my look.

"Yeah, they'll be there. Well, they've been invited. I haven't talked to them myself, Ann has, but I haven't," I said.

"Jim, you really do have to let all of the old bad stuff go. It's been fucking forever," said Sam.

I sighed. "Yeah, I know you're right. Ann says the same thing. Hell, I tell myself that too. It's just—I don't know. I just can't seem to quite get over the truth that a wife, my wife, would do something like that to me. And, I am over her, but . . . well, but not over 'it': her yes, it no. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's the way I feel," I said.

He nodded, "I guess I understand, but it's been more than twenty-five years, man. You really should be able to dump that shit by now. Plus, I know they are regretful about what they did. Hell, I think I've talked to them more than you have about it all," said Sammy.

"Yeah, well maybe," I said.

"Do you see them much? You haven't said much about them for quite a while. I was beginning to think you were over it all, but I guess not," he said. I shrugged.

"I'm sorta over it," I said. "But then again, no. I just don't think I ever will be completely over it. I never did anything to them, either of them; hell, I loved them, still do. And, that makes it worse because I know that they don't have the same kinds of feelings or respect for me that I have always had for them. So them doing me the way they did, well . . ."

My friend nodded. We talked a little bit longer then got our asses back to work. I liked my job, and my way too expensive wheel chair was really useful even though I had only minimal need to do much moving around during the work day. My forty grand annual added to the sixty Ann made, counting her military disability, allowed she and I to do very well. I didn't get any disability anymore because social security didn't allow if I worked. Ann's job, one that the black hat had indeed finally gotten for her was a pretty good one. She was an office assistant at Harcort Industrial: deliverers of oil and gas to wholesalers around the state.

And now we had a party to host. I was determined to make sure my wife was happy with the outcome. I knew for a fact that she'd done her best to set it up.

******

The party was slated to start at 2:00, but Rebecca arrived at noon. She was helping Ann get things ready. I'd already made two runs to the store for last minute items: drinks and freakin' watermelon.

"Everybody'll be here soon, honey, you need to get dressed," she told me. I muttered something that might have been construed as an objection and went to do as I was told.

It was straight up 2:00, and there was already a parade of partiers arriving at the front door. And first in line? The Traynors.

"So, how ae you doing, James?" said Dora.

"Good, Ann and I are doing real good. Got jobs, a house, and each other; hard to beat a parlay like that one," I said.

"For darn sure," she said.

The Captain after initial greetings had marched past me and over to Ann who was, along with Becca, cloistered with Sammy and Henry who'd actually arrived right on the heels of the Traynors. They'd only waved to me as they had also headed for the two female organizers.

Surprise guests, I hadn't known they'd been invited were Mack and Roy from my days on the street. What was also a surprise was the fact that the Pollards had not arrived.

"It's almost 3:30," I said.

"Hmm, yes, and yes I noticed that they haven't arrived," she said.

"Maybe they decided not to come. I mean it is our wedding anniversary, and they were not invited to the wedding which fact I'm sure ruffled their feathers," I said.

"I doubt that. They'll be here, probably bearing gifts," said Ann.

"Hmm," I said.

It was almost 5:00 and I noticed Rebecca on her cell. I didn't have to guess who she was talking to. She was frowning and nodding at the same time. So, I thought, the cheaters weren't coming. Well, there's an upside to everything.

Ann came up to me. "Rebecca called them?" she said.

"I think so. I doubt they'd be coming now," I said. "Too bad, I'll miss them."

"You don't have to be so snide, my husband. They're good people. They made mistakes for sure, big ones, but they've done their penance. If they do come, you need to sit down with them and bury the fucking hatchet. It's time," she said. "I mean forever bury the hatchet."

"Hmm, maybe," I said.

"No maybe about it. I need to have you do it. Okay Jim. I really mean it," she said.

"All right, if it means that much to you," I said.

"It needs to mean that much to both of us," she said. "Jim, we've been married for ten years and I've put up with the bitterness, your bitterness all of this time. The next ten years are going to be sans the bitterness. You hear me!" she said.

"Yes ma'am," I said.

And then they arrived. I wondered at their excuse, what it would be.

******

"I know what you're thinking," said Rodney.

Hah! not even hello. That was my ex-best friend: the best defense was a full court press and a brace of really well thought out fibs!

"And hello to you too, Rodney," I said. "And to you too, Claire." My ex-wife for her part had not uttered a word. Something was going on. I was getting a real hinky feeling.

"Uh-hello, Jim," she said, finally. "And congratulations on your anniversary, yours and Ann's."

"Well, thank you for that. And we're just glad you were able to make it. No explanation necessary, really. Just make yourselves at home. Everybody is kinda everywhere. So . . ."

"Thank you," said Rodney.

I saw Ann break away from Mack and Roy who had arrived around fourish. I should maybe give a little bit of explanation relating to Mack and Roy's situation. Both of my street buds had been laid off when their plant, a garment manufacturer, shoes actually, went to Mexico. They'd not been able to find work, both likewise having been high school dropouts and had ended up on the street where we'd met. But, as a result of knowing me, Rod had hired them soon after my meeting up with and settling in with Ann. I say Rod had hired them, but in actuality he'd arranged for them to be hired at a high rise he'd been investing in. They got jobs and training for the job which was building maintenance and repair. They made half again what they had at the shoe factory. They loved Rodney.

At any rate, I saw Ann come over to us. "Hello Mister and Missus Pollard," she said, in her friendliest tone. Exchange of greetings consummated she pulled Claire aside. Their demeanors were ultra-serious. I wondered at that.

"So, Rodney, how is everything at your house?" I said.

"Fine, good," he said. There was something in his tone that belied his words.

"Rod . . .?" I said.

"He deflated. "Not so good. I made a mistake," he said.

"A mistake?" I said.

"And, she caught us," he said. "Earlier today she caught us."

"Oh," I said. "So, are you talking?"

"Not to each other, not yet. She said she wants to talk but later after she has time to think," he said.

"Oh, well I hope it works out for you, for her," I said. This put a whole new slant on things. He'd cheated on her as the two of them had cheated on me. The irony was truly weird.

"It'll kind of depend," he said.

"Huh?" I said. "Depend?"

"Yeah whether or not things work out between us depends on . . ." he stopped. Whatever he needed to say he didn't want to say.

"On you," he said.

"On me? How could any of that have anything to do with me. Neither Ann nor myself have been around that much, I mean around you," I said.

"No, but Claire wants to talk to you," he said.

"And my wife is talking to her now about talking to me, is that it?" I said.

"I think so, not sure. I know they were on the phone for a while yesterday. I don't know why, not exactly," he said.

"And you're telling me this why. I mean if she's the one that wants to talk to me," I said.

"I'm not sure. I guess I needed to talk to somebody, and well, you're still my best friend in spite of what you think," he said.

"Hmm, am I?" I said.

"Yes, you are," he said. And he said it with finality. "I think I'll get me a drink, okay?" he said, clearly wanting to break it off with me at least for the moment.

"Yeah, sure," I said. I nodded toward the impromptu bar we'd set up on the patio. He headed for it.

I had my back to her and didn't see her stride up to me. I was sitting in my Pollards' supplied gift chair.

"James," she said, announcing herself. "I saw you talking to him. I hope he, we're, not throwing a wet blanket on your tenth anniversary."

"Uh-no, we're fine," I said. "But you and Ann?"

"Good too," she said. "Uh-James, can we talk you and I?" I nodded.

"Sure, I guess," I said.

She looked around, presumably for a place with a little less activity.

"The den," I said. "I don't think anyone's in there at the moment." I nodded down the hall of our little three bedroom hovel one of which rooms had been converted by us into a den.

She nodded back at me. I led her down the hall.

Arrived, I nodded toward the swivel chair in front of the computer set up we'd gotten for ourselves. I of course was in my chair.

She took her seat and was making to study the design of the floor tiles. "Claire?" I said. She didn't look up, but she did start talking.

"Did he tell you?" she said.

"He said you'd caught him, but that was about it, and that for some reason you wanted to talk to me," I said. She nodded.

"Yes, yes I did, do," she said.

"Okay," I said.

"James, I am so sorry for cheating on you all those years ago. I now know how you must've felt. And I am sick at heart over it. More about that than about catching my husband doing that girl today," she said.

"Okay, and I appreciate you saying that," I said, and I did.

"Jim, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me; well, then I will forgive that masher of a husband of mine," she said. "I guess you could say if it's possible for you after everything I did to you then I can see my way clear to forgive my personal asshole too. I mean as far as I know it's just the one time, and yes, I am fully aware that it probably isn't just the one time. But, I can damn sure guarantee you that it will be the last regardless!"

"Okay?" I said.

"So?" she said. "Is it possible to forgive an old whore like me? Can you Jim? I mean really?"

This was a wrinkle I could never, I mean never, in any possible universe have anticipated. I didn't respond, not for a long minute.

"You know, Claire, I actually think I can. I couldn't have before hearing you just now. I mean no way. But now? Yes, I think I can. Claire, I forgive you," I said.

The look of joy my words engendered in her look, her face, her body language would remain with me for a lifetime. I knew that as a great truth! And then she busted out in sobs.

She came to me in my chair and kissed me, sensually, on the mouth. I know my eyes shot open at the shock of it. "Thank you sir. I think you just saved my marriage." She turned and headed out of the room without so much as a by your leave. I knew where she was going anybody would have. Mister Pollard was about to get a second chance. One he sure as hell didn't deserve.

******

The party was in full swing and Rodney, my used to be best friend for life, was in deep, one might almost say profound conversation with my ex-street bud Mack Keys. Mack was fifty and claimed to have discovered the meaning of life. What was good about that was that he didn't proselytize. He was a proud member of the church of "You Figure It Out for Yourself." Nevertheless, Mack was one of those people who others generally took seriously; there was just something about the way he carried himself. He and I had shared many bottles of cheap wine while we were on the street, and I had come to respect the man for his lack of pretention and his willingness to share, especially his wine cache. I came up to them.

Looking around for Claire I didn't see her, not immediately. Then I did. She was in the kitchen just behind the jamb. She was watching the man; I wondered at that. I had thought that she was going to go back to him after our confab, and pin him. But she hadn't, she still might, likely would, but she hadn't quite yet. She saw that I saw her. She smiled, and made to come to us.

Rodney finally saw her and appeared nervous. "Hi, honey," he said. She eye'd him and crooked a finger at him beckoning him to follow her which he did as she led him back down the hall toward the den where she and I had just spent time together.

I saw them disappear behind the door and heard the door shut. "I sure was glad it was him in there with her and not me.

I rejoined my guests. Ann joined me and we toured the place making small talk among the assembled.

The party began to wind down sometime around 11:00. The dynamic duo was still in the den. It was pretty much impossible to ascertain what was going on in there. Did she rip him a new one or did she forgive the cheater for what he'd done. I didn't think she was hypocritical enough to call him on his infidelity, but who knew for sure.