Madifan and Jessica Carlisle

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I said. "Get to the stuff about her will yuh!"

"Nuthin'. She just came and watched. But, when you started to talk and that idiot kept asking questions about the divorce, she lost it and had to leave. Like I said, I guess there's still something there," he said.

"And you know all of this how?" I said.

"She told me," he said.

"What the fuck! You talked to her?" I almost yelled.

"Yes." He said. I took a deep breath.

"Okay, okay, how is she doing?" I said.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" he said.

"Huh?" I said. Harvey raised his left hand, and I heard a rustling behind me. Jessica was standing right there. I was sitting with my mouth hanging open.

"I think I'll visit the boys at the bar," said Harvey, and he up and abandoned me to my fate.

"Hello, Jess," I said. My tone was tentative. It had been a long time.

"Hello, Madigan," she said. "May I have a seat?" I motioned her to sit.

"How are you, Madigan. I saw you in the studio, but you know that right?" she said.

"Yeah, I saw you leave. My moment of glory, and you cut country, " I said, half laughing. She smiled a half smile.

"So what are you doing these days," I said.

"I work as a checker in a supermarket. My husband is a manager for the same chain I work for, different store though. Two kids a boy and a girl, one in junior high and one in grade school. Live not too far from here," she explained. "You?

"I mean, I heard what you said on that TV show, but..." she said.

"Yeah, I'm doing good. Have my own computer software firm. Still married to Jen. One son. Live around here too; well, a few miles down the road," I said.

"Your husband? Mark Hanson?" I said. This one I was really interested in.

"My God no! That asshole put me in the hospital over nothing. He just got mad and beat the hell out of me. I would never have gone back to him or anyone else after something like that," she said. "No, my husband is a good man—like you actually." She noticed me hesitate and look down.

"Madigan, can we not be talking or even thinking about cock size," she said. "I was an idiot. I know better now. I didn't then. Please can we just not go there anymore." She knew exactly what I'd been thinking when she had said that her new hubby was just like me.

"Yeah, yeah, I guess," I said. "It—it's—it's just hard to get by something like that." She nodded, and now "she" looked down.

"I am genuinely sorry Madigan for everything. I'm glad you and your wife are doing well," she said.

"Thanks, I said. I had a thought. "Jess, my company is having a big ass fiesta next weekend at Fernando Park. I'd like to invite you and your family. No reason for us to be strangers. Water under the bridge and all."

She looked at me and was obviously thinking. "Okay," she said. "Maybe. I'll have to ask Jimmy. But, maybe."

We talked a little longer, mostly notebook stuff about our kids. Then, as if on cue—the man had a sense about things—Harvey returned and broke up our little confab. We said our goodbyes and reconfirmed the "maybe" about the fiesta.

"Well," he said.

"I oughta be pissed at you, Harvey, for setting me up," I said. "But..." I explained to him the tentative plans. Later that evening I explained the same things to Jennifer. I was curious about me ex and Jennifer understood; God how I had lucked out getting a woman like her on the rebound—one in a million.

The End