Suddenly Single

by Larry Brown

  “Partly correct, Clay does have a redheaded sister that I became friends with, but that’s the reason Clay is coming. They usually spend Christmas together, but she has taken a new job and moved to Florida.”

  Paul spoke again, “That sucks for you, Dad, I’m sorry.”

  Millie and Sally looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They weren’t ready to talk about female friends for their father, especially younger, hot ones.

  Harry held up his hand and spoke again, “In addition to Clay, you will meet Betty Matthews. Clay and Betty have been friends for years, and I met Betty when I spoke at a women’s business conference, and then I ended up doing a consulting job for the company she owns and runs. She’s divorced for eight or nine years or more, I’m not sure, anyway, she has one son who lives in Japan, and she would be spending Christmas with no family. They should be here anytime, so I know as always, you will make them feel comfortable.”

  Paul could not hold back, “So Dad, does Betty replace the redhead?” The men laughed and the women stared at Harry waiting for a response. Just then the doorbell rang. “Saved by the bell.” Paul added and headed for the door. Harry followed to avoid any further conversation on the subject.

  Clay and Betty were together. Clay was wearing his uniform and Betty was dressed like a million dollars. She was wearing black silk slacks and a Christmas red silk blouse. She wore shiny black high heels, so she looked taller. The slacks and blouse fit perfectly to accent her attractive figure. Add the blond hair, and she was a knockout.

  Paul looked at Betty and then at his father and just shook his head. The men were smiling and lining up to introduce themselves to her while the women were focusing on Clay. Harry stood back and watched almost laughing out loud. Betty finally got to Harry where she proceeded to put her hands on his shoulders and kiss him on the cheek. She turned and realized everyone in the room was watching them and said, “My goodness, Harry, what a beautiful family you have. I want to thank y’all so much for allowing me to share this holiday with you. Thank you, so much.”

  She then stepped back by Harry and put her hand on his arm. He stood for a moment then pulled away and said, “I have to stir the stew. Will someone take care of our visitors with something to drink.”

  Clay spoke up, “Don’t bother, Betty and I have spent enough time here to be able to serve ourselves.” Clay and Betty proceeded to the bar where they served themselves.

  As usual, Harry’s family made their guests feel welcome even though Millie and Sally were still a bit standoffish to Betty. Harry hoped he was the only one who noticed. He was just about ready to announce that it was time for the blessing when he saw Millie whisper something in the ear of her husband, Dave. Dave immediately walked to the center of the room and called everyone to attention. For a moment, Harry thought he was going to offer a blessing. Instead, he proposed a toast, “To Maggie, who is missed by all of us.” For a moment the conversation completely died, until Harry spoke.

  “Thank you, Dave. I know we all miss Maggie, especially at this time of the year; we all have so many good memories of our family at Christmas time. Now, allow me to bless the food, it’s time to eat.”

  Everyone loaded their plates and found a place to sit. Casual dining tonight, no formal seating for this meal. Some sat at the dining room table, some at the big kitchen island, and others in the sitting area between Harry’s office and the kitchen. Harry was the last to fill his plate. He was looking around for an open seat when Clay spoke, “Hey, Harry, why don’t you come over here with us, it appears Betty has saved you a seat.”

  Harry joined the group at the dining room table at the only open seat which was beside Betty. Harry put his food down but remained standing. “Could I have everyone’s attention? I have a very important Christmas question. How did y’all like the way I decorated the house?”

  Everyone spoke at the same time, “Good job, Dad. It looks great. Mom taught you well.”

  Harry spoke again, “I lied. Maggie never taught me, she just used me as her instrument. Put this here, put that there. It was always her skill, never mine. This year would have been a disaster, but I had a volunteer whose skill you see displayed. I want to formally thank Ms. Betty Matthews for making this happen. A toast to Betty.”

  Everyone toasted, but the accolades were somewhat subdued.

  Clay could not resist, he had to speak, “Y’all probably don’t know this, but there is a real backstory to this Christmas decorating story and Betty.” Clay had everyone’s attention, they all had stopped eating. “Betty came out here to help Harry, and it had been a cold nasty rainy day. Well, being in the foothills of the mountains, we occasionally get these surprise winter storms that unexpectedly pop out of the mountains and nail us. Well, it happens on the evening that Betty is here to decorate. The bottom fell out of the thermometer, then sleet, snow, wind, it was a mess. Trees down everywhere and the county lost power. Most for two days and some for about four days. For my department, it means all hands on deck 24/7. Your father is a smart man, and he has a full blown GenSet generator, so the loss of power had no effect on him and his guest. I mean they couldn’t get out of the driveway but when your refrigerator, freezer, and bar are stocked like Harry’s always is, who cares. Let it storm, let it storm, let it storm. I came by and checked on them, and they had no problems. What a perfect time to decorate.”

  The women were speechless, and the men were doing their best to suppress smiles.

  Dave finally spoke, “Thank goodness for that generator, Harry.”

  Betty spoke up. “Yes, thank goodness for the generator. My power stayed off for two and a half days. But my business boomed.”

  Dave spoke again, “Your business boomed. Tell us about it.”

  Betty explained, and everyone at the table listened but everywhere else other conversations resumed. Clay looked at Harry and smiled while Harry just rolled his eyes.

  Chapter 58

  It was New Year’s Eve afternoon at the island villa. The night before had been crazy. It started when it appeared everyone had retired for the evening. Andy was dressed for bed when there was a knock at her door. It turned out to be Jane and Jenny. They said they needed to talk to her.

  Jane, the oldest, began, “We know the week is almost over and we think you probably know what you are going to do. We want you to be honest with us and tell us. Please don’t make us wait. Tell us, please.”

  They were all dressed for bed and sitting in her living room. Andy tried to put them off, but they said they weren’t leaving until she gave them the answer.

  She sat quietly for a few minutes trying to decide how she wanted to answer them.

  She finally began, “This has not been an easy decision. There are a number of different issues I have had to consider. First and foremost is you. I love you girls, and I love being with you. If that were the only consideration, the decision would be easy.”

  Jenny jumped in, “Well, what else matters?”

  Jane said, “Shut up, Jenny, let her finish.”

  Andy smiled at the girls, "Let me talk about me for a minute and I will tell you what I see that is very real. After you two, what I came for was an opportunity to take on much more responsibility. I wanted to be a part of managing a big horse farm. That can never happen at Shadow Lake and let me be clear, that is nobody’s fault. Actually, had I done the proper research, I would have never accepted your father’s offer.

  “Also, it is now evident to me that your father may find the right woman and it would make our situation very awkward.”

  Jenny interrupted again, “Andy I think you and my dad would make a great pair. It would be perfect for us. You just need to be patient. We will talk to our dad and encourage him to get moving.”

  “Absolutely not! When you get older, you will understand. Even on this trip, your father has shown where his interest probably lies. He leans toward women younger than me. That’s okay, he should follow his heart.”

  Jenny again, “If you’re talk
ing about Ms. Squeaky voice, I’m sure that’s just poolside flirting with my dad. I’m sure it would never go beyond that.”

  Andy smiled and realized how innocent she was.

  “I think you are wrong, Jenny, you are just too young to understand, and there is another fact. You two will be off to college in just a few years, and I will be out of your lives probably forever. Girls, please understand I want more out of the rest of my life. Truthfully I miss my farm and my friends.”

  Jane spoke, “So you are leaving.”

  Andy looked sadly at the girls but did not speak. Jane got up and pulled Jenny out of her seat, “Let’s go to bed little sister.” No further words were spoken as they left the suite.

  Jane went to her room, but Jenny headed to the other side of the villa and her father’s bedroom. When she got there, she could hear music. She pounded on the door calling loudly for her dad. She heard the music sound disappear and then she heard Ms. Squeaky voice call her dad’s name. She was shocked as her father opened the door and stepped into the hall closing the door behind him. He was wearing a robe, and she could see he had no shirt or shoes under the robe.

  “Sweetheart, what’s wrong, why aren’t you in bed?”

  “I need to talk to you about Andy. I want to come in and talk.”

  “No, not tonight. It’s too late. We will talk tomorrow. Now you, young lady, go back to your room and sleep.”

  “I want to talk now!”

  “I said no, vamoose!”

  “I guess Ms. Squeaky voice is more important than I am.”

  “What did you say? Now I am not going to tell you again out, out of here, back to your room and I mean NOW!”

  Jenny turned walked away but had a parting shot for her father, “Have a good time, Dad.”

  Jack’s first thought was to chase her down but decided to leave well enough alone and go back to his friend. His last thought was what she called her Ms. Squeaky voice. It made him smile.

  Meanwhile, Andy could not sleep, and she decided to call Clay. He filled her in on the events with Harry’s family. He told her how much he and Betty enjoyed Harry’s family and playing the game of trying to keep the family from knowing if he and Betty were a couple or if Betty was there for Harry. His impression was the family was unsure either way. He finished the story by saying how much better he had gotten to know Betty and what a great gal she was. Andy thought this was odd.

  She told Clay she had forgotten to mention to him about the incident with the small plane and the two men with the white van, and how she couldn’t be 100% sure, but she was pretty sure they were her abductors.

  Clay responded, “What the hell is Jack involved with?” He told her never to go anywhere without her weapon and to stay alert. He said he wanted to think about it and would be back in touch.

  As she finished her call, she heard Jenny in the hall pounding on Jane’s door. When Jane opened the door, the only words Andy heard were, “Dad’s got Ms. Squeaky voice in his suite, and I know he must be doing the ugly with her.”

  Chapter 59

  It was New Year’s Eve afternoon, and Harry was at his desk trying to work on his book, but his mind kept wandering. His family had all gone back to their homes and friends too. Ruth Lopez and her team were finishing up the week’s worth of cleaning. It had been a longer than usual work day for them since all the guest bedrooms and bathrooms had to be cleaned and remade.

  Harry smiled as his thoughts shifted to Christmas Eve. Clay and Betty had gone home, and the family had all retreated to their rooms. He was finishing up a nightcap in his office when Johnny and Paul appeared. They wanted to know if they could talk. They wanted to talk about Betty. They said they were a little unsure about whether or not Betty was Clay’s friend or their dad’s. They were both sure she was beautiful. And what happened to the horse lady friend. They both laughed saying they had talked and figured that the two of us had become ‘real close.’

  Harry explained for the second time about Andy and how he came to become friends with Betty. Both sons listened intently, and then Paul started smiling and said, “What I want to know is what it was like to be snowed in for a few days with Betty. She’s older than I am but I think that wouldn’t bother me one bit.”

  Harry shot back, “Hey, I don’t think your wife would appreciate that remark.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, but I was just making a point.”

  Johnny spoke, “Dad I just wanted to tell you, and I know Paul feels the same that if and when you find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, you have our support. And Dad, if it’s Betty you have not only our support but also our admiration.” Both boys had big grins on their faces. Harry thought it was hilarious.

  Then he thought about early Christmas morning. He was first up, so he made the coffee and retreated to his computer to check emails. There was one that came in at midnight from Betty telling him what a wonderful time she had. She said she loved his family and couldn’t wait for Christmas dinner with them.

  Then, there was a second one that came a little after one in the morning, it was from Andy. She wished him a Merry Christmas and told him she thought of him often. She was sorry she didn’t get to meet his family. She closed by saying she looked forward to seeing him. She made no indication when that might be.

  He then remembered Sally and Millie standing at his door in their robes with coffee. He got up and gave them both big hugs, and they then entered his office, closed the doors and sat down. Millie started, “Dad, we want to talk with you and tell you how we feel about,” she paused, “about your situation. I hope you know how much we love you and loved mama. We still miss her, and we don’t think it’s been long enough since she’s passed that you should be out of your mourning period.”

  He remembered beginning to feel angry, but he contained himself but interrupted her to say, “There is no set period for mourning. It varies with everybody. I’ve already met with Ray Andrews on the subject. So don’t tell me how long I should mourn.”

  “Okay, okay, well then, let’s call it a period of respect.”

  Harry interrupted again, and now he was getting very defensive, “Do not tell me you are setting a timetable for me. I will not have it. Listen, I loved Maggie and I always will, but hopefully, I have some time left to live. I’m not trying to find someone to marry, but I enjoy companionship. I enjoy being with someone besides Clay. I enjoy female company. And if something were to come from that, so be it. I appreciate your concern, but my feeling is this. You should be concerned about the living, not the dead. Maggie is in her eternal home, don’t worry about her and I think you two should be praying for me to have a good companion whether it be as a friend or whatever.”

  As he thought back about how serious the conversation had become, he could now smile at the look on their faces as he put them in their places as he had done so many times when they were growing up. He remembered Sally finally spoke, “Well, I think Betty is lovely, but Dad, she is just too young for you.”

  He remembered laughing and telling her he would try to find an older blue-haired model maybe even one with a walker to make them happy. He remembered them both getting up, smiling, and telling him he was hopeless. God, he loved his family.

  All in all, he thought it had been a great Christmas and he had really enjoyed being with his family. He was also a little curious about how Clay had handled the two days with Betty. They had agreed beforehand that he, Clay, would be non-committal about whether Betty was with him or there for Harry. Harry felt like Clay’s behavior made them seem more like a couple. Clay could be quite the ladies’ man, after all, Hardaway’s harem. It was what he hoped, the family all went home not really sure if he and Betty or Clay and Betty were a thing. Beautiful!

  Ruth came to his office having finished with all her work. Harry thanked her, paid her, and wished her a happy New Year. Ruth and Clay were the only people who knew the location of the hidden house key. His rule with Ruth was all doors always locked which kept the
alarm triggered. Ruth had been gone for about five minutes when he heard the front door open. Ruth must have forgotten something, but why retrieve the door key when she could have just rung the bell.

  Harry got up from his desk and walked outside the office speaking loudly, “Ruth did you forget,” but before he could finish, he saw two masked men running toward him. Harry turned to rush back to his desk to get the .38 he always kept there. Just as he jerked open the desk drawer, the first man through the door hit him with what appeared to be a rubber hose but much heavier. The hose slammed hard against the left side of his face and left ear.

  The blow was hard, it knocked him to his knees, and he could hardly hear for the ringing in his ear. He tried to stand and turn to look at his attackers. The man with the hose hit him again, this time across the front of his face smashing his nose and upper lip. He felt his nose crunch and blood starting to pour down into his mouth and down his neck and the front of his shirt. This time Harry was all the way down knocking his desk chair across the room. The man with the hose walked over and began kicking him in his side. He heard the other man speak with a distinct Hispanic accent, “Stop, the man said we cannot kill him.” The man kicked him again, and the last thing Harry saw was black cowboy boots with silver tips.

  Chapter 60

  Harry had talked to both Betty and Clay about New Year’s Eve. Clay was committed to working, citing that typically it was a busy evening for his group. Harry explained to Betty that he had done so many black-tie celebrations that he was going to spend a quiet evening, make a good dinner, have a great bottle of wine, and watch the ball drop on TV. He told her if it was not too tame for her, she was invited to join him and also to stay the night to avoid driving while drinking plus avoid all the drunks who were sure to be out. She said she was thankful for the invitation. She too had done all the big parties in the past. She also took him up on the overnight and promised not to repeat overindulging again.