Its rude to eat alone
he couldnt have imagined the legs that line
grewwhere they took him thrice
things came in threes
been his experience
twice over four years sounds right not threefive over his career where was his old man when
he used that descriptor when he worked for a furniture rental company working his way up from deliveryman--driver
to showroom employee manager working with customershustling new ones
he had a knack with people
coldcalled an attorneyfollowing a
lead she was setting up a new branch office
for her burgeoning practise
timing was off but before she could
excuse herselfblew him off he finessed herhanded her a business card and suggestedencouraged
that the immediate ramifications of dumping dough suffering the outlay could be amortized by renting
desks credenzas bookshelves write-offs thereby enabling her to enjoy what he did best his flexibility service acumen
within the week she calledset an
appointment to meet at the showroom although realisedadmitted her time fell outside
his the showroom closed
Wha time Ill open for you
they met at seventhirty in the
evening
unfortunately something gyrated
on her endher time suddenly limited No sweat Ill walked you through our basic
intermediate highend selections he also provided
her a pamphlet which he noted that he hired the photographer wrote its text
having to leave she apologisedthanked
him
I liked what I saw. Let me make
arrangements and I’ll call, we’ll setup another time.
Im happy to unlock the place please keep that in mind
she dashed off
three days past
his boss got a bug up his asswanted
to bet against him he wasnt keen on his hustling that was because he liked going out
during the day and when he was gone hed have to mind the store
he bought a new Vette
he wanted to be out driving
around
Hunred dollars
What? A hundred dollars.
Put up or shut up
sucker
bet his boss could be provokedhad a macho
thing that begged picking at
smirking his boss went to his
pantspocket produced folded cash bound by a green celery rubberband he unfolded five twenties
You’re on, lip, where’s your money?
Im good for itya know that Ifya prefer hold onto yoursyoure good for
it If not Ill lift it from petty cash
You won’t.
Ya know me better than that
with a flourish his boss hid the
hunred under a pretty paperweight on his desk which was immediately behind his
We’re on.
We are
But she has to rent, not just
call back.
Understood
it was another three days of
cheap shotsmocking before she called again to set up an appointment
she took him up on unlocking the business
and apologised for not calling sooner she
had been called out of town unexpectedly
Please you neednt explain Im grateful were able to meet again.
she brought her office floor plans blueprints measurements when she came
also brought her baby
Goodness Congratulations
Thank you, she’s a little trooper
. .
.
. Like her Momma
A month an a haf two
months Im the eldest of sixbeen round
plenty of babies all my life
She’s two months.
was cute as a button
Her name
Ambrosia, Amber for short.
he pulled the blanket down from
her chin
I can see that Bold
Thank you
Anif I may you look fantastic First babygood experience
Yes.
A setup baby
Set up?
Yes So goodamazing that baby two is a shoo-in
Well, my second babyif ever will
be years in the making. My husband isn’t . well . . we’re divorcing . he’s
not keen.
Hes a prick
her eyes flashed like a she-wolf
Save it Monica hes a prick
Neither you or Ambrosia ought to suffer him
Ambrosia began crying
Awnuts, what time is it?
Approaching eight
I have to feed her. she handed him a list of furniture she needed Let’s do this, if you don’t mind I'll feed her.
Help yourself Ill draw up the papers
he walked into his office Monica
followed
pulling forms to pen she
undid her blouse and began breastfeeding
not to look would defy all his
male instincts
Ambrosias suckling and smacking didnt
help matters
he watched several moments then
raised his eyes meeting Monicas
without
hesitation Whas wrong with
Ambrosia havent you taught her any manner she
ought to know its impolite to eat alone
Monica surprisedburst out
laughingstartled Ambrosia who began
crying between peals of laughterher mouth
uncovered Shush sshshush sssh sweet girl, shush, sssh.
Ambrosia quieted began
smacking again
smiling Monica said
OhJoe, you’re bad.
You have no ideano idea Monica
1109, Thursday,
12 1. 23
1926, Thursday
