Second Street // Part Thirty Five

       Second Street

      Part Thirty Five

Charlie and Jim liked one another and had no trouble talking with each other even though they had only known each other for less than an hour. Charlie poured Jim another glass of wine, telling him that he was happy to have the company. I really hate being alone, Charlie told him. Jim knew this of Charlie from his conversations with Andy but thought better than to say so and simply nodded in agreement. It sounds as though you and your girl had one of the most fabulous weekends that could be had, Jim said, adding that it had given him the idea to do the same with Andy but maybe at a slower pace. The pair laughed and Charlie told of Pam’s exhaustion on the return, telling Jim, maybe you should go for a week. They heard a vehicle in the driveway next door and Jim got up to see if it was in fact Danny. He had never seen much of him and appreciated this first hand view. He turned to Charlie, looking quizzically, that is Danny? Is it a beat up green truck? Yes, Jim responded. Does the guy look to be grey in skin color and have a vacant look? Yes, Jim again said. Well then that’s him Charlie responded. Jim returned to the table and looked Charlie square in the eye and asked; how can that be? How does that malignant tumor catch and keep a woman such as Andy? Charlie could see that Jim was upset by being presented with this cretin first hand. Charlie got the Jack and two glasses.

Charlie poured them a shot and went about recounting his first and second encounter with Danny. He told Jim of the dinner and the tears that led he and Andy to become great friends. He mentioned to Jim about opening her car door and just how much she seemed to enjoy that. Jim smiled and replied, I noticed the very same thing. I think Andy was a lonely woman and Danny caught her at a low point and spent a little charm at that certain moment. Might have been when her ex had run off with the babysitter? That’s the impression I get, Charlie told Jim. Ever since that time she has been a victim of mental manipulation and he never gives her any money. Christ, Charlie said, he hasn’t bought her a Christmas gift in twelve years, did you know that? I did Jim said, in fact I got such a charge out of you giving her presents and Danny sitting in misery. I just wished it had been me. Well Jim, why don’t you take over from now on? Do you think she might like to leave with me Jim queried? From what I know, she would leave in a heartbeat with a few exceptions, Charlie told him. Jim tipped his head as if to ask why. Her daughter needs back surgery and she kind of needs to be here for her and her sister’s husband is dying of lung cancer, aside from that the kids are grown and I know she cares a great deal for you.

Danny as usual had opened the door to the wagon train, dancing and showing off. He walked to the kitchen peering around the corner, what’s for dinner? Gruel, Andy muttered beneath her breath. What? Never mind; how long, came the question? Twenty minutes and he was off to the living room. If not for Jim she would have felt so rejected by Danny’s lack of curiosity about her health. Instead of being rejected she decided to banish Danny from her mind, no more making her feel small. He was not long left in her life she just half wished that she could be a fly on the wall the day Danny came home and the house was to be empty. She envisioned his despair, loneliness and probably the bitterness that would follow, knowing she would be the evil doer. He would tell all that would listen about her cheating ways and how he did everything in the world for her and how utterly disrespectful she was, such an ingrate! This made her smile broadly and had to stifle a laugh.

Charlie was scheduled to return to classes in two days and he was looking forward to that as it would remove some of the hours from his long lonely day. He enjoyed almost all of his students and they would keep him company for the last two days of the week, hoping to hear from Pam when Friday night closed in on him. He had enjoyed sharing with Jim and prayed Andy would take the chance offered and fly quickly from hell.

As Wednesday morning came it found Jim parked in front of Charlie’s house. It was just about eight when a small pick up appeared in Andy’s driveway. A large woman got out and went and rapped on the door, trying the knob before waiting for an answer. Jim guessed this to be Denise by the stupid look upon her face. The door opened and found Andy with a look of great disappointment. She clearly was not in the mood for this. Denise was allowed in, probably a mistake Jim thought to himself. Andy tried to be pleasant and offered her a cup of coffee. Listen Denise, I have some appointments today and don’t have time to visit; I really need to get moving. Harrumph came the reply, see if I come and visit your rude a*s again! Sorry Andy said but I need to get moving. Denise left in a snit, slamming the door behind her on the way out.  Good for you, my girl Jim thought to himself. Denise packed that huge frame into that tiny pickup and gunned the motor, not quite accomplishing the desired result due to the small motor.

 Andy quickly dressed and painted her face before dumb and dense could change her mind. She let the animals out for she knew it would be a long day. She waved to Jim as she stood waiting for the dogs. She packed them away and soon joined him in the SUV. That was a close call Jim said referring to Denise. That pain in the a*s, I basically had to tell her to get out before she would get the message and leave. Ha, Andy said, she was pissed at me and told me she wasn’t coming to visit anymore. I just about jumped for joy but held my pleasure in check. I saw her leave and squeeze her fat a*s into that tiny truck, reminded me of a clown car! Andy hearing that; cracked up laughing. I am so glad you got rid of her, Jim told her, it would have been awful not to see you because of her. I have a surprise for you later Jim told her but in the meantime would you like something to eat? I could eat, Andy replied. Jim turned the car in a complete new direction and Andy asked if he was lost? No Hon, he told her, I found a new place to get a bite and think you will like it so much. Andy sat back and was going to love her surprise, it had been forever since she had a surprise other than her Christmas presents, she was tickled to death. Jim had driven three towns away and was approaching the north end of Main Street, a place named, La Baguette Bistro. There was a wonderful awning and it was obvious that there was outside dining when weather permitted, the interior tastefully lit with wonderful signs and menus upon the walls. Many small café type tables filled the room. The design was not meant to fill the space with families but rather couples. Oh Jim, this looks beautiful, Andy said. He let her pick a seat and took her coat, placing it over the back of her chair. There were menus on the table ready for inspection, Andy picked hers up and started reading, fascinated, she had never seen a menu such as this. There were Crepes with salted bitter Carmel, and touch of vanilla. Choclat Chaud used either with bittersweet chocolate or white combined with hot milk and whipped cream and sugar. There were Belgian Waffles, with whipped cream and strawberries or powered sugar. Brouillade de truffe, whisked eggs with black truffles. There were croissants, natural or au buerre, with jam or dipped in coffee. Baguettes that needed to be consumed within hours of baking, coming in sourdough, whole wheat, rye or milk and sugar all served with jams of strawberry, orange, apricot or fig. There was Pain au Raisin or Brioche, part bread, part cake. Andy was in awe of this menu, never having seen such a wonderful thing in her life. Jim this is most amazing! I want some of everything she joked. Jim smiled and said, I understand you and Charlie share everything? Shall we? Her face became flush and she said yes, please. They ordered and ate, filling themselves with aromatic coffee and wonderful breakfast treats. Andy wanted to say something but thought about it and decided to let things lie. Jim took her hand and just gazed into her eyes, not a word said. I do have one more surprise for you he told her. If you are finished we can get going? It will take a bit to get there but we have plenty of time. They finished and proceeded to the car. Can you give me a hint Andy said, toying with him? I can Jim replied. ETCA. What? What does that mean? You’ll just have to figure it out Jim told her. She sat as they drove, her mind wandering all over the place and going crazy. She looked at him many different times and different ways hoping to influence him just a bit. He was having none of it. It wasn’t very long and they pulled up a dirt road, fences on both sides, cars parked everywhere. There was a big top, cages for animals, hundreds of trailers serving up excitement for young and old alike. There were rides and every type of excitement to be had. Andy looked at Jim and said Elephants, Tigers, Clowns and Acrobats?