By Rachel Torrent

Scottie opened the front door of his penthouse and came face to face with Earl Ray. An instant white-hot flame ran through his body, and his first physical reaction was to slam the door shut. But Earl Ray had anticipated such. He stopped the door with a firm arm.

“Hold on, man.......I know ya don’t wanna see me, but I gotta talk to you.”

Scottie hesitated, trying to think. He hadn’t had any advance warning of this enemy attack. “Go the fuck away, Michaels. I don’t have a damn thing to say to you.”

“Then just listen to what I have to say. It’s important to me.” Earl Ray was persistent.

“Why didn’t you call first, you asshole? Maybe now isn’t very convenient for me.” Scottie still held the door against Earl Ray’s palm. He had tons of stall tactics.

“How was I supposed to get your number, man? You just moved.”

Scottie laughed his short, snorting laugh. “From my wife, of course. You’re getting everything else you need from her these days. Right?”

Earl Ray sighed. “C’mon, Scottie. I won’t take much of your time. Lemme in.”

After a long, silent pause, Scottie finally swung the door open. But instead of playing the role of host, he turned and walked away, leaving Earl Ray to enter on his own, at his own risk.

Earl Ray stepped inside and shut the door. Scottie had gone to the kitchen, to the right. So Earl Ray followed the sounds of ice cubes falling into crystal.

“Whadaya want, Earl Ray? What’s so fucking urgent?” Scottie never turned around to face him.

“I just wanna get some stuff out in the open...............We used to be friends, ya know.”

Scottie whirled around on him, whiskey bottle in hand. His eyes blazed. “Friends, you bastard, don’t fuck each other’s wives. You, of all people should know that minor little detail. Since the charming and graceful Mr. Lococco, who YOU considered a FRIEND, fucked YOUR wife so efficiently that she left your sorry ass for him! Now tell me which part of this beautiful little story I’m getting wrong here!” Scottie was glaring at him.

Earl Ray, obviously wounded, sucked in his cheeks. This was worse, more intense than he’d imagined it would be.

“Scottie,...........I can’t undo what’s already done...........But I can assure you—”

“Just shut the hell up. I don’t know why you bothered coming over here. This is a waste of my time.” Scottie finished making his drink.

“No, it’s not. I’m gonna say what I came here to say.............I never even thought of your wife in a romantic way until that night you walked out on her. And, yes, I heard your heartless little fight. How cruel you were to her. I suspected it wasn’t the first time you’d been such a dick. And you know she deserves better than that.” Earl Ray was beginning to raise his voice, and he didn’t want to.

Scottie stood in the middle of his kitchen, astounded. “Are you playing the marriage counselor now, you motherfucker? How ironic THAT would be!”

Earl Ray stepped forward. “You can’t treat a woman just any way you please, man. I don’t mean to get in your business. Really, I don’t. But what happened happened. More than likely ‘cause you up and left your warm, caring woman behind.”

Scottie’s eyes narrowed. His anger rumbled inside him. “Earl Ray, I could kill you for that.”

“But ya won’t.........’cause ya know I’m right.”

Scottie turned around and went to the sink. He set his drink down and then faced Earl Ray again. “So what’s your point? Your bottom line? Why the fuck are you here?”

“I just want ya to know that I DO appreciate her..........and it’s because she was kind to me.........and because she needed some kindness in return.........some kindness and appreciation she was lacking.........I never meant to steal her from you, man............It wasn’t like that at all.............I’m not that kinda guy..........I’m real sorry you got the short end of the stick here.........” Earl Ray felt like he had just ended a speech.

Scottie picked up his drink and stared down into it for a few seconds. Then he looked up at Earl Ray. His tone was less heated. “Maybe I did fuck up. My lifestyle is a little different than your average Joe’s. Maybe you’ve noticed. But I did love her. And still do. So don’t be messing up, Michaels. Or I’ll fuck you up. I’m always watching, ya know.”

Earl Ray hesitated. “What’s gonna happen between the two of you now, Scottie?”

“Aw, she doesn’t want me anymore! You’ve swept her off her feet, for christsake! Go on! Be happy!”

Scottie walked towards him, and Earl Ray gathered that it was time to leave.

“Scottie, I do care about her.........and there wasn’t anything going on behind your back........That’s what I came here to say.”

Scottie was next to him now. He put a hand on Earl Ray’s shoulder as he lead him back to the front door. “Earl Ray, just don’t forget..........if I can take her away from you again.........I damn sure will. Got it?”

Earl Ray looked at him, unsure how to respond. “Okay, man. See ya ‘round.”

“Yeah.” Scottie opened the door. Earl Ray stepped into the hallway and turned around to him. He held out his hand for Scottie to shake.

Scottie held the door with his left hand and his drink with the other. He wrinkled up his nose as he smiled. He shook his head “no.”

“Maybe next time.........buddy.” Then he closed the door. Without slamming it.

Earl Ray walked to the (down) elevator, wondering if he’d accomplished what he came to Scottie’s apartment to do.

* * *

As he drove through town, Earl Ray went over in his head the conversation with Scottie. He certainly hadn’t expected it to go well, and it didn’t. But he had gotten some unsaid things off his chest. He’d gotten angrier than he wanted to because of Scottie’s vicious remarks, but things hadn’t escalated to out-of-hand status. So, all in all, he figured the ordeal had been a success.

Since he and Sahndra had returned from that hotel Friday after lunch, Earl Ray had been doing some deep, intense thinking. On the drive back, Sahndra had told him she thought he needed a little time alone with himself. And he knew she needed exactly the same down time. They both needed to decide how they wanted to proceed from here with this relationship.

Now it was Sunday afternoon, and Earl Ray had spent two full days completely alone with his introspecting and soul searching. He was a single man again, after being happily married for years. A monumental adjustment, emotionally as well as physically. And he was now forced to confront all of it.

He still had his solid reputation in town. That wouldn’t change. He was respected and liked. And he had Sahndra. He wasn’t totally left out in the cold.

Ah, kind, sweet Sahndra. One of his closest friends who, during a terrible crisis of her own, became his lover. She’d helped him through the darkest period of his life, and he had come to depend on her for emotional support and for physical release. They leaned on each other.

But he knew he had to face Scottie. He and Scottie had been buddies since their Green Beret days in the war. He could not just let the fact that he was now with Scottie’s wife slide under a rug. He had to talk to Scottie. And now that was accomplished. He didn’t feel any better about the situation, just less secretive.

Now he discovered that he wanted to see Sahndra. She would know how to soothe him. She always knew.

As he drove toward Sahndra’s house, he passed slowly by Renaissance, his ex-wife’s place. Roger’s Jeep was parked out front. Earl Ray gripped the steering wheel tighter and kept on driving.

“Bastard,” he whispered to no one. He’d never be able to feel ill will toward Julie, but he’d always hate the man who took her from him.

Sahndra was overly happy and excited to see him. She met him at the front door with lots of hugs and kisses. He was suddenly aware that he’d missed her, that he enjoyed her showy displays of affection. He laughed and kissed her mouth.

“I was so afraid you’d changed your mind about us. That I wouldn’t see you anymore.”

Earl Ray pulled back to look at her. He held her shoulders. “Darling, I ain’t changing my mind. I need you.”

Sahndra had a tear in each eye. “I’m damn glad you’re here. I missed you like hell.”

They sat down in Sahndra’s brand new living room. Scottie had been true to his word about fixing what he’d smashed up in his rage. She brought him a beer, and he told her about his confrontation with Scottie. She wasn’t at all surprised by her husband’s nasty abuses.

“He must be hurting pretty badly still. He just tries to hide it by lashing out at someone else. Sorry if he upset you.” She put her hand on his thigh. She wanted to put both her hands all over him.

“Aaaaaaaa.............I said my peace. I’m done with it,” he said.

Sahndra watched him guzzle his beer. Then a light went on in her head. “Did you come through town on the way over here?”

He glanced at her. “Yeah……..why?”

“You saw Roger’s Jeep at the restaurant, didn’t you?”

He laid his head back on the couch and sighed. “Yeah, I did. So what?”

“Seems like it bothered you, honey. Want another beer?”

Earl Ray looked at her. “Julie’s not my wife anymore. It’s all perfectly legitimate now. So fuck it………..How’d you know he was there?”

Sahndra took his empty beer bottle. “I called her, and she said he was over there shooting pool in the bar.”

“How sweet.”

“Sorry I brought it up, Earl Ray. That was stupid of me. I just hate to see you upset,” she said.

Earl Ray smiled and put his hand on her knee. “Don’t worry ‘bout it, sweetie. It was the whole Scottie thing too……..And I do need another beer…….if you don’t mind.”

Sahndra jumped up and fetched him one. As she sat back down next to him, against him, she asked quietly, “Did you come to any decisions about us?”

He took a swallow. “Did you?”

“Earl Ray, you know how I feel. I told you Thursday in that hotel room.” Sahndra felt vulnerable, afraid.

As if he sensed this, he took her hand in his. “I wanna keep seeing ya, darlin’, if that’s what’s worrying ya. I love being around ya, and the sex is outta this world.” He laughed.

Sahndra laughed too. She wasn’t losing him. He hadn’t decided she was a bad idea. “It feels so good to hear you say that,” she whispered and squeezed his hand.

“But, baby, I don’t know how much I can promise you. I’m kinda emotionally drained right now. I gotta get back on my feet in that department, ya know? But I swear I’ll do my best. I don’t know if that’ll be good enough for ya—”

She leaned over and kissed him on the mouth to shut him up. He smiled.

“Earl Ray, I know what you’re getting over. And I can wait. In the meantime, I’ll take whatever I can get from you,” she told him.

“I care a bunch about ya, Sahndra.”

“I know you do.”

Sahndra was happy. She could keep him. She had worried for two days that he wouldn’t need her around anymore, that he’d decide they were wrong together. But that hadn’t happened. She was thrilled. She loved this man.

They agreed that living apart would be best right now. The warehouse space was cramped for two people. And she was officially still married. So separate residences would be the status quo. But they both understood they’d be spending most of their nights together.

* * *

Sahndra had only spoken with Scottie over the phone since she told him about her new lover. He had been out of town until Friday night – when he called to give her his new penthouse phone number.

“Thanks, Scottie. That’s nice of you,” she had told him. She was actually surprised at his civility.

“So how’s Earl Ray?” Then back to the old Scottie.

“Don’t be cruel, Scottie.”

“The divorce is final, isn’t it? How’s the asshole doing, Sahndra? Simple question.”

“I’m not answering that,” she said, wishing he hadn’t even called.

“Suit yourself………..Are you gonna want one too?”

This almost knocked her down. A completely unexpected blow. Did she want a divorce?

“Uh……..I don’t think so, Scottie……….not right away.” She hoped her voice hadn’t faltered.

“Oh.” He sounded almost relieved. Almost.

“What about you? You could file for one too,” she reminded him.

“Aw, why bother?”

That stung Sahndra. He was so good at being callous, whether pretending or not.

“I guess you’re right, Scottie. Being married never meant much to you anyway, did it?”

“Don’t try to get in my head, sweet cheeks. You don’t have that right any longer,” he said.

Sahndra felt sad. “Whatever, Scottie.” She didn’t know what else to say to him.

Scottie paused on the other end. “Hey, Sahndra…………..you okay?……………..I mean……………is there anything you need?”

She had a lump in her throat. She felt even sadder. “I’m fine, honey……………..Thanks for the job you did on the house. It looks great.”

“Yeah………..Look, call me if you need me. I’ll be around.”

“I miss you, Scottie.” She couldn’t resist.

“Yeah………well………shit happens. I gotta go now.”

And that had been it. Sahndra did miss him. She cried Friday and Saturday nights while she was alone. She knew she loved both Scottie and Earl Ray. In completely separate spheres. And she also knew which one of them would bring her the most genuine, most lasting happiness in the long run. She hated the tearing apart from Scottie, but she loved seeing Earl Ray at her front door smiling at her.

* * *

The next day, Monday, Julie went into Renaissance at lunch time. Not because she had restaurant work to do, but because she had a tiny special event to prepare for. She was planning to surprise Roger that evening with an exclusive little dinner for two in the small side dining room. Not for any particular celebration of anything. Just because she wanted to.

The small dining room, just off the main one, was cozy and secluded. It had a mere twelve tables and was opened only when the larger room filled up and a waiting list formed.

Julie and two of the waiters spent an hour moving eleven of the tables out of the way and arranging one two-top in the room’s center. They then set up a lacy, translucent screened partition around the table, creating an even more intimate atmosphere. Once the linens, china, and crystal were placed appropriately and the lamp lighting was adjusted, Julie was satisfied. It was a perfectly romantic setting. They would be all alone in her restaurant.

Julie was all too aware that some of her kitchen and dining room staff didn’t approve of Roger yet. They held onto their affection for and loyalty to Earl Ray, and she understood this.

“What if we get swamped and need this room?” Caleb asked her as they surveyed it. She heard his barely noticeable bitter undertone.

“It’s Monday night, Caleb. Our slowest night of the week.”

He sulked off. Julie didn’t care. They would have to learn to tolerate Roger. He was now what made their boss tick.

The night before, after she and Roger had watched a movie sitting against each other in the loft, Julie had gone home to sleep. Roger had an early business meeting in the next town the next morning, and she didn’t have to get up ‘til much later. But before she left, she asked him to join her for dinner at the restaurant the following evening. They had done this on several occasions before, so he had nonchalantly agreed. Seven o’clock was the target time.

At 6 p.m., Julie was in the storeroom doing a quick inventory check. She’d gone home and dressed for the affair. Now she waited patiently.

“Hey, Julie! One of your friends is eating out at the bar and asking for ya,” Alex yelled at her.

She was expecting to find Jack French as she walked out into the rowdy bar area. He was a frequent visitor. Instead, she saw Scottie sitting at the end of the bar. He was drinking a beer and eating. All alone and peacefully. She slowly walked behind the bar and down the length of it, ignoring Sheila, the bartender.

Scottie, always alert, looked up and saw her coming. His face beamed. “Hiya, Jules! How’s tricks?”

She grinned at him, glad to see him in good spirits. “Hey, Scottie! Where ya been hiding? I’ve wondered about you.”

“Oh, I’ve been around, ya know. Here and everywhere. Howya doing?”

“I’m good, Scottie. A single woman again and all.”

“Single, my ass. Where IS Lococco?” Scottie looked around.

“He’ll be here soon,” Julie told him. She leaned on the bar.

“Yeah, I know you guys don’t stay apart from each other very long now.” He laughed a little laugh. “And don’t get me wrong. I think it’s sweet.”

No outward hostility for Roger. A positive sign, Julie thought. “How are YOU doing, Scottie? Really?”

His laugh disappeared. He looked down. “I’m okay. I’m on the road a lot, and that passes the time. But it’s a little tough coming home to an empty apartment when ya do come home.”

“Scottie, you know you can call me anytime, dontcha?”

His eyes reached hers. “I know, Jules. Thanks.” He smiled again, dissipating the sad tone. “I’m a survivor, though………..Hey! How ‘bout another brewski? One thing that hasn’t changed is the food at this place! Good job, chef!”

Julie retrieved him another imported beer from behind the bar. “Thanks, Scottie. You eat free for that. What made you come in here tonight?”

“Well, shit! This is the one of the two places in town where I KNOW your ol’ ex won’t be. And the food’s better here. Besides, Roger -- maybe he’s not so bad after all. So what the hell?”

Julie stood there talking to Scottie another half hour. They caught up on lots of lost time. Then she excused herself so that she could check on final preparations for her special dinner. And so she could powder her nose. When she returned, Scottie was still at the bar, still drinking a beer, but not alone anymore.

Roger was sitting beside him.

Julie panicked until she realized that they were having a normal, calm conversation. Roger was even drinking the same brand of beer as Scottie.

So she approached them from behind and came up on Roger’s outside arm. “Hello, boys. I need a camera for this,” she said as she kissed Roger’s cheek.

He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He looked her over. “Nobody told ME we were going to the prom.” He kissed her mouth.

“Shut up, Roger. I’m not that dressed up.”

“Just teasing you…………You look great.” He spoke softly to her, like he did in bed, and she felt wetness in her private parts already.

“And that one can cook too,” Scottie inserted. “Better hang onto her.” He turned his bottle up.

Roger was still looking at her, admiringly. “Ah, she’s not getting away from me.” He was answering Scottie, but he was speaking to her. Looking in her eyes. She was melting. She pressed closer to him.

“Ya ready to eat?” she asked him. Somehow it felt like they were the only two people in the room. Maybe he was hypnotizing her. Maybe she was letting him.

“How ‘bout some dinner first?” He winked at her. Julie blushed. His warm hand on her waist slipped downward to her hip.

Scottie hadn’t heard him. “Wannanother beer, man? I’m buying.”

Roger finally pulled his eyes off her and turned to Scottie. “I think our table’s ready. But thanks anyway.”

“And no, you’re not buying, Scottie. I’ve already taken care of you. You just hang out as long as you like. Then get Sheila to call you a cab,” Julie said across Roger.

Scottie looked at her and smiled. “You’re an angel, Jules. Think I just might do that.”

They left Scottie at the bar and walked through the dividing foyer into the fine dining area. Julie took Roger’s hand and led him between the tables to the small, usually closed room. He had never seen this room.

Inside, she brought him around the partition and let him view the elaborate little setup she’d designed just for the two of them. He slowly took in everything and then smiled.

“What’s this all about?”

“It’s better than the prom. Just you and me…………Ian will be our server. He’s the best waiter I’ve got…………….I hope you’re surprised,” Julie said quietly.

Roger placed his hand on her back and guided her over to the little table as he pulled out the chair with his other hand. Then, as he sat down across from her, he said, “Oh, I’m surprised all right. This is exceptional.”

He smiled at her again in the candlelight, and Julie felt her heart leap. It was worth it all just to see that smile. She didn’t even answer him. She wanted only to look at him.

“But what’s the occasion? Have I fucked up and forgotten something important?”

She laughed. “No, honey. I just did it. Just for you. ‘Cause I wanted to. I thought it would be fun.”

Ian was there then, pulling the champagne bucket over to the table and opening the bottle. While he poured, Roger said, “No one’s ever done anything like this for me before………….Thank you, baby.”

The rest of the evening went along swimmingly. Ian was perfect. The food was perfect. The champagne was perfect. Roger was perfect.

And yes, the time afterwards when they were truly alone was perfect too.