11
1871 Words
The doorbell alerted Ronny to Eric’s arrival. He was right on time. Dinner was ready, and Vi was setting the table. She had offered to help him make dinner. Well, she had insisted. Between them, they had made a delicious steak dinner with Greek salad and garlic mashed potatoes. Ronny opened the door and smiled at his old friend.
Eric strolled in removing his hat and tossing it onto the table by the door. He held up an aged bottle of scotch in one hand and an imported dark rum in the other. “Pick your poison.” He grinned.
“Twelve-year-old scotch.” Ronny grinned taking the bottle. “How I love you. Let me count the ways…” He shut the door. Ronny took Eric’s black trench coat and hung it up.
“So where is this sugar baby you’re seeing?” Eric asked with a grin.
Brea came skipping through the hall and around Eric with her bright blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders. She reached up and tugged on Ronny’s sleeve. “Mom says supper is on the table.”
“Ok, we are coming.” Ronny smiled patting her head.
“Hi.” Brea waved at Eric as she trotted back to the kitchen.
Eric stared at Ronny with wide-eyed shock. “What was that?”
“A child.”
“I know that, but who does she belong to?” He asked.
“The woman I’m seeing.”
“You’re dating a woman with a child?”
“Four.”
Eric stared at him in quiet awe. “I’m sorry did you say she has four children?” Ronny smirked and shrugged his shoulders. Eric grabbed Ronny by the arm and took him aside lowering his voice so not to be overheard. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting into?” He asked. “When a woman has children you’re not just involved with her but her kids too, which means when you leave her you leave them too. You break more hearts then jest hers. Are you sure you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew?”
“I understand what you mean, but these children are quite wonderful. Besides their father is a jerk and they need a positive role model during this divorce.”
Eric shook his head in disbelief. “She is married too?”
“Separated.” He clarified.
“That’s still married.” Eric pointed out.
“She is in the process of a divorce.”
“Which I presume you are paying for.” Eric guessed.
“Yes.”
“You are being taken. I thought you were smarter than that.”
Ronny knew how it looked. If it had been any other woman, he would have agreed, but Ronny knew there was no way Vi was taking him for anything. Yes, she was accepting his help because she needed it but he had practically had to force everything else on her. His friend was only trying to look out for him. Ronny was sure that once he got to know Vi that Eric would see her the way he did.
“Just come meet her. I think you will see that I have not lost my mind.” He grinned. Ronny led Eric to the dining room where his new, larger oak dining table had been set. Briar and Vi were bringing out the last of the food and placing it on the table. Parker, Brea, and Davis were already seated. Ronny watched as Briar took a seat next to Parker.
Vi smiled at him warmly. “Hello.” She said shaking Eric’s hand. “I’m a big fan.”
“Always nice to meet another fan,” Eric said with a smile.
“Eric this is Vi Anderson. Vi this is one of my very best friends Eric Wilkins.” Ronny introduced them formally. “These are Vi’s children. Davis, Briar, Parker, and you met this cutie in the hall Brea.”
Eric greeted them each and then took a seat next to Davis at the table complimenting the appeal of the meal. Ronny sat down at the head of the table and Vi took the seat to his left. Ronny looked around the table at all the smiling faces, and the chatter as the food was passed around. This must have been how David had felt seated around his table watching his family grow. Or Mike on the holidays with his kids and grandchildren all talking at once. It was strange, it almost felt like a real family. A wife and children, and him ahead of a happy household. Only it wasn’t his family; he was living vicariously through another man’s life.
They enjoyed their dinner while the kids told them how school was going. Eric told them tales of when they were wayward teens jumping fences and chasing skirts. He, of course, left out certain details that were inappropriate for younger ears, but for the most part, he had the children on the edge of their seats. After dinner, they sent the children to the media room to watch some television while the adults wandered into the music room with drinks.
Eric picked up the drumsticks and twirled them between his fingers. “You still playing?”
“All the time.” Ronny nodded. “You?”
Eric shot him a sly smile. “You know it.” He placed the sticks back on top of the drum set. “Been some time though since I’ve jammed with anyone.” He took a sip of his scotch and then turned his eyes to Vi who was standing quietly in the archway of the room. “So how did you two meet?”
“I’m a bartender at the VIP.” She said. Eric shot Ronny a knowing glance. Ronny knew exactly what was going through his friend’s mind. He didn’t think it wise to date an employee. Perhaps he was right, but Ronny wasn’t known for being unwise when it came to women. It was all a game, and he had never lost.
“You said you were a fan; you must have been just a baby when you started listening to our albums.”
“I was. My parents are huge fans. I grew up listening to the albums they had and attended a few of your concerts as a teenager. You guys used to put on a really good show. I never thought I would be sharing dinner with you one day.” Vi smiled. “It’s rather exciting.”
“Tell me what did you do before you worked at the club?” Eric asked with curiosity.
“I was a stay home mom. You know running errors, tending to the house, soccer practice, ballet recitals, and other after-school activities.”
“So, your son is into soccer?”
“Oh no,” Vi said coming into the room and sitting on the settee by the window. “Briar is the soccer player. She plays on the school team. Davis is into music. Brea takes ballet. Parker has this sketchbook she likes to draw in; she is quite good.”
“Mom!” Brea called from the other room.
Vi sighed and stood up. “Excuse me; I must break up some sibling rivalry.” She said leaving the two men alone.
Once Vi was gone Ronny downed the last of his scotch and dared to ask. “So, what do you think of her?”
It took Eric a moment as he thought of just what to say. He sipped his drink and raked his fingers through his short blond hair. “She seems very nice. The kids too.”
“But?” Ronny asked sensing there was more to his opinion.
Eric looked awkward for a moment. “It’s just that she is half your age?”
Ronny shrugged not seeing his point. “I date women younger than her all the time.”
“But you don’t let them move in, and you have never dated a woman with so much baggage before.”
“So, she is a little different,” Ronny said dismissing his friend’s concern. “That’s what I like about her.
“I think you should be careful is all,” Eric said. “You’re taking a big risk with this girl. I saw the way you looked at her during dinner. If you’re not careful, you could lose more than your money.” Eric turned and placed his glass on top of the piano and then walked over to the cello. He smiled at Ronny. “What do you say we play for a while? It would be great to jam with someone again.” Ronny smiled he was certainly up for it. He had missed playing with his friends.
Ronny sat himself down at the piano, and the two began to play. As they had in the past, they had flawless chemistry and played while drinking well into the evening losing track of time. The evening had grown late, and before long Vi had appeared yet again in the archway smiling warmly at him. She wore her silk robe, and her hair had been let down. She was ready for bed.
Ronny rose from where he had been seated and came over to her drawing her close. “Will you be coming to bed soon?” She asked.
“I’m sorry sweet the night has gotten away from me.” He said kissing her forehead. “I will be up shortly I promise.”
Vi smiled up at him and nodded then turned her gaze to Eric. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you.” Eric nodded. Vi wandered off to bed, and Eric stepped away from his instrument and drained the last of his drink. “I should best be on my way. Let you get to bed.” He smiled as Ronny walked him to the front door. “It’s rude to keep a woman waiting.” He teased.
Ronny shook Eric’s hand with a smile. “It’s been great to see you again. The guys and I are playing poker next weekend why don’t join us? I know they would all be happy to see you again too.” Ronny suggested.
Eric cringed. “I don’t know. Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you.” Eric was still unsure about rekindling old friendships. Not certain whether opening old wounds were wise. Ronny said his good-byes and shut the door. He then headed up to his bedroom; lord knows he did not want to be rude and keep Vi waiting.
- Writer
