K. Wendt's Blog, page 2

Alpine Chapter Fourteen Continued

The outer door to the jail cells clanged a few feet from where Thomas and Aaron found themselves sharing a cell. Aaron sat on the only bed in the cell, leaned against the wall nursing his black eye that was forming under the cold, wet towel he had managed to grab at the bar. Thomas leaned up against the wall opposite Aaron with one foot propped on the wall and his arms crossed across his chest. Aaron stared at him with his one good eye.

                        “You know,” Aaron said. “You are the only reason I have ever been put in jail.”

                        “That’s hard to believe considering you started both fights.” Thomas retorted.

            Aaron forced himself to stay on the bed. Thomas had a way of pulling at Aaron’s anger. Seeing Aaron’s body flinch, Thomas said, “Careful there buddy. You’re already in jail, not sure what they would do to you from here if you start a fight in here. Like you, I’ve only been in jail twice in my life.”

                        “Why are you here, Thomas?” Aaron asked.

                        “You hit me remember,” Thomas said. “I had to defend myself.”

                        “That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

                        “I’ve always wanted to come back here.” Thomas answered. “I love this place. I always have. When I heard Mike got the job, that encouraged me to come back. Well, that and an interesting phone call from a friend of yours.”

            Aaron shifted forward on the bed.

                        “What? Who called you?” he asked.

                        “Will something or other.”

            Aaron was confused.

                        “Why the hell would he call you?” Aaron asked.

                        “I think he thought he would be helping everyone out by encouraging me to come back here and see Jen.” Thomas said, “but obviously, he doesn’t know Jen very well because she sure didn’t seem to care to talk to me tonight.”

                        “Do you blame me?” Jen asked outside the jail cell.

            Both men jumped up and went to the iron bars.

                        “Jen,” Aaron said. “When did you get here?”

 

                        “I’ve been in here for a few minutes listening to you two continue to act like children.” Jen told them.

                        “Jen,” Thomas started to say.

            Jen put her hand up to silence him.

                        “I really don’t want to hear it,” Jen took a breath. “I’m tired of everyone trying to figure out what Jen thinks or what Jen would say.” She looked at Aaron. “I’m tired of people doing what’s best for me without talking to me. So, I’m here to bail one of you out. I knew who it would be when I got here, but honestly hearing you two, I’m not sure I want to bail either of you out.”

            Both men looked at each other embarrassed by how they had acted.

                        “Jen,” Thomas tried again.

            Jen turned toward the main door and cut him off, “Billy, I’m ready to bail Aaron out now.”

            Billy came to the cell door and unlocked it. As Aaron walked out of the cell, Thomas spoke up.

                        “Jen, are you really going to ignore me the whole time I’m here?” Thomas asked. “We need to talk.”

                        “The talk you want to have, Thomas, should have happened twenty years ago. I’m sorry it took you so long to decide I was worth talking things out with. Enjoy the rest of your time here.” Jen said as she hooked her arm around Aaron’s and directed them out of the cell area.

            When they got out to Jen’s car, Aaron spun her into him and hugged her.

                        “I’m so proud of you, Jen,” he said into her ear.

            She pushed away from him slightly and looked up at him.

                        “I don’t like that you got into another fight with him,” she told him. “You shouldn’t have let that happen.”

                        “I know, but he just has a way of getting under my sking. He’s a cocky, arrogant son of a bitch. He always has been.”

            Jen moved to get into her car.

                        “Well, restrain yourself from hitting him the rest of the time he’s here. This is as small town, I’m sure we’ll see him again.”

Alpine Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

             Aaron made sure Jen went back inside the bar before he approached Thomas. Once he saw her go in, he walked toward the Thomas was still sitting at. Thomas was nursing his beer with a look of bewilderment.

                        “What do you want?” Thomas asked between sips. “I know you were watching. So, I know you saw her tell me what for.”

            Aaron took a chair, turned it around, and sat in it backwards against the table.

                        “I was watching,” Aaron began, “and though I don’t know exactly what she said, I will admit I was quite proud of what her body language indicated.”

                        “She said I was twenty years too late.”

            Aaron winced, remembering he had basically said the same thing to Jen the other day.

                        “What?” Aaron asked, “you disagree with her?”

“I don’t know what I think,” Thomas admitted as he noticed his beer bottle was now empty. “I didn’t know I expected to happen when we would first see each other, but I didn’t expect a tongue lashing.”

                        “You arrogant son of a bitch,” Aaron said as he started to get up. He had had enough of Thomas for a lifetime in just two minutes.

            Thomas stood up as well and came around the table to stand in front of Aaron. Aaron watched as Thomas took note of the two inch difference between them, in Aaron’s favor.

                        “Look, Aaron, why don’t you butt the hell out for once.” Thomas said raising his chin as if it could make up for the two inches.

                        “Because I’m not the one that broke her heart,” Aaron took as step forward as he spoke leaving no space between them. “I’m the one who has spent all these years trying to mend it for her.”

                        “Oh, that’s right,” Aaron said. “I forgot, you’re the damn knight in shining armor. You save everyone’s day, especially Jen’s.”

            Before Aaron realized what he was doing, his right fist landed across Thomas’s jaw. Thomas rubbed his jaw briefly before swinging his own fist toward Aaron. Blocking Thomas’s punch with his left arm, Aaron swung again, this time landing in Thomas’s chest. Thomas cradled backwards in response, trying to raise his hands in defeat. Aaron was too far gone and lunged toward Thomas. Apparently, Jen wasn’t the only one holding on to twenty years of strife where Thomas was concerned.

Chapter Thirteen Continued

Jen sipped her water as Thomas walked toward her. Her head hurt from the Jack and Coke rush she tried to use to solidify her nerves. Her stomach was doing somersaults thanks to her emotions all fighting for control over what was or was not about to happen.

            Thomas smiled as he put his beer bottle on the table next to her water. He leaned down to her ear keeping eye contact with her until his lips were equal with her ear lobe.

                        “Is there any chance we could talk privately somewhere?” he asked her.

            Jen got up from her chair, grabbing her water as she did so.

                        “There’s a patio in the back,” she answered. “We should be able to find a quiet spot somewhere out there.”

                        “Sounds good,” Thomas said as he picked up his beer and waved toward the back indicating he would follow her out.

            They found a spot in the back corner away from bar patrons and far enough away from the live band, they wouldn’t have to yell at one another to talk. Thomas pulled out Jen’s chair for her as she started to sit down. Once she was seated, Thomas took the seat beside her.

            After a couple moments of awkward silence, Thomas decided to start a conversation.

                        “Wow, Jen,” he said. “I really don’t know where to start.”

                        “Twenty years is a long time to play catch up.” Jen answered.

            Thomas sipped his beer while he looked at Jen. She was as stunning as ever. Life had been good to her, the curves of her body embracing her frame perfectly.

                        “You look wonderful, Jen,” Thomas told her, “more beautiful than I can remember.”

            Jen picked up her water and took a sip, hoping to hide her eye roll.

                        “Thanks,” she answered shortly.

            Thomas smirked at her tone.

                        “I guess I deserved that.”

                        “Yeah, that’s only a smidge of what you deserve Thomas,” Jen found herself saying. “I’m not even sure why we’re talking right now. Twenty years ago, I wasn’t good enough for you and the “new world” of finance you were entering. Now, twenty years and apparently one failed marriage later, you decide you want to see me again.”

            Jen was shocked at herself. She had no idea where the ability to say these words was coming from, but decided she needed to keep it going. Standing up, Jen seemed to find her voice.

                        “I loved you, Thomas. I thought you were proposing marriage to me that night, not telling me I wasn’t good enough for you. Not good enough for you! How could you! I gave you all of me that I had to give then and I…I was ready to give you my heart for life and you freaking dumped me, you asshole!”

            Thomas’s eyes were wide with shock. Jen could tell she had shocked him almost as much as she shocked herself with this response. She decided now was a good time to end the conversation.

                        “Twenty years, Thomas. Twenty damn years it took you to try to talk to me again,” she said. “Your attempt sucked, but I’m glad it happened because I discovered something. I too good for you and I always have been.”

            Jen walked away as quickly as she could before she lost her confidence.

Alpine Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

             Jen was on her second Jack and Coke by the time fellow bar patrons were cheering the arrival of Mike, Thomas, and some of the football players. The Lobos had won the Homecoming game, this being a first in quite a few years. Jen raised her eyebrows in innocence as she sipped her drink staring at her friend’s disapproving look.

                        “You really think getting drunk is a good way to have a conversation with Thomas?” Lynn asked her.

                        “Yep.”

            Lynn rolled her eyes.

                        “Really, Jen,” Lynn said as she sighed. “I thought you wanted to have a serious conversation. Make him answer all those questions you’ve held onto for all these years.”

                        “I do.” Jen said shortly.

                        “Then why the hell are you sucking down Jack and Coke like it’s your favorite milk shake?”

                        “Because I need the head rush.” Jen smirked as she said this.

            Truth was, Jen was scared to death of the conversation that was coming, and though she was lightweight when it came to drinking, she needed the liquid confidence tonight.

                        “Well,” Lynn said. “I hope, for your sake, it goes well. I’m going to go spend time with my date now.”

Lynn picked her drink and walked off toward Mike. Jen lifted her drink to her as she left. A glass of water appeared on the table from behind her as she sat her drink down. She looked up to see Aaron moving to stand beside her. She gave him a questioning look.

            “The least I can do,” Aaron explained, “is make sure you’re some what sober when you talk to Thomas.”

Aaron took her drink and went to place it on the bar behind them. Jen looked at the water he had given her and tried her best to hold herself in check.

            “I don’t need parenting right now.” She said noticing she wasn’t doing a good job hiding her anger.

            “I know.”

            “Then why are you doing it?” she asked.

            “Because twenty years ago, he caused you to drink and I had to spend the next week reassuring you of everything that did and did not happened.” Aaron told her.

            “You aren’t going to kick his ass again tonight are you?” Jen asked

            “No,” Aaron answered. “One night in jail is enough to last me a lifetime. Of course, what I do will depend entirely on him.”

            “Oh great.” Jen said as she watched Thomas walk over to them. “Maybe you should go ahead and find something else to do.”

            “I’m fine right here.” Aaron said as he too watched Thomas.

“Aaron,” Jen said between her teeth, “go, I’ll be fine. If somethings happens, I’ll find you.”

            “Promise.”

            “Promise.”

Alpine Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

            The girls headed toward the stands to find their friends and try to see Mike before the game started. Jen did her best to look confident as she got closer to the stands. Inwardly, however, she just wanted to find a trash can and release her nerves into it. After all these years, she was going to see the man that had shattered her heart.

                        “Relax, Jen,” Lynn said as she looped her arm through her best friend’s. “You look amazing, that alone will make him wish he’d never left.”

                        “I’m fine, Lynn.” Jen tried to say.

            Lynn raised her eyebrows at her.

                        “Okay,” Jen gave in. “I’m not fine. I’m nervous as hell. This is the man that decided I wasn’t good enough for his future and left me. This is the man I have set every other man up to, so why should I be so nervous about seeing a man who made me feel so bad about myself. I’m good…really.”

            Jen feigned a smile for Lynn’s sake.

                        “Well, I think you should just kick his ass like he deserves when you see him, but that’s just me.” Lynn squeezed her arm as they got to the field. “Hey there’s Aaron and everyone, why don’t you head up and I’ll try to find Mike real quick. After all, it would be good to actually see each other during our date.”

            Jen laughed as she left Lynn and went up to the top of the bleachers.

                        “Hey Red,” Aaron said as he held out his hand to help her up to their seats.

                        “Hey,”

            He pulled her into him for a hug and whispered, “I’m sorry about the other night, I believe you are capable of doing whatever you need to and support you whatever you do.”

            Jen squeezed Aaron a little tighter, “thank you.”

            When they released from their hug, other friends were starting to arrive. Jen was busy saying hello to everyone that she didn’t see who was walking up to her.

 

           Thomas left Mike at the locker room and went search of a place to sit in the bleachers. He saw Lynn and Jen walk up on the opposite end. He stopped for a minute and watched their interaction. While Lynn looked like she was embracing the date in a cute above the knee cream color dress and chocolate waist length jacket with cowboy boots, Jen looked….he couldn’t come up with the right word. Jen was dressed in jeans that appeared to hug a tight butt with the pant legs resting on the instep of black boots hiding under the jeans. She also had on a blue jean jacket, but even that seemed to hug the curves of her chest.

He took a breath and started to walk toward them. He continued to watch as he moved closer. Jen’s hair was long and laying softly against her back. He had always loved her hair, both the color and the length. He had spent many afternoons with her in his lap just playing with her hair.

            Lynn met him half way down the walkway before he realized the girls had separated. He looked up briefly to see Jen headed toward Aaron. When he looked back down, Lynn was standing before him.

                        “Hello, Thomas,” she said.

            Thomas winced at the cold in her voice.

                        “Hey, Lynn,” he said. “How’ve you been?”

                        “Oh, I’m good.” Lynn answered.

            Thomas glanced back up to where Jen was now hugging Aaron. He felt Lynn lean into him.

                        “I don’t know why you’re here,” she started to say, “but if you have any intention of hurting her again, I’m telling you now to stay the hell away.”

                        “I have no intention of doing anything of the sort, but anything that needs to said will be between her and I.”

                        “That’s fine.” Lynn said before she walked off, “but you’ve still been warned.”

            Thomas watched Jen interact with the group she was with as he moved up the bleachers to her. He stopped right behind her.

 

             Jen caught Aaron looking behind her. She could feel someone standing there, but was too afraid to turn around.

                        “Hello, Jen,” said the voice of the person behind her.

            She knew instantly it was Thomas. She looked briefly at Aaron and flashed him a warning look before turning around to face her past.

                        “Hello, Thomas.”

            God, he was beautiful. His short brown hair was styled perfectly. He stood at five feet ten and it appeared he kept his body in perfect form. Jen looked into the brown eyes she had loved so long ago and felt all her nerves melt away. Instead, she found herself resisting falling into his arms to search for the kiss she had longed for so long ago.

                        “Listen,” Thomas said to break the silence. “I don’t want to bother you during the game, but do you think maybe after we could meet up and talk?”

“Sure,” Jen answered. “Meet me at the Railroad Bar after the game.”

                        “That place still in operation?” he asked surprised.

“Yeah,” Aaron said from behind Jen. “I own it now.”

            Jen’s back stiffened at the sound of Aaron’s voice. Before he could say anything else, Jen reached out and hugged Thomas.

                        “We’ll see you later at the bar, okay?”

            Thomas was shocked by the hug and took a second to answer.

                        “Okay.”

            Jen watched as Thomas went back down the bleachers, passing Lynn on the way. She turned and looked at Aaron.

                        “I’m sorry, Red,” he shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard not to be protective of you.”     

                        “Well, you need to turn it off for tonight or something. I need to talk to him and you need to let happen.”

Alpine Chapter Eleven Part Two

Mike paced back and forth nervously in his small kitchen.

“Cool place you got here, Mike,” Thomas said as he came out of the guest bedroom.

“Thanks,” Mike said as he rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants for the umpteenth time.

Thomas grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and leaned against the counter.

“You okay, man?” he asked Mike.

Mike wiped his hands on his hands one more time and went to find his car keys.

“I’m fine,” he said as he put his keys and wallet in his pockets. “I’m just nervous. There’s a lot riding on tonight’s game. The new coach always has a lot of pressure on him to win the homecoming game. I also asked Lynn to be my date tonight. How stupid was that?”

Thomas smiled and joined Mike at the door.

“That’s not stupid,” Thomas told him as they left the apartment. “That’s taking a chance.”

“Is that what you’re calling what you’re doing tonight?” Mike asked.

“What?” Thomas asked confused.

“Are you taking a chance tonight,” Mike said once they were at his car. “Are you taking a chance with Jen?”

Thomas stared at his friend for a minute before getting in the car.

“If she’ll let me,” he finally answered. “Yes, I’m taking a chance tonight too.”

“Why thought?” Mike asked.

“Why what?”

“Why after all these years?” Mike asked.

For the first time since Thomas had arrived earlier in the day, Mike saw a look of desperation on his friend’s face.

“I’m sorry Mike, but that’s between me and Jen.” Thomas said softly. “I need to see her. I need to talk to her, if she’ll let me.”

Mike felt sorry for him. It seemed as though everything had changed in a nanosecond. Thomas’s tone had gone from confident to scared and desperate as soon as Mike had asked him why. Was it possible that Thomas still loved Jen after all these years? Maybe that’s why his marriage didn’t work out? No one had ever considered Thomas and what all he had gone through since leaving Jen behind. Maybe it was time to give the guy some slack and see what happens next.

Alpine Chapter Eleven

I have a confession…I don’t know that this chapter is fully done. I am thinking about adding more to it next week. I’ve just come off a great book weekend with fellow authors and in making sure I stick to my goal of getting a blog to you every week, sat down to write. This is as far as I’m able to get today. Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

            Jen pulled up to the salon a few minutes later. She tried to calm herself before going inside. She laid her head back onto the head rest, closed her eyes, and took a breath. Was she really strong enough to face Thomas alone?

Knock, knock, knock.

Jen jumped to the sound of Lynn knocking on her car window.

“Hey,” Jen said getting out of her car. “Can you get away early?”

“I actually just finished my last client.” Lynn answered. “I’m done for the day.”

“Want to go shopping?” Jen asked.

Lynn raised an eyebrow at Jen.

“Shopping?” she asked. “Here? What are we shopping for?”

“An outfit for homecoming.”

Jen watched as Lynn stared at her for a minute.

“What’s going on, Jen?” she finally asked.

“Get in and I’ll tell you on the way to the boutique.” Jen said as she got back into her car.

 

In the two minutes it took to get from the salon to the boutique, Jen filled Lynn in on everything. Thankfully, Lynn had listened without interrupting while Jen let it all spill out. By the time Jen pulled into a parking space, she was ready for Lynn to respond.

“Well,” she said as she put the car in park and turned to look at her friend.

“So, we’re shopping for a new outfit to impress Thomas? To make him jealous?” Lynn asked. “What exactly is the point of getting a new outfit?”

“We’re getting new outfits because I’m tired of how I have been and how I have let one person run certain, critical parts of my life. My outfit will be to celebrate my awakening, to embrace me, who I am no matter who is around me.” Jen answered. “Your outfit will be for the date you’ll be on with Mike.”

“What!” Lynn said. “I don’t have a date with Mike!”

Lynn’s phone started to ring. Lynn answered.

“Hello.”

Jen tried to hold back laughter as she listened and watched her friend accept the invitation from Mike to be his date for homecoming. When Lynn hung up, Jen let all the laughter out. Lynn reached over and pinched her on the arm.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“For being a smartass. For knowing about my date before me.” Lynn said and then got out of the car. Jen followed her lead and went around to the front of the car where Lynn was waiting.

“Are you really mad that I knew about the date before you? He had to get your number from somebody, you know.”

“Nah, I’m not mad,” Lynn said as they walked into the boutique. “But now we have some serious work to do. I have a date and you have a world to show you’ve woken up and are ready to move forward.”

Alpine Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Aaron listened as Jen shared what she had just learned with him. He waited patiently for her to finish speaking before he said anything.

            “Well?” Jen asked as she sat back in the chair and sipped her jack and coke.

He leaned forward and put his hands on his desk. He needed to keep his anger in check right now. Jen was an emotional drinker and if he responded the wrong way, he would end up tucking her into her bed again tonight.

            “Aaron,” Jen said. “What do you think about all this?”

Aaron smiled realizing the perfect way to protect Jen and make a point to Thomas. He got up and went around to her. He leaned down, took her drink from her with one hand and took her hand in his with other. He pulled her up out of the chair.

            “What are you doing?” Jen asked as she tried to reach for her drink.

            “I think we need to change your drink to water before we take this conversation any further.” Aaron answered.

Together, they walked back up to the bar. Aaron left her on a stool while he went around to the other side. As he dumped her drink and got her some water, he looked at her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever known. She had also become one of his greatest friends. He hoped what he was about to suggest would be agreeable to her.

Once he had her water ready, he joined her.

            “Why don’t we finish this conversation outside?” Aaron suggested.

Jen gave him a confused look. “Okay.” She hopped off the stool.

 

            “You want to what!” Jen nearly screamed as she jumped up from the bench they had been sitting on.

            “Jen,” Aaron stood up and tried to put his hand on her arm to calm her down. “Just hear me out for a minute.”

            “Why Aaron?” Jen asked. “Just a few days ago, you said you wouldn’t date me. You said it was too late. Now, Thomas is on his way here and suddenly, dating me is a good idea!”

            “It’s not like that, Jen.” Aaron said.

Jen bore her eyes into him. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

            “How is it then, Aaron?” Jen asked. “What am I misunderstanding?”

            “I’m not saying let’s date to date per say,” he started to say, “I’m saying let’s appear to date while he’s here.”

            “Why?”

            “To show him you moved on, to show him he didn’t hurt you, to show him you’re happy.” Aaron said.

            “I am happy, Aaron. Why do I need to “date” you to show him that?” Jen asked with air quotes.

            “I know you’re happy, Jen, mostly. I just want to protect you while he is here.” Aaron reached out to try to hug her, but she pushed him away.

            “Aaron, I know you mean well, but right now,” Jen took a breath, “I don’t really like you. You’re my best friend. You’re the one that is supposed to get it because you were there and you saw what it did to me. I would hope you believed in me enough to believe I could handle this weekend on my own. I don’t need a body guard, Aaron. I need a friend.”

Jen grabbed her purse. Aaron tried to reach out to her again.

            “Jen, don’t leave like this. Let’s talk this out.”

            “No,” Jen answered. “I think it’s best that I leave now before this gets worse. I love you, Aaron, and I love that you want to take care of me, but I need to face Thomas on my own. I’ve hidden behind you and the others for long enough. I want to see what happens when he gets here. Mike might be wrong. He may never try to see me. If he doesn’t, fine. If he does, I have to know what he has to say. It’s the only way I’ll be able to move forward and that is long overdue.”

Jen stood on her toes and kissed his cheek to show him she wasn’t upset.

            “I can do this,” she whispered.

She left Aaron watching her go to her car and prayed she was right.

Alpine Chapter Nine

Okay, a complete chapter nine as promised! Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

The homecoming game was in two days. Mike was not one to let stress rule how he behaved with his players, but he couldn’t stop yelling at them during practice.

Everything went wrong during practice that afternoon. The guys weren’t catching the ball and running the plays as well as they had earlier in the week.

Who am I kidding? Mike wondered to himself as he walked into his office after ending practice. Mike threw his clipboard onto his desk and fell into his office chair. He leaned forward, put his elbows on his desk, and his head in his hands. Rubbing his temple with his fingers, Mike thought about the conversation he had had Sunday night.

Thomas called him Sunday night to let Mike know he would be there for the homecoming game. Thomas claimed he had always wanted to get back to Alpine. It was one of his favorite places, he had said, and now with Mike there he had a reason to go back.

Bastard!

Mike had been agitated since that phone call. In the old days, he would have been happy to have Thomas come for a visit. This time though, Mike wished he would stay in Dallas. Mike wasn’t an idiot. He knew Thomas was coming to see Jen.

All this time, and now Jen was important enough to get Thomas to come back here. Mike leaned back in his chair. Mike didn’t know a lot about Thomas’s private life. Thomas was never one to share much about that.

The last time they had seen each other, Thomas told Mike he had been divorced for five years then. The news had surprised Mike and when he tried to press Thomas to find out what had happened, Thomas had shrugged it off and changed the subject.

Mike slumped his shoulders as he gathered up his stuff to go home. He felt bad for taking his agitation with his friend out on the players. He’d have to find a way to make it up to them.

 

Jen was getting into her car when she saw Mike walking toward her. He waved and hollered for her to wait. As she stood there waiting, she furrowed her brow at him. He was walking with his shoulders slumped and the look on his face was unreadable. She waited for him to get to her car before she spoke.

“What’s up, Mike?” she asked him.

Mike took a deep breathe before he spoke. He shifted the items he was carrying from shoulder to the other.

“Jen,” he started, “I just wanted to let you know Thomas will be here this weekend.”

Jen’s eyes went wide. She tried to swallow as she thought about how to respond.

“Okay,” was all she could manage to get out.

“Jen,” Mike said, “I’m not sure what his full intentions are while he’s here. He said he’s been wanting to come back for awhile and me being here now gives him an excuse to do so.”

“Okay,” Jen said again trying to take it all in.

“What I’m trying to say,” Mike tried again, “is…I think he’s going to try to see you. He’s been trying to ask about without making it obvious. He’s divorced now, so…I don’t know. Maybe, he’s finally realizing what he did or wishes he never left you behind or…hell, he could be having a midlife crisis for all I know. I just wanted you to know he was coming. I didn’t want him to blindside you.”

“Okay,” Jen said once again. “I appreciate you telling me.”

Jen started to get into her car. She needed to process the information he had just shared with her. Mike placed his hand on hers as she lowered herself into her seat.

“I wish he wasn’t coming, Jen, but I didn’t have a good reason to stop him and he is my fried.” Mike told her.

“It’s okay, Mike.” Jen said. “I can’t stop others from living just because I get stuck in time sometimes. Let him come. Let him find me.”

She moved to close her door. Mike appeared to be shocked into place and wasn’t moving to let her shut her door.

“Mike,” Jen said gently, “I need to go home.”

Mike managed to start backing up then.

“I know, sorry.” He told her. “Hey, before you go, can I have Lynn’s number? I’d like to ask her to Homecoming.”

 

Jen drove straight to the Railroad Bar. She needed to process what Mike told her. She needed to talk it out and, she needed a jack and coke to calm her nerves down.

Divorced!

That one word surprised Jen. She never thought about the possibility of Thomas marrying someone and to hear the marriage didn’t last affected her in a weird way.

As she pulled up to the bar, she found herself strangely happy his marriage hadn’t worked out.

Good! Serves him right!

Jen regretted that thought as soon as it entered her mind. She never wished him ill will, but still, married…Thomas had at one time been married to someone else.

Jen got out of her car and walked into the bar. She made a beeline for the bar where Sam was serving a couple of early arrivals for night time drinking.

“Hey, Jen,” Sam smiled at her.

“Hey, Sam,” she said. “Can I have a jack and coke please?”

Jen ignored the concerning look Sam gave her as he made the drink.

“Is Aaron here?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Sam replied as he handed her the drink. “He’s in his office.”

“Thanks.”

Jen walked back to Aaron’s office and knocked on the door. She walked in when she heard him respond from the other side. He looked up at her and smiled as she sat down in a chair across from him, eyeing her drink as she did so.

“What’s up?” he asked her as leaned back in his chair.

“Oh,” Jen started, “you won’t believe what I have to tell you.”

“By the looks of that drink in your hand,” he answered, “It must be pretty good.”

Alpine Chapter Nine

Today’s post is only the first scene of chapter nine. I need to take my son out for his birthday lunch before he goes back to college later today! I will finish the chapter next week. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Nine

The homecoming game was in two days. Mike was not one to let stress rule how he behaved with his players, but he couldn’t stop yelling at them during practice.

Everything went wrong during practice that afternoon. The guys weren’t catching the ball and running the plays as well as they had earlier in the week.

Who am I kidding? Mike wondered to himself as he walked into his office after ending practice. Mike threw his clipboard onto his desk and fell into his office chair. He leaned forward, put his elbows on his desk, and his head in his hands. Rubbing his temple with his fingers, Mike thought about the conversation he had had Sunday night.

Thomas called him Sunday night to let Mike know he would be there for the homecoming game. Thomas claimed he had always wanted to get back to Alpine. It was one of his favorite places, he had said, and now with Mike there he had a reason to go back.

Bastard!

Mike had been agitated since that phone call. In the old days, he would have been happy to have Thomas come for a visit. This time though, Mike wished he would stay in Dallas. Mike wasn’t an idiot. He knew Thomas was coming to see Jen.

All this time, and now Jen was important enough to get Thomas to come back here. Mike leaned back in his chair. Mike didn’t know a lot about Thomas’s private life. Thomas was never one to share much about that.

The last time they had seen each other, Thomas told Mike he had been divorced for five years then. The news had surprised Mike and when he tried to press Thomas to find out what had happened, Thomas had shrugged it off and changed the subject.

Mike slumped his shoulders as he gathered up his stuff to go home. He felt bad for taking his agitation with his friend out on the players. He’d have to find a way to make it up to them.