Twelve
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330 here at home. His new father was a cop and his mom provided a well attended home. George could do the math. He devoted the summer after he graduated to his sisters and getting in shape for the army. Michael was with him the whole way.
Frank pulled into the parking lot.“ That sounded more like Michael’ s version than George’ s,” Eddie said.“ George has never said a word. He always referred to Michael as“ Dad” and never married. He was afraid he would be like his real father. It’ s not like he hasn’ t had any women,” Frank chuckled and caught the look from Eddie.“ That is how he chooses who works in his club, but it’ s not what you may think. Quite the opposite. He figures any girl who would fuck him for a job would probably be the type that would get him closed down.”“ How do you fire a girl who just put out for the job?”“ Tell the other girls she needs to go. A couple of days in that environment without friends, they just leave. They never know it was George. He gets a lot of college girls who need the money. The experienced ones teach the new girls. Kim was showing Shauna how to extract every dollar you flashed.”“ I could not believe I was out of money when you showed up.”“ It’ s like magic and they don’ t have to do anything illegal to make the kind of money you handed them.”“ Next time you see George tell him thanks I had a great time.”“ He will know and thank you for making me right.”“ About what?”“ George asked if you would pocket the three hundred. I told him I doubted you would, but I hadn’ t known you very long. You just bought a friend with his own money,” Frank said, shutting off the car.“ I appreciate your candor,” Eddie said, taking his cue and exiting the car.“ Have a nice weekend. I will see you Monday. They are delivering the framing for the floor.”
The car parked behind Tanya’ s looked familiar but Eddie could not put his finger on exactly where he had seen the convertible. He walked into the house and heard laughter. Kate and Tanya were sitting on the couch, in the living room. Each held a glass of white wine. The bottle on the table was empty.“ Having fun?” he queried.“ You pick the best wine. Kate and I have really enjoyed it,” she said, getting up and giving him a kiss. Eddie recognized when flattery went over board. He always picked good wine. This was not the way they planned to start the weekend. Tanya would have called if his parents changed their plans to take the kids.“ I invited Kate to have dinner with us because her date canceled at the last minute,“ she said. Her eyes pleaded for Eddie to understand. A friend was feeling rejected and Tanya did not make it a habit of bringing home strays. Eddie put on his happy face.“ What’ s for dinner?” he asked cheerily. He would make the best of it and Tanya would owe him big time.“ Pizza and buffalo wings are on the way,” Tanya said. Her eyes said, I know. I’ m sorry. Thank you, She joined her guest on the couch.
The empty wine bottle was replaced by a full one in an ice bucket. Eddie knew how to be a good host. He opened a bottle of red wine for himself. The bottle was breathing on the kitchen counter when the doorbell rang.“ I’ ve got it,” he called and pulled his wallet. He paid the kid, closed and locked the door.“ Where would you like to eat?” he asked, holding the hot food.“ We are comfortable in here,” Tanya said. Eddie set the food on the coffee table.“ I’ ll get plates, Thank you,” she said, getting up and brushing by him. Her lips moved without a sound.“ I love you.” He nodded and tossed his coat over the chair.“ I’ m probably taking your spot,” Kate spoke for the first time since he walked through the door.“ Not in this room,” Eddie said, looking around the room as Tanya returned.“ When did you redecorate?” he asked.“ Three years ago,” she said, startled by the question. Kate started laughing.“ What?” Tanya asked, setting down the plates and flatware.“ I asked Eddie if I was taking his usual sitting place,” Kate explained.“ He doesn’ t come in here much,” Tanya got the joke. The smell of food was getting to all of them. Eddie dragged a chair closer to the table. They ate and talked about the day’ s highlights. Eddie left out the part about dropping thirteen hundred dollars in a strip club. He picked up the empty containers and took them to the kitchen. Upon his return Tanya said,