Scratch Tickets and Lotteries

Scratch Tickets and Lotteries

happyhugo

Romantic

12,741 words

Copyright (c) 06/12/10

Readers score  7.71

Jack's wife leaves him. Not too upset,
he goes to Henry's Bar and talks to Henry.
Buys scratch ticket. Henry sets him up
with another woman.

                                   Chapter One

I sat in my easy chair and watched my wife of six years walk out the door. She was soon to be my ex-wife. I didn’t know how I felt about this yet. Not enough time had passed since she informed me of her intention to divorce me. This morning she said she wanted me home by six so we could have a little talk.

I had come in, looked into the kitchen and saw there wasn’t any dinner prepared. That gave me an uneasy feeling. What I had now was much worse. At the time---time?---forty-five minutes ago actually, Katy was upstairs and came down when she heard me shut the door.

“Hi, sit in the living room. I have a few things to say. Here’s the deal. When we were married, I thought we would have a good life together. The last four years haven’t shown me enough to continue being married to you. You’re never home and when you are, you’re usually too tired to take care of me.”

I interrupted. “That’s true, but someone has to pay the bills. You work, but I don’t get any help from you. My money comes from working long hours and most of that is because I’m willing to go out of town for days on end fixing the company’s equipment. If you would be willing to contribute, I’ll ask my boss to keep me in town. You don’t help around the place either. You could at least do the flower beds you demanded planted in our backyard. You bitch to me that they need digging in when I have been gone for a week.”

“You could hire that done and then we could go dancing once in awhile.”=

“And what would I be paying them with if I did that? Katy, it will get better. I’m due for a raise in a couple of months and then I can cut back on the out-of-town work.”

“I’m not waiting two more months. Jack, I think we had better call it quits. I’m sick of being alone. I want a little excitement in my life. You aren’t giving it to me. I’m sorry, but I’m bailing out.”

“Are you talking divorce?”

“Yes. Six months from now we will both be free.”

“Who is paying for this?”

“I’ll pay the court costs. That’s fair.”

“Okay, do it then.”

Katy Driscoll put on her coat and walked toward the door. She paused as if to say something, but didn’t. I sat there in the chair and watched her walk away. She was pretty and she knew it. Self-centered ... absolutely. Demanding ... that too. Would I miss her ... sure, for awhile. She was something to come home to and someone I thought I loved. Now, I don’t know. Guess I would go out to eat. I didn’t even look in the refrigerator. As I was getting into my car, I thought back over our conversation. Not once had the word “love” ever crossed our lips ... hers or mine. That was sad!

I walked into Henry’s. It had been a couple of weeks since I had crossed this threshold. In a way what Katy had proposed hurt, but I knew I would get over it. As I sat at the bar, I remembered I hadn’t bought my weekly scratch ticket. I walked down to where Henry cashed out his customers. “Gimme a five dollar one tonight. I’m going to bet it all.”

I usually bought five separate one dollar ones. Tonight I was brave. I slipped it into my shirt pocket and watched the television over the bar. An advertisement came on for the state-run lottery and it was up to $79,000. “Hey Henry, give me a ticket for the state lottery. I’ll cut down to four dollars next week. Hell, give me one for powerball, too. When’s the drawing for that one?”

“Saturday, you cheap bastard. You could afford a ticket each week. You and your scratch tickets. You’ll never get rich buying them. You gotta go for the big money. You got numbers you want to play on the lottery or go for the random pick?”

“Let the machine do it. Hell, machines are getting smarter than me anyway. I bet they get as much loving as I do too.” I grabbed a handful of peanuts and asked the waitress to move my beer to a booth for me. Stupid rule. A patron couldn’t carry a beer across the room.

Larry and Mary Clark came in and came over to sit with me. I drank another beer and was hungry by this time. I had purposely kept my mind off of Katy. I hit a Big Beef house and ordered the smallest steak on the menu. Beer with that as well. Finishing the meal, I decided I didn’t need dessert, so had one more beer. This was decidedly over my limit, and I knew I had to be careful on the way home.

Home? That’s a hoot! It’s only an empty house unless Katy had changed her mind. Umm, she hadn’t said when she was leaving. Maybe she had already left. She certainly had walked out the door as if she wasn’t returning. Probably over to her sister’s. Patty was all right. She never would have treated me as Katy had. Oh well, screw the whole family. I was getting maudlin. Guess I had better head for home and bed.

I didn’t stop except to pee and went in and started undressing. I had put the two lottery tickets into my wallet. I shucked my shirt and felt the scratch ticket. I sat on the edge of the bed and scratched the emblems. I matched three of the cows, no pigs nor hens. Wow $10,000. I scratched one more and another cow appeared. I was up to $15,000. I was getting excited now. Hell, with shaking fingers I did the last one. Twenty-five thousand freakin’ dollars, and I had a year to turn the ticket in and collect.

I started laughing. There Katy Driscoll, pay for a divorce you stupid bitch. I’d be a free man by the time I had to collect on this. Smiling still, I locked the bedroom door and went to bed. If Katy came home, she could sleep in the spare room. That ticket would keep me warm tonight.

No Katy when I got up in the morning. It depressed me some until I remembered the ticket. Maybe I had better make sure it was safe if I wasn’t going to cash it in right away. I was due at work by eight, but had been known to be late. I waited for the bank to open and hired a safe-deposit box. I put the ticket in and decided I’d put both lottery tickets in with it. I did write the numbers down and put the scrap of paper in my wallet. Who knows?

Was my life going to change? I didn’t think it would that much. Not in the short term it wouldn’t. I was due to fly out at two in the afternoon. I worked in the office getting ready and went home at noon to shower and shave. Still no Katy. I called Patty Burbank, my sister-in-law. “Seen Katy? She didn’t come home last night.”

“She’s here. Talk to her and tell her how stupid she is.”

“What do you want, Jack? I told you we were done.”

“You didn’t say you were leaving this soon.”

“Well I am. In fact I have already left.”

“When are you coming to get your things?”

“Tomorrow or this weekend.”

“Are you asking for the house in the divorce? There is still a big mortgage on it.”

“No, you can have title if you want to pay the mortgage. I will need a list of your assets, just to take to the attorney. I know most of what you have so I know I won’t get much. I don’t care. I just want away from you and to get on with my life.”

“Fix it up and I’ll sign the papers. Katy, I think you are making a mistake. We could have worked this out. As I said, I’ll be home more in a short while.”

“No, I want out. I just fell out of love with you. I want to start over with someone else.”

“Have you anyone waiting in the wings?”

“No Jack, I wouldn’t do that to you. I can’t say there might not be before the divorce is final. Would you at least let me have that and not cause any trouble?”

“Sure Katy, whatever. I can see there is no more life together for us. I guess this is the best way for us to split. Have a good life.” I gathered my bag and headed for the airport. This was Friday and I would be gone until next Wednesday. Katy would be in to clean her stuff out of the house. Odd, but I trusted her to take only what she was entitled to. Maybe we couldn’t love each other, but we still had a little respect for each other.

I was half-way across the country Saturday morning repairing a commercial copier when I remembered that my state lottery drawing was the night before. Geez, $79,000 would look pretty good in my bank account. I logged in at lunch on my laptop to the state website. Nada, no winners. Maybe Tuesday, but I wasn’t where I could buy a ticket. Oh well, it was just a buck.

It took me until six that evening to finish the service on the copier to my satisfaction. I went out to eat and then stopped for a beer in a bar I had been in before when in this town. I was too sleepy to wait for the powerball drawing, so I packed it in and went to bed. Back to the same company in the morning for another machine service. I checked the powerball numbers in the newspaper during lunch. Nothing.

I arrived back home Wednesday morning and checked into the office. I was home for the rest of the week. I wouldn’t even have to come into the office tomorrow and Friday either. When I walked into the house, I could see that Katy had taken several things out of the kitchen. The table was gone, but she had left the high stools for the breakfast counter. I’d make out. It just gave me more room to move around in.

There were a couple of envelopes propped on the counter and I sat down to read what was in them.

One contained the divorce papers. The other was a list of everything she had taken from the house. I was surprised and just a little angry when I saw she had taken everything from our bedroom. The king-sized bed, both bureaus and the night stands. She even took the two bedside lights.

I went up and the room was bare. I went down the hall to the guest bedroom and I could see where she had everything organized for me. My clothes were installed in the dresser and my suits were hanging in the closet. There was a note on the night stand.

“Jack, hope this is okay. I have an apartment and didn’t want to buy too much for furnishings. You probably will want a smaller bed now that you are alone. To be honest, someday soon I hope to find someone to occupy the bed with me. Someone who will be with me every night. For the last several months, I was getting more lonely every time you went away. I suppose I cheated you in not helping with expenses, but I knew this was coming and I needed the money to start over.

“You could sue me for it, but would it be worth the trouble? You can see that I stopped adding or subtracting to our accounts three days before I talked about leaving. I think this is only fair. If you don’t find it so, call and we can discuss it. Patty thinks I’m so stupid to do this, but she is able to crawl into bed with Jim every night and she wakes up with him by her side every morning. We never had that. I’m sure having two kids keeps her settled down as well. I could say I still love you, but I don’t know as I do. I’m still fond of you anyway. Katy.”

I went back downstairs and looked in the refrigerator. It was devoid of all food and had been cleaned thoroughly. I looked around, and found the house spotless. I read over the divorce papers and they seemed just as she had stated. The suit was in place and to go forward it only needed my signature. I signed and slid it into the stamped envelope she had so thoughtfully provided.

I looked out on the grounds surrounding the house. The lawn needed mowing and clipping. The flower beds needed weeding and the sprinkler needed turning on. Katy had so wanted home to be a showplace, but it always seemed that it was up to me to make it so. Well someday I would rip the beds up and make a lawn out of the space again. I’d get a bigger mower and be done in a half hour. Not today though, maybe tomorrow I’d give it some attention.

I headed out for dinner, lingering over it, just watching the other diners as they talked and ate. I saw one couple arguing and I saw a young man and woman come in who were so in love. There were two sets of parents with kids eating. One of them had brats for kids and the other you could see the kids respected and loved their mother and father. I wondered to myself if Katy and I had started a family what category our kids would fall into.

I headed over to Henry’s to have a beer. It was quiet when I arrived. I bought three one dollar scratch tickets and gave him the numbers for the state lottery I had copied from the ticket in the safe-deposit box. I did the same for the powerball ticket. Henry laughed at me. “Suckers born every minute.”

“Yes, maybe, but you still sell the tickets.” We got to talking and I broke down and shared the new developments in my life. Henry and I went way back to when I was a teenager and he lived next door to my parents. Katy had been in here a few times, but she hadn’t warmed to Henry and I stopped asking her to come with me.

“So what are your plans now?”

“I haven’t made any. I looked out the window and saw all the work I have to do now to keep the place up. There is the inside housework as well. I may chuck it all and buy me a condo. Of course I owe a lot on the house, so if I sell I won’t get much for it. I’d be trading one mortgage for another.”

“What you need to do is get someone in to share expenses and help with the housework. Kind of like a roommate or something.”

“I don’t know. Could I trust a person? Katy wasn’t the best sometimes, but I trusted her and knew where I stood with her.” I chuckled. “Or did until she threw divorce papers at me. Even now though, I’ve let her call the shots, knowing she wasn’t out to do me any harm.”

“You still love her?”

“I guess not. This is pretty inconvenient, that’s all.” Customers came in and I didn’t have a chance to talk to Henry again that evening. I went home and went to bed early. Thursday I did get the lawn mowed, but didn’t touch the flower beds. I don’t think my neighbors knew Katy had moved out as I talked to several as they walked by and none of us said anything.

Henry laughed at me when I came in, saying, “I suppose you want another powerball ticket. No winners again. The prize is crawling up to where it is some serious money.”

“This poor sucker is still with you. Give me the same numbers. Only one scratch ticket, though.” I scratched it and it was a winner. Ten dollars and Henry paid me from the till.

“Honestly Jack, are you ahead on your winnings? Knowing you, you have kept track.”

“I have Henry, and I am ahead. I’m waiting until Katy and my divorce is settled before I let anyone know how far ahead I am. I think she wouldn’t cause any trouble if she found out I was a winner, but I’m not taking a chance.” No winners on the state lottery or the powerball Friday and Saturday. I stopped in on Sunday to replace the old with new for Tuesday and Wednesday’s drawings. I had to be out of town until Thursday this week, but I was prepared.

Dust was collecting in the house and it was beginning to smell closed up. Could I stand it? I guess I could. I had to do extra planning about food, making sure I didn’t leave anything to spoil while I was out of town.

Patty called about eight Sunday evening. “How’s it going, Jack?”

“Not bad, really. A little more work around the place, but overall, I’m getting along okay. How is Katy and her new lifestyle?”

“Good. She goes out a lot with her co-workers. She has a nice place to live. Expenses are more than she expected, and I had warned her about that. I think she went out on one date, but he didn’t sleep over. She still wakes up alone, which seems to be the biggest problem she had when she was living with you.”

“That will change. I just hope she doesn’t get anxious and settle for less than she deserves.”

“I knew you would say that because you’re that kind of person. You’re too damned sweet for your own good.”

“Thanks Patty, I love you too. Hey, I’m traveling in the morning. Thank you for calling. You’re special in my book. Say hi to Jim for me. Maybe you’ll let him out so we can have a beer together sometime.”

“Take me with you. I still think of you as family. Come by and see the kids. They wonder why you don’t come around.”

“I will. Count on it. Invite me over for chop suey on Thursday. I’ll be back in town sometime that day.”

“Okay, it’s a date. Bring the bread and the beer.” She didn’t have to tell me this as it was a given. I flew out in the morning. Different company, different direction. Katy had claimed she was lonely all of these years. What about me? Didn’t she think I felt the same way?”

The state lottery was won on Tuesday. Needless to say I wasn’t a winner. How Henry would laugh at me. Yes, and he would sell me another ticket. I looked at the amount in the powerball lottery. It was now over $150,000,000 and climbing. I couldn’t visualize that amount of money, but Henry would sell me tickets for it as long as I kept buying.

Patty had invited Katy for dinner Thursday evening. I didn’t mind. She and I still had enough feelings for each other to be curious about how the other was handling the change in our life styles. Patty’s kids were all over me and it made me plan to come around more often.

Patty made the comment that I should go to see Katy’s condo. Katy frowned about it, but offered to show it to me. I put her off, saying maybe I would someday. She seemed a little disappointed when I declined, but maybe I was mistaken. When I got ready to leave, the kids came and gave their uncle a kiss. Patty did as well. Katy said, “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“How are you doing, Jack? What I did must have been a shock.”

“It was, but I can see your point. If what you felt for me wasn’t strong enough to survive until I could stay home, I think you have made the right decision. Truthfully, I miss you, but more for the services, like doing the dishes and stuff like that. The occasional intimacies we had and the lack of, I miss. But I know all of these can be replaced and will someday in one form or another.

“Happiness in life comes and goes and then comes again. I’ll wait around and see what happens before I get too concerned over my plight.”

“Thanks Jack. I was terribly afraid I had hurt you irreparably. I was even going to invite you over to spend the night if I had. I can see that isn’t necessary.”

“Katy, I don’t think I would go even if I was hurting bad. I’m not, so I guess there is no need to even consider such a thing.”

“There isn’t is there? Goodnight Jack. I’m glad we had a chance to talk a minute. I think I can be not only comfortable about my decision and also comfortable when you and I meet, as we undoubtedly will, time to time.”

I kissed my ex-wife on the cheek and slid into my car, not even looking back. Henry sold me two tickets that night, one for the new state drawing on Friday and one for the powerball on Saturday. I still stuck with the same numbers as the first ones I had purchased weeks ago. I went home early. Tomorrow it would be yard work again.

“Jack, you said you could use a housekeeper. I’ve found one for you. She’ll be here tomorrow night to meet you if you say okay.”

“Whatever Henry. I’m making out fine as I am. House is empty, though. I’ll give you that.”

“Jack, please meet her. She has had a bit of bad luck and you would be the answer to her prayers.”

“I’ll think about it. Give me a scratch ticket. I’m superstitious. If it is a winner, I’ll definitely consider her.”

Henry hovered over me as I scratched off the covers. I handed it back to him with a grin. “Pay up old man. Tell you what, that housekeeper is now employed.”

“Son-of-a-bitch. You lucky bastard. $1,000. I’ll call her in the morning. Uh Jack, maybe I better tell you a little more about her before I do though.”

“What’s her problem?”

“She is a war widow with two small kids. She is being evicted the last of next week because she can’t pay her rent. She can’t find a job that pays enough to support her family and pay rent too. I know her mother and father and they have been helping out as much as they can, but they need every penny to support themselves. You have that three bedroom house and could put them up easily.”

“Jesus Henry, I like my privacy, and the woman I would hope, would as well. Pull on my heartstrings all you want, but I can’t imagine this working. How old is she, anyway?”

“Twenty-five. She used to be cute as a button until her cares caught up with her. Think man, her childhood sweetheart killed in defense of his country, leaving a young wife and two young kids. It can’t get any worse than that.”

“You’re right, but why put this on me?”

“Because it would be a good deal for both of you. You’ll see.” I nursed my beer until I was ready to leave, and then signaled to Henry.

“Okay, I’ll talk to the woman. What is her name?”

“Jane Kristol. She’ll be here at six. You might even plan on taking her out to dinner.”

“Don’t push it Henry.” I went home to the house that was so-o-o-o empty. I was very busy at work and didn’t have a spare minute to wonder what the woman I was to meet would be like. I had the image in my mind of a cute, chunky girl about five-foot-three.

I was early in Henry’s Bar. He didn’t come on until six and that was when I was to meet the woman. A quarter of, two women came in and passed by me, sitting at the far end of the bar. They couldn’t be who I was meeting. A couple came in that I knew slightly and they stopped to talk a minute. I didn’t see another woman come in until one walked by us.

I glanced at her as she went by. Not her either. This one was tall---my height at five-eleven at least. I only had a quick glimpse of her profile. No breasts at all and there were hardly any buns to take notice of either. I will say, she didn’t lope, but kind of glided to a seat halfway down the bar. The people I had been talking to turned and went to a booth.

For some reason I watched the woman. Her voice was well modulated and pleasant as the bartender squirted some gingerale into a glass. I guess she was checking me out, for twice I caught her looking away. The third time our eyes held, and she smiled just a little, acknowledging that we were in the same place.

She asked the bartender when Henry was getting here. “He is supposed to introduce me to someone. I only have a half hour as I have to get home and feed my children.”

“Henry is going to be late. Do you know the name of the person?”

“Jack Driscoll.” By this time I was out of my seat and striding toward her.

“Jane Kristol? I was supposed to meet you here. I’m Jack. Come sit in a booth. Would you like a beer or a glass of wine?”

“Nothing thanks, I have all I need.”

I turned to the bartender. “Bring my beer over and fill the lady’s glass.” I laid a bill on the bar and he nodded.

I took Jane by the arm and guided her to the nearest booth. I sat across from her. “Okay, knowing Henry for years, how did he describe me? He doesn’t ever get near the truth if he can help it.”

Jane giggled. “I know. He said you were the most handsome man I would ever meet. He also said your wife had left you and you were devastated and heartbroken. I was supposed to keep you from leaving this world that had treated you with such harshness. If I couldn’t do it, maybe my kids being around you would keep away the darkness you had fallen into and keep you among the living. Does that sound like something he would say? How much of it is true?”

“Not much. My wife did leave me. That part is true. The rest is mostly BS. I’m not too much devastated over my wife leaving. In fact I had dinner with her at her sister’s house last night. What I’m looking for, I guess, is to have someone in to do housekeeping. At first I thought to hire someone hourly, but if you are in such dire straits, I guess you could be a live-in. True part, I couldn’t pay much so living in would be most of your pay.”

“What did Henry tell you about me? Be truthful now, I was.”

“Well he said you were cute, had lost your husband who was your childhood sweetheart. Lost him in the war and couldn’t support your family enough to keep a roof over their heads. Also you were going to be evicted and out on the streets by next week.”

“Hell, I haven’t been cute since I was three. I did lose my husband, but I met him while I was waiting table at the PX. I do have some insurance so I’m not destitute. Where I’m living, the city is tearing down that section to build some upscale apartments so I do need a place to live.

“I have two kids and they are well behaved and intelligent. I’m proud of them. Their dad has been gone two years, so they don’t remember him much. My son is six and my daughter is seven. It would be convenient to have a place to live, but I’m not begging, as I know the city will find me a place. That’s a promise they made to all of us who have to move.”

“I heard you tell the bartender you couldn’t stay long because of your kids.”

“That’s right. I promised them McDonalds tonight. That is a treat they don’t get very often. I prefer cooking at home and I’m an accomplished culinary expert.” My eyes dropped to her breasts. There was some indication she was female.

I looked up to see her smiling. “I don’t have much of a figure, I know. Actually, I have high metabolism and eat like a horse. Culinary expert is just another way of saying I’m a good cook and I like to feed my voracious appetite.”

“Let’s go to McDonalds then. I haven’t eaten yet myself. Time to meet the kids.”

I took the Kristol family by my house when we left McDonalds. Jane was enraptured with the flower beds and stopped to pull a weed as we walked around. I explained that I was often away two and sometimes three days a week, but usually knew my schedule ahead of time, so she would know when I was to be at home.

I showed her the bedrooms. Her statement, “If I should move in here, I would need two beds in the master bedroom. A full and a twin. I don’t intend to have my daughter sleep in bed with me even though we have to be in the same room. Brian can have what you call the spare room.”

Jane was contemplating saying something. I tried to make it easy for her. “You want to know if I’m going to expect you to have sex with me?”

She nodded before saying, “Yes.”

“I don’t want a physical relationship at this time with anyone. I have always stopped when a woman says no. Most usually I stop before a woman has had to say no. When you move in, I will respect you in all things and not intrude on you in any way.”

“Sounds boring and no fun at all when put into words, doesn’t it? If this is going to work where we are comfortable around each other, there has to be boundaries so we know where we stand with each other. Okay, I think we have covered everything. I’m to do everything except sleep with you.”

“That’s it. In return I’m paying for everything just as I was when I was married to Katy. I’ll leave you $500 in cash for incidentals. I’ll get a credit card in your name on Thursday when I return. You said you had some money of your own. If you have to use any of it here, I will reimburse you.”

“Somehow it seems as if I’m getting the best of this deal. One thing, I will be paying half the food bill. You aren’t here some of the time and the kids do eat. Other than that, you’re paying and not even getting any loving.”

“All I need at this time is some respect. I’m sure the lack of loving won’t be a hardship. I didn’t get any when I was on the road and when I was home Katy would be pissed at me, so loving was a rare event at best. It is probably best we terminate this conversation. I’m not in my comfort zone at present.”

“Okay, I understand. Take me and the kids home. Would you look at my bed and Tinkerbell’s to see if you think them suitable to bring into your home or if I should get new ones.”

“Tinkerbell?”

“That’s Theresa’s nickname.” I smiled thinking that the name fit the little girl perfectly. Her mother might not be cute, but the daughter was.

I made it to the bar at ten-thirty. Henry was there. “Give me a scratch ticket. I want to see what kind of luck Jane Kristol has.” When he came back with the ticket, I handed it to him. “You scratch it. Bet you another ticket this one is a winner.” It was, a $50 one. Henry bought one more ticket to satisfy the bet. Nada!

“Jack, you’re a prick.” He was grinning as he said this. Then he got curious. “Is Jane going to be working for you?”

I put him off. “Henry, you told an awful lot of lies about me. About her as well. We compared notes and found out all of them.”

“Well did you or didn’t you?”

“Henry, you have a customer waiting to be served.” While he was drawing a Budweiser, I waved and walked out of the bar, not waiting for the state lottery drawing that was coming in a few minutes.

                           Chapter Two

I didn’t go over to the bar on Saturday. Sunday I went in and bought new tickets, one for the state lottery, and one for the powerball. Henry didn’t work this early, so he still didn’t know whether Jane was going to be with me or not. I headed out Monday morning. I was driving today as I didn’t have as far to go, but I still wouldn’t be home until Wednesday evening at dinner time.

Jane had asked for the keys to the house, just saying she was going to stop by to dust. I never gave it another thought as I had some perplexing problems with one machine I was working on. I pulled into my driveway beside a twenty-year-old Camry. Jane must be here. She was the only one I could think of that would park here.

I opened the door to the kitchen. She was just taking a Dutch oven off of the stove. It smelled like pot roast to me. “Hi, go wash and grab us a beer on the way back. I called Henry to see what brand you drank at home. He said it was some panther piss called Genesee Light. I tried it. Sweet, but not bad.”

The table was set with some flowered dishes I had never seen before. I questioned where they had come from. “Wedding present. Haven’t used them much. Husband’s gone, sentiment we had together went with him and has faded. Time to move on. We’ll use these for everyday.” That’s what she said, but there was some suspicious moisture in her eyes.

I didn’t know what to say. “They are beautiful. The flowers are from one of the beds out back, I can see. That’s very thoughtful. Something smells wonderful.”

“Pot roast. There are onions, carrots, and potatoes cooked in the same juice. Sit, I’ll get the kids from the patio. Don’t start until we come back. I’m used to saying grace for the evening meal. Have to thank or blame someone for what goes on in my life. I think you use Henry, but I use the Lord. No big deal, you understand. More for the kids than anything.”

“That’s nice. I never took the time to pay much attention. Henry has always been there to listen to me, but I know he isn’t the all, be all.”

“As I said, no big deal.” The kids were shy at first and kept their eyes on me. It came to me. I was sitting at a table where there wasn’t one when I left on Monday. “I moved my stuff in this week. The beds are all in and made up. This will be our first night sleeping here.”

“Fine, I was wondering when you would move in.”

Brian spoke up as we were almost through the main course. “You have a huge TV.”

“It is big. I had a smaller one in the bedroom. My wife has it now. This one is too big for her new home.”

“You have a wife? How come she isn’t living with you?”

“Tinkerbell, that’s none of our business. Don’t ask questions.”

“That’s all right Jane. My wife’s name is Katy. We have been married for a few years, but we kind of grew apart. Some of it was because she wanted me home every night which I couldn’t do because I work out of town so much. Instead of fighting about it, we have agreed to separate. I’m sure you will meet her sometime.”

“Is she pretty?”

“Very pretty. There is an album with her pictures in it underneath the TV if you want to see what she looks like.” The kids went running in to get the book, bringing it back. I cleared a place on the table and opened it. Katy was highly photogenic. The shots of her in a bathing suit were especially good. Tinkerbell looked from the photos of Katy to her mother sitting across the table. There was a striking difference.

“Who is this lady with the two kids?”

That’s my sister-in-law Patty. The kids are my niece and nephew. That’s Jim, her husband and their father. The kids hang out with me sometimes, so you’ll have them to play with. Patty is a great cook just like your mother. My wife couldn’t cook hardly at all. The meal I had tonight has to be about the best one I’ve ever had.”

I helped carry the dishes to the sink and the kids went in and sat down before the TV. “Jack, that was about the nicest thing you could have said about me. Was your wife that bad a cook?”

“No, she was pretty good, but she didn’t like to cook much, so we ate out a lot. I wasn’t lying when I said this was the best meal I have ever tasted.”

“Thank you for pointing out I was good at something, even though I’m not pretty.”

“Kids should never think someone else is better or prettier than their mother. I couldn’t say Katy wasn’t pretty, because she is. I just tried to tell the kids, beauty isn’t everything.”

“Do you honestly believe that?”

“I do. I went with a girl all through high school who was decidedly overweight. We still correspond and I think her husband is the luckiest of men, for I know what he got when he married her. There, you know one more thing about me. Let’s go sit on the patio.” I was tired from traveling so after watching a crime show that I slept halfway through, I went to bed. I could luxuriate in the clean sheets as I crawled under the covers.

Thursday morning I took Jane and the kids downtown. I went into my bank and had her name put on my credit card. I was one to pay off my card every month and I had a $11,000 limit on it. The bank was to issue new cards in both our names and we would receive them shortly. When we got outside, Jane lit into me. “Why did you do that? I thought you would get me a card that had a $700 limit. That’s what they usually start with.”

“What happens if the cellar floods, or the furnace explodes, or the roof blows off and you have to move into a motel. These things could happen sometime when I’m away. This is my house and I’m responsible for everything in it and that includes you and the kids. End of conversation.

“I will say I hope I don’t have to reach my limit yet, because I don’t have that much for funds to play with. I am getting a substantial raise soon, which will help. The credit card gives me a month’s leeway to find enough money to pay my bills. Just don’t let this concern you. Use the card if you need it, that’s all.”

“Was your wife’s name on your card?”

“No, she had her own for emergencies, but never used it. I paid all of the bills anyway. It was convenient, especially when she left.” I had no clue as to what Jane was thinking, but it couldn’t have been bad from the smile I received.

I only had the morning free as I had to work in the afternoon. Tomorrow would be a full day. Next week, I would be out of town only Thursday and Friday. By that time I expected Jane, Brian, Tinkerbell and myself to be totally familiar with each other. Tomorrow night I asked if I could meet her father and mother and maybe leave the kids there for an hour or so. I wanted Henry to know that we were coexisting in the same house together.

“Sure thing. My parents will want to know all about how you are treating their grandchildren.”

“Guess I better be on my best behavior then, shouldn’t I?”

“I think you have given them a good first impression. Kids are trusting, so you would have to be pretty mean to take that away from them. That goes for me as well.”

“Thanks.”

Henry landed on Jane when we sat at the bar. “Christ, I never see Jack anymore. He used to come in for a beer every night. Now sometimes he even skips the weekends. What can I do for you?”

“Beer for me and Jane will have a glass of red wine. Make it half and half with ginger ale.”

“Jack, I can order my own drink. Let me think a minute. Okay, I guess what he said sounds good. I know he isn’t trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me.”

Henry said, “Not yet he hasn’t. He should though.”

“Give me time.” I bought my scratch ticket. Only one because I felt with having that $25,000 one in the bank, I was taking advantage of the system. I did buy the lottery tickets the same as I had for the last month. It was rare for me to put more than two numbers together yet, but I had a feeling.

I scratched the ticket when Henry handed me the three items. It was for five dollars, which just about paid for the two drinks. Henry shook his head and had a mournful look on his face. “See, he’ll break me yet.”

We didn’t hang around as I wanted to sit down with Jane’s parents. They proved to be a couple in their fifties. Her father was tall and thin, just like Jane. June, her mother, was short and very buxom. She caught me staring at her chest.

Smiling, she said, “I know, it is a shame isn’t it I can’t share these with my daughter. I never heard her husband complain, though.”

“Mom, cut it out. I’d rather be the way I am than to have backaches like you do all the time.” We didn’t stay here long either, as the kids were sleepy. I picked Brian up and carried him out to the car. Both kids were asleep when we got home and were put right to bed.

I was watching a country musical show on television later. Dolly Parton was being featured. Jane came in and looked at me. “You’re drooling. What is it with men about women’s breasts anyway? Mine filled okay when it was necessary and I nursed both kids. I’m going to call Mom and tell her what you are watching.”

A half hour later she came back. “Well, what did she say about me?”

“Truthfully? She wanted to know how I was going to get you to marry me, followed up with a comment she wished she was single. Guess you’re in with her pretty solid. Dad thought you were a pretty good guy as well. Don’t let all of this go to your head. I’m your housekeeper, that’s all.”

“Jane, you are more than that. You’ve been here a week and I can’t remember when I have been this comfortable. I would hope things continue just as they are.” I got an odd look, but no comment. Did she wish I would back off or try to get closer?

I was home every night the first three days of the next week. Dinner was on the table when I arrived. The kids were happy to see me, especially after I had purchased a big swing set and a huge Jungle Jim to be installed in the back yard. They grabbed my hand and wanted me to watch them. I hadn’t paid too much attention to the yard before this. I knew the lawn had been mowed. When I walked around, I could see the flower beds were well taken care of and commented on it.

“I don’t have a job right now, so I have the time.”

“Your job is something on the computer, right?”

“Yes. I edit stories and articles for a couple of magazines. It is all freelance and I’m busier than this at different times. Right now this is my slow period. Not having to scratch to make rent payments is a godsend. Jack, you said you were going to be gone tomorrow and Friday. Will you be home by six on Friday?”

“Yes, I plan to be. Why?”

“I have a dinner date that evening and was wondering if you would watch the kids. I should be home by eleven.”

A sharp pain stabbed me. I covered it well, I hoped. We had never discussed dating others. I just assumed if we went out, we would be going together. “Sure, I’ll watch the kids. Order a pizza to be delivered about that time and the kids and I will have a party.”

“You don’t mind then?”

“No, of course not. I’ll be glad to. I’ll hunt up something on cable we can watch together.” Should I ask questions? No, I would appear jealous. Better not say anything. I didn’t sleep well that night and was grumpy at breakfast in the morning.

Jane commented and I just said I had a machine broken down and knew it was going to be difficult to fix.

Friday evening, I arrived home a little early. Jane was dressed to go out. She had on a sexy black dress and had her hair styled. She had also augmented her breasts with some enhancements. She looked like a million bucks. She was waiting on a comment.

“Jane, you are lovely!”

“I know. I feel like a queen. I’ll have to go out more often.” Just then the pizza order was delivered and fifteen minutes later the doorbell rang again. A man, about ten years older than Jane and I, stood at the door. He was handsome and was driving the Mercedes parked at the curb. Jane was fluttering.

“Jack, this is the man I work for. He has been very nice to me for the last two years and asks me out occasionally. Richard Tromley, Jack Driscoll.” Jane turned away and then back again. “Make sure the kids are in bed on time. I may be late, so you don’t have to wait up. Bye.”

I hurt! Truthfully I had never felt this way before, not even about Katy, who went out often with work related men I didn’t know. I had no right to be jealous either. Jane was just my housekeeper and I hadn’t known her very long. This is life, I guess. I called Patty.

“Hey Girl, I had some swings put in the back yard for some kids that are hanging around over here. Bring yours over and let them try the swings.”

“Can’t tonight. So what’s new?”

“Not much. The kids I mentioned belong to the woman who cleans the house. She’s out on a date tonight, and I volunteered to watch her two. They are about the same age as Peter and Pearl.”

“Why aren’t you dating your housekeeper? Katy is dating now.”

“That’s nice.”

“Jack, would it bother you if you knew Katy was sleeping over sometimes?”

“Not at all. I’ll be coming to that eventually. I have a whole office full of secretaries to pick from.”

“What about your housekeeper?”

“Not a chance. Wouldn’t want to foul my own nest, you know. Besides she has two kids.”

“You’ve always wanted kids and you love Peter and Pearl.”

“These two are pretty good kids, I’ll give you that. They have been brought up having manners and mind real well. That reminds me, I have to make sure they have baths before they go to bed.”

“They sleep at your house? You didn’t tell me that.”

“Jane and Tinkerbell have my room and Brian sleeps in the spare room. I use the guest room.”

“Damnit Jack, you’re feeding me a little bit of information, but not the whole story. I’ve got to meet this woman. Put some steaks on the grill tomorrow afternoon and we’ll be over to eat them.”

I laughed. “Sure, I can do that. Come about three.” I went in and watched “Shrek” with the kids.

I had the kids in bed on time. Tinkerbell got under the covers and looked up at me. “Jack, can I have a goodnight kiss. My friend says her daddy always kisses her goodnight. Mommy is the only one who kisses me. Mommy says nobody ever kisses her either, so that is why we always say goodnight this way.” I leaned over and the two arms came up to hold my face and she planted a buss right on my lips. “Goodnight, Jack. That was nice. I’m going to tell Mom to kiss you goodnight sometime. I bet she would like to be kissed too.”

“It could be, Sweetheart. Sleep tight and I’ll see you in the morning.”

I went downstairs to wait for my housekeeper. I wondered if she was being kissed right at the moment. Ten o’clock came and then eleven. By midnight, I gave up and went to bed. I was still awake when she came home at one-thirty, but decided I didn’t want to see her. She probably had been making out and more. Maybe even gone to a motel room somewhere. I tried to tell myself it was nothing to me, but ....

I was up and out of the house early. I caught breakfast at IHOP and went into the office, even though it was Saturday. I called the house at ten. Jane answered. “Where are you? I wanted to tell you all about my evening. I had a wonderful time and I wanted to share it with you.”

“Sorry, I had some work to do. Say, can we have a light lunch at noon. I have my sister-in-law and her family coming for a cookout this evening. I’m picking up steaks for the grill.”

“You will need salads then. I have enough things in the house for those. Buy more beer and you know what I drink. Pick up three quarts of native strawberries at the Farmers Market on Maple Street. I’ll make biscuits and we’ll have a shortcake.” There was a pause. “Is she pretty like your wife?”

“Go look in the photo album. About halfway through you will find pictures of her with Jim and the kids at the beach. They were taken a year ago in August. I thought you would have looked at all of the pictures by this time.”

“I started to, but I didn’t get past the pictures of your wife.”

There was tomato soup and a cucumber sandwich waiting for me when I arrived home. “Hi, I was hoping you might still be up when I got home last night. I wanted to tell you all about the meeting. It got late and went on forever, but it was so much fun. All of the authors I have been reading for were there to tell me how much they appreciated me. After dinner there were awards for those that worked at the magazine. I received one, naming me most dedicated part-time editor.

“After five full courses, there was a dance until midnight. We sat and everyone got up to the microphone and either told a joke or a story about something funny that happened while working here for the magazine, or somewhere else. I should have called, but I knew you and the kids were fine.”

“Oh, that’s great. You didn’t say anything about it being a meeting. I thought you were just on a date with your boss.” I tried to hide some of what I felt last night. Now I was mostly mad at myself.

“Jack, look at me. You thought I was out with my boss on a date? Where did you get that idea?”

“Think back, Jane. All you ever told me was that you had a date. You went out and made yourself beautiful and an older man picked you up in a nice expensive vehicle. You said you would be home at eleven at the latest. Next time, maybe you should explain a little more fully so I don’t worry about you.”

“Jack, I’m sorry. This is the first time I have been invited to one of these things. I was pretty giddy about it happening. I could have explained and I should have.” Jane walked around the table to where she could look at me. “You were actually concerned about where I was?”

“No, you are a big girl. I don’t know why I said that.”

“I am a big girl and can take care of myself, but I think you were worried about me. You’re so sweet.” Suddenly neither of us wanted to continue this subject. “I looked at the pictures of Patty. She is gorgeous.”

I couldn’t help myself. “Not as gorgeous as you were last night. Hey, I’m going out and make sure the grill is clean. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yes, you could marinate the steaks. You must know how you like them.” We worked around the kitchen. “Jack, somebody told me you got a kiss last night. She thought it wonderful. You’re going to have to do that every night when you are home from now on.”

“You are okay with it then? I was worried, you might think it inappropriate.”

“No, I would have been disappointed if you had refused. Tinkerbell has missed a lot in not having a father around. I noticed you pay a lot of attention to Brian as well. I think I’m going to have to kiss Henry for putting us together.” I thought, what about kissing me?

Patty and Jane became friends from the first “hi.” I saw more of Pearl and Peter now than I ever did before, they often being at the house when I came home. Sometimes Jane was the only one there to greet me. I ran into Katy once in the grocery store. We talked for over an hour as we dodged shoppers where we were blocking the aisle.

“Jack, I moved out almost three months ago. I have to tell you, I didn’t make a mistake. I’m pretty happy about where I am right now. I wasn’t going to share this with you, but I have met a man and we are talking about moving in together. Is this going to cause any problems?”

“No, not at all. My life is pretty settled. I’m sure you are getting more sex than I am, but other than that, I’m happy where I am.”

“Patty tells me you could be getting sex from your housekeeper if you would exert yourself. They have become friends you know. Patty has always liked you and thinks you are a wonderful uncle to the kids. She wants the best for you and she thinks this Jane would be it.”

“Whatever. Katy, I really am happy for you and am glad you have found someone. Oh, you’re the first one I have told, but that raise I have been promising you that was coming someday, starts next week. Not only that, the company has bumped me up a notch and I’m going to be sleeping in my own bed every night as well.”

“Too late for me. I’ve moved beyond you. The best thing you can do is drag that woman into your bedroom and make love to her. Then you would have it all. The things we had when we were first married. It is too bad it took six years to find out we weren’t meant for each other.”

“Maybe I will. Look, invite me to your wedding. We only have three more months before our divorce is final.”

“Seems like forever doesn’t it? Take care, Jack. You know, I guess all in all, you were a better husband to me than I was a wife to you. I’ll see you around.” Six years I had lived with the beautiful woman who was walking away from me and now I didn’t miss her a bit. I went over to Henry’s bar to get my usual tickets.

                              Chapter Three

It was a Friday night. I bought my one scratch ticket. Son-of-a-bitch. This was the first one that I didn’t at least get my money back on. Had my luck changed? Well I have had a hell of a run. I told Henry about it when he drifted down to my end of the bar and how he laughed. “All down hill from here, Jack. How much have you won, say in the last three or four months?”

I have never totaled it up. At least $2,000 and maybe a bit more. I’ll total it when I pay my taxes.”

“Damned fool you. I wouldn’t declare it all. Oops, I shouldn’t say that. Go home and tell Jane you are now on a downhill slide. When are you going to get in bed with her anyway? She needs it almost as bad as you do. It’s going to happen, so it might as well be sooner as later.”

“Screw you Henry. That’s what Katy told me not over an hour ago.”

“Well there you go. Words of wisdom, Son. Come in more often with Jane if you can arrange it. Gives us a chance to gang up on you.”

I came in through the kitchen door. I could hear Jane talking to her mother in the living room. They were discussing the kids who I took were spending the night over there. “Jack is the best thing that ever happened to me, Mom. I loved my kids’ father, but I think I love Jack more.” She listened to something her mother was saying.

“I can’t do that. Jack is a great one for trust and proprieties. If I slid into bed while he was sleeping, he would kick me out just as soon as he woke up.” More from her mother. “Maybe I will on his birthday. You’re coming over to celebrate aren’t you? It’s going to be a surprise. I’m even going to invite his wife. Patty says Jack won’t mind.”

I thought to myself, I’ll give her a surprise. I looked in and could see her back to me sitting at the table cradling the phone. Bravely I walked up behind her and slid my fingers beneath her arms and cupped her breasts. There were bigger mounds there than was obvious. I tweaked my thumb over her nipples.

Startled, she looked up at her unknown assailant. “Mom, I have to go.” Before she finished saying this, I leaned down and kissed her full on the lips. When our tongues stopped dancing I pulled back.

“Kids not home tonight, I heard you tell your mother. Do you have any ideas how we can entertain ourselves?”

“Several, and many, and much. To start with, you felt these little babies, now it is time for you to see them.” With that Jane pulled her blouse up over her head. There was another silken undergarment covering her, but no bra. None needed. I stared. These breasts were about the same size as the first ones I had seen when I was barely a teenager. The mounds anyway, but the nipples---wow!

“Jack, step back a minute. Do you really want to continue? I’m willing, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want a one-night stand and I don’t suppose I’m asking for a long-term commitment, although I would like one. I don’t want to be just your plaything either.” She stopped speaking before suddenly throwing up her hands.

“Oh hell, take me to bed. I’ll worry about what comes after when I wake up in the morning.” Okay, we never made it to bed. We didn’t even make it upstairs. The bed came after we had cooled the urgency, both downstairs and in the shower. We both had been married (I still was) so it was just a matter of finding out what the other liked.

I slid out of bed in the morning---her bed. The only time before this I had entered this bedroom was to put Tinkerbell to bed and give her a kiss. I had to admit I had more joy waking up here this morning than in my own bed. Yes, and that went back for two years, which was about the time that Katy and I had began drifting apart.

I made coffee and filled my cup when Jane dropped into a chair. “Umm, me too, please. I suppose it is stupid after last night together, but I have to know. Do you love me? Oh, I know you said it in the heat of passion in the dark, but this is the morning and the sun is shining.”

“I do. What I said last night, I meant every word. I love you and I love the kids and I love having you here with me. I can’t say it any clearer. This is Saturday, what time do you have to go after the kids?”

“In a few minutes.”

“Damn Jane, not enough time.”

“Hey, what I have is going to be there for the next fifty or sixty years. Too bad we can’t sleep together tonight too.”

“We can. Patty said the kids could stay at her house any time.”

“She’ll put it together. Do you mind?”

“No, in fact it will stop her pushing me to make love to you. Oh, I have some news. I’m getting a raise starting Monday.”

“Wonderful! We are making out okay the way we are aren’t we? I mean, I’ve been carrying my weight around here and me and the kids haven’t been a burden on your finances have we?”

“Nope. In fact I’m better off than when Katy left. There’s more news. I’ll only be going out of town occasionally from now on. Maybe overnight one night a month.”

Jane looked into my eyes and then smiled all over. I mean the love in her eyes was blinding. This good news wasn’t just for herself. “The kids are going to be so happy. They want you home every night. Jack, I have to tell you, I could have sympathized with Katy over you being away like you have been. I hate it when you are gone. The house is so empty. I don’t think we can let the kids know we are sleeping together yet, but they’ll see how happy I am and that will make them happier as well.”

“Me too. You want me to go get the kids this morning?”

“No, I will. I want to tell Mom about last night.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“Oh, definitely!”

I poured another cup of coffee. Then I remembered it was Saturday morning. I turned the news on. I caught the last bit of a blurb. “Henry’s Bar of this city sold one of the winning two tickets for the state lottery. This reporter said Henry had no idea who the winner was. No one has stepped forward yet. Again here are the winning numbers. The winners will split $3,200,000. Someone out there is very rich this morning.”

“Oh, crap. Henry knew my numbers and he knew who won the lottery. Would he keep his mouth closed? Somehow I felt he would until after I talked to him. $1,600,000. Of course that would be the payout over twenty years. But I was a young man yet.

The taxes wouldn’t be too bad. Should I tell Jane? I guess I wouldn’t until I was married to her. Hey, I kept the secret about the scratch ticket that still resided in the box at the bank. Again, I wouldn’t have to collect on this until next year if I didn’t want to. I dumped my coffee and pulled a Genesee from the refrigerator.

It was mid-morning before Jane and the kids arrived. I was into my third beer by this time. Jane looked askance at me. “What’s up with you? You never drink in the morning.”

“Celebrating that’s all. Has anyone had breakfast? I think I’m up for cheese omelets.”

“Sit Jack. I’ll do it. You might scramble the eggs.” This struck me funny and I started to roar with laughter. The kids didn’t know why and I had to explain or try to. Then Jane started to laugh at my attempts which came out more as babble than anything else. Jane finally made it clear. “You can’t make an omelet without scrambling eggs. Jack was acting kind of silly so what I was saying was, he might mess up the omelet. That’s all.” It set the mood for the rest of the day.

After dinner that night, I said I was going over to Henry’s to get me a scratch ticket. I promised I wouldn’t even have a beer. “Jack, have a beer. I don’t care. Celebrating about last night and this morning makes me feel pretty damned good. Come home early and maybe I’ll let you hold my hand.” She just didn’t know all that I was celebrating.

Henry’s was busy and I finally got his attention when he wasn’t serving a customer. “Hey Jack, you put my place on the map. This is the biggest payout the city has ever had and I was the one who sold one of the tickets. The place is jumping. You want another ticket for next week?”

“No, I don’t think so. Just a scratch ticket. Henry, do you have to tell anyone who bought the winning ticket? I don’t want to come forward until after the first of the year. Taxes and everything, you know.”

“Sure, I won’t say anything. I get a bonus for selling the ticket and I’ll get that next week whether the winner is identified or not. There is going to be a lot of speculation, though. Jane know about it?”

“No, and don’t you tell her either. I’m planning on courting her and I don’t want a whole bunch of money to have any bearing on my courtship.”

“Hell, Jack, you don’t have to court her. Take her to bed. That’s all the courting she needs.” Henry looked closely at me. Could be a little satisfied smile had crept onto my features. “Son-of-a-bitch, you have already done that haven’t you? Congratulations. If there were ever two people made for each other you two are.” I scratched my ticket. Back on track again. Two dollars. I went home without beer on my breath.

Things settled down in my life. The kids went to school. Jane started getting articles to edit. I had much more responsibility, but I was home just about every night. I was pleasantly surprised on my twenty-eighth birthday. Katy came and I welcomed her. I was introduced to her new love and thought he was pretty nice.

Kenneth Johnson was Katy’s boyfriend’s name and he worked in the building trades. I thought Katy would look for someone with a more prestigious job, but I could see it didn’t matter because they definitely were in love.

I don’t know who spread the word, but before all of the guests left that evening, every adult there knew I was sleeping with my housekeeper. I suspected it was my future mother-in-law who had to tell on us. As Katy went out the door, she had to say something. “I adore your housekeeper’s children. It is odd, but I wouldn’t have picked Jane for you, but you both seem happy. Is this a permanent thing?”

“Yes, it is. Working here in the city and being home every night brought us together. We both understand why you left me and I’m happy for you and Kenneth.”

“Good, that will get you an invitation to our wedding.”

*************

I had my own personal secretary and she was young and very beautiful. I had to fly to the company headquarters and Cecile had to go with me. The trip came up suddenly and I was busy so I sent Cecile home to get my bags. Jane was jealous from the moment my secretary knocked on my door. It was a poor move on my part, but I wasn’t aware.

I certainly was aware that something wasn’t right after I returned home. Jane was hardly speaking and avoided kissing me. I knew I would find out why eventually. The kids went to bed and to sleep. Jane had gone into her room and was making ready for bed. I knocked on her door.

“What do you want?”

“I want you in my bed. Something is bothering you. I’ve been away for two days and I want a kiss.”

“Kiss me and get it over with then. I’m tired and want to go to bed.”

“Damnit Jane, give me a hint at least. I love you and want to get this straightened out.”

“You think you can go off and sleep with a beautiful sexy young woman and I’m not going to get mad?”

“Stop right there. What gave you the idea I was sleeping with Cecile?”

“She said you had adjoining rooms with interconnecting doors.”

“Yes we did. Jane, just to put things into perspective. Do you remember the night you went on a date with your boss and it wasn’t anything? This is the same thing. I’ll bet you are feeling the way I did when you didn’t come home when you said you were going to. Now come into my room and let me explain.”

I took her hand and led her into my room. I slowly undressed. She stood there undecided. It was up to me and I had it to do. She was still reluctant to come to me when I removed the last article of her clothing. “Jack, you aren’t going to lie to me are you?”

“No. First though, let me tell you a little about Cecile. She flirts outrageously and there is a reason for that. You know I should have been the one who was worried when I sent her home to get my bags. Worried about you and her, I mean.”

It took several seconds to get what I meant. “You’re kidding aren’t you?”

“Nope. She confessed to me when we first started working together. She asked if I minded she was like she was. I told her no, as long as she didn’t try to seduce any of the other women who worked in our office. We have set this up for cover. She flirts with the men and lets the women alone. It is dangerous because she comes across as a tease.

“I have met her significant other, who is just as pretty as Cecile is. Jenny works in a different department where we both work. As far as I know, I’m the only one aware of her preferences. We do have connecting rooms when we are away on business, but that is so I can get some work done in the evening after the meetings. I said a few minutes ago that I was worried about you and her. I wasn’t really, because I trust you totally and Cecile about ninety-five percent of the time.

“Cecile will be invited to our wedding and she will moan and groan about losing the best thing that ever happened to her, and she is horribly jealous of your good luck. She’ll say you ripped me from her clutches when she almost had me. That’s just for show.”

“Jack, I promise I won’t ever get jealous again. I have never had such pain in my heart as I have had these last two days. Set your alarm, I’m spending a few hours with you tonight.”

Our wedding was scheduled for the last Saturday of November in Henry’s bar at ten o’clock in the morning. The reception was to be immediately after. He had given us the use of the bar until four that afternoon. Patty was to be the matron of honor and Tinkerbell and Pearl were her attendants. Henry was my best man, with Brian and Peter my attendants. The tables had been removed to create room to dance after the catered meal.

I had little family of my own and Jane only had her parents. Jane did invite three of the people who worked at the magazine including her boss and his wife, who thought it hilarious that I was jealous of him earlier in the summer. I had several of my co-workers, both male and female, invited as well. Patty, Jim and the kids were so happy that I had continued to be as close to them as when I was married to Katy. Asking Patty and the two children to be included in the wedding to Jane cemented our friendship even more.

Katy returned her invitation saying she and Kenneth would attend. She signed her name as Mrs. Kenneth Johnson, which informed us all that she and Kenneth had married at City Hall two days before. (What happened to inviting me to her wedding?)

I believe the highlight for Jane and me was when we discovered we both loved to do the polka and were knowledgeable about several intricate moves. With some practice we knew we would be making dancing a pastime we both enjoyed. Cecile and her friend were drinking heartily. Cecile was as flirtatious as ever. She cornered me as I was returning from the rest room.

“Dance with me, Jack. I want to ask you something.” The band struck up a waltz just as we reached the floor. It was a good thing, because Cecile was almost being held up by me.

“What’s up, Cecile?”

“Jenny wants me to come out of the closet. She wants you to announce it next time someone asks you to raise your glass for a toast. Will that spoil your wedding if you do?”

“Of course not. You know if I announce this you can’t take it back?”

“I know. We are going up to Massachusetts over the New Year holiday and get married. People might as well know now as later.”

“Gather Jenny and I’ll see you at the head table.”

I clinked my glass with a knife for attention. I stood between Cecile and Jenny. “I have been asked to make an announcement. Cecile, as you know is the sexiest woman in our office. She has finally chosen a partner and we won’t be flirting with her anymore. We have all had fantasies in the hopes that it would lead to a night of bliss in her arms. I’m here to announce her engagement. Cecile, would you kiss the one you love?”

I stepped back and the two women kissed. There was silence until we all heard someone say, “What a waste,” but this was overshadowed by the clapping that commenced. The two lovers stepped apart.

I grinned and said, “Congratulations, how about a hug?” Cecile’s arms went around me and she stood on tiptoe so I could kiss her. Jane was next to me and she hugged Cecile while I hugged Jenny. Soon a line formed and congratulations came from all.

Jane and I had a couple more dances. I turned to Jane, saying it was time to get ready to travel. We had six days for a honeymoon. Katy stood talking to my new wife. “One more dance, ex-husband, before you go?”

“Sure.”

It was a familiar form that I held and danced with around the floor. “Jack, it is difficult for me to speak about something, and I know it may hurt you a little. I feel my leaving as I did was the best move for both of us. You look happy and I know I am. I suppose I should shut up now, but I have to say this. The first time I saw Jane, I was so sorry for you because I thought she was so homely. I have changed my mind. Tonight she is really lovely. Kenny says she is a beautiful dancer and has me all beat to hell because she is so light on her feet.

“Speaking as one ex-spouse to another and curious as every woman wonders, is she as....

“Don’t ask, Katy, or it will be me who is the one hurting you. I’ll just say I didn’t know how deep love could be until I met Jane.”

“Somehow, I think we are talking about something else.”

“I guess we are. To repeat what Kenny said, Jane has you all beat to hell.”

“That answers my question. Have a wonderful life. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other sometimes. Friends?”

“Always.”

The last act before leaving Henry’s was to buy a scratch ticket. This one was worth five dollars.

I settled into married life again. This time I was far happier with Jane than I had ever been with Katy. For one thing I had more respect from Jane than I had ever received from Katy. Cecile and Jenny came back from being married and were happy as only newlyweds could be. Everyone in the office missed the flirting but all seemed happy for the couple. It was different for them though, and it bothered Cecile that she wasn’t so much the center of attention. She and Jenny became constant companions with Jane for awhile.

Jane was concerned about it at first. “Don’t be. They are just getting comfortable with being a couple and out in the open. This will change when they get used to it and then won’t need the support we are giving them.”

I decided it was time to come clean about some of my finances. “Hey Babe, you have been doing the family accounting since we were married. How much are we worth? We may want to expand the house someday and add on a couple of rooms.” Jane went to her journal and showed me the figures.

“We came into the year with a net worth of this amount. The first of February I’ll update it and projected forward, we should have this amount.”

“How about adding $80,000 to that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Jane, do you remember when Henry sold a lottery ticket and no one came forward to claim it? I hold the ticket and it is in the bank. We’ll go and get it tomorrow and come forward with it.”

“You’re mean. Why did you keep it from me?”

“I was just getting over Katy and starting to court you. I didn’t want to have a whole bunch of money come between us. If I had come forward then, I was afraid Katy might think she was entitled to some of it, because we were just separated and our divorce wasn’t final. Looking back now, I don’t think she would have, but I couldn’t take the chance.”

“How much money did you say?”

“$80,000 a year for the next twenty years. Of course we will have to pay taxes on it.”

“What are we going to do with all that money and is it going to change us?”

“It isn’t going to change me. I like my work and I like the people I work with.”

“Me too. I’m kind of excited though.”

“You should be. You’ll get your picture in the paper and reporters are going to be flocking around for interviews. We’ll have to do a promo for the lottery commission. Every charity will have their hand out for a donation. We’re going to have people we don’t know claiming to be a long lost relative. Can you see why I didn’t want a distraction like that when I was courting you? If I remember correctly, the night I won was the night I came home and slid my fingers under your arms looking for something.”

“It was winning the money that made you so brave? I always wondered why.” It took a month for our life to get back to normal, but finally the phone stopped ringing and people stopped coming to the door.

Henry was still selling me a scratch ticket twice a week and a powerball ticket for every drawing. “Why do you bother? Lightning never strikes twice. Why don’t you buy more of those scratch tickets if you want to keep playing? Hell, you can afford a whole roll.”

“I know I can afford to play and I pretty much win on the scratch tickets. I’ve only lost a couple of times. It would change my luck to stop playing, but I’m not greedy.” Henry snorted and went back to wiping the bar.

My life was such that I couldn’t be happier. We loved the section of town we lived in and the lot our house was on was big enough to have the house expanded. We were going to have to lose some of the extensive flower beds. These had been Katy’s project for me. She was gone and these might as well go too. At this point in my life neither would be missed.

With my being home every night and Jane working at home, we became much more social with our neighbors. At least once a month there was a neighborhood gathering. Although Patty and Jim didn’t live in our immediate area, they were often at our house and were included in these. Katy, too, for she had been friendly when she lived here. Patty informed us that Katy and Kenneth were due to have a baby. It had been conceived months before their nuptials.

Jane and Katy were familiar with each other, although not close friends. I think they would have been except for the fact I had been married to Katy. Katy was in her eighth month when Kenneth fell off a twenty-foot staging on his job site. His hip was smashed and he would be out of work for several months. They had only workmen’s comp for income.

The neighborhood rallied around and planned a baby shower for Katy. It was suggested that scratch tickets might be a good gift to go along with the baby items. I debated. How would Jane feel if I gave my ex-wife several thousand dollars? It was money she didn’t know I had and we certainly could live without it. But then this would be keeping a secret from her. I had already done that once.

“Jane, may I confess another secret that involves some money? This is something that happened long before I knew you and I had never even heard your name.”

“I guess. Does it involve me in any way now?”

“Only as far as making a decision. It is something I’m going to leave in your hands to decide.”

“Hey, I’m good at making decisions. Tell me.”

“Okay. This involves Katy when she was my wife. The night she informed me she wanted a divorce and walked out, I went over to Henry’s and bought a scratch ticket. It had a big payoff. I have never cashed it in and it is in the bank right now. It has to be cashed in within the next two months. I’m going to hand it to you and let you decide what to do with it.”

“Katy and Kenny are having it rough and you’re wondering how I would feel about passing it on to Katy, aren’t you? How much is it?”

“$25,000.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of money. Do you want her to know it is from you?”

“No, and that’s why I’m giving it to you to take care of.”

“Go get it. Get five more tickets from Henry and I’ll put them all in the envelope to give to Katy at the shower. I’m in charge of presenting the tickets to her. She’ll never know who it came from.” Jane was excited. “Jack, tell me what your feelings were when you discovered you won so much money?”

I laughed. “It is funny, now. It was late at night and I had consumed more beer than usual. This was the first night Katy wasn’t in my bed. I remember thinking that I had no wife to keep me warm, just a ticket. Then I worried about her getting it and I wouldn’t have either. Foolish wasn’t it?”

“I don’t think so. I think you are wonderful. Oh, Katy is going to be so happy!”

The night of the shower, Jane told me to hang out at Henry’s until she got home. I bought my usual scratch ticket which I came up empty on, and of course, my powerball ticket. I nursed my beer and as Jane was going to be late, I held down the seat at the end of the bar all evening. I was getting tired and headed for home a little before eleven.

Jane wasn’t home yet, but came in a little after midnight all excited. “Katy cried! It took her several minutes to figure out why someone had included a ticket that had already been scratched. We all went down to Henry’s bar and cashed her tickets in. She had $27,304 to go home with. This is enough to get her and Kenny through until he gets back to work. Nobody suspects you gave her the big one. I’m so glad we did it.

“Jack, I’ve got some news of my own and I hope it will make you as happy as it makes me. I took a pregnancy test this morning.”

Tired, sleepy and wanting to be in bed because it was so late, I woke up immediately. As we came out of the shower, Jane said something that I only half heard, but again grabbed my attention.

“Henry was acting kind of funny as we left. He told me to make sure you checked the powerball numbers before you went to bed. He said it was a big payoff tonight. Something like $399,000,000. Where is your ticket?”

                        The End.