Back to Monday Story Time

Happy Monday everyone.  The last few days of September - can you believe it? It's still pretty warm here.  I thought it would be at least down to the eighties my now - guess I was mistaken.  I don't remember it being so warm once football season started.  Oh well.  It doesn't seem to be affecting Ray's team any - they're winning, and this was the third week in a row they have on the television. He's in his glory.  

We're down to our last weeks in Texas.  Moving is just around the corner.  I'm ready; I like the motor home, but I'm done.  I want more space. I can't believe Ray, and I have lived together in this closeness and we're both still alive and liking each other - well at least most of the time.

I have another new short story that was released on Saturday. If you ready Saturday's post you know, it's a little different than my norm. Sadie and The Texas Ranger is a period western.  I have another book coming out in early November, Rocky Mountain Christmas, and then I think that will be it until the first of the year.  Moving and the holidays and real life will take time away from writing.

Okay, enough rambling for now.  Here's this week's story.

Sandy Newton and Billy Maguire grew up in the same neighborhood and were schoolmates from kindergarten.  Billy gave Sandy her first kiss in sixth grade They dated for a while in high school, and when they broke up, he still had her back and was always her fall back guy. 

Sandy went off to college in another state while Billy stayed in Riverton and went to the local community college.  When he received his AA degree instead of continuing his education, he enlisted in the service. 

Once in a while, they would hear of each other through their families but that ceased once Sandy married.  Sandy’s husband was a high-powered executive who’s company posted them all over the world.  Billy decided to make a career in the Navy.  He finished his education and was promoted up the ranks.

Ironically, Sandy and Billy ended up in San Francisco area at the same time. They ran into each other while Sandy and her children were sightseeing in Monterey. Billy was attending courses at the Naval Post Graduate school and was on his way to the Monterey Aquarium.  Located, a stone’s throw from the school grounds, he was enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and the smell of the salty sea air when he was suddenly popped in the head with a nerf ball.  Surprised he looked up and into the embarrassed face of Sandy Newton Granger.

“I’m so sorry.  Jackson, apologize to this man right now!” Sandy said without even looking up.

“Do I have too?” Jackson asked.

“You do if you want your nerf ball back,” Billy told him in a stern, authoritative voice, then directed his look to Sandy.

“Hello, Sandy.”

 “Do I know you?” she asked.

“Since we were about his age,” he replied.  Sandy really looked at him then, and it registered this was Billy Maguire.  Dressed in his naval uniform, he made an imposing figure and was even more handsome than she remembered.

“Oh my God, “ she exclaimed.  “Billy Maguire, or should I say Captain Billy Maguire.”

“Billy, will do.”  She reached over and kissed his cheek and then explained to her son this was an old friend.  They stood there talking until Jackson tugged at his mother’s arm exclaiming that he had to go to the bathroom. 

“Are you free for lunch?  I’d love to continue catching up.  Forrest Gump’s is right over there, and we can get Jackson his needed bathroom.”

“I’d love to.”  The three of them walked the short distance to the restaurant.  Sandy was surprised that Billy was unmarried and that some lucky woman hadn’t lured him into matrimony.  Billy exclaimed that he’d never met anyone that wanted what he did and left it at that.  Sandy said that she and her husband had their ups and downs because he was always working, but Jackson kept her busy enough that she didn’t mind so much right now.  She said she wanted more children, but it hadn’t happened.  She said they would have to settle somewhere soon because once Jackson started school, their vagabond life would cease.  Billy said he understood because he led something of a nomadic life too.

They parted company, each thinking their private thoughts of what might have been. 

YEARS LATER

Billy, retired from active duty in the Navy, came back to Riverton help out his mom after the death of his father. As a Naval Reservist, he occasionally traveled but mostly remained in Riverton. 

He ran into Sandy’s mother in the grocery store one day and learned that Sandy and her husband had divorced, and now that her son, Jackson was in college, she too had moved back to Riverton. 

He wasted no time in calling her and arranging a luncheon date.  When they met it was just as if time stood still.  Their friendship had stood the test of time and there was no uneasiness between them.  She explained that her husband Hank was a workaholic and laughed when she said he probably didn’t even realize she was gone until he didn’t have any clean underwear.  She explained that Jackson was a sophomore at Stanford and that she accepted a teaching position here in the Riverton School District.

It was only natural they began dating and it wasn’t long before Sandy learned Billy’s expectations and the reason he hadn’t found a woman that met those expectations.

It happened on a night they were going to dinner and a movie.  Sandy had a bitch of a day at school and was surly when Billy picked her up for their date.  He had dodged many of her barbs until she called him a complete asshole while they were discussing an issue that had occurred.  They were walking into the restaurant and his hand met her ass.

“What was that?” she yelled at him.

“It was a swat and a reminder to watch your name calling.  I understand you had a bad day and I’ve been listening to you complain since I picked you up, but leave me out of it.  I respect your opinion and while I may not always agree with it, I don’t resort to calling you names. I expect the same consideration.”

“Why you arrogant prick?” and he swatted her again.  Sandy pulled out her phone and called for a taxi.  “The military has certainly made you an old stuffed shirt and I’m no longer surprised that you’re still single.” She turned and walked to the curb to await the taxi.

Billy said he would take her home and she needn’t call a taxi, but Sandy was having none of it.  She railed at him while he stood next to her until the taxi arrived.  When he tried to pay for it, she swatted his hand away and told the driver to take off. 

Billy didn’t expect to hear from Sandy anytime soon and was shocked when she called him a couple of weeks later.  Jackson was being honored at some school event and she found out that Hank was going to be in attendance and didn’t want to go unescorted.Billy, being the sweet guy that he was, accepted her invitation.

Billy had a naval assignment that weekend at the post-graduate school in Monterey so they agreed to meet at The Westin in Palo Alto.  Sandy told him she would take care of the reservations. When he arrived at the hotel, Sandy had already checked in and he was  surprised to find she had booked adjoining rooms.  Smiling to himself, he wondered if that fact had any hidden meaning and decided to let her take the lead.

He phoned her to let her know he had arrived, and he wanted to shower and change out of his uniform.

“We’re already late and the taxi will be here any minute.”  He heard a rap on the adjoining door and opened it to Sandy, dressed in a pastel silk suit and looking absolutely beautiful.  He told her so and she thanked him and said that he didn’t have to change, he looked pretty damn good himself.

“Are you sure, I can be in my civvies quickly.”

“No, the uniform is perfect.  It suits you.”

They rode to the event and arrived at the cocktail party and were met by Jackson. 

“Do you remember Billy?” his mother asked.

“No, I don’t.” So Sandy introduced them and explained how he hade met Billy when he was little.  Just about then, a tall, good-looking man dressed in a fitted silk suit that probably cost a fortune came up to them.  On this arm, was a tall, willowy blond that was about Jackson’s age.

“Billy, this is Jackson’s father, Henry Caldwell.  Hank, this is Captain Wm. Maguire.”

Hank extended his hand and introduced his date.  Sandy smiled sweetly but made a comment about whether she was a classmate of Jackson’s.  The girl blushed at the intended slur to her and Hank.  Billy noticed the discomfort and immediately extended his hand offering a greeting to Hank and his date.

“Are we all sitting together at the event?” Sandy asked.

Jackson said he wasn’t able to get four seats together.  “Well thank God for small favors,” Sandy said. 

Her remark was uncalled and Billy could see that it upset Jackson and tried changing the subject.  He took Sandy’s hand and gave it a little squeeze.  He brought his mouth close to her ear and whispered to ‘be nice’.

She gave him a look that would freeze ice and when Hank noticed he said he didn’t miss that side of his former wife.  “She can be a handful,” Hank said and told Jackson he’d see him after the ceremony and walked away with his date.

“You could have at least warned me that he was dating someone half his age and would be bringing her here,” she said to Jackson.

“Mom, no offense, but you’re divorced.  Dad’s entitled, same as you.”

Billy was glad to see that Jackson didn’t let the incident upset him and was impressed with the way he handled Sandy.  He ordered cocktails for the three of them and they chatted amiably until it was time to enter the auditorium.

While they were walking to the auditorium, Billy told Sandy he was disappointed in her behavior and she better not ruin Jackson’s night by acting like a bitch.  Not happy to be chided, she let loose with a couple of epithets and even if it was sotto voce, she was still heard by the people standing close.  Billy clammed up and told her they would discuss it afterward.

Sandy, realizing she may have overstepped his bounds of acceptable behavior, retracted her claws and was gracious to him and to her ex-husband and his date when they met after the ceremony.  Unfortunately, it didn’t last.  When Jackson and his date joined them at the restaurant, Sandy reverted to her former bitchiness by asking if her son and her husband’s date were classmates.  It made for an uncomfortable evening and the evening ended quickly.

Billy didn’t have much to say on the way back to the hotel, but Sandy was still carrying on about the nerve of Hank.  Billy said she had ruined the evening.  It was her son’s evening, and she had ruined it for everyone. 

“Enough, I don’t want to hear any more,” Billy told her.

“Well, too bad.  I’m not finished venting.”

When they got to the hotel and went upstairs, Billy left Sandy at the door.

“Aren’t you going to come in, we do have adjoining rooms you know.”

“I do know, and no I’m not coming in.”

“Why not?” She asked.

“Because if I come in I might just end up in the brig.”

“Why?”

“Oh, don’t be silly.  What could you possibly do that would end with you in the brig?”

“Me taking you over my knee and wearing you out with the back of my clothes brush.  You were rude and childish tonight and apparently it’s the way you act whenever things don’t go exactly as you want. I don’t remember you being like that when you were younger but you have learned some abominable habits since then.”

Sandy couldn’t believe it when Billy turned and walked to his door.

An hour later, Billy heard a knock at the adjoining door.  He opened it, and Sandy stood there with her hairbrush in her hand. 

“I’m sorry.  I don't know when I turned into a Grade A Bitch, but I don’t like what I’ve become.  Maybe a spanking is what I need – they worked when I was younger.”

“Sandy, I don’t know.  Suppose you decide differently.”

“I pinky swear promise I won’t.”  She smiled at him, and as he remembered their eight grade gesture, he smiled back.  He led her into his room and over to the bed.

“Don’t spank me too hard,” she told him.

“I’m in control now and you have a lot to make up for.”  He swatted her with his hand a few times, warming her up for the hairbrush.  When he switched to the hairbrush, she immediately began begging for mercy and swearing she would be good from now on.  Her behind was a nice rosy shade of red when he put down the brush.

He rubbed her back a few times and raised her up.  She nestled into the curve of his neck as he stroked her hair.

“Do you think maybe I could get a kiss?” she asked.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, and I think maybe you should hang on to that hairbrush.”  He laughed before crushing his lips to hers.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.