Chapter 11: Summit Conference

Back at the steakhouse where everything had begun, five of them shared a table. Along with Gail and Paula, Allen, Connie, and Jim had taken their seats and ordered their drinks. Connie was nervous; she had an inkling what the meeting was about.

Paula said, “I guess I’m here on behalf of Aaron. Connie’s mother...”

“Bitch,” muttered Connie.

“She’s has been harassing him with phone calls to his work phone. The calls come from various numbers—they can’t be blocked. It’s becoming intolerable. I’ve asked you all here to see what can be done about it.

I have to be honest with you all. Connie, I really don’t want to say this, but I have to put my husband first. If she can’t be stopped, you’re going to have to move out.”

“Oh, no!”

“I’m sorry, Connie. I’m open to any suggestions.”

Next up was Gail. “Oh, this sucks. The job I wangled for Connie is almost an internship, and the pay is really low. I don’t think she can afford to rent around here. Or come up with first, last, and security. Right?”

“Yes, Gail,” Connie managed softly, in a gloomy voice. Gail continued.

“I’m in a studio apartment. I don’t have room for Connie, and I’m strapped right now paying alimony to my worthless ex-husband for the next 17 months.”

“Uh-oh.”

Allen groaned as everyone’s attention settled on him. He tried to collect his thoughts.

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I make poor decisions when I’m hungry. Let’s have our lunch and see if my neurons can be juiced up. Connie, what do they have you doing over at Gail’s shop?”

Connie tried to enjoy her lunch, even though she was anxious. Jim told some stories about his high school’s football team, where he played wide receiver. His height was an advantage, although Connie clucked over him when she uncovered his bruises from being tackled.

Each of them, except Jim, had a cup of coffee, and the plates had been cleared. Allen had insisted on paying the check.

“Alright. I’m going to assume, Connie, that you won’t go back with your mother.”

Bitterly, “I’ll be homeless first. I mean it!”

“For the rest of you, when this all started, Connie asked to start having overnights with Jim. I told her ‘Absolutely not.’ Not because I was mean...”

“Yes, you were mean, Dad.”

“Shut up, kid. Because they are far too young to be playacting like a couple. Everybody here knows they were virgins...”

“Will that be everything?” The waiter had come up behind him.

“Yes, that’s it.” Allen had an edge to his voice, and the waiter scuttled away.