Chapter 1

The small rubber ball caromed off the front wall at such a low angle and so near the corner that a return was impossible and Charlie Avers knew it, but it was match point and so he lunged fruitlessly to try to get his racket on it, but despite his effort the ball simply dribbled away from him and his lunge resulted in hard contact with floor which momentarily took the breath rom him. “Hey, Charlie,” cried his opponent, Brad Newsome, laughing, “why the heroics, you knew you couldn’t get to that shot.”

“You SOB”, laughed Charlie, “you’ve now beaten me the last six games we’ve played. It’s enough to make a guy give up racketball and take up crocheting.”

“Oh, come on,” laughed Brad, “you know my ego needs a lift now and then. Who else can I find that I can beat so often.”

“Yeah, well, just because I’m an old married man doesn’t mean I won’t get you next time.”

“That’s the spirit,” smiled Brad as they headed for the showers, “the law of averages is bound to catch up with you eventually.”

The two best of friends showered, dressed and headed for their favorite after game bar.

They had been friends since grade school, attending the same high school and college and continuing their friendship as they both settled in the same town. Charlie’s marriage two years ago had done nothing to dampen their friendship although Brad, who Charlie considered a man about town since he seemed to have a different woman on his arm every weekend, had married a woman who even Bred admitted was the most beautiful women he’d ever seen.

They entered the bar but instead of taking seats at the bar, Charlie steered them to a booth which afforded a bit more privacy. They ordered beers and each took a long draw.

“Why the booth?” Asked Brad

At that moment a very attractive woman sauntered by and locked eyes with Brad for a moment before continuing on toward a table where friends awaited.

“THAT’S WHY!” said Charlie. “At least here at a booth I can get a few words in without you hitting on some new chick. Is there ANY good looking woman in this town you haven’t bedded?”

Brad laughed. “A few, but I can tell you honestly that not a one of them matches up to what you have waiting at home.”

“Yeah,” said Charlie, “I know how lucky I am.”

“Do you? Do you REALLY?” smiled Brad. “The face of an angel and a body that ... well let’s just say that if I had that waiting for me at home I wouldn’t be playing racketball.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” said Charlie, his voice lowering and becoming serious.

“Hey, you and Lori are okay, aren’t you?” asked his friend.

“Yeah, well, I mean we aren’t fighting or anything but...”

“But what?” asked Brad.

“But ... well ... I just don’t know.”

“What is it Charlie? What’s wrong?”

“Lately it seems like I’m just not getting the thrill out of it. You know?”

“You mean sex?”

“Yeah, now don’t get me wrong. I still think Lori’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

“You’ll get no argument from me,” replied Brad.

“I ... It’s just that, well when she undresses at night instead of not being able to wait to get her to bed, I...”

“You what?” Asked Brad