Chapter 20

The family lounged around the pool after having played in it for the past hour. Naked and wet from the water, Ed was happy at having his wives and husband alone with him while Betsy was at the park with Mary Gold and her daughter. He could tell the wives had something on their mind and were waiting for the right moment to initiate a discussion.

After sharing looks with her other two wives, it was Linda who broached the subject they had been avoiding all morning when she asked, “What do you think of bringing Chuck into the family?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Ed frowned before he answered, “Not much.”

Surprised by his answer, Ling asked, “What? You don’t think Chuck is good husband material?”

Ed and Leroy exchanged glances before Ed said, “He doesn’t appreciate life or the beauty of the world around him.”

“I agree,” said Leroy despite knowing the wives thought Chuck was perfect husband material. Even as he stated his objection, Leroy felt a little guilty since he had once suffered the same problem. He had put his career ahead of family for too many years. “He’s totally career oriented.”

“What do you mean?” asked Kelly surprised at how the two men agreed in their assessment of Chuck without a prior chance to discuss the topic.

Leroy looked at each of his wives in turn and said, “He never complimented any of you on your appearance beyond what is required of polite conversation. It wasn’t because he was afraid to say anything about your beauty, it was that he didn’t notice it.”

The announcement stunned the three women, in part, because none of them had noticed it and, in part, because the two men had. The fact was that Chuck had been charming and attentive over the meal, but he had exhibited a business charm rather than a personal charm. Ling nodded slowly while she thought about what Leroy had said. Deciding to address the topic of a new husband more directly, she asked, “So whom would you like to have as a husband?”

Simultaneously, Ed and Leroy answered, “Dan Biggerstaff.”

The women stared at the two men while Ed and Leroy looked at each other surprised by their agreement on the subject. No one spoke for several minutes as they each considered Dan as a possible husband. Finally, Ling asked, “What about Claire?”

“She’d make a good wife,” answered Kelly, much to the surprise of Ed and Leroy. Her comment earned a sharp look from Ling.

Silenced descended upon the room for several minutes while everyone considered what had just been discussed. The idea of bringing Dan into the marriage had been considered by each in turn and then dismissed for one reason -- none of them thought Claire would be interested. Ling had considered it, but dismissed it out of hand.

Nathan chose that moment to enter the room. He looked around at the family members sitting quietly. After deciding that nothing of any significance was going on, he asked, “Ed, could I talk to you for a minute?”

Curious about what Nathan could want from him, Ed nodded and stood to accompany him out of the room. When he reached the door, Ed turned back to face his family and said, “It would still leave us short a husband.”

Nodding her agreement, Kelly replied, “Yes, it would.”

Linda said, “So what?”

On that note, Ed followed Nathan out of the room. Realizing he had interrupted a family discussion, Nathan apologized, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were busy.”

Smiling, Ed said, “Don’t worry. It was a timely interruption.”

Knowing Ed wouldn’t lie allowed Nathan to relax a little despite the reason for his interruption. Taking a deep breath, Nathan said, “I asked Mona to marry me and she agreed to it.”

“Congratulations. You should have announced that to all of us. I’m sure everyone will be pleased to hear the news,” said Ed pleased to learn that both Nathan and Mona had healed to the point where they could commit to another. He’d had his concerns when Nathan and Mona had first connected, but since that day Mona only had eyes for Nathan.

Nathan was silent for a moment and then said, “You haven’t been making many demands on my time since we moved out here to Arizona. With Cathy and Mary here, you don’t need a personal assistant in the same way you did when you were at the college.”

It was a realistic observation and Ed nodded his agreement with the conclusion that his need for Nathan had significantly diminished over the previous six months. Having finished the first draft of his book the previous day, Ed knew that his schedule was going to be much more relaxed for the next few months.

Seeing that Ed wasn’t going to make a verbal response, Nathan continued, “Well, I called up General Grey and I can get a position at the CIA.”

Surprised by the change of heart towards General Grey and the CIA, Ed asked, “You did what?”

“I called up General Grey and he told me that I could get a position at the CIA,” answered Nathan understanding Ed’s surprise. The initial purpose of his call had been to ask if there was any chance of returning to active duty. The general had suggested that the time spent working for Ed made Nathan even more valuable to the intelligence community. After hearing the General’s reasoning, Nathan agreed with the assertion.

“Interesting,” remarked Ed still finding it a little difficult to believe Nathan would actually want to work for the CIA despite what his truth sense was telling him. Unsure, he asked, “May I ask what changed your mind about General Grey?”

“Let’s just say that I’ve made my share of mistakes working for you and understand a little better the fallibility of people even when it comes to something as important as creating plans that have life and death consequences.”

“Good,” replied Ed satisfied that Nathan had become a whole person once again.

“Mona has an open offer to work in a Washington restaurant,” said Nathan looking down at the ground.

Smiling, Ed said, “Works out well, doesn’t it. She has a job in Washington DC, and you have a job right across the river in Virginia.”

“Yeah, well...”

“I suppose someone needs to inform Marguerite,” commented Ed. Since Marguerite was in complete charge of the kitchen, Mona worked for her rather the Carter Clan. It would be up to Marguerite to search for a suitable replacement for Mona.

“Mona is telling Marguerite even as we speak,” said Nathan with a smile giving testimony to the fact they had anticipated the request.

“Oh, good,” replied Ed, “I’m happy for you.”

“Well, I’d like to thank you for all you’ve done for Mona and me. We’re both better people for knowing you,” said Nathan staring off towards the plants in the atrium. Giving and receiving thanks were difficult for him, but he knew he owed Ed a debt of gratitude that words could never express. He promised himself that some day he’d find a way to help Ed when he needed it.

“I’d like to suggest we take everyone to Maria’s Cantina for a celebratory dinner,” said Ed, his mood buoyed by the good news about their engagement despite the fact it would increase the pressures on him to find a suitable husband for the family.

“That would be nice. I’ll let Mary Gold know,” said Nathan.

Ed grinned and said, “I’ll bet she’s already has made reservations.”

Nathan laughed and said, “Well, you are rather predictable.”

While Nathan ran off to confirm plans with Mary, Ed muttered to himself, “When did I become steady Eddie?”

There was no one to answer his question. Rather than answer it himself, he headed to his room to get dressed in a desire to get out of the house and think about his family situation. He knew the family needed another husband. Once dressed, he decided to go to Shirley’s bar. He knew Shirley wouldn’t be there, but felt that the walk there and back along with the time spent drinking a soft drink or two would give him a chance to organize his thoughts.

Stepping out of the house, he looked down the street toward the center of town. The houses lining the street comforted him with their Saturday morning familiarity. Women were out in the yards, children were playing before it got too hot, and men were taking care of the houses. None of them were strangers to Ed; he knew each and every one of them by name, history, and potential. His plans for an introspective walk dissipated as friends came over to greet him.

While Ed talked to one of the newer neighbors, Dan pulled up in his car and greeted everyone. Hoping to have a chance to talk with Ed alone, he asked, “Going down to Shirley’s?”

“Yes.”

“Mind if I join you?” asked Dan afraid that by asking his question he was effectively forcing himself upon Ed.

Thinking about it, Ed realized that he could discuss his thoughts with Dan. Dan would be an impartial audience, at least, until Dan understood that he was the subject of his thoughts. He replied, “No, I don’t mind. I’ll meet you down there.”

“Great, I’ll see you down there in about thirty minutes,” said Dan before driving his car to his house.

Ed finished his discussion with the neighbor and headed on down the street. Maria and Rosa took a few minutes to chat with him explaining that their husband was in the house recovering from an early morning threesome. Ed understood that only too well having been worn out by his wives on more than one occasion.

Reaching Shirley’s Bar, Ed entered and allowed his eyes to get accustomed to the dark. He was surprised to find Sherry seated at one of the tables and waving at him. “Ed, come over here.”

Ed made his way over to where she sat and took a seat at the table after looking around for Don. Taking a moment, he examined her and noticed that she’d lost some more weight. It was a good sign since she usually lost weight when happy and gained weight when things in life were bad. He knew that he had been one of the bad things in her life for years. He smiled when she kissed the air in his direction. “It’s good to see you. I’m expecting Dan to show up any minute.”

“I know.”

Surprised by her reply, Ed asked, “You know?”

“Yeah. I talked to your wives. They said you were on your way down here and that you needed someone to talk with. I volunteered. They asked Dan to give you a little time before coming down here,” answered Sherry with a grin. Poor Ed didn’t stand a chance when the women in his life started to make arrangements for him.

“Have I become that predictable?” asked Ed with a sigh.

“Not really. It’s just that there are a lot of people who know you very well.”

Ed looked over at the door for a second while he thought about it. In a quiet voice, he said, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

“Not in your case. Usually with you I find that familiarity leads to orgasm, but that is just me.” The large woman, with a wicked look on her face, was rubbing her nipple through the top of her dress even as she gave her reply.

The gesture reminded Ed of the times they’d had in bed in the past and the enthusiasm with which she responded to her lovers. Her comment caused him to burst out in laughter and eliminated a lot of the tension he had been feeling. “It’s been too long.”

“Sure has lover boy, but that’s not your problem now. Your wives are looking for a husband and you’re feeling bad because you feel like you’re holding them back.” Sherry watched Ed as she fed him her assessment of his situation.

“Right,” replied Ed as the bartender brought over a soft drink for him. He hadn’t ordered it and realized that it was just another example of his predictability.

Sherry looked down at her hands and took in the liver spots that were developing. They were just one of the signs of age that couldn’t be ignored. “Did you ever think the problem might be that you’re getting older and your circle of contacts has shrunk over the years?”

“I’m not old.”

“Ed, you’re the same age I am and we’re getting old.”

Sitting back in his chair, Ed studied Sherry for a minute as he considered what she said. It was true that she was looking a little older. Gravity had taken hold of her body and she sagged far more than ever. He looked down at his hands, noticing that his skin had turned to leather from years in the sun. There were wrinkles around his eyes and his hair had turned gray. “Okay, so I’m now an old fart. Are you telling me that we can’t attract someone because I’m old?”

“No. You’re established and that means you’re surrounded by the same people day in and day out. There isn’t much of a chance for you to meet new people any more and those you do meet are likely to be your own age.”

Ed nodded as he thought about what she said. She was right that his circle of friends included mainly people his own age. He didn’t meet many new people at the IRS. The only area of his life where he met a lot of new people every year was at the university and the professor-student relationship was not the proper one to exploit for finding a husband. Thinking about it, he realized that Chuck was one of the few new people he had met in the past six months. “Oh.”

“Let’s look at what you and your wives are looking for in a husband. He needs to be in his late twenties so that the family continues beyond the current generation. He has to be intelligent and honest. Ambitious, but with an ambition that is tempered by compassion since your family controls huge amounts of money. Am I right?”

Ed hadn’t really thought about the age that much, but she was right. There was about a fifteen years difference between him and Leroy. They needed someone about fifteen years younger than Leroy. The spread in age among the wives didn’t work out quite that evenly, but it was close. Kelly was older than Ling and Ling was older than Linda.