Chapter 18

The library was one of the most impressive rooms of the entire house. The architect had designed the room to be one of the largest in the house, even larger than the pool room. Floor to ceiling shelves lined the room with other shelves that were half height arranged at right angles to the wall. The conference table was capable of seating twenty people along its length. A large globe occupied a corner of the room.

Most of the books on the shelves represented the interests of the occupants of the house. Physics, Geology, Mineralogy, Medicine, Nursing, Martial Arts, and Security filled the greater part of the library. There were technical journals on racks near one end of the room. There were also books that were of a more general interest in the library as well, including an extensive section on history, art, and literature.

Remembering an article in one of the journals, Ed wandered into the library intent on finding it. After looking through several journals, his search was interrupted by the sounds of an argument from the conference table.

“No, he had to know. At that time, there was a known infiltrator in their organization,” shouted Walt.

“The times article quoted him as saying that he suspected it and included the possibility in his plans!” shouted George.

Ed looked around the bookcase and saw Walt and George seated at the conference table surrounded by books gesturing angrily at each other. It looked to him like the men were very angry with each other.

In a louder voice, Walt retorted, “He had to say that. If he said that he knew, then he would have compromised his sources.”

This was the first argument that Ed had heard in the house and he was concerned that it might escalate to violence. Walking over to where the two men were seated, he asked, “Is everything okay here?”

Both men stared at Ed with puzzled expressions on their faces. Walt asked, “Why wouldn’t it okay?”

“You were shouting at each other angrily,” answered Ed surprised at their puzzlement. They had been gesturing wildly and shouting at each other.

The two men started laughing at the idea that they might be angry with each other. Walt answered, “We were arguing about whether Colonel Harris knew the battle plans of the enemy.”

George added, “It’s a rather interesting question and one that we are trying to find supporting evidence for one way or the other. The historical record is a little sketchy on that point.”

Frowning, Ed asked, “So why the loud volume?”

“That’s just how we work,” answered Walt.

“So you are working on something?”

George answered, “There isn’t too much to do when we aren’t working around the house, so we’ve started collecting material for a book on military history. Right now, we are working on military engagements in the first half of the fifties.”

Nodding, Ed decided that if the two men were passionate about the subject and their passion came out as volume, then he could live with it. He suggested, “Why don’t you call up some of the people involved?”

Walt asked, “Why would they talk to us?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Ed answered, “Well, most of them are retired. Why wouldn’t they want to fill some time discussing their military careers?”

Walt and George looked at each other with surprised expressions on their faces. They had not even considered that as an option. George said, “That would be original sources and make our book a little different.”

Walt nodded thoughtfully and said, “We could even visit a couple of VA hospitals and get interviews there. I’m sure some of them would be happy to tell us about their experiences.”

As the men began to get excited about the idea, Ed walked away satisfied that nothing was wrong between the men. They were arguing with the passion that comes from having a common deep interest in the same subject. He understood that feeling all too well. Returning to the journals, he returned to searching for the article that he had read earlier. It took him about twenty minutes to find it and when he left the little alcove, he noticed that Walt and George were gone.

Taking the journal with him, he returned to his room and the office upstairs where he could read the article in peace and quiet. When he had finished half of the article, the phone rang. Picking it up, he answered, “Hello.”

“Hi, Ed. This is Kim.”

“How are you doing? I haven’t heard from you in a long time.”

There was a long pause and then she said, “I’m fine. I just wanted to let you know that Calvin proposed to me last night.”

Ed sat back and said, “Congratulations, Kim. I hope you said yes.”

“I did.”

“I’m so happy for you. Calvin is a really nice guy and I’m sure that you’ll be happy with him.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. I’m really sorry about that mess with Matt. I never did thank you for not making more of scene with him.”

“Kim, you’re a good friend and I truly love you. I only want the best for you. I think you found someone really great.”

“Thanks, Ed.”

“I hope that I get an invitation to the wedding.”

“Of course.”

There was a pause as Ed considered his real concern. Finally, he asked, “Will you continue to be my assistant?”

“I’m not sure if that would be a good idea. I’m a one man woman at heart and I found my man.”

“I know you are. I can keep the relationship purely professional, but if you don’t feel comfortable with it then don’t worry about it. I’ll accept what ever you want to do.”

“Calvin hinted that he would love it if we could work together,” said Kim with a nervous tone in her voice.

“I can see where that would be a great team. With your survey experience and his mining expertise, you two could really provide a great service to mine owners.”

“That’s kind of what we were thinking.”

“I don’t want you to feel obliged to me in any way. Do what you think is best, okay?”

He could almost hear the smile in her voice as she replied, “I knew you would understand. Do you want me to help train a replacement?”

Laughing, he said, “First I have to find a replacement. That won’t be easy.”

The two chatted for a little while and then hung up. Ed sat back remembering all of the times they had gone hunting rocks in the past. There had been the excitement they shared when they made a rare find. Making love after the sun went down and waking up to make love in the morning. He was going to miss her, but she had a right to have the best life available to her.

Picking up the journal to finish the article, he stared at the page for several minutes before throwing the journal onto the desk. He got up and left his room feeling a need to get out and do something.

Strolling down the dusty street, Ed noticed Maria was out in her yard harvesting the pears off the prickly pear cactus growing in her front yard. Ed headed over to her side of the street and leaned against the fence looking at her. Concentrating on her work she didn’t notice him. He waited until she wasn’t touching the cactus to announce his presence. “Hello, Maria.”

Surprised, she looked up and exclaimed, “Ed! It’s nice to see you.”

Smiling, he pointed at the cactus and asked, “Making some Prickly Pear Jelly?”

“Of course, I do it every year.”

“Would you teach Marguerite how to make it?”

Maria laughed as she asked, “Where do you think I’m cooking up this batch?”

“Don’t I feel foolish.”

“Don’t feel that way. A lot of the women are getting together to make the jelly and you guys have the biggest kitchen around. We used to make it at Maria’s Restaurant.”

Ed shook his head. There were so many things that went on in this little town that he didn’t know about, that there were times he wondered if he actually lived there. He said, “I had no idea.”

Maria looked at the surprise on his face and said, “Don’t feel so bad. The women in this town have always led a somewhat separate life from the men.”

“I guess so. I just didn’t realize that it was so extensive.”

Maria looked over at Ed for a minute and then said, “Rosa came home really happy last week.”

Always interested in hearing about Rosa, Ed asked, “Oh, did something good happen to her?”

“Yes, someone made her very happy.”

Frowning at the idea that Rosa might have found someone other than Maria and her husband, Ed asked, “Who?”

Maria giggled at his reaction. Seeing that he was worried, she said, “You know.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You silly man. It was you. Don’t you remember that she spent the night with you last week?”

Ed remembered that evening very well. In a way, he was almost jealous of Carlos, as she was almost insatiable in bed. He had never met a woman that enjoyed anal sex as much as Rosa. Embarrassed at being so dense, Ed answered, “Oh, I didn’t think I made her that happy.”

“She was positively glowing when she came home.”

“Oh, I had a wonderful time with her. I was sad to see her go home.”

“My turn is next week,” replied Maria with a wink. She had felt Ed should have gotten both her and Rosa the same night. After all, Ed had introduced them and made their marriage possible. She had changed her mind upon seeing Rosa after the night with Ed and decided that she wanted him all to herself for one night.

“I’m looking forward to it,” replied Ed. The fact was that he didn’t know the schedule and Cathy would inform him a day or two ahead who would be coming over. He had set aside that evening every week just for that purpose.

Maria smiled, “So where were you headed?”

“Down to the bar. I felt like having a wimp drink.”

“Run along. I’m sure that Shirley would enjoy seeing you. I’ve got to finish picking so that I can show up at your place on time,” said Maria. She glanced down at the bulge in his pants wondering if Rosa had exaggerated the size of his cock. At least she would know next week if Rosa had been exaggerating.

Ed wandered on down the street and into town. The Sheriff was heading to his car and waved to Ed. Returning the wave, Ed crossed the street. It was hot this time of year and very few people were outdoors. The heat didn’t really bother Ed; he was used to it. So long as you drank plenty of fluids and didn’t over-exert yourself, the heat wasn’t much of a problem.

Entering the bar, he was momentarily blinded by the dim lighting after the brightness of outdoors. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he looked around the bar to see who was there. It was mid- afternoon and basically deserted. Sitting at the corner table, Shirley was going over her books. Looking up and seeing Ed, she said, “Help your self to a Coke.”

“Okay,” he replied as he went behind the counter. After picking up a glass and filling it with ice, he used the fountainhead to fill it with Coke. Even as he did it, he realized that he had become much more comfortable behind the bar. He called over to her, “Do you want anything?”

“Sure, I’ll take a Coke.”

He fixed another Coke and carried it over to her table. She had all of her business papers spread over the table. Being careful not to set the glass on any of the papers, Ed sat down at the next table. He didn’t want to disturb her work. She looked over at him and asked, “What? Am I not good enough to sit with?”

“I didn’t want to disturb you or spill anything on your papers.”

Shirley picked up the glass and moved over to his table. Sitting down, she said, “I can use the break. Besides, my wife is coming over to help me with the paperwork.”

Mary was one of Ed’s favorite people. She had a special bravery in facing the world with a severe burn scar across her face that he found attractive. Smiling, he asked, “How is Mary?”

“Oh, she’s two months pregnant,” replied Shirley with a smile as she thought about how happy Mary was about becoming a mother. Poor Mary had thought that she would never find a husband and have a child. She ended up with two husbands, a wife, and now a child.

“Really? Congratulations are in order. I bet you guys are excited about the prospect of little feet running through the house.”

“You bet. We are fixing up the back room here as a nursery so that Mary and I can work the bar and take care of the kid. I’m looking forward to it.”

“What about Linda? She still works here, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, she works Sunday nights and all day Monday. That’s my time off to spend with the family. Mary is going to school and works a couple of nights a week so that I get some quality time with the men,” answered Shirley with a smile.

“That’s great. You look really happy.”

“Yes, I am.”

Ed was silent for a moment and then said, “I was worried about you. Around here, there were only two men that were good enough for you, John and Jim. I’m so happy that you found your family.”

Shirley still couldn’t believe that Ed didn’t include himself. Licking her lips, she replied, “After you changed, you became the third. Now, half of the men in this town are good men and would make any woman happy. I haven’t had a bar fight in here in ages.”