Chapter 1: Arrival

I pulled into the yard about 3:20 in the afternoon and the shade from the cottonwoods across the front of the brick house felt very nice. I had just opened the back door to get the package that I was supposed to deliver when Vicky barged out the front door.

"Hey Bill" Vicky bellowed. "How's it hangin?"

God that woman can be annoying. Her voice reminded me of fingernails on a chalk board.

"It's hanging just fine Vicky, if it is any of your business. Kit wanted me to drop these off on the way to Tyler." I said as I handed her the package.

"Well you can't just hand them to me and drive off. Come on in for some coffee."

Now I don't like being rude, even with someone as irritating as Vicky. Besides, I wouldn't get to see Pam if I just drove off. "I guess a quick cup would be ok, besides, I have a CD for Pam." I said. "But I can only stay for a little while. I have some things that I wanted to do tonight after I get checked into the hotel."

"What things?" she asked while walking towards the door and ripping the paper off the package.

"Just some things I wanted to do to unwind before I have to start the job tomorrow."

"Let me see." She mused while walking through the door. "Something to relax ... Well, I know you don't drink much so you aren't going to hang one on so you must be planning on getting laid."

"Jesus Vicky. I don't mess around on Kit. "I stammered.

"Oh lighten up" She grinned as she poured coffee for us. "Everyone, and especially men mess around sometime. It's no big deal"

"Well I don't plan on getting laid. " I insisted. Actually I planned on getting to the hotel and going to a nice massage parlor that was in the strip mall next to the hotel. Sometime that led to getting laid, but you can't plan on it. It depended a lot on which girl you got and I didn't know the girls in Tyler well enough to know which ones were most likely to cooperate.

"Where's Pam?" I asked trying to change the subject. "Do you think she will like this CD?" It was a montage of country western oldies.

"She's at school still but her bus should be here any time. I'm sure she will like it. Pam likes anything that is old country. Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty. All those old ones."

"Why don't you stay for supper Bill?" Vicky asked. "It should be ready by around 5:00. " Plenty of time to get to Tyler and unwind" she grinned.

"I don't think so. Besides, I get paid expenses so planned on having a big steak tonight as part of that unwinding".

"No problem" she said. "Give me the expense money you will get for the meal and I will fix you steak."