(Continued from March 17, 2010)
“Thea told me about the lengthy letter that you left on Bob’s kitchen table,” aunt Dorothy remarked. “That is a nice gesture. Since you have given him specific reasons for the failed relationship, he may be able to avoid future disappointments.”
“I felt that it was my duty to implore him to seek help for his alcoholism and other related issues. However, I am afraid that he will ignore my request.”
A silence of a few seconds ensued and I could tell that Alphonse was wondering whether more discussion of Bob’s problems was about to take place or whether the ladies were waiting for him to continue with his narration. Thea clarified the situation for him: “What was the sequence of events in the gym after you two men had exchanged your initial words?” she asked.
“Bob stayed by my side while I finished my routine, which took about ten minutes. I appreciated the fact that he didn’t say anything during my exertion. As I gathered my things, he said casually: ‘I’ll see you in the changing room.’ Since he had to go back to get his stuff, I got into the locker room a bit ahead of him. That allowed me to update you folks.”
“The shower facilities in that health club are probably not the same as the ones in the army,” I said. “I mean such modern places have individual shower cubicles, isn’t that so?”
“Yes, and I was fully dressed when I stepped out of my stall. I didn’t want to intimidate him with my naked torso,” Alphonse joked. “I am not one of those guys who like to walk around in their briefs and pose in front of the mirror.”
“Did Bob strike a few poses in front of the mirror?” Elsie asked.
“No, but I think he would have if he had been in the room with a smaller guy.”
“What happened next?” Alice questioned.
“He told me about a draft sale ‘in a nearby pub.’ He then asked me if I would allow him to buy me a drink; and, it seemed to me that my immediate affirmative response took him by surprise. Obviously, I made a point of being casual about going along with his request.”
“Next, I pointed out that I would be driving and, therefore, wouldn’t be able to partake in the draft beer. He replied that he could easily handle a jug of the draft by himself and he suggested that I could possibly have a non-alcoholic brew.”
(To be continued)