(Continued from July 08, 2010)
“By now, your sons will already have a pretty good idea about the recent developments here. The first issue that Alphonse will surely have mentioned enthusiastically to Richard is the way things have worked out for him on aunt Dorothy’s estate. He will have written about the boardroom, robots and job prospects for the future.”
“You are right. He couldn’t have discussed those matters without making frequent references to you. Therefore, they know a lot more about you than we had originally supposed. And, the information is undoubtedly all favorable.”
“The only not-so-favorable matter, of which Alphonse is aware, is my involvement with Bob.”
“I doubt very much that my young friend will mention anything about that part of your past. Other than the fact that you had a brief relationship with the guzzler, he doesn’t really know anything specific.”
“During that time, I did not make good decisions. My father was already quite ill and I spent most of my time at his bedside. So, when I met Bob and he seemed to lend a sympathetic ear, I did not question his sincerity.”
“It probably didn’t take very long to realize that Bob was mainly interested in his own pleasures. As one of you girls mentioned before, my neighbor had profound narcissistic tendencies; and, in all likelihood, he is still influenced by them. It is a part of one’s personality that can be controlled if one is fully aware of the inclination toward that kind of behavior. Bob would need professional help to come to that awareness.”
“I could recognize his selfishness a few weeks after we had met and, at that point, I should have terminated the relationship. Of course, as you know, Elsie became interested in him shortly thereafter. I told her about his egocentric behavior, but she didn’t appear worried about it. We girls often think that a man will treat us better than he did his previous gal or that we can change his behavior. It seems that we can only learn from experiencing a few disappointments.”
“Alphonse will probably not mention anything relating to love affairs for another important reason. His most recent relationship involved a great deal of self-deception. The big guy is very much aware of his error in judgment regarding that young lady.”
“Seeing that they are very good buddies, I am assuming that Richard had been informed about all pertinent issues pertaining to that girl.”
(To be continued)