(Continued from Feb. 25, 2010)
After his introduction to Elsie, Alphonse was ready with a clever one-liner. It foreshadowed the lighthearted attitude that he would display while delivering a comical synopsis concerning his experience with Bob.
On the way to the parking area, Thea suggested that I ride with Alphonse for the purpose of updating him on some recent developments. She then took hold of my left shoulder, stood on her toes and whispered into my ear: “It is appropriate that he knows, as soon as possible, that he has recently acquired a sister.”
Since Alphonse had noticed Thea’s Audi while entering the parking area, he had pulled into a nearby stall. Elsie had parked on a different level, so we met her at the exit, where she pulled in front of the Mini to assume second position.
As soon as we were cruising on the straightaway, Alphonse wanted to know about Thea’s whispering: “Aren’t you a bit too old to get cozy with a young woman like Thea?” he joked. “You are old enough to be her father.”
“I agree with you wholeheartedly,” I replied. “Therefore, I am glad that she asked me to take the place of her dad, who, apparently, was pretty well my exact lookalike. This evening will be proof positive regarding the exactness of that resemblance. Aunt Dorothy, her dad’s sister, will see me for the first time.”
“There is no doubt that this evening’s party will be quite an event,” Alphonse said with the familiar anticipatory grin on his face. “Will there be any other males in attendance—beside you and me?”
“I haven’t heard anything about other guests, so I am assuming that you and I will have to be at our best in regards to entertaining the ladies.”
“I think that my report on Bob will take some of the pressure away from you. Do you want to hear some of the details now?”
“Definitely not,” I replied. “Tonight, after a few drinks, those details will cause more merriment. By the way, we will all be able to indulge. Aunt Dorothy’s gardener will be on standby to take us home, if so desired.”
“Are you suggesting that we will have a choice to stay on the premises for some shuteye?” Alphonse asked as we followed the other vehicles through an impressive gate—of which the heavy steel grill closed as soon as the Mini had passed.
“I have been told that the former boardroom, where the party will be held, has a number of small bedrooms attached to it. They will be available for our use.”
(To be continued)