Having my very own custom chopper was always a dream of mine. In my office hung a six foot picture of a chopper that Lee had bought for me, knowing that one day she would see me riding home on one. But over the course of time, she no longer liked the idea. Her feelings and views mattered a great deal to me. So, the matter never came up again.
---
Technology started playing a major part in modern day society. I soon became a follower of the trend, and traded my old pager for a new Motorola cellular phone. While shopping with Lee one day, the phone rang loudly, getting the attention of other shoppers. I pulled the device from my belt clip and flipped it open to answer the call. Lee followed me as I spoke with April, our real estate agent. She was working feverishly to find the right home for us.
April managed to find a home in Long Island on Old Country Road, which was currently for sale.
“Sweetheart, we have to be on our way.” I said ending the call.
“Why, what’s wrong?” Lee was concerned.
“There's nothing amiss. April found a home for us to preview. We have to leave now because there are other parties coming to look at it, and from April's experience, it's an exceedingly good deal that may go fast.”
Lee wasted no time taking Emma out of the shopping cart, and putting it back in its rightful place. “This could be the one for us, honey!” she squealed.
“You’re getting way ahead of yourself, sweetheart. We haven’t even looked at the house yet.”
“I know, but something tells me this is it.” While I strapped Emma in her car seat, Lee took the keys for my Mercedes Benz.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s better if I drive. You will take forever to get there.” Lee infrequently drove when we went out together. Today, she made it clear that she would be in the driving seat.
Emma was safely strapped in. My feet were barely in the car before Lee pulled off, screeching the tires.
“Bloody hell, love! Couldn’t you wait for me to put my feet in the car and put my seatbelt on?”
“You were moving far too slow.” Lee winked.
For a second there, it seemed as if Emma was laughing at me.
“Do you have the address to where were going?”
“No, I do not. April would like us to meet at the office. From there, we can follow her to the house.” I braced myself as Lee made a beeline for the real estate office. “Please, slow down. You don’t want to get a speeding ticket.”
“The speed limit is 55. My speed is 55, so please honey, just sit back and relax.”
“Well, excuse me, Mrs. Mario Andretti.” I joked.
“Your daddy is so silly sometimes. Isn’t he, Emma?” She couldn’t speak, but Emma made a sound that signaled she was in agreement with her mother.
---
Thirty minutes later, we pulled up outside the Century 21 office. April sat in her red Volvo going through papers before peering out of the car window. She put the papers aside and started her engine. We followed her lead.
Twenty minutes later, we pulled up outside a rather large house on Old Country Road. Little to no traffic traveled via Stewart Avenue, the joining street. When April's red Volvo rolled to a stop in front of a beautiful, red brick house, Lee gasped with excitement. The home’s huge paved driveway snaked round in different colored stones. Three cars were parked bumper to bumper. April quickly pointed out that the cars belonged to potential buyers. Judging by the house’s well-maintained appearance, the owners would have no problem selling. However, Lee and I were not willing to make any brash decisions that we could later regret.
April took us to meet the owners, Jack and Betty Ford. They owned the home for a number of years. It was built in the mid-Victorian era. The Fords were ready to move into early retirement, and enjoy the life that awaited them in Beverly Hills. They were leaving their oldest son to take charge of their diamond business. However, Mr. Ford made it clear that he wasn’t ready to hand over the entire business to his son.
The couple gave us a tour of the home, explaining every little detail. The master bedroom was recently renovated. The other rooms were plain with little to no inspiration. We followed the Fords up a small set of stairs to the next bedroom, beyond the master bedroom. Inside was a simple desk and chair. A computer sat on top of a rather old cherry wood desk. Mrs. Ford took time to explain the appearance of the antique wood, and why they kept the old thing for so many years. The desk was a family heirloom. In the corner stood a grey filing cabinet, next to a small window. You could see that someone had given a small dash of paint to the sill and frame. There were noticeable traces of paint on the glass.
After the tour, the elderly couple told us what they were expecting in terms of an offer. Lee, April and I huddled in the corner of the living room like a professional soccer team executing our next play. Back and fourth, we went with each other, bringing up tactics to use to help barter with the Fords. In the end, the answer was simple. Lee wanted the house badly. She had a plan, and neither April nor myself knew what my wife was up to. So, we just went along with the plan. Lee told the elderly couple that we would be in touch after we considered their offer. This wasn’t what April or I expected to hear from my wife. She wanted the house, but at what cost? How would this work out if someone else was to come along and decide the house was worth what the Fords wanted?
“What was that all about, sweetheart?” I inquired on the drive home. “You loved that house. What’s the problem?”
“Honey, let me give you a short lesson about negotiations. You never agree to the first offer. You have to throw them a curve ball, give them something to think about; keep them questing.” Lee said confidently.
“Let’s say, just for argument’s sake, that someone comes along with a better deal. What happens next?” I challenged her theory.
“We up the stakes.” Lee said definitively.
“You had this planned before hand, didn’t you?”
“Not really. This is one of the many skills that’s needed to be a good lawyer—the art of negotiations.”
“So, what’s the next step?”
“We make them an offer later today.”
“How do you know they will accept our offer?”
“Have faith in me, honey.” Lee was confident like a lioness tracking her prey.
“So, where are we off to now?”
“I have a few ideas to modify our new home.” Lee smiled.
“We don’t know if we’re going to get that home. And furthermore, we haven’t even made them an offer yet.” My forehead creased.
“You haven’t been listening to a word I said, have you?” Lee asked, her eyes never leaving the road. “We both know the Fords want to sell the house. What they’re asking for is a little too much. But, that’s the name of the game. However, that house has been in their family for years. They don’t want to sell to just any family. They spent many wonderful years there, so they need to know a family with values will keep it for another 30 plus years.”
Lee was right. After talking to the couple, it was apparent they did not want their home to go to anyone. They wanted the Scotts to be the new owners. Lee’s intuition knew this before we even entered the house. We were already chosen by the Fords to buy their home.
August 29, 1990
April called to update us that our offer had been declined by the Fords. Lee was very upset. She thought for sure the house was ours, and that we would be closing the deal. This wouldn’t be. Still determined, Lee wanted to make another offer. However, it was too late. The house was already sold. Her plans and visions for the new home were shattered.
“This doesn’t make sense. They liked us.” Lee sulked. “What went wrong?”
“Sometimes, sweetheart, it just isn’t meant to be.” I comforted my wife. “There are plenty more homes to look at.”
“Not like that one.” Lee whined. “I put weeks of planning into finding the right furniture and decorations.”
“Look at the bright si
de, at least we don’t have to go all over the place looking for furniture.”
Lee forced a smile. “So, what’s going to happen with the deposit?”
“April said she would get our money back.”
With nothing further to say, we sat there cuddled close in our small flat.
September 1, 1990
September 1 turned out to be nothing short of wonderful. If one thing was certain, my wife made that day a special one with friends and family. Lucy and Willie held the party at their home. According to Lee, they wouldn’t take no for an answer. The food, however, was catered locally. I couldn’t help but think how much I missed my mum, dad and Bradley and his family. However, Willy asked me to open my gifts.
“What about Lee and Lacy?”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll be here soon enough.” Lee reassured me.
“Open your present. This one is from Hyacinth.” My father-in-law placed a round, heavy parcel in my arms. I pulled off the wrapping paper revealing a white cardboard box. Inside a distinct smell of my favorite Stilton cheeses could be inhaled.
“Honey, that is really nice.” Lee whispered in my ear from behind. “Why are you looking over the cheese like that?”
“Hyacinth likes cheeses. I’m just making sure she never took any chunks out of my birthday gift.”
The partygoers started giggling. The next gift came from my in-laws. Lucy kissed me on the cheek before handing me another present wrapped in green paper with a green bow. Inside was a beautiful silver-plated photo album filled with pictures of our family. Each page was hand crafted with Asian writings. On the front page it read: “A family is bonded by the love of God which no person can pull apart. Put your right hand in God’s hand, and let your left hand lead your family.”
After reading the first page, Willie shook my hand and wished me happy birthday. This started a ripple effect of well wishes from other guests.
---
Lacy and Lee acted rather suspiciously all night. It was time to do some investigation work. I picked up Emma and tried to follow them outside.
“Where are you going? There's nothing out there for you.” said Grandpa Chang before hitting me on the back.
“That hurts!”
“Yes, and this will too.” Grandma and Grandpa Chang took turns beating me with their walking sticks.
“What if Emma just fell from my arms?” I winced, avoiding their hits
“Then we would beat you to death.”
Emma smiled in the direction of her great grandparents. She thought their stick hitting was rather amusing.
I retreated back to the living room. Minutes later, Lacy reappeared holding a wrapped gift, and handed it to me.
“Is this a bomb?” I joked.
“Oh, don’t be insane!” Lacy laughed, as she took Emma from my arms.
I removed the wrapping and uncovered a motorcycle helmet and gloves bearing a cross bone and skull symbol. “Thank you sis for this lovely gift.” However, it will be no time soon before anyone will see me riding a motorcycle.” I smiled at the gesture. “Just don’t let my wife see this.”
“See what?” Lee entered the room and saw the helmet and gloves in my hand. “You said you wouldn’t be getting a bike, Alistair. We went through this already.” Lee took off in despair through the back door.
“Alistair, let me get her you wait here. Lacy went after Lee.
My wife was visibly upset. So I took off after her. Before my feet could touch the back step, “surprise” bellowed in the night air. Lee, her mother and three biker-looking gentlemen caught me off guard.
“What the bloody hell is this?” I was shocked. “You rushed out here very upset with me.” I looked in Lee’s direction.
“That was just a rouse to get you to follow me out here.” Lee smiled.
“What for?”
“Nothing really, just this.” Lee moved her body to the side, exposing a bright, shiny chrome and jade green custom chopper. This thing shone in the night like a neon star.
“Please tell me this is not a dream!”
“This is very much real, honey! Mum and the rest of the family managed to convince me that what is will be, and that we should never be afraid to live.”
As Lee spoke to me, my attention was on the bike. I ran my hand along the magnificent piece of machinery. “Where in god’s name did you find this?”
“This is one of a kind, honey. That's where these gentlemen come in.” Lee pointed to the three biker-looking gentlemen. “Paul, this is my husband, Alistair. Alistair, this is Paul Teutul Sr. and his two sons, Paulie Jr. and Michael Teutul.”
“How long did this take to build?”
“Not long.” said Paul Sr. with his deep voice. He explained how special my wife was to scour Orange County, New York for the best custom bike builders.
October 29, 1990
During the weeks that passed, I was spending much of my time with Dora Pulaski. Our realtor, April, had introduced us. Lee was none the wiser, but it wouldn’t take long for her to find out. My wife wasn’t stupid. And for me to think that she wouldn’t put two and two together was foolish on my part.
Women know their men. When we deviate from our day-to-day routines, questions start to arise. That is, unless you’re married to someone who doesn’t care whether or not you’re home or out in the streets. Lee cared were her husband was.
She trusted me to do the right thing. However, along the way, what was truly going on got hidden in a bed of unpleasant lies. Peter and Ronnie shielded me every chance they could. But, it was getting too much for them. It wouldn’t be long now. If only they could hold out for three more days. That’s when April, Dora, and I would be forth coming with what was going on.
They say that the truth shall set you free. Would it work to release the ton of bricks off my shoulders? Dora said it would be easier this way. There was no other way, even if there were inconsistencies with the stories that were being fed to my wife. Sometimes a man has do what’s right to make himself and his partner happy.
---
Glancing at my watch, it read 11:00 pm. The night air felt good. No lights were on in the flat. Lee must have had turned in for the night. Leading a double life was hard. Neglecting my wife and daughter was harder. When was the last time we had family time together? To be precise, it was eight weeks and three days ago.
Our relationship was built on trust right from the start. Tomorrow would bring everything to light. For now, however, it was time to see what awaited me behind the door. Sliding off my shoes, I tried to get to the bathroom like a blind man without a cane. Bumping into the table and chair, I eventually managed to flick the bathroom light on. Closing the wooden door behind me, I concealed the brightness from the bathroom lighting. I turned on the tap for a long awaited shower. Dora's perfume still lingered on me.
The steady stream of water covering my body felt good. It was time to get out and make a hot cuppa before going to the bedroom.
---
“Hello stranger.”
The jar that I was holding slipped from my hand, making an almighty noise. Lee was awake and dressed in her baby doll nightwear. She looked hotter than a page three girl in the British newspaper, The Sun. She picked up the broken pieces of glass as I swept the finer shards.
“You frightened me, sweetheart. What are you doing up?”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“No, just want to spend time with my husband. You’ve been absent for many nights. Our daughter misses you.”
The guilt started to ride me once more. Changing subjects wouldn’t be a bad idea as the thoughts rolled around in my head. Besides seeing my wife in that see-through night dress started sending signals.
Her lips met mine. They tasted sweet. Before we knew it, we were making love on the kitchen counter top. Lee moaned with hot desire, enjoying the intimacy of being pleasured by her husband in every way.
October 30, 1990
“Good morning, my love.” I beamed opening the bedroom door with my foot. “Happy birthday breakfast in bed just for you.”
Lee rubbed her eyes as she got out of bed to brush her teeth. Coming back from the bathroom minutes later, she opened her birthday card. “The words are beautiful.” She smiled. “Do you really mean what these words express; to always be honest and true?” Lee’s eyes locked in on mine. “If so, please tell me where you’ve been spending your time lately. Please don’t be untrue anymore.”
The Fourth Day of November Page 13