Chapter Thirty-Nine
Over the Hills and Far Away
“So. Can our new geek tie her own shoes?”
“I don’t think Manolo Blahnik’s need to be tied, Charles.”
“Who knows whatniks?”
“Never mind.”
Outside of Chuck’s office, spring had sprung in its full glory and was beckoning me to frolic with reckless abandon. The hundred year old oak tree, whose mighty branches were inches from Chuck’s third story window, was busting out in glorious deep green leaves after being bare all winter. And speaking of bare, it was late Friday afternoon and this weekend was shaping up to be potentially very enjoyable. But first, I had to humor my boss.
“Charles, she is fantastic. I stand corrected and am man enough to admit it. She has been true to her word and is offering some very helpful ideas. She already spotted what might be a potential control weakness that could possibly expose our raw material mix for X-400.”
“Do I need to know the details?”
“No. Only that it is a cheap and easy fix.”
“Excellent. And how is she being treated?”
“After I took some names and kicked some tail, she is being treated with the respect she deserves. Now she is just one of the guys.”
“And that’s the way you will be treating her this weekend? Just one of the guys on a joy ride in the mountains?”
“Say what?”
“Earl let it slip that he and Jennifer are taking a ‘get to know the Carolinas’ weekend jaunt with you and that other guy. What’s his name? Oh yeah, Dusty.”
“Busted. But it is strictly as friends. She wanted to see the area and I thought going with Earl and Jen would keep all but the sickest of dirty old men from perverting it into something sordid.”
A rare smile cracked across Chuck’s face.
“Now I’m busted. Look, Mick, you are grown adults. Not that it’s any of my business, but is Holly cool with this?”
Ah, yes, Holly, the lovely librarian. Our relationship was certainly long term but still not exactly committed. We tried to not delve too deeply into the subject. Why ruin a good thing? While many have said that my first love is my job, I’m not convinced I agree. I have slept on the job, but not with the job. Holly was coming off a bad first marriage when we met. I think she is still spooked by that. We have dated around off and on but always come back to each other eventually. Currently, we are exclusive and having a great time. Would she be upset that I was going on a weekend joint with co-workers? No. Would she be upset if she knew it was Dusty? Probably not. Would she be upset had she actually met Dusty and knew she was a single female of Grade AAA quality? To quote Earl, “Does a bear eat in the woods?”
“Charles, you’re right. It is none of your business. Besides, Holly and I have a very mature relationship. This is only a weekend getaway with friends.”
“Uh huh. Gee, didn’t you tell me that Holly is in Raleigh the next few weeks on a librarian exchange program?”
“Maybe. But I am doing nothing wrong.”
“Just remember, if you get your head or any other body part cut off, our insurance does not cover that.”
Boy was Chuck in a rare mood. Not funny, but rare.
MBA - Moron$ Ba$ and A$ PG Version Page 40