Chapter 15
It was early Friday morning, and the Murray household was in an uproar.
A nervous Harold was having breakfast. He couldn't help but think about the importance of the game that evening. The league championship was on the line, and the team that his team was playing had lost to Harold's team by only three points the first time that they had played.
He was worried, even though the game was being played on their home court. Harold hadn't felt good all week long, and practice sessions in which he had taken part had not been among his best.
Harold's coach had expressed concern several times about him, and was a little leary as they moved into the day of the big game.
As Harold slipped some butter on his toast, the telephone rang.
Harold's father jumped up quickly.
"I'll get it," he said. "That call's probably for me."
Pam looked as lovely as ever, sitting at the table in her robe and smiling at Harold. "How do you feel, son?" she asked. "I feel pretty good." "You are rather pensive this morning." "Yes, I am."
"I know what it is. It's that game tonight." "That's right."
"Well, you beat them the first time around. You can do it again with the championship at stake."
"We sure had a hard time of it."
"Of course. They're a tough team. You're certainly not going to have an easy time of it tonight. They'll be even tougher tonight than they were the first time."
"That's right. And we only won by three points then."
"But here's the difference. You're going to be that much tougher tonight. You've got the incentive of wanting the championship just like they do."
"Yeah, that's certainly true."
"So just keep that in mind. No matter how tough they are, you've got to be that much tougher."
"You give better pep talks than the coach," Harold smiled.
"Thank you. I'll be there rooting for you, and so will your Dad."
"It will be great having both of you out there in the stands," Harold nodded.
His father was talking on the telephone. As they ceased their conversation, they couldn't help but tune in on what was being said.
"It's awfully difficult for me to come over today, Merlin," Charles said, a little peevishly. "Yes, I guess I can. If it's all that serious. Yes, yes. I guess I'll have to. No, it's not sour grapes. O.K., I'll see you then. Right"
Charles hung up the telephone, then heaved a disgusted sigh as he walked toward the table.
"Well, that does it, dammit" he said.
"Why are you so disgusted, dear?" Pam asked with concern.
Charles sat back down at the table, picking up his coffee cup and taking a long sip from it.
"There's a very good reason why I'm disgusted," he shook his head. "I don't like the fact that I've got to miss the game tonight. It really burns me up."
"You can't see it?" Harold had a sad look in his eyes.
"Sorry, son, it can't be avoided," he shook his head. "That was Merlin Grady."
"Oh yes, from San Diego," Pam nodded.
"That's right. You met him a few months ago at a conference here in town. Well, these guys are in from the East, and they will only be in Southern California today. They have a couple of other stops to make in San Diego, and that's the only place where they could meet me. It really tees me off, what with having to miss the game and all."
"Couldn't they meet over the weekend with you?" Pam asked.
"No, they couldn't," he shook his head emphatically. "I covered that point with Merlin on the telephone. Here's what he said. They've got a solid itinerary that will take them up through next Wednesday when they'll wind up in Seattle. Just about every minute is accounted for."
"Wow, that's really cutting it close, I guess," Pam said.
"You know how these high powered traveling executives are," he shook his head. "They're always on the shoestring when it comes to scheduling. Well, by tomorrow they'll be in San Francisco. They've got a series of meetings there. They're going to spend some time in Oregon. Then, they said, they're going to wind up in Seattle."
"I'm awfully sorry you're going to miss the game, Dad," Harold said. "I think that you'd really enjoy it."
"Yes, I sure would. The league championship is on the line and all. I'd just love to see it, son. I just hope you understand that this is an important meeting. It's something that I just plain can't get out of, because otherwise I would."
"I understand."
"I knew you would. You're such a wonderful boy. I'm really proud of you. I want you to go out there and give it everything you've got. Just knowing that you're giving it everything you have, will make me happy."
"Well, I'm sure going to do my best," Harold said. "I sure want us to win that championship."
"Now you're talking," Charles replied. "You've got to consider the team. It's up to the team. You guys will sink or swim as a unit."
"I realize that," he said.
A few minutes later a rather dejected Charles Murray got up from the table.
"Good luck, son," he shook Harold's hand vigorously.
"Thank you, Dad," Harold replied. Harold and Pam watched as Charles left the house.
"Too bad he can't see me tonight," Harold shook his head.
"Yes, but not all is lost." "What do you mean?"
"I mean one thing. Did it ever dawn on you now that we can be alone?"
"Yeah, that's right," Harold said.
"And I intend to make the most of it."
She reached out with her right hand and placed on top of his left hand.
"You really are a sexy woman," Harold smiled.
"You bring out the tigress in me. As a matter-of-fact, I think it would be great for us to have a nice celebration after the game. We can have our own victory party here."
"Now all we've got to do is win," Harold laughed fearfully.
"I figured that you've got what it takes to win."
"I really appreciate your confidence, and Dad's too."
"That poor man," she shook her head.
"He works so hard. He just spins his wheels like crazy. It's tragic."
"But he's done real well, and by doing real well, he was able to keep us living in style."
"I know he has," she nodded. "But there's one thing he hasn't done. He hasn't been able to keep me satisfied sexually. He's tired out most of the time, from all that running around. No, it's one thing to be kept in style and to do well economically, but it's quite another to get lost in the shuffle."
"You'd say that Dad is lost in the shuffle?" "I definitely would."
"I don't know if I would agree with that," Harold said. "I think he's a real well organized guy. I think he's done great. I don't think you could say he's lost about anything."
"In one sense you're right. But in the context that I'm talking, I'm right," Pam insisted. "You see, he is very successful, but unfortunately, he's lost sight of a lot of human values what with all this concern about getting ahead. I mean, I have something beautiful with you. It's something that transends riches. It's just plain old beautiful sex, and I wouldn't want to change our relationship in any way."
"I don't know. Maybe in that sense you're right."
"I know that I am. Doesn't our relationship mean a whole lot to you?"
"It means everything to me."
"That's the way I like to hear you talk," she smiled. "I feel the same way."
"Well, I guess I'd better be getting along now."
"Just don't you worry about that game tonight. You're going to win. Just play your best and things will take care of themselves."
"I guess that's as good a motto as any," he nodded. "You've got to just let things develop as they are."
"Definitely. You're prepared for a great game. Just wait and see what happens. I think the results are going to please you a great deal."
"I sure hope so."
She watched him with great admiration as he left the house.
It made Pam feel a little guilty to realize that she had been happy to find out that her husband would not be at the game that evening.
It made her feel extra good to know that she would have her son all to herself that evening. She was feeling extremely sexy, and badly wanted some hot action.