Robofootball: Doublespin

“By the way, congratulations on making senator, an impressive achievement for someone on your age,” Isabelle Mendoza toasted her wine glass to Lenny. It was filled with a nice robust but sweet late harvest Riesling from one of the Michigan vineyards north of Traverse City in the Grand Traverse Bay area, cherry country where the winds coming off of Lake Michigan delayed winter just long enough to allow excellent growing conditions for both cherries and grapes.

“Thanks Izzy!” Lenny’s own glass contrasted sharply with a deep red dry and somewhat harsh Cabernet Sauvignon from his own native state of Pennsylvania. “I did hit 40 first by a few months before the appointment, though I did secure the nomination and was actively campaigning at 39, does that count?”

“Nope not at all old timer! This is our third date you know,” she added with that irresistible sparkle in those dark jeweled eyes of hers, like polished black stones of India.

“Hmm, I guess I’m a little out of practice, it’s been what, nearly 5 years since Annie died?” He stared at his glass retrospectively and swirled it slightly.

“I’m sorry, do you think of her often?”

“Well, I don’t know if that’s fair to you…….”

“No, no, it’s okay.”

“Not as much, but there’s a lot of moments, certain places, events, I guess holidays and certain functions are the worst. Being married has its ups and downs, but you’re usually guaranteed a date when you need one!”

“Yes, I suppose that it’s true, I’ve been divorced 3 years now.”

“Can I ask more details on what happened?”

“Sure, Carlos worked up the chain in pharmaceuticals, became a big vice president, and to make a long story short, got busted in a major embezzling and price fixing scheme. The lawyers got him off on probation, but he did turn out to be one of the fall guys, but deservedly so.”

“But why did you leave him?”

“It wasn’t pretty, he was my college sweetheart. We went together to that other school, Yale you know!”

“Always a second to Harvard,” he laughed with just a touch of evil arrogance.

“Yeah, sure,” she laughed too. “I followed the medical technology track as he went off into business. We were both smart poor kids given full ride scholarships within their minority allotments which have long since been outlawed. I, or we both felt lucky to be there, but neither of us fit in well with the rich kids. It’s probably why or how we found each other.”

“Makes sense.”

“Somewhere along the line, he lost his way, you know, his morals and ideals in the greater name of greed and profit.”

“It happens to the best of us I’m afraid.”

“Yes, I have seen firsthand how money can do that. The lawsuits I suppose were the last straw for me, but not the only straw.”

“Oh?”

“We had been growing a bit apart over the years, mostly our careers took different twists and turns. His business is in New York, mine became more and more tied to DC, until I was given an ultimatum tied within promotions to work here.”

“I see.”

“Enough about me, tell me more about Annie, but only if you want to.”

“It’s been long enough now, it’s easier to talk about. People don’t think much about drunk drivers I suppose until someone close to you is injured or killed like Annie. Well, you and the world know the story that she was returning from a play with her mother and a big pickup with the drunk crossed the center line at a high rate of speed on a 2-lane road less than a mile from our home in Scranton. Annie apparently swerved at the last second and took the full force of the truck, a dually 1-ton if I recall, right smack into the driver’s side door, sort of a T-bone the way the officer referred to it. The drunk took them right off the road, rolled through a ditch, and hit a tree. A lot of the air bags went off but the truck was high enough that it went right over the roof of the Cadillac STS.” Lenny paused and swirled the last half inch of wine that still remained in his glass, staring at it as it spun. “Oh well, my morbid campaign manager uses it to great advantage, you know, the widower with the limp gets a lot of sympathy vote.”

“I can’t even imagine how you must have felt when you heard the news.”

“Not the best day of my life, that’s for sure. But I guess like you and Carlos, we did meet as undergrads at Penn State. She was an English major while I was more into political science, international studies, and ultimately pre-law at the time. What can I say, we were young, and a lot of it was visual at first, hormones and all,” he grinned.

“From what I’ve seen, she was an attractive woman.”

“All American I suppose, blonde hair, slim, tall, 5’8”, maybe as close to a real life Barbie doll as you can get.”

“Hmm, you like Barbie dolls? I don’t think that they’d ever use me as a model for one, too short.”

“Well no, I was never much into dolls, but you know what I mean, men tend to be a bit more visual you know, especially when we’re younger.”

“Really? Does any of that really change with age?”

“In some ways no,” he laughed. “I do have a secret along those lines to share with you.”

“Please do tell,” she was suddenly very interested as her eyes bore into his.

“Hmm, I might need another glass of wine or two!”

“Whatever it takes,” she smiled coyly.

“I find you distracting,” he half blurted out as he sat his empty glass down. A waiter appeared out of nowhere with a fancy cut crystal carafe and Lenny nodded.

“Yes? I’m listening.”

“During some of those hearings, I know, they border on inquisitions it seems, I found it just a little unsettling sometimes with you in the room.”

“Go on,” she prodded.

“To focus on the issues at hand, I had to force myself to look away from you, more and more as time went on.”

“Why?”

“Well I wanted to ask you out for one, but had to wait until these official hearings were over, you know, avoid any conflict of interest.”

“There may be more.”

“Yes, I’m not worried any longer, it’s not illegal for one, and two, your report along with OSHA’s are now final, you’re shutting things down.”

“Yes, but tell me more about how I am uh, distracting as you put it?”

“I don’t think that there was any one thing in particular,” he started swirling the full 4 ounces in his bulbous glass before taking a careful sip.

“All right, place them in logical order, I am a scientist you know.”

“Aside from the physical stuff, well, you know…”

“Assume that I don’t.”

“Am I on trial here?”

“Yes counselor, if you must think of it that way, then by all means do so.”

“Hmm, all right, your hair is gorgeous, you probably know that men have always had a preference for long hair, and yours is quite thick and natural you know, not stringy.”

“Stringy?”

“Hmm, maybe that’s not the right choice of words, wispy?”

“Wispy?” She was trying hard not to suppress a laugh. On the rare occasions when a man starts saying nice things, best not to change the mood or the subject.

“Well, you could help me out here.”

“Nope, you’re on your own, but take care when describing a woman, particularly one like me who is now 42 years of age, and there, you didn’t even have to ask that.”

“I sort of knew that, I did read your file.”

“Stop. I have a file?”

“Sure, about any one of note does, freedom of information and all, you could probably get a copy yourself. You are a government employee by the way. I’d be very worried if you didn’t have one!”

“Didn’t you say you once served on a CIA committee?”

“No, it was the FBI, they’re more involved with domestic matters.”

“Figures,” she said. “Get back to what is it? Ah yes, stringy and wispy?”

“Oh lord!” He said. “I think I meant to say, that, factoring in for your age….”

“Careful again,” she cut him off. “One glass of wine does not put much of an effect on my faculties.”

“In a good way, I think your hair is exceptional.”

“But only for my age?”

“When compared to others in the same grouping, absolutely!”

“Well, thank you I suppose.” She felt a little discombobulated.

“You’re welcome, it was definitely meant as a compliment, just #1 on their list, thought I’d start at the top.”

“And work your way down?”

“Maybe.”

“I suppose I have to thank good Spanish genes for my hair, the same ones that gave me hips. They may have served me well with those Renaissance painters, but now, I’m not so sure.”

“Now that, I’m not going to touch in any way, shape or form!” Lenny declared.

“So, you’re telling me that you don’t want to touch my hips,” she batted her dark eyes that matched her hair at him.

“Well, I might need an extra pair of hands to get them all,” he dared.

“You bastard!” She threw her napkin at him that held nothing more than a bat of lipstick, but laughed it off lightly.

Lenny felt a wave of relief inward though he did not change outward, he had taken a chance there. His mother had always told him that if you could tease a girl some without being mean, and she took it okay, and maybe even gave a little back, then you may have found yourself a keeper. Those that blew up at every little thing would eventually be unpleasant to live with. “Seriously Izzy, I’d like nothing more.” He returned her napkin but smoothly leaned over and she met him with her lips and hung on for 4 or 5 seconds until he pulled back.

“Something the matter?” She inquired.

“No, just a bit public here even though we’re in a back booth here with low lighting.”

“Well I guess being a senator has its advantages, but I doubt if the paparazzi can sneak in here. With $100 meals, I don’t think that it would attract a lot of riff-raff, and even if it did, hopefully they would be stopped at the front door.”

“You’re probably right, but the wealthy gossipers can do a lot more damage than those just trying to make a buck. Can’t tell you how often I’ve been falsely linked with someone.”

“Rumor has it you’re the most eligible bachelor in the state of Pennsylvania.”

“Well hell yes, with my good looks?”

“Hmm, maybe a little rugged, you do have what I’d call a character face, a little lined, some 5 o’clock shadow, a strong chin, and a very nice full head of hair.”

“Character face? Is that the kind that only a blind mother could love?”

“No, not at all, you must note that we women are not as shallow as men. Looks do count for something and when I say rugged, think of it as synonym for handsome, but let’s face it, we also look for character, accomplishment, and money. I hear that you’re loaded, it’s the only reason I’m here,” she said and laughed trying to maintain a straight face.

“Hmm, and that’s not shallow?”

“Well, a girl can’t be perfect in all areas. I do admit that when you see an old man with a young woman that I feel a little scorn for both. The old horn dog gets his young piece of meat, but the girl gets her material goods. I suppose it works out for both of them, almost like a business relationship.”

“Horn dog? How come I don’t hear that kind of talk at those hearings?”

“Well, I do have to maintain a certain level of professionalism.”

“I see,” Lenny held out his glass and they clinked it, both laughing and enjoying each other’s company, it felt good, real good to both of them.

“I did mention that it is our third date,” Izzy reminded.

“Sorry, I’ve been a little out of touch on the dating scene, tell me what that signifies?”

“Dessert I suppose.”

“Oh, I hear they’re quite good here, don’t order them too often.”

“Silly, I was talking about me.”

“Oh, OH!” He stammered.

“Unless you lack a sweet tooth perhaps…”

“No, not at all, the sweeter the better. How about I phone my driver?”

“Ah, I can see being a senator has its perks.”

“Yeah, I suppose it does.” He reached for his cell and hit a single button. “Yo Ron, can you bring the car around?” He paused, “15 minutes?” He half gestured to Isabelle and she nodded. “Okay, thanks Ron, buzz me when you’re here.” He hung up.

“So you were telling me about my physical attributes, is that all you see in a woman?”

“I’ll be honest, at first yes, there has to be a physical spark I suppose.”

“There’s that.”

“I like your eyes, they compliment your hair. They are very curious and intelligent, at least more than say your basic primate.”

She laughed, “It’s every woman’s goal to color coordinate, another advantage of my royal Spanish heritage.”

“Well, when you package the skin, eyes, and hair; all mixed with a classic black dress, do you know that you are a very attractive woman?”

“I guess I don’t hear it too often. I was married quite a long time too, almost 20 years, and certain things become routine, mundane, boring, and well, just taken for granted.”

“Overall though I really like your smile. You come across as kind and caring, all combined with a rather impressive intellect, it’s like gravy!”

“For a minute there, you were discovering your path to enlightenment, at least until that gravy business.”

He leaned over and kissed her again, double the time allotted to the previous one. “What ta hell,” he said when he came up for air. “I don’t care who sees that, I just wanted to do it.”

“Better, another step forward, maybe a shade past Neanderthal,” she added in a bit of a hushed tone. “I have my own reputation to uphold too you know, a lady shouldn’t be seen like that in public, at least that’s what my mother used to tell me.”

“Probably a wise woman, would she make an exception for a big time senator?”

“Oh yes, she was wise in some ways, but maybe, just maybe, a bit easy in others.”

“Oh?”

“I never did know my father and I don’t think my mother was sure either!”

“Hmm, maybe that’s good for me.”

“In what way?”

“Well, if the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, maybe I’ll have an easy time of it too!”

“Oh you bastard, I guess you’re lucky I just don’t strip here, how about that for a scene?”

“Might ruin us both, but you know, it might be worth it!”

“Is that your way of foreplay?”

“I’m not sure,” he sighed. “I am a bit long out of practice, maybe you can help some?”

He looked so boyish and vulnerable at that moment, that her heart was melting away, “I’ll see what I can do….”

She was interrupted by his phone, “Ron? Yup, on our way.” His credit card had already been returned and he signed off on the bill with an overly generous 25% tip. He leapt up as best he could with one bad leg, held her chair, and then followed her out with a mostly concealed limp, but still held his cane. When they stepped outdoors, clouds were gathering and moisture was in the air, his knee told him that.

Outside, Ron the chauffeur complete in black uniform and cap held the door as Isabelle slid in. She barely had to duck to avoid hitting her head given her short stature. Lenny stole a quick but lingering glance at her buttocks as she squeezed in. There was certainly something to hang on to he thought, but it looked good. Women were much harder on themselves than men, most just didn’t know it. He caught sight of her calves and a bit of thigh as the little black dress rode up ever so slightly. He grinned to himself. She was very different from his wife who had always been a little too thin, but pleasing just the same. He had to level his considerably taller 6’3” frame as though the black Lincoln stretch had some fairly wide doors and head room. He subconsciously favored his right knee as he always did, the old football injury from two decades in the past.

Ron towered over Lenny by 3 extra inches and his shoulders exceeded that in expansion as well. The chauffeur doubled as a body guard too, and carried a .357 magnum in the small of his back; that is, if anything could probably be referred to as small on Ron. To Lenny, he looked like a pro defensive end but had never played ball. He was more into boxing, body building, and weight lifting, and had been a pro fighter once.

Ron paused as he was closing the door, “Where to sir?”

“Home?” He directed to Isabelle.

“Sure, I’d love to see your place.”

“Home it is then Ron.”

“Very good sir,” as Ron shut the door with a flick of his sausage-sized pinkie.

“Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.”

Euripedes, Orestes