Page 82 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“No, thank you,” Jack said, waving off atankard.
“I insist.”
“So do I,” Jack said stiffly. “But thank youfor the offer.”
“Tis the least I can do,” he said beforeturning back to the crowd. “My life has finally begun!”
A series of congratulations and well wishesdrowned through the chatter. Jack glared at the man.
“I would have guessed your life started somethirty years ago.”
The man laughed, spitting out his drink ashe did. Obviously, he was in very good spirits.
“To be sure, sir, to be sure, but myactuallife has just begun.”
“How so?”
“I’ve been cut free from a baggage that hasweighed me down some six years.” He winked. “Finally free from theold ball and chain.”
“A divorce?” Jack asked. “Or have you becomea widow?”
The man spit out his drink.
“Divorced, my good man, divorce! And betteroff than most. Had she died before, I wouldn’t have receivedmuch.”
“But wouldn’t you receive her property asinheritance?” he asked. “Providing you didn’t already claimit?”
“I doubt it,” he said, slyly adding. “Notthe way I have it set up now.” The man leaned towards him. “Mywife’s family wasn’t particular about me and I’m sure they would doanything in their power to keep us apart.”
“They didn’t condone the marriage?”
“No, but then again, neither did I.” Hewinked again. “That’s not to say she wasn’t worth it, for well, thefirst two weeks,” he laughed, elbowing a drinking companion in theribs who howled at the joke. “If you catch my meaning.”
Jack felt his blood begin to boil at theman’s implication. For a moment he hoped the man wasn’t Meredith’sex-husband, simply for his sake.
“I believe I do.” His tone low and deadly.“But now you’re free?”
The man glanced side to side, both seeminglydrunk but willing to divulge a secret.
“Well, not exactly,” he said, leaning over.“I’ve got a bit of a plan. You see, the old bird thinks she’s paidme for a divorce, but should I ever need anything else, I’ve got anace up my sleeve.” He took a sip of his beer before continuing.“You see, we aren’t divorced at all.”
Jack watched him with undividedattention.
“You’re not?”
“No, not really,” the man said smilingsmugly. “See, if I ever find myself lacking funds at any point,I’ve got the old girl on a string. I’ll simply pinch the bird formore money when I need it,” he said with satisfaction. “It’s a veryclever plan, if I do say so myself. Don’t you think?”
Jack could barely contain the very real needto grab this man by the throat and beat him bloody. But instead, hetook a deep breath and focused on the task at hand.
“A bold idea,” he said. “Tell me, would youever consider working for a living?”
“Certainly not,” the man said offended. “Idon’t need to now anyway.”
“A shame for me, for I could use a man likeyou,” he said, standing. “Well, good luck in your ventures,Mr…”
“Peterson. Clyde Peterson,” he said,nodding.
“I thought so.”
