Chapter 392: Patty XLIII—Not so Bored
Ah that little bitch, Patrick thought as he hung up the phone. Count on that woman to wreck his plans for the morning, he wondered if she knew how impeccable her timing was. Well, she did enjoy poking harder into the most painful parts of his back, of course she knew.
He sighed and went to his car and once inside, pulled out his cell phone. If he didn’t find something to be out doing before Michele came back home from dropping the kids off at school, then she would put him to work around the house, possibly cleaning the house, and he did not want to spend his morning that way. He yawned and on a whim called over to Adam Foote’s house.
By chance, Jennifer answered. “Hello, Michele?”
Patrick grinned. “No it’s me. Were you expecting a call from my wife?”
“Well… no,” Jennifer said tentatively, “I just, I just saw the name on the caller ID, um, did you, did you want to talk with Adam about something?”
“Is he available?” Patrick asked.
“He’s in the shower,” Jennifer said, “I can take a message if you want?”
Patrick started the car, balancing the phone on his shoulder and ear. “No it’s alright,” Patrick replied. “I can just talk to you.”
“What?” Jennifer squeaked and Patrick imagined her face red, and her voice lowering, probably looking over her shoulder to make sure no one stood around and was listening. Ah if she really didn’t want to be bothered, she would hang up right now. “About what?”
“I hear you’re in a condition?” Patrick said, needling.
“I..” Jennifer said softly. After a long pause and Patrick at this point wondered where to head once he left the neighborhood. “It’s not yours.”
“Isn’t it?” Patrick replied. He felt somewhat distracted now, he wasn’t hungry and it was too cold for golf, and too early in the morning to just hang out at a bar.
“Of course not!” Jennifer replied. “Why would it be,” she lowered her voice to the tiniest of whispers. “We used protection every time.”
“Are you sure?” Patrick whispered, grinning, he knew how eager that woman was and not particular about what sheathed her from him in the throes of passion.
“Oh you bastard!” Jennifer hissed. “You will not destroy this baby for me and Adam you keep your hands off it.” And if she was really that angry with him, Patrick supposed, she would just hang up. “Do you understand?” And she didn’t hang up.
“I just want to offer you congratulations yes?”
“Oh I don’t want anything from you!”
Patrick laughed. “How long will Adam be in the shower? Do you think he would notice if I came early and…”
Jennifer hung up the phone and Patrick chuckled. Well that was three minutes of the day done. Eh now what? Well, if all else fails, he could still call Joe. He couldn’t imagine what Joe could actually be up to on his spare time but Patrick decided to give his Captain the benefit of the doubt.
“Hey, Patty!” Joe answered brightly. “Whatcha calling so early for?”
“I’m bored,” Patrick replied, “What are you up to?”
“Nothing too glamorous,” Joe replied. “I’m on my way to get some tailoring work done, Debbie ordered me some new suits, so she wants to make sure they fit properly. Basically it’s an hour of standing around, you know the routine. Hey wanna keep me some company if you’re so bored?”
Patrick thought quickly about this one. He could go home and help Michele maintain the house, or he could tag along with Joe, keeping him pleasant company. Eh, a phrase about a frying pan and a fire crossed his mind and he grimaced, “Sure Joe,” he said. “I’ll be glad to join you, where are you at?”
Fortunately, the tailoring job didn’t last too long, and Patrick had a fairly good time talking with Joe about the game last night, how surprising the women had been on the ice, and how Cecile seemed cut out to be a pretty good hockey player. It didn’t require much effort to enjoy the morning and the establishment provided some light finger sandwiches and brandy for them.
“You’ve gained an inch and a half since last measuring,” the tailor replied, a large fingered, old man who spoke with pins wobbling on his lips. “Just if you’re interested to know, your old clothes might have to be re-tailored if you plan on staying that way.”
Joe, who had his arms held out grimaced and Patrick slightly grinned. “That’s still from Christmas,” Joe replied. “I can’t seem to get rid of that last inch. Naw, I’ll lose it, I don’t think I’ll need re-tailoring, just as long as your wife doesn’t ply me with any more pies, Patty.”
Patrick shrugged. “Well, you can always say no my friend.”
“Right,” Joe muttered.
After the session at the tailor, Joe decided he wanted a hair cut and Patrick went along with him. Although they were still in separate cars, Joe called Patrick’s cell phone, which amused him to no end thinking that was something only teenage girls did in separate cars. “Eh blow it, Patty,” Joe said, “I hate driving alone, so you’re gonna talk with me, I don’t care what teenage girls do, they might have a good idea, ever think of that?”
Patrick laughed. “Eh, so where do you want your hair cut? Somewhere where we can also get a nice, eh, massage?”
“Ew, Patty!” Joe exclaimed as they took a turn, “No I’m not a perv!”
“Hey there are places where you can get a cut and a decent massage,” Patrick replied when they came to a stoplight, “I am only thinking of my back.” Really, his shoulders were screaming in pain, he just wanted a decent rubdown, even if it was just a superficial, twenty dollar rub, he needed something!
“We can get one at practice without having to pay for it,” Joe said calmly.
“As long as we’re not going to Great Clips,” Patrick grinned. “As long as you’re thinking about counting money.”
Joe laughed. “No we’re not going to great clips.”
As they
drove into Cherry Creek, Patrick noticed an automobile dealership, bright
shining, sparkling cars and he couldn’t help an excited thrill. He remembered
his early days, after winning his first cup in
Katrina had called them useless hunks of junk, a waste of money.
“Hey Joe,” he said into the phone.
“Yup?”
“What do you think of Hummers?” he asked.
Joe laughed loudly and long, but otherwise he didn’t answer the question.
The hair salon Joe picked out for his cut was familiar to Patrick, and he couldn’t complain about it. No, full body massages were not offered, but the stylists were all young, pretty, talented girls, and they also gave very nice superficial neck and shoulder rubs included with the price of the cut. Patrick took one glance at his hair in the mirror, decided that it was showing the beginnings of shaggy and he promptly paid for a cut for himself, oh yes and a rub of course.
“Aw, hey Patty,” Joe said as they left the salon, “You look almost human!”
“Oh shut up,” Patrick snipped, but he smiled, “I wasn’t that bad.”
Joe grimaced as if perusing him. “Sure, it was, but it’s okay, you only look half Quebecois lumberjack now.”
Patrick laughed.
Team practice was scheduled for about an hour from then, Joe wanted to say hi to Debbie and see the twins before going, so Patrick followed him to his house. “Hey Patty sure you don’t need some good massage down on your hip?” Joe asked as they went up the walkway.
Patrick frowned. “Not too much, why?”
Joe grinned evilly as he unlocked the front door. “Cause you’re still walking like a duck.” This of course, in reference to Patrick’s odd walk, shaped by years of Butterfly goaltending and sore ligaments which Patrick was fully aware of and slightly insecure of.
Patrick scowled but before he could retort the front door opened and Scott Parker came walking out. “Hey Captain,” he grinned and he walked briskly to his car, leaving behind the distinct odor of almond rose massage oil. Patrick recognized it as the scent that lingered on Michele whenever she had just had a massage from Katrina.
“Scott?” Joe said but Parker had already hopped in his car and drove off, at a pretty high speed too.
Katrina had told Patrick she’d left her table and oils with Debbie… a slow grin spread on Patrick’s face as Joe blanched and then ran into the house. “DEBBIE!”