POKER–PART 4

I’ll allow comments on this one. Let me know what you think of the story.

CHAPTER 10

As usual, we spent Christmas with my family. Pru called for a family meeting on Christmas Eve. She spoke from the center of the floor one everyone was seated. “Pat and I want you all to know that I’m pregnant.” Of course the meeting was delayed for more than fifteen minutes while we were congratulated. She continued once order was restored. “Sean, would you like to be godfather?”

“I’d love to…thanks.”

“Katherine, would you like to be godmother?”

“Oh, yes, Pru. Thank you.”

We could see the disappointment in the faces of Michael and Siobhan so Pru continued. “Michael, would you like to be godfather?”

“But…you already asked Sean.”

“Would you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Siobhan, would you like to be godmother?”

“Yes, but….”

“What would Pat and I do with two sets of godparents?”

I could see the light in Sean’s eyes. My finger to my lips silenced him. Then it dawned on Michael and Siobhan. They spoke with one voice, “Two babies. You’re having twins!” Pandemonium reigned again in the Hayden household, this time lasting for almost an hour. We were hugged and kissed and then hugged and kissed again and again. My father broke out the single malt Irish whiskey we’d bought him from Bermuda for several toasts. What a Christmas present!

We returned home a day later so Pru could return to her laboratory and I could return to my studies. I was only back in school for a week when I received a caller. Hearing the doorbell was a rare event. I was curious when I opened the door. “Oh, hi, Mr. Laird, c’mon in. Sorry there’s a mess, but with Pru working and all the studying I’ve been doing ….”

“Don’t worry about it Patrick and I think you should call me Gerald.” He extended his hand and I took it before leading him to a chair. “Obviously, I have a reason for coming. I want you to know that Prudence is doing a wonderful job for us. Her research has created a new durable plastic we’ll patent and make millions from. I’m also thrilled for both of you—becoming parents—but I for one will be sorry to see her leave. I enjoy having a Hayden on payroll and that brings me to the point of my visit. What kind of law do you plan on practicing?”

“I was thinking about corporate law, sir…uh, Gerald. May I ask why you’re interested?”

“Laird Industries includes fifteen divisions—chemicals, plastics, steel, those you already know about. However, I’m also into finance, real estate, and investments. My in-house counsel needs help so, of course, I thought of you. You’d be his assistant for five years. That’s when he plans to retire. Then you can hire your own assistant. You should know…you’ll report to Martin. He’s a different person now and I credit much of that to you—the beatings you gave him in the ring and at the poker table. I’ll pay you well–$50,000 to start. I know you’ll need money for when Prudence is home with the children. My God, having twins is just amazing. You’re going to need a bigger place; I can help you with that, too. So, shall I welcome you aboard?”

“Why not? Knowing that I’ll have a job will help us a lot, and the salary is more than I could have hoped for.”

“Don’t worry—you’ll work hard and long hours, too. I believe in getting my money’s worth. Fortunately, I already know what a hard worker you are.” He rose from the chair, shook my hand again, and left. I couldn’t wait to tell Pru when she returned from work.

She walked in around 5:30. “Let’s go to bed. We’re celebrating.”

“What, not that I need much incentive to be in bed with you.”

“I got a job today—a good one. Gerald Laird offered me a job in his legal department–$50, 000.”

“You’re kidding! Well, I have news, too. I got a bonus–$50,000—for my new plastic. It’s as strong as steel and much lighter.” We hugged then I picked her up and carried her bodily into the bedroom. She was laughing and kicking her feet when I gently dropped her. Sitting up, she literally ripped the clothes from my body. Buttons flew everywhere; my shirt sleeves soon followed. I was glad it was an old shirt that was about to become our newest rag. I climbed onto the bed once she had disposed of my jeans and briefs. My cock sprung forth, hard and ready for use. Pru had her clothes off only a second later. Gripping my shoulders, she flipped me over, landing me on my back. She took position between my legs. She looked like a predator with me as her prey. I loved her like this and she knew it.

My pulsing cock was covered by her tongue as she laved my organ, coating it with her saliva. She leapt forward, spearing herself in a single motion. Head back and back arched, she groaned from the ecstasy—the rapture—she was feeling. Pru spread her legs wide, baring her clit, as she rubbed it furiously into my abdomen. I reached up and mauled her tits, rubbing and pinching her tender tissues as she went wild on my cock.
Nobody, not even us, could fuck at the pace Pru had set for very long. It was over too soon for both of us. We lay together exhausted and covered in a sheet of sweat once we were done. Finally, she raised her head. “Dinner?”

“Pizza or subs okay with you? I’m too beat to actually cook.” Once we were in grad school our opportunities to dine at Delta Upsilon evaporated. Their kitchen was for undergrads only. We learned to cook—barely—over the ensuing months. It was a process that saw many roasts burned to inedibility before we began to get it right. Many nights, however, we either ate out or brought in.

“Tell you what—I’ll get the pizza. I think you should call your family and give them your good news…and mine, too. Phone my folks and wheedle an invitation for dinner on Saturday.” She kissed me and hopped out of the bed to the bathroom, her pussy leaking semen as she went. I followed her thinking about a quick shower. “Let’s do that later…after dinner then I’ll want to be on the receiving end.”

“Pru…you are incredible. I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.” I gave her a quick kiss as I wiped my cock with a wash cloth. I rinsed it and handed it to her. She wedged it into her crotch to stem the flow of semen from her body. I kissed her abdomen, something that had become a habit since we had learned of her pregnancy. Kissing Pru anywhere was always a pleasure.

Our parents were thrilled for me—for us. I didn’t even have to ask my in-laws for a free dinner. They offered willingly to take us into Boston for a celebration.
Pru worked right up until her ninth month. She and our complete families were present for my graduation from law school, the highlight of which had nothing to do with my graduating. We were in the apartment when Michael walked in with a girl. She was almost at tall as he was and she was slender. “Pat, Pru this is Beth.” We greeted her warmly, of course. Later we learned Michael’s modus operandi when it came to girls. After getting to know a girl he always asked the same question—what makes you special? He was looking for and had found his Pru. We were thrilled for him.

Pru gave birth a month later. I think I was even more nervous than she was. Luckily, she felt her first contractions on a Saturday morning when I was home. I drove her to the hospital immediately, hoping that it wasn’t a false labor—praying I wouldn’t be stopped by a cop. It wasn’t and I wasn’t. Pru’s doctor examined her, telling us it would be about ten hours. I phoned our families and gave them updates until it was almost time. Then all my attention was for Pru. I held her hand and wiped her face, giving her sips of water or tiny chips of ice when she needed some, almost crying when I saw how hard she was working—how difficult the births were. When it was done I was relieved; we had two beautiful and healthy girls—Alanna and Brianna. I kissed Pru over and over, telling her how much I loved her. She smiled—her beautiful smile—and told me that she loved me. I couldn’t possibly be happier.

We began our house search right after my graduation–once Pru had stopped working and before I had begun. We found one we thought we could afford on a quiet street. It had three bedrooms and one and a half baths. I liked the full basement, thinking I might set up an office there. We were surprised when Gerald Laird suggested a different house. It was bigger, in a better neighborhood, and with a better school district. I didn’t think we could afford it until he offered us a 15-year zero percent mortgage to cover the entire $43,000 price. We eagerly accepted his generous offer.

I learned early on why Gerald had offered me such a high salary. My immediate superior was a lush. He came into the office after ten and left around 11:30 for a long three-martini (or more) lunch. Most afternoons he was too smashed to do any actual work. When Martin came in to check on me at the end of the week I closed my office door for a frank discussion. “Is your father aware of what’s going on here? Stephen is lucky to do three hours’ work a day. He’s a drunk. He’s going to kill himself one of these days. We need to talk with your dad. Oh yeah, I need a set of law books for my office. His office is locked whenever he’s out. I’m wasting hours every day trying to find stuff.”

He took me to speak with Gerald. “Of course, I know about Steve. He’s an old and dear friend.”

“Well, I think he should be in some kind of treatment. He’s hardly ever sober. You should see him stagger in from lunch. You didn’t want a two-person legal team, Gerald; you wanted one! What you have now is about one and a quarter—at best!”

“That’s true. I think that Marge has been doing all the work down there for months. Okay, I’m promoting you. You’re running the department. I’ll give you a $20,000 raise and more when you pass the Bar. Don’t worry about Stephen—I’ll deal with him.”

The following week I was giving him orders even though he earned three times what I did. I worked many hours, usually twelve or more a day doing the work of two. He disappeared two weeks later without notice. I prayed he wasn’t dead in some alley. I studied tirelessly for the Massachusetts Bar when at home. I was greatly relieved when I passed it on my first attempt.

I had everything under control after six months. I continued to work long hours so I could devote the weekends to Pru and my girls. I got several good raises over the next two years and I thought everything was great. Pru was talking about having another baby; I thought that was a great idea, too. Then everything fell apart.

Chapter 11

Other than having a 28 year-old girlfriend Gerald Laird was a very conservative person. He refused to fly, thinking it too dangerous. I’d heard him say many times, “Who survives a plane crash? Nobody! I’ll stick to the ground.” Instead, he took the train, renting a limo at the other end when needed. He was in a sleeper car when the train derailed. Later it was learned that some kids had loosened the rail “just to see what would happen.” Gerald might have survived if he had been seated, but he was in the process of fucking his lady friend. The sudden stop threw his body across the cabin, breaking his back and snapping his neck. Mercifully, he died instantly, suffering no pain. All of us at Laird Industries were devastated, but none as much as Martin. He reverted to his college days’ behavior, making the work day impossible for those who had to be near him. It became worse for me when I was named as an heir in Gerald’s will. He left his house to his ex-wife, $50,000 to his secretary—appreciation for her loyal service over more than twenty years. Pru and I were given $100,000 and our mortgage was to be considered paid in full. Martin got everything else—more than twenty-seven million dollars in investments plus the company which was worth hundreds of millions.

The situation at work was becoming unbearable. Martin’s tirades were growing more unreasonable and more frequent every day. He made threats as often as his dad had said “hello.” Pru thought I should look for another job. I agreed, but where would I find another that would pay me $150,000 a year? She suggested I put out some feelers at the next meeting of the Boston area Bar.

I had rarely attended these functions, preferring to spend my time with my family. Alanna and Brianna were very active children. Even at three they wanted to play with Daddy at every opportunity. I arrived at the hotel early, around 6:45 and stepped up to the bar. “Gin and tonic, please.”

“Make it two!”

I spun around—I knew that voice. “Jeff? I didn’t know you were a member of the Bar.”

“I’m not, but I’m here with our chief counsel. I was hoping to speak with you.”

“Me? I’m flattered; what can I do for you? More importantly, how the hell are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. I’m married to a wonderful woman and we have our first child on the way. I’m working for my dad as chief operating officer. I hear good things about you—turned things around at Laird in less than a year. My dad considers that a miracle. I was sorry to hear about Gerald even though we’re competitors. He was a decent man. I hear things over there are…um…unstable.”

“That’s a good description. Martin is running things now and the company is going downhill in a hurry. He’s losing it. Too bad; he had turned himself around after he graduated, but his dad’s death has been too much for him.”

Our drinks were served. Jeff insisted on paying for them. “Let’s find a table so we can talk.” I thought he’d take the first available, but he led me to the back of the bar. “As I said, Pat I came here to find and speak with you. I’m sure you know that Spencer Products is much bigger than Laird. Our chief counsel is retiring and I’d like you to replace him. I don’t need your answer now. I’d like you to visit us. We’re outside Worcester, about an hour from Boston. We have a lot of things that Laird doesn’t—like day care, social activities, and a reasonable work day. We don’t let anyone work more than ten hours a day. We value time with our families. May I ask what you’re making now?”

“One fifty.”

“We can beat that.”

“I appreciate the interest. Truthfully, I’ve given some thought to leaving—getting out while I still have my sanity. I’d like to talk it over with Pru. I know she likes where we live.” He gave me his card, writing his home number on the back. We shook hands and left, our untouched drinks on the table behind us.

I left and drove home. My mind was working overtime. I parked in the garage thirty-five minutes later. Pru was crying on the couch when I walked in. I rushed to her side. “Oh Pat! Martin phoned while you were out. He threatened to fire you. I’m so upset!” I held her head to my chest as I explained about my meeting with Jeff.

“He’s not going to fire me. I’m going to quit—effective tomorrow. They owe me 38 vacation days. I have to give 30-days notice so I’ll be covered.”

“Will he pay you for all of them?”

“He has no choice—‘Royce vs. Amalgamated Steel’ is the defining case. There are others, too. I almost hope he fucks with me. I’ll crucify him; the nerve of the bastard calling here and abusing you.” I picked up the phone and dialed. I spoke to Jeff’s wife, asking her to please have Jeff call me. “Don’t worry about the time. I’ll be up as late as needed.” I thanked her and hung up.

“If you hurry you just might catch your daughters before they fall asleep. I told them I’d send you in if you came home in time.” I kissed Pru and walked hurriedly to their bedroom. Quietly I opened the door. It was a wasted effort. They saw me and jumped up yelling, “Daddy! Daddy!” I took them into my arms for hugs and kisses.