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“What kind of hole?”
“Money, what else? My business needs a boost. That’s all I’m talking about.”
Violet had laughed. “She’s supposed to give you money? Why should she do that?”
“I’d do it for her. What’s marriage about if not sharing fifty-fifty? Doesn’t that sound fair?”
“Sure, but in this case, both halves belong to her. What do you have to offer?”
“Business savvy. I’m a businessman.”
“You’re a horse’s ass. You sound just like Foley. He’d love to get his big mitts on my money. It’s like the Chinese water torture. Drip, drip, drip.”
“You don’t see yourselves as a team?”
“Sure. We’re made for each other. He’s the boxer and I’m the punching bag.”
“You wouldn’t give him anything? Even if it might make a difference in his life?”
“Of course not. Why should I? He’d piss it away.”
“You women are hard. I’ve never seen anything like it. The Bible says wives should be submissive to their husbands. Didn’t you ever hear about that?”
“No.”
“Well, neither did my wife. It’s not even her money. She got it from that old fart she was married to. Hell, I’d have married the man myself if he’d asked me nice.”
Violet’s eyebrows went up. “Why? Are you one of them?”
“No, I’m not one of them. I’m just making a point.”
“You don’t know what women go through to get money.”
Tom said, “Well, I can make it easy for you. That money you got? You give it to me and I’ll promise you a forty percent return in three months. Guaranteed.”
“Bullshit.” She took out a cigarette and Tom leaned forward with a light. She blew out a stream of smoke and gave him a speculative look. “I got a question for you. How come you never come on to me? Don’t you find me attractive?”
“I do. Of course I do. What kind of question is that?”
“You’re a stud. I can tell by looking at you.”
Tom laughed, embarrassed. “Well, I appreciate your confidence. I’m not sure Cora would agree.”
“I’m serious. How long have we been talking like this? How many times we been in here dancing and clowning around? But you never make a move. What’s that all about?”
“I can’t believe you’d criticize me when I’m the only guy in town who’s not trying to get in your pants. You know why that is? I’ll tell you why. I’m more interested in this,” he said, tapping his head. “Sure, we could take a tumble in the hay. And then what? You’d move on to someone else. I’d rather be your friend.”
“Oh, please.”
“You know what grieves me? To see a mind like yours go to waste. You’re so busy fending off that psychopath you’re married to you don’t have the time or energy to do anything else. Why don’t you use your brain for a change and get away from the guy.”
“I don’t know. Foley’s kind of sweet in his way.”
“That’s poppycock and you know it. You can’t let emotion rule you in these things. You gotta be hard-nosed.”
“But I’m not.”
“Call it practical if you like. Look at me and Cora. There’s nothing wrong with her. I admire the woman, but what good is that? The marriage is dead. She knows it as well as I do, but you want to know what happens if I ask for a divorce? I’ll be out on my ass. Same thing with you. You can walk away, but all you’ll take with you are the clothes on your back.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. If I could get free, I’d be willing to leave it all behind. Who cares about possessions? Anything I have can be replaced. I got money of my own.”
“You just can’t get off that, can you?”
“You’re the one brought up money.”
“Now you sound just like Cora.”
“Anyway, what the hell do you have to complain about? You got that big house and those cars. You know what I’d give to have a car like yours?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Violet. Four thousand for a car? That’s chump change. You’re out there with your head down, hunting for pe
“You paid four thousand dollars for a car? You can’t be serious.”
“See, that’s what’s wrong with you. You think small. You think if you keep a real-tight hold on your money you can keep the dollar bills from flying away. Doesn’t work like that. You gotta loosen up. Put your money to work. Okay, so you got what in the bank, twenty?”
Violet jerked her thumb up, indicating more.
“Thirty-five?”
“Fifty,” she said.
“That’s good. Great, but every day it sits, you’re losing money on your money-”
She cut him off. “Nun-hun. I know what you’re getting at and it’s no deal.”
“You have no idea what I’m getting at so would you listen for a change? I’m saying we pool our funds.”
“Oh, sure, pool our funds. I bet you’d like that. You know why? Because I got more than you.”
“I got money.”
“How much?”
He tilted his head, calculating. “I’ll be honest with you. I got a lot, but not as much as you. That’s what I’m working on right now.”
“Super. I’m thrilled on your behalf. I’m still not giving you a dime.”
“That’s what I like about you. You’re stubborn as hell. Tell you what, though, you change your mind, all you have to do is say the word.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
16
I arrived at the Blue Moon that night in advance of Ta
The patron parking lot was full and cars were lined up along the road. I made one circuit of the lot, found a small, probably illegal spot and managed to squeeze in. As I made my way to the entrance, I glanced back, amused at how conspicuous my VW looked in the midst of all the pickups, camper shells, vans, and RVs.
The exterior of the restaurant was rough-hewn, its weathered board-and-batten facade as squared up and staunch as a saloon on a western movie set. The interior was a continuation of the theme: wagon wheels, oil lamps, and wooden tables covered in red-and-white-checked cloths. Happy hour was under way. Where I’d anticipated the odor of cigarettes and beer, the air was rich with the scent of prime beef being grilled over oak.
Ta
The hostess showed me to the table and moments later a waitress approached. She handed me a menu printed on plain white paper. “You want something to drink while you wait for your friends? Wine list is on the back.”
I glanced at the list of wines by the glass, bypassing hard liquor in favor of something more familiar. I ordered a glass of Chardo