The whole other story...

*

"Hey, sleepyhead," I smiled to Jessie as she emerged from the guest bedroom, in her bathrobe. "Thought you were going to stay in bed all day."

My wife smirked. "It's tough to sleep with you out here vacuuming." She walked over, grasped my shirt, and pulled my head towards hers for a kiss. "You've got coffee breath. Where's the pot?"

I jerked my thumb behind me. "Kitchen. Ask Amb if she saved you a cup." I bent over to finish wrapping the cord on the vacuum cleaner. Jess pinched my butt as she walked past.

"Good morning, Amber, Tom," she called. "Need coffee."

I heard the clink of dishes as Tom replied, "No thanks, I finished it off... Oww!"

Amber, Tom's new girlfriend, rubbed her hand. "Jess wasn't asking a question, Bee-Tee. And you've got a bony shoulder."

I started walking across the living room, and Tom put the last of the dishes away. "I know, I was teasing," he smiled, and reached for a clean cup. He grabbed the french press and poured Jessie's coffee as I joined them at the counter.

Amber placed a plate in front of each of us- poached egg with pesto on polenta, with a bagel and lox on the side.

"Thanks, Amb!" my wife said. I nodded and dug in.

"You know, Tom," I said as soon as I swallowed, "She might be a better cook than you- you better keep her!"

Tom grinned, "Might?" He wrapped his arm around Amber's hip and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "How'd you sleep, Jessie?" he turned and asked my wife.

"Like a log... in a lumber mill," I laughed, since she was too busy chewing to answer.

Jessica pouted. "Not my fault I snore if I drink too much wine."

"You didn't have to drink the rest of it."

"Oh, come on, Rick- that bottle was from Tom's cellar, and I wasn't about to waste it."

Amber giggled at Jess, "Corks are reusable, you know."

Jess shrugged, "If you can find them. How did you like the party, anyway, Amber?"

"It was amazing! And the Magician's performance... I'd wondered what the hell Tom had hired a magician for, but- wow." She'd been the 'victim' of the Magician's guillotine. "I know it was a trick, but my head fell into the basket! I'm still trying to figure out how he did it. Tom refuses to tell me. Rick, Jess- one of you has to know! Tell me, please! It felt so real, I'm afraid my head's going to roll back off!"

"Jess," Tom cut in, "I was telling Amber earlier that you and Rick got engaged at one of my parties where the Magician performed."

Amber looked at me and Jess. "Okay. You're both still together- I mean in one piece. Tell me all about it, I have to hear."

Jess touched my arm. "You tell her- I need another cup of coffee." She slipped around the counter into the kitchen.

I shrugged. "Well, the Magician was doing this trick with Jess and me as volunteers-"

"Back up, Rick," Tom interrupted. "She's a convert now; she wants to hear about the whole show. Give her the whole other story."

I thought back to that amazing, wonderful night. "Fine, but I want another cup of coffee, too, Tom." Amber leaned forwards, her wavy blonde hair brushing the countertop as I took a breath- this was going to take a while. "Let's see, Amb- as I recall, the show started around the pool..."

(To be continued...)