“Why is that unusual?” asked Coleman.
“It’s the second or third time I’ve seen each, and they’re all slowing down in front of Jim’s house like they’re looking for an address or something… Now Martha’s coming out of the house. She’s screaming at Jim, who’s standing bewildered in the doorway. Looks like he’s in shit. Now he’s making desperate gestures to explain, which means he’s only making the shit deeper. That’s the key to love: Never explain yourself. If a woman attacks, and your response is explanations, then strap on a helmet. But that’s just my experience. I’m sure Jim knows what he’s doing. And this is the perfect chance!”
“What chance?” asked Coleman.
“Martha just fishtailed out of the driveway and hit our garbage cans speeding away. That means it’s bachelor night for lucky Jim! We’ll get him over here to pick his brain and learn his secrets… Be right back.” Serge tossed the binoculars on the sofa and crawled under the Christmas tree.
Across the street: Ding-dong… Ding-dong… Ding-dong…
Jim ran and opened the door. “Jesus, Serge, how many times are you going to ring the doorbell?”
Ding-dong… “That’s the last one. So listen, Martha’s seriously fucking pissed at you, so come on over and have laughs.”
“No! In fact…” Jim stuck his head outside and looked both ways. “You need to get out of here before Martha sees you. She could be back any minute.”
Serge shook his head. “Not the way she almost clipped that stop sign at the end of the street. You’ve got two solid hours minimum.”
“Serge,” said Jim. “There’s absolutely no way on earth I’m going over there-”
Fleet, quiet footsteps across the lawn. Serge looked back. “Country, what brings you to this pleasant abode? Decided to help me invite Jim into joining us?”
She bounded up the porch steps. “I want to break some of her shit! Calling me a cunt!”
Serge braced himself in the doorway with both arms. “You’re not breaking anything.”
Country tried to force her way past. “I’ll bet she loves that china cabinet.”
“Not the china cabinet!” said Jim.
Serge made a guttural straining sound. “Don’t think I can hold her much longer. But if you give me a hand, we might be able to get her back across the street and calm her down. Otherwise, you might want to check your home owner’s deductible.”
“Darn it, okay, if that’s what it takes. Her grandmother gave her that cabinet.” Jim grabbed his house keys. “But I can’t stay.”
“Now you’re talking,” said Serge. “You won’t regret…”
Coleman and City were still at the dining room table when three people crawled under the Christmas tree.
Serge bounced up. “Hey everyone, it’s Jim!”
“Yo, Jimbo,” said Coleman, saluting with a joint. “What’s up?”
Serge helped Jim to his feet. “He’s going to share all his secrets on holding a family together and making the nation secure. And maybe, just maybe shrink our carbon footprint.”
“No, no, no!” said Jim. “I just came to get her home. Like we agreed.”
“Okay, the footprint was just wishful thinking.” Serge clasped his hands together. “Then let’s not waste any of Jim’s time! Coleman, chair!”
Coleman kicked one out for Jim to take a seat at the table.
“I can’t sit, Serge! I have to go.”
“Look out for the train,” said Serge.
“What train?”
A little locomotive whistle blew, and a model train came around the bend from the kitchen, toward Jim’s feet. He hopped back out of the way and fell into the chair.
“That’s better,” said Serge.
The train circled the table and disappeared into one of the bedrooms. City passed the joint to Jim, who waved her off without words. Country took a swig of whiskey from the bottle and grabbed the roach.
Jim started getting up. Country pushed him back down and handed him the bottle-“Ease out. Your stress is a buzz kill”-headed for the kitchen and more ice.
Jim tried passing the bottle toward Serge, who pulled back his hands. “You’re on your own with these women. I’m sure your techniques are rock solid, but these are the chicks I’ll be dealing with, so I need to see if your interaction with them passes the acid test.”
Jim turned and handed the bottle toward Coleman.
“My hands are busy.” Coleman broke down the walls of the gingerbread house.
Country came back with clean glasses and ice. “Jim, here’s yours.”
“But I rarely drink.” He turned toward Serge.
“Don’t look at me. Acid test.”
Jim looked back up at Country and held a thumb and index finger a quarter inch apart. “Okay, but just a little.”
She poured four fingers and splashed a fifth on the table, then jammed the rocks glass in Jim’s stomach and wandered away, upending the bottle.
“Feet,” said Serge.
Jim looked down and swiftly raised them. The Orange Blossom Special rolled under his chair and chugged out of sight into the bathroom.
“So, Jim,” said Serge. “What’s your first tip to someone starting a family? Begin with the biggest thing!”
“Actually the biggest thing is the smallest thing.”
“Jim,” said Serge. “You’re talking Zen warrior shaman shit. Is the Eastern jazz what it’s all about?”
“No, I mean that the little things are what make your wife happy and your marriage solid, because after a while it isn’t fairy-tale royals’ weddings; it’s commitment to each other’s small considerations during the marathon of raising children.”
“Example?” said Serge.
“Not tracking stuff into the house.”
Serge’s head jerked back. “You’re blowin’ smoke up my ass. That’s number one?”
“Not the least speck of dirt. They spend so much time vacuuming and mopping.” Jim raised the glass to his mouth for a sip. More like sticking in the tip of his tongue for a taste. He made a face. “It shows you appreciate her efforts.”
City took a big hit-“He’s on the money”-then blew Country a sensuous shotgun that gave all the guys boners.
Country exhaled. “Don’t wipe your shoes, no pussy.”
“Jim,” said Serge. “You’re in the zone! Dr. Phil can’t carry your jockstrap. What else?”
Jim raised the glass for another tongue test. Verdict: not bad. He took a moderate sip. Then another. Then he finished the drink. A look on his face. He began coughing and slapping his chest.
“You all right?” asked Serge. “Go down the wrong way?”
“No, just burns.” His eyes bugged and watered.
“Whiskey does that,” said Serge.
Jim looked at his watch. “What time is it? I need to be getting back.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now,” said Serge. “Just sit still a moment and gather yourself.” He offered a tissue. “You got a little spit coming off…”
Quiet around the table except for an unending series of watery bubbling episodes. Finally: “I’m better now.” Jim whistled. “But I’m really feeling that drink. Where was I?”
“Wiping feet.”
“Uh, yeah. When I mentioned not tracking stuff in, that really isn’t number one.”
“You must tell,” said Serge. “The knowledge that is the source of all truth…” He got up and bent into a Karate Kid pose.
“Number one is actually peeing.”
“Hold that thought.” Serge stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it around. “Must have wax buildup. I thought I
