MYSTERY OF THE TEXAS TWOSTEP

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE:

BOMBSHELL

Written by Rick Archer 

FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 28, 1979 JENNIFER CALLS ME

Early on Friday morning, my home phone rang.  Sound asleep, I almost jumped out my skin.  It had to be Victoria.  No doubt she was determined to ruin my day.  Angry, I picked up the phone.

"What do you want, Victoria?"

"No, Rick, it's Jennifer.  I did not go into work today.  I am home.  Can you come over?  We need to talk."

I was instantly on guard.  What was Jennifer doing home on a Friday work day?  I could tell by her voice that she was very upset.  In fact, I guessed she had been crying.  As I drove to her apartment, I knew for certain something was wrong.   As I climbed the steps, Jennifer must have heard me coming.  She opened the door without my knocking.  She greeted me with a question.

"Why did you think it was Victoria on the phone?  You didn't let the cat out of the bag, did you?"

"No, Jennifer, I promise Victoria has no idea."

Which was not completely true.  Victoria was very suspicious.  Maybe it was time to tell Jennifer the truth.  When we sat down at the dining table, I admitted that Victoria was certain I was seeing someone.  Seeing Jennifer pale considerably, I could tell she was deathly afraid of Victoria. 

"Does Victoria have any way of finding out who I am?  That woman might just be wacko enough to hurt me."

"Well, she might call Hazel, one of the women you met down at Clear Lake.  However, Hazel does not know your last name, so I think you are safe.  Don't worry, I will talk to Hazel when I see her tomorrow at Clear Lake.  Once I swear her to secrecy, you will have nothing to worry about.  As it stands, Victoria suspects something, but she isn't sure who it is or if this is her imagination."

At that moment, the strangest look crossed Jennifer's face.  I could tell Victoria had Jennifer worried, but there was something else.  My gut gave me that awful 'uh oh' feeling. 

"What's wrong, Jennifer?  You look very upset.  Why are you home on a Friday morning?"

"I have something to tell you, something I have been avoiding talking about."

Feeling queasy, I didn't like the sound of this.  "What is it?" 

Jennifer hesitated.  She was white as a ghost.  Unable to meet my gaze for some time, she finally looked up and spoke. 

"Rick, I am engaged.  I have a fiancé in Dallas."

I gasped aloud.  "What!?!" 

This was a horse kick to the stomach.  In my wildest dreams, I did NOT see this coming!  I was sick.  I couldn't breathe.  Just when I thought things could not possibly get any worse, they got worse.  Much worse.  The thought of losing Jennifer tore me to shreds.  I stared at her, but she refused to meet my gaze.  As I dealt with my disbelief, I wondered if she was kidding.  I already knew the answer.  Jennifer didn't tease.  That wasn't her style.  Jennifer was serious to a fault. 

After a long pause, I spoke up.  "Jennifer, tell me this again.  Are you really engaged?"

When Jennifer nodded confirmation, I felt like throwing up.  This was not a good time in my life for more surprises, certainly not one of this magnitude.  Urban Cowboy, Victoria's blackmail ultimatum, the death of Disco, now Jennifer's bombshell.  I viewed Jennifer as my Rock, but her earthquake announcement had shaken my foundation.  Shocked beyond comprehension, all I could do was wonder why would Jennifer do this to me.  I was so hurt I could not see straight.

Seeing the disbelief on my face, Jennifer whispered, "It is true that I am engaged, but I am having second thoughts."

I took a long, deep breath and tried to stay outwardly calm.  "Well, that's nice to know.  Where's your engagement ring?"

"I don't wear it in Houston.  In fact, they don't know I am engaged at work.  Otherwise I probably would not have been hired in the first place.  They would have assumed I was too big a risk of moving back to Dallas to take a chance on me."

"How long have you been engaged?"

"Oh, I don't know.  Sometime last spring.  Eight months, I guess.  I lose track."

"Who is he?"

"Jeff is a guy I dated off and on in high school.  We went to the same college at SMU, but we dated other people.  In my Senior year, Jeff found out I had broken up with the guy I was seeing, so he asked me out.  I had a broken heart and needed someone to lean on.  I dated Jeff on the rebound because I knew he was someone I could trust.  Trust is very important to me, especially after being badly deceived by my longtime boyfriend.  On Valentine's Day this year, Jeff proposed.  Don't ask me why I said yes.  When they talk about settling for someone, I suppose that's Jeff.  I am fond of him, that's about it.  At any rate, Jeff is in graduate school up at SMU while I work down here in Houston.  I don't love Jeff, but he's a good man and I know he would be a great husband and father.  Jeff is a pillar of society type.  He's the kind of guy people can depend on.  However, there is a part of me that would prefer more passion."

I was dumbfounded.  Here we go again.  I was certainly no stranger to Triangle Relationships.  Now I had two of them at the same time.  Was there something wrong with me that I was unable to gain clear title to any woman I cared about?  Right now I felt very insecure.  Maybe this was about losing my job.  My ex-girlfriend Patricia had been right about one thing.  Until I got a stable job and started making serious money, no woman would dream of choosing me over another man.  More likely though the problem was Victoria.

"What makes you think you don't love Jeff?"

"Well, you for one.  I cannot imagine someone like you coming into my life if the door wasn't ajar.  I am embarrassed to admit I haven't taken my engagement very seriously.  There have been some other guys here in Houston before you, but no one quite like you.  You are so special you terrify me."

"I have a question.  I have been seeing you for a month.  What took you so long to tell me?"

"I was going to tell you three weeks ago, but then my girlfriend Claudia blind-sided me with her story about Victoria.  Ever since, I've been so rattled I didn't know what to say or when to say it.  It really upset me that you went the entire Labor Day Weekend and the following week without telling me about Victoria.  If I had not found out from someone else about Victoria, I worry that you would have never told me.  How many times do I have to tell you I don't trust men?  I wonder all the time what else there is you haven't told me about Victoria."

I winced.  If Jennifer knew about Victoria's threats to move in with me, I was toast.  Meanwhile Jennifer paused to shed some tears. I could tell Jennifer was in agony.  When she said that I was special to her, I believed it.  That made it so much harder to realize I might lose her.  After a while, Jennifer collected herself enough to continue. 

"I've been having a hard time trusting you ever since Claudia told me.  I can't help but believe that you deliberately concealed Victoria from me.  Now I worry that Victoria means more to you than you are letting on.  I hear she's really beautiful.  When she finally leaves her husband, how do I know what you will do?  If she makes you choose between me and keeping the studio, I'm certain the studio will win.  I worry constantly.  So why bother telling you about Jeff?  I figured once you decided to dump me for Victoria, then I wouldn't have to go through the trauma of telling you about Jeff."

I actually let out a small chuckle at that one.  Gallows humor, you know. 

Jennifer began to cry much harder.  Unfortunately I was dealing with my own misery, so I was unable to offer Jennifer any comfort.  I felt like I was falling off a cliff.  All this time I had thought Jennifer was my anchor.  Between Victoria's threats, my hateful boss, Disco's violent death, my wild Meyerland gamble and the steady advance of this unwelcome Western takeover, there was not one ounce of certainty in my life until Jennifer came along. 

Jennifer left the table, then went to the couch.  This time she completely lost her composure.  She grabbed a pillow and covered her face as she bawled her head off.  Unfortunately, I was dealing with my own pain, so I was unable to console her.  Jennifer's bad news was the final blow.  Now that my Rock was gone, I began plummeting towards the Abyss.  It had been a long time since I felt this low.  Goddamn, this really hurt.

Deep breath.  I was in so much pain.  The irony was overwhelming.  To think I had believed Jennifer's love meant the Epic Losing Streak was over.  Instead Jennifer had just joined the Highlight Reel of my greatest defeats.  I had never had much luck with women.  So far I had lost every woman I ever cared about to another man.  That included Katie, a very special girl who had gone to Jack, the Ballroom teacher.  Or Jenny, the lady who went back to her boyfriend Randy a year ago.  I was sick of losing all the time.  Jennifer had been the one thing that kept me going through my ordeal with Victoria.  Now Jennifer was gone, or at least that's how I felt.  When was this torture ever going to end?  I couldn't take much more of this.  Was there any woman on earth who came without baggage?   Apparently not the pretty ones, that's for sure.  With that, another question popped into my mind.

"Jennifer, tell me something.  What was that stuff about introducing me to your family?  They had to know about your fiancé.  Was Jeff at that wedding?  Is that why you refused to invite me to?"

"No, but he was supposed to be there.  Jeff changed his mind at the last moment.  I went by myself and sat with my family."

"But your family knows Jeff.  Were they laughing behind my back when I met them for lunch?"

"No, don't be ridiculous.  In fact, they liked you, especially my father.  I don't know how to explain this.  Is it possible to be engaged, but not take it too seriously?  I mean, it wasn't like we have set the date.  This past summer, Jeff and I decided to back off.  That allowed me to see whomever I wanted with a clear conscience, including you.  My parents are well aware of my 'on again, off again' engagement story."

Unbelievable.  Jennifer's father knew about this other man the whole time. 

"If your father knew about your fiancé, then why was he so nice to me?"

"Dad could tell I preferred you.  I think he preferred you too.  You are a lot more interesting than anyone else I have ever introduced to him.  Dad liked your story about the dance career and could see how ambitious you are.  You remind him of himself."

That was a strange way to get a compliment.  I dearly wished her father was here right now to talk some sense into this girl.  Wait a minute!  Something was wrong here.  I did some quick math.  

"Jennifer, I met your father 19 days ago.  If you and Jeff decided to back off last summer, then why aren't you a free agent this very minute?  Something has changed.  What's going on?"

Jennifer turned a whiter shade of pale.  Busted...

"I had a feeling you would figure that out.  Rick, you don't know me very well.  I am not a very brave person.  I am terrified of getting hurt.  I was badly deceived by a man in college and I guess I have never really gotten over that.  In my Senior year, I went to Jeff on the rebound because he was the safest guy I had ever met.  Now I keep expecting to be betrayed again by you.  I am certain you will hurt me.  That is why I hang on to Jeff.  He would never hurt me.  Jeff is like a loyal puppy dog."

"You didn't answer my question."

"I called Jeff last night and asked if he would consider renewing our engagement."

What?  Did she say 'Last night'?  I stared at Jennifer in dumbfounded confusion.  Seeing me wide-eyed in total shock, Jennifer resumed. 

"On Tuesday night, I heard the fear in your voice when you told me about Victoria's blackmail threat.  I could tell how upset you were and that scared me.  I realized you have too much to lose by defying her.  I thought it was likely I would lose you to Victoria in a head to head battle.  That is when I lost my confidence in the future of our relationship.  After I hung up, I gave Jeff a call and asked if we could have a long talk about our engagement.  He insisted we talk about it face to face, so I said I would think about driving to Dallas this weekend.  But then I changed my mind on Wednesday night.  I appreciated how hard you tried to reassure me not to worry so much that I changed my mind.  But then I changed my mind again last night."

Sick to my stomach, I did the best I could to maintain composure.  "What made you decide to keep your weekend visit?"

"Your phone call last night.  When you told me how Victoria had caught you red-handed spending Wednesday night with me, I completely lost it.  It really upsets me to know Victoria is on to me.  She will do anything to pry it out of you.  So I have decided to go through with my visit.  Listen, Rick, nothing is going to come of it, but now that I've opened my big mouth and promised to come see him, I owe Jeff that much.  Jeff worships me.  He deserves better than to let him dangle all the time."

"One thing I've been curious about are your frequent weekend trips to Dallas.  Do they have something to do with Jeff?"

Jennifer nodded.  "Yes, every one of them.  One of those trips came after Claudia told me about you and Victoria.  I went to Dallas to see if Jeff was serious about renewing our engagement."

"What did he say?"

"Jeff was all for it, but then I got cold feet.  I said I would give it some serious thought.  But first I wanted to see if you were telling me the truth about Victoria before I made up my mind."

I was incredulous.  "So you turned your back on me at the first sign of trouble without even telling me."

Jennifer nodded wordlessly.  Numb from shock, I felt like I had completely misjudged her.  Recalling Patricia's visit in January to see her old boyfriend George, the major reason she had gone to see him was her displeasure over Victoria's constant meddling in our relationship.  Now Jennifer had reacted the exact same way.  History was repeating itself.  Run to George, run to Jeff.  Victoria was a neverending pox on my pursuit of happiness.

Six years ago Vanessa gave me my first real lesson in betrayal.  Five years ago Rachel reinforced it.  Last summer Jenny chose Randy over me.  Earlier this year Patricia betrayed me whenever I turned my back.  As a veteran to disappointment, I thought I knew how to keep my guard up.  However, I never imagined this.  Jennifer's Bombshell was one twist I had no defense for.  Nothing could possibly hurt worse than this.  I began to tremble.  1979 was quite a year, definitely the Year of Living Dangerously.  What was the Cosmic Limit on the number of headaches a guy could face in one year without flipping his lid??  Had I reached my limit yet?  It wouldn't take much more.  I had been out of control all year long with no end in sight.  My problems simply kept multiplying. 

"When are you leaving to see Jeff?"

"When you and I finish talking."

"That's why you decided to tell me, right?"

"That's one of the reasons, yes.  I assumed you would notice I wasn't here this weekend."

"Good point.  What's the other reason?"

"This stuff with Victoria is really getting under my skin.  I don't know how you are ever going to stand up to her without losing the studio.  I am scared you will have to choose between me or keeping the studio.  If it comes down to that, I expect to lose.  That studio is too important to you.  Besides, there's more."

"What's that?"

"I am starting to feel like a mistress.  All this Secret Lover/Madame X talk and sneaking around, I can't take it.  You could be feeding me the biggest line of bullshit in creation and I'm so gullible, I'd swallow it.  You could be just as easily be screwing Victoria in her car twice a week and I would never know it."

"Oh my God, you cannot be serious.  C'mon, Jennifer, don't talk like that.  I have been candid with you every step of the way."

Jennifer interrupted.  "No, you haven't!  You concealed Victoria from me right from the start!"

"Okay, yes, because Victoria was a touchy subject.  I concealed her for the exact same reason you concealed Jeff from me.  I assumed Victoria would be gone soon, so why alarm you needlessly?  Victoria is not my girlfriend.  I have no romantic interest in her."

"How do I know that Victoria is not your girlfriend, Rick!?!  The guy who cheated on me in college said the exact same thing!  I told you I am not very brave and this Victoria story is just too far-fetched to believe.  No woman in her right mind would leave a man like Michael unless you guys are having sex or have had sex, I'm sure of it.  You must be leaving something out."

"Jennifer, listen to me.  I have not had sex with Victoria.  Yes, I'm stuck with a huge problem, but if you can be patient, time is on our side.  All you have to do is believe in me.  Please!"

Jennifer looked away.  "I told you I wasn't very brave.  I sense a darkness in Victoria.  She will refuse to give you up." 

Jennifer's comment unsettled me.  Oh, great, now we're back to Soothsayer Jennifer.  The fatalism in her voice had me worried.  I was prepared to fight Jeff and Victoria, but I could not win unless Jennifer helped.  Damn these women and their intuitions.  It seemed to me Jennifer was convinced the die was already cast.  What did Jennifer know that I didn't know?  Why was she so fearful? 

"This trip you are going to take, Jennifer, what do you think Jeff wants to do?"

"If I had to guess, I would say he wants to set a date.  Jeff was never happy about the summer moratorium.  That was my idea all along.  However, now that I have shown renewed interest, I think he wants me to get serious."

"What are you going to say?"

"I don't know.  I'll have to see how I feel when I see him.  I hate to 'settle'.  I think Jeff and I are more good friends than anything else.  But he is a dear man and I owe it to him to hear him out.  After all, I have known him all my life and he has never done a single thing to hurt me.  As husbands go, the guy is a safe bet, a sure thing.  I can't just turn my back on him."

"Are you sure you have to go?  I can't talk you out of this?"

"Of course I am going to go.  After all, I'm technically engaged.  But stop all your worrying.  My intention is to actually call it off and get some closure."

Yeah, sure.  I didn't believe a word she said.  Right now I couldn't take any more of this.  Heartsick, I got up from my seat and wordlessly let myself out the door.  I preferred to do my crying in private. 

When I got home, the phone rang.  My heart leaped with hope that it was Jennifer calling to say she had changed her mind.  But then I decided it was Victoria so I ignored it.  The voice on the answering machine confirmed it was Victoria.  For crying out loud, will you please leave me alone!!  I can't even have a good sob without Victoria interfering.