still so much cluttered house. Two years ago we said that we’d be more than happy to help him with putting in order everything in his house, and Dan actually was nudged into clean-up mode when he was almost sure of your nearest arrival to the States, but he didn’t accept any of our endless help offers. “I need time to decide what to do with that I don’t want,” – he constantly repeated. I wondered then, now I’m shocked. Really shocked, Vika. It seems to me that Daniel had never had a plan to get rid of old things. And he never stopped bringing extra items into the house – the items that he thought to be potentially useful, but never used.
– I also tried to help Dan, but all in vain, Stacy. He always says that he has emotional attachments to almost all of his things.
– But his home is filled with junk. The forgotten stuff he doesn’t particularly care about. The stock-piling items around him for what?
– For survival and comfort, Stacy. And as per his own words, everything is the most expensive inherited items! Antique!
– Shit! Fifty-year-old broken tools from his grandpa? Damaged furniture from former tenants? – Stacy laughed. – Oh, my.
– Yes, and the endless dirty boxes, bags, suitcases with school notebooks, old toiletries, shoes, boots, dishes, plates, glasses, stinky pillows, covers, carpets, etc. – all is untouchable!
– Oh, dear Vika, I’m so sorry. Did he invite anyone over to his place? Is he social?
– No, never. – I answered. – Only once Daniel’s old friend Cody came to pick up some of his personal things from Dan’s garage. But that Cody behaved very strange. He darted a suspicious curious look at me, and that’s all. He drank some beer with Dan, didn’t say good-bye, and just quietly disappeared. Dan said that Cody was shy with women, since he was kinky guy and that Cody was still in warm relationship with Daniel’s first wife.
– Hmm, I haven’t heard of that kinky Cody from Dan. Never. Is he a swinger? – Stacy was astonished.
– Yes, he is, as per Dan’s stories. And do you know Daniel’s first wife, Stacy? – I was curious.
– No. I don’t. Dan made a secret of his first marriage. For all our family! The only thing I’ve heard is that his first wife was beautiful and hard-working; she was a professional dancer.
– And do you know Daniel’s sister?
– I know he has a sister, but I don’t know her personally. Dan said once they were out of contact with her for ages. I can’t judge. I have my own sister and we are enemies for ages. She is a woman of character, and I’m as well.
At that moment Nick and Dan have returned to the back yard.
– Vika, congratulations. Dan told me about his big project of the house remodeling. He is going to expand the first floor and build the second floor soon. You’ll have a new dreamy family home! Good news guys, – Nick sounded very excited.
He seemed to be so immature and accepted true everything that Daniel had described him in rose colors.
– It would be great, but it’s too early to congratulate me on this project, Nick.
– Why? – Nick wondered and looked at Dan.
Dan left us for a minute.
– You know, guys, I’m tired to live just on trust. Dan is not in a hurry with anything, a real snail; – I expressed my point of view and smiled sorrowfully. – To make up tales is my husband’s favorite hobby.
Dan came back quickly, but he missed my answer and explanatory comment.
– Dan, and where is a pond full of gold fish in your back yard? I couldn’t see it. Remember, you bet us a big box of beer that your project would be finished till Christmas? – Stacy suddenly, plainly and jokingly asked my husband.
– We’ve drunk half of it already, haven’t we Stacy? – Dan looked at the empty beer bottles in the box and chuckled.
– A half of pond, Dan? – Stacy laughed.
Daniel pretended he missed the point of her joke.
– I have no time, Stacy. No time. You know, my sick mom. I can’t take the responsibility off myself and… – He started mumbling his fish story, well-known almost to everyone.
– Oh, stop grumbling darling! – Stacy didn’t feel like listening to Dan’s old sob story. – You could hire some workers, contractors, and Vika would manage them. She has time and she could do that as your wife. What’s the problem?
– No problem. You’d better believe I’ll build my dreamy house, Stacy. I swear guys! – Dan exclaimed cheerfully. – And now it’s time to go to the restaurant. We’ll have fun, as I promised.
– OK, – Stacy answered uncertainly and gave her husband a look.
– Let’s go, I need fun, dear! – Nick answered.
– Did you find each other on-line, guys? – Stacy asked in the car. – My girls say nowadays almost everyone meet someone on-line.
– Yes. And I’ve got the first e-mail from my Vika when I was visiting you guys in Texas, on my summer business trip, remember? – Daniel answered simultaneously.
– Wow! I remember but you didn’t tell me about Vika that time. A secret guy!
– That special day, guys, we came back home from the gulf club early in the morning. It was about 8 AM, and it was unbearably hot outside. We had to spend the whole day sitting in your cool swimming pool.
– As I remember, – Nick smiled, – we were eating lobsters and drinking cold beer non-stop that day.
– Exactly. Great memory, Nicky, – Daniel confirmed. – And late in the evening I relaxed in your back yard on my own, looked at the stars, prayed and asked God for a very good woman. When I came back to my room at midnight and checked my e-mail, I was greatly surprised to get a very short e-mail from gorgeous Vika. It was a miracle!
– Remarkable… – Stacy giggled. – I have no idea what you asked God for, Dan, but what I bear in mind, darling… Can I continue?
– Yes, sure. – Dan answered.
– It was really unforgettable time – that hot summer in Texas; and you’ve left so much spam in our computers from hanging over porno sites almost all the nights.
– Come on, Stacy. – Daniel nodded his head and laughed nervously. – Thank you for a keen observation. I was sure you, guys, were fucking those late hours, no? Since Stacy was searching me out. Ha-ha-ha. And what? Is it forbidden to watch porno in Texas, if you are over 21? Ha-ha-ha. Besides, Stacy, it might as well, has been your husband, who visited those sites.
– Absolutely, Dan! – Nick burst out laughing.
– Vika, do not listen to Stacy. She is exaggerating
