A Drink of Life

By Kathy Bridges

The important beginning to the story of Phillip and Sheryl as they find love, start a family and begin a whirlwind mission to save the world by helping key essential players.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781105836046

Book preview

Part 1

Last Day

Hey. How was your day?

It was all right.

What’s in the box?

My stuff from the office is in the box. Today was my last day.

Huh! What happened?

I quit.

Huh! Quit!

Yep, I did it. I quit.

I don’t understand. Why did you quit? Did something happen? Did someone say something to you?

Nope, I just quit.

Have you found another job?

I’m not looking for another job.

So, what are you going to do now?

I’ll continue building my business.

The rest of the ride to pick up our daughter from my mom’s house was strangely quite – more so than ever before. Neither of us knew what to say next, so we just sort of let the radio talk show fill the silence. Finally, when the car was parked outside my mom’s house, he sneered; I’m not paying for anything else. I’m doing all that I intend to do. I won’t pay for your hair, your nails, your…waxing, or anything else that I am not already paying for.

Did I ask you to? Did I ever ask you to pay for any of those things? Well, what makes you think that I’ve changed?

You quit your job!

And how is that an indicator of suddenly becoming a different kind of person? Do you think that my job made me who I am? Have you considered the possibility that I’ll be the same no matter where I work or, in this case, don’t work? As I cut my eyes as no one else can toward him, he was not able to return that serve, as I predicted. So we both exited the car, slamming doors shut. I left last to make sure that I get in every bit of eye-cutting I can. It is October and the leaves are beginning to change. Its my favorite season. The crisp air caresses my face as we walk up the stairs to my mom’s house. He knows perfectly well that this conversation is over. I never discuss our differences in front of others and especially not in front of Clare.

That night, the tension was still thick hanging in the air like an unsolved jigsaw puzzle.

Goodnight sweetie.

Mom! You’re not going to work tomorrow; you’re picking me up from school?

With a quick tickle to her feet, I said, Yes, I’m picking you up. Would you like to go to McDonald’s after school?

Okay. But why don’t you have to work? Are you taking a vacation?

No, honey, Mommy’s going to work from home now. Just like I’ve been doing before, but now I’ll work from home all the time. That means that sometimes I’ll be able to pick you up from school. Would you like that?

Yeah, but why can’t you pick me up all the time?

I’ll have to work so that you can continue to have lots of nice clothes. It’s time to shut your eyes. Goodnight.

I didn’t say goodnight to Stan. Maybe he was already sleeping. Anyway, I head straight to the attic to work on my current project. I have made it so comfortable up here that it has become my little retreat away from everything. There is my desk and laptop of course. But I also have a small refrigerator and a day bed filled with lots of fluffy pillows of many colors and shapes. I often find myself rolling off the chair and onto the day bed for the rest of the night. So, I never really sleep in the bed with Stan anymore. Anyway, it feels more comfortable this way. I feel better working my ass off than sleeping in my marital bed. With soft music playing endlessly in the background and lighting that perfectly caresses my laptop keyboard but leaves the rest of the room in a subdued full moonlit sort of appearance, it’s simply wonderful. I don’t mind never really sleeping a full night. I’ve always thought that eight hours is way too much sleep. Six hours of sleep works best but five is enough.

AFTER the SHOCK

The clock rings at 6:00 A.M. I awake feeling as though I’ve only been asleep for thirty minutes. I don’t remember what time I actually fell asleep last night. Anyway, I must beat Stan to the bathroom. We pass each other in the hall. He’s headed downstairs for coffee and a bagel as I’m headed to the bathroom. Nearly brushing shoulders we manage to not say a word, not even a grunt. I’m in the bathroom by 6:00 and out by 6:30. Then I finish my routine in the attic where I have all my lotions, hair products, and makeup. It’s more efficient this way. I think over the unfinished tasks as I prepare for the day. By 7:00, Clare’s alarm clock is ringing. She gets out of bed and heads for the bathroom and I meet her with a kiss at the top of the stairs as I head down to prepare breakfast -- a fast bowl of oatmeal for Clare and a toasted muffin for me. It’s so crisp outside. It’s too cool for cold cereal.

Mom, can I wear my new gym shoes today?

You know the dress code. Why would you ask me that?

I want to wear them.

What would happen if I said yes you could wear them?

I would go upstairs and take off these ugly old shoes and put on my new gym shoes and go to school happy.

What would happen when you got to school? Would everyone admire your new gym shoes?

They sure would.

Even the teacher, right?

No. She would get mad.

Why?

Because of the stupid dress code.

What does she do when she is angry?

Well, if she were really mad, she would make the whole class miss recess.

The whole class

Yeah, because she said we’re all responsible for each other.

Then would the whole class be angry with you?

Maybe. Can I wear my gym shoes on Saturday?

Absolutely.

The door slams. Why didn’t Daddy say goodbye to us, Mom?

I think he’s constipated. Get your coat on. We’re running late.

Hello, Sheryl Block speaking. Oh, hello Todd. How are you? I just put the finishing touches on the ad last night. It’s ready for delivery. I can meet you this morning if you’d like. Lunchtime will be fine. Yes. I do enjoy Jamaican food. I’ll meet you there at noon. Take care. 

Mom, don’t forget to tell Granny that you’re picking me up today.

I won’t forget. Give me a kiss. Bye honey. Have a great day.

I sure hope Stan rakes the leaves tonight. If it rains, they’ll be slippery, especially if the temperature drops. Let’s see now. I think I’ll wear the black Armani suit with that devilish orange blouse. Todd and I have a good relationship but it won’t hurt to encourage him. I’ll also need to take lots of quarters to feed the meter.

Todd, how are you?

Doing great. How are you? Have a seat.

I’m just fine. Thanks.

How is your day going?

Let’s just say. I’m ready for a lunch break.

Do you mind waiting just a minute before we order? A friend and business associate of mine will be joining us.

Oh, that’s fine. How’s the family?

Well Jaime’s off to her first year of college and Brad is on the football team this year. He’s a sophomore now.

Oh, that’s wonderful. You must be so proud. Here’s the layout for your new shaving cream.

Whoa. That’s provocative. A very close shaven, clean cut and trim young man with crisp boxers on and a slight erection.

Women will love this ad. They’ll buy the shaving cream for their man and daydream about the ad. Men will buy it also and visualize themselves in perfection. It’ll sell your product. Glad you like it.

I love it. How long does it take to come up with something like this?

Oh no, I don’t give away secrets.

Phillip, please join us. We were just chatting while we waited for you. Phillip, this is Mrs. Block. Phillip takes my hand ever so gently as he bends to place his soft, puckered, and polished lips down for what has to be the most inviting hand-kiss I have ever had.

A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Block. I’ve heard a lot about you.

Thank you Phillip, but please call me Sheryl.

He slides his large, very well developed frame onto the seat next to me and across from Todd.

I hope I haven’t kept you two waiting long.

Not at all. I was just considering our drink order. How does everyone feel about a pitcher of martinis?

That’s fine.

That’s fine with me too whatever the lady wants. So, Todd tells me that you are an ace ad designer.

Here, take a look at her latest. See for yourself.

Very nice. I tell you if I was a woman, or gay, I would certainly buy this shaving cream for my significant other. Hell, I’d buy it for myself as a tribute to myself. He turns toward me with a sinful grin and a wink.

Phillip has need of your services which is why I invited him.

Yeah, we have a line of wine that has been slipping in market share for two years straight. We either have to figure out how to stop and reverse the trend, or cut the line. I would hate to cut it because it’s good wine and I think we just need to reposition it. I have been following your work through Todd and I like what I’ve seen. I want to talk to you in greater detail.

Absolutely. Let’s exchange cards and I will call you early next week to set up an appointment. Of course, you may always feel free to contact me.

Okay… Todd what’s good here?

The jerk tilapia is great.

Sounds good to me.

Okay three jerk tilapias it is.

So, how long have you been designing ads Miss Block?

About eleven years now and it’s Mrs. Block.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I didn’t notice a wedding ring and made an assumption. I do apologize.

I did introduce her as Mrs., said Todd.

Not a problem. No offense taken. My ring is at the jeweler for repair. Thanks for the tip Todd. The tilapia was wonderful. Would you gentlemen please excuse me for a moment? 

Phillip rises from the booth and offers his hand for assistance in a very polite and non-intrusive manner.

Todd, you’ve been holding out on me. I told you she was good.

Yeah, but you didn’t tell me she was also gorgeous. I want that.

She’s married.

Not happily.

And just how would you know that?

The story