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It had been four days since Lucas had agreed to let Jeanette help him with his problem. So far it had been four days of upset, of questions, of discovery – well, not discovery, actually, as he hadn't learned anything about himself that he hadn't already known.
He was born late in life to parents who didn't want him. His father died when he was young and his mother hadn't any idea how to deal with him. She either sent him away to stay with other relatives for periods or kept him at home, treating him more like a roommate than a son. His schooling career was average, but he was not interested in continuing his education after high school, so he went straight out to work. He'd had normal shop jobs until he started at Grace Brothers.
All in all, he'd had an average life. He enjoyed going out dancing or to the pub, and Sunday games of football or cricket. He read – he wasn't dead common – he especially enjoyed mysteries or westerns. He liked going out to the pictures, though he wasn't that fond of television. He had always thought of himself as a people person and enjoyed making others laugh. He knew he could be obnoxious, but he was charming at the same time.
But Jeanette was certain there was something that he didn't realize about himself or something buried deep that was causing his problems. She kept asking these deep, probing questions and analyzing every answer she got. It hadn't even been a whole week and Lucas was getting sick of this. At first he went along with it, perhaps there was some deep seated issue that was causing him grief, but then all her questions just became annoying. She had him getting up early to go jogging and changing his diet drastically and, although he felt healthier, he hadn't seen much of a difference otherwise.
Now she was saying that she had another idea that she was certain would help, and that they would be executing it on Saturday night. He didn't know whether he should be happy or sad about this, or if he should care at all.
"I'm really glad we decided to stop off for a drink tonight. After the day we had we both deserve a good stiff drink."
Mr. Humphries smiled. "Or several," he said with his usual air of mischief.
Mr. Humphries and Mr. Lucas had stopped at their usual pub for an after-work drink on Friday night. The departments had spent most of the afternoon listening to a lecture on salesmanship and customer relations given by young Mr. Grace, only to find out that he had the wrong floor and really wanted bathroom fittings. Before that there hadn't been much going on as Austin Reed was having a huge sale that week, and quite a few of their normal customers were there. So one of the times that Mr. Grace had nodded off, Lucas asked Mr. Humphries if he'd want to get a drink after work and Mr. Humphries readily agreed. Now they were sitting in the Wolf & Whistle and Mr. Humphries was having a gin & it, while Lucas had a Churchill – a double, of course.
"I'm just glad we're done for the day. I don't know how much more I could take. What with Jeanette and work and all, it's been hard to find a spare minute to get me head together."
"Mmm, I know what you mean. I've had a full schedule this week too. I've been helping a friend with his catering business. He's had three of his chefs quit and he has a huge wedding this weekend, so I stepped in to help with the cooking. And the things they ordered – oysters Rockefeller, caviar puffs, a full dessert buffet… I'm absolutely bushed!" Mr. Humphries took a sip of his drink and said, "That reminds me, you never told me how things are going with Jeanette?"
Lucas grimaced slightly at the question. "Oh fine, we're fine."
Mr. Humphries smiled and nodded. Lucas thought for a moment, maybe he could talk to Mr. Humphries about his problem. He knew he could confide in Mr. Humphries. Lucas knew he could keep his mouth shut. But something of this nature, best friend or not, he didn't know if he could bring himself to say those words.
"Uh… Mr. Humphries?"
"Yes, Mr. Lucas?"
"I was wondering have you ever… uh, well, you see… have you ever agreed to do something that, even though it was for your benefit, because of a problem you had, um, you see... But it made you rather uncomfortable... Would you continue on with these suggestions or would you cast them off and suffer in silence?"
Mr. Humphries gave him a confused look and blinked a few times. "Would you mind running that by me again?"
Lucas sighed. He had to be more direct. "Mr. Humphries, have you ever had any trouble with any of your… friends?"
"Trouble?"
"Yes, on your end I mean." Lucas gave him a meaningful look.
"You mean," He looked down at his lap and then back up. "Down there?"
"Mmm-hmm." Lucas gave a pained smile.
"As in you can't," He raised his hand up off the bar. "Is that it?"
Lucas nodded. He felt his ears burning. He didn't think he could speak. He just wanted to crawl into a hole and never emerge until everyone he knew was long dead.
"Oooh," Mr. Humphries gave him an understanding smile. He patted Lucas's hand. "Mr. Lucas, believe me when I say that any man who says that he has never and will never have that problem is a liar. It happens to the best of us as well as the worst. So, you are not alone, my friend."
"Even you?" Lucas asked in a small voice.
"As I said, every man," He gave Lucas a look and took another sip of his drink.
Lucas felt like a weight had lifted. Apparently this had been bothering him deeper than he thought. Another thought struck him, maybe Mr. Humphries knew of a remedy that he could recommend.
"Tell me Mr. Humphries, how did you solve your problem?"
"Well, I once had an interest in someone who had no interest in me. It was someone I cared for deeply. Then when this person made it very clear to me that my feelings were never going to be returned, it crushed me, and I began having issues. It wasn't until I read a book on the subject, that I realized that my problem was a reaction to having my heart broken. It was a psychological way of protecting myself even though it was causing me more pain. When I accepted that I was not meant to have the relationship I wanted, but that there were others who I could love just as much who would love me back, the problem went away."
Lucas listened to Mr. Humphries story, it sounded quite like what Jeanette was suggesting. He had thought it was fluff, but maybe there was some real wisdom to it. He resolved to go with her ideas whole-heartedly from now on. He drained the rest of his glass in one gulp.
"Want another?"
"No, I really must be going. My friend is giving a last going over on the order for the wedding tomorrow and I should be around in case we need more of something. Are you coming?"
Lucas shook his head. "No, I think I'll have one more before I go home."
"Well, good night then." Mr. Humphries got up to leave.
"Mr. Humphries?"
He turned back around. "Yes, Mr. Lucas?"
"I just want to say thank you for everything. And I don't just mean tonight, I also mean at the store and looking after me like you do, like you always have since I started. No one else really ever has taken care of me like you have, and I really appreciate it. I just wanted you to know that I really do consider you my true friend."
Mr. Humphries smiled. "I truly do mean it when I call you my friend too, Mr. Lucas. Thank you. Would you like me to stay with you for one more?"
"I couldn't ask you to do that."
"Oh, we made so many caviar puffs the guests can hatch and raise them if they can't get enough else. Troy," He held up a hand to flag the barman down to them. "Two more down here."
The barman walked down to them as Mr. Humphries sat back down on the stool.
"What will it be, gents?"
"I'll have another gin & it and my friend will have…"
"I'll have another Churchill."
The barman fixed the drinks and Mr. Humphries, and Mr. Lucas went back to laughing, and gossiping, and the world outside of the pub ceased to exist.
...