Birthday Suits in a Suite

(AKA Booth in a Loincloth)

Chapter Five

Susan H.

Franny smiled brightly at Foster when he walked into the diner.

"Hello Darlin'."

"Hello Franny. Well, we are on your turf, so, do you have a restaurant in mind?"

"There's a nice little place 5 miles outside town. It's quiet, the food is decent, and we could talk."

"Now that sounds perfect. Let me just write down the directions, and I'll meet you there."

"Oh, I thought we could drive together."

"Franny, I don't know you yet, but more importantly, you don't know me. You should not get into a car with me. As a matter of fact," he pulled out his keys, and disconnected his pepper spray, "if I try anything, nuke me!"

"Well, when you put it that way, let me write out those directions for you."

She handed him the directions and said, "I'm surprised that a big guy like you carries pepper spray."

"Oh, I keep it on hand for mean dogs."

"What about mean people?"

"I just shoot them."

"Darlin' you are so funny."

They parked side by side at the restaurant, but Franny had the spray at the ready with a big smile on her face.

"Are you friend or foe," she asked.

Foster held the door open for her, "Friend".
The waitress seated them and took their drink order.

"So," Franny said.

"So, do you have any children?"

"I have 3 adult children, and 4 grandbabies. You?"

"No, I never had any children. I regret it, because I think I would have enjoyed being a father, but life deals the deck, we just play the hand."

"A philosopher! Were you ever married?"

"Yes, I was married to my high school sweetheart, Maria, for 15 years. She died 20 years ago, and I just never remarried."

"That's really sad."

"Not anymore. I don't feel sad. It was sad at the time. What about you?"

"Well, I married my high school sweetheart when I was 16, instead of finishing high school. He was so handsome, and such a bad boy. You know how stupid some girls can get. I married him pregnant, and pretty much stayed pregnant for the next 4 years."

"So what happened to him?"

"That's anybody's guess. I suppose child number three pushed him over the edge, and he made like a bad country song. Went out for cigarettes and never came back. Good riddance!"

"Did you remarry?"

"No, I just worked hard at raising my kids. I worked hard to teach my two daughters to value themselves and not make Mama's mistakes. I taught my son that if he didn't respect women, then I would always have a 2 by 4 with his name on it. They are great kids, and great parents too."

"Sounds like they learned from the best."

"I wasn't a saint. There were days I was so tired, I would just scream at them. Then I would hate myself. I would apologize. Some days, I just locked myself in my bedroom, for their protection. But, somehow, we made it through intact."

The waitress brought their order. They ate silently for a short while.

"I think I'm going to buy my daughters some of this pepper spray."

"Great, maybe the three of you can sign up for some self defense classes."

Frannie giggled, "Yes, we southern women are known for our ability to take down an attacker."

"Oh sure. It's a different era, north or south."

"I know, I was just making a joke."

Foster chuckled, "Sorry."

"I'm hoping that I've gained enough wisdom to choose wisely, if I ever remarry. I had the cutest couple in the diner 2 days ago. They were attractive, and they never stopped talking. Actually, they bickered, but it wasn't a bad kind of bickering. You could just hear the love in it.

"Sometimes, people bicker because they resent the other person so much, they just can't bring themselves to ever agree with them. Sometimes, people bicker because they are both so opinionated.

"I think some people bicker because they can, and it's more like a game. That was these two. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I know the type," Foster agreed, "So were they just passing through?"

"I believe so. They were looking for the sheriff. I gave them directions."

"Who is the sheriff in these parts?" Foster asked.

"Big John Hamill. He's been the sheriff for 20 years now."

"May I have your phone number Frannie?"

"Why you sure can Darlin'."