Cheers: The Malones

Presidents Day Weekend

Chapter 2

"Maura Joey, time to go home and get ready for bed. It's seven o'clock already. Sam, I'll see you later."

"But I want to stay with daddy for a while," said Joey.

"Honey, daddy has to work and won't be home until later."

Sam suggested that she leave the children with him, take his car, leave her car and the car seats with him and enjoy an hour to herself. She started to say no then thought I could use an hour to luxuriate in a nice hot bath so she agreed. Maura continued following Carla around like a puppy, soaking up the attention the bar patrons paid her and continuing to increase Carla's tips. Joey stood behind the bar with Sam following every movement Sam made. Cliff ordered a beer from Joey which made Joey feel ten feet tall, the same height he thought his dad was. Sam looked over at Maura and spotted her yawning deeply, checked the clock and realized it was eight-fifteen.

"Oops. Time to go guys," he said, "Mommy's waiting at home for us."

He bundled both children up against Boston's frigid cold air and they left for home. Sam pulled into the driveway. Maura was headed toward a sound sleep. Sam lifted Maura from her car seat and carried her upstairs, pink snowsuit, boots and all. Diane intercepted Joey, helped him with his winter clothes and walked him upstairs. His glow told her how happy he was. She helped him into his pajamas that were laid out and he crawled into bed.

"This is the best day of my whole life," a sleepy Joey told Diane.

Diane saw Sam listening at the door and walked into the hallway with him. He put his arm around her and said, "I'll hire another bartender within the week."

Sam and Diane spent the rest of the evening together quietly, Sam watching a basketball game, Diane updating her diary. As they sat together in front of the fireplace Sam thanked her for being so understanding about the ski weekend.

"Oh Sam, you can thank me next Saturday night after we attend Rigoletto with Anna and Jim." She smiled a 'gotcha' smile at him.

Sam laughed and said, "Jim must have screwed up too and is paying for it. At least I'll have company in my misery." Sam put his arms around her and pulled her close. Their quiet evening became intimate.

February swirled around them along with several snowstorms. Joey went on the ice fishing trip with Sam and the others, Sam and Diane threw a small birthday party for the children, Sam attended his first monthly cultural event and he hired a new bartender. Diane had made plane reservations to travel to New York. A few days before leaving for New York another snowstorm paralyzed Boston but the forecast for their Friday departure looked promising. The plan was that Sam would drive them to the airport then leave for his weekend ski trip. Everything was falling into place. Diane had not said much about Sam's weekend except to tell him that she wished he could go along with them. He promised her that next time he'd check first before making any weekend plans.

Sam called Dave Richards cell phone the night before they were to leave to finalize weekend plans for the ski trip.

"Dave, I'm dropping Diane at the airport at one o'clock then I'll swing over and pick you up. Are the other guys riding with us?"

"Uh Sam, the other guys backed out of the trip. They said their wives wouldn't let them go. Bunch of henpecked ninnies. You're lucky you married someone like Diane, at least she doesn't try to run your life," chuckled Dave.

"When did they back out Dave?" said Sam

"I dunno Sam, a few weeks ago I guess."

"Dave, why didn't you tell me this earlier?" said an increasingly agitated Sam.

"Not to worry Sam. There are some girls that I work with that love to ski and want to go along. They're good looking too. Early thirties, blond hair, great bodies," said Dave.

Diane was right. Dave is a sleazy person. One of the sleaziest people I know thought Sam.

"Dave, I'm going to tell you something. I cannot believe you would do something like this not only to me but to your wife. There is no way I'm going on a ski trip with you now or ever. In fact, I don't want you anywhere near me or my bar. I also have a little suggestion for you. I suggest that you call your wife right now and invite her and the children to go skiing with you. I'll know if you did when I call your house next week to ask her how she enjoyed her weekend with you. If she doesn't know what I'm talking about, I intend to tell her what you did. And that my former friend is a promise."

Sam slammed his office phone down in extreme anger, an anger directed more at himself than anyone else. How could I have put anyone, especially Dave Richards ahead of my family thought Sam. He picked up the phone again to make another call.

"Okay Sam, we're all packed. Are you? I just wish you were going along," said Diane.

"I know sweetheart," said Sam as he took her by the shoulders to stare into her face, "And I promise you that I will never place anything or anyone ahead of my family again."

Diane smiled and kissed his cheek. "We'll miss you."

As they pulled into Boston's Logan Airport, Sam asked Diane if he should walk her into the airport to help. "No Sam, I can manage and besides they only allow passengers to go to the gate." Sam unloaded the bags from the minivan, hugged them all, and walked back to the car. He heard the kids yell 'Bye Daddy' as he drove away.

Maura and Joey were mesmerized watching the planes from the window of gate seven. Diane watched them smiling at their enthusiasm instead of reading her book. Her cell phone rang and when she saw that it was Sam's cell, she smiled even more.

"Miss me already?" she answered.

"I do miss you already," he laughed, "I just wanted to tell you again to have fun this weekend."

"I sort of hope you don't have fun this weekend Sam."

"What. For your information I intend to have a great time. The best time I've had in a long time.

"Sam, that wasn't very nice," Diane said, startled by his words, "I just wish you were with us."

"Diane, turn around and look up."

Diane turned and looked up. Sam stood smiling at her, duffel bag and garment bag in hand.

"I am with you sweetheart and always will be."