It's All a Matter of Choice Read online

  Emmet looked a bit surprised.

  “You were jealous? About me?” he asked her as he cut into his meatloaf, “Why?”

  Anita gave him an exasperated look.

  “Because I like you, Emmet,” she said, her eyes going a little dark.

  “Well, I like you too, Anita,” he said, starting to bring his meatloaf to his mouth before he faltered, his eyes widening a bit as he realized what Anita meant.

  “Oh…” he said, “You ‘like me’ like me.”

  Anita nodded.

  ”Yes, I ‘like you’ like you,” she agreed softly.

  Suddenly Emmet felt a bit nauseous and put his food down.

  “Suddenly I don’t feel so good,” he said to Anita, rising and holding his stomach, “Excuse me a minute.”

  He made a beeline to the mens’ room, Anita looking after him.

  She sighed.

  That wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. If Emmet reacted this way just because she told him she liked him…how would he react if she told him she wanted to sleep with him?

  Anita thought it might be wise to invest in some barf bags and keep them in her purse.

  She didn’t think Emmet’s current constitution could handle it.

  Chapter 15 ~ Meeting Mr. Grimes

  Despite how queasy his stomach felt, when Emmet entered the men’s’ room he found his discomfort eased. He walked over to the sink, removed his glasses, turned on the cold faucet and splashed water on his face, then looked at himself in the mirror.

  “Anita likes me…and not just as a friend,” Emmet thought, staring at himself. He swallowed, picked up his glasses then walked over to the paper towel dispenser. He pulled a piece off and dried his face, then put his glasses back on.

  He looked at himself again in the mirror. Yes, he was dressed well, but he was still the same Emmet. An Emmet who had never been intimate with a woman in his life. Now, the opportunity was possibly presenting itself and what does he do?

  Hide in the men’s’ room.

  “I’m still a nerd,” he breathed at his reflection with a bit of despair.

  Well, nerd or not…Anita liked him. And he had to make sure she continued to like him. He had to be adult about this. He didn’t want to hide.

  Emmet took a deep breath, straightened and exited the men’s’ room. He rejoined Anita in the cafeteria.

  “It was nothing,” he said, “Just a little…er…gas.”

  Emmet groaned inwardly as soon as he made the excuse. Gas? Man.

  Anita didn’t say anything. She just smirked a little as Emmet returned to his meal.

  She knew Emmet had just experienced the male “flight” response common to every man who realizes a woman has him in her sights. Even if he wants to be caught, there is a minute part of him that says, “Run like hell!”

  They ate in silence for a few minutes. Anita was tempted to ask Emmet a very personal question, but decided she would wait until Friday after the movie. They would be alone then.

  She’d keep a barf bag handy.

  *

  ”Now Emmet, be sure to wear clean socks tomorrow. They make you take off your shoes at the airports now…checking for bombs,” June said to her son. She was standing in the doorway of his room as he inspected his suit.

  “Bombs in my shoes, mom?” he asked her.

  “They can’t be too careful. Airplane flight is so dangerous these days,” June replied, frowning.

  “Mom, I’m going to Virginia…not the Middle East,” Emmet said, opening his briefcase and putting in his literature and notes about Mr. Grimes and his holdings. He would peruse them one more time on the flight, though he had been studying them all week.

  “It doesn’t matter,” June snapped. “Just wear clean socks.”

  Emmet shook his head. Of course he’d wear clean socks. He closed his briefcase and turned to find June looking all weepy-eyed.

  “Tomorrow is going to be the first evening I’ve been alone in years, Emmet,” she said brokenly.

  Emmet blinked. He hadn’t told her about his date with Anita on Friday yet.

  ”Mom, I’ll be home by eleven. It’s no different than if I were working in the back office,” he said soothingly. “But, I have to tell you that you are going to be alone Friday evening too.”

  June immediately looked sober, her weepiness disappearing.

  “What do you mean ‘I’m going to be alone Friday?’” she asked Emmet sharply.

  “I’m going to the movies,” he said shortly.

  June’s eyebrows rose.

  “The movies? With who?” she asked him.

  “With Anita. The girl from my office,” he said.

  His mother looked shocked.

  “You asked her out to the movies, Emmet?” June asked him, unable to believe that he’d move so quickly. Emmet had been quite sheltered. This didn’t sound like him.

  “Actually, she asked me…and I said yes,” he replied.

  June fell silent for a moment.

  “When will you be home?” she asked him darkly.

  Emmet shrugged.

  “I don’t know. After the movie I guess,” he said, “We’re going to the eight o’clock show.”

  June calculated. An eight o’clock show meant they would be out of the movies at about ten or ten thirty. Add a half hour to get Anita home, and another half hour for Emmet to get home and she was looking at eleven thirty.

  “So you’ll be home around eleven-thirty then,” she said, hoping to rope him into a time.

  “That depends if Anita wants to do something else after the movie,” Emmet said, walking past her to the kitchen.

  “Something else? Something else like what, Emmet?” June asked him, scowling.

  ”I don’t know know. Maybe get something to eat. There’s only junk at movie theaters. She might get hungry. I can’t give you a time I’ll be home, mom. Whenever the date is over,” he said evenly, opening the fridge and taking out a can of coke.

  Emmet closed the fridge, sat down at the kitchen table and popped the top. June watched his Adam’s apple bobble as he drank some of the soda down, then walked around the table and sat down opposite him.

  She stared at him a moment…not knowing how to say what she wanted to say to him.

  “Ah, Emmet…this really should be something your father should say to you, but he’s gone…so I guess it’s up to me…” she began, taking a deep breath.

  Emmet stopped drinking his soda, the can still tilted to his mouth. Slowly he lowered it.

  “Mom,” he said incredulously, “I know you aren’t going to tell me about sex. I’m twenty-six years old.”

  June looked at him.

  “I know you’re twenty-six, Emmet…but you’re an inexperienced twenty-six. This is going to be your first date, and I don’t know how fast this girl is you’re going out with. The ‘something else’ she has in mind might not be dinner,” June said.

  Emmet rose from the table.

  “Mom, I’m not talking to you about this,” he said, walking from the kitchen back to his room.

  “Do you at least know what a condom is?” she called after him as Emmet closed his bedroom door and locked it. He let out a sigh. He loved his mother but…damn.

  Emmet knew all about sex in theory. The use of protection, the act itself, etc. He did not need his fifty-something mother telling him about the birds and the bees. But she was right about one thing…he didn’t have any condoms. He had never needed them before. He highly doubted he would need them on Friday anyway. Anita was a nice girl. Maybe if he were going out with someone like Susan, it would be better to be safe than sorry.

  He removed his glasses and undressed…it was going to be a big day tomorrow, so he decided he’d better rest up.

  Emmet wore boxers now, rather than briefs. It wasn’t really his decision. Anita just grabbed a couple of packages and gave them to him. Once he put a pair on, he found he actually liked them. They weren’t as confining as the tighty-whities he usually wore. Wearing
only his boxers, Emmet lay down on his back in the bed, staring up at the ceiling with his arms folded behind his head.

  Emmet knew he should be thinking about his meeting with Mr. Grimes, but all he could think about were condoms and Anita. He began to get hard and sighed. He knew how to put condoms on. He had clandestinely pocketed a couple from the nurse’s office in high school, brought them home and tried them on. They were really uncomfortable and hard to put on because he couldn’t get an erection. Plus his mom kept knocking on the bathroom door.

  “Emmet, what are you doing in there? I don’t hear any water running.”

  Emmet thought that if he did have sex…he wouldn’t like using a condom. It was like…like a sock for his cock. How could he feel anything? And if he were to have sex with Anita…he’d want to feel everything. He let out a little groan as his organ throbbed.

  Emmet frowned at his own thoughts. All he and Anita were doing was going to a movie. He had no business thinking about her so…carnally.

  This was his mom’s fault. She was the one who mentioned condoms in the first place.

  Emmet flipped over on his stomach, hoping his weight would help him deflate. It did, but long after he fell asleep.

  *

  Manuel stood in the lobby of Richmond International Airport with several other drivers, once again holding up a handwritten sign that read “Mr. Emmet Barrows.”

  He watched the passengers approach and exit the airport. Once again he was the last driver left. A man in a nice suit and glasses appeared, looked about then focused on him for a moment, reading the sign. He walked toward Manuel smiling, his hand extended.

  “Hello, I’m Emmet Barrows,” Emmet said, his hand still extended.

  Manuel wasn’t used to being greeted by passengers. Most of them just walked past him to the car and waited for him to open the door for them. Manuel grasped Emmet’s hand and shook it.

  “I’m Manuel, Mr. Grimes’ driver,” he said to Emmet, returning his smile.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Emmet said.

  “Yes sir,” Manuel said releasing his hand. “This way please.”

  Manuel walked to the limo and opened the door for Emmet.

  “Thanks,” Emmet said getting in.

  Manuel closed the door and walked around the car thinking Emmet was quite a pleasant person…much nicer than the stuck-up passengers he normally picked up who acted as if he were part of the scenery. He got in, started the car and pulled out of the limo lane.

  Emmet looked around the back of the limo and noticed the small fridge. He opened it. Inside were a number of cold bottled waters and a few cans of smoked oysters. He didn’t care for oysters, but he was a bit thirsty.

  “Manuel, may I have one of these bottled waters?” he asked the driver.

  “Yes sir. You may have as many as you like,” Manuel replied, looking at Emmet through the rear view mirror.

  “Thank you. I only need one. My throat’s a little dry,” Emmet said, taking one of the bottles out and closing the refrigerator back. He opened it and drank thirstily. The water hit the spot. Then he settled back and watched the scenery pass. Unlike Brandon, he found the countryside quite pretty. He liked trees and open spaces.

  “Mind if I roll down the window?” he asked Manuel.

  “No sir,” the driver replied.

  Manual liked the windows down, but most of his passengers didn’t. Since Emmet obviously didn’t mind fresh air, Manuel happily rolled down his window too. He liked this Mr. Barrows. He hoped everything went well with him and Mr. Grimes.

  After a while, Manuel turned down the long driveway and pulled up to the farmhouse. Emmet looked around, then opened the car door, not waiting for Manuel to walk around and let him out. He saw Manuel get out and waved him back.

  “It’s all right. I’ve got it, Manuel…thank you,” he said to the driver who waved, got back into the car and pulled it over by the barn.

  On the porch sat Mr. Grimes in his everyday farm clothes, pretending to read the paper. He had seen Emmet get out of the car and thank Manuel. He continued reading the paper as Emmet walked up the stairs to the porch. Emmet looked at the door, then over at Mr. Grimes. He walked toward him.

  “Excuse me. My name is Emmet Barrows and I’m here to see Mr. Grimes. Are you Mr. Grimes, sir?” he asked politely.

  Jonathan Grimes folded up the newspaper and placed it on the small table. There was a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses on it. He stood up and faced Emmet.

  “Why yes I am,” he said, offering Emmet his hand.

  Emmet shook it warmly and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir. Thank you for this opportunity to speak face to face with you.”

  Jonathan nodded.

  “From what I’ve heard, you haven’t had much opportunity to meet the people you set up interviews with,” the CEO said, studying Emmet. Well, there was nothing wrong with the way he looked. He was immaculate. “Can you tell me why that is, Mr. Barrows?”

  Emmet looked at him evenly.

  “Please call me Emmet, sir,” he said, “And I believe the reason I never was sent to close a deal before sir was…well…because…”

  Emmet faltered a moment. He didn’t know how to put it.

  “Perhaps I’d better show you, sir,” Emmet said, reaching into his back pocket and retrieving his wallet. It was new, but he put in all his old pictures. There was one of him that showed what the “real” Emmet looked like. He flipped it to the picture and passed the wallet to Jonathan, who studied it.

  “Ah. The classical ‘Nerd’ eh?” he asked with a small smirk, handing the wallet back to Emmet.

  “Yes sir,” Emmet said, closing the wallet and putting it back into his pocket, fixing his suit. Jonathan eyed his clothing.

  “So, when did you undergo your “transformation?” he asked him.

  “This week. I had a bit of help,” Emmet said honestly. “A co-worker gave me the basics and I went from there.”

  Jonathan arched an eyebrow.

  “You pick out that suit?” he asked.

  Emmet nodded.

  “You have good taste,” the CEO commented, “And good manners. You approached me with respect even though I’m dressed like a country bumpkin and I noticed how nicely you spoke to my driver. You didn’t even wait for him to open your door.”

  Emmet shrugged.

  “I’m perfectly capable of opening my own doors, sir” he said.

  Jonathan Grimes looked at Emmet speculatively.

  “I believe you are, son,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

  Jonathan poured both himself and Emmet a glass of ice cold lemonade. He passed one to Emmet who sipped it and looked appreciative. It was fresh squeezed.

  “Now…let’s talk business,” Jonathan said to Emmet, “What can B, B & B offer my company that no one else can?”

  Emmet proceeded to tell him not only what, but how and why.

  *

  Mr. Allen was pacing back and forth the next morning, waiting for Emmet to show. Had he been successful?

  Anita was at her desk, pretending to work on paperwork, but watching the boss strut back and forth in front of his office, stopping to watch the elevator unload and the associates file in, then frowning before he started pacing again.

  “Come on, Emmet,” she thought, “Show them what you’re made of.”

  The elevator door opened and out walked Emmet. It was casual Friday and he wore jeans, a nice button-up light blue shirt with a t-shirt under it and sneakers. He had his brown briefcase with him, which matched his brown belt and a folder tucked under his arm. He looked very sober as he walked up to Mr. Allen and handed him the folder.

  “How did you do?” Mr. Allen asked him as he opened the folder.

  “The results are there,” Emmet said. He glanced toward Anita, who was biting her lip nervously. Several other associates were surreptiously watching Mr. Allen as he leafed through the paperwork. He stopped, his eyes shifting from left to right.

  “HOT DAMN!
!!” he shouted, “You did it, Emmet! God damn it…you did it!”

  He grabbed Emmet in a bear hug, then let him go.

  “My boy, you’re about to get the biggest bonus in B, B&B history! Damn. I can’t believe it. Emmet Barrows, my star associate! Good job. A damn good job!” Mr. Allen gushed, all smiles. Wait until the directors got a load of this contract.

  Mr. Allen went into his office and Emmet was swarmed by fellow associates and office girls, patting him on the back and congratulating him for his coup in landing Hobson’s Financial. A couple of the girls kissed him on the cheek…but Jennifer kissed him on the mouth for a couple of seconds.

  “How wonderful, Emmet,” she purred at him.

  “Thanks,” he responded, blushing slightly.

  Only two people didn’t join in the hoopla. Anita and Brandon. Brandon was green with envy and Anita almost black with rage at Jennifer’s kiss. After about fifteen minutes, Mr. Allen appeared out of his office and made everyone return to their cubicles, with the exception of Emmet, of course. As far as he was concerned, Emmet could lollygag about for the rest of the year.

  Anita watched Jennifer take her seat, her brown eyes glittering as the redhead cut her blue eyes at her.

  As soon as he was able, Emmet walked over to Anita’s desk, the rest of the girls watching him closely. He looked down at the brunette.

  “Well, we did it,” he said to her, smiling.

  “What do you mean, we?” Anita asked him, her brow furrowed.

  “You helped me prepare to meet Mr. Grimes…so you get some credit as well,” Emmet said, “I couldn’t have made as good an impression without you, Anita. So, thank you.”

  Little “awwws” rose behind him as the office girls listened to him thank Anita. He really was sweet.

  Emmet looked back at them and reddened, sparking a new round of “awwwws.”

  Anita smiled.

  “I may have helped you on the outside, Emmet…but trust me, you always had it in you,” she responded.

  Emmet didn’t know what to say to this, and was saved from responding by Herman, who slapped him on the back. Emmet winced a little. A lot of backslapping had been going on and he was a bit sore from it.

  “So, how are you going to celebrate tonight?” Herman asked the new “Golden Boy.”