" Well. I can't fault him there," I said.She smiled as she put on her blazer and prepared to leave."I hope you really nail the prick, Shannon. You des...rve peace in your lifeafter all the shit you've already been through." I paused a moment as sheput her hand on my cheek."No, really, I always thought people on TV andstuff were self-important dickheads but you're different" I'm not as different as you might think. I can be a bitch sometimes too.But you've been such a dear these past few days that. He'd return again tomorrow after work. Hopefully, the Downwindwould be seeing a lot more action.When a man in his mid-thirties entered a few minutes later, Vinnieheard a few groans from the older waitresses, as well as some mumbledverbiage from Bart. Although there were only a handful of patrons inthe bar, Vinnie was surprised when all of them simply stood up andleft. The man smiled as he casually watched them leave, then lookedaround the newly deserted bar with a satisfied grin. He looked. Is this trip business or pleasure?’ Arch’s answer was a bit noncommital and they spent the next few hours chatting and learning a bit about each other, neither getting too personal. It appeared that Claudette was a widow. She had lost her husband in a fatal auto accident approximately two years ago and then had gone on to explain that they had been high school sweethearts and had graduated college together in 1985. Arch was shocked to realize that Claudette must actually be around 43 or 44. He's as pissed as a newt."The drunken idiot she was talking about was her then current boyfriend. I'd seen them together at the college. He was one of those guys who use what little brains he has to kick footballs about a field. But he was never going to be good enough to get into one of the professional teams.They've got a good name for them in the States. Jocks, I think they call them. Probably after the jock straps they use to keep the family jewels safe on the playing field. Always worried.