Rand McTiernan: Cozy Country Club

"But I thought you really dug my dad?" asked Teresa.

She turned to face her friend. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I think he was tremendous. But now that he and your mother are together again I think it's best I stay away from him. Anyway, I can have Johnny-your mom will be through with him."

"I guess so."

"See what I mean? Everybody is happy! It all worked out in the end!"

Teresa realized that Eileen had no idea who she had just fucked and kept silent about it. If she wanted to assume that Teresa and Alan had screwed, let her; if she wanted to assume that Grace and Walter had made renewed marital love, let her. Teresa wasn't about to pop any bubbles.

"Do you think your mom will ever interfere with your love life again?" asked Eileen as they rode back to the clubhouse in the golf cart.

Teresa shook her head. "No. She'll stay out of my business now."

"That's good. Boy, your dad really knew exactly what to do. Let her know she wasn't fooling anybody, especially him. That's the way to do it."

But Teresa wasn't listening to the idle chatter of her girlfriend. Her mind was elsewhere. She thought about how wonderful things would be now. She wouldn't have to put up with any silly games from the boys she usually dated. She could concentrate on school and stay at home evenings.

Her mother would never change, she knew that. She was also sure her father knew it too. He wasn't a dumb man at all. He had only interceded in his daughter's behalf to make sure his wife's devious plots didn't destroy both their lives. He wanted to accept all the intrigues that his wife might invent as only his problem.

He would stop working late at the office and that would drive her mad. She would put up with it for a few months before making silly excuses to be at the club, or a meeting, or some other cover for meeting with Johnny Carvel or his successor. And he would nod his understandingly, tell her not to be too late and plod over to his favorite chair in front of the fire like a tired old gentleman.

Grace would trot out to the car and drive off believing she had outfoxed the old man. But as soon as the car sounds faded in the distance the old man would stand up and climb the stairs to see if his dear sweet daughter was resting well.

"No, my mom's not fooling anybody," said Teresa to Eileen.