The city got money from the fines, his boss thought he was doing a good job as a ‘team player’ and the work was easy. Of course the people he ticketed were not too happy but who cared about them. They shouldn’t have been speeding in the first place.

* * *

“Sarah, more wine!”

That was from Cindy. She and Kathy have been helping me and Ann in the kitchen while we were cooking spaghetti and warming up the rolls for “Monday Night Madness”. That’s when a bunch of us would go to some one’s place and drink, cook some food. Drink and the guys would watch football, and of course drink.

Usually I am a very light drinker but since tonight it is at my place I am free to indulge without fear of a DUI charge on the way home. Ann, my best friend and self-adopted sister who lives across the street, was feeling no pain either. The four of us women were having a discussion about how to tell if the spaghetti noodles were really done. Someone said the best test was if you threw a noodle against the wall and saw if it stuck or simply fell down. All four of us got one noodle apiece and counted down from three before tossing them against the kitchen wall. Then no one could remember if sticking to the wall meant that they were done or not.

Predictably Cindy’s solution was “More Wine!” Which is a universal cure all. The game was about to start on TV when we finally put everything on the table along with plastic plates and bowls, plus plenty of rolls. We told everyone to “Dig in”. (We always use plastic because I’ll be damned if I am going to clean this mess up tomorrow plus do dishes for a dozen people.)

Rico was watching TV and letting everyone else go first. I fixed a big plate and took it to him so he wouldn’t lose his seat on the couch. I also told him to save me a spot and went back to get my own plate and of course more wine.

People are often puzzled by our relationship. If you did not know him you would think Rico was always scowling and angry about something. But that’s just the way he looks, and like he voiced to me once “People can’t help how they look.” He works as a bouncer for local clubs and has the build and skill to go with the job. Occasionally he does security at special events put on by ‘Dark Dreams’ the company Ann, and some of the others, work for.

New people to our group often think Rico and I are going together, which both of us find amusing. Truth is we hit it off the first time we met and have grown steadily closer ever since. Rico would be the perfect big brother that every girl should have growing up. If he wasn’t gay he would be the perfect lover that any woman would, or ever could dream of. For me this is a perfect relationship and every day I am thankful for it.

I noticed Ann was sitting next to some guy named Bobby, the two of them have been spending a lot of time together. Not sure how I feel about that. On one hand I want her to be happy but on the other hand there is something I don’t trust about him. Rico thinks I am jealous because Ann is not just my best friend but the closest thing to a real family that has ever happened to me. He says not to worry but just see where things go. He likes to play it cool but I know that he cares about her too.

It is a sure sign that I have had a little too much wine when I catch myself beginning to slur my words. Not to mention asking the other guys (not Rico) why they watch football. Saying things like “I guess it is kind of hot watching a bunch of big beefy sweaty guys slap each other on the butt and enjoying that male on male bodily contact.” As usual they all ignore my brilliant observations.