How to tell her. That was the million-dollar question.

And my wife had been of little assistance. Especially when she realized my future ability to keep her in the way to which she had become accustomed might be compromised. So much for companionship mattering more than anything else in older age.

I sighed and studied the number in my address book for about the tenth time. Making this call could really end up changing my life. This man was a different breed. A type you didn’t mince words with. Or play games with.

I knew from the moment I met him that Vincent was out of his league. Unfortunately, Vincent didn’t realize that until it was too late.

I picked up my half-empty glass of bourbon and took a swig. It might lend a false sense of confidence but, right now, that’s all I had to go on as I dialed the number.

“Be quick,” said the rough voice on the other end.

“Hey, it’s me—Earl Taylor,” I said, unsure of where to begin.

“What's up, Earl Taylor?” Sheldon asked in a somewhat mocking tone. “Everything still where it should be?”

“Oh, yes—yes, indeed,” I said, cringing at the thought of what he was referring to. I continued, “I need your assistance. Kind of a little bind I’ve gotten myself into.”

“In my business, things are just handled.  I don’t do little binds. You might want to call up Vincent for that. Oh, wait, I forgot, he’s a little indisposed right now,” Sheldon said, with a guttural laugh. 

I laughed along, feeling that was what he expected. What was it I was once told? Always go along with a crazy man? Yeah, that was it. And this cat fit the bill.

“So, what’s the problem?” Sheldon asked, adding, “and be quick about it, I got to take the Missus shopping for a summer dress. You know how that is.”

“You don’t have to explain a thing. Ask me, that’s the only reason I’ve managed to keep mine around.”

“Can’t live with ‘em,” Sheldon began.

“Damn sure would like to live without ‘em,” I said, completing his sentence.

He laughed, this time a real laugh. I laughed too, feeling just a tad bit more at ease.

“Now, back to the current situation,” Sheldon said, his tone all business.

“Yeah, about that,” I replied, and then launched into my reason for calling.

“So, it’s like that, hunh?” Sheldon said, with no inkling in his voice that he found any of it surprising when I was done.

“Unfortunate for me, it is. This is the first time in my entire career, I’ve not known what my next steps should be,” I said, taking another sip of my drink and frowning at the watered-down taste. I immediately poured it into the hotel sink and fixed another, this time with no ice.

“Well, I can’t help in that area myself. But I can tell you this . . . there’s a family barbecue about to take place. Now, I got my own plans for that little shindig, but there’s nothing stopping you from showing up.  Making it an unforgettable event.”  There went that laugh again.

I grabbed the hotel stationery and a pen. “What’s the address?” were my next words.