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We head to a small donut shop not far from the place where the bereavement group met. After we order our coffee and the waitress leaves, I ask Tim about a few things.
“I wanted to ask about physical intimacy. How did you feel after the first time with someone else?”
“It was different. When you’re with someone for years, you know what they like, what they don’t, and then when you’re not, you need to start over again. It’s like dating when you were younger before you got married.”
“I mean, did you feel guilty that you were sleeping with another person?”
“At first, but I tried to keep in mind what my wife told me. She wanted me to move on. I just needed to make that leap. Once I made it, the guilt faded away. I’ve been with someone for a few months now, but I have to keep in mind that I can’t compare her to Anne.”
“I’m afraid I might do that. Cassie, my wife, was a rare breed. She was selfless to a fault. And I’m attracted to a woman that is cut from the same cloth. She’s very sweet and caring.”
He smiles. “Ask her out and see how it goes. I’m not saying sleep with her on the first date, but take your time. If it’s not right, then explain why and pull back. If she’s as sweet and caring as you say, then she’ll understand.”
We talk for about an hour longer before Tim says he needs to go home and get some sleep. I shake his hand in thanks and tell him I’ll see him on Thursday at the next meeting. I’m happy; I decided to come. Just one session in, and it’s given me useful insights into how I’m feeling. I think I’m ready to ask Olivia out on a date.
The next day, first thing, I call Zane. He doesn’t answer his phone, and I’m sure that he’s still pissed off, but I leave a message telling him I’d like to have lunch so we can discuss a few things. I add that I don’t want to ruin a fifteen-year friendship.
In the meantime, I have another interview with one of the guys from Comix, JJ Garber, who happens to be in town for another meeting. He’s supposed to be at the loft by noon, so I make sure to familiarize myself with his resume before he arrives. When he does, we have a long discussion about what he’s looking for. He doesn’t want quite as much as Jeff income-wise, and he’s more than willing to give up intellectual rights to his hobby projects if we decide to use them.
“JJ, why do you want to leave Comix?”
“Management. It’s a constant battle to make any headway with new projects. Comix was sued by a mother who claimed one of our games caused her son to attempt suicide. They spent a shitload of money on attorneys, and it seemed to take a lot out of the owner. In the end, the judge found in favor of us, but now everything is scrutinized. I love the place, but my creativity is stifled. I know this sounds harsh, but I want to be honest.”
“So, you need a place you can spread your wings?”
“Hell yeah. I need to be free to work on projects that won’t tie a leash around my neck.”
I surveyed JJ. He was much like Jeff in that he had tattoos everywhere, including his head. He had a black spiked mohawk and several piercings in each ear—all of which I had no problem with. Since I liked him, I told him I’d be in touch. I still had a few other candidates to interview. After JJ left, I was going to call Zane again, but he beat me to it.
“Talk, asshole,” he growls when I answer the call.
“Zane, what the fuck?”
He laughs harshly in my ear. “Lunch at Molly McGiven’s?”
“Yeah, what time?”
“2:30. I have a meeting with Paul in a few minutes.”
I bristle at the mention of that dickhead but hold my tongue and agree to meet at Molly’s, a steakhouse near the office. Not having much to do, I get there early and order a Sam Adams while I waited for Zane to arrive. When he does, I stand and pull his offered hand, bringing him into a hug. I missed the guy. He was my best friend, and I didn’t want bad blood between us.
“Let’s order. I’m fucking starving. I was plenty busy last night, and this morning, so I missed dinner and breakfast.”
I knew what he was implying—that he was drowning his sorrows in some woman’s body. He was impossible. We signal the waiter, and he takes our orders of two steaks, medium, with fries and creamed spinach.
“I have a couple of things to discuss with you, and I don’t want you to get angry,” I start. “Just hear me out.”
Zane narrows his eyes at me. “What do you have against Paul?”
“Zane, why would you hire that asshole? Because of the virtual gaming thing? You could have found more talented and less volatile people to run the project.”
“Don’t tell me how to run my company,” he snaps. “The kid is good.”
“He’s a fucking asshole who has no idea how to treat people. I was ready to kick his ass on Monday. The kid is a punk. How many people are going to leave because of him? Can we afford to lose programmers?”
He exhales and looks down at the table, brushing away imaginary crumbs.
“His contract says he can walk and take his intellectual property with him. I’d, we’d be ruined if that happened. I put a lot of time and money into this project, and to lose it would be devastating.”
