"Ed! Michelle! Fancy meeting you here!"
Ed Harmon looked up from his table in the country club to see Danielle Addams headed their way. His wife waved her over, saying, "Danielle, how long has it been?"
"A month, at least," the justice of peace said as she pulled over free chair. "We haven't had a good sit down chat since dinner at the Barnes's. Last time we talked was on a business call with Ed. How did that go, anyway?"
Ed did a little sigh/laugh, thinking about the tangled issue of Ms. Summers and her divorce. "It's going. Not the most difficult case I've handled, but still..." he trailed off, making vague gestures to indicate frustration.
"You know, Michelle, when Ed told me this couple I'd married were trying to get divorced, he practically knocked my socks off! In all my years, I've never seen a sweeter or more devoted pair. And he says they can barely stand to be in the same room together!"
Michelle Harmon laughed. "Believe me, Danielle, from what Ed tells me, that's putting it politely."
"That true?"
"Yes, it is. Are you sure they weren't pulling your leg that night?" Ed asked.
"I've been a judge for twenty-five years and I know liars when I see them. Those two weren't. Oh, I wouldn't put it past that young man, Spike, to spin a tale or two - he was quite the smooth talking charmer - but nothing like that."
"They sure changed their tune by the time they got to my office. Hissing and spitting, at some times I thought they'd go for each other's throats!"
"Oh, Ed, that's not all you thought would happen," Michelle corrected, giving her husband a little push on the shoulder. Turning to Danielle, she said, "He told me that if they didn't kill each other, the room was about combust from the tension."
"Really? That's interesting. Why, last I saw them I felt like it was high time they got a room, if you know what I mean."
"I do, indeed. I remember when Ed and I first started dating we could scarcely keep our hands off each other." She smiled, remembering. "Honey, do you recall that one time, at your parents - "
Ed flushed at the memory. "I think my mother's jaw didn't snap shut for a week. We were rather randy teens. But this couple is a different story."
"What are their names again?"
"Buffy Summers and," Ed frowned slightly, "Spike. What kind of name is Spike?"
"Sounds like quite the bad boy," Michelle giggled, her mind conjuring images a la James Dean.
"Oh, he was. If I was younger, I'd have been jealous of Ms. Buffy Summers. You should have seen his eyes, Michelle. And the rest of the package wasn't bad either."
"And a charmer too?"
"Yes. Complete with the accent."
Michelle and Danielle giggled, sounding like teenage girls discussing a crush.
"Ladies!" Ed chided, feeling decidedly left out of the conversation.
"We're just having a bit of girl talk, dear."
"Humph. Well, in my opinion, Ms. Summers doesn't want anything to do with him. I've only met them once, but she sure proved how much they couldn't stand each other."
The two women exchanged knowing grins.
“That true?" Danielle asked.
"Absolutely. Spent the entire time bickering, getting into the other's face. Spike kept using crude innuendoes, insulting her. I'm surprised she ever talked to him at all."
"And you think this means they hate each other?" Michelle asked, giving her friend a wink.
"Of course."
"I say that our young couple just had a lover's quarrel and were taking it out on you. I wouldn't be surprised if you get an order any day now from Ms. Summers to cancel divorce proceedings."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. In fact, care to make a wager?"
Ed eyed his wife and her friend for a second before agreeing. "Sure."
"I bet that Ms. Summers cancels the divorce and remains married to her husband."
"That's highly unlikely," Ed scoffed, "if she didn't want a divorce, why'd she come to me? I'm going to win. What are the terms?"
"If you win, I'll take you to one of those Lakers' games. When I win, you'll take me to the ballet."
"When you win? So confident are we?" he teased.
"I am. You with me on this, Danielle?"
"Ed, all I can say is, which do you like better - Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty?"
Ed leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. Women could be such romantics at times. When someone can't stand a person, it's dislike, pure and simple.
Michelle and Danielle just smirked. Men could be so obtuse at times. When that much passion is flying about a room, it's love, pure and simple.