Ch 10
"Shouldn’t it bother you? My brother is out with another woman." Jax said asked while looking across at Bobbie. He was stunned that she was so calm about it. He certainly wasn’t calm about the situation.
She smiled. "You are telling me you called me over here because you are worried about me? I don’t think so." Bobbie said with a laugh.
"It bothers me that Jerry obviously has no respect for your relationship." Jax said in an attempt to recover.
Still Bobbie laughed. However, her tone turned somber before she answered. "I am sure that is what has you sitting here at the outback. You look like you lost your best friend. I don’t mind that you are worried about V, but don’t make this about me. We both know it isn’t.’
"Fair enough." Jax said finally. "Will you answer my question?"
"What question was that? You have asked several." Bobbie said with a smile. She was not about to let him see this conversation was bringing her down.
"I asked why Jerry was out with V. You said he needed a date. Why does he need a date?" Jax asked slowly trying to gauge her reactions.
Bobbie laughed sarcastically. "You claim to be concerned about my feelings, however, you ask a question that could be painful."
Jax looked stricken. "I am sorry Bobbie. You can go. I just couldn’t think of anybody else who might know what he is up to. When I saw them together today…" He trailed off and began again. "I had been trying to set her up with another man. However, when I saw her with Jerry…" Jax trailed of another time.
Bobbie gave him a sympathetic look. "I don’t know her well. However, something tells me if you want her you are going to have to show her some of this interest. She seems smart, funny and attractive. Somebody is bound to see that."
"Yes, I know. I am hoping that Jerry isn’t seeing that right now. Do you have any idea where they are?"
Bobbie sighed. "I don’t know. He didn’t call me to tell me where they were going. We had reservations at a fund-raiser tonight. He may have taken her there."
"A fund-raiser? In public with civic minded people? He can’t get into too much trouble there." Jax said suddenly relieved.
"Well, there is just one thing you should know about this one." Bobbie said not sure if she should tell Jax what she knew of the cruise.
---
Venus turned he head away from Jerry to look at the man who had entered. "The entertainment?" She looked at the man who seemed oddly familiar. He was dressed in a tux and it took her a second to recognize the man. "Billy Joel?"
Jerry laughed. "Yes, Billy Joel. You disapprove?"
"No, just surprised. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a big fan. Also I am having a hard time with the tux." V said still a little stunned. She turned back to look at him while he answered.
"Well Luv, I am not a rabid fan. I do enjoy him. Used to the sports-coat, jeans and tennis shoes? Don’t you read the paper? He went classical."
"It still seems out of place. From what I can tell this function is quite expensive. Why pay the admission price if you are not a rabid fan? You already said it was him and not the cause that made you come."
"I am not a rabid fan. Barbara is. I bought the tickets when I assumed she would be the date for the evening." Jerry said softly. His jovial mood changing a bit.
The music began to fill the room, however, it was still soft enough to permit light conversation. "You told me if I came you would tell me what happened today. Why did Bobbie feel the need to drench you in the middle of The Outback?" V asked softly.
"Why do you want to know? Are you looking to poke fun at my love life?" Jerry asked with a grin.
"No, however, that was the deal. If I came with you, you would tell me the story. We agreed on that." V said as the exasperation rose in her voice.
"That, Luv, was not the deal. The deal was that I would tell you my plan about Jasper. I never said I would tell you anything about Bobbie." Jerry said with a smile. He loved using technicalities to get his way.
V thought about it long and hard. "Well, you haven’t told me that either. What is your plan Jerry?"
"You are should learn to be more patient. Eat your lobster and listen to the music. Enjoy the evening."
V did as he asked for a while, however, she found it hard to concentrate. She had to know what he was up to. Soon she spoke again. "I didn’t come for dinner and a concert. I came here to hear your plan. You will tell me, or I am leaving." V said as she got up and left the ballroom.
Jerry got up and followed her out onto the deck. "What are you going to do, Luv, swim?"
"We pretty far out Jerry. When are we going to get back?"
"Well…" Jerry started trying to figure out how to answer her question without getting decked.