First & Girl by C.W. Carpenter

Author:C.W. Carpenter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
Published: 2025-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

Prompting Scrutiny

P

hil had been in Albuquerque for less than six months. He fulfilled the terms of his contract and Marilyn got her sports commission.

She offered Phil a permanent role, but his attempted rebound from Sheryll, then Kelly, went off the rails. The taco salads with Collene had become a soup sandwich. If there was a lane to stay in, he missed the turn. Phil missed East Texas; all signs pointed to Revelee.

Phil was in his natural comfort zone in Revelee, and the responsibilities were a better fit. Homer didn’t have to come to his rescue the first time or hold the job while he was in Albuquerque. Homer had the prerogative and financial means, as well as good reason, to switch personnel. The man took care of his friends.

Most of the key starters agreed to return for the new season; the bonus package helped. Whippin’ Texoma – twice – had boosted ticket sales. There was a real desk at the bank building and more money.

Phil was revitalized; he could go home with a fresh outlook. Everything was back on track, smooth sailing from now on.

Then, Sheryll called. Turns out, all that catching up during the Christmas Holidays had caught up with them. Phil had a dilemma. Sheryll was pregnant.

Collene wasn’t aware of the reversal in Phil’s mindset. She was under the impression that he might remain in Albuquerque. She kept a quart of Smirnoff at Phil’s hotel room. He stocked up on Brazilian Dark and opened an account at the flower shop.

They met for a final taco salad. It was a Be careful what you ask for moment.

“How long have you known about all this?”

“Long enough that I should’ve already told you.”

“I see. And all that crap about… “

“I do love you, Collene. We had something special here. I believe it could have been more if things had been different.”

“Bad timing.”

“I hate to say this, but I think Sheryll wanted to get pregnant. I was only there a week; it might not even be my… ”

“Phil, stop it! Don’t make me give you the Girl Waiting in Dallas speech. Someone else needs to be your therapist now.

Maybe I’m in love with you, too. Okay? But sometimes when you love a person, you have to accept that it wasn’t meant to be. We both need to move on.”

“I’ll never forget you, Collene.”

♦  ♦  ♦

Maybe Collene did love Phil. She never said much about her husband, or their marriage.

It might have been all that business about intrigue and being risky. Spice it up with a younger man while she still had the functional seasoning.

One could make a case for either taking advantage of the other.

Phil’s paternity accusation was harsh. He made it problematic for Sheryll to restore her integrity. She wasn’t about to let him plead entrapment.

But Phil did the right thing. Despite the logistics, he took Sheryll’s word and committed himself to be the father.

He also made a commitment to Homer Bryson and the football team. The entire linebacker corps moved his files over to the new office.

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