As they left the bowling alley, Eric said, “Let’s go to your place. Jeannie will be putting the kids to bed by now.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “Hon, I’ll be a little late. Um—something came up, I’m going to Ralph’s for a little bit.” He was quiet for a minute, “no, I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” He snapped the phone shut and climbed into his truck and followed Ralph out of the parking lot.
They drove about 5 minutes and turned into the oldest subdivision in town. The houses dated back to the fifties and sixties. Ralph rented a second story apartment in the largest house on the street. He pulled into the driveway and drove around to the back of the house. Eric pulled in behind him. They walked up the stairs and into a small, two bedroom apartment. Ralph flipped on a light. “Beer?”
“Naw, better not. Had two already. Still have to drive home.” Eric pointed to the bare, white living room walls. “Still haven’t hung your pictures, huh? You planning to move soon?”
Ralph shrugged. “Just haven’t gotten around to putting anything up, I guess. My wife was the decorator.” He walked into the living room with a beer and a Pepsi. He handed Rick the Pepsi and nodded toward the black leather sofa. Grabbing a coaster, he slid it down under the Pepsi just before Rick set the can down on the coffee table. He grabbed another coaster for his beer. He shook his head. “Sorry, my wife used to have a heart attack when anyone set drinks on the coffee table without a coaster. I guess she drummed it into my head more than I realized.” He laughed.
Eric laughed. “Jeannie is the same. I’ll bet she would have loved your wife. They probably would have gotten along fine. Oh—I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s ok. It’s been six months. I have to get used to the fact she’s not coming home.” He stared across the room at the two large cartons, one stacked neatly on top of the other. “I—I only took out the essentials when I moved in. Never felt like putting the pictures and stuff out, I guess.”
Ralph knew Eric had noticed the bare walls, empty bookcase shelves and cheap white blinds on the windows. I guess I should’ve put out some books and things that didn’t matter. But, I never really planned on having people over. Besides, I couldn’t tell anyone why I couldn’t have those things here. Thank goodness Rick had never seen the Clairol Nice 'n Easy in the master bath. He noticed Rick glance at his watch. It’s time. He blew out a puff of air. Plants. I should’ve bought plants.
Eric leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs, “Well, tell me. What’s up?”
Ralph sighed. “Well, um—music, do you want to hear some music?” He picked up one of several remotes from the coffee table and aimed at the state-of-art stereo.
“Ralph!”
“Ok, man, ok.” He turned the stereo off. “It will be easier to show you, I guess.” He walked over to the boxes and opened the lid on the top one. As he fished through the box he said, “It’s not Ralph.”
“What?” Eric asked.
Turning around, Ralph said, “My name, man, it’s not Ralph. Ralph was my Dad. He’s dead, so, I didn’t think he’d care if I used his name.”
Eric shook his head. “What are you talking about?”
“Steven. I’m Steven.” He turned toward the box and began to dig. Again, he felt Rick staring at him and it made him nervous. He pulled something out and walked across the room.
He handed the picture frame to Rick. “This is my wife.” His hands shook.
Eric’s eyes opened wide with astonishment as he stared at the picture in his hand. “This is—was your wife?”
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