I’d driven downstate to make a couple of sales calls, and when I found out I wouldn’t be able to see one of my customers until the following morning, I thought I’d take my old neighbors up on a standing invitation to stay with them if I was ever in town. I stopped at a gas station to ask for directions, then easily found my way to their home. My old friend Jolene was sitting outside on her front porch, and when I pulled into her driveway, I could tell that she was surprised to see me.
She gave me a big hug to welcome me, then offered me a glass of sweet iced tea and invited me to sit with her and catch up on things. She was in her seventh month of pregnancy and very excited about her first child.
After chatting for half an hour, I told Jolene I should be on my way, having decided that I didn’t want to impose on her, considering her condition.
“Oh, no!” she squealed in protest when I told her I should leave. “You have to spend the night with us,” she said. “I won’t take no for an answer. Now let me fix you a cocktail while we wait for the boys to get home.”
“Boys?” I asked. “What boys?”
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