'Big' Pete - 15

Debra and Stacy made it over to the restaurant almost two hours before the rest of the crew. ‘Big’ Pete and Arturo were next and six others began arriving shortly after. Debra was feeling loose already and Stacy wasn’t far behind her. Pete was planning on staying reasonably sober so he could drive Arturo home, but that looked to be a broken plan. Arturo was very drunk. Arturo hadn’t mentioned to anybody that he had rarely drank alcohol in his life, and had never had a Margarita with alcohol in it. The closest thing he had, was a party punch that his mom used to make for his birthday parties when he was a kid. They tasted good though. He really didn’t have a clue as to what tequila did to most men, but the truth is, most men don’t, until they find out for themselves.

"Arturo... How many have you had of those things?"

"Tre... Cuatro." Arturo responded to his boss. Ronny had brought his wife and kid to the party. His wife was a bit of a handful for most, but Ronny was content and he adored his daughter more than life itself. So he learned to live with the craziness that was his beloved wife Cindy.

"Whoa... don’t you open tomorrow?" Arturo didn’t answer, he just smiled and put the whisper sign up to his lips. Arturo was drunk.

Ronny laughed and patted him on his shoulder and told him to come he didn’t have to be to work until nine tomorrow. Arturo shook his head and said no Ronny... no... no I’ll be there at six. No Problem. Ronny smiled again and said, "Happy Birthday Arturo."

Pete was sitting with Debra and Stacy. Debra saw Pete lookin’ at Stacey a bit too closely and hauled off and punched Pete. Quit lookin’ at her Pete! You know what, you piss me off. We’re getting married this weekend. You better get a ring. I’ll see you tomorrow! And she got up and started out the door, turned around and yelled at Pete again. Get up and give me a ride home you fool, I’m drunk.

Pete got up and followed Debra without a word like a little boy. The party came to a stop to say the least. Stacy had known Debra’s feelings toward ‘Big’ Pete but she didn’t know she was such a lightweight. Well she didn’t know anybody here very well, so she rushed out the door to see if she could offer to give Debra a ride home instead of Pete.

When she got outside they were already gone, so she went home too.

Inside, Arturo realized he didn’t have a ride home anymore, but wasn’t ready to solve that problem just yet and walked to the bar to order one more Margarita.

Ronny’s wife Cindy was beside herself. Ronny... Ronny... Ronny, why didn’t you tell me they were dating?

I don’t think they are?

They must me you idiot, they’re getting married? What the heck, why didn’t you tell me.

This was the crazy everyone talked about. Cindy could be a bit delusional sometimes and made Ronny give a detailed report of his day everyday, and then sort of viewed his co-workers like a reality TV show. She would ask for all types of specific, all night long sometimes and then say things like Oh... She shouldn’t wear her hair up around him, I’ve seen how he looks at her hair. He loves it down. This is of course, keeping in mind she has never seen whomever looking at whomever’s hair. Ronny just tried to keep her happy most of the time and this is what you got, when you did that.

Dang it Ronny, did I miss an episode and you not tell me? Did you break the camera you moron. What happened... why didn’t I know? Sometimes I swear Ronny... you are worthless!

Ronny said sorry dear and went over to offer Arturo a ride home.