Lesson 2 Arrogance

“Sit down Jaime,” Eddard said,” it’s been a long time, man.”
“Ahhh,” sighed Jaime as he sat down.
Edward looked into Jaime’s eyes. They nearly looked like two black eyes and his skin sagged.
“Ive got a lot to tell you Eddy.”
“You mean how important you are now that you are CEO of Chipset USA?”
“Youve been keeping tabs on me haven’t you?”
“A little. I for one wouldn’t have married so quickly after becoming CEO. How do you know your wife is trustworthy?”
“I don’t. I’ve got so much to do now I barely have time for her and the kids.”
The waitress came over to take the lunch order. Across the table Jaime picked up the menu. Edward was already waiting to order. “ I’ll have the chicken alfredo with linguini,” Edward said.
“And to drink?” the waitress asked.
“ I’ll have whatever lager you have on tap.”
“we have a few,” said the waitress. She looked up to the ceiling and said,” we have…”
Edward cut her off,” surprise me.”
Jaime was scratching his nose and pinching his nostrils. He looked up and waited for the waitress to look at him.” I’ll have what he’s having.”
“Edward laughed as the waitress walked away. “ It’s like you forgot who you are, man. Do you ever get to pick something for yourself?”
Jaime Looked Confused,” what do you mean Eddy?”
“Your wife and work have taken too much real estate in your mind. You look exhausted. Do you ever wonder if she is just with you for the money?”
“Who? My wife?” Jaime’s face and throat between his collared shirt began reddening. “ She’s a good woman, Eddy. I love her. I don’t know what I would do if she turned out to be a viper.”
Edward swallowed hard. His heart sank and his mind leaped forward to some future place where he thought he might have what Jaime had. “ Well something’s got you overwhelmed. What is it?”
Jaime looked up as the waitress came with the beer. She put two frozen mugs on the table filled with a dark brew. Jaime immediately picked it up and took a big gulp and sighed. Edward Looked at Jaime closely. He was beginning to think that he was just becoming an alcoholic.
“Is being CEO too much for you Jaime? Because there’s no shame in giving that up for family?”
“If I did that I couldn’t pay for them, now could I?”
Edward watched the waitress put down his food. He looked her up and down and he knew she noticed him doing it. She smiled and said,” Enjoy your meals guys.” Jaime thanked her as Edward watched her walking away.
“So what about you Eddy? How’s your love life? Are you still cleaning pools?”
“ No love in my life. I can’t even pick up a waitress. I still clean pools too. For a different company though. But at least I’m not surrounded by moths that zap all the life out of me.”
Edward had nearly drunk all of his beer while Jaime was finishing his food. Jaime had half of his beer still. Edward stared at Jaime’s plate rubbing his belly,” You can eat all that? How do you stay so skinny?” Edward had been gaining weight. He planned on taking his leftovers to go – the beer though, he had to finish. Jaime turned his wrist up to his face, a clock was mounted there.
“Ive really got to run Eddy. I’m due in a meeting in 20.”
“ I got this go ahead man.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, go on CEO.” Edward saw the waitress coming with the bill as Jaime got up and nearly jogged to the exit, leaving behind beer in his mug. Edward pulled out his credit card and placed it on the receipt tray and the waitress picked it up.
“Umm, mam, Can I get a to-go box?” He thought mam would give him some southern charm.
“ Sure sweety.” She responded. She came back with the bill and a to-go container.
“ What time do you get off?” Edward asked.
“I’m sorry, honey, I’m married.”
Edward smiled at her, though he wanted to say something. He adjusted his calculations on how much tip to leave, making it less than he would have. Then he just got up, and left.