"Another drink, Jimmy?"

"Yeah, okay, Jerry," I said. I walked with Jerry over to the bar, where he refilled my glass. We took our glasses out to his back deck and settled down to watch the sun set.

Debby and I had gotten to Jerry and Carol's a few minutes late, but not too bad. I had completely forgotten the invitation, and worked late that day. I was surprised to find Debby talking to Jenny, the teenager from across the street, in our front yard when I got home.

Debby turned to me, and asked, "Did you forget we're having dinner tonight with Jerry and Carol?"

My mouth dropped open, and then I quickly shut it. "Oh shit!" I threw my briefcase back in the car and trotted inside. "I'll be right down."

Debby laughed and led Jenny inside, as I heard Brian say: "Mommy, Daddy said a bad word!"

"We'll just have to spank him," she told our eight-year old.

Brian took off after me up the stairs, yelling how he was going to spank me. I grabbed him up and returned him to his mother, who deposited him, in turn, with Jenny. Jenny was obviously going to be the babysitter. After a quick shower, I changed into some khakis and a pullover. Debby was ready to go, in slacks and a blouse.

At the front door, Debby kissed the boys good-bye and we left. Looking at my watch, I told her we had time to walk. The weather was perfect, and we walked the two blocks holding hands. When we got to the front door, I rang the bell several times to no response, but then we heard a yell and walked to the side fence.

"Come on around, Jerry's going to barbecue!" called out Carol from the deck.

Debby and I entered the back yard and climbed the stairs to the deck. Jerry came out the patio door with a plate of steaks, which he set on the picnic table. He and I shook hands, as Carol and Debby hugged.

Jerry and I have known each other for more than ten years, going back to when we roomed in college. He was best man at Debby's and my wedding, and I was an usher at his and Carol's. When she first met Carol, Debby couldn't figure out what she saw in him. "They're so different! I mean, it's like Mutt and Jeff!"