The Right Club

Gloria couldn't wait to be alone with Herb. “You were wrong, she isn't his girlfriend. She really is his caddie at the club.” “I'm not as gullible as you are. He's sleeping with her. Why would a guy bring his caddie to Texas?” “You're like all the other men in the world and I thought you were different, Herb Stein. Why can't you think with your head and not your penis?” “Take it easy dear. Before we finish with these golf lessons, you'll whisper in my ear, Herb darling you were right.” “I don't think so and I'm willing to bet on it.” “Fine, Gloria my love, what will we bet?” “If I win, I'd like that red convertible I showed you last week,” Gloria announced. “And if I win, we'll go on that trip to Russia I was reading about.” “You’re on, Herb. If anyone tells them about the bet, the deal is off.” “It's a bargain.” “Now back to golf.” That afternoon Doug videotaped their swings and then critiqued them, correcting their faults. They hit golf balls, golf balls and more golf balls. They used practically all their irons and then their woods. At three they returned to the clubhouse, for a break and cold drinks. “Maggie, I'm going to need a long hot shower. I'm beginning to feel it across my shoulder blades,” Steve moaned. “I know. I don't know how much more of this I can do,” Gloria chimed in. “Stop before you get yourself in trouble, sweetie,” Herb advised. Maggie said nothing. She was enjoying every moment and wasn't hurting one bit. When Doug returned, he said, “Let's take a break and watch some golf videos.” Doug took them into a comfortable lounge, closed the blinds and turned off the lights. He put on the tape of a golf tournament at Pebble Beach to critique the golfers’ swings. Steve couldn't seem to stay awake. He kept on drifting off. Herb too. He looked over to his wife, who was sleeping soundly. Maggie had youth on her side. She managed to stay awake. She sat there smiling, as she looked around and saw the others were out of it. Finally, Doug realized he’d lost his students. He flipped on the lights and the sleepers jerked their heads up. “Let's call it a day,” Doug announced. “Tomorrow I expect you here at eight-thirty. The van will pick up at the hotel again at eight. Please be ready in the lobby. Also, tomorrow we’ll be on the golf course in the afternoon. In the morning we’ll be putting.” Maggie looked at Steve. This was why they were here. “I suggest you get to bed early tonight,” Doug announced. “Tomorrow will be a long and rough day. Leave your golf shoes on top of your golf bags and they'll be cleaned for you.” Slowly the tired foursome made their way back to their golf carts. “We'll meet you at Green Pastures at eight,” Steve called as he and Maggie got into the van for the ride back to their hotel. “I don't know how to thank you for the golf lessons. I never thought I would take lessons with Doug Lawson.” “Remember, I wouldn't be here, if it weren't for you. It was your suggestion.” “I truly appreciate this.” “You’re some golfer young lady. Tomorrow you’re going to beat us all.” “I know better than to let that happen,” Maggie said. “What do you mean?” “When I play with the other caddies, I always play my best on the first three holes. Then I muff the next three and play well on the next three. This way the guys always beat me.” “Why would you do that?” Steve asked. “If I played my best and beat them all the time, they'd never play with me. I know guys hate being beaten by girls.” Steve thought about this and shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps you’re right.” “Now when I'm at school and playing on the team, I make sure every shot is my very best. There are many others waiting in the wings for my place on the team. I can't afford to be dropped. My scholarship money is contingent on my being able to hit that ball.” Steve looked at his watch. “It is ten after five,” he said as the van stopped in front of the hotel. “Let's grab a cold drink.” Steve and Maggie walked into the lobby lounge. “A pitcher of lemonade and two glasses,” Steve ordered. “Do you have any idea how many golf balls we hit today?” Steve asked. “Several hundred, but this is nothing in comparison to the pre-season training we have at school.” “That's why you were the only one who wasn't suffering.” “I'm a little younger too,” Maggie giggled. “Guess you are,” Steve said as he looked at his watch. “I've got to see the concierge and change our reservation to four. I'll get directions to the restaurant, too. Then I'm going up to shower. Please be ready at seven promptly. I hate to wait.” “Don't worry, I'll be ready. Will you knock on the door or would you like me to meet you down here?” “I'll knock,” he said as he signed the tab for the lemonade. Maggie was dying to call her mother and tell her about her day with Doug Lawson, but she'd still be at work. Instead, she went up to her room to shower and get dressed for dinner. She hung her black dress in the bathroom hoping the steam from the shower would take the creases out. Young or not, the hot water beating on her shoulders felt good. This was turning out to be one of the best days of her life. She looked at the clock and got dressed, slowly. She enjoyed having the bathroom to herself. She kept listening for her mother's knock. She kept waiting to be told that she had already been in there ten minutes. But it didn't happen.