Miss Peeg Gets Her Point Across

“What exactly is it you’re trying to get at Miss Peeg?” Travis asked accepting another cup of tea. He knew she was working something.

“Well, I watched you closely at the BBQ in particular how solicitous you were of Mrs. Roberts all day and I watched you dance with her. I have to ask you Mr. McGee are you very much in love with her?”

Travis sat back in his chair looked around her room gathering his thoughts, “You want an honest answer yes I am but it’s not returned, not the way I would want it. We’re friends I think.”

“She is very much married.”

“I’m a patient man.”

“Are you? Then why are you seeing Jean Sheppard, I understand you have bought her a house.”

“I bought a house.”

“So it is not hers, anytime you want to tell me to stuff it Mr. McGee.”

“No…I…I don’t know why I’m even talking to you to tell you the truth. And for God’s sakes call me Travis.”

“All right Travis, your family is concerned for you. I’m not related or in any way connected to you and so I think I may say what I think and if you get angry with me then I shall not go away in tears. Your marriage fell apart and it would appear you are jumping from one woman to another without much thought.”

“I don’t like to be alone. I don’t know where this is going with Jean maybe nowhere but I like her, I think we connected on some level. I wasn’t looking when I ran into her, it just happened.”

“What if Mrs. Roberts showed up at your door again. You see I’m asking because your mother would like her to come back. She told me as much, she likes her and would like to see her with you. She may be working her own campaign in that direction.”

“I didn’t know that.” Travis sipped his tea and set his cup down on Miss Peeg’s tea table. “She should stay out of my love life Miss Peeg. She’s done this sort of thing since I started dating. She thinks it’s her right to go out and find the perfect mate for me. She’s run off more women than I’d care to tell you. She tried with Jan, the thing there is she was right she could see what I couldn’t.”

“Has she met Jean?”

“No, I’m not sure she even knows about her yet.”

“Well it won’t be long I assure you, I do care about Sarah she’s my friend and I know she has your best interest at heart.”

“I may have a talk with her about Toni, she doesn’t need to pressure her. I will tell you this, if she showed up at my door again things might be a little different than they were the last time. I let her go without a fight. I don’t want to get into all that.”

“No of course not but if you still feel that way don’t make commitments to Jean you may not be able to keep.”

“I think Toni made up her mind Miss Peeg, I’m not trying to break up her marriage if that’s what she really wants. You must have heard what I said to Richie, I meant every word of that. I know you work for him and I respect that, but I have reasons not to care what the f… heck happens to him.”

“Yes I did hear, and I heard the passion behind what you said which is why I wanted to talk to you. I care a lot about Mr. Roberts but I can understand your point of view. He doesn’t always do the right thing in his personal life. I do believe he and Mrs. Roberts are trying right now to save their marriage. I appreciate what you’ve told me, I had no idea you’d sit here and be as honest with me as you have and as open. You’re a very handsome and charming man Travis and what I said about letting it come to you is good advice.”

“I’ll remember that,” he smiled, “thank you for the tea.”