Lucky Seven

Bobby’s alarm went off; he reluctantly turned over and reached for his watch. Today though the groan that usually accompanied this action was replaced by a chuckle. Could it really be seven years already?! Still smiling, he pulled a top on over his shorts and padded out to the kitchen to get himself a celebratory coffee. So much had happened in that seven years (not all of it good), but for the most part he knew that that decision had been the best of his life.

As he did on this day every year, he got his apartment key ring and took the smallest key off before using it to open the secret drawer in his study desk. He pulled the drawer out and sighed with relief. It was still there. He laughed at himself for that; of course it was going to be there, he hadn’t touched it since this day last year!

The dust on the wallet made him sneeze as he opened it. The hand-written note in the front brought an unexpected lump to his throat. It was in his Mum’s small, neat script; it said only three words:
‘Just in case.’

He set his coffee down and more out of habit than anything else he booted up his desktop. Suddenly feeling cold (it must be psychological), he went and dressed quickly. By the time he returned his password screen was waiting for him. On the spur of the moment he decided to change his password in honour of the occasion. It went from BMAUS1 to BMUSAFBI1.

That done; he heard the ping that told him he had email. Opening his inbox, he had to grin. He had four new messages. Each of the addresses was familiar. The first was from his Mum. She asked all the usual questions; was he eating and sleeping right? How was ‘that nice, young Tara?’ and pointedly today ‘Would he be coming home for a visit this winter?’
He answered her promising to call early evening her time and moved on to the next one.

He knew who that was from without even opening it. The address of levismom@intersurf.am was a dead give-away. It read:

“Dear Bobby,

Congratulations!

Breakfast at the Diner’s on me. We’ll all see you there at 8.

Kisses from me & a lick from Levi,

Love Sue x”

Now grinning from ear to ear he picked up an ecard from Tara and then the last one from Jack:

“Hey Buddy!

Well, which is it? ‘The Seven Year Itch’ or ‘Lucky Seven’? LOL!
Thanks for being my best friend for most of the past seven years. See you at the Diner.

Jack

PS. I’ll do you a deal. You do something about Tara and I’ll do something about Sue. Deal?”

Something in that last line finally made up Bobby Manning’s mind and heart. Although he couldn’t quite bring himself to rip up the round-trip ticket to Sydney his mother had given him that morning seven years ago today; he would buy a frame for it on the way home. Quarter of an hour later he was walking out the door, debating how to ask Tara out all the way to the Diner.

(536 words)

Nice job Angel...You kept us guessing until the very end on what was under lock and key in Bobby's desk. Loved Jack's email. Now, are you going to continue this story in WIP? Sure would like to read how you think both Jack and Bobby "do something about" the loves of their lives.

Lynn

This was terrific Angel!!!!!

I loved this little anniversary of Bobby's!

Lucky seven . . . seven years gambling free? Seven year darcy free? Hmm

I agree with Lynn. I would love to see this in WIP and read the continuation of a wonderful, but in a way, teasing mini story. Wonderful job!

Gees, my bad, call it tired from school, i missed that last bit.

Seven years being there . . . Smacks forehead.

I am glad Bobby stayed.

I think it's 7 years in the US and the bureau -- and he's finally decided that he's 'home'. I think you've set yourself up a nice little intro for wip piece, AngelRose.

kav

I agree - this is a wonderful lead-in to a WIP story!! I can feel Bobby's excitement!! I KNOW he's going to ask Tara out today!! Good on him for being there seven years!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

It DOES count as a valid anniversary, right? I wasn't sure.

Yes, it absolutely does count as an anniversary!! We are just greedy and will always ask for more!!!

Joy

ths was so sweet and now you can write how the breakfast will go with sue and jack and of course tara

Cute, cute, story!

very interesting story. i had to read it cuase the title was very interesting. great story!

WOW! When I finally got what his password meant I couldn't stop laughing...I'd really like to see Bobby doing something about Tara and Jack about Sue...

What a sweet anniversary it is, too. Even with it being a mini-story, you managed a whole plot in just a few paragraphs. Bravo!! I liked the idea of framing the ticket. Very appropriate.

I finally got the whole sn thing, it was his anniversary of his first day at the FBI...