Meeting Evelyn's Ex

The next day, Spencer pulled up in front of Carter JHS.

"Have a good day sweetie." He said to Amy.

"I will."

As she left a bearded brute of a man approached his car, wearing a flannel shirt, cargo pants, and a tan baseball cap. He'd seen him around from time to time, and was starting to realize who he was: Evelyn's ex.

With a hint of anxiety, Spencer asked "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, I'm Clay, Evelyn's ex." He spoke in a deep voice but a friendly tone.

"Oh, uhh, nice to meet you." The two exchange a strong handshake. "Spencer."

"Just wanted to say hi. No hard feelings or anything."

"Good to hear."

"Would you wanna talk over a coffee?"

"I thought you'd be more of a beer kind of guy."

"Not at this kinda hour."

"Corner Coffee House?"

"Sure."

When Spencer arrived at the cafe, he sat down at Clay's table, where a waitress was waiting to take Clay's order. Spencer added his coffee and then sat down. "So how's it going Clay?"

"Good." He nodded his head. "Just wanted to get to know about the man from DC, seeing as that's all I know about you. Well that and all the mom's seem to eye you."

"Well maybe now they'll look to you."

"Ha, I've got a little something anyway. No need for **** housewives of Avonwick for me."

Spencer laughed, somewhat surprised how much he was getting along with Evelyn's ex. "Good for you."

"So, what brought you to Avonwick? Pretty big change."

"Well, I needed a change after my wife passed."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up."

"It's okay. You were going to find out sooner or later."

That's when their two coffees arrive.

"So what do you do for work?"

"Actually I'm retired. Used to be a lobbyist."

"Right. Can't say I blame you for running far away from that."

"Yeah. So Evelyn said you're a Marine?"

"Former. Left last year to spend more time with the boys."

"That working out."

Clay nodded his head with a smile. "Yeah, it really is."

"Good to hear it. What do you do now?"

"Outdoors shop." Clay shrugged. "Nothing fancy but it keeps the roof over my head, and I've still got the weekends with my boys."

"Well if you're happy, what more can you want?"

"Exactly."

Spencer then finished his coffee. "Mind if I pay?"

"Sure. I won't say no."

"Not like Evelyn."

"Oh, yeah she isn't comfortable unless she pays something." Clay chuckled for a second. "That was our first argument. I'd just gotten home from deployment, and I'd offered to take her out to dinner. Now I'm sick of all the shitty food I'd been having, so I take her to the nicest place in town and I'm ready to clean the kitchen out. So I eat like an absolute pig, whilst she only has one entree and one main and even then, she still wanted to split the bill."

"Some things never change."

"They sure don't." Clay glanced at his watch. "Anyway, I better get moving. Good to finally meet you."

"You too Clay."

After another handshake, Clay left Spencer to pay for the coffees. Spencer found himself rather happy that Clay and Evelyn still maintained some form of friendship, and that by appearances he wouldn't be **** to take sides in any petty arguments.