Schadenfreude and Love

Dear reader: This is a short tale of love lost and found, a crafty plan, fame and fortune and just rewards received. Not a lot of sex in this one but lots of lustful thoughts and shenanigans. Enjoy the ride.

Note- the first part is written in the first person (Eric), the second part is written in the third person.

One

I got to board the jet early because I was classified as disabled. I walked with a cane and a heavy limp because of a destroyed knee, more on that later.

This had been a hard year. My import/export business had been floundering. The rising tariffs on imports were making my profit margins shrink. God knows the margins were thin enough as it was. We were barely in the black.

My long-time girlfriend left me nearly a year ago, right after the new year celebration. It devastated me.

Add personal issues and bad business together and you get high-stress induced health issues. My doctors recommended I take a vacation, unwind and unload. I opted for a resort with a sandy beach in the Caribbean, thus I found myself sitting in the seat of an Airbus A320.

I watched the other passengers board. It was always fun to watch the excitement of people with visions of southern vacations on their faces, until I saw a face I recognized, my ex-girlfriend, Irene.

Irene was an attractive young woman, normally full of life, a great sense of humour and a sparkling personality. She didn't have the look of a happy traveller. There was no smile. No look of anticipation. If anything she looked tense. She was travelling with her current beau, Kirk.

Kirk looked happy and excited. He was an athlete, like I used to be. He and I played baseball together in college. We competed against each other even as teammates. Kirk's success was a constant thorn in my side. I envied his success.

We both made it up the ladder to triple A baseball. I had prospects and high hopes that I would be called up to the major leagues. We had a big game with our division rivals. I was on second base after hitting a double. The pitcher was keeping me honest with a couple of throws, trying to pick me off. I took a big lead towards third. Stealing third base was a done deal in my mind. I took off at top speed. The catcher threw to the third baseman. I slid into the base safe but I felt my knee give out as I crossed the bag. Then the third baseman fell on me. It was a knee-on-knee contact. His knee was in a strong and stable position, mine in a weak and vulnerable one. The pain was excruciating. I looked up into Kirk's smiling face before passing out.

I was taken off the field on a stretcher. The knee was examined and x-rayed, then I had an MRI scan. The prognosis was grim. My knee was operated on and torn ligaments were stitched and bones screwed together. I was told it would take a year of physiotherapy to see how much movement I would have. The answer was not good, not enough. That is why I walk with a cane and why I boarded the jet early. Needless to say, my baseball career was toast.

Neither Kirk nor Irene saw me sitting behind them.

I couldn't help but observe their interaction on the flight, or should I say, lack of interaction. He seemed to be pounding back the cocktails while she read a skiing magazine. I don't think they spoke once.

The flight was smooth and fast. As a nervous flyer, I was happy to land in one piece. I had expected the island terminal to be larger than it was. I thought for sure they would see me there in the terminal but having a handicap, I was allowed to leave the plane earlier.

I boarded the red and yellow shuttle bus to the resort. I breathed a sigh of relief that Irene didn't get on. They must have booked a different resort. The roads were potholed and rough. We bounced around for a half an hour until arriving at the resort.

What a complex! Set on one of the poorest islands in the Caribbean it was the pinnacle of capitalism and opulent lifestyle. I felt sorry for the residents living in dismal conditions while we stayed in the lap of luxury. They lived in shacks made of discarded dr wood or corrugated steel refuse.

I noticed a limousine approaching the entrance. Irene and Kirk got out. Shit, they were staying here too. Was I too late to get a refund? It was a rhetorical question, of course it was.

Have I mentioned how much I hate Kirk? I could never imagine wanting to do someone in, but for Kirk, I would make an exception. He was my rival in all things, he ruined my knee and my career. Worst of all he somehow stole Irene away from me. He was the kind of guy who got everything he asked for in life. The fame, the girl, the cash and a major league contract.

We arrived late in the day, the sun was setting and a band played island music. I lay on the bed and fell into a sound sleep.

The following morning I went to the beach and began my morning swim. At home I swam laps in a pool. It was wonderful exercise without the pounding my knee took when I was walking.

I completed two lengths of the beach when I spotted Irene sitting alone on a flat rock at the rocky end of the beach. She was wearing a conservative one-piece swimsuit. She looked great. I wondered why Kirk wasn't with her.

She stopped and gazed out at the sea. Her chestnut coloured hair blew away from her face. God, she was beautiful. I noticed tears in her eyes. I swam to shore, then stood in the shallow water. The sun was behind me. All she would see is my silhouette.

"Irene?"

She turned toward me, and she raised her hand to her mouth in surprise, then fear. She skittered back on the rock away from me, as if I was a monster coming out of the sea.

"Irene, calm down it's only me!"

She was breathing fast and shallow, frightened half to death.

"Eric, is that really you?"

"Yes Irene, really me."

"What are you doing here?

"Vacationing, the same as you I guess. I needed some time out, doctor's orders."

"You scared me. I was just praying on that rock and there you were! Who is here with you?"

"No one, I'm here alone. Where is Kirk?"

"Golfing, he doesn't believe in relaxation. This is a couples adult resort, you have to have a partner."

"He's going to burn himself out. I booked a room. They didn't ask if I was bringing anyone."

"Kirk can never go anywhere during the baseball season. I wanted to go to the mountains but Kirk wanted the Caribbean."

"Generous of you to let him have his way."

"Kirk always gets his way, whatever he wants, he takes. He took me from you."

"I'm not thrilled about the Caribbean. It doesn't seem right that the population suffers while we live it up in luxury."

"I was just thinking that too. Don't you find it lonely to be on your own?"

"Yes, but as I said, this is a doctor-ordered time out."

"How is your knee?"

"Beyond repair I'm afraid. I really thought I had a shot at making the major leagues until Kirk kneed me."

"What about your business?"

"Hanging by a thread. Tariffs on imports are killing my bottom line. I need an infusion of cash but I'm maxed out on loans. I'm only here for a week, it was all I could afford."

"Kirk signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Rangers."

"Pardon me if I don't jump for joy. It's good for you though, so I can't get too upset."

"It's not really good for me. Kirk's money is his, not mine."

"Have you two talked about marriage?"

"Not in any serious way. He did say that when he gets married he will insist on a prenup to keep his wife away from his money."

"That sound like Kirk. So no plans?"

"No, I don't know what I want anymore. I mean you and I did things together. We had a lot of fun. Kirk is busy and untouchable during baseball season and on vacation, he is either golfing, gambling, training or drinking. I am pretty much an afterthought."

"You sound unhappy."

"So do you, Eric."

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, but I'm really getting hungry."

"Let's have breakfast together, it will be like the old days!"

She blushed at that. I hadn't meant to bring back memories of our nights spent together and our morning after breakfasts.

"You were the best breakfast chef, Eric. Your omelettes were amazing!"

"Thanks, I remember those mornings fondly, but I loved the nights before."

She blushed again. We sat, ate and chatted at a table on the patio. The awkwardness between us disappeared, it felt like it did when we were together.

We started laughing about little things. There was a game we played where we made up stories about the people we saw around us. She started it by suggesting that the sultry, exotic woman at the next table was a spy. I responded that the man who was bending down to tie his shoelace was a plumber because of the 'plumber's cleavage' he displayed.

We carried on like this for the rest of the morning, laughing till our sides hurt.

"I don't think Kirk will be very happy to see me, Irene."

"You two were always like oil and water."

"He destroyed everything, he took everything I valued away from me."

"I know. Maybe I should let you go, he'll be finished with his golf soon."

"I am not running away from him, Irene." I didn't want her to think I was weak or afraid of him.

I almost called him 'that asshole", but caught myself.

"I know that. It has been good spending the morning with you. I know it's been difficult since we broke up. I wish it weren't so hard. This was fun."

"I agree. I'm going to leave but not because I'm afraid of a confrontation, but because it will be less stress on you."

"I hope to see you later, Eric."

I went down to the beach again and sat on the sand. Of all the Islands and beaches and resorts in the Caribbean they had to pick mine. Not only that, but to have the same flight on the same day seemed beyond coincidence. Somehow I suspected either divine providence or demonic activity was responsible. As a wave came in and lapped at my feet I decided that only time would tell.

-------

As I mentioned earlier, I loved to swim, it was the only exercise that I could enjoy without the knee throbbing. Normally I swam in chlorinated pools. I hated the smell of chlorine but loved to swim. Here at the resort, I got to swim in the delightful, aqua-coloured sea. The water temperature was warm and the sea water was buoyant. I swam the length of the beach resort and back. During my fifth circuit, I heard a loud commotion on the beach over the sound of the waves. People were screaming and pointing out towards the water.

I was out past the depth where rip tides would be a problem but I could see the water rushing sideways near the shore. It was a strong rip tide and someone was swept away. I turned around and swam quickly in the same direction that the rip tide was surging. As the water pulled away from the shore it pulled the victim closer to me. I could see it was a young woman, she was not conscious. I grabbed her and held her head above water. I looked for a spot on the beach that was less turbulent and swam for it. When the water became shallow I had to carry her. Thank God someone ran out and took her from me as I hobbled my way up onto the beach. Someone onshore performed CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation, the girl regained consciousness. Security was waiting and they took the woman away into the resort.

I was called a hero. They asked if I had hurt my knee in the rescue. I explained it was an old injury. A young man had found my cane on the beach and brought it to me. I made my way back to my room and crashed on the bed, not from the exercise but from the emotional strain of having almost certainly saved a life.

By dinner that night the entire complex was aware that I had saved the young woman's life. This was not what I wanted. The last thing I wanted was to have everyone's eyes turned to me.

The woman's boyfriend was effusive in his praise. He wanted photos of me and his girlfriend. Those photos ended up appearing in several local newspapers and even a few back home.

Kirk came up to me with his trademark smirk.

"All hail the conquering hero!" I hardly thought a cripple like you could manage to pull off something like this. Everyone here seems mightily impressed, well, almost everyone."

"You'd have done the same in the circumstance, except that you'd have been hailed nationwide as an MLB player and hero. A big star helping the little people."

"Don't you get tired of carrying that chip on your shoulder, Eric?"

That didn't deserve an answer so I ignored the question. Irene came rushing over and gave me a bear hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Well done, Eric. I didn't know you were such a strong swimmer."

"I started swimming because of my knee. It feels good to exercise without limping. If it wasn't for my bad knee I wouldn't have been able to save that woman. Maybe Kirk is the real hero for ruining my knee in the first place."

Kirk grabbed Irene by the arm and walked off without comment. I think I may have gotten to him. Good, one point for me.

As a hero, the drinks were on the house. I rarely drank alcohol anymore so it was only an occasional glass of wine or beer. The resort told me that the week at their resort was being comped. That was a blessing because I was stretching my budget to pay for it.

The following day Kirk came by my door at 6am. I answered it in my boxers.

"Do both of us a big favour and stay away from Irene for the rest of this week. I heard about your giggle fest the other morning and I don't want you two spending time together."

"Since when are you in charge of my social calendar, Kirk? I will be swimming today and staying at the resort. You can abandon Irene and go golfing or play tennis or whatever you want. If she wants to talk to me I will talk to her."

"You like to live dangerously, don't you?"

"Lay a hand on me or Irene and the major leagues will have a scandal on their hands. You have far more to lose in a fight than I do, so watch your temper."

--------

I sat alone at breakfast. This "stress-free" experience was turning out to be anything but. Irene came and sat with me.

"So, did you get the same lecture from Kirk that he gave me at 6am?"

"My lecture was last night before bed. He warned me to stay away from you. He called you a loser and a pretender. He is jealous that you are being treated as a hero. Then after lecturing me about not talking to you, he wanted sex. I was so put out I told him there was no fucking way he was getting any sex from me."

"Yikes, I'm guessing he didn't take that well."

"Do you want to see the welt on my ass from where he hit me? It was no love tap. It's angry, red and it's already starting to bruise."

"Did he...?"

"No, he slammed the door as he left. I think he was in the casino for a while. He came back around 1am."

"I'm sorry, he's pissed at me, he shouldn't be taking it out on you."

"It's not your fault. Things have been weird between him and me lately."

"Has he been faithful to you?"

"Eric, you know better than most, you almost made it to the major leagues. They have girls in every city."

"I can't picture you being happy or satisfied with that situation."

"You're right, I'm not. Kirk wanted the freedom to do as he pleased but expected me to be waiting and ready for him when he gets home."

"Tell me why you chose him and left me?"

"We've discussed this before."

"There are many obvious reasons why him and not me. He's handsome, athletic, a sports celebrity, and rich. Even so you had to have some dissatisfaction with me. You've never addressed that part."

"We were so close for so long, Eric. You and Kirk were like arguing brothers. I never took your rivalry seriously. When you got hurt it was tragic. It was like you lost everything. I tried to be in your corner, tried to support and help you. You were angry, depressed and you snapped at me and everyone who tried to help you. Kirk was there for me. He supported me as I tried to support you. I understood your angst but you just kept lashing out at me. I could only take so much of it, so I stopped coming to see you."

"I never understood why you stopped coming to see me. I wasn't aware that I was that harsh with you."

"Kirk had been helping me and we grew closer. He expressed his feelings for me and said he felt bad about it because he knew you loved me."

"Bullshit, not what you say, what he said. He caused my injury with that knee-on-knee 'accident'. He got close to you because he knew it would drive me mad."

"Kirk was being so nice to me, so loving, and you were just the opposite. You were angry at the world and took it out on me."

"Okay, thanks for telling me the truth. I'm sorry if I ever treated you badly. When I found out that you weren't just taking a break from helping me, but seriously taking up with Kirk, it destroyed me."

"I know and I'm sorry. You finally came around and rebuilt yourself. Look at the progress you've made in only a year!"

"You think I've rebuilt? Irene, I've gone a full year with no dating. I'm running a business that is one step away from being insolvent. I'm limping through life a broken man."

"You don't look broken to me, Eric. You look as strong as ever. These past few days with you have been a pleasure."

"These past few days with you have been the only bright spot in this whole miserable year. I've never laughed or enjoyed myself as much."

"In many ways, I wish I hadn't left you for Kirk. I've let you down in so many ways."

"What's done is done, for better or worse. I needed to know. I need to take a walk."

"Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, I need to be alone."

--------

I hobbled down to the beach, to the rocky area and sat on the same flat rock where I had seen Irene sitting. The tide was high.

I was trying to absorb what Irene had told me. Had I really snapped at her enough to drive her away? I had been in so much mental and physical pain at that time I couldn't remember the things I'd said or done. I was totally self absorbed.

Did Kirk really have feelings for Irene, or was it just the thrill of victory over me that fed his mammoth ego?"

Regardless of the reason, she had moved on. She wasn't totally happy but then are we ever?

I had a few more days on this island paradise before returning to reality. I took a long swim along the beach again and hobbled back to my room for a nap. I stripped off my bathing suit and got under the sheets. Thirty minutes after taking to the bed there was a knock at the door. It was Irene.

I wrapped myself in a towel and answered the door.

"Sorry, is this a bad time?"

"No, come in, I was just resting after my swim."

"I need to apologize. I have been thinking more about your question. At the time that I left you I thought I was removing myself because I was an irritant to you. Now it seems plain that I hurt you even more. I'm sorry."

She teared up, took a deep breath and sighed.

"I have had more fun and laughter this week with you than in a year with Kirk. My friends said that I had it made with Kirk, my future was bright because I was with a star, but they're wrong."

"Irene, let me get dressed. I'll just be a moment."

"No, I have to say this now.

When you came up to me sitting on that rock overlooking the sea I had been praying. I was praying that God would give me the chance to see you again. I prayed that I would get the chance to tell you the truth."

"What truth?"

"The happiest I've ever been in my life was when we were together. Ever since I left I've questioned my decision and now I know that it was a terrible mistake. I want to be with you again, Eric. I love you."

I stood up and embraced her.

"Think about what you're saying. You have a millionaire boyfriend who is absent a good portion of the year. You will be giving up a life of ease and a fancy condo or home."

"I want to be happy. You make me feel happy. Together again we can face anything."

"Irene. I'll admit that I still love you. I have fantasized about this moment but never believed it would happen."

We kissed and the world went away for a little while. It was just us, together, oneness. It was as if a great empty hole in me had just been filled.

In our embrace my towel knot loosened and the towel fell. She stepped back and looked at me. I could see the lust in her eyes and my lust for her was obvious now the towel was gone.

"I want to be with you right now but I can't until I break up with Kirk."

"I understand," said my brain and my lips but my cock begged to differ.

We kissed again before she left the room.

I had a terrible feeling of foreboding. I knew how Kirk deals with problems. I couldn't help thinking that this was going to end badly.

That evening the resort held a beach party. This was a couples resort so I was left conspicuously sitting alone. I sat on the beach, ate the food and watched the entertainment.

A very pretty red head came up to me and asked if I wanted to dance. She was very petite and she was wearing a barely there bikini. I explained that I used a cane to walk so dancing would be awkward. She pulled me out of my chair anyway.

We danced a few quick numbers, I barely shuffled my feet. Then we danced to a slow song. Wow, she had a smoking hot little body.

"Are you alone?"I asked. "Won't your boyfriend be jealous?"

"No, he left the resort. He had a business emergency so he left. We had an argument and we broke up. Aren't you the guy that saved that woman's life?"

"I am."

"You're a real hero!"

She squeezed me tighter and I felt myself responding.

"So why are you alone?" She asked me.

"I needed a break. I didn't know this was a couples resort so I came alone."

We introduced ourselves, her name was Lacey.

"Hey Eric, isn't that Kirk, the baseball player?"

"Yes, it is."

"Who's the babe he's dancing with?"

I looked over to see Kirk and Irene dancing together. Irene looked over at Lacey and me, she winked.

"Did she just wink at us?"

"Yes, that's Irene, my former girlfriend."

"So you know Kirk?"

"Only too well."

"Can you introduce me? I'd love to meet him and get a photo taken with him."

We were still dancing close and she began singing softly in my ear.

"WOW.! That's some voice you've got there. Are you a professional singer?"

"No, I just love to sing."

That was the moment that I had a scathingly brilliant idea form in my demented little noggin. This could be a fun evening after all!

I wandered over to Irene and Kirk. I tapped Kirk on the shoulder.

"I'll trade you dance partners."

He sneered at me until he had a good look at Lacey then he smiled.

"Sure thing Eric."

I held Irene in my arms and we danced. Oddly enough my limp seemed to enhance my dancing. It gave me more rhythm.

"What the hell are you up to Eric?"

"A sneaky plan that will help both you and me. Just play along and follow my lead. Things might get spicy."

One dance was enough to give Kirk a small taste of Lacey, just enough to peak his interest.

I took a photo of them together for Lacey.

"One dance is all you get Kirk, Lacey's all mine tonight."

Lacey and I wandered over to the bar for refreshments. Kirk watched Lacey's teardrop butt sway as she walked away. The hook was set.

I made sure we were always close to Kirk and Irene. I asked Lacey what she thought of Kirk.

"He's incredible, what a hunk."

"So if he came on to you, would you be happy?"

"I kinda had my eye on you," she waggled her eyebrows.

"I promise that if Kirk isn't interested I certainly will be."

"So I can't lose tonight!"

"No you can't!"

As the evening wore on the dancing became much more like drunken groping. Kirk had one side of the bra of Irene's bathing suit pulled aside, his hand full of her exposed tit. It made me angry but it played into my plan. I kissed Lacey and rubbed my hand down the crack of her ass. She moaned. Kirk was watching Lacey and I, paying no attention to Irene. The deeper I kissed Lacey the more he seemed interested.

When the song ended I sat with Lacey, kissed her and said I had to use the bathroom. I signalled Irene to come with me. That left Lacey and Kirk alone. Who needs to be sneaky when you can just let lust do your work for you?

We stood off by the washrooms and watched. Within half a minute Kirk was over talking to Lacey. Five minutes later they left the beach together.

"Irene, give them ten minutes then go to your room. You should catch them fucking up a storm. That should give you ample excuse to leave that knee destroying bastard."

"Brilliant plan. I'm impressed."

"Thank you, if it works I'm brilliant, if it fails I suck. Work or fail I want to spend the rest of the night with you."

"Let's go catch 'em."

I figured that they would want a quickie. They would have been expecting us to wait for them downstairs for at least half an hour. I was right.

Irene opened the door slowly and quietly. Kirk was balls deep inside Lacey, fucking her doggy style. We didn't have to be quiet because Lacey was being very vocal.

Seeing Lacey stark naked was a glorious sight to behold. If I wasn't so crazy in love with Irene I'd be the one making love with that incredible body, not Kirk.

Kirk finally saw Irene and he stopped mid hump. Lacey orgasmed at the same time.

Irene just shook her head, "We're finished Kirk, you cheating asshole."

Kirk looked at Irene and then at Lacey.

"Goodbye Irene," Kirk said as he resumed fucking Lacey.

Irene and I retreated to my room. She kissed me and then raided the mini bar.

"I feel a little disrespected, Kirk preferred Lacey to me."

"She is gorgeous and if I didn't love you so much..."

She swatted me!

I'm just kidding! God, it's so good to be back with you!"

She downed the mini bottle of vodka and kissed me. We lay on the bed together cuddling, but as usual my hands wandered and soon she was panting and close to what promised to be the mother of all orgasms. It was a hot night for us both. Irene and Eric, together again!

But the story doesn't end there.

Part Two

Kirk and Lacey made love three times that night, each time greater than the last. They awoke entwined. She couldn't help herself, she reached down to take his cock in her hand, she was surprised at his size. It was so... small.

Lacey had always been attracted to men with a sizeable member. Last night Kirk certainly got her off, frankly, he was better than any previous lover she'd had. She wondered how that was possible with such a small cock.

She scooted down the bed and took him into her mouth. It was flaccid, but the more she licked it the thicker and longer it got. Soon she had him groaning and then cumming.

"Good morning, Lacey."

"Good morning, Kirk."

"Tell me that you're not going back to that loser Eric today. You're far better off with me."

"I know baby, I know, I'm all yours."

They spent the rest of the day fucking. Kirk was very skilled and he taught Lacey many new ways to achieve sexual satisfaction. They stopped long enough to get a lunch.

All good things must come to an end and the their weeks vacation was over. Lacey had to leave for home. She told Kirk she would come to him in Texas in a week.

Kirk tried his luck with Irene again and was met with disdain.

"You chose the hot bimbo and said goodbye to me. We're toast Kirk."

Lacey followed up with Kirk. Kirk was definitely smitten with Lacey. She came down to Texas and traveled with the team whenever she could. Sometimes other team members asked if she would do a gang bang but Kirk was possessive and she was in love with him.

It was at a baseball team social event that Lacey first sang in public alone. The team had a karaoke machine. Her extremely sweet and silky voice silenced the noisy party. When she finished she received a standing ovation.

The marketing manager of the team was married to an agent, an artist manager is the more appropriate term. He was so captivated with Lacey that he approached her and asked if she sang professionally.

In a matter of days she was inside a recording studio and was singing with a band behind her.

The agent knew he had found a diamond. She didn't need polishing vocally but her image needed massaging. She had everything going for her, a superstar baseball player boyfriend, the voice of an angel and a body that was the envy of women and the fantasy of any man.

Once the publicity machinery was in place a music video was released on YouTube. It went viral in a big way.

She became a new sensation, she could have played the clueless bimbo but she didn't. She spoke well, was highly intelligent and the camera loved her.

She got booked onto the late night talk show circuit. They all wanted her. She was now making some serious money and she needed a personal assistant to keep her schedule straight.

She was getting many offers from men, important men, captains of industry, even world leaders, all of them wanted to have a piece of her, literally. She remained loyal to Kirk until Kirk was caught with the wife of another player, even worse it was a team mate's wife.

Kirk was traded away for a bag of baseballs because no team really wanted someone that disruptive in the clubhouse.

Lacey left Kirk, thanking the Lord that they never married.

Her career blossomed. The director of a potential blockbuster film wanted to cast her as the female lead in the film. It was supposed to be a mystery story. They screen tested her and they begged her to take the part.

The film was released after six months of hard filming, scene after excruciating scene. When she finished she swore that she never wanted to do another love scene. She used to think it would be so sexy to do one but it wasn't, it was drudgery.

The gala screening was amazing for many reasons, but for Lacey it was special because she had invited two friends, Eric and Irene!

Eric and Irene had married and they were madly in love, Irene was pregnant with their first child.

Lacey felt that she owed all of her fame and fortune to these two. Eric had fixed her up with Kirk. Nothing would have happened if Eric had simply fucked her instead of getting back together with Irene.

Irene and Eric were thrilled at Lacey's success and they remained close friends. Lacey was doing so well that she helped finance Eric's import/export business, giving him the capital to expand and grow.

Eric thought the only person who lost out in the end was Kirk. He never played in the major leagues again. He went to a triple A team for a few months and the double A. By the end of the season he was working full time selling used cars at his cousin Dupree's lot.

Every time Eric's knee would warn him that storm was approaching he thought about Kirk and his fall from grace. There is a German term for what Eric felt, schadenfreude. A delight in Kirk's painfully fall from the heights of fame and glory that felt right and just, well earned.

-30-