PART TWO ----- AND WHEN THEY DON'T

One of the main reasons I went to the four ball tournament was to see one of my heroes. I had mentioned before that I was a fan of the "Dudley Do Right" type of man. I adored Perry Como, not only for his looks, his voice but also his solid reputation as a great family man and all round good guy. However, after my meeting with The Great One and Arrogant Golfer Guy I was a bit afraid to meet Mr. C.


Jerry had some business to attend to with the tournament so he handed me off to Jack who knew Perry personally. Now both Jerry and Jack were much older than I and married. It would be easy to assume that there was a more to our relationship. I am pretty sure I fell into the little sister or "pet" category. They were both solicitous and protective. I loved them both for the care they showed me that day.

"So you really want to meet Perry?" Jack asked. " He and his wife are dining privately but I can take you there."


I assured him I was desperate. We then started to wander thru the bowels of the country club. I thought Perry would be dining in some grand private dining room. This was not what I expected as Jack led me to a large room that was empty of everything but one small table and 4 people. The small group looked up as we approached. Jack whispered,"I hope you appreciate this for I really hate the guy they are dining with." It was a dreaded business rival of Jack's.


Perry smiled big time as he recognized Jack. He rose from the table , accepted the introductions, took my hand in both of his and said he was so pleased to meet a friend of Jack's. Perry then introduced me to the lovely blond next to him , his wife Roselle. I grinned like I had no sense and said nothing. The mouth opened but nothing came out. I was struck dumb. I desperately wanted to be cool but it wasn't to be. I provided Jack with good ribbing material for a long time. Perry offered to let us join them but Jack said no, we had all ready eaten, so he said goodbye(I was still just a grinning mute) and we left the room.


Jack had previously told me how much Perry was devoted to his wife. Jack and Perry played cards together and often Jack would try to tempt Perry to go out on the town afterwards, but Perry always said."No thanks, I want to go home to Roselle." Not "I have" to go but "I want" to go home. I ended up at Perry's house at a later day and he actually greeted me by name. The man was renown for remembering names. Even though the second meeting was months later, I still was the grinning mute. I am sure he was convinced I was speech impaired. He spoke loudly and slowly to me. But, back to the country club.


When I recovered my speech and ability to breathe, Jack handed me back to Jerry.
Jerry was handing out the awards for the tournament and took me to the ceremonies. After the awards were handed out, Jerry said one of the golfers wanted to meet me and was I willing?. He pointed out Jay Hebert (pronounced A-bear). Now this was "the" bachelor on tour so I naturally said yes. Jay was a ruggedly handsome man with impeccable manners. It was rumored that he was one of the original Marlboro men in those sexy ads. Jay wanted to know if I would join him, his brother Lionel who was also an excellent golfer, and Lionel's wife for a late dinner. I said I would and Jerry was freed from his obligation to me.


Jay took us to a famous Steak house in West Palm Beach. We had settled at our table when who did we spy but Arrogant Golfer Guy also dining there with his father and business manager. He positively glared at me. He came to our table, all the golfers shook hands and congratulated each other on a good tournament. He then turned to me, still glaring.


"I thought you DIDN'T?" he snarled in a vague attempt at being obscure.


"I DON'T," I answered with almost glee. "Jay didn't make it a requirement for dinner."


I don't think men normally huff and puff, but he did as he returned to his table.
I told Jay what had just happened and why. I made his day. Seems he wasn't fond of Arrogant Golfer Guy either.


Jay and I dated for several months. I had to admit it was cool to watch a man play golf on TV then to have him call as soon as the tournament was over. Because he was on tour, we didn't get much time together and he eventually met someone else. I was not a bit crushed, I enjoyed our time together but knew it would go no further. In many ways, we were too different. He sure was a fun chapter though.