The Last Cotillion

Chapter 6

Thadeus began to see a change in Mary. He wasn't quite sure of the origin driving the new spirit he observed in her but was happy to see she appeared more relaxed, and indeed more pleasant to be around. Something was changing in him as well, something he had never felt before, a need he had never noticed. Perhaps it was age, maybe he was growing tired from the constant need to be on point; whatever the reason he was becoming increasingly aware he wanted something more. Thadeus had managed his life and appearance to ensure he was considered a ladies' man; his work and life away from home benefitted from his endless charm. The result of his way of being required he lived his life as far removed from Mary as possible. Both of their needs were met by various means, hers within her home and his by outside alliances. Thadeus somewhat thought he understood Mary and ensured he was always proper with her. On occasion, he would shout at her for a random act he might disagree with, but he never hit her. He knew just enough of her past from various conversations to know physical abuse was common in her past. Even though they were never intimate, he made a conscious choice to not reopen past wounds from within her. He had begun to question if finding intimacy in their awkward relationship might somehow fulfill both of them.

Thadeus, alongside his business partners, ran the joints in Oklahoma City. He had personally established a few other places around the state, which he ran independently of his business partners. He utilized his social skillset and various means of persuasion to amass a sizable amount of cash, untaxed, and unknown to the government. Using connections which had the power to move mountains when he requested it, life was easy. Between a senator, a couple of judges, state and local, and several sheriffs' offices, he could resolve most situations with a simple, usually verbal, request. His reputation was one of being able to maneuver and persuade people, perhaps even coerce them, rarely relying on violence to accomplish what he wanted. In a time where a gun most easily resolved challenges, his use of alternative methods eliminated the burden of disposing of someone who might be disagreeable. By understanding his business associates, he was able to create a tit-for-tat system, a structure by which everyone got what they needed. He was known for robbing banks where no carnage was left in his wake. People walked away from participating in one of his heists, happy they encountered him and his troop as it gave them a story to tell; he was, oddly, a bit of a folk hero.

His nom de plume, if you will, was Pretty Man. He was tall and handsome at six foot three, with a perfect thirty-six-inch waist and forty-two-inch chest. A frame which lent itself to fantasy. Jet black hair with simple tossed curls, all managed and forced into place with Brill Cream. Eyes the color of the water near a beach; light and practically see-through, so piercing that whoever peered into them was momentarily beguiled. His cheekbones high and pronounced with lips so perfectly carved above his cleft chin, they begged to be kissed. His only physical flaw was a small scar to the left of his nose, high on his cheek just below his eye; barely noticeable but prominent enough to make him appear rugged. He was always charming to the ladies and a man that most men wanted to be. Always dressed to perfection, thanks to his wife's efforts. He lived the life most people envied and was having fun doing it. He broke almost every law and never received any punishment. One must understand, it is a matter of perspective, as long as he had the right connections and dirty laundry on those who might convict him, he was safe. Generally speaking, if fear of being outed for some reason didn't work, an anonymous bag of cash would forgive most sins. Most everyone in town and around Oklahoma knew who Pretty Man was, except Mary. She had heard tales of this legendary figure, read about him in the paper but never knew he was her husband. Thadeus, A.K.A. Pretty Man, managed never to be photographed with his face showing. This anonymity allowed him great benefits, and his liaisons liked that he was elusive. It provided sanctuary for them as well.

On a rare occasion, Thadeus would venture out of the City to Carter County to visit one of his speakeasies. The young Sheriff in Carter County was a stubborn goat and was not one willing to be bought. The Sheriff believed in the law and made it clear to Thadeus as long as he kept things quiet, he would stay out of the way. He didn't want anything from Thadeus; not money, not favors, nothing. Thadeus often questioned this allowance considering how stoic the Sheriff appeared to be. He decided it best to not question the motives of the Sheriff as long as his business was making money and no trouble was had.