“That’s how real money is made, how the real world works. You’ve gotta have a nose for the good deals, time things right, be thorough with your homework, connect the right people, latch onto the “rain-makers” and make money with each connection.  You gotta wonder, in a hot market… how many deals could she have going on, right now?”

Talk of that deal had somehow put Lea in the right frame of mind.

“Well, ready when you are, Bette!”

She could be right. She’s probably been the one who’s been recruiting me.  Bette looked down the fairway again.   Or we could have been recruiting each other.

“You sure this hole won’t become a near-death experience? After all the work we put into the last 15 holes?”

Lea chuckled and walked over to her tee box. “It’s a monster hole but not bigger than you, Bette!”

She lined up her tee shot.   This is all coming together. I feel really good about how we’ve been talking.  She’s been “bringin’ it” and has been a gamer, despite not having played in a long time. But she’s also been warm and real and I can tell she’s been watching me really closely over the last three and a half hours.  She took several practice swings and felt good that her muscles remained loose.  After blowing out a steadying breath she focused on the ball. Okay, make sure you draw the club up smoothly …. oh what the hell!  I should just relax and enjoy this last hole. Mimicking Bette earlier, she let it rip.   They both heard the resounding, “Ssshhwwack!”

Bette gave Lea a broad smile when she turned around and raised her arms in the air triumphantly. “Finally!  A monster blast down the fairway!  Just when I needed one!”

“Good one, Lea!”

“Just channeling you, Bette.”

Bette set her tee down in the jade tee section and took a few practice swings, just the way she’d done before every tee shot. The routine had worked all afternoon in getting her timing right. And her timing in recruiting Lea looks like it’s working out right, too.

“Ironically, that thinking is something I find that’s lacking in your foundation, Bette.”

It was a loaded statement that made Bette step away from the box and stop her practice swings. She set the club down and let it rest against her leg as she faced Lea.