Dennis and Conrad was surprised to see a large big tanned guy who came as Mr. Bouvier's partner for this match, Mr. Bouvier starting by introducing his partner, Carson Highland, a gym teacher who happened to be his childhood friend and they just ran into each other again not too long ago so today, they decided to play the match together.
Dennis and then Conrad each soon taking their turn to shook Carson's hand. When Conrad said he wishing this match to be fun and fair game. Carson suggested something unexpected for everyone.
"How about we bet something? It should keep the game more fun if there's something to lost from, right?" Carson grinned.
"Why not?" Mr. Bouvier giving him a support "What do you have in mind Carson?"
"How about..." Carson closed his eyes only for a seconds and say "Your socks would do"
Huh? Is he for real!?
"Sock?" Conrad raised his eyebrows.
"Yup! It's not an expensive things after all, perfect to use for a little fun bet, right? Even if you ended up losing, you just gives me your socks, I could use few more socks as extra equipment supplies for my students, ah, if you don't want our socks, you can asking for something else from us but I still going for the sock if I win, is it okay?"
"I guess I don't mind that" Mr. Bouvier said and soon Conrad decided to be in this too by saying "Sure, if we win, you will buy us some drink at the bar" Carson nodded "Fine by me! And you don't mind that too, right?" He turned and asked Dennis.
But... These socks is... My son... Dennis head running wild now, should he tell them but he can't prove it, maybe he should ask to bet something else but Carson just said he will go for his socks no matter what... It took a bit long to think and when Dennis noticed, he have been standing there without giving them answer and they are now looking at him with confused face as if they wondered why it took him so long to decide.
"Come on, Dennis, why took you so long? Just say you are in!" Conrad voice mixed with a slightly ordered as if he said "No refuse here, Dennis" which Dennis noticed that, meaning he have to accept this "Yes sir, sounds good to me..." He giving them a small fake smile and when they turned and start walking to the court, Dennis looking down at his socks and then he gulped "I was doing well with Mr. Conrad, I will just have to do the same, win this match and keep my socks... I mean, Jeff, right?"
But with the fact he might lost his son filled in his mind, Dennis can't fully focusing on the match as he should and soon, he missed, he did well sometime but Carson proved to be too strong for Dennis to beat here.
The game ended with 5-7 with the victory for Mr. Bouvier and Carson.
"Not bad at all you two" Carson said as he shook hand with Conrad and then shook Dennis's "I don't mind if we can have a match like this again in the future"
"Guess so" Conrad seems to already accepted his defeat "Oh, here you go, bet is a bet"
Conrad took his tennis shoes out and then removed his socks and handed it to Carson "Here you go" He said and turned to Dennis "You too, don't take so long, we still have other works to do"
Dennis feel like he could passing out for any moment now, he is forcing to give his son to someone else, just like this? What going to happened to Jeff? Should he do anything here... Maybe... Maybe...
"Dennis!" Conrad yelled, Dennis startled and when he noticed Carson is waiting, he reluctantly began to take off his tennis shoes and socks.
Conrad shook his head "What wrong with him sorry, he been like this since he was here, oh well..." He picking two socks Dennis just removed and give it to Carson himself "Here"
"Thank you" Carson opened his bag and put all the socks he just got in it and zipped it back and then pulled two cards out and handed it to Conrad and Dennis, it is a card name.
"My number is in that, call me if you want to rematch but I might show up with this guy again later on anyway" He pointed at Mr. Bouvier "See you later" He giving a little wave and walked away. Mr Bouvier stay a little longer than him just to give a compliment about the game, he seems to gives Conrad a next date for their next match at the club but Dennis is now all thinking about Jeff so he didn't hear when.
After that, Mr Bouvier left the club too.
Conrad give a little pat on Dennis's shoulder "I don't know why you been like that but that was just a sock, I'll even buy you a new one if you still upset about it, hey, come with me to the office, will you? I have something for you to deal with, you can take it to your home, sorry but work is a work"
Dennis later drived to his office where Conrad giving him ton of documents and after that, he allowed Dennis to go home for today.
While in the car, Dennis still only keep thinking about his son, his socks...