One sugar, no cream.

Chapter 1
Bored

Oliver was in a mid-life lull. His parents had passed away a few years ago and mild depression had set in. It’s not that he was outright sad or overly emotional, but rather at a point of re-evaluating his life. Where was he heading? What was he doing? What was he doing for the community? He had grown somewhat restless with his current position. While his job was currently a bright spot, his future advancement looked grim. His love-life was somewhat lackluster; he had girlfriends, on occasion, but nothing substantial. He didn’t feel doomed by his current situation, that wasn’t the case; rather, uneasy and uncertain as to where it was heading.

While his career and intimacy was average, he had a few friends that brightened his social life in Kyle and Tim. Kyle was a “gentle giant”. Bigger guy, but had a roundness not dissimilar to Santa, and he was very jovial. His wife, Debbie, was shorter, but just as bright and attractive as her counterpart. They lived in the apartment next to his. They had met at a neighborhood function and found they had more in common than they had thought. They were both avid hockey fans, both in similar careers, and being in the same age group certainly helped.

Then there was Tim, the office buddy. Tim was the most rambunctious of the three. He was younger than the two by about five years and just getting started in the firm Oliver worked at. He had a great personality and the means to advance, and looked up to Oliver for guidance as well as sharing his friendship.

Every weekend they devoted a night to bar-hopping. Mostly sports bars, they would share some beers and take in whatever game was on that night. They enjoyed their personal time away from work, and in Kyle’s case, the wife. Oliver knew that would soon end. Kyle and Debbie were madly in love, and it was only a matter of time before Debbie clamped down on the ball and chain, and Kyle would only be seen at future neighborhood functions.

While Oliver and Kyle were brother-like friends, at times Oliver felt more of a rapport with Tim. They were both single, both looking for love, and both focusing on their careers.

Their routine had been going on for a few months. While things weren’t dull, they were always faced with a lust for excitement, to relive the glory days of partying. Although they frequently tried new bars, each night grew increasingly typical. They all knew they needed something to spice up their lives, but nobody knew where to turn.

One evening, a few beers into the night, Kyle suggested they take a vacation to Florida.

“The Argos are taking on Tampa Bay which should be a hell of a series, what say we head down, stay a few days and play some golf?”

This is exactly what the three of them needed, mostly Oliver. He had been working twenty eight days a month for the past year. They all agreed to try and get time off work and get things worked out. The game was in two weeks, so they agreed to get started the next day.