DEDICATED TO THREE VERY AWESOME “BOYS”…RAY, DAVE AND LOBO. XXX

They called it “Boys Nite Out.”
They weren’t really boys anymore except maybe in their minds and possibly in the way they behaved on that particular night.

Their friendship began as three guys who worked together.
They eventually crossed the invisible line that took them from work friends to just plain good guy friends.

It’s been about 35 years now so their friendship has withstood the test of time.
They’ve gone through marriages, divorces, new wives, teenagers, college, new jobs and other things that only the three of them know about.

One of these “boys” lived in Southern California but came up to the area of the other two for meetings every two months and then spent the night before returning south.

Many years ago they got into the habit of hooking up for a few drinks after these work day meetings; just a few casual beers after hours and some laughs.

Over time I noticed my “boy” was coming home later and later and in a condition I feared was going to get him stopped and tossed into a cell for a night.
I became concerned.
My threat of leaving him in jail all night “when I got the call” didn’t seem to phase him.
I began to worry.
Irresponsible driving had become center stage across the country.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!
These “boys” had been doing both.

I thought long and hard searching for a way for them to preserve their every other month ritual without going to jail, crashing, or killing maybe themselves or innocent people.

It eventually hit me and before the next happening, I presented an overnight bag and a speech.
I told my guy he was no longer invited to come home on those nights; he needed to get a room downtown.
I knew I had him!
How could he argue with a wife who encouraged him to go out with his buddies, have a great time, get as bombed as he wanted but not put one persons life in jeopardy for the sake of his fun?
He couldn’t!

There was more.
He had to promise he’d convince his buddies, the other two goof-balls that they would either walk or take taxi’s the entire night.
NO DRIVING by any of them.
He raised his right hand and swore on the grave of Elvis that he would adhere to the deal.

The next Boys Nite Out after our deal, my husband had his duffle bag packed, reserved a room in some downtown hotel, happily kissed me goodbye in the morning and left for work.

That evening I missed him but it was pretty cool eating WHAT I wanted, WHEN I wanted and, I had control of………THE TV CLICKER!

The following night when he walked in from a hard day at the office, his voice was hoarse, his eyes were half closed and his body was moving in pretty slow motion.
Looked like a good time was had by all.
And by the way, the three of them thought staying downtown and taking taxi’s turned out to be the greatest idea ever.

For many years, the three of them went downtown every other month and bar-restaurant-hopped via taxi.
They’d drink, they’d talk, they’d laugh lots and they’d make more fun memory.

One of the last Boys Nite Out I remember was a rough one.
They weren’t in their 40’s anymore but I wasn’t gonna tell them.
My guy took the next day off!
He ran a few errands with me and then decided to sit and read the paper.

And how would he like a nice beer or a Margarita or maybe a glass of his favorite wine, I asked?
He chose water and that told the story.
Another successful BOYS NITE OUT.