When we got to my house, we got back to reality. My brother and his wife had arrived. They were sitting in the media room, knocking down a few beers.

Brenda buttoned up her dress before we left the garage. She became her other self. Officious and a little standoffish, she tended to dominate people. My brother got a peck on the cheek. His wife's kiss was in the air next to her cheek!

My brother and I were in jeans and shirts. The ladies went upstairs and changed.

My brother's wife, Clare, was a mousy-looking thing. She appeared to be and was the stereotypical suburban housewife. She was the...