sorry;
sincerely I am.”
“ It’s my own fault,” he
smiled shyly. “You don’t need to be sorry for anything.”
Robin felt terrible about rejecting him. She
learned a valuable lesson with Colin’s visit though. Colin had been
silent all of this time, never talking about his feelings or what
he truly wanted. His opportunity passed by. Determined not to make
the same mistake, she knew she wanted Matt and going for it with
him is what she planned. Nevertheless, she doubted his motives and
her own ability to trust. She wondered if she could love someone
again.
****
Robin talked to Matt daily. Each spare
moment was spent either on the phone, texting, or chatting online.
Every Tuesday night, Matt attended the softball game and every
Wednesday night Robin met Matt at the bowling alley. On the
weekends that Matt’s daughter didn’t visit, Robin spent time with
him. They walked, talked, laughed; each moment of togetherness
fashioned a sturdy brick fit especially for the foundation of their
relationship.
She continued to carefully avoid intimacy
with Matt. She observed Matt’s patience. Relieved that he seemed
okay with the lack of intense physical contact, she admitted to
herself how difficult it was becoming for her. Still, kissing here
and there, hand holding, and snuggling in front of a movie kept him
at a safe distance. But above all else, she enjoyed his
company.
July meant fireworks, picnics, and family
reunions. It also meant the supervisor’s position was up for grabs.
Robin applied at the end of June. Decisions from upper level
management were in the works. For now, however, her department
remained leaderless. Luckily, caseloads calmed after the dismissal
of the local schools.
Robin rode in the car to Matt’s July
4 th barbeque with his family. Excited to meet his
mother, brother, and sister-in-law, she hoped to make a good
impression.
Middletown hosted a large fireworks display
each year. She looked forward to that also.
Immediately, after meeting everyone, she
drew close to Matt’s mother, Doris. A strong, confident, and
independent woman, she taught her boys respect and the importance
of honest, hard work.
While Matt, his brother Charlie, and his
wife Tammy drove into Middletown to pick up some extra items, Robin
stayed behind with Doris. They sat on the front porch watching the
cars pass on the busy street. Robin felt Doris’s glance and turned
her head.
“ You know,” Doris began,
“there’s something special about you, dear.”
Confused, but pleased, Robin replied,
“Thanks.”
“ My son has been
devastated, you know,” Doris said, turning her attention back to
the traffic. “He’s been hurt beyond words. I watched him when he
tore himself apart after his marriage failed. I watched him suffer
when Sheryl tried to keep Olivia from him. Truly, he has been
tormented. But, you… you seemed to have erased all of that I think.
He utterly adores you.”
“ I care so much for him,
Doris,” she started. “It’s strange, and I know this sounds very
cliché, but I feel like he’s always been a part of my
life.”
“ That’s how it should be.
Matt’s father and I, well, it was just destiny. We met when he was
discharged from the service. Oh, such a handsome chap. He had a
glow about him, almost as if he were divine in some odd
way.”
“ That’s so
romantic.”
“ You have that same glow.
I can see it. I know Matthew can, too. He sees the soul; right
through to it. He just got a little lost with Sheryl. And I think
medicine and science have clouded his ability to think about the
bigger picture, too. We’re certainly not alone in this life
journey, are we?”
“ I know I’m not alone.
But, I do think we all get lost from time to time. That way, when
we finally do find our truest self and our dearest love, we
appreciate it more. It makes the journey’s end that much
sweeter.”
“ I think you’re
right.”
****
The Friday after the 4 th dragged
at work as Robin
sincerely I am.”
“ It’s my own fault,” he
smiled shyly. “You don’t need to be sorry for anything.”
Robin felt terrible about rejecting him. She
learned a valuable lesson with Colin’s visit though. Colin had been
silent all of this time, never talking about his feelings or what
he truly wanted. His opportunity passed by. Determined not to make
the same mistake, she knew she wanted Matt and going for it with
him is what she planned. Nevertheless, she doubted his motives and
her own ability to trust. She wondered if she could love someone
again.
****
Robin talked to Matt daily. Each spare
moment was spent either on the phone, texting, or chatting online.
Every Tuesday night, Matt attended the softball game and every
Wednesday night Robin met Matt at the bowling alley. On the
weekends that Matt’s daughter didn’t visit, Robin spent time with
him. They walked, talked, laughed; each moment of togetherness
fashioned a sturdy brick fit especially for the foundation of their
relationship.
She continued to carefully avoid intimacy
with Matt. She observed Matt’s patience. Relieved that he seemed
okay with the lack of intense physical contact, she admitted to
herself how difficult it was becoming for her. Still, kissing here
and there, hand holding, and snuggling in front of a movie kept him
at a safe distance. But above all else, she enjoyed his
company.
July meant fireworks, picnics, and family
reunions. It also meant the supervisor’s position was up for grabs.
Robin applied at the end of June. Decisions from upper level
management were in the works. For now, however, her department
remained leaderless. Luckily, caseloads calmed after the dismissal
of the local schools.
Robin rode in the car to Matt’s July
4 th barbeque with his family. Excited to meet his
mother, brother, and sister-in-law, she hoped to make a good
impression.
Middletown hosted a large fireworks display
each year. She looked forward to that also.
Immediately, after meeting everyone, she
drew close to Matt’s mother, Doris. A strong, confident, and
independent woman, she taught her boys respect and the importance
of honest, hard work.
While Matt, his brother Charlie, and his
wife Tammy drove into Middletown to pick up some extra items, Robin
stayed behind with Doris. They sat on the front porch watching the
cars pass on the busy street. Robin felt Doris’s glance and turned
her head.
“ You know,” Doris began,
“there’s something special about you, dear.”
Confused, but pleased, Robin replied,
“Thanks.”
“ My son has been
devastated, you know,” Doris said, turning her attention back to
the traffic. “He’s been hurt beyond words. I watched him when he
tore himself apart after his marriage failed. I watched him suffer
when Sheryl tried to keep Olivia from him. Truly, he has been
tormented. But, you… you seemed to have erased all of that I think.
He utterly adores you.”
“ I care so much for him,
Doris,” she started. “It’s strange, and I know this sounds very
cliché, but I feel like he’s always been a part of my
life.”
“ That’s how it should be.
Matt’s father and I, well, it was just destiny. We met when he was
discharged from the service. Oh, such a handsome chap. He had a
glow about him, almost as if he were divine in some odd
way.”
“ That’s so
romantic.”
“ You have that same glow.
I can see it. I know Matthew can, too. He sees the soul; right
through to it. He just got a little lost with Sheryl. And I think
medicine and science have clouded his ability to think about the
bigger picture, too. We’re certainly not alone in this life
journey, are we?”
“ I know I’m not alone.
But, I do think we all get lost from time to time. That way, when
we finally do find our truest self and our dearest love, we
appreciate it more. It makes the journey’s end that much
sweeter.”
“ I think you’re
right.”
****
The Friday after the 4 th dragged
at work as Robin
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