love

by

kissed

kissing

He stood there. Looking at her. And she stood there. Looking at him. I thought you were going to do it, her friend challenged her. So she leaned in and kissed him. On the cheek. And, well, he returned the affection, kissing her cheek, gently. Then she and her friend walked away. She slowly turned back, toward him. And smiled. He smiled back.

Not five minutes had passed when she returned. She stood in front of him. They looked at each other. Go on, her friend encouraged. She closed her lips. Puckered them. And closed her eyes. He responded. He, too, formed his lips into a kissable formation. But he didn’t close his eyes. He wanted to see it happen. Their lips carefully pressed against each other. And, slowly, they backed away from one another. He looked at her. He smiled. She looked at him. She smiled. And then, again, she walked away with her friend. Never looking back. He watched her go. A dreamlike expression plastered on his face.

by

another woman

I heard he was interested in a girl, a younger woman. Someone he met, somewhere. She had dark hair and dark eyes. And was supposedly nice. A nice, simple girl.

He didn’t talk about her, and she didn’t talk about him, but somehow I knew this woman was someone who may, or may not, intrude on our life.

The day we went to the local fair, he and I, with our kids, I saw her. Just talking. I didn’t know her. Yet, I knew she was the one. Somehow I just knew.

He had wandered off, taking our youngest on a ride. I stayed behind, just hanging out with my daughter.

I walked over to the girl, said hello, and asked her if she was indeed interested in him.

The strange thing is, the fact is, that even though we didn’t know one another, at all, she knew who I was talking about and answered as if we were best friends. I think so, yes, she said. He’s nice. Very nice. She went on to say other things, nothing big deal, but things that confirmed her interest in him.

When she was all done talking I stated, He’s my husband, the guy you are considering a relationship with. The girl didn’t seem surprised by my admission. And neither did she seem pissed, as if she’d been duped. She simply stared at me with her big brown eyes, saying nothing.

Later, at home, I said to him, I know about her, and if you have plans to pursue something, anything, count me out. He looked at me, didn’t respond. Not five minutes passed when I restated my thoughts. No. Never mind. Just the fact you are interested has uninterested me in you. I’m done.

Suddenly I awoke, from the dream I was having about my husband considering an affair with a another woman.

I rolled over in our California King bed and found him there, lying on his side, turned toward me, looking at me. Good morning, we whispered, simultaneously.

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the road

Rudy drove along the peaceful road, reflecting about the past two years he spent living and working in Arkansas. Two years of necessary income but, two years without a full-time family. As he drove, heading home to us, to California, he smiled, took a picture, and sent it to me via text. Almost there!, he wrote. Almost there!

About a week and a half ago, without hesitation, Rudy resigned from his job in the color lab where he was working, stating it was time to return home, time to reconnect with his family through daily interactions. Neither of our boys minded that they’d be taking a step back, allowing their dad to resume his role as the alpha male. And, of course, our daughter Liz was ecstatic to have him back in town, knowing her dad would have tons of cooking ideas to pass on to her.

When Rudy first called me with the news, I did what I always do. I completely supported him, telling him to come home, that everything will work itself out. Ah, just listening to you is soothing, he told me. I can’t wait to get home. I repeated the sentiment, laughing, feeling happy, concluding with an I love you.

And so it began. The reflective road trip home. Rudy drove for two days, stopping only once to sleep for several hours at a rest stop. The road trip gave him time to think about the experiences he gained in Arkansas, the family he misses, and what plans he has for his, and our, future.

Things are as they should be.

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