Cindy Sue McCarthy
Author
Ronnie Coleinger
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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Copyright © [Ronnie Coleinger, pseudo.] 2011
Illustration copyright © [Ronnie Coleinger, pseudo.] 2011
http://www.ronniecoleinger.com
ISBN: 978-0-9834991-7-6
Cindy Sue McCarthy
As I stood in the grocery store checkout line, I watched a young woman with her son placing items from her cart on the checkout belt. As she watched the cashier scanning her food items, I heard the words she spoke to him. She explained that the price on the monitor for the green beans was not the same price as shown on the shelf. I had seen her earlier listing each item in her notebook before placing them into her shopping cart, and she knew exactly how much her grocery items should cost before she arrived at the checkout line. She was very self-conscious and did not want to have everyone in line behind her find out she had only limited funds and could not spend one single dime more than the cash she had brought with her. She purchased only items that were necessities and the most nutritious for her young son.
As the scanner listed each item on the monitor, she realized that more of the items were not ringing up at the same amount shown on the signs on the shelves, and she mentioned this inconsistency three times to the cashier, but she did not want to make a scene. She told the clerk that she could not pay for the remaining six items in the cart and would have to leave them. The clerk made a snotty remark, suggesting that the young woman should get a better job. I watched the other customers behind the young woman become instantly incensed as the cashier continued to banter the woman. I excused myself as I moved up to where the young woman was counting out money to the clerk and placed the remaining six items from her cart on the conveyor belt. I spoke to the clerk and said, "Please add these items to this young ladies bill and I will pay for them. Then I will discuss this stores policy of improperly pricing items, and your attitude, with the store manager. I promise you that when I leave this store today, your job will be in jeopardy. There is no excuse for treating this young woman with such disrespect. She listed each item in her notebook and added them up to insure she had enough money before she arrived at this checked out stand. She is short funds for her groceries because you and your manager did not follow state guidelines to insure that the prices on the shelves matched the prices in the scanner. If you give me one itsy, bitsy, tiny whinny opportunity, I will file criminal charges against you and this store in court first thing tomorrow morning. Do you have any smart remarks you would like to make to me young man?" I handed the cashier the money for the items the woman could not afford, and then placed them into her cart. I handed her my business card and said, "I am an attorney, and I would like you to take these items to help feed your family. I and the others standing here waiting to check out wish you a good day." One of the women behind me excused herself and stepped past me. She hugged the young woman, patted her on the back, spoke some reassuring words, and then returned to her cart.
As I returned to my cart and waited for my turn to check out, the manager stepped up behind the cashier to find out what was going on. She spoke to the cashier and he turned to her and said, "One of the customers did not like the prices on the groceries she bought, and now I have been reprimanded by these people waiting to check out.” If you would check out the remaining customers, I will take a break and calm myself." I saw the manager nod her approval and step up to begin checking out the next customer. When the young man was out of earshot, the manager said, “Could one of you tell me what happened, and why you all needed to reprimand my employee?” I spoke up and said, “I should be the one to speak, since it was I who confronted him. I have a beef with your clerk’s attitude, and the differences between the prices listed on the shelves and the pricing on your scanner. The young woman customer who just left your store had added up all her groceries prices from the labels on the products, and from the shelf labels, and she was certain she had enough money to pay for everything. When the scanner charged her higher prices, she complained, and your clerk repeatedly made rude remarks to her about getting a better job. That was when I stepped in and threatened him and this store with a law suit.” The manager continued to check out her customers and waited for me to begin checking out. She said, “I have had consistent problems with proper pricing, and this is the last straw. The cashier is not the one responsible, but I am, since I am the manager. I will hire two new stock personnel within twenty-four hours, and I will call my supplier immediately to help me to sort out the pricing inconsistencies. This will be the second time this month I have had to deal with pricing issues. There is no excuse for incorrect pricing, and my clerk’s attitude towards the problem is inexcusable. I may need three new employees by tomorrow morning.” I smiled at the lady and said, “I will not file a lawsuit against anyone, I was just trying to instill in the young man’s mind that he should not dismiss his customers complaints, especially when the customer happened to be correct in this case. All he had to do was call you for assistance with the pricing discrepancies.” As I packed my groceries into my cart, the woman behind me patted me on the shoulder and said, “Thank you for sticking up for that young woman. She was mortified over the clerk’s comments and your words let her know that some of us do care.” I looked back into the managers eyes and could see her anger building over the incident. I figured that the male clerk would be flipping burgers over a hot grill at some fast food restaurant within a few days.”
As I pushed my grocery cart out of the store, the young woman stepped up to me. She said, “Sir, I just wanted to thank you for the groceries you bought for me, and for standing up for me. I hope I did not get the man fired, but he had no right to be so rude.” I smiled and said, “You are welcome for the groceries, and I figure the manager will probably fire the clerk, but that is his own doing.” She looked me in the eyes and said, “Thank you again.” I smiled at the boy she held in her arms and he smiled back. The woman said, “My son’s name is Sam. His father died a few months ago in Iraq and Sam and I have struggled trying to make ends meet with the military pay and my part time job, but things are getting better. Our lack of funds is why I shop so carefully and cannot go over my budget.” She reached out her hand and I shook it. Then she said, “Thank you so much,” turned, and headed back towards her car.
I liked this woman, but I did not know her name. I felt mesmerized by her charm, her beauty, and her young son. As I pushed my cart towards my truck, I spoke to her again, and said, “I normally don’t ask ladies out on dates that I meet in the grocery store, but would you consider going out to dinner with me some evening. I would pay for a baby sitter for Sam, and take you out to dinner and dancing at The Pub, just down the street.” I saw her eyes light up as she thought a second. She looked at Sam and said, “I think I would like that. I have a baby sitter that I can call if you are serious.” I chuckled and said, “I am very serious. I would enjoy your company for the evening. My cell phone number is on the business card I gave you. Call me and we will finalize a night and a time. By the way, I don’t know your first name.” She smiled and said, “Cindy. Cindy Sue McCarthy.”
I never expected Cindy to return my call. I did not even know how many months ago she had lost her husband, but when she did call me, I figured she probably just needed a night out on the town to relieve some stress. I soon realized that Cupid had smote us both and planned our destiny.
On Friday night, I drove into her driveway to pick her up for our date, and walked up the front door. Just as I was about to knock, a tiny face appeared in the window directly in front of my eyes. I realized that either Sam had grown really tall in the last few days, or Cindy was holding him up to the window. I moved up close to the window and said, “Sam, is your mother at home this evening. I would like to take her out on a date if that is okay with you?” The door handle turned and the door swung open. As I stepped inside, Cindy giggled and handed Sam to me. She said, “I need two more minutes. Can you change Sam’s poopy diaper?” I carried Sam into the living room and hugged him close. I was not so certain his diaper was soiled, but I laid him on a towel on the couch and began to check. Over my shoulder, I could see Cindy had stopped what she was doing and was watching me. When I turned to look at her, she giggled and said, “Most men would have put Sam on the floor and ran back to their truck by now. I was just kidding you. I just put on that clean diaper. I only put a diaper on Sam when I am busy and fear I might miss his potty signals.” I laughed and said, “Sam and I will fend for ourselves until you are ready.” I put him down on the floor and he ran towards his toy truck and began talking. His words I could not understand, but his meaning was obvious, “Get your butt down here on the floor and play with me.”
As I sat down on the carpet beside Sam, I realized that the house was spotless, and everything had a place, even Sam’s toys. We played for a few minutes, and then Cindy returned and sat down beside us on the hard wood floor. She put her hand on my shoulder and said, “We should go before you fall madly in love with Sam and forget that you invited me out on a date tonight.” Just as I was about to comment on her words, a young girl entered the room and spoke to me. She said, “I will fend for Sam, but you two need to promise me you will have a good time tonight. I can stay as late as you need me to, so you two have no curfew tonight.” I looked at the young girl and said, “I will have Cindy home before midnight, I promise.”
As we drove to the restaurant, I could feel the excitement oozing out of Cindy. When I stopped the car in the restaurants parking lot, Cindy leaned over and kissed my cheek. She said, “That is from Sam. I think he likes you.” She kissed my cheek again and said, “That is from me. I am certain that I like you.” As we giggled over her kisses and words, we walked hand in hand into the restaurant. Once our waiter had seated us, we could hear the band setting up and checking their equipment. We seemed drawn into each other’s conversations, and we never lacked for something to discuss. Cindy even managed to tell me about her husband’s death in the war without losing control. I did reach across the table and wipe one tear from her cheek, but she maintained her composure. She explained that she needed to get on with her life and make a home for her son, but that she planned to speak Sam’s Father’s name to her boy at least once every day. I found this woman to be very confident, very much in control of her life, and a pleasure to talk with. I asked her if she giggled all the time, or only for me. She giggled and said, “Sorry that is my nature. I giggle over most everything; I even giggle when I should not giggle, as you will soon discover.”
As we talked, I asked her, “Cindy, may I ask you your age. I know that might not be an appropriate question to ask a woman, but....” She giggled, took her driver’s license from her wallet and said, “See I am legal. You can seduce me without worry.” Those words made me giggle. As I passed her driver’s license back to her, I took out mine and slid it across the table. She said, “You are three years older than me. That makes you the wiser, more mature member of this date.” I put my driver’s license back into my wallet and said, “It is said that a man should be at least two years older than a woman, as women mentally mature at a younger age. That probably makes us about the same age.”
After we had finished our meal, she said, “I am too full of wonderful food to dance tonight. There is a really good movie playing at the theater if you are interested.” I smiled and asked, “Tell me you aren’t planning to take me to a Transformer movie?” She giggled and said, “No silly boy, it is a romantic comedy.” I chuckled over her words and said, “Then I think we should go see it. What time does it start?” She looked at her watch and said, “Nine O’clock.” I asked if she would like a drink before the movie, or maybe a walk.” She said, “There is a deck out back where we could order a drink and talk some more. We don’t have to leave the restaurant until eight thirty.” I reached across the table, squeezed her hand, and said, “Shall we adjourn to the deck, My Lady.” She giggled and took my hand as we headed out towards the outdoor seating area.
As we sat in the theater and watched the movie, Cindy’s giggles and excitement intrigued me. She found humor in everything around her, and made no bones about the fact that she was enjoying my company. I had dated many women in my lifetime, but could not remember that last time I laughed as much as I had tonight. I got up to get us a second round of water to wash down the popcorn that neither of us needed after the large dinner we had consumed. When I returned, Cindy slid her arm inside of mine and whispered in my ear, “I was afraid you might not return.” I looked into her eyes and said, “I understand your fear that those who love you may not return, but you need to understand that I don’t intend to leave you, unless you wish to be left alone.” I saw her eyes tear up and then she giggled. I saw her flounder with her emotions for a moment and then she said, “I am trying to get over the fear I felt after Jim’s death. The feeling that Jim had abandoned his son and I, that his death was somehow his own fault, and that he had left his son and I intentionally. I still struggle with those emotions even though I know they are not true. Jim loved Sam and me with all his heart, and would have come back home to us if he could.”
As we got into my truck to drive back to Cindy’s home, she moved over into the center seat and fastened the seat belt around her. She looked into my eyes and asked, “Do you mind if I sit this close to you?” I leaned over and kissed her hard on the lips. She giggled and said, “I guess you don’t mind.” As I drove, she got very quiet for a few minutes. I asked if she was alright.” She said, “I was just sitting here thinking about what your fellow attorneys and high class friends would think of you hanging around a lower class woman with a child?” I pulled the truck off the road into the J.C. Penney’s parking lot and shut off the engine. I turned towards her and said, “First of all Cindy, my friends and family don’t judge me by the women I date, or the friends I associate with. They judge me on how I treat everyone I meet. Second, I don’t understand classes of people. I happen to make more money than you do, but that does not make me better than you are, or smarter. It just means that my parents had money, and they paid for my education. I date whom I like, and my friends and family will judge you by the way you treat them. In general my friend, you are out of line when you come to the conclusion that I would treat you differently because of where you work, how much money you make, or how many children you have.”
I started the truck and headed back towards Cindy’s home. As we drove, I heard her sniffle and then I realized she was trying hard not to cry. As I pulled into her driveway, I put my arm around her shoulder and said, “I am sorry I said those words to you, but you assume that I am different than you because I am an attorney, when in fact, I have fallen in love with you. I moved my arm from her shoulder and pressed the button to release her seat belt. As she slid over to the door, she turned to me and said, “I am planning to take Sam to the lake tomorrow to swim, would you be interested in joining us. Maybe we could start over. I would try not to piss you off on the second date.” I snickered and said, “You did not piss me off, but you did manage to get me up on my soapbox and preach to you. Maybe tomorrow I could talk to you without the preaching.” She giggled and said, “I will call you around nine in the morning to see if you have forgiven me for my stupid comment.” I wanted desperately to continue the conversation right then and work everything out, but we had stepped hard on each other toes and needed a few hours separated to discover why.
When my cell phone rang at nine the next morning, I answered it on the first ring. I heard her giggle and say, “You answered your phone quickly. I was afraid you might not answer my call this morning. I did not thank you last night for the wonderful supper, the movie, and most off all your friendship. I need to learn to keep my thoughts to myself instead of spewing them out and offending the man that I cried over most of last night. I am sorry for my words.” The phone went quiet for a few moments, and I realized it was definitely my turn to speak. I said, “Cindy, I am sorry that I took offense to your comments about our social status. I should have listened to your words and explained my feeling without getting on my high horse. I hope the offer to join you and Sam at the lake today is still open, I would like to spend some time with my two new friends.” I heard Cindy stumbling all over herself, and then she said she would pick me up around ten. I told her I would give her directions to my house if she had a pen and some paper. She giggled and said, “I already know where you live. I looked you up on the Internet at the library and printed a map. I drove by your house and checked it out this morning. I wanted to see if my comment about you being from the upper class was true....” Then I heard her say, “Shit. I must learn to keep my mouth shut.” This time I laughed over her comment, and said, “If you are picking me up at ten, I need to find some swimming trunks and suntan lotion.” I heard her giggle again and she said, “Sam and I will not mind if you cannot find a bathing suit. I will try hard not to giggle over your skinny bare butt.”
As I got into Cindy’s ten year old white Chevy van, I realized the van was spotlessly clean. I remembered how clean her home was when I first entered it, and her van was just as clean; there was not a spot of dirt anywhere. As we drove towards the beach, I turned myself around and talked to Sam to keep him occupied. When we arrived, I unstrapped Sam and carried him across the parking lot and out onto the warm white sand. As I put him down, he reached up and took my hand. He walked along beside me; slow, yet steady on his feet. His mother walked beside him and tried to take his other hand. He pulled his hand back and only wanted to hold my hand. I looked at Cindy and saw a smile form on her face. She said, “I feel some male bonding going on here. I feel left out, but also happy that Sam has a new male friend.” I looked into Cindy’s eyes as we walked and said, “May I ask how long Sam’s Father has been dead?” Cindy smiled and said, “You may ask anything you wish about Jim. I will tell you almost everything about our marriage, and all that I know about his death. Jim died thirteen months ago. I am not certain Sam actually remembers his father, but he does say, ‘Daddy,’ when he sees a picture of his father in uniform.”
We took turns swimming with Sam and keeping him cool in the water. I had a bottle of water and made certain he drank some of my water to keep him hydrated. Suddenly, Sam had to go and the look on his face let me know that the right time was now. I carried him to the shower room and sat him down on one of the toilets. When he had finished his business and I wiped his bottom, I held him up to the sink so we could wash our hands. When we walked up to Cindy, Sam ran up to her and said, “Potty,” and pointed to the shower room. Cindy smiled and said, “Thank you for assisting Sam.” I laughed and said, “I fear I over watered him, but he obviously needed some sit down time. He was one stinky boy.” I saw Cindy begin to giggle, and I looked down at Sam. He had pinched his nose with his thump and finger to indicate something stank. I rubbed his head and said, “I agree Sam.” Cindy stepped up close to me and kissed me on the lips. I saw Sam smile and then he said, “Me, me.” Cindy picked him up and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
It was almost one o’clock and Sam was getting hungry and fussy. We decided we had better find some food for the child. We had lost track of time, but Sam’s empty belly knew exactly what time it was. We returned to the car and slipped on our clothes over our now dry bathing suits. As we drove, I heard a word from Sam that came out of his mouth perfectly clear. The word was, “Mickey.” I heard Cindy giggle. She turned on her signal light and turned into McDonald’s. As we sat and ate our food, Sam played with the toy that came with his Happy Meal. He got a Batman Car, and he was in seventh heaven. Cindy reached across the table and held my hand as she said, “Thanks for coming with us today. Your presence has put a smile on Sam’s and my face.” I will need to take Sam home for a nap. Would you come over and spend the afternoon at my house? We could surely find something to occupy ourselves while Sam naps.” I saw a smile cross her face as I said, “I would like that. I must tell you though that I might need a nap also. I seemed to have laid awake for quite some time last night thinking about my two new friends. I seemed to have fallen quite hard for both of them, and I would like to see if that friendship is mutual.”
As Sam finished his meal and we cleaned the ketchup off his face, I carried the sleepy boy out to the car. When I put him into the car seat, I could not get the belts correct. Cindy slid into the backseat and helped me get the straps correctly routed and fastened. When Sam was secure in his seat, I looked up and Cindy’s face was very close to mine. She looked up into my eyes and I kissed her hard on the lips. She giggled as usual and said, “We should get Sam into bed for his nap before we do any more serious kissing.” I felt my face get warm and she said, “Sorry. I did not mean to embarrass you.”
As Cindy drove home, I said, “Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” She looked at me and said, “Not yet.” I invited her and Sam to church, and then to my house for Sunday lunch. She asked, “What did you plan to cook for lunch?” I explained that I had a large chicken thawed out that I would smoke and then cook on the barbecue grill with some baked potatoes.” I saw her smile and then she accepted my offer. She looked me in the eyes and said, “I will join you for church, but Sam does not do well sitting quietly that long. I will ask if he can stay with the sitter for an hour or so, and then we can pick him up after church. Would that be okay?” I told her that her idea would be perfect and that I would pick her up around ten thirty.
As we put Sam to bed, Cindy asked if I would like a beer, and I agreed. I noticed when Cindy opened the refrigerator, there were only two bottles of beer, and everything else was edible food. The house was very old, but the owners had kept it in good repair over the years. I asked Cindy if she rented or if she had purchased the home. She explained that she rented the home, but she and Jim had planned to purchase it from the elderly owner when he was ready to sell. She said, “I pay six hundred and fifty dollars a month for this home, and along with the utilities that average another hundred a month, I find my funds don’t go far enough.” She explained that she had looked around, but could not find anything for less money in the city that was decent to raise a child. I made up my mind right then that I would show Cindy my guest house and see if she would be more comfortable there. I could allow her and Sam to live there free, but realized that arrangement would never work, so I decided to offer her the place for three hundred and twenty five dollars a month with utilities included. This might give her a chance to get her finances stable and allow her to save a nest egg. I did not want her to feel that I was giving her anything, and would make certain she understood I would be a strict landlord. I had noticed that it looked like her washer was broken and she had been hand washing clothes and going to the Laundromat. Being an attorney, I often noticed the little things around me, the details of how others lived, and besides there were two washing machine tokens lying on the counter beside her shopping list.
When we had finished our beer, Cindy said, “I would like to cook supper for us here tonight, but I would need to go grocery shopping first.” I smiled and said, “I would love to have supper with you and Sam, but I insist on paying for the groceries. I would stay here with Sam if you wanted to shop and have some time to yourself. I doubt that you have a moment to yourself with a small boy under foot.” She smiled and said, “You are on. What would you like for supper?” I said, “Your choice. I like most everything, especially if someone else is cooking. You could get some more beer to replenish your refrigerator. I took out my wallet and handed her a fifty-dollar bill. She said, “That is way too much.” I laughed and said, “Humor me, and spend it all on you and Sam.” I desperately wanted to hand her all the cash from wallet, but I knew she would send me home without supper if I insulted her in such a manner.
Cindy returned ninety minutes later with groceries. She laid the receipt on the counter with her car keys. I think she wanted me to see that she had used almost all of the entire fifty dollars on food to stock her cupboards. As I helped her unpack the groceries, we both turned around at the same time and stood facing each other with our hands full. I laughed and sat my two cans of green beans on the counter, took the cans of tuna from her, and then turned back to her and pulled her into my arms. As I kissed her, I felt her relax in my arms, and take a deep breath. She rested her head on my shoulder and hugged hard. I asked if she was okay. She giggled and said, “I am very okay, but I came to a decision about us while I was shopping.” I said, “This does not sound good, have you changed your mind about us.” She took a deep breath and said, “Yes, I have thought hard about the time since I first met you, and I have decided my course of action. Now it is time to discuss my thoughts with you, and I hope you agree with me.” I took a deep breath this time and said, “Okay, I am ready to listen to your thoughts. I will not interrupt you until you are done talking.” She walked over to the counter and picked up a small bag from the Rexall Drug Store. She opened the bag and handed me a toothbrush, then a small tube of toothpaste. I stood looking at her in silence. Then she took out a tube of antiperspirant and handed it to me. This time I could not keep my promise of silence and asked, “I must have bad breath, and my pits must stink.” She giggled and reached into the bag. She slowly removed her hand and handed me a small box. I smiled as I read the label on the package and said, “I think I agree with your decision about our relationship, but I must tell you I came here today prepared to make love to you.” I pulled out my wallet and opened it, removed two small packages, and laid them on the counter beside the box she had given me. She instantly began to giggle. She said, “You came here quite confident that I would make love to you out of wedlock.” I giggled this time and said, “I did not assume anything, but being a male, it is my responsibility to be prepared. However, I cannot make love to you until tomorrow.” I saw her facial expression change over my words, and then she blurted out, “Why are you placing obstacles in the way of our relationship. Have I done something to upset you?” I pulled her into my arms and said, “I cannot make love to you today because I gave you fifty dollars for groceries. I don’t want you to misunderstand my gift as payment for sex.” She wrapped her arms around me and said, “Then there is no problem. I understand your gift to my son and me, and it does not cloud my reasons for wanting to make love to you this night.”
I returned to my home around nine the following morning and changed into my slacks and sport coat. When I returned to Cindy’s home to pick her up and drop off Sam at the baby sitters, I saw the most beautiful woman standing before me. She wore a short white dress and her hair hung down over her shoulders. I fell madly in love with the creature standing before me. I walked up to her and kissed her hard on the lips. She stepped back and said, “You, my love, now have glitter and lipstick on your mouth.” I walked into the bathroom and wiped the shiny stuff from my lips. When I stepped back into the kitchen I said, “The kiss was worth the price of a little glitter.” As we loaded Sam’s car seat into the club cab of my truck and insured we had secured it properly, Sam began to giggle. I tickled him under the chin and he giggled harder. I looked at Cindy and said, “Your son has inherited your wonderful giggle.” I heard Cindy begin to giggle as she climbed into the truck and fastened her seat belt.
We picked Sam up from the baby sitters shortly after lunchtime. When we got to my house, I took them on a tour of the place. As we stepped out onto the patio, we could smell the aroma of cooking meat. I had put the chicken into the smoker before I left to pick up Cindy and it would be ready to put on the barbecue grill in another twenty minutes or so. As we toured my twenty-acre ranch style home, I opened the door leading out from the back of the garage and we walked towards the guesthouse. Cindy asked if this house was also mine, and I explained that the house was unused and had originally been built as a guesthouse. I told her that I had my house keepers keep the place perfectly cleaned and cared for, but no one had stayed there in over a year. As we stood talking about the guesthouse, I turned towards her and said, “I have a business proposition to offer you, and you can tell me to screw off without hurting my feelings. I would like to offer you and Sam the guesthouse to live in at a reduced price from what you are currently paying for your rental. It is sitting here serving no useful purpose, and I would like you to enjoy it until you get your financial situation under control. Maybe you could save some money for a small nest egg if you get a fighting chance in this world. Again, you can say no and not hurt my feelings.” I walked with her into the guesthouse and showed her around. I could see the excitement in her eyes as she considered my offer. As I showed her the garage attached to the guesthouse, I heard her say, “Yes.” I turned to her and asked, “Did you say something?” She looked into my eyes and said, “Yes, I accept your offer.” I laughed and said, “I have not told you how much I would charge you.” She put her fingers over her mouth to keep her excitement inside, as I said, “How about three hundred and twenty five dollars a month, and I will provide the utilities, since I am already paying for them. My house keeping staff will help you keep the place clean if you desire, or you can manage on your own. I will have the security company give you your own private password for the security system.”
I stood facing her, trying to judge her emotions and thoughts. She looked at me and asked, “Why are you doing this for me? I love you to death, but you barely know me. I might be a KGB agent trying to infiltrate the United States Treasury for all you know.” I looked her directly in the eyes and said, “You did research on me, I did research on you. You are not KGB, you are not Taliban, only a young woman who lost her husband in the Iraq War and who works part time for a small electrical contractor. I believe that you need a helping hand in life, nothing more.” She looked deep into my eyes and said, “I would like you and I to become very close, in fact I would like us to be lover, and I don’t want this business proposition to interfere in that love affair.” I smiled and said, “Please accept my offer, and understand that there are no strings attached. You can love me, or not love me, but you can still live in my guesthouse and raise your boy in comfort.”
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Cindy stepped into the kitchen where I was fixing a cup of coffee. I offered her a cup of coffee, but she just slowly shook her head no, as she walked towards me. She walked up so close I could feel her breath on my face as she said, “I have something important to tell you.” She leaned forward, kissed me hard on the lips, and said, “My boss has offered me a full time position along with benefits. I will have vacation, sick days, maternity leave, and full medical benefits. He wants me to start full time in two weeks. He even sweetened the pot by adding in an extra dollar an hour to my wages to help offset day care for Sam.” I pulled her into my arms and hugged her. I felt her begin to cry and asked her why she was sad. She giggled and said, “The tears are just my emotions overflowing. They are happy tears. I feel grateful to you and my boss for helping me get my feet back on the ground after Jim’s death. I love you both very much.” I hugged her and said, “I think we need to celebrate, and I know just the place. I have arranged for your babysitter to come to your house tonight to watch Sam while we go out to dinner. I hope you don’t mind me planning your night for you.” I saw her face light up, but I could see in her eyes the growing question over how I knew she was getting a raise, and how I had known to hire the babysitter, and make reservations at a fancy restaurant. I saw in her eyes the words beginning to form the question, but she closed her mouth and kissed me instead.
As we arrived at the restaurant, I asked if we could sit at a corner table that was empty. The waiter graciously seated us and took our drink order. As we decided what foods to order, I felt Cindy staring at me. I looked up and she smiled, but said nothing. I returned my attention back to the menu, but again looked up as she continued to stare into my eyes. I finally smiled and said, “What?” She giggled a little too loud and put her fingers over her lips. It was then that I realized her emotions were running over and she was about to explode. I could keep the secret from her no longer. I reached into my jacket pocket and sat a small black box on the table. Then I raised the lid so she could see the contents. I felt her knees knocking under the table and said, “Cindy, would you marry me?” I heard the words of acceptance come out of her mouth almost before I finished asking the question. I took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger, and leaned over the table and kissed her just as the waiter arrived to take our order. I heard the young woman giggle and then say, “I will give you two a couple more minutes if you wish.” Cindy instead said, “We are ready to order, do you like my engagement ring?” I watched the waiter and Cindy giggle over the ring for a few moments, and then I cleared my throat. I saw both women look at me as if I had just interrupted the President of the United States, State of the Union Address. I looked down at my menu and both women giggled again. This time the waitress said, “May I take you order kind sir, and may I say that you did an excellent job picking out this engagement ring, it is simply exquisite.” I heard Cindy giggle again, but she settled herself, and ordered a tiny steak and a baked potato.
It was after nine by the time we left the restaurant, and Cindy commented that she had better get back to the guesthouse and take the baby sitter home. I took her hand and said, “The baby sitter is staying at your house all night with Sam. I suggest that you and I attend the late night movie that starts around eleven, if you would like to join me. I saw her eyes questioning where she was going to sleep tonight, but I think she figured out the answer, because she giggled much too loud again.
As we went into the bar and ordered a couple of beers to sip on for an hour or so, we soon found ourselves lost in conversation. As we began discussing how to arrange the bedrooms so Sam would have a place to sleep, I explained that I intended to turn the guesthouse into my office, and turn my present office into a bedroom for Sam. I saw her smile and she said, “You have thought about every detail, except for one.” I looked into her eyes and asked, “What have I missed?” She giggled and said, “I plan to give you two more babies to love. We will have to add on to your home in a couple of years.”
I sat considering Cindy’s words and said, “Did I agree to raise three babies?” She smiled and said, “I am certain you will love all of them once I place them into your arms.” I looked her in the eyes and said, “You are very confident in your belief that I want to raise more children than the one I have already fallen in love with. Being an attorney, I am a good judge of when someone is railroading me. We have not discussed more children, and I think we should have the discussions now, before the wedding.” Cindy suddenly became angry and said, “Are you telling me that this wedding will be cancelled if I want to have more children that just Sam?” I looked her in the eyes and said, “That is not what I said. I said that we should have the children discussion before we get married, instead of after.” She snarled, “That means the same thing.” I said, “Does not.” She looked me in the eyes and said, “Does to.” I said, “Does not.” She said, “Does too.” The lady sitting beside me repeated Cindy’s words, “Does to.” I threw up my hands into the air and said, “I have spent my life arguing casing in front of a judge and jury. Now I am being overruled by my future wife and a lady I don’t even know.” Cindy said, “Than can we agree on one child so Sam has a sibling to grow up with?” I thought a moment and said, “Yes, I will agree to that.” The lady beside me said, “Fine, now kiss and make up.”
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As Cindy and I stood on the bottom step of the altar, the minister said, “You may now kiss your bride.” I kissed Cindy hard on the lips and said, “I love you, Cindy.” Then I heard a tiny voice and heard footsteps as Sam came running up the isle towards us. I leaned down to pick him up and heard him say, “Daddy, up.” I picked him up and hugged him close to me. As I turned back towards Cindy, I saw her put her hand over her mouth and the tears began to flow down her cheeks over the name her young son had called me. As Cindy hugged Sam, the maid of honor produced some Kleenex to help dry her tear stained face.
When we stepped down from the altar and began our walk towards the waiting limousine, the congregation began to clap their hands and cheer. Sam started waving at the people around him, and then suddenly put his head on my shoulder and began to cry. I hugged him and asked why he was crying. He turned his face to me and asked, “Daddy, do you have to die in the war?”