Falling in Love...Again

by AnonYMous

  “He’s your dog, you said in your note, Adam. Why can’t you watch him?”

  He hesitated. “Well, I guess you’ll find out sooner or later, anyhow. I moved in with Brenda Wilson and she and Murray aren’t getting along.”

  “You let me go to the church and you jilted me when you knew all along that you were going to move in with another woman?”

  “Well—yes. Okay, Inga. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings and for a while there I thought I’d go through with the wedding. But then I simply couldn’t take the chance that I’d end up married to someone like your mother.”

  “Bring Murray over here immediately, Adam. I don’t want him contaminated by Brenda!” I slammed the phone down and then immediately called my dad’s cell.

  “Hey, honey. You okay?”

  “I’ll survive, Daddy,” I told him, but at the sound of his gentle, loving, fatherly voice, I found myself choking up. I took a moment to compose myself and then forged ahead. “Listen, Daddy—I’ve decided to go on the honeymoon cruise, after all—with Greta. But I need someone to watch Murray for me and I don’t have enough time to find a sitter. Daddy, could you please watch him for me?” I explained to him then about what Adam said.

  “You know, little girl, I’ve gotta tell you—I never liked Adam. I’m glad he left you now instead of after the wedding. In the meantime, though—don’t you fret over him for so much as a millisecond. Someone will come along who deserves you, honey—someone who’s worthy of your beauty and love. I’ll come pick up Murray in about an hour.” He hung up before I had a chance to tell him not to come that soon.

  “Get packed, Greta. We’ll have to leave at five in the morning to make it to the cruise ship before it sets sail.”

  I went to my bedroom and finished my packing. The doorbell rang and I heard Murray barking outside. I hurried to the door and opened it to find him tied to the doorknob and guilty Adam hightailing it to his car. But he didn’t quite make it before my father and uncle jumped out of Dad’s pickup truck and confronted him. Uncle Butch grabbed him by the shirt and my dad was in his face calling him not-so-nice names before they finally let him go.

  “I’d like nothing better than to beat you to a pulp, but I refuse to end up in jail over a punk like you! Now get out of here!” My dad’s face was beet-red as he shouted at Adam and I worried about his high blood pressure.

  “What’s going on?” Greta stood behind me as Murray ran into the house to sniff around.

  “Apparently Daddy and Uncle Butch thought about beating up Adam, but thankfully they haven’t—so far. I don’t want them to get in trouble because of me.”

  A few minutes later my dad came into the house and hugged me tightly. “I’m so sorry for what happened, Inga. All I can say is that Adam doesn’t deserve a wonderful girl like you.”

  Murray greeted my dad by pushing with his furry snout and trying to get between us. We laughed at him.

  “Grandpa’s going to take you home for a while, boy. Do I need to buy him food, Inga, or do you have some?”

  “I’ll check, but Adam probably took it with him.” I checked and found I was right.

  “No problem, honey. I’ll stop by the pet store on my way home. Don’t you worry about a thing, sugar. Grandpa will take good care of Murray.”

  “I know you will, Daddy, and I really appreciate it.” I kissed his cheek and then turned to my burly uncle. “Thanks for coming along and saving the day, Uncle Butch.”

  “No problem, honey. You’ll surely find someone heaps better than Adam—there’s no doubt about that. That young fella’s a world-class wimp! Nowhere near good enough for my niece, that’s for sure.”

  If there’s one thing I can say about my dad’s family—they’re loyal. My mother’s family is more for themselves.

  “I’ll be here at five to pick you girls up and take you to the boat,” Dad announced as he and Uncle Butch turned to leave with Murray in tow.

  “We can drive and park the car there, Dad,” I said.

  “Nope. I’m taking you. I want to make sure you girls arrive there safe and sound for your big getaway.”

  “Thanks, Daddy.” I kissed him and Murray and Uncle Butch good-bye and then Greta and I settled down to chat and watch some TV before going off to bed.

  As my dad promised, he showed up at my door before five and drove us to the ship. During the night, I got to thinking about Greta and her loss; I admit I had hopes of Greta finding a man on our cruise. I thought she’d grieved long enough and deserved to find some happiness in life; she’s quieter than I am, but she’s super pretty and very smart and witty once you know her.

  That first day at sea we’d been on the ship for a few hours when we decided to put on our bathing suits and head for the pool. A little while later I was sunning myself when I heard a familiar voice. I opened my eyes and looked up to see—get this!—Charlie standing over me.

  “Oh, my gosh! Charlie? What on earth are you doing here?”

  “That’s just what I was about to ask you!”

  I shrugged and giggled. “My dad paid for the trip, so he suggested that I bring my cousin, Greta, with me. That’s her in the pool over there, swimming in the light-blue bikini.”

  “Really? Well, I came with my brother. He recently broke up with his girlfriend of three years and he’s really been needing to get away. That’s him over there—standing beside your cousin, actually. They sure seem to be getting acquainted, don’t they?”

  I grinned. “They sure do. So, tell me about your brother.”

  He arched one dark eyebrow. “Why? Are you interested in meeting him?”

  “No; I want to know if I’ll approve of him for my cousin.” I grinned at Charlie; he has the kind of personality that just naturally brings out cheeriness in a person.

  “Is she looking?”

  “I didn’t say that. But she’s single, as is your brother. And she’s a really nice person—and cute and smart, too. How about your brother? What’s his name, anyway?”

  “He’s a good guy. And his name is Mike. Come on; I’ll introduce you.”

  Charlie was right: Mike was a nice guy. And I couldn’t help but notice the interest he and Greta seemed to take in each other. Who knows? I thought. Maybe he’ll turn out to be Mr. Right for Greta. Then I shook my head. When am I going to quit being a dreamer and always looking for the happy ending? Those things only happen in romance novels.

  We spent the rest of that day with Charlie and Mike and I had to admit to myself that I enjoyed every minute of it. But I would not fool myself into believing that it could be anything more than just a fun week at sea. I figured after that, Charlie and I would probably see each other occasionally when we walked our dogs and that would be it.

  Greta and I were asked to join them for dinner that night and we did. Every so often, my mind drifted to Adam; I wondered what the cruise would’ve been like if I were a blushing, just-married bride instead of a jilted singleton hanging with Cousin Greta. Then I had to admit to myself: Not nearly as much fun. I remembered Adam constantly criticizing me—my skirts were always too short for his liking and he often accused me of flirting with every guy I spoke with, not to mention the fact that he thought I always sang when I shouldn’t. Definitely, five days later, I was glad that he jilted me, even though I had to wonder, Why was I so blind before?

  The cruise was definitely what I needed. I relaxed, I laughed, Greta and I sang loudly with the band, and Charlie was always there to dance with me. I noted the envious looks I received from other females on the cruise whenever Charlie and I were together, but to my surprise, Charlie never asked any of them to join him. He even turned down a few who asked him to dance.

  Charlie and Mike were real clowns and they kept Greta and I laughing like neither of us had in years. I truly hated to see the trip end. Dad was waiting for us when we departed the boat and I introduced him to Charlie and Mike, explaining that Nana had hit poor Charlie with her cane, which really made Dad roar with laughter. Nana is his mot
her, so he knows what she’s like.

  “Golly, I’m sorry my mother hit you, Charlie, but as I’m sure you know by now—she’s very protective of our Inga!”

  Charlie chuckled and grinned. “So I gathered. I can understand, though.”

  We said our good-byes and made a date for the four of us to get together the next day before Greta left for Ohio.

  Greta wanted to visit Nana before leaving and we went to visit her that afternoon. Nana wasn’t feeling well that day, but she remembered that I was supposed to be married. She’d forgotten that I’d visited her the week before.

  “I remember how scared your grandpapa was when we got married, Inga my darling. He snapped drapery pins at the church! My parents, dey hadda buy nother box of dem to replace all dat my Otto broke! He tried to break one after dee ceremony and couldn’t! Your Adam should try dat. It helps his nerves.”

  “No, Nana, we aren’t going to get married, after all. We broke up,” I carefully explained.

  “Oh? Then why don’t we go to Sammy’s Bar and get good and drunk?”

  Greta and I sat and stared at our grandmother, who always talked about “the evils of drinking.” In all my life I never saw her take so much as a sip of liquor.

  I laughed. “Well, Nana, as tempting as that sounds, I don’t think the Shady Pines staff would appreciate us bringing you back here plastered.”

  “Who cares? I won’t be around here much longer, you know. Why, last night I vent out and got a snootful! I danced until I taught I couldna stand up anymore!”

  I looked at my grandmother, who’s been in a wheelchair for the past few years, and knew that she was hallucinating again, but I let her talk on.

  “And der was dis handsome man who said he simply could not live another second without me. But I told him I am taken. Den your grandpapa comes and sweeps me off my feet and he tells that sorry fella to get lost! Your grandpapa—he no as handsome as dat man, but he was a good man. And we danced dey rest of da night. Got snookered. Oh, whatta fun we had!”

  I leaned over and tenderly kissed her wrinkled cheek. “I’m glad you had such a good time, Nana.”

  “Me, too,” Greta said, kissing her other cheek.

  “So, you Marta’s girl? Or Lena’s?” Grandma looked at Greta, squinting her eyes.

  “Nana, I’m your granddaughter, Greta, Anna’s daughter.”

  “Oh. Who’s your father?”

  “Art,” Greta said.

  “I dunna have any children, but if I did, I’d wanna dem to look just like you girls. You such pretty girls!”

  I laughed. “Thank you, Nana. We’ve got to go now.”

  “I wish you’d stay. No one ever visits me, you know.”

  “Sure they do, Nana. I’ll see you later.”

  “I’m going back to Ohio, Nana, but I’ll be down to visit with you again soon,” Greta told her.

  “I hope so, child.”

  It’s sad watching my grandmother’s condition worsen. I can still recall all the fun times we had together—all the time she spent teaching me how to bake the perfect apple strudel, or when she’d come to my class back in elementary school to read us a story. Nana’s always been such a fun person; how I wish my mother was more like her.

  Greta left for Ohio and she and Mike exchanged phone numbers and email addresses. I teased her that maybe she’d found herself a man and she blushed.

  “That would certainly be nice, though,” she admitted. “I’ve been lonely since Donnie died.”

  After dropping her off and coming back from the airport, I took Murray for a walk and ran into Charlie walking Harry. Harry wasn’t on a leash and he came leaping and barking at Murray.

  “Good morning, Harry,” I said to the dog, who stopped barking at the sound of his name. Murray growled and I told him to be nice. He sniffed Harry and then they both wagged their tails.

  “Greta made it to the plane all right, I gather?”

  I smiled. “Yes, she did.”

  “I think my brother’s in love,” Charlie said. “I wish your cousin lived closer.”

  “Me, too. So, how are you?”

  He shrugged and gave me a sheepish smile. “I miss the cruise. We had fun, didn’t we?”

  My thoughts drifted back to the last night of the cruise when Charlie wrapped me in his arms and kissed me. “I know you might not be over Adam yet, but I couldn’t wait any longer—I just had to kiss you,” he’d whispered.

  I wasn’t prepared for the feelings that flooded me with that kiss. I’d never felt like that from any kiss before.

  “Yes, we did have fun,” I agreed, smiling with the sweet memories. “Thank you. I doubt I would’ve had that much fun with Adam.”

  He cocked his head and gave me a quizzical look. “Why’s that?”

  I shrugged and blushed a little. “He criticized me a lot. I couldn’t do anything to please him.”

  “And yet you were willing to marry him?”

  My blush heated up. “Yes; my mother had me convinced that no one better would ever come along for me and that I should just be thankful that someone wanted to marry me.” I chuckled and managed a grin. “After all, Charlie—I’m twenty-four years old!”

  Charlie grinned at me. “So, your mother’s afraid that you’ll wind up an old maid, huh?”

  I nodded. “Something like that. Hey—what about you? Why doesn’t a good-looking guy like you have a full-blown harem?”

  He shrugged and it was his turn to blush. “I loved my wife very much. I haven’t dated since her death. But now I think I’m ready to move on. I’m looking for someone who likes some of the things that I do—someone who wants a family and is a loyal person. Loyalty seems to be lacking these days.”

  “Yeah; tell me about it.” I looked into his eyes and saw something that I couldn’t quit define suddenly.

  “I have a feeling that you and I are going to be good friends,” Charlie said.

  “I think so, too,” I said, smiling up at him. “Come on; let’s take these two cuddly canines for a walk.”

  As the months rolled on, Charlie and I dated. We both like to dance; we both like to swim, to hike, and to take long walks with our dogs. And surprisingly enough, we both enjoy cooking, though Charlie’s not into baking, like I am—which is okay, since I’m not into playing golf and he is.

  He and my dad got along well. He and my mother didn’t. My mom told me that he was too good looking and that she hoped I wasn’t foolish enough to trust “someone like him.” As it was, she was still fuming over Adam’s remark about her being neurotic and she told me she hoped I’d make sure that my “new boyfriend” (she refused to call him by his name) would know that she’s “hardly neurotic.”

  A year after the cruise, Greta moved to Florida and in with me until she and Mike married two months ago. Today, Charlie and I are still taking things slow; we want to be sure of who we are, together and apart, and certain about what we want, but I think we’re headed in the right direction. Last night, for instance, he presented me with an engagement ring and asked me to marry him! Of course, I said yes. We haven’t set a date yet, but I’ve promised not to make him wait too long. After all, it isn’t every day that a girl meets Mr. Perfect. THE END

  Sweet Mini-Romance

  A FAMILY AFFAIR

  Our romantic love reunion was bound to happen—and make both our “fractured” families wonderfully complete!

  I gripped the steering wheel and stepped on the gas. Romper Room Daycare Center closed in ten minutes and I couldn’t afford the extra charge for being late again. Already twice that week I hadn’t made it in time and the last time, my four-year-old daughter, Winnie, was close to tears by the time I made it to her classroom.

  I let out a breath, trying to relax. My entire day had been the pits. My boss at the law firm where I work as a legal secretary had wanted two lengthy papers typed at the last minute. To make matters worse, I left my lights on when I parked the car in the morning. I called the auto club for a jump, but had to wait for t
he truck to arrive.

  I pulled into the Center’s parking lot and raced to Winnie’s classroom. She was sitting by herself at a table, coloring a picture while her teacher, Mrs. Pilla, tidied the bookshelves. Strands of my daughter’s red hair had come loose from the French braids I’d fashioned in the morning. She held her tongue between her teeth in concentration while she drew.

  “Hi, Winnie,” I said with as much cheer as I could muster. A quick look at the clock told me I’d made it under the wire. “Ready?”

  Winnie ran to my open arms and gave me a big hug. “I made a picture for you, Mommy.” She showed me a drawing of her favorite subject—rainbows.

  “It’s beautiful, sweetie.” I turned to Mrs. Pilla. “Sorry I’m running late.”

  Mrs. Pilla smiled. “Don’t forget tomorrow night’s Open House is at seven. I sent notices home with the children last week.”

  “I have it marked on the calendar.” I waved and headed out the door with Winnie’s hand in mine.

  Besides Mrs. Pilla’s car, ours was the only one in the lot. I settled Winnie into her booster seat and pulled out into the street. “How was your day?” I asked.

  “Sam stuck his tongue out at me and called me a wimp,” she replied. “What’s a wimp?”

  I laughed. “Something you’re not. You’re a polite, young lady who treats people nicely, but that doesn’t mean you should let anyone take advantage of you. I know that you stand up for yourself when necessary. Name calling isn’t nice, so if Sam doesn’t stop when you ask him to, you should tell your teacher.” Romper Room Daycare Center doesn’t put up with any sort of harassment.

  “Sam called me a tattletale when I did that yesterday.”

  “Maybe I’ll have a talk with Mrs. Pilla tomorrow at the Open House,” I told her and then talked of other things for the rest of the drive home. Winnie had pointed Sam out to me one day when I dropped her off at the beginning of the month. He’s a cute, dark-haired boy about her age, but I’d never seen or met his family. Since I was usually one of the last parents to arrive in the evenings, I didn’t know very many of the children or their parents.