- Expertly edited by FQKF
A few eyes turned my way when I came in the café and I couldn't help but smile as a couple of husbands got scolded by jealous partners. Just like any woman I've ever met, I am always flattered by the attention and I still blush when it is obvious that I am being "visually" undressed by strangers but, I've never received the interest that she is now getting as she breezes through the restaurant toward my table.
The room gets noticeably quiet as she walks in, waves to me, and approaches. She is wearing a plain, white, embroidered sheer blouse over a knit tank and a simple dot print cotton skirt that elegantly sways with her hips. Her feet are almost bare, save for tiny sandals with microscopic straps. It is clearly evident that all the men, and many women, in this room, are combating the urge to ravage her, here and now.
Alyssa Eaglefeather, traffic stopping gorgeous, full blooded Anishinaabe, and undisputed life partner of Sam Darquesied. It is difficult to avoid jealousy but the moment she smiles, and flashes those incredible, green eyes, you are just glad to know her.
She gives me a kiss on the cheek, sits and clasps my hands, and we spend the next few minutes small-talking our way through lunch, then I said, "Ally, you promised me the whole story when time permitted, so... lay it on me, baby!"
"It's a long story, Sylvia," she says, "but if you're up for it then why don't we get a couple of coffees and go to the park and get comfortable."
After finding a nice shady spot she begins, "Well...we met at a computer seminar; I was still working as a coder then and he was there for the company that bought his business. They paid him a humungous pile of money and part of the deal was that he stayed on for a year to ease the transition. According to him, some no-nothing CEO insisted that he attend. His real name is Thomas Dareson and he was a pretty well known troubleshooter so I already knew who he was from magazine articles and such.
"Anyway... there was this contest where partnered seminar attendees could submit a little piece of number crunching code and the best one would win the partners a dinner for two. The partner selection was pretty dismal and I never even considered asking someone at his level. So, I wasn't going to bother, but then... he asked me! We ended up using my laptop in my suite and it only took us about forty five minutes to write the routine. We submitted it just in time then agreed to get together at the seven o'clock session..."
* * *
Just before seven, I entered the conference room and saw Tom way on the other side of the hall talking with the organizer and sponsor of the seminar. Tom must have been watching for me because he immediately caught my attention and waved me over.
Tom introduced us, "Rick this is Alyssa Eaglefeather. Alyssa this is Richard Singleton."
Richard said, "Very pleased to meet you. Wow Thomas, you definitely know how to pick 'em!"
I blushed and Tom said, "No, no. We're just friends."
We all sat together near the back then, after a few minutes, Richard said he had to go to the stage. While the first speaker was up Tom kept pretending to doze off and I playfully nudged him awake. We were both giggling enough to receive some admonishing glares from surrounding seats. We applauded politely as the speaker left the stage then Richard moved to the microphone and said, "Okay... the winner of the dinner is... team twenty-seven... team number twenty-seven."
We just sat there for a few seconds and waited for the winners to respond. Then Tom looked at his receipt and said, "Oh...that's us!"
We went up to the stage and received the prize from Richard. Then, as we started to go back to our seats he waved us over to a side entrance, "Listen Thomas, we both know that these sessions are a complete waste of time for you."
Tom answered, "Thanks Rick, but I have to sign the log at each session so..."
Richard interrupted, "I've signed you in for all the remaining sessions, Alyssa too so... go and enjoy the rest of the weekend."
We looked at each other for a moment then heartily thanked Richard, and—like two naughty children—scurried out the door.
Tom asked if I had eaten yet and, since I hadn't, we agreed that it was as good a time as any so we headed for the dining room.
I said, "I think your friend is trying to set us up!"
Tom answered, "Aw... Richard's a good guy. I've known him for years and, ever since my divorce, everybody's been trying to set me up."
"How long were you married?"
As the maitre de led us to a table Tom said, "Twenty-six years."
As we are seated and given menus I said, "Twenty-six years? That's a long time before a divorce."
Tom explained, "It's a long story but the 'Readers Digest' version is... a couple of years ago I decided to devote more time to my business. I was doing okay but I had a couple of ideas... anyway, I ended up putting in about fifteen hours a day, needless to say, essentially ignoring Maryellen... my wife. One thing led to another and she met this guy Gary, a dentist, and they had a lot in common, especially gardening, and the next thing I know, she's suggesting we split... it was a little over a year ago."
I ask, "Was it ugly?"
"No... not at all. Gary is quite well to do so I got the house. It was completely amicable; we both still love each other, we're just not IN love anymore... you know?"
I said, "We must have been signing our divorce papers just about the same time."
"Oh? How long were you married?"
I answered, "Almost one year."
Tom, a little surprised, asked, "Only a year? What happened?"
"He started beating me up."
Tom, genuinely concerned said, "Oh geez, Alyssa... I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay... it wasn't your fault."
He continued, "Yeah, I know but...speaking as a man, I would like to apologize on behalf of my entire gender. We can be remarkably stupid sometimes."
I laughed at his assessment then he asked, "So...what about now? You seeing somebody?"
"Not really, I got out of a fairly long relationship about four months ago."
He said, "Well, I hope that one was a little less violent."
I looked down and didn't answer. Then Tom said, "Don't tell me...did he hit you too?" I nodded that he did.
"I'm sorry Alyssa...you know; I knew this couple...real nice folks, but he got arrested for hitting his wife and everybody was stunned. I did some research online and discovered that this kind of thing happens way too often."
After the waiter took our food and drink order he Tom asked, "Was it an on going thing or sudden?"
"It was sudden. We had been dating for about four months and—long story short--I asked him to... do something. It didn't go well and he punched me."
"Do you mind if I ask what it was you wanted him to do?"
I was hesitant to answer and he said, "Oh, I'm sorry... I'm prying too much..."