Rhonda woke mid morning on January 1, 2021, hopeful for the new year. It didn't need to be said but 2020 was one shitty year but compared to many Rhonda had it easy. Her husband was working as much as always although without all the travel, her kids and their families were carrying on without many problems and as far as her health was concerned, Rhonda was doing much better.
Besides the oblivious challenges of 2020, Rhonda had endured 4 surgeries including two knee replacements, being separated from her son and his family due to Covid confinement and the death of her father. She was fully aware of all the blessings she enjoyed through the year and knew that she was so much better off than many. She never took that for granted. Always a generous woman, Rhonda kicked her giving nature into high gear making meals for hungry families in the community, delivering blankets and other supplies to homeless encampments popping up in the nearby city and most recently creating Christmas magic for the children of a number of hurting families. It was never enough, she knew, but still she felt she was making a small difference and that made her life rewarding.
Rhonda's husband, Nick, was working even more during quarantine. He didn't travel all the time like he had for so many years but he branched out into other areas and was doing his own work trying to help others in the community. Of course, he worked at home which had come in handy when it came to Rhonda's recovery and mental health. She privately wondered how she would have managed if he was gone as much as before the travel killing virus hit. The loneliness she accepted as just part of her life would have been so much harder to bear during the extreme isolation of quarantine. Although it was an adjustment for both of them to have so much time together without travel or kids at home to fill the hours, they had come to really enjoy their time together.
In fact, Rhonda and Nick had managed to reconnect in ways they thought had long been lost. Although they always had a really good marriage, at least as far as anyone on the outside could see, they had grown apart. Being physically distanced from each other for four or five days every week didn't leave much time to just be a couple. Then when the kids were still home and needed time with their father, it left very little time for just the two of them. However, unlike many couples after 30+ years of marriage, Rhonda knew that she and Nick enjoyed a very healthy sex life together. What they missed in the bedroom during the majority of days each week they usually made up for in the remaining two nights.
Often as she prepared for his arrival at the end of a brutal week of work, she would carefully plan a night of passion. Although he would be tired, he always was rejuvenated by the sight of his lovely wife waiting for him. He loved her completely and although he was highly rewarded in his work, nothing came close to the feeling of holding her close after separation, thanking God for her and every moment they had together.
The last end of the week reunion they enjoyed together was just before the Corona virus changed their lives and the world around them. Nick's flight landed around 6 pm on a Friday night. Rhonda planned to surprise him as he headed to the parking lot. Her son in law, Jason, had dropped her off, kissing her rosy cheek as she gathered her purse and coat and thanked him. He watched her move gracefully toward the baggage claim door and whistled softly. Quietly he said, "Nick is one lucky man. I hope her daughter is as loving and sexy as her mother in 25 years." Then shaking his head to clear it he thought, "Yea, I know I need to be thankful for what I have." In truth his wife, Rhonda's daughter, was a beautiful woman who was loving to him and their adorable son, although her stubborn nature kept him on his toes. Lovely like her mother but definitely a handful. Jason checked behind him and pulled out quickly, suddenly eager to get home to his wife and son.
Rhonda practically skipped through the crowd searching the sea of faces for her husband's handsome one. Travelers funneled through security and finally she spied Nick. He was chatting on the escalator with a younger woman carrying a toddler. As she looked more intently, Rhonda realized that Nick was holding the hand of a squirmy preschooler. She smiled realizing that her overly busy and very important husband was kindly helping an exhausted mom with her two active little ones. Rhonda hung back and watched as Nick allowed the little girl to take a big jump off the end of the moving staircase. The child giggled and then spied her daddy waiting on the other side of the glass. Nick and the young mother had all they could do to contain the two little ones as they squealed for him. Rhonda made her way over to the group, enjoying the sweet reunion of the family. Nick startled when he noticed her, grinned and then moved next to her, pulling her in against him.
"You're not the only ones with a welcoming committee. Lucy, this is my wife, Rhonda, and this," he added gesturing toward the young family, "is the happiest family here tonight." Nick said with a smile.
After a quick meet and many thanks to Nick, he and Rhonda clasped hands and walked toward the parking garage. On the way to this car Rhonda filled him in on her plan for the weekend; ordering room service for dinner, an afternoon show at an historic theater the next day and a reservation for his favorite steak restaurant after that.
" Next stop is the hotel. You're going to love the view." Rhonda said, squeezing his hand and planting a kiss on his lips. Nick smiled and silently thanked God for bringing her into his life.
Nick Alvarez grew up in the shadow of the great Rocky Mountains. His parents were immigrants from Mexico who both moved to Colorado while they were still teenagers. They met, married young and had two boys in quick succession all while building a successful contracting business. Nick's father was a charismatic man with a talent for wood working that made him stand out from the crowd. His mother was a sweet, unassuming woman who never fully grasped English as her language but fiercely loved and protected her family. Nick's personality reflected the best in both his parents.
Expecting to take over the family business one day, Nick worked hard learning from his dad and planned to earn a degree in business. Then a guidance counselor approached him one day at his high school and asked him to consider going to law school after college. The woman saw so much potential in the teen and although the contracting business was lucrative and limitless for Nick, she encouraged him to reach for more. Predictably Nick's parents weren't thrilled with the counselor's interference but his dad realized gifts in his son that should be developed and utilized. Putting his ego aside wasn't easy for his dad but nevertheless he supported Nick through his college years and encouraged him to excel.
And excel he did. Nick worked hard in college and had a chance to develop his leadership skills on the University of Colorado campus. Graduating Summa Cum Laude was an achievement his parents were especially proud of but being accepted into Law school made them beyond thrilled. While earning his law degree Nick almost married his college sweetheart but realized, just days before the planned wedding, that they were not meant to be. It was a difficult time and Nick threw himself into his studies afterward believing that he was meant to be alone. After graduating, Nick landed a position with a major medical facility as a part of a high powered legal team. Moving away from his hometown, Nick settled in the Midwest and began the life that led him to Rhonda. At least that was how he saw it; he was life-less before her.
Soon after moving to the smaller city Nick was invited to an executive's home for a party meant to welcome him to the exclusive community. When Rhonda would tell the story of how they met, she always said that, "he sucked the energy out of the room when he entered. All eyes turned to him and every woman there (and probably more than a few men) were drawn to him like moths to a flame." Nick didn't know about that but he did know that he noticed the beautiful blonde on the other side of the room very soon after arriving.
Surrounded by people wanting to meet him, Nick was occupied and lost track of the blonde he really wanted to meet. Within a short amount of time he lost sight of her altogether, disengaged from the group surrounding him and went looking for a certain colleague. He asked his new friend, "Mark, I saw this woman across the room when I got here but I don't see her now. Do you know who she is?" Nick described her in detail and Mark nodded. "Yea, I can see why you noticed her right away. Her name is Rhonda and she's in Public Relations. She's beautiful, all right, but not exactly in the best place in her personal life right now. She probably already took off. Enter at your own risk, my friend." Mark patted Nick on the back and headed to the bar for another drink.
Nick made a beeline for the front foyer. Walking out of the house, he scanned the line of cars parked in the driveway and along the street looking for any sign of her. Already more than a half block away, Nick spied her and braved the cold March wind and rain to catch up. Nick jogged along the street calling out, "Hey Rhonda! Wait up!" She either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him. Nick was convinced it was the latter. As he came up along side of her she turned and studied him. "You do know that it's best to wear a coat in this weather, right?"
Nick grinned and stuck out his hand. "I'm Nick Alvarez. I'm new in the legal department and I haven't had the pleasure..."
Rhonda interrupted him while she stared at his outstretched hand. "I know who you are. Everyone does. You're the Messiah, haven't you heard?"
"Uhhhh well I wasn't aware of that last part but I guess I'll have to work harder to live up to it." He grinned at her and caught a partial smile before she was able to hide it. "So can you tell me why you're leaving the party so soon and why you're walking in this rotten weather?"
"If you must know I'm not in the mood for partying. My friend made me come and even picked me up so I couldn't leave early. So I'm walking home. And, the weather doesn't bother me. I'm a Midwest girl; we never melt in the rain. Besides I actually am dressed for this, well, except for my shoes." She said kicking out her high heeled foot.
Nick conceded, "Ok, that's fair." He fell silent while matching his steps with hers for another block or so. "Well, I do have my car here. The heat works and everything. Can I give you a ride home? You know you'll be safe since I'm the Messiah and all."
