Except for my Reserve weekends, my typical Saturday morning routine has been working around the house, after that it's taking my truck to a do-it-yourself car wash, I don't want the winter road salt accumulating on it. Then it's over to the base to check for paper work they might have left for me, the gym to work out, the NCO club for lunch; where we always seem to get around to talking revisionist history about our exploits in foreign lands. From there, it was off to the library to check out some books on subjects of my next paper I've writing for my military history class which is due, two weeks from this coming Wednesday.
And now, here I am once again, on another Saturday night, sitting in my den, staring at my computer as I re-read the text on the computer, trying to flesh out this paper I've been working on. When it's hearing the closing remarks from the local news cast, which I've been half listening to, an looking at my watch thinking, is it that late already? Surprised at the time. So, maybe I shouldn't call her tonight.
Even though she gave me her personal cell phone number, I had my doubts, because I really thought I would never hear from her again. But she did call me, surprising the heck out of me, especially as late as it was when she got into Denver that Tuesday night. Her telling me about the delays due to diverts around weather fronts in route, then the screw up with the her rental car at the Denver airport. It seemed the only thing that went right was her hotel room. So we only talked a few minutes, mostly about all the issues with her getting there, then her telling me she would call again sometime the next day, which she did. So maybe she does like me as she said, "You're a very nice guy and I like you lot." She told me.
And from then on for the next two weeks, she or I have called one another where we've had some long talks about what she was doing at where ever she was at that point in her business trip, her plans for the next day or evening, almost like old friends keeping up on what was currently going on in our lives. Old friends? Funny, it just seems that way. Even though we've only known each other, for what, twelve days? But I guess a bond was forged that day on the train; a very intimate bond, which I still have a hard time believing it happened.
Now bringing myself back from those thoughts remembering how she talked about her drive to Colorado Springs, and how the meetings went there. Then it was her meetings and conferences in San Diego, which she was very pleased with, and then on to Arizona for more of the same. But now she's in San Antonio, where hopefully, it'll be a weekend to relax, before she's on to Pensacola, Washington DC, then back home.
But for me, being in the Marine Corps Reserves, it's been a learning experience as I listened to her telling me why this trip and these meeting are so important. I've learned more about what she does, along with a lot more about her too. She's smart, dedicated, and very passionate about this programs she's administers. So even with the amount of traveling she's been doing, it's the positive feed back she's been getting that's assured her the programs have been helping those they were designed for.
Now tomorrow being one more day of relaxation before the start of that last the leg of her three week business trip and I haven't heard from her all day. Where I hope every thing's still alright, because I've loved these phone calls! She's so damn easy to talk to, so refreshing, funny, easy to tease an make her laugh. An yes Swaggart, you know your in over your head about how you feel about her, but still, I love hearing her talk, and especially, I love hearing her laugh!
An slowly getting to know her this way has only fueled my curiosity, my wanting to know her even more. Because I know deep down, there's so much more to her I have yet to learn. I guess that mystery makes her even more desirable then I could ever imagine.
And I'm sure she has some idea how I feel about her, why else would she call me so much, and spend so much time talking with me. But always in the back of my mind is the fact she's married! And even though we shared some very intimate minutes on that train where I'm afraid it was something that just happened, nothing more. And this could be no more than just two friends who share a secret about what happened that day. But the funny thing about that day is, other than laughing about what happened over lunch, neither one of us has said another word about it. Although for me, it plays back in my mind a lot, especially every time I put my leather jacket on and see her teeth marks in the collar.
As for me, well, I have talked some about my marriage, and divorce. Where I've left out several things that I've learned; things I didn't know until after our divorce. But Catherine hasn't pressed for anything more than what I've already told her. But that thing about her and her husband's, as she calls it, "They're living two separate lives." For sure, that part of her I'm more than just curious about that arrangement. But that's one thing I won't tread on. Because I have a feeling, if this closeness continues, she'll tell me more about that.
Plus with her being so easy talk to, its made it easier for me to talk about my combat deployments; along with some of my experience during those deployments. But I still hold back a lot, mostly because they're still hard for me to talk about. It was especially hard for my wife Sally; she really didn't want to hear it. It upset her too much one time she over heard me talking about a particular action with some of my Marine Corps buddies. Plus, it's always been hard to relate those experiences to someone who hasn't been there or done that. I don't think they can fully understand what it's like to live with the constant fear, frustration, the anger, or that loss of two very close friends that never should have happened. So I find it best not to talk about it at all, at least outside of a close nit circle of friends. But again, Catherine seems to want to hear about it. Where one evening last week we got on the subject of just that, experiences. So letting my guard down I opened up to her the thing Sally overheard. Visualizing it again as I was telling her what happened, when I suddenly realized she hadn't said anything. So, asking if she was still there, she replied, " Of course I'm still here!" She said, "Why would I not be? You are the first person I've met since I've been in this job that's opened up about those kind of experiences." "Bob." She said. "I've been hanging on every word! So please don't stop talking to me." The showed me her interest, which impressed me! She really cares about those things, and why her programs help the people who've been there.
Again looking at the time thinking, should I call or just let her be? Maybe she's enjoying a night out, a chance to unwind before the start another busy week. Like last weekend, during our phone calls, she was telling me about having to write reports for her department so they could be kept up to date on what she's learned. Plus, catching up on what she's missed by being away from the office.
But damn it, the woman is in my blood now. It was only that one incredible experience, a laugh filled lunch, days and evenings of these phone conversations where she tells me every thing that's happened as I sit back, and listen to her voice saying the words. I love hearing her talk with that slight huskiness in that North Carolina accent. And yes, she is a talker when she gets started. Just please Catherine Parker, never stop talking to me!
Anyway its picking up the cellphone to touch in the speed call number for her cellphone, then looking at my watch, it's eleven-thirty here, ten-thirty where she is, as I wait listening to the six audible rings before she answers, "Phew." She says. Hah, hallo. you." Its her sounding out of breath.
Hello to you too, I was beginning to think you weren't going to answer. But I would have left a message just to say hi, how was your day, call when you have chance. You know, something like that.
Which has happened several times, but she's always called me back a short time later; just like she said she would do. But on answering this time, there's a stress in her voice I can definitely hear, and it's not just from being out of breath.
Are you working out? My asking,
"Yes..., you, might, call it that." Still breathlessly saying,
There is something in that, a nervousness I also think .
Oh, okay. Should I call you back later?
"No Bob." She says, sounding less stressful. "How about if I call you back instead? But it may not be tonight."
Sure Catherine, any time. But I'll most likely be up late anyway, if you do decide to call back. An not hearing a reply its my Okay, Bye.
But before I can even move my phone away from my ear, I hear another voice, and it sounds close by, where I freeze, realizing she's with someone! The voice was indistinct, was it a man? A lump forming in my throat! Then hearing some rustling noises with that voice sounding even closer to the phone asking, "Was that your husband?" I hear plainly, but words from..., who?
"No." Catherine's answer. "Just a very special friend of mine." Catherine explaination.
That lump in my throat disappearing, my heart rate dropping. it's a female voice! Where I realize Catherine must be in bed with another woman? My developing hard-on knowing very well I won't be able to ignore it for long!