Yet another trip to Home Depot; Paula had been in there so much lately she was about ready to get fitted for an orange apron. Back to the paint section, again, this time with a desk drawer in hand. Along the way, she picked up sandpaper and a hand sander.
Holding the drawer up to the display with the stained wood samples, she searched in vain for the right color.
"You're in here almost as much as I am."
She turned; it was him! They had seen each other many times at the store, but never spoken. It had been so long since she had looked at a man with interest, but she had noticed him. She'd wanted to say something, but she'd always been a little shy. Tall and slim, about her age with wavy hair and gorgeous blue eyes. Always smiling at each other, but never anything more. Until now.
"Hi! I'm refinishing the top of my husband's desk and I'm trying to match the stain color. I don't want to strip the whole thing, but I may have to. This is my second time around—I stained it with what I thought was a good match but it turned out way too dark. Now," holding up the sander for emphasis, "I've got to clean up my mess before I can start over."
"Husband?" he asked, looking at her hand holding the sanding block.
"Past tense. I lost him in a car wreck three years ago."
"I'm so sorry.'
"It's been tough, but I'm getting past it. You never forget, but time does dull the pain."
