You stare out the window at the rain and wonder if it is fate. One year ago today you were wearing your wedding dress, thrilled and terrified to be marrying Terry. It was raining that day but you hadn't noticed until the phone call came and your mother-in-law collapsed.
Moments after that are still broken and blurred to you. Being rushed into your honeymoon limo with your bridesmaids to go to the hospital... Sitting in your full gown in the hospital waiting room staring at a cup of cold coffee... the doctor walking toward you with a look of defeat. You knew he was dead.
It had been a hard year. After the shock and the weeping there had been the funeral. You remember how Terry's family sort of drifted away as the months passed. You didn't go out and were terrified of driving.
Luckily your work let you stay at home most of the time. When you absolutely had to be driven somewhere, a girlfriend would drive you.
Once when everyone was too busy and you had to get to Cardiff you called Tristam, Terry's brother. You hadn't talked in awhile, but he stepped into the breach and spent the day driving you, waiting for you and driving you home. The dinner you treated him too seemed like pale reward for such gallant behavior.
You hadn't meant to do it again, but then he called you just when you needed another lift. Never did find out why he called but you found yourself looking forward to him pulling up in his Land Rover.
A month of rides and dinners passed when you got to know him better. He'd always been scarce when you were dating Terry but had moved back home. A month of rides before he kissed you.
You wanted him but you also knew it wasn't time. Your heart wasn't ready to open again. He said he understood. After another week of rides you started to believe him.
Your favorite author would call it a slow burn romance, the kind kindled in friendship and a sexual longing marinated in chaste kisses and brief hugs.
As summer came and passed, you realized you were in love with him. Slowly that became okay in your head as well as your heart. A fortnight ago, you kissed him.
Your romance flared up bright and hot. Your thoughts were consumed with him and you brought him to your bed with great anticipation. He did not disappoint.
Tristam was a passionate and patient lover, eager to please you first before taking you as his own. His body was beautiful due more to genetics than the three kilometer runs he would take. He made you feel loved, desired, cherished, and consumed all at once. You'd never felt it before.