Tom and Suzanne, an attractive professional couple in their late forties, had been married for nearly twenty two years, living most of that time in the same neighborhood. Their only child, a daughter named Amy, was in her junior year at Yale on her path to becoming an attorney. After Amy left for school, Tom and Suzanne quickly discovered that "empty nest syndrome" was a very real phenomenon and struggled at first to rediscover themselves as a couple. With some effort over the course of the following two years they were able to develop a few hobbies and widen their circle of friends which included their next door neighbors, Paul and Debbie Hanson.
Paul and Debbie were a few years younger than Tom and Suzanne. Paul was a construction supervisor and Debbie was a Registered Nurse, both very attractive, physically fit and equally engaging. While neither couple considered the other to be best friends, they did have similar interests and found numerous opportunities to enjoy one another's company. Even though they didn't consider Paul and Debbie to be close friends, it nevertheless came as a total surprise to Tom and Suzanne when one day they were informed of their neighbors impending divorce. Debbie gave Suzanne little reason for the divorce other than the general, 'we've grown apart' line. Since the two did not have any children, the divorce was finalized in relatively short order and Debbie moved back to California to be nearer to her parents. After her move, Tom and Suzanne heard nothing more from her.
Paul, in the meantime, fell into a gray funk. He was left with a nearly empty house and an even more empty checking account. It seems that Debbie liked to spend money, and most of the couple's debts fell to Paul to repay. As a consequence of the depression, when Paul came in from work he rarely left the house, neglecting all past friendships and hobbies, he preferred instead to stay home alone.
"You know what we should do, Tom?" Suzanne said, late one afternoon, "We should invite Paul over this weekend to dinner. He hasn't been out of his house in months and I'm kind of worried about him."
"I'll be happy to give him a call and invite him over, Suzy. Not sure he'll accept, though. I've asked him to go play golf with me several times over the past few weeks and he always comes up with some lame excuse."
"How about I give him a call? It might be harder for him to say no to me."
"You always have had a thing for Paul, haven't you?" Tom said with a knowing grin on his face.
"I most certainly have not," Suzanne replied in mock indignation. "I'll grant you that Paul is a very handsome man, but I'm only making the suggestion out of concern. Staying cooped up in that house all alone is not healthy for anyone."
"Okay. You're right. Paul needs to get out some. Go ahead and give him a call. Maybe he'll accept if you make the invitation."
Suzanne called Paul a few minutes later and with some persuading, was able to get him to accept the offer. Pleased with herself, she set about the task of planning the menu, a task for which she was quite adept. Saturday rolled around quickly, and Suzanne prepared a meal that was fit for a four star restaurant.
"Oh my god, Suzanne," Paul said as he finally pushed back from the table, "this is the best meal I have had in I don't know how long. I had no idea that you were such a fabulous cook."
Tom smiled at the blushing Suzanne and commented, "I married the best cook in five counties...and the prettiest too, I might add."
"Gentlemen, I appreciate all the compliments," Suzanne said, "now how about let's take the dishes to the kitchen and adjourn to the living room to enjoy a little after dinner wine and conversation."
A little wine ultimately became a lot of wine, and the tone of the conversation shifted from sports and politics and became more personal in nature.
"Paul...I'll bet you haven't had a date since you and Debbie broke up, have you?" Suzanne asked.
"Really haven't wanted to," Paul responded, a little distantly. "I don't think I'm ready for a relationship just yet."
