Driving alone gave Wendy far too much time to think. Only 4 hours into the 15 hour trip left her frustrated with herself. Plenty of loving family members had offered to take the journey with her but Wendy stubbornly refused. Driving through mostly rural areas on the road from Dallas to Phoenix, most of the radio stations she found were country stations so for many long, lonely hours she listened to about all the hard luck, down on love music she could stand. She didn't really need to be reminded that love sucked and that Cupid was obviously in the wrong profession.
Not only did love suck but divorce sucked even more. Married for just 8 years, Wendy thought hers was invincible and would last forever but all that changed on a painful Saturday afternoon. Running errands in an unfamiliar area of the city, Wendy was surprised to see her husband entering a hotel. Pulling into the parking lot, she hurried inside, expected some sort of surprise. Maybe he had planned a party for her or had rented a room and was setting things up for a romantic escape later that evening. Her mind raced with the possibilities even as the pit of her stomach tightened. Wendy's eyes filled with tears as the painful memory of watching her beloved husband melt into the arms of another woman filled the loneliness of her car. She shook her head and forced herself back to reality. "Enough!" She said loudly. "It's over and done and it's time to move on."
Just 3 months after the divorce was finalized, Wendy packed up her things and was heading to Phoenix for a fresh start. A new job awaited her and her grandparents were thrilled that she was moving in with them. Well, at least temporarily moving in with them. She was determined to get settled as soon as possible but was looking forward to spending some time with them in the home she remembered as a child. Somewhat embarrassed at how long it had been since she had visited them, Wendy had wonderful memories of spending holidays and summers with her loving grandparents. A couple of months of pampering from them would help to soothe her bruised and battered emotions. Then, Wendy hoped, she would be ready to take on the world once again.
Finally arriving in the city, Wendy stopped for wine and flowers before heading to her grandparents' home. The house looked just as she remembered it - warm and lovely as always. She barely had the car door open before both grandparents appeared and she was wrapped in their arms. Tears of joy flowed as she was showered with love.
After getting settled in the guest room and storing much of her things in an extra room, the three of them sat by the pool with drinks before dinner. Sensing that Wendy wasn't in the mood to share about her failed marriage, conversation revolved around her new position which she would begin in just a few days. The atmosphere was light and loving and just what Wendy needed.
Living with her grandparents was as easy as Wendy thought it would be. She quickly got into a routine of running in the early morning, going to work, occasionally having a drink after work with co-workers, coming home for a home cooked meal and getting to bed far too early for a 30 year old woman. After a week or so Wendy began quietly heading out to the pool after her grandparents went to bed. After swimming laps, Wendy often read or just listened to music until she was tired. She found the quiet time very peaceful.
On the Wednesday of the second week, Wendy was alone at home in the evening while her grandparents went to their card club. She was lounging pool-side when she heard a man's voice on the other side of the high fence. Hastily tying her bikini top on, she leapt up to open the gate. Her surprise must have been evident because the man laughed loudly as he walked past her and gathered her into his arms.
"I heard you were around. It's been so long!" The neighbor Ben exclaimed. He stepped back and released Wendy from his tight embrace but held her upper arms in his hands. His smile was warm and although he had aged quite a bit since the last time she had seen him, he was still ruggedly handsome and surprisingly fit for a man in his late 50's, Wendy noticed.
Although it had been over 10 years since Wendy had last seen Ben, she wasn't bothered by his exuberant greeting. Her memories of her grandparents' long term neighbor were warm and comfortable ones. She stepped forward to return his hug enthusiastically and even planted a kiss on his cheek.