Tom sat at a restaurant eating all alone. He sat thinking about everything that happened between him and Yvonne. Pondering it all, he reflected how everything spiraled out of control. His marriage was all messed up. He knew he somehow loved the woman he married umpteen years ago, but nothing was the same anymore.
Sitting in a corner table against a large window, he stared out at the parking lot and completely lost in thought. The thoughts ran deep and hard through his mind. He was oblivious to everything else around him. He was in another world altogether. He thought about everyone, including his grown children and how they would be affected by all of this if and if they would need to know.
It all began with Yvonne's fascination with seeking out new relationships, especially with her friend Del, on down to his fascination and admiration of three women that included Robin, Jennifer, and Karen. He never intended for any of it to develop the way it did, it just happened.
Still he sat in his own little world in the corner waiting for his meal and in deep thought. 10 minutes passed and his server came up. The young lady distracted him.
"Sir may I get you something else while you wait sir? Sir, sir" but she noticed he was in a trance like state of mind. He was off in never-never land. "Sir, I'm sorry sir" as she touched his shoulder lightly. He looked around at her unexpectedly. "Sir I didn't mean to disturb you sir but is everything okay?" He nodded his head yes, smiled, and pardoned himself. "May I get you anything else while you wait sir?" He said no and thanked her.
He went back to thinking and looking out the window. The hustle and bustle of cars, people, and other activity captivated his thoughts now. Yvonne didn't burden his mind as much at that point. He thought about Robin for some reason. He wondered what she had been up too. He thought about Karen and if they had a chance of a relationship.
But somehow, he was adrift again in upsetting thoughts. "Damn that Yvonne! She has fucked up our marriage and my life. What the hell? Why, why did she do that?"
All of a sudden he was disturbed again. "Tom, Tom hiiiii Thomas, hello how are you" as the friendly woman touched his shoulder.
He snapped out of it and the smile appearing before him was a gentle pleasing one which was a respite for his worries he put himself through.
"Hiii honey, she said why are you here all alone?"
"Ohhh hi Robin how are you? Huh, what was that? Why am I here by myself? Oh heck I don't know. The shit's hit the fan I guess and I needed dinner and Yvonne was out doing something. I don't know."
Curious what he meant, she seated herself wanting to know what was going on. "Uhhh are you here with Chuck and the kids?" She said yes but they could wait a minute. He told her "Well I'm not going to go into everything. It could keep you here for a long time. Tell you what, I'll make a point of sitting down with you and bring you up to speed. How's that sound?"
"Ooooooohh, it sounds juicy; it sounds very juicy Thomas."
"Umm well I suppose from a gossip's point of view it is and I'm not looking create gossip. I'm looking for a shoulder to lean on and who knows what."
"Umm they are waiting for me but I'll be back in 15 minutes. I have a great idea possibly. I'll be back, okay?"
20 minutes later, Tom was eating his dinner and Robin came up and sat down. She gave Tom one of her dreamy looking smiles. "Hi sweetheart, I hope you're feeling a little better. Sometimes food makes a person feel better; it doesn't always do that but it can. Anyways, this is my proposal. First off what is your schedule in the next several days?"
Coincidentally Tom had to be in Illinois but so did Robin; how she figured that out that he was going to be there was beyond him. But he is always in Illinois for contractual reasons.
"Well Thomas, guess what? I'm obligated to be in Champaign for two days. I'm already certified in what I'm required to go there for. It's just that there have been a couple small upgrades on this certification; I could get them online. But I have an idea and I'm proposing this to you. Chuck's going to be out of town for 3 days. He's leaves Tuesday morning and he is not coming back until Thursday night."
"If you are up to it, we could meet in Illinois and spend two fun-filled days together there. Tell me what sounds good to you or if any of it works for you. Do you have any desire whatsoever to even explore what I'm getting at? In fact I'd love for you to stop over on Tuesday so we can spend a couple of days together here in town and on Thursday meet up again in Illinois. How does all that sound?"
"Phewwww ummm I think, uhhh it sounds awesome!" All hopelessness disappeared from his face. Tom had been waiting for an opportunity like that to spend countless of hours with Robin. Doing her at her house was maybe a little risky, but the idea of spending some quality time with a woman he's found desirable for eon's easily worked in his opinion.
"Yes Robin if you think that could work out and you don't have any reservations I'm game. I will schedule something in my planner which suggests that I'm out of town all week. Now a couple of things; well I'll work them out." "Robin, call me once Chuck leaves on that plane. Call me on my cell and if I'm available we can work out all the details at that point. Thanks Robin, I think you have just made my day. Thanks again sweetheart."
"It is my pleasure Tom. It is really all my pleasure as she winked. See ya soon" and she stood up, giving him a flirtatious wave and walked away.
Tom was in a great mood finally as he finished up his meal. His waitress came up and handed him his bill. He was out of line but didn't care. "You know what" he said to her, I've wanted to compliment you all evening."
She asked him what expecting to get hit on but smiling anyways.
"Those black slacks you are wearing, well you fill them out very well, and I've decided since you were so concerned about me earlier that I'm going to tip you double tonight. And I know I haven't a chance in the hell but how old are you anyways?" She told him she was 27. "Do I have a chance for a date with you anyways" he asked in a kidding manner.
"Ummm maybe, who knows sir I would have to get to know you first and well we could go from there. Would you like my cell number for starters?"
He was simply kidding around and never ever expected that response but took her up on it anyways. He patted her on her arm and thanked her handing her a 10.00 tip.