The Parting: Seize the Day

Ordinarily, Bob was timid around women. He was a little shy around people he didn’t know but women in particular. There was something different about Charlotte. He seemed to break through a barrier. He felt more confident. He still didn’t make it a point to be with her but when those times came, he made the most of them.

Charlotte was a genuine person. She was also a no-nonsense person. To Bob, they were her most important qualities. You knew where you stood with Charlotte. The fact that she was pretty was icing on the cake. What man wouldn’t be attracted to her? There was something changing within Bob. He was becoming a more confident person. Therefore, he was fighting the urge to make his feelings known to Charlotte.

Since that day when Charlotte shared her fears about Jack, he felt something had changed between them. When he saw the relief in her eyes about Jack being ok, he didn’t feel threatened. Charlotte felt comfortable enough to touch his hand and give him a hug. That, at least, was friendship, wasn’t it? Will a woman touch someone she doesn’t like? Bob was certain she would not. At least, not if she could help it.

So Bob had come to a cross roads. He either had to tell Charlotte how he felt or he needed to put distance between them. Carpe diem! So he got her phone number from the church directory and called. He asked if they could get together for lunch. He figured lunch would be a nonthreatening meal and, in his mind anyway, dinner implied it was a date. Charlotte seemed a little bewildered or hesitant by the whole thing but agreed to meet.

Bob arrived at the restaurant first. On the way there, he wasn’t sure if he wanted something in the corner so they was be somewhat hidden or out in the open to show there was nothing to hide. He figured he would leave it in God’s hands. He got a booth in the back corner. Things are looking up, he thought with a smile.

He sat glancing at the door, waiting for Charlotte to arrive. He could feel his heart beating hard in his chest. His cheeks were warm but he was determined not to give away his feelings too fast. He didn’t want Charlotte to be freaked out by him acting weird. Therefore, he decided not to say anything about his feelings. Yes, he was chickening out. It would just be 2 people who were friends having lunch together.

Charlotte was quite surprised by the call from Bob. She wasn’t completely opposed to having lunch with him, but she felt guilty. She felt like she was cheating on Jack. Still, Bob suggested the main restaurant in town. Lunch was a busy time of day and many people would see them. If Bob had an ulterior motive that was not a good place to play it out.

She thought back over the months they had gotten to know each other better. Part of her still had her guard up. Part of her wanted companionship. How does a person reconcile their feelings when they are lonely? It is hard to stand by your convictions when your heart is screaming for love. She knew she had Jack’s love and he had hers but she hadn’t been in his arms in months. She hadn’t felt the warmth of his body when they embraced. She hadn’t been kissed in months. Oh, how she longed to feel Jack’s lips on hers. He was such a good kisser.

As she walked to the restaurant her anxiety level rose. She wanted to be true to Jack. He deserved that. He was fighting for his country. He was laying his life on the line. The least she could do is be true. Why did she agree to this?

Then she heard a whistle behind her. She expected to hear a man say something like, “Hey baby, where have you been all my life?” Instead, a female voice said, “What’s cooking good looking?” She turned around to see her friend Samantha hurriedly walking toward her. After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Samantha invited herself to lunch with Charlotte who quietly sent her thanks to heaven.

Bob’s heart sank as he saw Charlotte and Samantha enter the restaurant. Then again, he thought, there is less pressure on me. Also, people are less likely to think anything about him having lunch with two ladies. Next time, he thought.