Fixing a Misunderstanding

Fixing a Misunderstanding

Paul was sitting at his desk in the office finishing some reports. He was a detective with the Fort Worth Police Department and he was going home to Texarkana, Texas, for Christmas. It had been a rough year. His six-year marriage had ended four months ago because his wife, Patricia, wanted him to leave the force and get a regular job.

Paul had considered it, but he had been a detective for ten years. The pay was steady, he loved the work and he just couldn’t find anything else he wanted to do. He was thirty-two years old and had just gotten a promotion that let him work pretty much day shifts, so he was not gone at night. With his promotion and raise in pay they were able to buy a new house his wife wanted. Still, she wanted out so they got a divorce. Fortunately, there had been no children, and Patricia had wanted to wait on the job situation.

He cleared his desk and checked with the Lieutenant.

“I’ll be at my mother's for the one-week vacation,” He told his boss. “I left the phone number and address on a memo to you.”

His Lieutenant said, “Try and get some playtime. It has been a tough year for you. Relax some. I hear some changes are coming after the first of the year, so who knows what that holds?”

He went to his car; he was looking forward to a relaxing drive to “Mom’s house”. He had packed last night so he was ready.

He arrived just at sundown. His mother was looking out the window. His dad had passed away two years ago and his two brothers and three sisters lived in the same area as his mother.

As he pulled into the driveway, he noticed several cars parked on the street. He grabbed his bag out of the back seat and went up the walk to the front door.

His mother opened the door before he knocked. She grabbed him, hugged him, and said, “Paul you are so thin, have you been eating?”

Everyone came to greet him. All of the brothers and sisters crowded around.

As the family sat, Paul noticed a woman get up and say something to Paul's sister and start for the door.

Paul recognized Susan immediately. They had dated for three years starting as juniors in high school. She flashed a radiant smile and said, “HI Paul,” and said to his sister, “I have an appointment in ten minutes, Sorry to run.”

Paul had regretted the breakup, but couldn't remember what it was about now. He made a point of looking for a wedding ring and saw none. He remembered she had been his sister's friend in those days, too.

The evening was a fun time with the whole family joining in. Paul made it a point to talk to Becky about Susan.

She was not married and had never been married. She had gone to law school and was an attorney in Texarkana, Texas.  Becky said, “She has never dated anyone seriously because she has never gotten over you, Paul. “

The next morning Paul got up, put his running clothes on, and went for his daily run. His mother lived a mile from the football field. Paur jogged down to the field and planned to run laps with those who were there. He saw about fifteen people running laps and fell in behind the group. As he made a full lap, some were slower than he ran and he passed them by.  He noticed an extremely shapely woman who was running fast enough to stay ahead of him. After a couple of laps, she was still out front so he picked up the pace.

As he came beside her, he saw it was Susan, She looked over, registered surprise and as he started to pass her, she turned on the speed. Paul did the same thing and it was a dead heat for about a half lap. They were evenly matched.

As they came to the stands where the runners were resting, they both slowed down and stopped. They were both laughing.

Paul said, “I am glad you slowed down. I couldn’t go much further.”

She laughed and said, “Me too!”

He said, “It was nice to see you last night, you are looking well.”

She said,” Thank you.”

He said, “Do you have time for a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea?”

She said, “Well I have an appointment at 10:00 am, I guess I have a few minutes.”

He said, “Is there a place close by? I don’t have my car!

She said, “Nor do I!”

She stood and said, “Let's go!”

They ran about three blocks to a little café.

As they sat, Paul said, “Susan I am trying to remember what broke the string with us, I know we were young and had several issues. What in your memory was the deal breaker?”

She said, “Well the ‘Deal Breaker’, as you call it, was you didn’t want me to get a law degree and that was my goal.”

Paul said, “But we never talked much about it.”

Susan said, “That was the problem. It was a big deal for me and you just said, NO!”

Shaking his head he said, “The pitfalls of youth.”

She said, “Yes, if either had been willing to try one more time, we might have made it.”

He said, “I am sorry. I never completely got over losing you. Even last night, I looked to see if you had a wedding ring on.  You know I am divorced now I guess.”

She said, “Yes, Becky kept me updated. I never lost interest in you! As evidenced by the fact that I never found anyone else I wanted to be with.”

Paul said, “We have both admitted that we are interested in each other. So where does that leave us?“

Susan said, “I am an attorney and don’t plan to leave the profession. You are a detective and don’t plan to leave that profession. So, my question to you, Paul, is there any reason to think about us?”

Paul looked at her and said, “I have no objection to an attorney girlfriend or wife!”

She said, “Nor do I have any problems with a detective boyfriend or husband. However, I am about to become a partner in the law firm and my partner wants to open another office in the state. I might have to relocate.”

Paul said, “Those issues are part of life. We make decisions like that throughout life. I would like very much to become reacquainted with you and see if the attraction that once existed and seems to still exist, is what it seems.”

Susan smiled at Paul and said, ‘My sentiments exactly!”