"Give me your home address and I'll pick you up after lunch."
Writing her home phone number and address on the back of a business card, she handed it to him. "See you tomorrow." And she couldn't wait!
Because the weather was co-operating with sunshine and a gentle breeze on Saturday, she decided on jeans and top, but added sneakers to her outfit in case the lot was rugged. The morning was spent putting a French braid in her hair so she wouldn't have to worry about it blowing around her face. She was more excited than nervous when she answered the door at one-thirty.
"Better add a sweater to your ensemble. It can be cooler in the woods and by the water." She caught him appraising her, but he just grinned when she said, "See anything you like?"
Ignoring her question, he asked, "Ready to go?"
"Soon as I grab my purse." She picked it up, along with a sweater, and followed him out to his truck. Their first stop was a quick one to pick up a fishing license for her. Once they were on the road again, she turned to him. "Russ I want to apologize for my behavior at my sister's and at dinner the other night. You were on the receiving end of something that should have been aimed at someone else. I'm sorry I was rude." It wasn't easy getting the words out, but she wanted to get it out of the way quickly.
"So who did the dirty on you?"
"My ex-fiancé. The same old story. Want the gory details?"
"Only if you want to tell me. It might make you feel better to unload."
"Okay, here goes. His name is Rick Mason. We were only engaged for three months and had just begun making wedding plans. We were at a dance one night. I was in a cubicle in the ladies room. Two friends came in but they didn't know I was there. One of them said 'Did you hear about Rick Mason?' The other replied 'Rick who?'
'Melanie's Rick. He's been with a blonde more than once. They were necking in a bar one night. Poor Melanie. She doesn't even know.'
Taking a deep breath, she continued with her story. "I was totally devastated. I had to stay put until they left, then I took the chicken's way out because I couldn't face him and I didn't want a scene in public. I ducked out and called a cab, and went home. After a couple of stiff drinks, I sent him a text message that said, "You are history. Just be thankful you're not dead. Your ex - Melanie."