3 comments/ 7223 views/ 0 favorites Picking Up the Pieces By: Picking Up the Pieces "Sounds exciting compared to my very drab job. As long as we get paid, we shouldn't complain...right?" "Right...no pain, no gain as they pointed out to me in the gym tonight." Larry pulled off the flat tire and manhandled the spare tire into position until it was seated on the lug bolts. Then he took a lug nut and fingered tightened it on the lug bolt and then took another and tightened it...going in a star pattern. I watched everything he did because I wanted to know what to do the next time I got a flat tire. Soon all the lug nuts were on and tightened with the lug wrench and the hub cap snapped into place. He was done. Larry slowly stood up...probably allowing his overworked back and arm muscles to adjust. I felt the same way, only it was my legs that felt tight. I smiled and got up and said, "Thank you so much for your kindness...you're a real lifesaver. Well, I better get a move on and see what other mischief my kids got into. Well, thanks again, Larry." I stretched up and gave him a "thank you" peck on the cheek and then got into my car and started it up. I lowered my window and gave Larry a wave and a big smile, then drove off. I looked in my rear view mirror and Larry waited until I was down the road a bit and got into his Ford Explorer. I still felt my innocent thank you kiss on my lips. Could he be for me? Could Larry and I become an item? Could I fall for a man I just met tonight...I wonder? However, we will be seeing each other at the fitness from now on, and only time will tell I guess. It was about two weeks later...a Friday when I was on my tread mill and Larry entered the gym and got on the tread mill next to mine. I smiled and said, "Hi Larry. Haven't seen you in a while." Larry smiled and revealed, "Hi Angela. I was on vacation. My brother and I along with a few friends went fishing in Canada for two weeks. It was great getting away from the job, phones and stress for two weeks in the wilds of Canada. Soooo, how have you been?" I grunted out, "I've been good. I lost ten pounds. My kids have been angels and life is good. Um, speaking of fishing...when I was younger...I used to go blue fishing down at the shore with my father and his buddies...really didn't care for that. I like fishing, but not out on the ocean because I tend to get sea sick. Um, give me the quiet rustic wilds of a lake anytime." Larry flashed a smile and asked, "I hear ya. Um, maybe we could go fishing sometime...someplace locally...like lake Silkworth? I have a small lake cottage up there? In fact, I'm going out there tonight and spend the weekend." I smiled and mentioned, "I love Lake Silkworth. Um, I take my kids there swimming all the time in the summer, but we haven't had a chance to go there this summer. Do you know Sunset Beach?" "Sunset Beach? My cottage is roughly three hundred feet down the road from there at pole twenty two. Um, would you be interested?" Was he kidding? Was he suggesting that I spend the weekend with him? This was something I was not prepared for. I mean, I hardly know the man, but yet he seemed like a nice guy. Suddenly, my knees felt weak and I mustered up enough backbone to ask, "Are you asking me to spend the weekend with you?" Larry shrugged and said, "Well...yes. I mean, I'm not suggesting anything improper. I'm just inviting you for a weekend of fishing. Besides, I have two bedrooms and you'll have plenty of privacy." His offer was tempting and I was on vacation, but I just couldn't give him a direct refusal. I explained, "I really can't...besides, I just couldn't take off for the weekend and leave my kids behind. I'm on vacation and promised them that we'll spend time together...taking them to the amusement part, going swimming or sleeping out in the back yard...in a big tent we have. Um, tell you what...let me think about it?" "Fair enough. Um, if you change your mind...take RT 118 west until you come to RT 29 and go south until you get to the lake and go about a quarter mile and turn left onto lakeside road and I'll be at pole twenty two...the gray wood sided cottage with red shutters down by the lake?" "I know how to get there, but you're at Pole twenty two...okay got it...um, if I change my mind that is." "Oh right...Sunset beach with your kids." I nodded and asked, "Um...if I do decide to come...should I give you a call and tell you I'm coming?" Larry shook his head and said, "No...if you show up...you show up and if you don't...you don't. Simple as that and no hard feelings." I nodded and Larry smiled and we ran together on our individual tread mills...talking and laughing. It felt great to be talking to a normal man for a change. Since my divorce, I have dated a few times and the men I dated, well, they were either creeps or momma boys. I'm not even sexually active... two years after my divorce from the asshole, but I'm not needy in any way shape or form so why do I end up with all the creeps? My mom has been after me to lower my standards and find a man...any man, but I'm content with my life and really don't need a man in my life to fulfill me...or do I? Joining this gym to get myself in shape to date just proves that maybe I do need a man in my life? We finally finished our exercises and left the gym together...I going my way and Larry going his after saying our goodbyes. Larry never saying anymore about his impromptu invite. On the half hour drive home I debated with myself whether I should go or not. My inner love starved woman telling me to go while the common sense me was telling me not to. Was fishing only a cleaver ruse to get me into his bed...Hmmmm? I got home tired, but glad to see my kids and mom and after a tiring day at work and then the gym. Since it's not a school night...I let my kids stay up late or until they're so tired that crash on the sofa in the family room. I took a quick shower and for the rest of night...we played board games, watched Shrek 1 and 2 while eating popcorn and spent real quality time together and I was beyond bushed by the time I got the kids to bed. It was almost midnight and the kids were down for the night, I was helping mom with the dishes...when I casually mentioned Larry's invitation to her and we discussed it at some length. Mom was all for me going, but I still had my reservations. Then again, spending a weekend with a nice guy might be just the thing I needed in my boring, lackluster life right now. I had to start thinking about my happiness now. Up till now...my life was my kids and their well being, but what about my well being? I know I'm being a bit selfish, but can't I have a little happiness too? We went to bed, but I couldn't sleep and decided to watch my small bedroom TV for a while until I was tired enough to sleep...and I did finally. I fell asleep with the TV on and it was still on when I got up at 6AM and turned it off. I went down to the kitchen to make myself coffee and toast...still debating with myself...still not sure what to do. By nine o'clock...I was packing and admittedly very nervous. By ten o'clock Saturday morning, I was on Rt 118 driving to Lake Silkworth...a half hour away and lit up a cigarette because I was still nervous. Never in my life had I done anything like this...a rendezvous with a man...not even when I was high school or college. Then again...I was kind of shy and very self conscious...actually not much different that I am now to be honest. In fact I'm a borderline wallflower and kind of quiet when I'm at a party or even a group work session...I don't talk a lot. I didn't lose my virginity until I was twenty-five...when I got married. I was literally a virgin bride on my wedding night. I had packed my weekender bag like I was going on a three week safari into the heart of Africa. Um...an extra pair of jeans, two pair of shorts, several tee shirts, an extra pair of sneakers and other necessities that a woman must have...PJs, underwear, toiletries and deodorant, three packs of cigarettes and my current fishing license. I even packed my bathing suit...just in case. I have to admit, that while I'm a very feminine woman, I'm also a Tomboy at heart. My ex could never accept my Tomboyish nature and that was probably one of the many reasons he divorced me for that buxom sophisticated woman. He was country club and fine dining, theater and art museums where as I wasn't. I'm a simple down to earth gal and never liked the social types or their meaningless activities. I exited 118 and turned onto route 29 that went past Lake Silkworth, but it would continue another twelve miles until it met Rt 11 in West Nanticoke. I was on the north end of the lake and in less than a minute, I was slowing down and turning left onto Lakeside Rd and passing Sunset Beach and began looking for Larry's lake side cottage. Then I saw it...pole twenty two...Larry's quaint little cottage on the lake. It was small, just a rustic single level bungalow wedged into the side of the embankment just off the left side of the road, but yet it reeked manly woodsy charm. My own house reeked charm, but in a different way...more like Martha Steward county living charm. I was impressed and pulled into the short gravel driveway and parked my Caravan behind Larry's Ford Explorer. I sat for a moment, wondering if I was doing the right thing...then I shrugged and got out. I grabbed my shoulder bag and weekender bag and quietly walked up onto the entry deck and lightly rapped on the door. No answer. Perhaps Larry was out on the lake fishing? Suddenly I could feel in my feet, the vibrations of someone coming to the door...I steeled my self and waited. The door opened and a warm smile greeted me...it was Larry. But then, who else would it be? Larry smiled and said, "You're here?" "Hi Larry. Yes I am. Um, I have to admit that I was debating whether or not to come because I never did this sort of thing before." "Come on in. You're just in time for breakfast...I'm making pancakes before heading out to the lake. I hope you're hungry?" "Actually, I'm famished. I only had two cups of coffee and toast before I left the house this morning." I walked in and rolled my eyes around Larry's small cottage and it was definitely a man's abode. There wasn't a piece of furniture that wasn't rustic in appearance, or for that matter...a television set. I approved of the decor and mentioned, "No TV?" "Nope. When I'm up here, I don't want to spend my time looking at the TV. Besides, the reception up here is terrible and we don't have cable up here yet. All I have is a Radio/CD player and a phone...so it's a pretty quiet place. This is my island of sanity in an insane world as it were." I smiled and said, "Well, you don't have to sell me. I'm not a big TV fan myself...soooo I won't miss it." Larry gave me a brief tour of his bungalow cottage and then showed me to my bedroom so I could change and freshen up. In his small bathroom, there was a sink, toilet and a shower stall...but no bathtub. I would definitely miss my bubble baths but then, this was roughing it. Larry smiled and said, "I fix us a batch of pancakes and they will be ready in ten minutes...so take your time. Um, we're not on a time clock here so enjoy, enjoy." I thanked him and went into the small bedroom which was rustic in décor, just like the rest of the cottage. The only window in the small bedroom faced the lake and the view was breathtaking. As far as I could see was the tree lined lake and Larry was right...this was an island of sanity in an insane world. If I didn't have kids and family responsibilities, I could be very happy in a place like this. I unzipped my bag and took out a pair of shorts and tee shirt, then struggled out of my jeans which were very tight. I still didn't lose enough weight to wear them comfortably, but I was getting there. A few more gym sessions, I probably wear my new designer jeans without my eyes bulging out. Bulging eyes is not my best look I think. After I changed and freshened up, I joined Larry in his small kitchen. I smiled when I saw him standing at the gas stove and wearing a blue apron with "Cook" emblazoned in big red letters across the front and I said, "Here...let me do that. I'm a very good cook." Larry nodded and sat down at the table and watched me do my culinary magic. Soon I had a stack of piping hot pancakes on the table and then poured him a mug of coffee. I made myself a plate of pancakes and mug of coffee and joined him. I watched as he savored the first bite and I said, "Good huh?" "You put blue berries in them?" "Right. Um, you had a dish of blue berries in the fridge and I thought pan cakes and blue berries go together. Don't you use blue berries in your pan cakes?" "Actually I don't. I have this huge blue berry bush out back and I never picked them. Um, the robins and starlings usually get to them before I do." As we ate, we had a very pleasant conversation. Mostly Larry talked and I just listened. Other than my family life or my real estate job, there wasn't much to talk about. Not that I'm a really boring person, but my life isn't that exciting. Larry on the other hand, had seen most of the world and traveled a lot. He even spent a couple of months in Iraq and Afghanistan, covering the war for the TL. I haven't left this state in years, let alone travel to far off distant lands. I listened to Larry's many stories of the things he seen and done and experiences that I knew full well I could never experience...not in several lifetimes of living. I looked around and admitted, "You have a beautiful cottage and I can see why you're so fond of this place. My ex was the country club type and would never be caught dead in a place like this. We talked and talked about doing the summer vacation thing in the country, but as usual...he killed any hopes of ever realizing that. Is that pathetic or what?" Larry agreed and revealed, "My ex, Karen was not the woodsy type either. She was fine living and wouldn't settle for less. When she divorced me for that Richards guy, I figured, let him try and make her happy." Suddenly my eyes grew large and I had to ask, "By the way...what is your last name?" "Johnson...why?" I gulped and revealed, "My god...my husband ran off with your wife." Larry took a deep breathe and asked, "I take it then that your last name is Richards?" "Guilty. I never met your wife during our divorce proceedings, but I heard all about her and Johnson was just another name to me. I never knew enough to put two and two together." Larry smiled and reached the table and clutched my hand and flashed a smile and said, "Me neither. But you know, I figured it was for the best...well, in my case it was. I doubt very much if Karen and I could had made the marriage work in the long run because we were so different when all was said and done. I'm just sorry that she destroyed your marriage...you having three kids and all." I smiled back and admitted, "Yes...my kids suffered most of all. Tom doesn't even spend time with them now...not even for a brief visit and they miss him so much. Just how do you tell your kids that their own father doesn't even want to see them again...just how do you tell them?" Larry nodded, but looked at the time and suggested that we do a bit of fishing. Thank god he did because my eyes were welling up with tears and I was on the verge of bawling my eyes out. I wiped my eyes quickly and suggested that we clean up the breakfast dishes and then go fishing. Larry rolled his eyes and handed me an apron and we proceeded to wash his few dishes and talked more about what fools we were to have married jerks. I have to admit it felt good confiding in a man that was shitted on and we found that we had much in common after all. We walked down a rickety flight of steps to the lake where I gingerly climbed into Larry's aluminum row boat while he held it steady for me. I sat on the last bench seat as Larry, climbed in and sat on the middle seat. I flashed a smile, but had to ask, "No motor?" "No...out board motors aren't permitted on the lake because the lake is simply too small, but we can have a small trolling motor. That's why it's so quiet here...no annoying outboards, no leaf blowers to break the silence. Well maybe lawn mowers because we have to keep our properties nice and tidy. "I have to admit...this is almost like heaven, Larry." Larry smiled and took up his oars and then pushed us away from his private dock. Soon, he was rowing us out to the middle of the lake and I wasn't feeling sea sick. But then, the lake was very calm...not even a ripple to disturb the tranquility of the glassy lake surface. Larry put up his oars, then dropped the anchor and mentioned, "The lake isn't very deep here...maybe ten feet if that. Sometimes when I'm done fishing, I'll take a dip when it's hot. Do you swim?" "Like a fish. I packed my bathing suit, but its back at the cottage or I would be in the water in a flash." Larry nodded and admitted, "I usually don't bother with a bathing suit...jockey shorts are fine as long as there isn't anyone around." I rolled my eyes and wasn't about to strip down to bra and panties to go for a swim...especially with a man I hardly know. Well, that's what the common sense woman in me was saying. However, the fun loving gal in me told me to go for it. Hmmm, but common sense me always wins out unfortunately. I had my fishing license pinned to my ball cap, but I didn't bring my fishing gear. Quite frankly, I didn't know what to expect when I packed my bag this morning. Thank God Larry had several fishing rods and selected his best one for little old me...I was impressed with this nice unassuming man. Did I mention that already? Soon we had our lines in the water and doing the fishing routine...and that was waiting for a bite. The bites were many, but not from the fish. I was getting bit all over my legs and arms and looked at Larry and said, "I guess I shouldn't have wore perfume...these bugs are eating me alive." Larry nodded and reached into his tackle box and handed me a bug repellant and I gratefully accepted it. I splashed the repellant all over me and soon the bugs decided I wasn't the juicy meal they thought I was and left. Larry was ear to ear smiles and had to mention, "Well, you did smell nice for a while...judging from all the bugs you attracted. What were you wearing?" I felt a bit embarrassed and revealed, "Seduction? Um, the perfume is called seduction? Supposedly, it's my personal fragrance...well that's what the lady at the cosmetic counter told me." I couldn't help but laugh. Isn't it funny that women go through such silly routines to be beautiful and alluring? Larry was chuckling...but not in a bad way. He was laughing with me...not at me and I found that to be telling. As we talked and laughed together, I was becoming more and more at least with this man. I finally convinced myself that coming here wasn't such a bag idea after all. It was well into the afternoon and we haven't caught one fish...not even a nibble. By now, it was sweltering hot and Larry handed me a cold beer and said, "Do you mind if I smoke?" "No...go right ahead. Um, to be honest...I need one too." I reached into my bag and found my cigarettes and said, "I'm trying to quit, but sometimes we need a bad habit to get rid of. Besides...smoking helps me to relax when I'm nervous." Larry nodded and lit up and said with a smile, "I hope you're not nervous now." I shook my head and smiled and said, "I was a little...when I drove here...I was actually shaking a bit...like a school girl. But I'm okay now and very relaxed." Larry flicked his Bic and I leaned forwards and lit mine. I exhaled a delightfully sinful plum of smoke and sat back and admitted, "My ex wasn't a smoker and I had to sneak a smoke now and then out on the back deck. I never smoke around my kids...I still don't, but I still have to sneak outside when I need a smoke. My life has been that of raising my kids and working like a dog to provide them with a decent home life. When Tom left me for that bimbo...errrrr...sorry, your wife, he shattered my very soul. It took me a very long time to reinvent myself to the point of doing things just for me for a change."