If We Want To We Definitely Should

Yesterday, a text message on my phone, hi R, another coffee?, Carol x. Suddenly the day filling with sunshine, matching the spring weather outside. That x, full of excitement and promise, the more so for not having been offered in the past. Texting back, sure, R x. Times duly arranged.

Today, sitting down, same spot as last time, waiting. Carol coming over, kissing my cheek. Another thrill. Something not done last time and presumably therefore not offered lightly. A slight pattern suggesting itself, let her take the lead on such things, push too hard and she’ll wilt away. Puts me in a slightly helpless position, nothing I can do if she chooses not to take a lead, still, if that’s how it’s going to be, run with it.

Thanks for coming, R. That’s okay, anything particular you want to chat about? No, not really, well, actually, I was just thinking about something you said last time. Oh yes, which little nugget of wisdom would that have been? Um, you know what might be nice, we finish up our coffee, take a stroll through the park, chat in the sunshine.

A fine idea on a fine day. Finishing up, walking down the road, crossing it, into the park, daffodils on display. Low bright sunshine reflecting on the pond. Young children playing excitedly on swings and slides. Carol taking an interest in the early budding of some exotic plant.

Looking at me, making up her mind, well, R, you made some joke about how your wife and my husband should get together, get outraged about us meeting up like this, do you remember saying that? Yes, I remember making some smart-aleck comment like that. So R, we’re both married, do you think we really should be having coffee together, strolling together in a park?

So innocent and sweet a question making me want to smile and hug her, like a daughter. Seeing a park bench, inviting her to sit down, sitting down next to her. Well, mrs beautiful Carol, as it happens I’ve thought a lot about that, not just you and me, about the whole business of marriage, and have some sort of answer.

Carol looking at me earnestly. Okay, the long answer we can save until later, the short answer, yes, if we want to we definitely should. Smiling at her. Carol, released from thought of an impending lecture, laughing. Oh, okay, that’s alright then.

Just about to take her hand and kiss her cheek in affection, remembering my plan to let her take the lead. Her eyes looking into mine steadily. But, R, what if your wife or my husband sees things differently?