Long ago friend

When we were seated at the table, Jennifer was given the seat next to me. Not a coincidence I thought to myself. As we ate , someone asked my mother in law where Beth was. She replied that her and Lance would be joining us a bit later. I was not at all happy to hear that and figured to eat quickly and take my exit as soon as I could. Last thing I wanted to do was see them together. I still had no idea what was going on with them. I was somewhat relieved when my mother in law added that Lance was trying to reconcile but Beth was being very reluctant about it.

About thirty minutes later Lance and Beth arrived together. As they said their hello's, I noticed Beth eyeing up Jennifer sitting next to me. They took their plates and sat down to eat. The conversation picked up where it left off and our meal moved along. Finally my mother in law dropped the bomb.

"Jeff, I was telling Jennifer that you rarely get out and do anything. She basically said she was in the same boat. That her work kept her too busy for a social life. Maybe you two could get together and have a good time every once in a while.", she said.

I looked up and saw that Beth had that deer in the headlights look. I had to try and be polite, though I really did not want to start any relationship with anyone other than Beth at this point.

" I dunno Mom, I'm not much on going out, I don't know how Jennifer feels.", I replied, hoping she would let me off the hook.

"Oh, I would love to go out sometime with you Jeff. I will give you my business card later, maybe you could call me.", she quickly replied.

What could I do ? I just smiled and said that would be nice. I continued to eat but could feel Beth's gaze on me. Every time I looked up she was looking at me. After we had desert, we moved back to the living room and talked. I was feeling very awkward, so I decided to make my escape. I told everyone that I had an early job in the morning and thanked them for the dinner. As I got up to leave, Jennifer reached for her purse and pulled out a business card . I thanked her and told her I would be in touch. There was not much else I could say in front of everyone else. I said goodbye and left.

On Saturday morning, Beth called me from her office. It was a strained conversation to say the least. I wanted to ask her about Lance, I am sure she was interested if I had called Jennifer, but neither of us brought it up. Beth told me she wanted to talk soon in person. I told her that would be fine, just let me know.

Another week started and I had still not heard from Beth and I was beginning to think that maybe she had reconsidered taking Lance back. Although, I had still not seen Lance over at Beth's house. The only time I had seen them together was Thanksgiving day. I really wanted to call her and make my pitch for us being together but could never really bring myself to do it.

That Tuesday at work, I received a call from Jennifer. She told me that my mother in law had given her the number. She apologized for being forward but something had come up. Apparently she was an assistant district attorney and had been invited to a banquet for several Judges. It was the type of thing you do not go to alone and since she knew no one else, she wondered if I could go. I really had absolutely no desire to go, but she continued to plead her case. I finally agreed to go and she told me she would email me the specific's.

Apparently word travels very fast because shortly after I returned home from work that evening, I had a message from my mother in law to call her. When I did, she told me that she heard I had a date this Saturday night. I told her yes that I was going to the Banquet with Jennifer, but really did not want to. She begged me to be open minded and try to have a good time. She told me Jennifer was really interested and she thought we would make an excellent couple. I thought to myself, "Oh Mom, if you only knew.", you wouldn't be saying that. She asked me to call her Sunday morning after the date and let her know how it went. I agreed and hung up.

I had just returned home, Friday night, when Beth called. She asked me how everything was going with me. I told her things were fine, but that I missed her. She told me that she missed me too. She added that she had just spoken to her mother and she had told her about my date. I told Beth what had happened and how I came to agree to go.

"Are you interested in Jennifer.", Beth asked me.

"No, I am not Beth.", I replied, "But honestly you kind of left me out to dry here."

"I know Jeff, I am so sorry. I am just very confused.", she responded, "Just please don't make any quick decisions about me."

"I won't Beth.", I reassured her.

The next morning I got up and had a ton of things to do. I went and cleaned out my car, had it detailed. I got a haircut and went to the cleaners and picked up my suit. I returned home, did a few things around the house and started to get ready for the evening.

I picked up Jennifer at her condo about seven in the evening. She came out in a black, short skirt that was sleeveless. She had a black shawl that matched and her hair had been curled. She was a knock out. I found it very hard to believe that this woman was alone on Saturday nights. I went to the car opened the door and she stepped in. As she did, her skirt rose up her legs slightly, giving me a glimpse of her thigh's.

The Banquet was very nice, the food was excellent. Jennifer introduced me to a lot of people. Some of them I recall having seen their names or pictures in the local newspaper or on the TV News. We decided to leave around nine, Jennifer then suggested we stop for a cup of coffee. I agreed since we had gotten along really well that night and I had enjoyed the conversation. We stopped at a local late night café and had a few cups of coffee. Jennifer told me about her brief marriage and how she had worked to put herself through law school afterwards. She was a remarkable lady, who had accomplished a lot on her own. She asked me about Susan and I briefly told her our history.

We arrived back at her house about eleven that night. She asked me if I wanted come up to her condo for another cup of coffee. I thanked her but told her it had been a long day and I was ready to turn in. I thanked her for evening and told her that I had a very good time. She told me she had enjoyed it as well and asked if I thought I might like to go out again sometimes. I told her that sounded fine. She leaned over and gave me a very short, but very pleasant kiss goodnight.

I had barely gotten out of bed the next morning, when my mother in law called. She told me she had already heard the night was a huge success and that we were planning to go out again. Apparently Jennifer had called her mom already and word spread from there. I replied to my mother in law that we might go out again, I was not sure.

With Beth's birthday right around the corner, I waned to try and do something nice for her. I had given a lot of thought as to what to get her. I wanted to get her something nice, but I couldn't be too obvious about my feelings for her in front of everyone. I walked around the mall for hours not sure of exactly what to get. Finally I stopped at one of the jeweler's and explained my predicament to the sales lady. She suggested I buy a nice watch. It's a great gift, but not too personal. I agreed and she helped me pick out a really nice gold ladies watch.

I got home that evening and saw several messages on my recorder. One was from my mother in law, one from a friend and one from Jennifer. One by one, I returned them all saving Jennifer for last. I was thinking of what I could say if she asked me out again ? This was perhaps the most ironic situation I had ever been in. A year ago, I was alone, disinterested in women completely. Now, I was struggling to understand a situation in which two women had suddenly appeared in my life.

I finally decided to call Beth and ask her out for her birthday. I decided to call during the week when she was at work. After several tries, she returned my call.

"I know your birthday is Saturday, but how about going to dinner with me on Friday night ?", I asked her.

"I can't.", she told me, "I have to go to Lance's parents Friday night. They are having a party for me."

Apparently a lot of people other then Lance were trying to patch up her marriage. I did not want to appear to be an idiot, but I was growing weary of waiting.

"Beth, I think you need to let me know what's on your mind.", I told her, "Are you seriously considering taking Lance back ?"

"I really don't know.", she answered, "He has been so kind and considerate these past weeks, like he is a different man. I sometimes think its just an act to get back in good with me, but yet other times, I am sure he is sincere."

"Beth, I can't help you with this. I am biased. I love you, I want you. But I need you to be sure. If we are together, its going to cause quite a stir. No sense in going through that unless you are sure.", I replied.

"I know Jeff, most of me wants to be with you. There's just a small part left clinging to my former life.", she answered.

I decided not to push the issue any further, wishing her a Happy Birthday. I asked her to leave her car open and that I would slip her present inside for her. She thanked me and we hung up. Two more weeks passed and I had not heard a thing from Beth. Jennifer had called me and invited me to her Christmas Party at work. I had told her, I would get back to her, then realized by now she had little time to make any other plans. As much as I was hoping I would be with Beth for the holidays this year, it appeared that once again, I would be alone.

It was December the 20th when Jennifer called me at work. She asked me again about the party and I told her I would accompany her for the evening. She thanked me and we made arrangements for later in the week. I left the office and drove home. As I have said previous, I have to pass right in front of Beth's home to get to mine. There was a vehicle ahead of me as I approached Beth's, so I was traveling relatively slowly. As I got almost in front of Beth's, I looked to the front of her house and my heart sank. She had her arms wrapped around Lance and they were kissing on the front porch. I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach, the breathe knocked out of me. I guess I must have slowed down too much, because they stopped and looked in my direction. I didn't know what to do, so I meekly waved and continued home.