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Laura called out to her husband, “Don” dinner is ready.  “Ok, I’m coming”  he yelled back.  She knew that meant later, so she went ahead and ate.  Laura took a shower and relaxed, she wanted to do some reading before bed.  Her and Don have been married for 5 years but their marriage has had many challenges.  Don cheated on Laura more than once but she still forgave him.  When he cheated the 1st time she felt they could work on their marriage, there was still hope that it could be saved.

Laura couldn’t say why she stayed with him.  She left the 1st time he cheated but went back after he pleaded for another chance.  She had begun to feel like they were just co existing after that and things were never the same.  There were some good days and then some really bad days.  The really bad days when she looked at him she had flash backs or there were things that reminder her of what he’s done.  She tried her best to get past the infidelity once she decided to stay but things were only getting worse.

She no longer felt attracted to her husband the way she used to.  The intimate moments were very few and far in between, even the simple ones like hugs or just holding one another.  They didn’t talk like they used to either, in fact they barely spent time in the same room together.  They watched tv in separate rooms and he had started falling asleep on the couch.  That bothered Laura at first but it was better than having to sleep on the edge of the bed or pretending.

Laura’s phone was going off, she knew by the tone it was a text message.  She frowned, wondering who would be texting her this time of night.  She picked it up to check the message and was surprised to see it was from her ex Andre.  He normally sends her messages on Facebook, even after all these years.  She had told him about Don cheating on her and he must’ve went ballistic.  Once he calmed down and stopped threatening him, he became the only person she could talk to.

Andre texted he was going to be in Memphis this weekend and wanted to see how she was really doing.   She was surprised but realized that’s why he texted her instead of sending a message on Facebook.  It was still a bit much she thought though, she had not been disrespectful towards her husband in that aspect.  She felt talking to Andre was disrespectful enough her being married but she had not crossed any other lines.

Laura texted back, Andre I’m good, I appreciate you checking on me but you don’t have to do that.  Of course he would respond, That’s good, I just wanted to see how my friend is doing.   I know you’re a strong woman and you probably wouldn’t tell me anyway if you weren’t doing good until you’re at a breaking.  That’s why I just need to see you and see for myself that you are ok, then and only then will I be at ease.

Laura, I will never stop caring about you lady no matter what you do or say.  You have been married about 5 years maam and as you see I’m still here.  Ok, we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, how about dinner Friday night if you’re not busy.  “Hello”, Laura, really!  “Ok Andre, we can have dinner Friday night”.  I know you are just trying to be supportive, I appreciate you listening to me vent about my marriage.  I know that wasn’t easy.  It’s cool, I’ll see you Friday, good night Laura.  She didn’t respond, she just looked at the message and then deleted them.

Laura got ready to meet Andre for dinner.  Don I’m going to meet Bree and have a drink, probably grab dinner.  Don looked up and smiled, you look nice, have fun.   She smiled and walked out the door, she let out a deep sight when she closed the door.  She felt strange like she wasn’t really doing anything wrong and wondered if she should be worried.  Don sat up and looked at the door where his wife just exited.  He felt really strange, she hadn’t mentioned she was going out even if it was just dinner with Bree.  She didn’t even bother to kiss him goodbye.

Don got up and went into the bedroom, he looked around as if he was looking for something.   He didn’t know what he was looking for or why he was even looking for anything.  He couldn’t shake the strange erie feeling he was having so he stepped outside to smoke a cigarette.  He went back inside, grabbed him a beer and stretched out on the couch to watch tv.  It wasn’t long after he finished his been he dozed off on the couch.

Laura and Andre met at the entrance to the restaurant, he hugged her and she couldn’t help but hug him.  They were happy to see each other, she couldn’t deny it.  Wow lady, it’s been way too long and you look gorgeous as always.  She smiled, it has been a while and you look great yourself Andre.  They talked the entire time at dinner catching up with each other.  He kept looking at her and smiling randomly.  What are you smiling at Laura asked him, you as always Laura, you.  She smiled, ok Andre let’s not do this.  I’m still married.

We’re not doing anything lady, I was just answering your question.  I don’t want to talk about your marriage, I just want to see you smile tonight and be happy.  Let’s get out and go for a ride, enjoy some fresh air.  She looked at Andre and suddenly she felt at ease, ok I could use some air.  They rode around and talked for a while.  He asked her why did she stay with Don after all the times he’s cheated.  Laura couldn’t fight back the emotions any longer and burst into tears, she got so upset she couldn’t get her words out.

Andre pulled over and put the car in park.   “Laura”, she looked up and before he could reach for her she was in his arms.  Andre held her until she calmed down, “are you ok he whispered”?   “I’m sorry Andre”, sorry for what Laura?  “I, I don’t know what came over me she stammered”.  “Laura, it’s ok you don’t owe me an apology”, this is why I’m here.  She frowned and looked at him.  Laura I’ve been worried about you and you have been heavy on my mind.  I care about you and needed you to know I’m here for you.

He looked into her eyes, I never stopped loving you Laura.  I was angry and hurt when you left me.   I didn’t feel that I deserved it nor had I done anything wrong.  However,  I was determined to get over you and move with my life.  The more I tried, the more I started to see the mistakes I made.  I realized the biggest mistake of all was letting you leave and now I was faced with the reality that you were married and gone from my life forever.

Andre hugged Laura, and whispered to her, your husband has no idea what he’s done.  He’s going to end up like me, when he looses you, it’s going to be too late.   Andre can I ask a question?  Sure he answered, you can ask me anything.  What changed your mind, why did you reach out to me?  I wanted to see your face, communicate with you some type of way.  I felt that if I could tell you the truth then maybe I could get closure and move on with my life.

I decided to go to your Facebook page, I figured that was the only way I was going to be able to get the nerve to reach out.  I had been avoiding it for so long, nervous about seeing you with your husband.  The 1st thing I saw was that photo of your mother and I couldn’t believe you had lost her.  I started looking at your photos just wanting to see your smile but I could see something wasn’t right.

I waited before I reached out, I reminded myself you were still married.  I also knew you would take your vows seriously.  I went back on Facebook and when I looked at the pictures, I couldn’t help but reach out at that point.  Like I said, I never stopped loving you so I was more concerned then than worried about your rejection or what your husband would say.  I knew I had to make sure you were ok and if I could just hear from you it then I would be ok.  I never expected us to be able to talk the way we have and especially not for you to be going through this by yourself.

Be Careful, there’s always someone willing to do what you won’t

A BRAND NEW KIND OF ME