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1Jackie filled her coffee cup, and watched Daniel toss onhis jacket. She smiled. It was hard not to. She still loved himafter thirty years of marriage, and he was still as handsome ashe had been when they’d met in college. He had been a businessmajor, and she’d been studying music. She taught in the schooldistrict for a long time but had retired to do private lessons.Her family had been more important to her, and she’d neverregretted staying home.Lately though… The smile wavered. She sighed, sipping hercoffee to hide it.Daniel looked up, pulling his tie down, checking to see ifit was straight in the cabinet glass reflection. As a SeniorCEO, he prided himself on looking the part. But she knew thatthose he worked with would never believe he wasn’t all ties andcufflinks all the time. He cut a definite masculine, powerfulwall in his business suits. Her cup didn’t move, fearing he’dsee her smirking.“What’s the matter?” he asked, tugging one last time on hissleeves. “You sigh, you smirk, and you think I can’t see it.” Heteased her with a gleam in his eyes, soft gray-green that alwayswarmed when he looked at her.“It’s nothing.”
It’s Valentine’s Day, and I feel old 
, shefinally admitted, if only to herself. “It’s suppose to raintoday,” she said, avoiding telling him the truth. “Rainy daysalways make me feel out of sorts.”1
 
He leaned over and brushed a kiss to her cheek. “Well,don’t let it bother you too much. Oh, I’ve got a full meetingschedule today. I’ll probably be late.”Disappointment made her blink. Well, that was his job andshe knew it happened. This was just another day in the week tohim and she shouldn’t mope about it. But just the same, she’dhoped. He palmed his briefcase and she remembered the presentshe had put in it. A little pre-anniversary something, since itwas only a few weeks away. Damn it all. She shouldn’t be fallingto pieces because he can’t do anything on Valentine’s Day. Itwasn’t the first time he’d had responsibility come first. Buttheir upcoming anniversary seemed to punctuate just how dullthings had gotten. How old and boring she felt. Mid-life crisis,here I come,
 
she thought wryly.“I have to go,” he murmured, already thinking ahead to hisday at the corporate offices. “I’ll give you a call. Let youknow about dinner. I am sorry.” He bent down and suddenly herheart thudded against her ribs with anticipation as his lipsfound hers. Old or not, his kiss still made her feel like aschoolgirl. His fingers were gentle tracing her chin just beforehe let her go. It had always been his way, like he was brandingher, or savoring her. “I love you,” he whispered before turningand sauntering out of the kitchen.“Arrogant so-and-so,” she muttered, knowing full well heknew what he did to her.2
 
“I heard that.” His voice reached her just before the frontdoor of their penthouse apartment closed. She shook her head,grinning.She didn’t have any lessons today, and hadn’t scheduled anythat night, leaving it open for any spontaneity. Now she didn’tknow what to do with herself knowing that she’d be alone all day.She straightened the kitchen, and put away the remains oftheir breakfast. And then there was nothing left to do. Laundry?Check. Groceries? Check, at least for now. She sighed.
Rut.
Ithaunted her.By noon she’d dawdled and piddled until she couldn’t takeit anymore. She called her son.“Hi, Mom,” Jason said when he answered his cell phone.“Happy Valentine’s.”She smiled. Darn him anyway. Saw right through her. “Hihoney. Thank you, you too. How’s work?” She tried to play it offbut heard it in his voice that acting was something she shouldavoid.“Fine. Just the usual. Papers, taxes, and numbers,” hegroaned with a light chuckle. “No students today?”“No.” But they sure would’ve kept her occupied. “I havethree in the evenings after school, but not today.” She knew shesounded wishful. She just hoped she didn’t sound disappointed ontop of it. “I know! What are you doing tonight?”“I can’t Mom, I’m sorry. I’m taking Gwen out.”“No, I shouldn’t have… I mean, have expected…”3
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DanielEssman

Ok..I'm a teary eyed sap...loved the story...thanks...

reply05 / 11 / 2010
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