Peripheral Vision

You always see something bad coming in your peripheral vision before you have to face it head on.

This girl had been spending a little too much time trying to get information on us. We met her at a friend's anniversary party. She went on and on about what a beautiful couple we were and how she hopes to be happy like us one day. She even threw in that she knows she would be happy if she could just find a man like mine.

If it were not for my personal experience breaking up happy homes, I might have missed the signs. But, this girl was playing a game that I may not have invented but in time, I perfected it. She knew just what to say without going too far and what to say to go just far enough.

He was into her too. I will admit that she was attractive. Maybe not on my level, but still attractive. She talked to us long enough to learn about our kids, our church, our businesses, and our hobbies. So, of course she asked for our business cards claiming she needs to get in touch with us to learn more about our services.

She calls about a week later asking if we can meet her Thursday at 4pm for coffee. When we told her I was not available then because I teach at the local community college on Thursdays. She claimed to have forgotten about that and insisted it was the only time she had available.

Naturally, when he agreed to meet her I got upset. I told him any fool could see that this woman was playing a game. He said I was just being jealous and I should not automatically think bad things about such a nice girl.

That Thursday, I could not concentrate at all on my teaching and I do not remember how I made it through my lecture. I knew something was wrong when I called him after my class and he did not answer his cell. He always answers for me no matter what he is doing.

So when he calls me back two hours later he tells me they lost track of time and that he would be home soon. I was ready to tell him off good. But I decided to wait. I acted sweet and understanding on the phone but that is not the side of me he would see when he got home.

When he gets home he has some flowers for me and my favorite cookies from the bakery. These were not just any cookies. These were Ms. Anne's world famous white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

This fool thinks he is slick. By the time I recover from this, put my hand on my hip, and open my mouth to blast him, he throws me off balance by kissing me. And not just any kiss. It was the kind that makes you weak in the knees and your stomach flutter. Ok....this is not going as planned.

On to recovery two, I have my game face back on and get ready to tell him exactly what I think this time. No more distractions....here we go.

"Baby I don't appreciate....." Before I could even get the sentence out of mouth he cuts me off telling me how much he missed me today and that all he wants is to be with me. He said we can talk about everything later.

The only thing I could think to say, me being the quick-witted person that I am, is "okay." Maybe I overreacted. I knew I had a good man and that was all that mattered. After all, he could have stayed with her longer but he was home with me where he belonged. When we talked tomorrow I would make sure my point was made about him being out so late and not answering his phone. He would understand.

When I wake up at 3am I am surprised not to find him in bed. The bathroom light is off so I know he is not in there. I tiptoe down to the kitchen to see if he is there or his office. I figure I can surprise him with a little middle of the night romance.

The closer I get to his office I start to hear his muffled voice. He is on the phone. I cannot imagine who he would be talking to at this hour. By the time I creep up to the door I can hear him clearly.

"Yes, I told you it worked just like you said it would. I left her too speechless to argue. Don't worry, she does not suspect a thing." He must have paused to listen for the response then I hear him say, "Oh please, with all of the dirt she did before me, it serves her right.....yes, I am sure. I will see you at the same time, same place, tomorrow."

Okay, my first thought was to go in there swinging and cursing but no. I have faced adversity before and I know just how to handle this. I knew the day would come when I would have to atone for my sin. Theirs would be the same.

Tomorrow I will follow him, let him go into whatever hotel or motel they have chosen and wait. Then, I will show up, blast them to kingdom come with the same gun I used the last time this happened to me, and walk right back out. If I played my cards the same way as before I would make it look like a robbery.

I run back to the bedroom and act as if I am sound asleep. I hear him come back into the room and quietly get back into bed.

Tomorrow is your last day fool. Enjoy it while you can. I wonder if they will see it coming in their peripheral vision before they have to face it head on.