Not What He Seems Read Free

miss our chats, Jill. Tell you what, I'll call you in a few days."
     
    *   *   *
     
    Jill sat in her kitchen eating a salad with the speakerphone on. "Sue, so now that I've filled you in. Do you think I'm crazy to get back together with John?"
    Sue sighed, "Jill, did he say he wants you back after how you've treated him?"
    "Not exactly but he said he misses me. He said he wants to be friends. I think he's just playing it cool. I can see it in his eyes, he still looks at me like he used to after a major argument, that let's fix this and get on with it look."
    "Is he still what you really want?" Sue asked.
    Jill poked at the salad on her plate. "I do still care about him, I've really missed him, missed him terribly at times. It's just that I don't think he'll ever take me seriously again, and why should he after what I've done? At least we can be friends, he's a good man to have in my life even if we're not together.
    "I just feel now after all the upheaval of the past few weeks that the grass always does look greener on the other side when in fact it's not. I dated those guys I told you about and not one of them impressed me the way John does, the way he silently, without complaining always keeps his head down and makes things work out. He just never gives up. He is such a strong character and he always looks great and I've always been proud to walk hand in hand with him.
    "And, I never thought I'd admit this, me being such a non traditional girl and all but I'd like to date a good man, either John or someone like him, and eventually get married, the whole nine yards."
    There was silence on the other end of the line before Sue spoke. "Really? that's quite radical for you."
    Jill moved her mouth closer to the speakerphone. "Yes, I really mean that. If I've learned one thing from this mess it's this, don't take a good thing for granted. And I did, I did take John for granted. I won't do that again. So there."
    "All hope is not lost in that case. Jill, you may proceed but do so with caution. John's understandably a little cautious after your recent performance so take it easy on him. And of course, make sure to let me know how you get on."
    "I certainly will, Sue, see you on Saturday."
    Jill stepped outside to weed the flower beds in her front yard just as Sally parked up outside her house. Sally was wearing a beautiful navy jacket and skirt with a cream silk blouse, she hurried over.
    "Hello again," Jill smiled, the more she got to know Sally the more she liked her. "I love that outfit, you always look so elegant."
    "Oh thank you, I used to work in fashion. I guess I haven't forgotten the tricks of the trade yet." Sally laughed and looked down at the roses by Jill's feet. "Beautiful flowers aren't they? I see you've been busy."
    "Yes I have, there's always lots to do in the yard. How about you, Sally? What are you up to?"
    Sally admired the roses before looking back to Jill. "Nothing much, ferrying the kids back and forth to swimming lessons. They adore, simply adore John by the way. They haven't stopped talking about him since he fixed their bikes. They seem to love cycling almost as much as he does. We spotted him earlier, speeding down the road, he sure goes fast."
    "Yeah, that sounds like John alright, he's training for a triathalon, I saw him the other day, he looked very, very fit."
    "Oh I'm pleased to hear that. He's a great guy, I'm sure you two will work things out. He absolutely loves you, he's always telling us about you. It sounds like you two are well matched." Sally beamed.
    Jill grimaced. "We are, only, it's more a case of just be friends now after my recent outburst, sorry to drag you into all that."
    "Not to worry, Jill, we all make mistakes. Something tells me John can and will see past that, don't give up on him," Sally whispered with a twinkle in her eye, "It'll all work out just fine, trust me."
    "I hope you're right, Sally. Anyway, even if we're just friends I can live with that. I miss talking to him, I