When First They Met Read Free

remarried.”
    So cancer had strongly impacted his life, too.
    “I’d never had a strong relationship with my father but I was close to Mom. She was the glue that held my world together. After she was gone, I’d hoped Dad and I could help each otherthrough our grief, but he wasn’t interested. I joined the military and that has been my family ever since.”
    “You’re an only child?” I asked.
    “I had a sister who died of crib death when she was three months old. What about your family?”
    “One brother, Todd; he’s younger,” I said. “He lives in Spokane close to my parents. My dad was one of six children and my mother has three living sisters, so there are cousins galore.” I mentioned how the whole family got together before Christmas every year for baking cookies and making candy, as well as the big Easter celebration Mom and Dad always hosted.
    “I’m talking way too much.” Paul made it so easy. He was a good listener; his laugh came quick and often.
    “No, please, I’m really enjoying this.”
    I continued telling him about my brother and parents. He seemed hungry for details of my rich family life. “Hearing all this reminds me why I’m fighting for our country and our freedom. I wish my own family was more like yours.”
    As if he regretted mentioning it, Paul changed the subject and suggested we have dinner. We found a Mexican restaurant he’d heard about close to CenturyLink Field, although I doubted either of us was hungry. We lingered over the cheese enchiladas and talked nearly nonstop until it was almost seven o’clock. I don’t ever recall feeling that kind of instant connection for any other man like I did that first night with Paul.
    When we left the restaurant, Paul walked me to my car but didn’t kiss me, although I wouldn’t have minded if he had. In fact, I was disappointed that he didn’t.
    “Can I call you?” he asked.
    “Yes, sure,” I said and shrugged as if it was no big thing when in reality it was. He waited until I was in my car and had driven away before he left the area. I know because I kept glancing at him in my rearview mirror.
    My condo was relatively close. My head was spinning as I came into my unit and turned on the lights. I’d always felt at home and comfortable in my own place, but after meeting Paul it seemed cold and empty. Even that early into our relationship I wanted him with me.
    Although he’d asked if he could call and I’d given him my cell number, I had to wonder if he actually would. His life was with the army. He would only be at Fort Lewis another few weeks. Surely he had the same reservations I did.
    One thing was sure. I refused to revert back to my junior high days when I was left hoping with all my heart that some boy liked me nearly as much as I liked him. I turned on the television, just for the noise, when my cell rang.
    It was Paul.
    “I bet you didn’t count on me calling quite this soon,” he said and seemed a little embarrassed. “I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed being with you.”
    “I enjoyed it, too.” And that was no exaggeration.
    “Are you feeling the same way I am?” he asked.
    “I don’t know. What are you feeling?” I slumped down onto my sofa and held my cell close to my ear.
    “I’m not sure if I can put it into words. That we were supposed to meet today?” He made it a question, as if hesitant.
    This didn’t sound like a line he used with other woman. “Fate?” I teased.
    “No,” he said quickly. “I don’t believe in fate or luck or any of that. I don’t hold to signs of the zodiac any more than I do to the advice of fortune cookies. This is different. Way different.”
    “How do you mean?” I asked, although deep down I already knew. I understood his hesitation. We were meant to meet that day. And while it might sound dramatic and a bit theatrical, Paul Rose was my destiny and I was his.

    We talked every day after that, sometime two and three times. My friends knew that something