11/19/11

A Fork in the Road
By Pat St.Pierre


As Gail Carleton walked on autumn she realized how much she loved this season. She usually walked with a bounce in her step but today she moved uncaringly.
Tomorrow, October 4th would be her birthday. She would be forty-five. Her husband, Tom, circled the calendar in red as a reminder. She knew he would plan some kind of a celebration.
Did romance and excitement fade away after 20 years of marriage? She hoped that wasn’t so. These days she took Tom for granted but she thought that’s what happened after being married for some time.
Tom looked much younger than his years. He kept his lean body in shape by jogging and his hair, although slightly receding remained blond.
Gail tried to let her mind think of other things but she seemed obsessed with her coming birthday.
As she opened the door at Jordan’s Department Shore a tall, distinguished man took hold of her arm. “Gail, Gail! Is it really you,” he said.
“Matt, oh Matt. I don’t believe it. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.” As they hugged each other she noticed that his brown hair was streaked with gray and that he appeared much more muscular than when she last saw him. His almost perfect features were more appealing with age.
As he drew her away from the door he said with twinkle in his blue eyes, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
Her flustered face felt warm as she moved a curl away from her forehead.
“What are you doing in this area?” he asked.
“We live about thirty minutes from here,” And you?”
“I’ve been transferred here from Ohio. So, tell me about you,” he said.
“Oh, I’m the usual suburban housewife,” she said.
“I never married. Too busy with my career.” He blurted out.
“Why don’t we meet for lunch one day next week?” he asked.
She faltered “I….I’m not sure.”
“Why not?” he laughed.
She hesitated for a moment and then agreed. When they decided on a day for lunch Matt hugged her goodbye. He lingered longer than she expected and his lips pressed a little too hard as he kissed her.
With her spirits soaring she cooked Tom his favorite meal. At night when they made love she was eager and passionate. The thought that one man could excite that at the same she responds to another intrigued her.
She thought about telling Tom and seeing Matt but if she told him about the luncheon date she arranged, she wasn’t sure how he’d react. She felt a slight tinge of guilt. But she couldn’t deny her feeling of excitement.
When the day arrived for her luncheon with Matt, she applied her makeup as though she were entering a beauty contest and spent much time her hair. She arrived at the restaurant glowing. Her black hair fell softly against her well-tailored red suit. When Matt saw her he smiled brightly.
Matt plunged into talking about their past and the reason they’d drifted. It felt as though they’d never been apart. They’d gone together during college. After graduation Matt accepted a job in a city eight miles away. Not ready to settle down they’d eventually drifter apart. Gail had met Tom at work. He was attentive and loving. He brightened up her life with little notes and bouquets of wild flowers. He made each day seem special. Shortly after Matt’s move, Tom proposed and Gail accepted.
Before lunch ended Matt said, “Gail I’d like to see you again.”
Her eyes showed their uncertainty. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps we shouldn’t,” she faltered.
“Please, Gail. Surely, we can see each other and be friends, even if you’re married. This isn’t the dark ages.”
“No, of course it isn’t,” she said. “Certainly, we can.”
As the trees lost their vibrant color and a winter chill crept in the air, their dates continued. Forgotten feelings were rekindled.
Gail smiled to herself as she realized that here she was reliving a twenty-two year olds dream. Anxiety about her marriage with Tom began occupying her thoughts. It wasn’t as though she didn’t love Tom. She did. But with Matt it was different.
One afternoon as she was about to enter a boutique shop she stopped abruptly. A shiver of apprehension went through her body. Sitting near the window of the next door restaurant was her husband. Her Tom. But Tom wasn’t alone. Across from him sat an attractive blond-haired young woman with penetrating green eyes. Her face glowed with natural beauty. Tom, without restraint, reached across the table and took the woman’s hand. A loving look showed affection on her face.
Gail had to force her legs to walk away. She stumbled as she went to her car. Who was she? What was Tom doing with her?
So many unanswered questions. She drove home in bewilderment.
These last few weeks, Gail selfishly thought only of herself and she took Tom for granted. Perhaps Tom too felt the pangs of getting older. She hoped it wasn’t too late. After dinner Tom seemed to be in a playful mood. Gail decided that this was the time to try to talk to Tom about how she saw him at the restaurant. She gradually led up to situation after she told him how she had met Matt and had seen him a few times. Tom really didn’t seem at all upset. Eventually he hesitantly admitted that he was seeing someone and that it had turned serious. Gail was shocked and started crying. Finally she said that she wanted to save their marriage. Tom bowed his head and stood up from the chair.
“We both know that we haven’t been happy and we’ve been doing our own things for quite some time,” he said.
“It’s easy to take your spouse for granted when you’ve married for some time,” said Gail. “I’d like to try and rebuild what we once had.”
“It’s really too late,” answered Tom. “I’m sorry it turned out this way,” he said sadly. “I didn’t plan for this to happen. It’s just that I realize that we had lost what we once had a long time ago.”
“I’ll leave tonight. Over the next few days we can discuss what will happen next,” he said softly.
With that he kissed the top of her head and left Gail sitting there hurt and confused.


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