Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“About two weeks ago, I met a man.”
She smiles gently.
“And you waited this long to tell me about it? He must be very special.”
I smile.
“It just happened recently. And it’s not serious, at least not yet. We’ve actually only been on two dates.”
“How did you meet him?” she asks.
“I was alone at a restaurant,” I start. The older woman cocks her head at me.
“Alone? Mi querido, how come? I would have gone to eat with you, you can always ask for my company you know.” I laugh gently at her compassion.
“Thank you, Maria, you’re exceedingly kind. It’s kind of a weird story actually. I was out for drinks with my boss and he had to leave very suddenly, and so I found myself alone. A handsome stranger approached and asked to join me. He said I was hogging the view out the window, and made me laugh.” Maria laughs gently herself.
“Well, that’s a good sign.”
I nod.
“Yeah, and I think you would really like him. We hit it off and ended up spending many hours together talking about ourselves and life. We eventually left the restaurant and went for a walk in Central Park.” I leave out the raunchy details for her innocent ears.
“Well, that sounds like a wonderful evening. So how is it going?”
I take a deep breath.
“I wasn’t sure if I would ever see him again, but we’ve been seeing each other quite frequently even though we just met. He has a huge estate in Long Island, and I visited him there. It’s amazing.”
The older woman nods.
“So what’s wrong, mi querido? He sounds amazing.”
I sigh.
“Well, it’s just that John has servants, drivers, and lives in a super fancy house. It’s a bit odd because he has so much money, and I have so little. There is a gap in age as well. I think he’s at least twenty years older than me because he said he has a son around my age.”
Maria nods thoughtfully.
“Now dear, so long as the connection is real, you know that those things don’t matter. Material things are just that: they are of the physical realm. So too with age. But love, love is bigger than the things of this world.”
She pauses to let me think on this.
“If you believe he is a good man, and you feel happy, secure, and appreciated when you’re with him, then nothing else really matters. Things fall into place the way they are supposed to, even if they’re out of alignment at first. I would not worry yourself over it. Just take things day by day.”
“Thank you, Maria, that’s great advice.”
“I sure hope I get to meet this John sometime, Megan,” the older woman says with a chuckle. “Careful though! I may just steal him out from under you.” I smile with amusement at this comment. I know Maria’s not serious. She’s said now, more than ever, that her life is devoted to Jesus Christ and Espiritu Santo.
Yet, I would like John and Maria to meet. They both mean so much to me, and I think they’d enjoy one another’s company. They’re both wise and kind souls, with similar philosophies. Conversation would be effortless between them, despite their differences.
I hug Maria and remind her that she can drop by anytime she needs anything. She nods and smiles at me, patting my arm gently.
I head back to my apartment feeling much more secure about my relationship with John. My heart is full and my outlook bright once more. Maria is right, money is just money, and that shouldn’t keep me from giving John a chance. Nor should the age gap be an issue because when two souls find one another across the universe, sometimes it’s just meant to be no matter what year it says on your birth certificate. So far, John has accepted me unconditionally, just as I am, making me feel wanted, needed, and accepted. And he deserves the same treatment because frankly, I’m falling in love.
11
Megan
* * *
A few months later.
“Hey lady, do you want to hit El Ranchito for some tacos and cervezas? Jen, Elias, and I are planning to catch a cab there. We can fit one more. What do you say?” Mira chirps.
I make a face.
“I think I’m going to skip lunch today. I’m feeling so nauseous. I’ve been feeling off ever since I woke up this morning, and it was all I could do to get out of John’s place before losing last night’s dinner. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll have to wait until next time.”
I cough a bit into my hand and it sounds a little like a retch. Mira looks concerned, and pats my shoulder comfortingly.
“Again?” Mira asks. “You were feeling sick last week too. Get yourself to a doctor! You need to take care of yourself, lady.”
I smile wanly.
“I know, I know. If I’m not doing better in the next couple of days, I’ll make an appointment. Thanks for looking out for me.”