Whitney seemed to relax a bit and said, “I quit working when I had my first child, my daughter. When I almost immediately got pregnant with my son, going back to work simply wasn’t possible. Now they’re both in high school and I’ve been feeling the need to get back out there and do something I enjoy.”
“And, you did say it’s Ms. Spaulding…” I said, fishing.
She cleared her throat and replied, “Yes. I’ve been divorced for a year.”
“How long were you married, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“Twenty years. We were together for twenty-five.”
“Wow, that’s quite an accomplishment. You must have met when you were very young,” I said, thinking she had to be in her late thirties to early forties.
Whitney nodded and said, “In high school.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out,” I lied, because if things had worked out, she wouldn’t be sitting here with me.
“Mmmm,” she said noncommittally. “And you? Have you ever been married?”
“No.”
“Ever been close?”
I grinned, happy she was asking personal questions about me and answered, “Not even a little. I’ve had serious relationships, of course, but no one I could see myself spending forever with. And that’s what it would mean for me … forever.”
Whitney let out a dry laugh and said, “Well, that’s what everyone thinks, isn’t it? No one goes into a marriage with an expiration date in mind.”
“Of course not,” I agreed. “But I look at my parents’ marriage, and my brother’s and sister’s, and I know how happy they are, and how hard they work to ensure they remain that way. So, I know until I find a woman who is a true partner, one who is willing to work with me and communicate and share our ups and downs, I haven’t found the one.”
“That sounds nice, and smart. I used to feel the same way and thought I’d found that person in Marcus, then I found out he’d been cheating on me for the last three years of our marriage, and, well, there are some things that are simply unforgiveable.”
“He sounds like an asshole,” I said, hating the look of sadness that had crossed her face when she spoke of him.
“Oh, he really is,” she said, gifting me with a genuine smile.
And that’s when I knew … I still wanted to pursue something with her. In fact, I wanted it more now than I had when we met.
“Your parents are still together?” Whitney asked.
“For forty-two years now,” I replied.
“That’s lovely.”
I had to agree.
Our food came and after we thanked the server, we settled in to enjoy our lunch and continued our conversation.
By the time we left I was struck with the fact that for an initial meeting – I wouldn’t call it a date, that would come later – the conversation had been easy, as if we’d known each other forever, rather than being virtual strangers.
I could only take that as a good sign.
Nine
Whitney
“To Whit. Congrats on the new job!” Summer said, raising her margarita in a toast.
“To Whitney,” Margo agreed, and we all tapped our glasses together and took a drink of the sweet, yet salty, liquid.
“Thanks,” I said with an easy smile. I’d so been looking forward to our Thursday night dinner, which was funny since we barely knew each other. Still, it was nice to be with women who not only understood my situation but could relate.
Plus, being with them made me feel like more than a mom, or the wife Marcus had thrown away. I felt like a woman. Someone with thoughts and feelings that were relevant. It was a wonderful feeling.
“So, how was your week, Summer?” I asked as I glanced at the menu.
“It was pretty good. Actually, I signed up for a dating app.”
Margo let out a groan and asked, “Why?”
Summer shrugged, making even that small movement look pretty, and said, “I’m tired of being alone. My husband and I were only married for four years and I was his second wife, his trophy wife, if you will, or at least that’s what people called me.” She sighed and looked at us anxiously. “I want you both to know that I didn’t know Jared was already married when I started seeing him. He lied to me and pursued me and even though he was older, I was swept up by it all, you know? He liked to lavish me with gifts and take me on trips. I fell in love. And it wasn’t until I was in love that he told me he was married. Of course, he said they were getting divorced, and she was a shrew, but I still felt terrible. I’d never have gone out with him if I’d known he was married.”
Summer paused and looked at us, her eyes pleading for us to believe her.
I did, so I placed my hand over hers and nodded, urging her to continue.
“He did divorce her, and we were married pretty quickly afterwards. When he told me he wasn’t happy in our marriage and wanted a divorce, I was completely blindsided. I was happy and thought he was too, but he was pretty adamant that it was over. It wasn’t until the divorce was final that I found out he was seeing someone else.” Summer gave a half-hearted smile and said, “Stupid, huh? Of course he’d cheat on me, too.”
“Hey, it’s not on you. Jared sounds like a first-rate sleaze ball. You’re better off,” Margo assured her.
“Thanks, and I know you’re right, but it still hurts, you know? He was remarried three weeks after we signed our divorce papers, and I haven’t been able to even talk to a guy since.”
“So you joined the dating app to get back out there slowly,” I surmised.
She nodded and took a big drink.
“Well, I think that’s great then,” Margo said kindly.
The server came then to take our orders and by the time he left, Summer had shaken off her melancholy and was once again cheerful.
“So, anyway, I haven’t really met anyone on the app I like, I feel weird messaging strangers, and it seems really hard to find out if you have a connection with someone without meeting them in person. But they do also have events that they put together. Like, on Saturday night there’s a happy hour deal, which will have a group of men and women, so you can get to know people in person, but it’s more casual, not as intimidating as a one-on-one date.”
“That sounds great,” I said, picking up a chip and dipping it in the salsa.
“Yeah, good for you,” Margo agreed.
Summer beamed at us and said, “I was hoping you’d think so, because I’d like you to go with me.”
“No,” Margo said instantly.
“Aww, why not?” Summer asked with a pout. “I don’t want to go alone. I don’t know anyone and the thought of walking into a mess of people I don’t know is anxiety inducing. I need a wing woman.”
“Sorry, babe. I’ll take you out for a night on the town, hit a few clubs, and help you hook up, but there is no way in hell I’m joining a dating app.”
“You don’t have to join,” Summer told Margo in a rush. “You can go as my plus one.”
“Sorry, babe,” Margo repeated.