Sue left for the Bronx, in New York. I drove her To Ferry Memorial Church on Friday morning at 2 am, and wondered what it would be like when She left. The drive was painful, I did not know how to say goodbye, or give a romantic kiss.
The story begins twenty years ago. I was a young soldier on leave. West Germany was my home for two years. I just visited my Sister, Brenda, at East Town, a Village in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I returned from Grand Rapids, tired from visiting the Intersection, and other College Bars. Brenda was so beautiful, influenced from Art School, we danced to an alternative band, and for that one moment, we were the closest between our six year gaps in age.
I drove too Muskegon tired, and visited a Restaurant, looking for some coffee and a break.
Sue served me some bitter coffee, and I looked into her eyes knowing she was the girl who could weaken my resistance to commitment. She was all greasy and sweaty from managing a restaurant, and all I could see was her warm blue eyes, her acceptance of my existence.
{The point of the whole story is never try to figure out what is going on at the moment, for years later, the answers will be answered. Sue left in the Golden Church van, and I drove home to a house with two Son's a Daughter, and two dogs and two cats.}
Five years earlier In nineteen-eighty three, I was a silly boy in a young mans body, I flipped burgers at McDonald's.Sue was there too, full of ambitions-plans and goals. I had nothing to worry about, just my weekly paycheck, passing my Senior year, and taking on another day. Sue would run the grill and I would look at her, as I did the simple work while she conquered the six twelve turn lay. We never had a intelligent conversation on are breaks, for she was looking at three by five cards studying debate. I was dipping my chocolate chip cookies in a Shamrock shake.
The weekend seemed long and the things I took for granted were burdens. I was not angry, for my Wife was rebuilding a Church in the Bronx, in New York City. We all must do things like that in our life. The boys, Andrew and Nicholas, were not motivated. We ate as college students. Our daughter Hannah became close to her Father, She is the closest thing to Sue, Her warm blue eyes and crooked smile.
The days moved slowly, I missed Sue, the beds were not made; we did not have anyone in the house who could fold laundry. June twenty-fourth came, it was our nineteenth anniversary. The house was quiet, I felt empty. I loved that Sue was helping others, but I realized, She helped me. I had no one to fight with or love and laugh with for seven days.
I thought of John Rybicki, my Brother in Law, who lost my Sister, his Wife three month's ago. I realized a very important thing, Love is more than physical, Sue is the air to my lungs, her love is the vision to my eyes. Sue is the touch in my hands, the song to my mute ears. Our house was cold, bland and tasteless without her presence.
I take my spouse for granted, we fight, and then make-up. The days go by fast with her around, and slow without. I missed the smell of her perfume, the sound of hairspray in the bathroom. The children were different, less loving, and more callous. I was a bitter man.
The week was over, and Hannah and I picked up Sue. I was So excited to be able to hold her. My wife kissed Cocoa our Shorky before me, that's marriage. I spent seven days as a widower, and hated it. Freedom from Love,Compassion and Commitment is overrated. I am ready to enjoy my Wife as long as I can. I will rejoice every second with Sue.
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