“Let him wait,” I said, shouting back the first reply that came to mind. I didn’t increase
my pace one whit. When I reached the yard, I stooped to pat and play with the dogs,
keeping to our customary routine. My daughters watched me from the steps. Finally, I
strolled into the house, stopping to drop a kiss onto the foreheads of my messengers.
“Hello, Ian,” I said. “I was out walking the dogs. Did I keep you waiting long?”
“No problem. Listen, Carol, I’m coming to California to see you.”
“Why? I guess alright Whatever you want. Do you have a date in mind?”
“I thought Thursday, June 14th, if that’s all right with you.”
“That’s fine. Let me know which airline and flight and I’ll pick you up. Where will
you be staying?”
“I’ll make reservations at the Beverly Hillcrest Hotel. It’s not far from your place.”
The next day, Mother offered her advice. “Carol, give the poor man a chance.”
This time, I was determined to allow my training and faith in God to provide the lead.
I needed all the help I could get after so many miserable years of being ripped apart and
psychologically dismantled by the men in my life. Armed with my restored self-respect,
however, I felt more than ready to weather whatever challenges another reunion with Ian
would bring.
The morning of the 14th arrived, and I started the day with prayer. I continued to pray
as I readied myself for the trip to airport, again asking for Divine guidance that would
prevail over every hour Ian and I spent together. “And please,” I implored, “give me a
sign that this get-together is meant to be.”
In the next instant, I heard, “Because. Be Wise. Become.”
Ian arrived with a garment bag containing his dress clothing and one suitcase for
everything else. He looked like a man on a mission. We chatted about his plane trip, the
weather, our daughters, and everything else that wasn’t personal. Since it was close to the
supper hours, it seemed ridiculous for me to simply drop Ian off and drive home.
“I thought we could have a drink together and then have dinner in the hotel,” he said.
“Unless you’d prefer going somewhere else.”
“That’s fine,” I said, taking my hint from him. We would take it slowly this time and
not get carried away. Talk and more talk was necessary. Of course, it was equally
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