Chapter 5

We went to a local restaurant specializing in fish for lunch. It was another great meal with four beautiful ladies. Sharon and I sat together and we enjoyed being teased by the rest. Lunch ended and we went our separate ways. I went to Sharon's condo and we went inside. She said, "Lose the coat and tie while I slip into something more comfortable."

She came out moments later wearing a pair of short shorts and a sports bra top. "Wow! I don't know if it's comfortable but you look wonderful again." She sat down next to me on the sofa.

"I wanted to be sure I had your attention."

"Undivided."

"When are you coming back up here?"

"When will you have me?"

"Si, we both have obligations. I would love for you to stay but that's not possible. If I'm going to visit in Tifton, it has to be planned because I will have to get someone to teach my Sunday school class. During the week, we each have jobs. However, I want to see you again. I want to monopolize as much of your time as I can.

"Is that plain enough?"

"Quite."

"And."

"And I want to spend my time with you. I would like for you to see Tifton and the life there. I think we could easily love each other. We need to talk about so much and I need to get on the road pretty soon. I want your classes schedule to know when I can call you. I want to know where and when your conferences are to try to coordinate to be at them.

"I prepare my schedule with Megan quarterly. Megan is my administrative assistant. I will put you on my shout list. If you call the office, she will find me quickly. I am always available to those on my shout list. It includes Wanda, Jim, the president of the company, Chan, and Julie. Now, it will include you.

"If I went to one of your conferences, would we have some time to be together?"

"Yes, most of the work is during the day. Sometimes, there is a dinner but you could attend that and we have to eat once in a while after all."

"Sharon, we'll have to work at it just to see each other. I travel a lot in my job and usually fly out of Atlanta. There is service from Tifton, Thomasville, and Macon to Atlanta but it's slow and the timing is usually inconvenient. I usually drive up and take some time with the kids now that both are here. That will be particularly true since I will be trying to see you.

"I will be in Tifton all of this week but leave for the other plants and some sales calls the next week. The week after that finds me still on the road the entire week making sales calls. Over the last year, that's been my schedule. Jim spent a lot of time at Chan's house in the last year. It helped us both.

"Anyway, I will check into my hotel Friday afternoon. I don't leave until early Monday morning for Texas. I would have the same schedule the next weekend. After that, it will need planning. Meg and I will be looking at my schedule for the remainder of the year. Your schedule will be worked in. What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"

"Nothing is planned yet. My parents passed away years ago and my sister and I aren't very close She's on her third marriage and all her husbands have leered at me. It makes her mad and me uncomfortable."

"Everyone will be in Tifton that weekend and it would be great for you to join us."

"Si, aren't you concerned that the date is pretty far out for making plans?"

"Are you trolling for other, better offers?"

"No, it's just a bit of time down the road from now."

"Are you afraid?"

"No. Yes. Actually, I'm terrified. I want this to work. I'm afraid it won't. I'm praying for this dream to continue. I'm scared that I will wake up. I'm comfortable in your presence. Your presence is screwing up my world. Is that mixed up enough to not make any sense? Si, how is this going to work out?"

"I don't know, Sharon. This has been a magical weekend starting Friday at the airport. I want the magic to keep going but we both know the humdrum of everyday existence is going to interfere. My plan is to fight to keep the magic going."

"I'll join you in that fight, Si." She leaned forward and kissed me gently. We held each other for a long, enjoyable time.

"Si, when do you have to leave?"

I glanced at a clock. "I should leave in the next twenty minutes. There are a few things that I need to do tonight. My original plans didn't include staying over to Sunday afternoon. I don't regret doing it though. I will be better prepared for the next three weekends. By then, we will have to figure it out. We will."

"Okay, Si. I will email you my schedules. We will work this out."

I left though that took a few minutes as we kissed and held each other. I was going by Macon on the bypass when my phone rang. "Hello."

It was Jim. "Hi, Dad. Where are you?"

"I'm on the bypass for Macon right now. I guess I should warn you. I will be staying in Atlanta for the next three weekends."

Chan chimed in. "Just coming to see us, right, Dad?" She giggled.

"You two are one of the attractions."

Jim said, "You're going to see Wanda and Julie. Right?"

"Of course."

Chan said, "Do you expect to see anyone else over these three weekends?"

"That's a possibility."

"Should we set you up with someone else?"

"No. I think that won't be necessary."

Chan said, "We were just wondering. We have a number of candidates lined up."

"Your first candidate was fine and we're working on matching our schedules. I'm going to bring an extra suitcase since it will be a long time before I'm back home. I will have to get someone to pull the mail and paper while I'm gone."