Chapter 1

"Are my dreams and expectations so unrealistic? All I ever wanted was to love and be loved. I put off getting involved in a relationship till I was established in my career, so I could have more to bring to a partnership. I never wanted to be dependent on anyone and wanted to feel I could carry my fair share of the load. I've kept myself in shape for my partner. I've done my best to be the best partner I could be. Now, I get this diagnosis and Pete jumps ship. To top it off, I discover he's maintained an affair our entire marriage, three years of living a lie. I feel like Lady Di. My happily ever after fantasy has been dashed, also. What did I do to deserve this? Oh, Sandy, here you've taken me into your home and now you have to put up with my venting?"

"Mandy, what are big sisters for? You've been hit with too many devastating things in so little time. I wish I could take away your pain and see your happy face again. From the time you were a baby you've always been the one to cheer up the family. You don't deserve all this."

"And now I'll end up spending the rest of my life alone. I can't believe this is happening to me."

"I'll never abandon you, Mandy. You'll never be alone."

"You know what I mean, Sandy. Is it too much to expect a partner to stick around for 3-6 months? Pete has the rest of his life to spend with his married trollop. Couldn't he just pretend for this short period of time?"

"Mandy, I have no idea what's going on in his mind, but I won't legitimize his choice. Even if he has problems with illness, you don't deserve to be abandoned, and you deserve more than just a partner who pretends."

"Sandy, I just feel so lost, alone and empty. Am I so unlovable or unworthy of being loved? I'm only 39; how can I be dying? I'm so confused. Sometimes I wish this cancer was like the others, filled with physical pain. Maybe physical pain would divert my focus away from this overwhelming emotional pain. You've always been the strong one, Sandy. I never was good with pain. Hold me; please make the pain go away."

Sandy cradled Mandy in her arms, as they both cried.

"Natalie, I sure appreciate being invited over for a home-cooked meal. Cooking a nice meal for myself just isn't worth the effort."

"Ed, what are big sisters for? Besides, who else but my little brother is going to bring me fresh homegrown veggies?"

"I grow too much for me, and I hate to let it go to waste."

"Never fear your crops will go to waste in this house. Grandkids are bottomless pits."

"Natalie, you are so lucky to have Chuck, your kids and grandkids to love. I can't believe how difficult it is to find healthy loving partners, anymore. Since I was a teenager, and saw you in love, I've dreamt of finding someone special to love. You glowed when you were young, and I still see that glow when Chuck holds your hand or gives you that special smile. You've always been so happy around him. Though you deserve to be happy, I was jealous of you."

"You deserve to be happy, also, Ed. You're probably one of the most loving men I've ever known. I can't believe some woman hasn't grabbed you up, already."

"It's not that no one has ever been interested; I'm just not attracted to the ones who show interest. The majority of people are overweight, and I'm not attracted to that. The others, for the most part, have a sense of entitlement. They measure love by how much is provided them, whether that be material possessions or living an extravagant lifestyle. They expect to be provided a life they can't afford to provide themselves. I want a caring partner, not a self-serving dependent. I'm not going to settle, just to be in a relationship. I would rather have a quality relationship with someone who has months to live rather than just tolerate a partner for life. Even just a taste of something like you have with Chuck would nurture me the rest of my days. I only wish quality hadn't been replaced by quantity, when it comes to people's priorities. I figure I'll be spending the rest of my days making the most of my life alone."

"Ed, I can't believe there aren't quality women out there."

"I believe the same as you, but I believe they've done what I've done, just stopped looking, as it's too painful to keep facing disappointment. There are too many people who make beautiful promises, only to later reveal they're self-serving and everything is conditional. The pain of discovering another deception is excruciating. Dashed hopes are very discouraging and draining. It's hard to find people who have given up, out of disappointment, as they don't make it known they're available."

"I'm going to keep my eyes open for you, Ed. Maybe I'll find the right woman for you."

"Natalie, I appreciate your effort and caring, but don't expect me to hold my breath."

"Janet, I don't know what to do," said Sandy. "I just want to take away Mandy's pain. I don't want her to spend what little life she has left in emotional agony. She doesn't deserve that."

"Sandy, Mandy has always put all her eggs in limited numbers of baskets. She spent many years focusing on work, and then she added Pete to her life. Other than those two things, all she's ever had has been her family. You've expanded your circle of people, so, hopefully you won't ever feel that devastated. I know I appreciate having you as my best friend. Maybe we can put our heads together and find a solution. She wants a man in her life. What can we do to help?"

"It's not like we could create a profile for her on a dating site. People on those sites aren't looking for temporary relationships."

"Sandy, what if we write an ad and post it on Craigslist. They have a category for miscellaneous romance. I think we could explain ourselves well enough to see if there might be a caring man who can understand the value of quality, as compared to quantity."

"I can't tell Mandy about this, as she doesn't need to feel more worthless, just in case we can't find someone special."

"OK, Sandy. Let's keep it between us. We'll screen anyone who might reach out, and maybe we could set up a chance meeting, so she'd never know what was done."

"No, Janet, she would hate me if I deceived her and did this behind her back. It makes sense to keep it from her, unless we find someone. If we do find someone, I need to tell her exactly what we did."

"OK, big sister; you know her best. Let's both write an ad, separately, and then we can take the highlights of both and create the final ad. I hope we can find her someone special."

"So do I."

"OK, Janet, we've written and rewritten this ad hundreds of times. I think we've finally come up with something that might work. Do you see any other grammar errors or anything we could say more clearly?"

"Sandy, I think this is as good as it gets. If this doesn't work, nothing will. Let me read it to you one last time:"

Caring, Sensitive Man Wanted For My Beloved, Yet Terminally Ill, Sister

My beautiful 39-year-old sister was just diagnosed with terminal cancer. Luckily, this form of cancer won't be painful for her, but when her husband of 3 years found out, he jumped ship. I will always be there for her, but she could use a special male friend to help fill the voids, bring some happiness to her remaining months and help her understand she truly is a beautiful, deserving woman. This is something a sister can't fully do. I will screen any responses and then introduce her to the one I choose. You definitely won't be disappointed in her, but tell me about yourself, so I can choose the best fit for her. After all, who knows her better than her big sister?

"Well, Janet, I believe we finally got it short, sweet and to the point. Let's place the ad and hope for the best."

The next day, both Sandy and Janet were elated when they saw the number of responses they had received. That is, until they read the responses. Both felt disillusioned. All they got were pictures of penises, or guys bragging how big they were and how they would fill her void, or links to dating sites or porn sites, or guys asking how rich she was. Not one person showed any caring or concern for Mandy. Hoping this batch of emails only came from the Spammers who targeted new ads, they convinced themselves their luck would change. Though there were fewer responses, as the week progressed, the quality didn't change. They ran the ad for a second week, hoping for better results. Unfortunately, the second was no different from the first. When they ran the ad the third week, they agreed they would give up on this option and replace it with something else, if no one could be found. The problem presenting itself was, no matter how much they wracked their brains, they couldn't think of any other option. They knew time was running out for Mandy, and they felt themselves going down with her.

Finally, in the middle of the third week, a different response was received. In it, they read:

Hi Loving Sister,

I realize I'm female, so not what you're seeking, but please read my email in its entirety before deleting it. I feel for you and your sister, and I'm truly sorry her life is being cut short. Being a big sister, myself, I understand our care and concern for our younger siblings.

Though I was lucky enough to find a great mate when I was young, my relationship has been a double-edged sword for my younger brother. He was so in awe of the loving relationship I've always had with my husband, he has felt even more disappointment in his inability to find anyone who measured up to that image. I must admit I'm contacting you behind his back, as I care too much for him to get his hopes up and then have them dashed, again. Your sister may not be open to him, as he's much older than she is, but, knowing him, I am convinced she couldn't find someone more caring and compassionate.

Let me tell you about Ed. He just turned 60 and has given up on seeking a partner. He told me available women are either overweight or feel a sense of entitlement (expecting handouts), and he has always wanted a partner, not a dependent. He recently shared this with me: "I'm not going to settle, just to be in a relationship. I would rather have a quality relationship with someone who has months to live rather than just tolerate a partner for life. Even just a taste of something like you have with Chuck would nurture me the rest of my days."

Ed is a tall, fit, well-educated professional. I think he's very handsome, but I am a bit prejudiced, as I'm his sister. I think my dog is cute, also, but that doesn't mean my dog is your sister's type. I'm attaching a recent picture of him (Ed, not my dog). When Ed isn't at his office, he does volunteer work or cares for his garden. He is very reliable, caring, sensitive, respectful and considerate. I am very proud of him and his accomplishments.

I could tell you much more about him, but I need assurance this is real, and he could be considered, before I reveal too much personal information. I guess this is enough of an introduction, so I'll look forward to hearing from you. Please let me know if you decide to pass on this opportunity, so I don't anxiously wait any longer than is necessary. We both want our siblings to be happy. Hopefully, they can find that happiness with each other.

Sincerely,

Natalie Mason

Janet looked at Sandy, while Sandy just gazed thoughtfully into space. After opening the attachment and viewing the photo, Janet said, "I'm impressed. This is the look I'd be attracted to, if I didn't already have Evan, and you can't beat his sister's description of him. What are your thoughts and feelings, Sandy?"

"I'm going to meet with him." Sandy immediately set to work writing a response.

Hi Natalie,

I was so happy to receive your response. I would love to meet with you in person, followed, hopefully, by a meeting with Ed. When can we get together (the sooner the better)?

Sincerely,

Sandy Putnam

Both sisters were so excited, they met for coffee the next day. This resulted in a very comfortable introduction and Natalie's invitation for Sandy to come over the next night for dinner; and she'd make sure Ed would be present.

Ed was surprised to find someone other than family present for their family dinner. Natalie introduced Sandy as her friend. The meal went smoothly, and Sandy liked what she saw in Ed. Eventually, she said, "Ed I have to admit I haven't been totally forthright, but I need to tell you the truth. I placed an ad, seeking someone for my sister, and your sister responded."

"Hey, Natalie, I don't think Chuck will give you up without a fight," Ed said. This led to laughs all around the table and helped break the ice. Sandy continued to explain, telling him all about Mandy. Ed responded to what Sandy was sharing. "Sandy, I must admit I'm a bit hesitant. I've been on too many blind dates to feel comfortable with this. The friends always start out with 'she's got a great personality, ' and then when I meet her, I understand the reason she needs blind dates. I need to consider Mandy's feelings, though, first and foremost. I believe there are probably many men she might better relate to than me. I would find it hard to believe she would reach out to me, if she wasn't being set up."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ed," said Sandy. "I think you realize compatibility in a relationship has more to do with the people than their hobbies and familiar music or history. I believe she will realize you are exactly what she needs. Even if she doesn't feel immediate chemistry, she'll like what she discovers."

"I have to admit your description of Mandy sounds great," said Ed, "but I'm not open to this unless she truly wants me in her life. If this is to happen, though your hearts are in the right place, you two busybodies need to totally back off and respect whatever we decide, with no outside pressure. Would you agree to this?"