Unfinished Business

I saw K.P. over Memorial Day this weekend.  It started with receiving his unexpected texts, that turned into him calling me and sharing a few laughs then he surprised me with an impromptu visit.  It happened so quickly; the re-connection happened within the span of a half hour and even as I type my account of yesterday's events I can’t catch my breath.

One minute I was rewriting a section of North Star in my underwear; yes, when single ladies are home alone we walk around semi naked; then the next thing I know I’m finding myself hearing the familiar timbre of K’s voice in my ear.  I know his voice instinctively, in spite of my cell phone only revealing the words ‘private number’.

He was on this way to workout at the gym a mile away from my home.  So he decided to cease texting and call me.  The conversation was light and fun.  It was evident that enough time had passed that our perspectives on our breakup was healthy and affirming. 

He said he wanted to see me before he started his workout.  I objected and said he should get his workout out of the way first, in order to stall for time.  I mean it’s not like I was dressed for company.  And everyone knows you can’t see an ex looking less than your best.  I prayed that he would be gracious enough to delay his initial impulse to close the distance between us…then I heard it.  That familiar sound his voice takes when he’s grinning because he has me off balance.

“I’ll be there in five minutes.  Come out when I get there.”
“What?  No, I’m right in the middle of writing an important scene.  I can’t?”
“I’m on my way.  In five.”

When he hung up in my ear, I cursed and sprinted to my bedroom.  He always was a cocky mofo and doing this was just his way of proving that he could make my heart race and palms sweat with minimal effort.  I quickly pulled on black yoga pants, a small camouflage inspired tee and spray on a light perfume.  I ran a comb thought my hair and wished it had curls or waves instead of being straight at that moment.  Another curse escaped my lips when my cell phone rang again.

“Yes?”
“I’ll be there in one minute.  Come outside.”

Before I could utter a protest, he ended the call abruptly again.  He still loved the dog and cat routine.  I guess that’s what I get for being attracted to a renegade Marine.  He never did anything by the book; always test boundaries and analyzing situations to his advantage.  (Technically he’s a former Marine because of his honorably discharge but any Marine worth his salt will tell you there’s no such thing as a former Marine.  You’re one for life.)

(Sighs) I had to tell myself to STOP for a moment, to not let him stir me up and shift the balance of this meeting.  I fingered the box that still held the letters and cards K wrote to me during our courtship.  I reminded myself that a lot of time has passed and we are different people.  I ended it and went on to have another serious relationship.  “This is just about closure,” I reassured myself.

When his car horn sounded outside my window I frowned because I hadn’t put sandals on my feet.  Where are those shoes?  Ugh!  My cell phone rang again.

“I’m here.”
“I’m looking for my flip flops.  I’ll be right there.”

When I exited my home, I felt the balmy summer air fan my face as he emerged simultaneously from his car.  He looked just the way I remembered him.  Strong, handsome and confident; the grin on his face said it all.  He had an undeniable swagger and the smug grin on his face told me that he wasn’t going to let me regain control over this meeting.  He was on my turf but he changed the game…and like a crowd watching Jordan in the fourth quarter in ’92… I was speechless.

(End of part one)