Monday, October 23, 2006

Love Happens

My friend Jeff is the proverbial open book. Jeff is a simple man who gives his heart with every degree of intensity he has. His wife of several years died a couple years back of cancer, and he was left alone to raise his children. It took years for the cancer to take her, and so they lived in the dark terrible shadow of death, such that when it finally came, everyone had said their goodbyes, and the relief was palpable.

Love false-started for Jeff a few start months ago. The object of his affection didn't return his enthusiasm, much less his calls. He's in his forties now, like me, and the playing field is harsher than the NFL when it comes to viable shelf-life. I didn't have high hopes that he would meet someone nice.

Imagine if you will, a man with a soft kind voice, simple and honest. Think Opie Taylor all grown up. Jeff is like a puppy, in that you could kick him and he would keep coming back--all because he loves you. Surely, even in this jaded world, there is a woman who can appreciate what is not hard to get.

There is.

This is the message I found on my cell phone a couple weekends ago. Transcribed literally:
Hey Scott, this is Jeff.

Hey, I had an unbelievable weekend, it was epic. It was the best weekend... almost of my whole life. This gal is gorgeous--great personality, fun to be around.

Um... we hit it off big time, just sparks everywhere, had the best time in my life.

The water was pure calm out in the straights, it was just phenomenal. Anyway, um, you won't believe when I tell you this one, but this is the gal I'm gonna marry--absolutely.

Um, heck, she's... she's... you know, makes-really-good-money, and she's a great woman. So anyway, um, anyway that's where it's gonna be headin' here, because she's... she's just awesome.

I told her to go offline. I won't be here unless she's only with me only. And then she said, yeah, that's all I'm gonna do.

So anyway... I'll talk to you later.

Bye

13 comments:

Toni Anderson said...

I'm hoping he gets his HEA. People who go through that long battle with death deserve a little love. My brother found it--I am still so pleased for him :)

Kathleen said...

I'm happy for him. If she breaks his heart, let me know and I'll come out and bitch-slap her.

Beth said...

She makes good money? OK, I admit it, I giggled at that!

Jada's Gigi said...

Love does happen...I hope this is it for your friend. he sounds like the kind who could get seriously hurt...let kathleen at her if he does...

ivan said...

I went through an experience something like that.
Happily, some woman nursed me through.
But then, like old Thesseus, I had to go and leave her.
What sort of dielectic do we live in? Mystery.

Moni said...

That's awesome, at least someone's finding true happiness. ;)

Notice the twang of bitterness in my post...ah ha!

No, seriously I'm happy for your friend, it sounds like it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. :)

Bhaswati said...

Best wishes for your friend. I hope the affair turns out successful. :)

LL said...

He definately jumps in with both feet, doesn't he.

I wish him the best.

Kathleen said...

Saw this quote at another blog and thought of you:

You know that fiction, prose rather, is possibly the roughest
trade of all in writing. You do not have the reference, the
old important reference. You have the sheet of blank paper,
the pencil, and the obligation to invent truer than things
can be true. You have to take what is not palpable and make
it completely palpable and also have it seem normal and so
that it can become a part of experience of the person who reads it.

--Ernest Hemingway

Tee/Tracy said...

That's great that he's found someone. A heart breaking story with a happy ending, I hope.

Shesawriter said...

At last!!! A real story with a REAL happy ending! Hallelujah! :-)

Thanks for sharing. You're friends sounds like a gem.

Kathleen said...

Hope you're doing well...been a long time since you updated. I hope this means the novel is coming along swimmingly!

jenbeauty said...

Good for your friend Jeff....hope it all works out great!