The End is the Beginning by Jennifer N. Lloyd

Author:Jennifer N. Lloyd [Lloyd, Jennifer N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

Sandy

July 1975 Age: 35

The pull of Bill’s attention continues to grow stronger, even as my lustful attraction grows, concerns about his behavior only intensifies. The notes, gifts, and his relentless pursuit both thrill and terrify me. I know deep down that this isn’t right, that I shouldn’t be entertaining his advances, but the allure of feeling desired and wanted after years of neglect is incredibly difficult to resist.

This evening, after my shift at Meats and Beets, as I turn to close the door and lock it with my set of keys, I hear footsteps and an “mmhmm” of someone clearing their throat. I turn to look and there he is… Bill. He is holding a bouquet of roses with his arms stretching out toward me.

“Hello, darling, I thought you might like these… and I wanted to ask you something.”

I try to hold in my mix of emotions of being worried someone will see us together with these roses, but also, I am so excited to be given these flowers. I absolutely love the smell of fresh flowers, but I love it even more when they’re from someone who holds me in such high regard.

Taking the bouquet from him, I arch my head toward the bright red roses and slowly inhale their beautiful yet soft aroma on this humid, July evening and smile a smirk up at him.

“And what is this ‘something’ you’d like to ask me, Bill? You’re clearly up to something, surprising me at work again, and this time with these gorgeous flowers.”

Bill clears his throat and responds stoically as if he is concerned about what my response will be, which naturally makes me nervous to hear what he is about to ask.

“I’d like to ask you out on a formal date. A date to Gibson’s, perhaps this Saturday night?”

I hesitate at the thought of going out in public with him. The weight of judgment and the fear of how it would look nags me in the back of my mind.

But since Gibson’s is in the next town over, it would probably be safe to do without running into anyone as long as we don’t stay too long. Don’t I deserve a nice meal that isn’t prepared by me once every decade or so?

“I suppose we could do that sometime, Bill. I’m not so sure as to when though. There is a lot of planning that would need to go into that. Not to mention, I am still very much a married woman. I really don’t know about all of this as tempting as it is. It is not that I don’t want to it’s just⁠—“

Before I can finish my thought, Bill is interrupting me.

“Sandy, I know all of your concerns and reasons not to, but how about the reasons TO. Clearly, we have something that has proven to be strong and captivated both of us in more ways than one. I will respectfully follow all of your wishes around when we go, day of the week, time of day, even seating location.

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