All things must come to an end eventually

by Eleanor Tylbor

Looking back, Sheila came to the realization that she had shared fifteen years of her life with a man who was a stranger.

This moment of truth arrived with the delivery of a big screen TV. If she had known then what she eventually discovered the hard way, she would never have bought it for him in the first place. Since installing it in their den along with a satellite dish offering hundreds of programming choices, most of which were sports networks, Hal spent most of his waking time in an old, well-worn leather recliner.

His obsession was all consuming to the point where he now ate and slept in the chair,  enabling him to watch televised hockey games in all the time zones. Some people had teddy bears and blankies as comfort items - her husband had his leather chair. Such was Sheila's life.

An intimate birthday party for Hal seemed like an inspired idea at the time but in hindsight she should have waited before acting on it. After ten years of marriage their relationship had become predictable and dull. She hoped that a party for two would rekindle a flame that once burned brightly, but was in peril of flickering out. It was blatantly clear that her husband preferred watching televised hockey games to anything resembling a normal conversation between two people. His usefulness was now relegated to covering household expenses with a part time job, enabling him to stay home and do what he did best, which was nothing.

In a desperate but futile bid for his attention, she had once stood naked in front of the TV, posing provocatively.

"You're blocking my view," he had barked at her, between bites of a sandwich she had brought to him, followed by "you made me miss a goal!"

It came as no surprise when a night out at the movies was rejected within seconds of the words forming on her lips.

"The playoffs started," he told her. "Can't expect me to leave now!"

"And I'm sure the players have come to depend on your valuable support," she snapped back, storming out of the door, slamming it behind her.

It wasn't as if time spent with her best friend Estelle was an unusual occurrence. In fact, their get-togethers at the coffee bar had become part of a regular routine. Sipping lattes they discussed the planned birthday celebration for Hal.

"Since you feel compelled to create a special menu for the insensitive dolt, the only place to shop is at Epicurean Edibles, but he's really not worth the effort you know..."

"Let's not go there again," Sheila jumped in before her friend could finish the sentence, knowing another scathing denouncement of Hal was on the way.

"Why don't you just divorce him and get it over with?" Estelle asked. "He doesn't give a damn about you, anyway. Given the choice you'd place a distant third after hockey, his only real love. He probably saves his romantic moments for a hockey puck!"

They both laughed but Sheila was very much aware of Estelle's feelings about Hal. In fact Estelle had suggested on countless occasions that the best thing that Sheila could do for herself was walk out and even then, he probably wouldn't even realize she was even gone.

"You're so negative! Okay – I admit things aren't the same as they used to be but what marriage is? Hal's got his good points…"

"Like?" Estelle asked, waving her perfectly manicured nails in the air for emphasis. "Name two."

"Well - he's honest and… I can't think when you're pressuring me!"

"See? You can barely come up with one! Be honest with me and yourself, for once. Aren't you just the teensy bit curious what your life would be like without him? More importantly, don't you want to find out?"

Lately, she had found herself thinking about this very subject, especially after encountering someone special from her past.

"Remember Mike Pickering from our senior year? Almost walked right by him yesterday. He's lost most of his hair but it's those piercing blue eyes of his that made me recognize him."

"Didn't you have the hots for him?" Estelle asked, studying the waiter as he bent over while emptying the plates in the trash can. "Hmmm...nice... I mean, Mike was very nice as I recall."

"Me and a hundred other girls had the hots for him," Sheila answered, suddenly feeling nostalgic for her youthful past. "He's a big shot lawyer now with a firm here in town. Even gave me his business card."

"So you talked to him, too. Well that's a good start! Now if you'd only leave that jerk of a husband of yours…"

"Far be it for me to interrupt another of your tirades but I better go check out that gourmet shop you recommended before it closes. Call you later."

It took more than a half-hour to get served at Estelle's favorite upscale delicatessen and the prices they charged would put her budget out of whack for a couple months, but it would be worth it if it would entice her husband away from TV. The clerk suggested escargots and smoked eel but knowing Hal's very basic tastes, she opted to play it safe with a beef consommé and steak tartar for the main course. A decadently rich, chocolate mousse birthday cake for dessert completed the order. The food was expensive but it was a small price to pay if their relationship could be salvaged.

Their dining room table was set with their best dinnerware, along with two new crystal wine glasses she had bought for the occasion. Dimming the lights she lit perfumed votive candles to lend a romantic air to their dining. A few stirs to the bisque and it was time, as they said in hockey talk, to drop the puck.

"Dinner ready yet?" Hal bellowed from another room. "It's between periods so we better eat now."

"Almost," she yelled back. "You can come in now."

"We celebrating a special occasion?" Hal asked, scanning the beautifully set table before settling in his chair"

Your fortieth year on this earth is special, so I went all out and chose a gourmet menu for us."

"Dark in here," he commented, looking around and staring into his soup bowl. "Can't see what I'm eating. Hey – maybe that's a good thing! "

Only Hal laughed.

"What's this stuff?" he asked, sniffing the air like a dog and moving his spoon through the liquid.

"It's…lobster bisque…very light…" she stammered. "Try it!"

He pushed the bowl away spilling some of the liquid out of the bowl, grabbed a slice of French bread from the basket, and tore into the crust.

"Can't eat this soup!" he spluttered between bites. "You know I can't stand fish! What made you think I would eat this junk?"

There was no use trying to reason with him when he made up his mind about something and didn't bother trying. Instead, she removed the bowl and emptied the contents into the sink. If Hal knew how much money she had poured down the drain he would have a stroke, which would suit her just fine at that moment.

Steak tartar followed and she gritted her teeth anticipating his reaction.

"Raw hamburger?" he barked at her, moving the meat around the plate with his fork. 'Ya wanna gimme food poisoning?"

"Not hamburger. It's steak tartar," she answered matter-of-factly, "and one eats it rare."

"Well this guy likes his well done! Take this…tartar crap and fry it up like it was meant to be cooked and add a side dish of fries. Don't forget the ketchup. Bring it in to me when it's ready - and put a rush on it," he told her, walking out of the dining room. "The game is starting again."

Her body shook with frustration and anger and her eyes filled with tears. Why had she bothered trying to please him when she knew in her heart that this would be the end result?

Only dessert remained to be served and in spite of it all, she held on to the ever dimming hope that maybe they could still re-ignite the passion they once had shared. She had nothing to lose at this point. This was her last shot.

Next installment: Hal Gets His Just Dessert

NEW BEGINNINGS

By Eleanor Tylbor


Looking around Estelle's apartment it was obvious to Sheila that her sudden arrival had interrupted special plans for the evening. The surface of the floor was covered in various clothes including a maid's uniform replete with black garter belt and black hose.

"You or - him?" Sheila asked, a definite amused quality in the tone of her voice.

"You'll never know," Estelle said, rushing to pick up the clothes. "Then again - maybe you will. So you finally left the idiot! It's about time, that's all I can say. Just think about all the fun ahead."

Somehow, her friend's comments made her feel defensive. Perhaps it was also because it was a reflection on her low self-esteem that she had stayed with someone that obviously everyone saw as a jerk, except her.

"I'm here, aren't I? Doesn't that tell you something?" Sheila responded, feeling that she was being attacked.

"Take it easy, girl! I'm just happy that you finally made a move! Just lemme finish cleaning all this stuff..."

She grabbed the three empty bottles of champagne and a can of whipped cream, shaking it.

"Empty. You know - whipped cream is so...versatile," Estelle laughed shaking the can, "but then you're not ready to hear about those kind of things - yet. But you will!"

"The only thing I want to think about now is peace and quiet and I never want to see or hear another hockey game - ever!"

Sheila realized that she was yelling at the mere mention of the word 'hockey.'

"Sorry - don't know why I reacted like that."

"I do. Years of having to listen and cater to Hal the loser. I'm sure he and his big screen TV will be happy. Wanna bet he probably still hasn't realized that you left him?"

Estelle was probably right. A flash of Hal sitting in his arm chair, the remnants of their special gourmet meal she had prepared dripping down his face and his only reaction was to bemoan how his team had lost the game.

"So...like...what d'ya wanna do? We could grab a latte down at the coffee shop..."

"Would you mind if we stayed in?" Sheila responded, feeling suddenly mentally and physically exhausted. "I'm getting a migraine and I'm absolutely no good when that happens."

"What's the matter with me? Of course you're exhausted after everything you've gone through! I've got a fan-tas-tic idea! I'm gonna make you a welcome cocktail party and introduce you to everyone! Nobody makes a par-tee like me! Gotta plan it right... Make a list of the right people you should meet..."

"Estelle - gimme a break! I mean - that sounds like a fun idea but all I want right now is a bed and sleep if that's okay with you?"

"Oh you mean that beds can be used for sleeping too?" Estelle laughed. "Sorry - force of habit. I meant a party this weekend of course. There's somebody you just hav'ta meet. Consider it your "lookout world - Sheila is here!" statement. Plenty of time to talk - and plan - tomorrow."

Estelle brought in a comforter and pillows.

"Hope you don't mind sleeping on the couch. We've...I've tried it and it's very comfortable. Nighty-night. Don't let anyone bite. Actually... Never mind."

As she laid down on the couch, she felt something sticking in her back and sliding her hand under her hips, she retrieved a plastic object.

"What in the world is this... Oh-my-oh-my," she said to herself. "You sure lead a busy life, Estelle!"

Exhaustion overtook her and her dreams were filled with hockey play-by-plays.


Sites O Web Romances You... is a love, romance, and relationship resource offering relationship advice, romantic inspiration, romantic gifts, and much more. http://www.sitesoweb.com/

THE BIG MOVE IN

by Eleanor Tylbor

Sitting in the taxi, it suddenly occurred to Sheila that she hadn't phoned to let Estelle know that she was on her way. Given her friend's busy dating schedule, this could prove to be problematic. At this point with no where else to go or stay, Sheila would have to take her chances and hope that her presence wouldn't interfere too much with Estelle's plans.

Staring out of the window of the taxi, she wondered how she could have wasted fifteen years of her life with a loser like Hal. The signs were all there and God knows Estelle had reminded her over and over again, but she just couldn't admit that Hal was one big mistake. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the special anniversary meal she had prepared for him and his predictable, negative reaction.

"Enough!" Sheila said, loud enough that the taxi driver turned around.

"Something wrong, lady?" he asked nervously, his eyes looking at her through his rear view mirror.

"Neh! Everything's right for a change," she responded, feeling quite proud of herself and her accomplishment. Estelle would be proud of her decision for sure.

The taxi pulled up in front of Estelle's apartment house and suddenly the enormity of what she had done overwhelmed her. She felt very much alone.

"That'll be ten dollars," the driver said, turning off his meter.

Sheila handed him a twenty dollar bill.

"Keep the change," she told him. "I'm feeling very 'up' today."

"Thanks lady!" the driver smiled. "Have a good one!"

The driver darted out of his cab and grabbed the suitcase out of Sheila's hand.

"One good turn deserves another," he told her, as he followed her into the entrance of the apartment building.

She scanned the list of names and the apartments until she came to "E. Shelton" and pressed the buzzer but there was no answer. Recalling their conversation earlier, she was sure Estelle had told her she was staying in.

"That's what I get for not telling her I'm coming," Sheila said to herself, calling her friend's number on her cell phone. "She's probably having an early night." At the point where she was about to hang up, a groggy voice responded.

"Hel-hel...hello..." the voice at the other end stammered.

"Sorry - I must have the wrong number," Sheila appologized.

"Sheila? Is that you?" her friend asked, a definite sound of surprise intermingled with shock.

"Estelle! Bad timing? Oh geez - I'm really sorry but..."

"Yeah...kind'a. It's midnight! What's wrong? Did that bastard of a husband hit you? How many times did I tell you to leave the loser but..."

"Estelle - I did leave Hal!" Sheila interrupted her friend's rant.

"Good for you," Estelle said. "Just a minute..."

Sheila heard laughter and a man's voice and then whispering.

"I'm back. Sorry 'bout that. There was something I hadda do!"Estelle said, giggling. "Listen - why don't we meet tomorrow at the coffee shop and discuss your next move and then..."

"I can't," Sheila interrupted.

"You're...not thinking of going back to... Please tell me no!"

"I'm calling you downstairs in the entrance of your apartment building. Um - d'ya think that... Like, I could stay with you for a few days until I can get myself together? I mean - I won't be any trouble. You won't even know I'm around or anything..."

The few seconds of silence between them said it all for Sheila.

"Know what - why don't I just find a motel instead."

"Don't be dumb! Of course you can stay here. That's what friends are for, silly!" Estelle jumped in.

"I'm on my way up!" Sheila said.

"Give me a few minutes..." Estelle tried to get in before Sheila closed the top of her cell phone.

Standing outside the door, she heard the faint sound of Estelle's laughter.

Waiting a few minutes she rang the bell.

Estelle, hair dishevelled and makeup smeared, opened the door a slit.

"Just a sec sweetie," she told Sheila closing the door

When the door finally opened properly, a young, handsome male who looked to be in his 20's stood next to Estelle.

"This is Rick," Sheila said.

"And Rick is leaving," he added. "But I'll be back you bad, bad lady!"

Both Estelle and Rick laughed, then kissed.

"Count on it!" Estelle said, her voice full of promise.

"C'mon in," she told Sheila. "So tell me every detail and don't leave anything out."

One thing for sure, life with Estelle would definitely be an eye opener.


Sites O Web Romances You... is a love, romance, and relationship resource offering relationship advice, romantic inspiration, romantic gifts, and much more. http://www.sitesoweb.com/