First Love, Last Love

Date: 09.03.2009

Keywords: Last, First, Love, Love,,

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This had to have happened years ago."

"You two fight like brother and sister," the woman added, and then frowning added, "Actually, you look enough alike to be brother and sister." Jodie and I smiled at each other despite the argument. This woman wasn't the first one to say it. It was a big joke back in high school. I decided it was time to lighten the atmosphere.

"You know, I got hit on by a guy in my dorm because of her," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Really?" Jodie asked with a grin. I smiled and nodded.

"Yes," I replied. "I used to get off of the phone with you and rant about how much I hated you and all women. He took me a little too seriously."

"You always did have a nice ass," Jodie said. I shook my head while the man and woman burst out laughing.

"Oh my," the woman said between laughs, obviously surprised by Jodie's statement.

"So, how come you two never got back together?" the man asked once the laughter died down.

"We did," Jodie said. "Briefly."

"Really?" the woman asked in surprise.

"After college," I added with another sigh.

"We went on a couple of dates and then I didn't hear from him for a month or two. The next thing I heard was that he was getting married," Jodie said, and then looked at me and asked, "How is Faith?" I could tell she already knew from her expression.

"Doing fine with her new husband," I replied.

"I heard she was also heart broken when you left her," Jodie said angrily, but her tone softened when she saw my expression. She realized that had gone too far. "Sorry." The four of us fell silent for a moment.

"What happened with your doctor?" I asked.

"He was married to his job and I wanted more attention then he was willing to give," she joked, but her smile didn't make it to her eyes. Jodie had faced her share of pain over the years.

"You always needed a lot of attention," I teased, trying to make her smile for real. It worked. She actually laughed.

"Look who's talking!" she replied.

"So," the man interjected. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to know what happened." He was looking at me. "If you stopped seeing her, why are you acting like she dumped you?"

"That's what I want to know?" Jodie asked. I sighed. This wasn't something I wanted to speak about in front of the couple. Actually, it wasn't something I wanted to speak about at all. Thankfully, we were interrupted by the arrival of the food.

"Well, that's my cue to leave," I said as I stood. The man looked as if he was ready to argue, but he nodded instead when he saw my expression.

"Me too," Jodie added.

"You two are welcome to join us," the wife offered.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I replied. "It was nice meeting you both."

"Good luck," the man said to me with a wink. Jodie saw it.

"He'll need it," she said, causing the couple to laugh again. I walked away, but instead of leaving I found the older couple's waitress.

"Here," I said, handing over my credit card. "Please put their dinner on my card." I'd promised them a drink, but they were such a nice couple that I decided to pay for their entire meal. I was waiting for my card back when Jodie walked up.

"Nice people," she said. I nodded. We stood silently for a few moments.

"Jodie, what do you want?" I finally asked as the waitress returned.

"Just to talk," she replied, her face growing serious. "It's been years and I'm curious."

"About what?" I asked.

"Well, about you," she replied. "About what you've been doing since we last saw each other. I'm wondering how your family is doing. I heard John married Beth. Was the wedding fun?"

"Is that all?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. She smiled again, but it was a sad smile.

"Well, I also wouldn't mind finding out about why you stopped calling me and decided to get married to someone else," she added. I sighed.

"That was a long time ago. Can't we just leave it?" I asked.

"You broke my heart," she replied, surprising me.

"Bull," I said succinctly. Her eyebrows rose for a moment and then her expression turned angry.

"Why would you say something like that?" she asked. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. This wasn't the place or time to rehash old wounds.

"I've got to go," I said. Jodie looked at me and shook her head, but she didn't stop me from leaving.

I walked into my apartment twenty minutes later and went directly to my bedroom. I didn't even bother turning on a light. I was exhausted and all I could think about was my bed. The only problem was that as soon as my head hit the pillow, Jodie face formed in my mind. I was still awake when the sun rose.

* * *

A few weeks later I found myself waiting in my car for Kyle. He ran into a supermarket to pick up some steaks for dinner. Just before he left he grinned and dropped an envelop in my lap. I opened it and slowly shook my head. I hated Valentine's Day. I had for years. I couldn't really explain why, but it always seemed like such a farce. I could deal with and even enjoy the Halloween and Christmas silliness, but Valentine's Day was another thing altogether.

Kyle on the other hand, loved the holiday. He and his ex-wife used to throw a huge party every year that he forced me to go to, but it stopped once they separated. As far as I was concerned it was the one good thing that came out of the divorce.

Kyle had warned me that he was going to start having the parties again, but I hoped it was just a momentary insanity that he would get over. The invitation that came out of the envelope said otherwise. I groaned to myself.

The worse part was that I would have to find a date. No one went to a Valentine's Day party without a date, not unless it was a singles party and I absolutely refused to go to that type of party. It gave new meaning to the term 'meat market'.

For a moment I wished that I hadn't broke up with Jane the week before, but then I sighed and shook my head. It wouldn't have been right to lead her on. We had a good thing for a few months, but a couple of weeks ago I started to realize that she wasn't the right girl for me. I also saw that she was starting to think about us long term.

That would never do. I had no intention of ever committing to one woman ever again. It was just too painful. I'd learned my lesson from Faith. Well, Faith and Jodie.

Thinking of Jodie made me suddenly realize that my decision to break up with Jane happened not long after I saw Jodie again. I groaned. That bitch was still messing with my life!

"Where is Kyle?" I mumbled to myself, but there was still no sign of him.

I needed to think about something else so I tried to focus on the invitation and the Valentine's Day party. I had a sudden flashback to Jodie's and my first date. We were posing in front of a heart shaped background for a picture. We had a great time that day. It was probably the only Valentine's Day I ever enjoyed.

"Oh shit!" I snapped out loud as a thought came to me. Did I dislike Valentine's Day because of Jodie? "This is ridiculous!"

I looked up toward the supermarket door for Kyle again. I wanted to go home. Of course, Kyle was taking his sweet time. I was just about to turn away when I saw her. It was as if the thought of her made Jodie appear. I shook my head and groaned silently.

She was walking out of the supermarket with a full cart. My eyes followed her as if I were in a trance. I watched as she loaded her car with the groceries. She returned the cart to the front of the supermarket when she was done. I thought she was oblivious to me, but as she walked back toward her car she looked directly at me and smiled.

"Close your mouth," Kyle grinned as he entered the car. I hadn't seen him exit the store. "It's hanging open."

"Jodie..." I began, but he cut me off.

"I know," he said. "I saw her in the store."

I quickly started the car and left the parking lot. I drove to Kyle's place in complete silence. I felt his eyes on me, but I refused to speak.

"You know, since you and Jane broke up you might want to invite Jodie to my party," he said. I looked at him as if he were from another planet. He saw my look and quickly became defensive, "Alright! Alright! It was just a thought."

The next few weeks went by in a blur. Work was crazy and I tried to bury myself in it, but everywhere I turned there was signs of Valentine's Day. It seemed like every store was selling heart shaped chocolate or flowers. I inevitably thought of Jodie each time I saw something that reminded me of the holiday.

"So, who did you decide to take to my party?" Kyle asked one afternoon when we met for lunch.

"I haven't," I replied.

"You do know that the party is this Saturday?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes," I said, and then sighing, added, "I've decided not to go."

"You what!" Kyle cried.

"It's not that big of a deal..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Yes it is!" he snapped. "This is my first Valentine's Day party since my divorce and I want you there." I made to argue, but I could tell Kyle wasn't going to let me out of going.

"Okay," I said with a shake of my head. "I'll show."

"Good," Kyle said, calming considerably. "Now who are you bringing?"

"Maybe no one," I replied. He smiled.

"Nonsense!" he said. "Shelly says she knows the perfect girl for you." I groaned. Shelly was Kyle's new girlfriend. He met her that night I first saw Jodie again at the bar. She was the blond.

"I have no intention of having a blind date for Valentine's Day!" I growled. That was worse then showing up alone!

"Leave it to me," he grinned.

"Kyle..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Just make sure you show up or I'll kick your ass," he snapped. I raised one eyebrow. Kyle and I hadn't gotten in a fight in years, but let's just say he was a lover, not a fighter.
I did get a double stroller and I was the one to push the kids. I didn't let anyone else have my job. Every time we came to an animal we could feed I walked over and bought some of the food, peanuts and whatnot so the kids could feed them. Most of the food didn't make it near the animals but the kids were having a blast with their grandpa.

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Keywords: Last, First, Love, Love,,


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