the sandbox

It was August 30th, a Thursday morning around 11:55am 1984 when they were just driving into Cleveland. The two of them had gotten a late start, the kids called from their mom and aunts saying  they were no where near ready to be picked up in Columbus, no less, anytime soon. That gave this two-some time to leisurely enjoy the scenery, take in some mutual favorite tunes, absorb the constant devotion and really have a great time.

The summer was ending and it was over with the brother as the much older, more-experienced divorced brother-in-law strolled onto the path of singlehood a friend of mine had begun taking for about a month now. They had always run into each other at family affairs and never paid much mind as he was older and she was still with his brother-in-law. This young girl-to-woman-soon was beside herself though never really knowing if he was ever paying attention, not just to her but too way things were falling apart at his observations. She continued to maintain a friendly composure with the family despite not marrying their eldest son and being attracted to their divorced from daughter, son-in-law. It was never planned as some beautiful things are not.

When he offered to take her home one day because she had no car available, she obliged much at the disappointment of some family members. Eventually the ice-berg attitude which was not of the hot summer experience they were about to share, melted only gradually as the two of them set off to get his kids later that day. It was apparent there was a stirring between them only they could understand, no-one else saw past the vast gap between ages; he was 17 years her senior which makes for worlds apart in experience and wisdom but not impossible to connect. And connect they did ! on so much more than what this song screams of: hotblooded pure desire ! Cruise control activated his free arm to casually drape itself across her shoulders bringing her closer into his world.

That is really all it took . . . "Maxford Mann" increased the volume and let Foreigner's lead singer bring this young woman and her lover to a pleasant fork in the road. Their passionate euphoria began with a smile, a gentle slew of kind words and a shoulder to bawl her eyes out on. She had the beginnings of 'falling in love' and it felt fantastic !

Today there was a fire burning in her that he kept coyly re-kindling with pure intention to show her what a real man wanted from a real woman. She was putty in his presence yet so intellectually-stimulated that no decision was ill-chosen, not with this man. The sun was already hot by noon and they needed to cool down, he gave her a gorgeous cool lake at the end of a long gravel driveway and they placed their feet in the cooling water. He would give her the world, if she asked for it. He indulged rather provocatively and she obliged by simply adoring his way. The manicures, pedicures, spontaneous expensive excursions, trinkets and baubles and affectionate meanderings, he gave her a tranquil feeling whenever they played in or out of their sand-box !

He was the 'secret rendezvous man'