Hearts and Humor - The Lady I Spend Lunch With

Hello, my family of readers.

It's good to see you again. My intro will be short today and I

cannot add comments. As you know, my computer died last fall. We

haven't replaced it yet. Ginny and I have been sharing her computer.

Yesterday her laptop died. It's running, but the screen won't stay

lit. It comes on for a few seconds and then goes black. It's maddening

to work on. Hopefully I can find an external display to use until

my computer gets fixed and we can send her's off to get fixed. If

anyone has an old computer to get rid of, I know someone who could

sure use one.

I wrote this story Friday at work during my lunch hour. I hope

you enjoy it.

Have a great weekend.

                    The Lady I Spend Lunch With

"Kathy?" the moderator of the conference called asked.

"Do you have anything to add?"

"I'm fine." she replied.

"Andrea?" Deb asked.

"Good here."

"Terry?"

"Nope! I'm good."

"Courtney?"

"Fine."

"Mike?"

"I'm fine. Good call, everyone." I replied. "I'll send the

spread sheet out tomorrow. We'll talk on Thursday. Hopefully I'll

have answers to our problems by then, Deb."

I hung up. "Glad that's over." I said to myself. I looked at

the clock - 11:55 A.M. The call ended just in time for me to meet my

lady for our noontime walk.

I meet her outside the main entrance to my building, where

she waits for me every day. "Hi!" I smile.

"Hey! How's your morning going?" she asks. My heart skips a beat

by just the sound of her voice.

"Pretty good." I just got through my conference call in time. I

thought I was going to miss you." I say as we round the corner of

the building, cross the parking lot, and approach the wooded area in

the back. My voice drops to a whisper, "I wonder if the deer

will be around today?"

"I hope they are." she says. "I know how much you love them."

She allows me to guide her along the edge of the woods, as I peer

intently through the tangle of branches, hoping to see my big furry

friends. "I don't see them." I tell her.

"I'm sorry."

"It's OK. Maybe they found better feeding somewhere else today."

I follow the path between the trees and humming transformer that is

protected by a wire fence. The humming fades away as I turn the

corner, headed for the side street we like to follow on our lunch

break. The road is bordered by office buildings on one side and

chestnut trees or fields on the other.

We reached the grassy strip between the chestnuts and the road.

We stop. A young doe is feeding on the grass not more than twenty

feet away. "There she is." I whisper.

"What?" she asks.

"A young doe." I describe it to her. "She's beautiful. She's

eating the grass."

"Really?"

"Yeah! She looked up at the sound of my voice and then continued

feeding. I bet there are more around. There's usually more than one."

The deer grew nervous, as I continued to describe it to my friend.

It wandered into the brush. I guided my friend to where the deer

disappeared and peered into the woods. "There's more." I said with

a hint of excitement in my voice.

"Wow! I wish I could see them too." She sighed, "I guess I should

just be thankful to spend time with you."

"AW! Thank you, sweetie."

We continued to walk as I describe the scenery around me. "I

think they better cut the grass in the field. It's beginning to look

like a meadow." The field fell behind as we came to a bike trail and

strolled along it. I feel an urge to hold my friend's hand, but I

know I can't. It's just not possible.

We passed a senior citizen complex, rounded a corner and

followed the trail along a strip of trees between two soccer fields.

It is my favorite part of our walk. I always see a lot of birds along

this strip - some I've never seen before.

I lower my voice. "I hope I see some birds today. I didn't see

many yesterday."

"I hope so too." Her voice a soft whisper in my ear.

"Hold on! I think I see something."

"What is it?"

I'm not too sure. I've never seen one like this before." I inched

us closer.

"It has a tuft on its head. The back is brownish color, then

fades to a grey near the tail. It has a black mask across the eyes.

The tips of its wings have red and there's a red spot at the base of

its tail. The tip of the tail and the sides of its breast are

yellowish. The breast is cream color. It is so pretty."

"Wow I wish I could see it too. Do you know what it is?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"A bird."

"Michael! Stop teasing me!" she scolds.

"Sorry!" I chuckle. "I'm not sure. I'll have to look it up in my

bird book when I get home."

We reach the end of the trail, turn and head back the way we

came. "I love spending my lunch with you." I say.

"I enjoy it too."

"I'm glad. It would be boring without you to share it with me."

I get that I-want-to-hold-her-hand feeling again. "It's so pleasant

being with you."

Thank you, Hun."

We reach the door to my building. "I have to go in now, Sweetie.

Thanks for sharing your lunch hour with me."

"No! I thank you." She replies.

"I love you, Sweetie!" Those words felt so natural to say to

her.

"I love you too!" She says the words that always melt my heart.

"I love you more! It's my day."

"Yes it is. I Love you too. Call me when you're on your way home."

"I will, Sweetie. Bye!"

"Bye."

I close my cell phone. "I love my wife." I say to no one. "I

can't wait to get home and hold her in my arms."

Michael T. Smith

Send your comments to: msmith4@nj.rr.com

I love your comments and share a few for all to enjoy.

Mike