Once Upon A Time (4)

“It must have been hard for you.”

Jack shrugged. “It was a lot easier than staying together.”

Cindy looked into the darkness as if into the past. “I’m a widow, no children. My husband was killed by a drunk driver three years ago. Jeff was a highway patrolman.”

“That’s tough.”

“Life is tough.”

She was easy to talk to, Jack thought. He’s like to get to know her better. It was a shame she was leaving tomorrow, when he’d just met her.

There was a sudden commotion in the house, and Jack knew the party was over. Bozo awoke with a sneezing snort, nosed around a little, and trotted off into the far corner of the yard.

Cindy reached down for her sandals. “I guess I’d better go get the girls.”

Jack nodded, still under the spell of the darkness. How could he make time stand still?

“Do you see my other flip flop anywhere?” Cindy knelt in front of the chaise lounge and felt around in the grass.

Jack went down on his haunches beside her but couldn’t see anything. He stood up and moved the lounger, but the sparkly sandal was nowhere in sight.

CONTINUED TOMORROW