Love Choices
by Jerry Guarino
“So, who do you choose?
Would you rather be with someone you are in love
with or someone that is in love with you?”
“Why can’t I have
both?”
“That isn’t the
question. It can be with a woman who is in love
with you or one that isn’t but that you are
in love with. You can only have one woman. Which
one do you want?”
“Is this a temporary
relationship or permanent?”
“Permanent. Life
partner. Marriage and kids.”
The two college friends had
come to this final question after years of
looking for the perfect mate. Jeff and Bob were
both from good families, graduated from New
England medical schools and had good careers as
doctors. But they found themselves on opposite
sides of this question.
“What about other
factors? Looks, brains, sexual compatibility?”
“We’ve been
through all this. The only difference is that one
woman can’t live without you and you can’t
live without the other one, but she doesn’t
feel the same way.”
Jeff was first to compare.
“So for me it’s Pam or Beth?”
“Yes.”
“But we’ve been
through this.”
“I know, last year.
Time changes a person. Start again.”
“All right. Pam is
perfect. She always has been. I wouldn’t
change anything about her. Except.”
“Except?”
“Except she doesn’t
feel the same way about me. We date, but it doesn’t
progress into anything serious.”
“What have you done to
move the relationship forward?”
“Everything short of
proposing. Whenever it looks like we’re
going to be exclusive, she has a way of backing
off. Not breaking up, just not evolving. She’s
beautiful and we have great chemistry; she’s
just a little aloof.”
“Aloof?”
“Yes. You know I have
to carry the conversation. A woman that lets the
man do all the talking is not serious about him.”
“Hmm. And Beth?”
“Beth. Well, the
situation is flipped. Beth is gorgeous and we
have great chemistry, but I don’t feel like
committing to her.”
“Why?”
“That’s just it.
I don’t know. Beth is everything I should
want, until I compare her to Pam.”
“That’s sad, my
friend. You have great sex with two beautiful
women and you have found a problem with it.”
“Well, everyone has to
settle down sometime. I just can’t decide
with who.”
“Jeff that’s
exactly why I decided to choose between Sara and
Linda.”
“You’ve made a
decision?”
“Yes, I’m going
to propose to Linda. She’s crazy about me
and I do love her.”
“You do? I thought you
weren’t in love with her.”
“I’m not Jeff.
But I do love her. There’s a fine difference.”
“Bob. What happens
when you start comparing Linda to Sara?”
“I’ve been doing
that for a year now. I can’t convince Sara
to love me the way Linda does. So while you wait
for Pam to come around, I’ll be coaching my
kid’s soccer team. You’re still my best
man, yes?”
“Of course. Don’t
tell me you have a date already?”
“I already know Linda
wants a June wedding. I’m proposing next
week, so you have six months to be ready.”
“So you’re ready
to give up on Sara?”
“I’ve tried for
two years. It’s not going to happen. I’ll
be very happy with Linda. She is totally in love
with me, in every way.”
“I’ll see you
next June then.”
“Hopefully, you’ll
have decided between Pam and Beth before then.”
“I hope so too.”
***
Jeff arrived at Legal Sea
Foods on Thursday night, the day before the
rehearsal dinner. He saw Bob at the bar. They
hugged and sat down for a drink.
“You’re a man of
your word Bob. I wish you and Linda a lifetime of
happiness.”
“I am happy. It’s
funny. Once I made a commitment, I felt myself
falling in love with her. I have no regrets now.”
“That’s great.
Maybe there’s hope for me too.”
“Why? Have you made
any progress with Pam and Beth?”
Just then they were
interrupted by Sara, who rushed to the bar and
gave Bob a hug and kiss. “Bob, I’m so
happy for you. I only wish I could go to your
wedding.”
Bob gave Jeff a look.
“Sara, you haven’t met my friend Jeff.
He went to Dartmouth med and practices in New
Hampshire.”
Sara inspected the tall,
athletic friend and gave him a friendly kiss.
“Bob, how long have you been keeping this
one away from me?”
Jeff caught Bob’s eye
over Sara’s shoulder and mimed out a
question. Bob just shrugged. “Sara, at the
time I thought you and I had a future.”
“You know I’ll
always love you Bob. But Linda’s a better
fit for you.” Can I steal him for a private
drink over there?”
Bob shook his head. “Sure,
have your way with him.”
“Just give me a minute
to go to the ladies room Jeff.” She winked
at Jeff and left.
“Well Jeff. I don’t
believe it. Two minutes with her and she’s
ready to bed you. How do you do it?”
“I’m a doctor Bob.
We have this aura.”
“Very funny.”
“Bob, you think I
could bring Sara to the wedding as my plus one?”
“OK, why the hell not.
We already had a place for a guest.”
“Hey you never told me
about Pam and Beth. What’s the story?”
“They’re running
a bakery in Vermont. I just got an invitation to
their wedding.”
Bob was stunned with his
mouth open.
Then Sara came back from
the ladies room. “Ready for that drink Jeff?
Or maybe we should have dinner.” She put her
arm inside his and they walked into the dining
room.
Jeff glanced over his
shoulder and winked at Bob who just threw up his
hands.
Title
by Jerry Guarino
Copyright August, 2013 – All Rights Reserved
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