Just a thought in Time: contest book

Aim to Engage: Self Care

I loved my husband; I really did. However, we never communicated well. Eventually, things started to fall apart in our marriage, and we decided to divorce. It was easy; we did not fight about much...except the cat. We both wanted the cat, but I got to keep Pinky.

After that, I was on my own; I had never had my own apartment or anything. My job was helpful, it kept my mind off the loneliness, and then one day...this guy walked in. He was of average height, brown hair kept close to his scalp, and brown eyes that looked like maple syrup in the light. He paid and smiled at me, coming to visit more and more. He was in the area for work but loved to travel. Something I had always wanted to do. Then it happened, I was falling for him, head over heels! It was amazing, this feeling was something I had not felt in years, and he was not ashamed to be with me even though I was divorced. He moved in with me, and Pinky absolutely loved him.

"Kelly, do you want to go to Colorado with me?"

I lifted my head off of his shoulder, "What's in Colorado, Darren?"

He chuckled and kissed the top of my head, "The mountains, it is beautiful out there. One of my favorite places to visit."

"I would love to go!" I hopped up off the couch and started packing.

We went to Pike's Peak; the views took my breath away. It had snowed earlier that week, and a little bit of it was still on the ground, glistening in the sunlight. We camped out under the stars, cuddled together in the sleeping bag. I had never camped before, it thrilled me, and I learned so much. 

However, after we came home, things started to change. Darren started to lock his phone and turn it on silent when he was at home, only looking at his watch and smiling. He started to shift away from me when we were on the couch watching tv. He grew distant with Pinky. One day his phone rang, and I answered it for him; another girl was on the line; she sounded startled. 

"Darren!" I screamed after she told me they met on our trip. They had been talking ever since. Darren and I screamed at each other, things were thrown, and my neighbors called the cops on us. Darren grabbed his clothes and his other stuff and was escorted out, calling me nasty things because I would not leave it alone and forget that he had cheated on me.

I cried for days, two relationships down the drain. My heart hurt...I knew I would not be ready to date again for a long time. My ex-husband was good; Darren was on the opposite side of that line. Darren was not a good choice at this time in my life. However, I have learned things about myself, activities that I enjoy immensely, and will continue to pursue. 

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