One Lousy Wish Read online

you?"

  "No, really - you don't say? Still very clever and quick with the one-liners, Peter - of course. The Falconesse was overbooked. After apologizing, they tossed me on a transfer bus and plopped me here at The Kristabella. The manager gave us?me?one of their penthouse suites, gratis, for the weekend. He felt sorry for me after overhearing the phone conversation I had with my jerk husband. I still cannot believe the only reason Sean called was to say he was going through with the divorce. I'm sorry, I am getting worked up again. Anyway, the hotel manager also said he is taking care of all expenses. I must have come across as quite the pitiful basket case."

  "I can see why he might think that. I'm just kidding! So, you're on your way to being single again. Quite the sensitive Valentine present from your hubby. At least it's nice the hotel is taking care of you."

  "Yeah, it's okay. Enough about me, what's your story, Peter? Why are you here? I see you are not wearing a wedding ring, but its indent is still fresh. Let's start there."

  "Nice bit of detective work, Sherlock. I don't expect you to remember this but last Tuesday?"

  "?was your birthday. Of course, I remember, Peter. I never forgot. What happened?"

  "I turned sixty-five years old. My disability pension, the lifeblood of my family for nearly forty years, ended on my birthday. So all I have left for income is my monthly social security check."

  "Wait?back up. You are disabled? My God, Peter, what happened? Are you okay?"

  "Diabetes wrecked my eyesight and career, although insurance money provided stability. Tara, my wife, became distant over the years. We were never able to recover."

  "Please, do go on?"

  "So, last Tuesday, right after my sixty-fifth birthday party, Tara announced she wanted a divorce. She left me for a younger guy. I hear he's loaded. I really can't blame Tara. This wasn't the lifestyle we expected."

  "I am so sorry, Peter. How tragic and sad. With all that going on, what brought you all the way up here?"

  "You did, of course."

  "Huh? You want to explain yourself? You are creeping me out."

  "I'm joking again, Cheryl. My brother-in-law thought a weekend away might be a good way to get Tara out of my mind. Boy, is he pissed at his sister for leaving me!"

  "Her loss. Um, any kids?"

  "Yep, two daughters and a son. My girls, Britney and Sasha, are furious with my wife. My son, Roger, could care less - he's busy finding himself."

  "I bet your kids are just like you; kind, gentle, and sweet."

  "Thank you! Yeah, they are great kids. The sole benefit of losing my eyesight was that I was able to stay home and raise them. Our simple and honest conversations and tickle fights put smiles on my face at times when I wanted to do nothing more than scream."

  "I apologize for appearing rude and forward, but I'd like to know?"

  "?what I can see of you, Cheryl? Not a problem, my dear; I get asked that question several times a week."

  "Can you see all of me? How about my blouse or??"

  "I can see your face and some parts of the room, but not much else."

  "I am so sorry, Peter. My, we never dreamed life would take us in these directions."

  "We wished it, Cheryl."

  "Excuse me, but I most certainly did not wish for a whore of a husband in order to have a secure career."

  "And I did not want to go blind or become a stay at home father. Do you remember what you and I said to each other that morning? We both wished for successful careers. Well, I had one. Within four years of us splitting up, I became the Senior Vice President of a major parts-supply company."

  "I'm afraid my story is not so unique. My husband, Sean, was eager and energetic - not the conniving, unethical shit he became. I built a successful telecom-sales business, while he screwed his bosses wives."

  "So, what was the final straw?"

  "Last month, I caught him in our bed with a little bitch named Becca Rafton; the daughter of our next-door neighbors. So happens her father, Jerry, is Sean's boss. Would you believe that little slut, Becca, is younger than my daughters?"

  "Ouch, what a scumbag you married."

  "Sean wasn't that way in the beginning, I think."

  "Do you have kids?"

  "Yes, twin daughters."

  "Wow, Cheryl, way to go! I bet they're as cute as you."

  "Well, thank you. They are wonderful."

  "I wish?"

  "Be careful what you ask for, Peter. It's what got us into this mess in the first place. Say, do you still have the ring?"

  "Yep, here it is on my right ring finger; as it was forty years ago when you gave it to me. Do you remember what you had inscribed on the inside of the band?"

  "Of course - I wish. Peter, do you ever wonder what life could have been like for us if we'd got married?"

  "Every stinking day of my life. Dumbest decision I made was to leave you and move to Cincinnati for a plant-supervisor job. Are you sniffling? Aw, don't cry, Sweet Pea. It's been a hard enough day for you. I don't want to make you cry ever again. May I interest you in one of my famous back rubs? A massage from me is guaranteed to melt away the worries of the day."

  "I'm okay, Peter."

  "After the day you had, are you really turning down a backrub? That phone call should have been the clincher. Consider a massage my Valentine present to you."

  "Aw, how sweet! Since you put it that way, I will definitely take you up on your fantastic offer. Mmmm?feels as wonderful as I remember."

  "Wow, your back is tight! You have a lot of knots, Cheryl."

  "You still have great hands, by the way. Whew, I got that old shiver just then. I haven't felt it since?"

  "Since right before we made that one lousy wish."

  "Yep, it was then."

  "So, how does that feel? I'm not pressing too hard, am I?"

  "Heavens no, Peter! I haven't felt this relaxed in ? I don't remember how long it's been."

  "Me either. Did you ever try to take back our wish?"

  "Sure, but I believe things happen for a reason. What do you choose when given a second chance?"

  "Cheryl, I want to make a wish on the ring again. The past can remain the past. I hope, from this day forward, we never let each other go."

  "Such a terrific sentiment, Peter. Hmm?I have an idea. Would you hand me the hotel phone on the nightstand next to you?"

  "Sure, what's up?"

  "You'll see. Hi, Mr. Davis ... yes, I'm settling in fine, thanks. Can you arrange for the limo to pick me up from the lobby at 6:30? You can? Excellent."

  "So, what was all that about?"

  "Pack your things, Peter. We are going to make new memories; beginning with an amazing dinner at a five-star restaurant. Then, we can continue enjoying our time together in my penthouse suite. We have such an opportunity to make this a fabulous Valentine weekend. What do you say? Are you willing to start over with me?"

  "Maybe it wasn't such a lousy wish after all. In the end, I still get the girl."

  ###

  Author's Note:

  Please continue reading the story past the dashes ("--"). They indicate a scene change, not the end of the story.

  Because this story was told strictly through dialogue. The following cast of characters is provided to assist.

  Teresa: Concierge for The Kristabella hotel

  Mr. Davis: The Kristabella hotel's manager

  Cheryl Evans: protagonist, married to estranged husband Sean

  Sean Evans: Cheryl's estranged husband

  Peter Exton: former friend of Cheryl

  Tara (Exton): Peter Exton's estranged wife

  A very special Thank You to the following FanStory members for their invaluable constructive feedback: Sara_Goldwell, N.K. Wagner, bowls, dmjones, sizemore0409, Nanashirley, Espresso momma, Mustangpatty1029

  Thank you, Wing, for the use of your photo of the Nina hotel lobby.

  I hope you enjoyed reading "One Lousy Wish." Thank you for your time. Happy Valentine's Day!

  With kind regar
ds,

  LC Cooper

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