The Craig's List ad under W4M read, "5'6", tall, fit, active red-head (with bottle help), 55, educated, set in her ways, looking for non-clingy, non-smoking, active, passionate man. Occasional dinners, trips to the museum, cooking together, quiet evenings and lots of active surprises. Not every day. Pic for Pic. Tell me about yourself, I'll answer your questions. Kids grown and gone but caregiver for adult. Right person will know what that means."
I had given up on ever finding someone again. I had never answered such an ad or ever seriously looked for a FWB. For some reason, this ad was different.
Hi Red,
Yea that's me in the picture two months ago. My ego tells me I'm more handsome that that. I'm a caregiver too. Vacillate between running away and giving up to being a martyr. I'm in the black humor stage. Interested in everything, too active, shoot pool, take care of house and yard, writer, active in museum and zoo. I miss touching and talking the most. Second, I miss dining out and having a friend to share passions with. Don't smoke. My doc, 20 years my junior, says I'm healthier than he is. Years ago, I was an electronics engineer and then used MBA to do well in management. Enough about me, now, it is your turn. Pic? Your passions? Your stage? Food you like? Do I challenge you to a cooking contest? Educated, it shows, but in what? Please call me Jim, if you answer back.
I looked for an answer for three days. None came. That was not unusual on Craig's List; so many ads are scams, bots or phishing.
About eleven p.m. I relieved the baby sitter. My pool playing had only been average but I blew off enough steam to keep from going postal for another couple of days. When I checked my email, I got a pleasant surprise.
Jim,
My junk mail program blocked you. Damn I'm efficient. Found you today among Viagra ads -- shouldn't the name Sharon be a flag? Big East Coast University, B.A. in communication. Now I text message and email so much, I don't even remember how to spell. ................
Her email was long, informative, made her sound very interesting, strong, opinionated and playful. My kind of girl. She gave of herself but wanted some answers that would surely drive her away. What the hell. I started my reply:
Sharon,
Yes, I'm married. I've been the caregiver for my wife for fourteen years. She has Parkinson's, is in a wheelchair, heavily medicated and has lots of related medical issues. I have nursing help so I can schedule getaways. I'm a little older than you, but you will not be able to keep up with me.
After my deal breaker "I'm married," I continued and answered all her questions. We seemed to have a lot in common. I told her about hiring women to be my date for business, dinner and social functions. I told her that once I took my niece but got the "dirty old man" looks from all the up-tight museum bitties. Then I took my shot:
Even with all that baggage, I'm going to ask you to have an early breakfast with me some morning on your way to work. You name the place and I'll be there. My name is Jim Carlson and I live in the northwest part of the city.
The next day she responded, "You don't waste any time do you?" and to my surprise she agreed and we met a few days later for breakfast. She was delightful, bright, pretty, sexy and wonderfully female.
"Sharon, you did not answer some of the things I asked you in my emails." She knew exactly what I was asking, yet she said, "What did I not answer?"
"Who do you provide care for, where do you live, all that stuff."
"I too am married. My husband has Alzheimer's. We live with his sister. She cares for him while I am at work. My income and insurance keep us afloat. Tom's care has sapped all our savings. We live almost in the center of town; we have three kids -- a girl and two boys. None of them live within a hundred miles or want any part of helping with their father's care."
There was a note of bitterness in her voice. "I've been to several conventions. I've always been amazed how few families are involved. In fact, many people with diseases are going it alone or are in care facilities. I'm sure it is even worse with Alzheimer's. Does Tom know who you and his sister are?"
"Honed right in didn't you? Most of the time. He is right at that stage."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hit a nerve. That must be horrible."
We talked for quite a while then Sharon asked, "Do you have to rush off?"
"Not at all, but I know it is a work day for you."
She excused herself from the table. When she returned she surprised me, "I called in saying I would be late today. I hope you do not mind visiting a while longer."
I had not enjoyed breakfast so much in years. When Sharon finally had to go to work, I walked her to the car, took her hand and looked into her eyes, "Thank you."
"Thank you for what?"
"For being who you said you were. For looking like your picture and for giving me your company for a wonderful breakfast."
Her eyes teared up. "Jim, I wanted to say exactly the same to you. Can we meet for breakfast again?"
"Yes, we can. Today is Thursday. Can you ever get away on the weekend?"
"Yes."
"How about we meet for a picnic at the rose garden on Saturday? I'll bring everything. You just bring you so I can look at you and talk with you. Until then I'll ........."
"You'll what?"
I could see the concern in her eyes that she must have uncovered a pervert. "I was going too far, too fast. I enjoyed this morning too much. I was going to foolishly add, "Dream of your company until Saturday.""
Sharon, leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the lips, got into her car, rolled the window down and cranked the engine. Before she put it into gear she said, "I'll email you about Saturday."
This could have been a big mistake, but I reached into my pocket and handed her my card, "Call me on my cell instead. Use a pay phone if you do not want me to know your number."
She looked puzzled as she drove away.
I did not hear from her on Friday so I figured the picnic was off. About nine a.m. on Saturday, my cell phone rang, "Can we have the picnic this afternoon about three?"
"If you are going to be there, I'll be there at two in the morning."
"You are silly but sweet. Thank you for wanting me to feel safe with you."
"You are welcome. Today, I'll answer anything you ask me. I want you to run away soon, if you have to. Before I completely fall for you."
There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence on the phone, then she said, "Jim, I felt it too. Scary. It happened so fast. I'll see you at three at the main gate of the garden."
I had barely hung up when she called back. "I'll be out near your house later. Do you want me to pick you up?"
"Great idea. You can see where I live. Come by when you are ready."
Sharon loved the house, the water feature with the koi pond, the garden and was shocked by the art in my office. For the time being, I offered no comments. My wife was asleep but Sharon did meet her day care companion.
Sharon was quiet as she drove us to the park. I think she felt safer driving.
The picnic basket was a fun treasure hunt for her. I served her and treated her like royalty. She blushed when I removed her shoes and rubbed her feet briefly after she had sat down on the soft, thick blanket that served as our table and chairs. We were comfortable in the shade under a weeping willow tree, on a knoll, in a secluded section of the park. It seemed cool but it was in the mid-eighties. When I opened the second bottle of wine, I asked her, "So do you have any questions for me?"
"Why do you think I have questions?"
"Do you?"
"Yes."
"Then ask me while we are relaxed, alone and have time for long answers."
"Have you done this a lot?"
"No. I haven't been with a woman for five years. I haven't been with any woman other than my wife in twenty-five years. She has urged me to go out, find someone but I haven't."