Carnations From a Never-Give-Up Lover

The glistening red carnations on her desk should have brightened Anna's mood. Instead, she broke into tears, taunted by the flowers' OKCupid.com Reviews presence. All her fortitude began to crumble as she stared morosely at the accompanying card, which read:

 

"Forever yours, my love." The sender had signed the note simply with his lovely name-"Simon."

 

Simon! Simon! You just don't know when to quit, she thought. Leaving the bouquet on her desk, she fumbled her purse from a drawer and ran from the building.

 

In the office parking lot she blindly threw herself behind the wheel of her blue Lexus. The car's tires screeched as it lurched into traffic. Speeding south out of town, Anna headed for one of Anna OKCupid and Simon's favorite picnic havens. Everywhere vivid multicolored wild flowers taunted her.

 

She had broken up with Simon the previous evening, reluctantly returning the engagement ring he had given her with the explanation that her plans did not include remarrying. She had been pressured by her two teenage children to devote more time to them. Her ex-spouse had told her mother that she was "no good as a wife, and never would be." In turn her domineering mother and stepfather had insisted that Simon, nor any other man, was right for her. Her first obligation, they said, was to her children.

 

Anna drove farther into the country. Everywhere fields of purple, white, wine, pink, blue, and yellow flowers reminded her of Simon and his red carnations. She cried harder. Finally she found herself at the turn-off to her destination, a secluded clearing overlooking a deceptively calm river. OKCupid.com Still in a daze and nearly blinded by tears, she stumbled from the Lexus and threw herself down under an aged oak tree, whose venerable branches bestowed cool shading from the afternoon sun. Her tears continued unchecked.

 

Struggling in great conflict she mumbled Simon's name over and over, like a mantra. Mental pictures of his thoughtfulness, his gentle blue eyes, and unruly hay-colored hair stabbed through her mind. His laughter echoed over and over in her mind's ear. And recollections of his gentle caresses and lingering kisses sent thrilled tremors throughout her slender body.

 

Didn't she deserve more happiness? Soon her children would be grown and leave home. Then she would be alone. Didn't she deserve more? Didn't she deserve a man's love and protection--Simon's strength and devotion. Just because her first marriage had failed, did that mean marriage to the right man couldn't work? If she could get away from her parent and step-parent's influence, couldn't she learn to open herself trustingly to another man? To Simon--sweet, ever-attentive Simon!

 

Had he not said with those carnations, "Yes, you deserve that kind of happiness? Grab the ball and run. You can do it, Anna. I believe that much in you. And I can help you if you try. Hey, we can do it together!"

 

Anna sat up and brushed the tears from her eyes. Perhaps it's not impossible. Maybe it isn't too late. She would have to be strong, not only with her children but also with her parents. And she would have to be strong emotionally. With Simon's love, companionship, and support she could have a rich new life.

 

Returning with quickened resolve to her Lexus, Anna drove back to her office. She scooped up the lovely carnations and carried them to the car. There she tenderly laid the flowers on the seat beside her. She retrieved her cell phone, flipped it open, and, smiling, dialed Simon's number.