It's Never Too Late

It's Never Too Late

A cool brisk breeze occupied the November morning while Claire and her youngest daughter Rachel removed the last boxes from the truck to the new house. Rachel started her senior year of school a couple days ago. Claire had been divorced for thirteen years.

"Mom, I cannot see the blackboard or details of the teacher's face," Rachel cried with pleading desperation.

"Can't you ask the teacher to move you to the front row?" mom answered.

"No way! I would look pathetic." Rachel screeched.

"Rachel, as soon as we are done here, I will call and make an appointment for an eye exam," mom said.

They finished unpacking and Claire found a phone book in a kitchen drawer. Coming from Sedona, Arizona, it was hard finding an eye doctor in Phoenix when the list in the phone book was so long. Claire opened the book, closed her eyes and used her index finger to scroll down the page. She used a piece of paper to line up the name with the address and phone number. The random name picked was Stuart Monroe.

As promised, the phone call was placed with the urgency for an appointment. It was scheduled for the next day and Rachel was satisfied.

The next day arrived with Rachel biting her nails. At the eye doctor's office, Claire and Rachel made introductions and filled out the paperwork. The office was a husband and wife business. Dr. Monroe and Dona Monroe were very cordial. Rachel went with Dr. Monroe and Claire remained in the lobby. Dona was the receptionist and Claire
noticed she was wearing a tennis skirt. Being a 4.0 rated club tennis player, Claire asked Dona if she also played.

Dona said, "I have been playing since high school. How about you, Claire?"

"I started playing at age 10. I've been playing ever since, she replied.

"Do you like to play doubles," Dona asked.

"I play doubles," Claire replied.

"Would you like to play with me this weekend?" Dona asked.

Claire responded, "I would love to. Say about 2 o'clock?

"It's a done deal. We'll play this weekend," Dona replied.

Rachel returned to the lobby. Then Dr. Monroe prescribed glasses for her and a follow up appointment. Claire also made an appointment for herself. Rachel was smiling so all was well.

Claire started on Dona's tennis team after routinely playing with Dona. Not long after that, Dona asked if she would be willing to play mixed doubles with Stuart. Dona said Stuart and she did not blend as partners on the court. Of course, Claire accepted. Dona played mixed doubles with Jerry Stone, a teacher in town. Frequently after play, Dona would touch Jerry's shoulder and whisper in his ear. The four played doubles together quite frequently.

Dona and Claire became good friends. After a while, Dona's attitude changed in which Dona got suspicious and complained about other tennis players. This created incidents that caused friction and Dona felt other players didn't like her.

Claire was very good friends with Dona, but didn't see anything Dona was describing, so she was puzzled and had a hard time accepting what Dona said.

A couple years had passed since that first meeting in the office. Claire tried to be her friend and console her, but Dona got worse. She would vent to Claire, get disgusted about the other tennis players and stomp off. Despite Dona's moodiness, Claire and Dona would still go out for drinks and supper. Dona would talk about that Stuart
abused the kids and he didn't have any friends. Claire found it hard to believe because she witnessed nothing but kindness from Stuart with his children. And Stuart was always playing tennis with friends.

Claire had her yearly appointment with Stuart. While she was in the chair, Stuart brushed his arm fully across her arm. She experienced a chill up her spine. "This can't be happening," she uttered to herself. She pretended it didn't happen and blocked it from her mind.

Earlier in the month, Claire had won some theater tickets for "Bye, Bye, Birdie" at work and told Dona about the free tickets. She didn't have anybody to invite. Right away, Dona said, "Stuart will go with you."

"Really," Claire said.

"I will arrange it," Dona replied.

The night to see "Bye, Bye, Birdie" arrived.

Dona, Claire, Stuart walked from the office to the car. Dona was giggly and happy. Claire and Stuart had a good time, after all they were friends. He was warm, friendly and laughed a lot.

The next day when Stuart and Claire got done with tennis practice, she got a call from Angie, her eldest daughter, about a crying baby. Angie was at her wits end and didn't know what to do. Stuart volunteered to take Claire to the house. Claire paced smoothly with the baby around the house and the baby fell asleep. Afterwards, Angie pulled
her mom to the side.

"Stuart really likes you," Angie informed her.

"Oh, no, he's just a friend, answered Claire.

Dona, Jerry and Claire were active on the local tennis board. Many times after the meeting they stopped for drinks. Dona and Jerry were laughing and talking about when they stayed at a tennis tournament together in the mountains. They didn't have a clue what they were saying. Claire went to the bathroom and puked after witnessing their behavior of infidelity. Poor Stuart. Nothing was done about Stuart. Claire did not have the courage to discuss what transpired between Dona and Jerry with anyone.

Claire and Stuart continued to play doubles in the local tournaments. Usually after tennis, they would go to a nearby diner cafe for a Pepsi. This one time after talking about tennis, they were seated across the table from one another. Stuart reached across the table and grabbed her hand. Claire's wrists were sweaty and her breaths rapid, but she
kept holding his hand.

It wasn't long when Dona told Stuart that she wanted a divorce and moved in with Jerry. Divorce isn't easy even when you see it coming. Claire got together with Stuart to discuss his feelings.

"The marriage was bad for a long time," he said.

"I'm sorry," Claire replied.

"The divorce is a blessing," he informed Claire.

Stuart and Claire spent most days together. They spent a lot of their time playing tennis and connecting with each others family. Years went by until they finally married.

Some things in life are just meant to be!