Tessa's Escape to Athena's Ground(88)

                Tessa thought about sweet, funny David and his trip across the planet because he thought she was in distress. How could she not be willing to travel across the globe to offer him a fresh start? The question was whether he’d take it. She pulled her laptop to the table and booted it up. In twenty minutes she had all the arrangements made, thanks to the magic of the internet. She logged in to the hotel’s intranet and sent the documents to the printer at the concierge’s desk. She’d pick them up when she finished. But what were the right words, the last David might be willing to hear from her? She wrestled with the words in her head, and her heart, and finished:





                If you believe I have not been truthful, you have given me all I deserve by reading this letter. If you believe I’ve been honest but you can’t get past the sex therapy, then I thank you for your dear friendship and wish you well finding that special lady you seek. But David, if you believe me and accept my truth without judging me harshly for it, perhaps we can explore whether there’s an ‘us’ in our future. I do so hope there is, and console myself with what one great writer once said. I don’t remember it exact, but Pearl S. Buck once spoke of sorrow, saying it can grow into wisdom which can bring happiness, even if it doesn’t bring joy. I hope my Athena’s Ground experience, which has brought me wisdom and both of us sorrow, will eventually bring us both joy.

                Enclosed is my invitation to explore “us.” Perhaps underneath our current sorrow lies that joy we both seek. I so want us to find out, and hope to see you there.

                Tessa





                Tessa glanced at Russell, who had flopped over on his stomach, still sound asleep. She threw on the hotel’s oversized robe and a pair of shoes and slipped out the door. The concierge collected her printouts and Tessa was back in the room before Russell knew she had gone.





-38-

                “Russell,” Tessa said, shaking his shoulder, “wake up.”

                It was seven o’clock and Tessa had been showered and dressed for an hour. She’d done her hair and makeup. Everything about her—from her chic white jeans to her sophisticated up-do—screamed class, with a hint of glamor.

                Russell opened his eyes to Tessa, who was leaned over him, staring intently.

                “You look beautiful,” he said, stretching and coming awake. “Any man who didn’t desire you is nuts. But isn’t it a little early to start casing David’s hotel lobby?”

                “I was just wondering whether I’m too late. Come on, get up.”

                He smiled. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I am.” Tessa followed his eyes to the bulge in his underwear. “I said you were desirable and I cannot tell a lie.”

                “Shower!” Tessa said. When Russell’s bulge twitched, she added, “And make it a cold one.”

                While Russell got ready, so did Tessa. She read her letter to David, for the tenth time. She thumbed through the printouts, obsessively rechecking details. Everything was in order. Everything was a mess.

                With his hair still wet from the shower, Tessa drug Russell out the door. “Breakfast?” he said, as Tessa pulled him past the hotel coffee shop and onto the street.

                “I’m assuming there will be a coffee shop in or near David’s hotel. Perhaps you can hang out there while I camp out in the lobby.”

                Apparently that satisfied Russell’s rumbling belly. They got into his car and he pulled out of the parking lot, accelerating quickly but not quite peeling rubber. Tessa smiled. The way to a man’s heart—and his expedient adherence to a schedule—really was through his stomach.