Chapter 14: Who to Pick?

“What a delightful dilemma. How do I choose one of these three men to be my one and only man? Especially with so many differences,” she wondered to herself as she surveyed the dirty dishes from the previous night’s meal and set to work washing them. “Each one has merits.”

“Each of these men is a facet of my personality. I can be quiet and introspective, let my hair down and be free, or be a disciplined workaholic. I can’t pick just one for the same reason I can’t neglect or ignore a side of myself.”

“For now, I’ll keep dating all three until I am sure whom I want to commit to. They each have something to offer. I have only just started to figure them out as they relate to me.”

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As Laura was thriving, Luke was barely surviving. Down on his luck and living on the street, he was strengthening his resolve, too. But his all consuming energy was spent plotting to try to win Laura back. That was his singular goal and ultimate ambition. Not a job. Not his own place. Not even another woman.

He had seen her leaving the building looking more beautiful than he remembered and returning with different men dropping her off after taking her out. He could not manage to get her back on his own, which was why he leapt at the chance to have some help.

“Sure, we can discuss it over coffee. Do you think they’ll let me in without a shower? It’s been less than a week on the streets, but I can’t get her back if I stink.”

Luke believed his luck and plan might be experiencing some positive change with some much needed help.

Luke heard the church bells struck 2:00. He and his mysterious associate in getting Laura back were going to meet at the cafe at 2:15, when the cafe was less busy and maybe more tolerant of his lack of grooming.

Luke waited outside of the cafe for his plan’s associate in order not to be thrown out before their strategy session: Operation Laura. He looked even worse in the bright daylight than he smelled even from a distance. Then at 2:15, the person he was meeting arrived and escorted Luke in. Once Luke was in the cafe, all of the customers moved to the opposite side of the cafe, getting as far away as they could from him and his ripe odor.

HIs associate was all in to help him. But why? What would anyone other than a jilted boyfriend get out of this? He did not want to risk ruining things with asking questions. He was just glad to be moving forward.

“Thanks for the help and the coffee.”

“No problem. Actually, it’s my pleasure.”

“Good. You are aware of my problem?”

“Definitely. And I can get inside information to help your plan succeed.”

“Wonderful.” Curiosity got the best of him and he dared to ask, “Why are you helping me?”
“It’s just not right. Did you know that Laura has three wealthy, handsome men after her?”

“I wasn’t sure but I suspected as much.”

“You had her for years and after less than 24 hours she is seeking new relationships who are actively pursuing her. No break to get over you before moving on to not one but three men. No, it’s just not right.”

“No, it’s not,” He looked down and paused after a few sad and silent moments of reflection, “Maybe this is a waste of time. I can’t give her what they can,” Luke countered after considering his new associate’s disappointing information.

“It’s not the money they bring, it’s the history you two made. That’s got to make her rethink things. All couples have their ups and downs. But they get through it.”

“Yeah. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“If she can’t have you, she shouldn’t be able or allowed to up and erase you from memory without some sort of ...”

“Suffering,” Luke filled in the blank. “No, she shouldn’t.”

“Exactly. My feelings exactly. She should be happy to have you,” his associate added at the end of their meeting.

His associate stood up and adjusted sunglasses, mask, and baseball cap. They shook hands. “I’ll be in touch,” Luke said and they both departed.

They did not know that Alex was in the cafe at the same time. He overheard every word of their plan. How many wealthy men could there be pursuing a woman named Laura, anyway? How should he respond to this hearsay: keep or share the information?


# # #

Luke smiled at the thought of ruining Laura’s blossoming relationships. His smile grew at the thought of getting her back and still treating her poorly. “I’ll get you, Laura, and no decent guy will want you ever again. I’ll have you back and on my terms. Bye bye, boyfriends. She’s mine forever,” he said erupting in maniacal laughter and returning to his new home on the streets.

They made for an unlikely duo, Luke and his associate. But now that three handsome, wealthy men were after Laura, Luke strengthened his resolve to eliminate all possibility of one rival or three. He would become her default option.

Initially he did not think that it would be hard. But he didn’t count on Laura becoming more confident or more beautiful thanks to her three suitors bringing out her best. She had the radiance of a woman in love. She always looked drained and heartbroken when he was around.

Life is change. Luke, however, counted on Laura staying the same and returning to their status quo relationship dynamics which greatly benefitted him but used her. Did Luke love her or need her? What did it matter when she got to rest assured that she had a man in her life?

He walked the streets the rest of that day with a boost to his own confidence. He was optimistic thanks to this meeting. Things were looking up. No, she should not be able to trade up. If and when he got her back, he’d make sure she knew it. He would keep her on a short leash, never to consider kicking him to the curb again, no matter how many women he had.