New Beginnings
The room was crowded. Erin Strauss walked across to the bar and ordered her drink. She was a slim figured woman in her early forties with short blonde hair that curled at the ends. Sat alone at the bar, she began thinking about her life. Her marriage had ended last year after she had found out that her husband had been cheating on her and abusing her youngest daughter- Jessie- especially when she had been working late or away in the field.
"Well, if it isn't Erin Strauss, the only woman in the FBI to make grown men tremble." Said an oddly familiar voice over her shoulder.
Erin spun round on her on her barstool.
"Dave!" she exclaimed in delight. "It's been too long!" she added into his shoulder as they embraced each other, his goatee beard rubbing the side of her cheek as he kissed it.
Dave Rossi was a tall, handsome man in his early to mid-forties. He had jet black hair and a black beard that he kept trimmed round his mouth. He wore a suit jacket, shirt and jeans.
"So how long has it been?" he asked.
"10 years. The last time I saw you personally was when we made out in my office. You retired two weeks later."
"Oh yes. I remember now." He replied, smiling at her.
"How are you doing anyway Dave?" Erin asked as she sipped her drink.
"Divorced my third wife a couple of months ago. I don't think marriage and I are destined to be best buddies! But apart from that I've been writing books and selling them."
"I love your books Dave! You're a fantastic writer!"
"Thank you Erin!" he said, raising his glass to her. "How are you?" How is Jason and your family?"
Erin sighed. "Jason and I divorced last year. Our marriage was a lie and worse he was abusing my baby."
"Jessica, he was abusing little Jessie?" Dave asked stunned.
Erin nodded.
"Oh, bella, you should called me. I could have helped." He said, touching her arm.
Erin recoiled against his touch.
"Don't call me that Dave."
"You used to love it when I called you that."
"I'm not the same woman I was when we first met Dave or when you left ten years ago! I've worked hard to get where I am and I've dedicated myself to my kids and my work."
"I know that Erin, believe me, I do! But you can't ignore the fact that we have history and chemistry."
"Yes, I can cause that's what ruined my marriage." She said angrily, standing up and grabbing her purse.
"What?" asked Dave, looking up at her.
Erin just glared at him- the only man she ever loved- turned her back on him and walked out of the bar.
Dave sighed.
He finished his scotch, stood up, sighed again and said:
"Well, tomorrow should be interesting."
THE END