To Love a Lothario
I remember when I first saw him. It was about ten years ago. I was still in high school. He was new to the neighborhood and my mom invited him over for lunch. My dad hated him from day one. I still think it's because he thought my mom was a bit sweet on him. But it wasn't her who was crushing, it was me.
When we first met I was very awkward and shy. I admired his experience and wit. He was truly gifted at making people feel confident and safe. My dad didn't want me talking to him at all. That was difficult since we lived in the same neighborhood and saw each other several times a week in town. When I turned eighteen and was about to start college, I ran into him alone during school supply shopping. He wished me well and lightly kissed me on the cheek. I was so surprised that my heart fluttered. When I went off to school, we started officially dating, but in secret. My college roommate knew and other people in my dorm, but I never asked Don to come visit my family on breaks. My dad never knew I was dating anyone for two years. During my junior year of college, I learned something shocking about Don. I decided I would go visit him one night when I was home for the weekend. I told my dad I was going to hang out with friends. My dad was fine with it. By the time I got over to his condo I saw something I didn't like. I looked through the window and saw him drinking a glass of wine with his maid, Kaylynn. She wasn't wearing her work uniform, either. She had on a short black dress and stiletto heels. I wanted to bang on the door and demand that he speak to me. But I was too cowardly. Instead, I just ran home and stayed in my room the rest of the weekend. When I got back to school he called me every day. He didn't know I knew. He finally got the hint that I wasn't going to talk to him. I didn't see Don again until my graduation. It caught me off guard to see him there. I sent my dad and brother away when I realized he wanted to talk. It had been a year and a half since we'd spoken. I casually said hello to him. He hugged me and said he missed me. I ignored the response and brought up something about the weather. Then I walked away. I saw him later when I moved back to my dad's house. He offered to help me move my stuff and I agreed. During that time, Don used his charisma skills and managed to get me to like him again. A week later, we were back together. Everything was better then. He promised he would never hurt me again. He helped me get a job as a science teacher and when I turned twenty-three we moved in together. By this time my dad knew we were dating and expressed his disapproval every chance he got. He told me I was too smart for a guy like that. I ignored him of course. Or at least until we hit another snag in the relationship. Kaylynn called our house to tell Don she was pregnant.
I insisted Don go with Kaylynn to doctor's appointments and buy her everything she needed for the baby. There were moments when I felt jealous of the time he spent with her and wished that it was me having the baby, but Don was able to reassure me and understood my feelings. It was one big bombshell to deal with, but we made it through a stronger couple. When Donna was born Don became a whole new man. He had her spend the night with us once a week and did everything. I didn't even have to change a single diaper. It was great, but not very conducive to working. I had lesson plans to make and papers to grade and having a crying baby girl in the house that isn't even yours can cause tension. Don and I began to fight a lot. I wasn't going to be okay with him staying with Kaylynn and the baby at her place, but I wasn't so keen on the idea of the baby staying in our place either. I put up with all this for two years before I moved back in with my dad. I didn't even tell Don. I just left him a note explaining to him that my job was suffering but I would never blame him for any of it. I just wasn't ready for all of that. I lived with my dad and helped take care of my teenaged brother for another year. Shortly after my brother went off to college himself, our dad died. In my grief, I leaned on the only guy that made me feel special. He was a perfect gentleman. I called whenever I needed and he always answered. Then the question of whether we should get back together came up. I didn't know what he had been up to during this time, but I didn't really care because I didn't want to be alone in my family home. He told me he had twin girls now with another woman, Dina. I asked Don to come stay with me and here we are three years later.
I'm now the same age he was when we first met. We're currently planning our wedding. I can't wait until I finally walk down the aisle to my groom. Over these past years it hasn't been easy. When I walk down the aisle, I'll be walking into a fully formed family. Over the past several years my fiance has had three children from previous relationships. I don't mind the girls at all. They're really quite sweet. Donna is eight and the twins Dulcie and Delmina are five. My only concern is about their mothers. Don and I have been together on and off for eight years and together consecutively for the past three. Dealing with his ex girlfriends has been hard and I know it will only get harder after the wedding. The girls really wanted to be in the wedding, but their mothers refused. Here I am at 27 years old about to be married. All I can feel right now is nerves and sadness. Neither mine or Don's parents are here to see the wedding. And when my dad was here, it was pretty obvious that he wasn't planning on attending any wedding involving Don. I just hope I'm doing the right thing.