Author's note: A short one before I call it a night.
"But, first I want you to answer one question for me."
"Fine. What's the question, Mary Lou?"
"It's just a simple question. Do you love him?"
"Of course I do. What kind of question is that?"
"Then that means that you've already forgiven him, haven't you?"
"Forgiven him? Yeah, I guess I have. When did you get so smart, Mary Lou?"
"I don't know that I've really gotten smarter. I think it's more that I've already gone through this."
"Well, if that's the case tell me what I should do, already."
"Well, as I said before you have two choices. For you they will be very similar choices, since you've already forgiven him."
"Well? What are they?"
"Choice number 1 is simple. You wait."
"Wait? What the hell kind of choice is that?"
"A good one." Pause." Look, he said he was going to show you he loved you, so let him do so."
"Fine. I can do that. What's my second choice?"
"Your second choice would be to quit dithering around and go get him. Show him how you feel. Claim him as he as claimed you."
"Claim him as he has claimed you? What have you been watching? Ricki Lake?"
"No. If you must know, I've been listening to one of those Dr. Love radio talk shows."
"Huh. So which choice would you choose, Mary Lou?"
"That's easy. I'd wait. I'm curious what he has planned for you."
"Hmm. Wait and let him think he's won or take him now..." Steph's musings are interrupted by a knock, knock, knock on the door. " I have to go, Mary Lou. Someone's at the door."
"Ok. Call me. After you decide."
"Bye. Mary Lou."
Looking through the peephole, Steph sees a man in black, holding a vase with half a dozen red roses in it.