Chapter Six

A few days later, Max couldn't believe that he finally had Iris out on a date. They'd gone to dinner at P. F. Chang's Bistro in north Dallas, followed by going to see Jimmy Buffett in concert, one of her favorite music artists, at the Nokia Theater. He'd jumped through hoops to snag great last-minute tickets. Feeling bold, he'd even dared to put an arm around her during "Margaritaville", but she had gently extricated herself before the song was over. He found himself frustrated by her as well equally determined to win her no matter what. She couldn't understand how she occupied his thoughts to the point of distraction. He could respect the fact that she'd lost her husband in a convenience store robbery several years ago, and that she desired to marry again and have a family though she felt herself perhaps nearing the end of a safe time to have children. Without a doubt, he wanted to have that with her and the thoughts of her in the bedroom were getting more and more intense. They were always able to share each other's thoughts, even though Iris kept it strictly within the confines of friendship. He would be the one; he just had to figure how to get her to see it as well.

Moment of truth…

Max walked Iris up to the door of her town home apartment. As she said good night and turned to open her door, he suddenly took her in his arms. His dark schoolboy looks haloed by the porch light, he swiftly bent to kiss her, only to find her lips pressed tightly together, refusing permission to his questing tongue. Swearing a mighty oath, he let her go and stepped back.

"Max, I really enjoyed the dinner and the concert was fantastic…" Iris started to say.

He held up his hand to silence her. "Don't! Iris, I've been a VERY patient guy here. You know how I feel about you, but you keep me at arm's length. Can't you even give this a chance? I'm the only guy in your life right now. You're such a creature of habit that I'd know in a second if there were someone else. Don't be too choosy. I don't understand why you don't want me!" Max finished angrily as he turned and strode off to his silver Ford Expedition, backing away and peeling rubber as he left.

Iris watched him leave and gave a sad sigh at seeing how bitter Max had been and how hurt he was. The tone of their friendship had totally changed within mere moments and she felt saddened with how things would be between them in the future. If there had been any other way to keep things as they were, Iris would have strove to maintain it. Yet change was an inevitable force and sooner or later this crossroads would have happened in spite of her efforts. She simply could not give Max what he so desired, and hoped he would find another relationship soon to pursue.

She put on some Shania Twain to listen to, one song in particular – "Forever And For Always". Iris felt like singing along with Shania and joined her in her own clear alto. Someday if she met someone she gave her heart to truly it would be like this:

"In your arms I can still feel the way you
want me when you hold me
I can still hear the words you whispered
when you told me
I can stay right here forever in your arms
And there ain't no way--
I'm lettin' you go now
And there ain't no way--
and there ain't no how
I'll never see that day..
'Cause I'm keeping you
forever and for always
We will be together all of our days
Wanna wake up every
morning to your sweet face--always
Mmmm, baby
In your heart--I can still hear
a beat for every time you kiss me
And when we're apart,
I know how much you miss me
I can still feel your love for me in your heart
And there ain't no way--
I'm lettin' you go now
And there ain't now way--
and there ain't no how
I'll never see that day..
(I wanna wake up every morning)
In your eyes--(I can still see
the look of the one) I can still see
the look of the one who really loves me
(I can still feel the way that you want)
The one who wouldn't put anything
else in the world above me
(I can still see your love for me) I can
still see your love for me in your eyes
(I still see the love)
And there ain't no way--
I'm lettin' you go now
And there ain't no way--
and there ain't no how
I'll never see that day...
I'm keeping you forever and for always
I'm in your arms."

"So, if you're out there mystery man that's what I'd say to you and maybe we're both wishing on the same star tonight," Iris said softly to the starlit night sky.

She needed to go for a ride and clear her thoughts. After taking Durante and Cyrano for a quick walk, she returned them to the town home and then got her leather jacket, riding gloves and helmet. The garage door opened to reveal Iris's 1986 Jeep Wagoneer that she still had and her 1984 Kawasaki 440 LTD motorcycle. It roared to life on the first start and she climbed on to slowly pull out of the garage. She hit the door remote to close it behind her. Revving the throttle, Iris pulled on out of the drive and headed out of the complex. As she pulled out onto the street, she rode on past the dark-colored car without a thought as its headlights came on and discretely followed her.