Together We May Be One
~A Little Detour From The Story Line~
It feels like life is mocking him.
Fifteen years after he got married to the woman of his choice and dreams, he wakes up everyday regretting. Her breasts are sagging. Her laughter sounds annoying. Her cooking ability is horrifying. And for some unknown reason they can't have kids. All the doctors say both of them are perfectly healthy. The romantic trip to Southern Italy didn't help. From folk remedies to prayers and magic, their mothers and female relatives have tried and tried everything. His heart broke the day his beloved Grandma died with eyes wide open. His last shred of hope shattered the night she told him that her period had stopped coming. Now they are both in their fifties. He's started growing hair in his ears, and the lines and wrinkles on her face are more and more apparent. Some mornings he wakes up hoping it's all a dream. Her eyes are as blue as ever, but he can no longer stand the sound of her snoring. They never talk about their true feelings. And it seems that he has lost interest in sex. He has to try everything and anything to satisfy Stephanie's need. Oh Lord, this is so not happening. He is a Morelli. The changes of his body frighten him. And thing got worse the day he caught a glimpse of the mysterious Mrs. Carlos Manoso.
For years he believed he was the winner, and he never wasted a chance to smile or grin in triumph. "See, she chose me." But Ranger's blank face never wavered. And now he thinks he knows why. That tricky bastard does everything for a good reason. That sly mercenary never does stupid things. And, truth be told, deep down he never stopped wondering why Ranger gave up so easily. That's probably the reason why he was so shocked and felt a sharp stab of jealousy and betrayal the day he saw his old rival. The smooth almost black hair barely has a dash of grey. The shoulders are still broad. The almost smile remains the same. And the young woman on his arm is flat out cute, and beautiful.
Rich old man and attractive young woman. All the good things money can buy. Just another nasty cliché. Pretty Woman. Richard Gere. He was tempted to walk over and say something sarcastic and offending. But then he saw the ring. On Ranger's hand. And he noticed the way Ranger looked at her. He almost laughed. Yeah, for some lucky cheap bastards, life is a fucking fairy tale. What about Stephanie? He, somehow, wanted to ask. But the happy couple got into that shining Porsche and drove away. He was left alone on the sidewalk.
And now he finishes shaving and looks into the mirror. Bob is long gone. He has grown old. The two-story house feels too big and too empty. True love, huh? Just the two of them. Till the end of time. The Bombshell Bounty Hunter and the Beast she tamed. Dinner will be served on time. Pot roast, and creamy mashed potatoes. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Morelli. Happily ever after. Someday, one day, his veins are gonna be clogged. He dries his face with a towel. He can hear Stephanie moving around downstairs in the kitchen.
He wonders what they're having for breakfast.