The boys, Norman and Jay, stayed with me for the weekend. Karen did drop by to let them be with me. I invited her in also.

"Karen, let's talk."

"About what?"

"Us, that's what."

"What do you have to say about us this time?" she asked, still not understanding.

Both Norman and Jay left so Karen and I could have our conversation alone, and we respect that from the boys.

"I was thinking maybe we can remarry again."

"Why do you want to do that?"

"I miss you," I answered.

"I miss you also. Does that mean you want to marry me again this year?"

"I was thinking about that," I agreed.

"How much time do you want me to think about it? Christmas isn't very far from now."

"I know. Maybe we could get married on Christmas Eve this time. What do you think?"

"I like the idea. I think Jay is too busy enough to think about weddings, but I will still pass the news over to him."

"Nice move."

"Why do you want to rush on this remarrying thing?" Karen asked.

"I think coming to a lonely house isn't for me, but I am used to it. I want to have a wife greeting me when I come home."

"I think you're doing well without having a wife like myself around."

"Thank you, Karen. I don't know how good you are when you come home without a husband to greet you."

"Thanks, Ralph. You're right about that. At least I have the boys for that."

We heard the phone ring. I let her answer it this time.

"Hello?"

I didn't catch any of the words from the other end of the conversation. Karen made the call short, but it looked like the call was from her. My guess was that she probably told somebody she was going to be with me for a while, but I don't want to bother asking her that.

"That was Jay. I told him I would be with you for today and tomorrow, so we can talk more about getting together."

"Okay. You can call him anytime and tell him what we've talked about."

"I plan to do that. You don't need to tell me when I already know."

"Sorry. I think this year would be perfect for another marriage between us two. I don't want to tell Fonz about this, but you know how he is."

Karen nodded. She did agree with me.

"That's true. I know how to deal with it."

Now it was my turn to nod.

"Do any of your other friends or the sheriff's department know you will be here with me for the weekend?" I asked.

She answered, "Of course not. They don't need to know every little thing I do with my family."

"Makes sense."

"I know."

Since we're not religious people, we decide not to marry in a church. Karen has Catholic background, but she isn't a good Catholic from what I know.

I talked her into staying until Monday. We did argue about that for a while, but not for a long time.

"Please stay until Monday," I begged, and then added, "I don't have school."

"Oh yeah. I forgot it was the beginning of Christmas break."

For those who know me, I sometimes get into a relationship a little bit too fast. This is starting to look like it today.

"Sounds like you want to rush on this second time marriage between us with Christmas on its way."

Karen was starting to figure out where this conversation was going.

"Of course I do. I'm not sure how you would react to get back together."

"I don't have much time to think about it, do I?"

"No."

"That's what I thought."

We decided to keep talking about it for the morning. We might do more of that this afternoon also.

I know she's still thinking about it, but my guess would probably be yes, but again I could be wrong. Whatever her answer is, I'll leave it up to her. It isn't very often we get together, so this weekend was the perfect time for that.

"I'm sorry, Ralph. I think the boys and I will be gone on Monday. They have some plans with their friends. I hate to turn this invite down."

"I understand. What do you have to say about getting back together?"

"Let me think about it tonight and let you know in the morning. That should be enough time."

"I'm letting you think about it as long as you want, Karen."

"I know. I respect that. Let me go see what the boys are doing."

She left after saying that. I'm thinking of crossing my fingers that she would say yes. I like to think on the positive side. Always a good idea to do so, I told myself. At least talking about it gives you some thought. Karen returned.

"What are Norman and Jay doing?" I asked.

"Playing outside. They like doing that in the winter season," she reminded me.

"I haven't forgotten. I remember playing in the snow myself in the winter time. Potsie wasn't too crazy about that, so it was mostly Richie and myself."

"Jay and I used to do that when we were younger also. He loved to throw snowballs at me."

"That's what we did back then. I would crack jokes to Richie as I still normally do."

"It's like that. Like I just said, give me until either tonight or tomorrow what I think about getting back together with you."

"What is the answer looking like to you right now?" I asked.

"Fifty – fifty."

"Oh."

"If I have an answer before supper, that's fine too."

"Of course, Karen. I'll give you as much time as you need."

"Thank you. What do you think of the idea of going out to dinner tonight?" she asked.

"I'm up for that."

"Okay."

We decided to leave about five – fifteen. Maybe it will give us more of a idea of what she wants to do about getting back together.

"Excuse me, Ralphie. I'm going to get the boys out from the snow. Do you have any hot chocolate?"

"It's in the pantry," I answered.

"Thanks. That will warm up the boys."

I agreed. I didn't move for a while until I heard the boys come in. At least they were wearing boots.

I heard Karen telling Jay and Norman that we were going out. Looks like the boys had a good idea where we were going. I walked into the kitchen because I wanted to hear what we were going to do.

"The boys want to do Mexican tonight. Are you up for that?" Karen asked.

"That's fine with me. I'll go wherever you decide on."

It has been a while since I've been out for Mexican food. At least Norman and Jay had a pretty good idea there. But we did talk about five – fifteen to leave the house, but we left earlier than that. Before leaving, we told them to wash their hands. Jay and Norman did just that.

I let Karen do the driving this time, which she offered to do.

"Ralph, I have the answer you're looking for."

"What?"

"The answer is no. I'm happy where I am."

"Okay. Thanks for thinking about it."

"You're welcome."

We drove around Milwaukee to see if there were any Mexican places we would enjoy, but every one of them was full, so we ended up going back home. We told the boys they were going to bed early since they had too much energy for one day. They decided to stay up longer since it was winter break. We like the idea they go to bed early because of the energy and will be fresh tomorrow.

Even Karen and I went to bed early. I let her sleep in the living room since the guest room was big enough for two people. She didn't seem to mind at all, but still remembers her way around the house.

Even I went to bed early. It was a long day, plus seeing Karen and the boys. This was going to be a good Christmas, I told myself.