Page 129 of The Man Next Door
“Last year we took the family on a cruise,” her husband said. “This year we’re doing something just the two of us.”
“You’ve picked a great restaurant,” Zona said.
“A great restaurant for a great woman,” said the husband.
The warmth in his voice left Zona wishing she’d found a man like him on her first try.
“So, what’s your secret to a long and happy marriage?” she asked.
“Simple,” replied the husband. “Always love the other person more than you love yourself.”
“Simple but not easy.” It hadn’t been for her husbands.
“Oh, he didn’t say it’s easy,” put in the wife. “Every relationship takes work. But if you care about the person, you’ll be willing to roll up your sleeves and do it. Are you married?” she asked.
“I’m divorced,” Zona said. It felt like a shameful thing toadmit to this couple who had worked hard at creating a happy marriage.
“I am sorry,” said the woman. “I hope you’ll find someone who’s willing to do the work with you. It’s worth it.”
“Sure is,” said her husband.
They arrived at the hotel. “Have a lovely time,” Zona said as the man came around the car to help his wife out.
“Oh, we will,” said the woman. “And you have a lovely life.”
A lovely life. What would that look like? Baseball games, backyard barbecues, Super Bowl parties. Dance lessons.
Well, who knew? Maybe.
SATURDAY MORNING ITwas time for Zona to focus on her other side hustle. Even though she and Martin and her mom had left early, the garage sale scene was in full swing.
Zona was quick to scoop up a mid-century modern starburst clock. People loved those and she was sure she’d get a lot more for it than the twenty-five dollars the seller was asking. She also found a vintage Lorus watch featuring Mickey Mouse. Score.
Two more garage sales proved to be worth their time also. Zona found a purse and a Fitz and Floyd cookie jar shaped like an ice cream truck. Louise was happy with her sequined top and the same Betty Crocker children’s cookbook she’d had as a child.
“You going to make some of those recipes?” Zona teased as they waited for Martin to move the car from where he’d had to park it a block down the street.
“I just might,” Louise said. “Or I might save it and make something with a great-grandchild someday.”
“I hope you’re not holding your breath on that one. Bree’s sworn off men. Remember?”
“The young vow all kinds of things,” Louise said, still confident in a happily-ever-after for Bree.
“I’d rather see her single than miserable,” Zona said.
“Who says she has to be miserable?” Louise argued. “I wasn’t with your father.”
“Men were different back then.”
“Men have always been men. You just have to know how to separate the wheat from the chaff.”
“Someone ought to teach a course in that,” Zona muttered as Martin pulled up.
After their last stop, they went home via In-N-Out. They chatted and laughed and Louise complimented Martin on the half dozen Nancy Drew books he’d found.
“Little Hildy is going to love them. You’re a good grandpa,” she said, and he beamed.
They were so cute together. Zona was going to have to have another talk with her mother about paying attention to the perfect man who was right under her nose.
