A PERSONAL PRIVATE LOVE STORY, PART TWO

Via jodistory.com

My biggest goal this year is getting my cancer memoir-70’s dating history-love story to a literary agent, to a publisher, to the book store in every airport with books for travelers who need something to avoid thinking about what could wrong on take off and landing and everything wrong where they’re headed.

I’ve been to a few airports and seen the look; it’s the look of dread I’ve seen in the airport bathroom mirror.

Along with a mix of hope after a nice long breath to snap the hell out of airplane fear I usually break away.

SETTING GOALS

Part of my 2019 goals are executing book editor directions, which include more backstory of my imaginative love life. Most of it is imaginative in the sense of working things out to a manageable conclusion. Like that ever happens in long marriages. If it feels like you and your partner stick around each other for any reason but trying to make sense, you’re doing it right.

Part of the cancer story is the test it put on the love story. Not all cancer stories are the same. At the same time, not all love stories are the same.

The story about the love of my life began with a Cupid like piercing at a local event, Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood, Oregon. I was there with two sets of friends who were mingling for the first time. They liked each other, seemed to get along, and we all took part in the festive mood, a group of mid-twenties people enjoying life.

Part of the eventful day was walking about a mile of railroad track to get to the site. One of the guys had a girlfriend who had trouble timing her steps on the railroad ties. I showed her how to walk the rail and said I’d help if she fell off.

WHEN IT’S LOVE FOR REAL

What she heard in my safety warning was, “I love you madly and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I will be your Robin Hood and you will be my Maid Marianne.”

(Note to single guys: Avoid talking to your buddies’ girlfriends. They hear things, listen between the lines, and act on what they understand whether you do or not.)

That’s how, “Be careful, you could slip on the steel rail and sprain your ankle,” was interpreted to this, “I will die for you and want to protect you forever.”

Long story short, I married my Robin Hood girl a few years later, but first had to navigate the usual relationship hurdles including a late night stand off with a guy who wanted to fight so bad he took it out on my apartment by ripping phones out of the wall, stomping bikes, and throwing bathroom scales.

FIGHTING FOR LOVE

This was a tactical fight I needed to lose to show compassion. If my girlfriend saw me knock out another guy, what would she think I’d do to pets and kids later if things got tense? At the time I didn’t even have a house plant to show I could handle that.

Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do if an ex-boyfriend of your current date tore your place up, then squared off in a martial arts stance with your girl in the room? Pick one response:

A: Break down in a tearful apology and promise to never see HIS girlfriend ever again.

B. Politely ask him to leave.

C. Let him punch and kick you until he gets tired and leaves on his own.

D. ???????

The rest of the story is in the book.