The alarm went off. Roger nudged her. She hit the snooze. She awoke to the smell of coffee brewing. Until that first cup of coffee, she never spoke a single word. Roger knew this. As she drank her second cup of coffee, she got a phone call. She proceeded to talk for twenty minutes. Then she showered, perfumed and dressed for work. As they ate breakfast, she told him she'd be working late.

He always had her back. From the minute they'd met, she realized he was dependable. She never questioned if he'd defend her. His actions spoke so much louder than words. In the past six years, he'd ALWAYS defended her. And he seemed to have this uncanny sense to know when to back off. Like when a mom will let go as her baby learns to take that first important step.

As she packed her lunch, Roger went into the living room to sit down. She did not have the time to deal with one of his moody episodes this morning. She walked outside. She sat in the backyard for a few moments before she left for work. It was a beautiful morning and she wished she could stay home for the day. As Roger walked around the garden, she smiled because all attempts to grow tomatoes failed miserably. When she hurried off for work, she did not give him the usual hug goodbye.

She opened the garage door and pulled out. She stopped as she realized the newspaper was still in the driveway. She picked it up and threw it in the car. She knew something was bothering him, but she needed to get to work. And, as expected, she worked late, arriving home at 8:30PM. She'd stopped on the way home and purchased groceries. She was starving. She prepared a perfect dinner, set the table, poured the wine. Roger was quiet.

Life with Roger could be difficult sometimes. She has been angry for weeks about his excessive visits to the little "floozy" next door. Oh, and that woman just had to come by and tell her how wonderful Roger is. He could be so funny and kind. He was strong-willed and confident. He helped her be more confident. And he had his sweet moments. She remembered last fall when he took two T-Bone steaks up to the young mother living at the end of her dirt road.

She cleaned up the kitchen after dinner and prepared the coffeepot for the morning. She turned on the timer before heading to the living room to read for an hour. Roger came and sat next to her. She hugged him. She hoped this gesture would assure him she'd forgiven that incident with the Bar-b-que and the steaks he'd given the little stray and her pups. She handed him the huge soup bone she'd cooked and cooled. Off he went, wagging his tail. He sat for hours working on that bone. Later, he gave her the sloppiest kiss, and she knew all her late hours spent at work were forgiven. That's what best friends do . . . forgive.

Learn more about this author, Fran Mascioli.
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