by Tessie H

Created on: August 03, 2011   Last Updated: June 02, 2012

I have some unfinished business from my PM life (for those of you who don't know, that would be "Pre-married" life).  My unfinished business usually goes by the name of Tom, but he's been known to sport a few other monikers, like "jerk", "creep", and the every popular "a-hole."  I've been married for nearly 20 years, but that unfinished business seems to creep back into my world quite frequently.

Oh, he's not trying to get me back.  He's the world's best trophy husband; wife earning six figures.  What would he want with someone whose bank account is the size of a box of doughnuts? 

No, it's mostly because I've lived in the same small town all my life and he lives here too.  So, there you go.  Unfinished business.  Right in my face.  Of course, it would be helpful if I stopped stalking him all over town. 

Now, before you think, "She's lookin' for a new love, baby" (moronic reference to Jody Watley that only people who were fans in 1988 would get), I want to say that I'm pretty content with my marriage.  My husband is an awesome guy-he treats me like a queen.  He is my soul mate in every way, shape, and form.  And we have 3 little products of this soul union (are your gagging yet?) that range in age from surly teen to elementary school scamp.  So, I'm happy with my current life.  Not looking to trade up, down, or sideways.  Besides, training a new husband is a lot of work, and I really don't have that kind of time between kids in sports and working and my own life. 

But it's just that Tom was "the one who got away."  Yep, he was my first love, and he dumped me.  Hard.  And the rest of my life seemed to be about seeking his approval.  So, he's "unfinished business."  The ghost of my PM life.  And I can turn all schoolgirl stupid in his presence. 

Take today.  He was working outside landscaping a church...the church I go to...well, the church I go to when I can pry the kids' hands off the door and get them into the sanctuary.  The church is on a main drag, so it is perfectly logical that I would be able to travel that road without arousing suspicion that maybe I'm really stalking.  Hey, it's a free country!  It's not like I'm driving past his house (well, not today, anyway).  So, I drive by.  He doesn't look up.  Damn it! 

Two hours later, I drive by again.  He doesn't look up. 

Another hour later, I drive by again.  He's facing the wrong direction. 

Yet another hour later, I drive by (do you see the pattern here?), and I see him wave...to the car 3 cars in front of mine, then turn AWAY from my direction when I pass.  It's like he knows...and maybe he does.  Stupid spider sense. 

So, I take the kids home because they are complaining incessantly about the driving to nowhere, and think maybe tomorrow, I'll beep and wave.  Or maybe I'll start dinner because dinner is unstarted business, but that will be the business that my hubby will be expecting when he gets home. 

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