Written By Brad Harness
Reggie had been a good friend for the past decade. He was fun to talk to, thoughtful, and occasionally, helpful. Today was one of those occasions.
“Here’s what I would do if I were in your shoes, Mark.”
Mark motioned him to share his idea for how to deal with his overly interested female neighbour, Francine.
“Well, first, I think you gotta be seen by her in the company of your lovely wife…”
“Makes sense…”
“Second, be sure to get out there in view of her, you doing stuff with your kids. Them women who’ve never been married, no kids of their own…they have no idea how much of a parent’s time they take up…”
“You got that right! Gee, I probably spend an hour a day with each of my kids…that gobbles up all my spare time after work…”
“Too right, Mark, bro’…”
“Third, somehow, you gotta let her know clearly that you are not interested in her, okay?”
Mark sighed. “You know me, Mark, I’m Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. Sit On The Fence…Mr. Not Wanting To Offend…”
Reggie looked at him sternly. “Listen, Mark. If you don’t do this with a woman like Francine, she’ll never leave you alone…she’s got her sights set on having you, man.”
“You think?”
“I do think.. You gotta do this…or else.”
Mark stood quietly, turning over what his friend had suggested.
“Alright, I’ll do it. I need my mornings back…just me and my pooch Jocko.”
On his way home Mark considered how to carry out his friend’s plan. It’d be easy to get Julia out for a walk more often. He’d go home an insist upon it tonight.
Then he would get outside tossing a ball around or shooting baskets with his son and daughter. Different times, after supper, while they had energy.
Finally, he’d wait until Francine ran into him again, whenever that was, and he’d tell her he was a happily married man and had no interest in Francine other than as a neighbour.
He had his head down as he walked along the sidewalk. There was nobody else about and he was lost in thought until he turned the corner…and ran into Francine.
She let the collision happen.
“Oh…my!” she pretended.
Next Week: Part 6
