Donald was sitting at the desk in his room, checking on the dates they would have men coming to hunt. He liked to have a large calendar on his wall with these important events written in so he didn’t forget or leave anyone out. So far, there were five groups of men scheduled for next month so it was going to be quite busy. While he mused on those facts, there was a knock on his door. “Come in, it’s open,” he said.

  The door opened and Sue walked in. “I hope I am not bothering you, Donald,” she said. I didn’t see you at supper and thought I would bring you a plate.”

  Donald said, “No you're not bothering me and I appreciate you bringing me some food. It looks good!” He took the plate from Sue and asked, “What do you have on your mind?” While he dove into the fried chicken, Sue summoned up her courage to say what was on her mind.

  “Donald, there are some supplies we need in the infirmary. I don’t like asking you but I think

  all of the things I have on the list are things we need to have on hand.”

  Donald said, “Please sit down. I don’t know where my manners are. I saw the plate of food and was so hungry, my good senses took leave of me! Sit here next to me. Sue, I have been wanting to tell you for a while how much I appreciate you and all you have brought to the table. I really don’t know what we would have done with Rachel, without you when she broke her leg. It was a relief to watch you confidently stabilize her and keep her calm until the ambulance got here.”

  “It is my pleasure to help. I can't express to you enough how grateful I am to you for bringing us up here and giving us a place to live. How is it you are not married?” Sue asked.

  Donald had a mouthful and at her question, he sprayed his mashed potatoes all over his pants and the floor! “I’m so sorry! I just wasn’t expecting you to ask that!” he said as he took his napkin and started cleaning up the floor. Sue grabbed a paper towel and started helping him. Out of embarrassment, they were scrubbing fast and bumped heads! They both grabbed their respective heads, looked at each other and burst out laughing!

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  After the laughter had died down, Donald said, “I actually was married once a long time ago. Her name was Violet. She was very pretty, but we both wanted different things. I wanted to settle down in a place like this where I could hunt and live off of the land and Violet wanted to be in New York, where she could shop all of the time. After our honeymoon, which was one of the nicest times of my life, we made it about 6 months before we both realized we had made a mistake. We got divorced and I have chased my dream ever since. How about you, Sue? Have you ever been married?”

  “Yes, I was. We got along great and had a beautiful house and furnishings. My husband died close to six years ago now. I had planned to pay off the rest of the mortgage with his life insurance policy, but ran into complications.”

  “ If you don’t mind me asking, what were the complications?” Donald asked.

  “He had already cashed it out and according to one of the bank tellers, spent it gambling often at casinos! I was shocked at that news. It was especially hard to take because we had always done everything together and I had no clue that he was spending not only our savings but the life insurance, as well. We had been set up really nicely until that happened.” Sue said.

  “I am so sorry to hear that. Is that what caused you to become homeless?” Donald asked.

  “Yes, ultimately. I couldn’t keep the house. My salary was not enough to cover the mortgage and bills. So I sold everything and moved into my motorhome and it took me 5 years to pay off the credit card bills. But I am solvent now!” Sue said with a big smile.

  Donald put his arm around Sue and gave her a big hug. She hugged him right back and felt long gone feelings stir. “I had better get back downstairs. I am on the dishes tonight! We already have one cranky guy who hides in the bathroom when it is his turn to help on dishes. I don’t want everyone to think I am hiding too!” Sue said as she scurried out of the room.