Rome-Mance

"Yes, alive and kicking. Mom was always the caring affectionate one. Dad was more of a businessman type of Dad. Don't get me wrong, he was a great Dad, but didn't show his emotions a lot to my sister and myself before mom died, though he loved us very much and would do anything for our happiness. Okay, here we are sitting in the middle of this incredibly beautiful city, so why are we talking about such gloomy stuff? New subject, I don't see a ring or a tan line on your finger. Are you engaged or dating anyone?"

John shrugged and swallowed a bite of his sandwich. "I was divorced several years ago. I was only married ten months when she realized she couldn't live with anyone. I just had a several month relationship end, very nice girl but not a keeper. She was okay, but there were no sparks, no romance between us. Actually, she left me."

"Is that what you're looking for, sparks and romance?"

"Yeah, it would be nice. I mean you can settle for anyone, but why would you want to. Most of us I think deserve better than what we settle for. So you and John are engaged, congratulations. How did you two meet?'

"He worked for my Dad for about a year and a half. I met him when I went to my Dad's office one day. My Dad and I were supposed to have lunch together and somehow it ended up that Michael was to tag along too. To this day, though he won't admit to it now, I think my Dad was trying to get us together at the time. He had really high regards for Michael's business savvy and ability to accomplish any project he was assigned to do. He had great plans for Michael in his company. I've always felt that he thought of Michael as the son he always wanted but never got. Then one day to the surprise of my dad, Michael left the company and took with him two of my dad's biggest accounts to open up his own business. Needless to say, my Dad doesn't think too much of Michael now. In fact, it's the only time in my life I can remember my Dad has ever banned anyone from coming over to the house on Holliday's. That's been kind of tough on me, but I just go without Michael."

"How long have you two been engaged?"

Jennifer got an odd look on her face and then hesitated before answering. "We've been engaged for five years next month. Yeah, I know, I've seen that look before from others when they hear how long we've been engaged. Sometimes I think it's too long also. John asked me to marry him only a few months before he started his new business. He was very attentive and affectionate at first then he turned all his attention to his new business he was starting. I understood that it took a lot of his time, but I'm afraid that it has replaced me somehow. Our relationship has never gone back to the way it was before he started the business. My sister and all my friends think I'm nuts to stick around." She got a worried look on her face and shook her head. "I'm so sorry John I didn't mean to dump all that on you. I'm sure you don't want to hear about my relationship problems, especially considering they concern your new boss."