I was still licking my wounds from a ten year mistake

The “ex” had left a bitter taste in my mouth and on top of that

I’d been recently presented with papers during an office meeting

By the local Sheriff’s civilian process server

The meeting was shortened considerably

After the dust settled I realized

I’d been granted a pardon

For crimes that I had never committed

Chinese take-out freedom

Sweet and sour

There was this attractive blond lady

Living in the corner apartment

Across from the one that I shared with a coworker

It was occasionally chaotic

Always entertaining

We met (by chance I think)

On the commons sidewalk

And exchanged pleasantries

A couple of days later

She asked me out on a date

A Kenny Rogers concert at Universal Amphitheatre

A date

I hadn’t been on a date in nearly 14 years

In dog time, that’s ninety eight years

Rescues come in many forms

Clearly I was being rescued

Soon I was looking forward to evening strolls

Handholding, sharing, laughing again

I felt like a thirty-something teenager

Though maybe a little smarter with

Some of life’s lessons behind me

When it became apparent

That separate apartments would no longer do

I upgraded roommates and moved in

Met her folks and family in San Diego

And passed muster

Shortly after, we purchased a home in Newhall

And tied the knot -

Our wedding - on a real pirate ship - in full pirate garb

Har Har Matey!

Was rained out. (good luck I’m told)

Our backup plan was a Mississippi paddle wheeler

And while the pirate musicians played squeaky piratey tunes

Serenading two riverboat gamblers

There was no doubt that we were both - all in

Like Kenny said, you’ve got to know when to hold em’

Thus 21 years ago this Friday

Eileen Clemens became

Eileen Clemens Granfors

I’ve been dealt a perfect Blackjack

And somewhere up there, I think, Mark Twain

Is grinning from ear to ear

Copyright 2010 Patrick Granfors