My wife left on the day of New Years eve but it had been over a year since we'd been a couple. Still I was scared of being single. We'd been paying the bills together for 34 years at that point. Paying them alone: a new and scary concept, I actually questioned if I could handle it myself.

The overall financial picture was even bleaker. We were comfortable (certainly not carefree) with two incomes. How could I keep my head above water with all the same bills and only one income.

Then there is the notion of being single. While the fantasy may be alluring, the reality of singleness at least initially was chastening. I've always thought it helpful to whistle by grave yards so "When in doubt party about."

A good friend from work invited me to go out with him to a prison party. The Warden herself was throwing it at a gin mill just a stone's throw from the prison. The Warden had hired a DJ whose main schtick was MC'ing Jeopardy. Some goofs (co-workers) coaxed me into playing Trebec's game. I did pretty well and the woman who came in second was making eyes at me. Who knew that'd ever happen again? It was not to be. She was too drunk and I don't roll that way.

I started going on mini dates, meet someone from the YMCA after swimming laps for a beer, very non serious but it helped me get my swerve back on. Around this time the head of our union told me Mrs. Peel was back in the fold. She'd given up her Mgt. job upstate and was now working for a different Dept. about 45 minutes from me.

If I said I was over her I'd be lying. Regardless I got my courage up and gave her a call.
She was still living up north on weekends but staying weekdays at her Mom's (who was in AZ for the winter) in my town.

"Would you like to go out for a beer?"
"When?"

That was easy. We made a date. The day before we were to go out she called and cancelled. "Uh, sure no problem."

"Why don't we try again in two weeks or so."

I was dejected but I didn't want it to show, " Yeah sure, I'll give you a call sometime."