Romance Rekindled?

Things between my husband, Steve, and I had become distant, cold. We worked hard, separate hours — him in construction by day and me as a night nurse. When we did see each other, it was all business.

I was looking forward to attending the nursing convention in Las Vegas. We barely said two words when I got in my Uber to head to the airport.

I sighed as he waved me off. I missed the spark we had during the first years of our relationship. Back then, he could hardly keep his hands off me. Now, most of our communication was via text.

The driver snapped me out of my reverie. "Business or pleasure?"

I chuckled. "Both, I suppose. It's a pleasure to get away sometimes."

"You've got that right."

My flight was smooth and blessedly quiet. I texted Steve, "Landed safely. First session tomorrow."

Another Uber to the hotel, and it didn't take me long to hit the hot tub. It felt like soaking all the disappointments in life away. 20 minutes later, I decided I'd better get ready for dinner. I was meeting my friend, Mary, whom I had met at nursing school.

My phone pinged. Steve said, "My darling, I miss you already."

I thought about asking, "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" with a laughing emoji, but I didn't want to squelch anything amorous, so I said, simply, "Me too." I headed to my room.

My phone pinged again. "I hope you have fun tonight."

I sent back, "Mary and I are going to the buffet. Then, we're going to walk over and watch the Bellagio fountains for a bit."

"Text me after."

"Won't you be sleeping?"

"Not without you by my side. I look forward to hearing from you. I love you, Ann."

My heart skipped a beat. Maybe the old Steve had just been dormant. Maybe absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

I wrote, "Talk with you soon."

Mary and I had a great time reliving school. We laughed, recalling the classmates who couldn't handle needles, and especially those who lost their lunches at the sight of their first cadaver.

At my room later, I texted Steve, "You still up?"

I was surprised when he responded right away, "Yes. I've been waiting for you. How was your dinner?"

"Pretty good. I especially liked the shrimp pasta."

"Sounds great! That beats the heck out of my microwave meal." A separate text from him read, "I think we should have a candlelight dinner when you return."

"That's all well and good," I wrote, "but I go back to working nights and you days.

"We'll wait for your next day off."

"That sounds nice."

"I'll put on some smooth jazz and serve you some wine."

"I thought you didn't like jazz."

"The smooth stuff isn't so bad. Besides, anything for you."

"And since when do you drink wine?"

"I don't. I said, "I'll serve YOU."

"This is sounding promising."

"My plan is to sweep you off your feet all over again and see where it leads."

"I wouldn't be averse."

"Very well, my lady."

"Would you like me to call so we can hear each other's voices?"

"Not right now. I'm going to bed. I'll enjoy some more texting off and on tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight." Separate text, "And Steve, thanks for bringing new life into our marriage."

"My pleasure, my dear. Goodnight."

Between sessions the following day, I always found endearing texts from Steve. He made me smile, laugh, and melt. By then, I was looking forward to going home the next day.

In the morning, I woke up to another text, "Soon, I will be jumping all over you. I can't wait."

I texted. "It's been so long. I can't even remember the last time you jumped all over me."

I tried calling just before I got on the plane, but no answer meant Steve was working. He had said he would try to make it home around when I was expected to get there.

I landed and texted. No answer. I texted from the Uber. No answer. I really hoped he was planning something romantic.

I unlocked the front door and called, "Steve, I'm home," when a wave of stench hit me. I knew from experience that it was the smell of death.

I was about to dial 911 when I was grabbed by the throat.

"Hi, Honey," a stranger growled. "Glad you're home. Did you enjoy our repartee over the last couple of days? Your late husband really should have password protected his phone. I'm glad he didn't, because I haven't had so much fun in a long time. I delighted in dispensing with Steve, but I'm really going to relish our time together, while it lasts."

I gave him enough of a shove to push us into the kitchen.

"Ooo, feisty," he crooned, "better yet!"

I leaned enough to grab the biggest knife I could reach. Being a nurse had its advantage here. I knew where to stick it to cause fatality.

Soon, I had taken the life of the scum who scarred my life. I only wish I could have made him suffer longer.