Where were you when I was single? she asked. I would have gobbled you up, the middle-aged woman swung higher on the swingset; he pushed her again. I waited as long as I could. But, a girl gets tired of waiting. You know? he grabbed the metal chains and slowed her down. Now I’m stuck. I mean, I’m not in love. Maybe that’s what happens in marriage. You fall out of love. He lets go of the swing and sits in the one beside her. Maybe I was never in love to begin with. Damn you. Where were you? they laughed while stirring dirt with their feet.

Nowhere, he told her. Everywhere.  Just roaming around.

Roamed where?

Out East. Philadelphia,  D.C., New York. Got all mixed up. Just drove back and forth on I-95. Went all the way to Maine. Saw the ocean.

Never seen that.

It’s something. Beautiful tide, dramatic sunrises, fishing boats, and sails. Makes you feel alive.

I’d do anything to feel that way.

Alive?

Yeah.

You got a family. Roots here. I don’t have that. Used to, but not anymore.

I should have swallowed you up in high school. You were getting all the girls.

Nope. Kids thought I was getting all the girls. Rumors. I just spent my time here on this swing. Drank beer from my parent’s fridge. Falstaff. And then, one day, I just took off. Went down South for a while. Took odd jobs. My whole life has been odd jobs.

Can’t hold onto a woman that way, they smiled.

I suppose not.

Have you been everywhere?

Nope. Never been to Europe. I guess that’s next.

Stay here.

Why?

We could have one of those romantic affairs. Sneak away during the week. Some motel no-tell.

I don’t do that.

Why?

Ain’t right.

But it’s right for you to go around the world breaking hearts?

I suppose not.

I gotta go cook dinner.

I have to go fix a lady’s deck.

Take care of yourself.

You too.