In the Beginning (continued)

     It turns out that *Rachel and I not only worked at the same company , but we also lived in the same apartment complex. We often  parked in the same parking lot.  When visiting Rachel at her apartment, *Jack,  Rachel's brother, had  seen me walking from my car towards my apartment.  He began pestering Rachel to set up a meeting between us, and so she finally sought me out that particular day at work.


   After running into *Rachel at the elevator on Thursday, and agreeing to meet her brother , I didn't think much more about it.  I was sitting with a few coworkers at the end of the day, feeling a little tired and frazzled, when someone tapped me on the shoulder.  It was Rachel.  Standing behind her was her brother, *Jack.  

    He was tall, dark, handsome and had a beautiful smile with two huge dimples.  He was wearing starched jeans and boots, a denim shirt and a blue sweater vest and he carried himself very well.   I remember thinking “Wow.”   I felt a little awkward and self conscience.  I couldn't remember the last time I had looked in a mirror to fix my hair or make up. (I still remember what I was wearing.)  Rachel introduced us and we spoke for a few minutes.  *Betty, a coworker, nudged me and whispered in my ear, "He's cute!" Rachel and Jack sat with us for a short while, then we started getting up to go home. As I was saying goodbye, I noticed that Jack was standing off to the side , like he was waiting for me.  I felt a little uncomfortable and didn't know what to say as there were still people standing around.  Jack and I started heading toward the door together and he asked if we could go out sometime.  I was so nervous I said "Sure, you can get my number from Rachel"  and hurried out the door to my car.  


*names have been changed

The Beginning

     It all started innocently enough on a Thursday.  I was single and working full time. I was especially busy at work one day. I stopped briefly at my desk when a coworker told me that "Rachel" was looking for me and wanted to talk to me.  I thought that was a little odd as she was a fairly new employee. We rarely saw each other at work and didn’t really know each other.  As I headed to the elevator, "Rachel" caught up with me and asked me if I had a minute to talk.  I told her if she could talk to me on the way down on the elevator, I had just a few minutes.   She joined me on the elevator and told me that she had a brother. He had seen me when he had visited her at work and was interested in meeting me. "Rachel" asked if I would be willing to meet him. She said she could introduce us that afternoon after work. "Rachel" is beautiful, and I have to admit I thought to myself, "He can't be that bad." Superficial and dumb I know. I wasn’t dating anyone at the time and so I just said, “Sure, why not.”

    Such an innocent beginning to a painful journey for me.  Along the way I have had to cling to my faith and belief that God will use these life lessons to make me a stronger and better person. I made so many mistakes and ignored so many "red flags". If you follow my story, I hope that I can give hope to those who can relate and help others not to judge.