Amanda Lucido arrived at her lover's front door. She had never been there before. She knew he was married. Josh Dolgin had been saying that he would leave his wife Carrie but hadn't yet. Maybe it was time to tell Carrie that Josh was leaving her, and he was going to be with Amanda.

Amanda pressed the button and waited to be let in.

Carrie opened the door. Amanda had never met the woman, but she had seen pictures of her.

“I'm here to see Josh.”

“He just stepped out for a little while. He is on one of his health walks. He should be back soon. Come on in.”

Carrie didn't ask who Amanda was. She thought it was strange, but she entered anyway.

Amanda had permed hair and was wearing a simple linen dress and pumps with a small heel. Amanda expected that Carrie should look older. She was closer to forty, but she didn't look a day over thirty.

“You can wait in the living room. He won't be long. Would you care for something to drink?” Carrie didn't wait for an answer.

*** BONG*** *** BONG***

Amanda looked toward the sound. It was an old clock. The time indicated was two o'clock. Amanda knew that was wrong. It was early evening when she arrived. Amanda wondered why they would let the clock chime and not make sure the time was correct.

A moment later, Carrie returned with a juice box.

Josh took his daily walk around the park. His doctor had suggested it. The doctor said it would help with his blood pressure and several other minor problems that Josh might develop in the near future. As long as the weather was nice, Josh enjoyed these walks. He didn't push himself to walk too fast. His pace is what could be called a stroll. He took the time to look at the trees, flowers, grass even the squirrels of the park. He thought the squirrels were 'pretty'.

As he passed the play area for the fourth time, (Josh always made four laps around the park, which encompassed a little over a mile in distance.) he took note that there wasn't anyone on the swings. The swings were in the shade of some trees and looked inviting. Josh decided to head over to the swings and sit on one. This was the first time he had done so since he was a kid. He wasn't a kid anymore; he was over forty.

Josh didn't swing vigorously on the apparatus. He simply swayed back and forth enjoying the little breeze it generated. It was a very pleasant experience.

The sun started to set; it was time to get home. Before leaving the play area, Josh climbed the slide. He launched himself down and continued to jog out of the park to his home. His longish hair bounced with each step. He was home in a few minutes.

Carrie, his wife, was waiting for him.