The Hidden Dangers of Dating

 All eyes turned and looked at the new arrival. The rain had made most of the people not even bothering to come to the second annual Alone unValentine event as the guys at the building were calling it. The group of fifteen or so men all looked her over and were surprised she had ventured out in the rain to come. It was out of her office, which she seemed more apt to hide in than socialize with them.“I can’t believe she is here.” one of the guys said softly, just loud enough for the group as a whole could hear over the music. They all had their drinks, and though it was supposed to be an event for the specialized teams, it seemed more of a Friday night get-together. Everyone had stayed in their own groups that were made up of people they worked with or knew for years. There were a few younger ones who tried to mix in though they often left the group within a short amount of time.The woman who had just walked in and looke

  Gina’s actions spoke to her more than anything else. She knew then what Mark had been looking over to the others and saw. She was about to lose it. Mark sensed the oncoming storm and whispered something to boogs as he placed him on the ground, and then he wrapped his arms around her.“It’s okay. I promise it is okay,” he whispered in her ear.“She wasn’t at his house,” she said softly.“No.,” he said back. “Look, they are with the kid's father, right? That has to mean something.”“It depends on which father,” she said.“What do you mean by that?” he asked.“He has two dads. One of them is perfectly normal. He fits in with people who can talk to them and has no issues. The other is weird. Something about him was off. Reena thought so and would never do anything if that one was going to be the other drive

  The twenty-minute drive was hell for her as she watched her daughter go in and out of conciseness. She sat back and let them do what they could for her. She watched them unload her quickly and rush her into the emergency section. As the doctors and nurses all crowded around Reena working on her, she stepped back and Saw Mark being rushed in as well. His color was coming back, and he wasn’t shivering anymore. Though he was wrapped in a thermal foil sheet, and his shirt was off.“This isn’t how I planned on showing you everything,” he said.“Your making jokes. You must be feeling better,” she said with a hint of a smile. The doctors and nurses were not rushing to him as the emt’s told them he was already responding. They placed him in the hallway.“How is she doing?” he asked.“I don’t know,” she said, and he reached his hand out to her.

  “It sounds like you have a lot of memories here,” he said as he looked at her.“I do,” she replied. “It is kind of funny. I probably have more memories of this house than you do.”“It seems that way,” he replied. “All I do is sleep here.”“That’s no fun,” she said. “I can remember so much here. The happy times and the sad ones too.”“I guess it is time to make some of my own here,” he said softly.“You should,” she replied with a smile. “It is your house, after all.”She stood and walked to the back window and looked out. She didn’t hear him move so when he touched her shoulder it surprised her and she jumped. She turned around and looked into his eyes. He was quick but gentle as his head lowered, and he gently kissed her. When he lifted his head, he looked at her, st

 The rest of the day flew between watching Mark play with the kids and checking in with the hospital for updates on Reena’s condition. She was worn out when she looked at the clock, and it was well past the kid's bedtime.“Off to bed,” she said as she walked into the room with the television, which had been playing games between Mark and Boogs for the evening.“But mom.” they all said together and in unison.“You guys heard your mother.” Mark’s voice said as he picked up Boogs, who had flopped down on the floor. “We can play tomorrow.”“You are going to be here tomorrow?” Boogs asked, hopeful.“I don’t see why not,” he replied. The kids went upstairs and settled in for the night.“We didn’t get your car,” she said. “I’m sorry.”“Why are you sorry?” he asked as he moved closer to her.