Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

That night Jane arrived home and took a long refreshing shower.

Martin was coming over. He had asked that they dine out but she had declined. It had been a few hectic days and she just wanted to relax.

Martin arrived with the proverbial ostentatious red roses and popped champagne on his arrival saying he had arranged for dinner to arrive in approximately 45 minutes.

“Thanks, that's exactly what I want to do tonight.” said Jane kissing him briefly.

“So how has your Birthday been so far? “ asked Martin “By the look of the place you could open a Florist Shop.”

Jane told him about the party Michael had held for her. “Honestly Martin he went to so much trouble and it was the perfect day and evening for that matter” she said laughing.

“Well it would have been nice to have been given an invite” Martin said a little huffily.

“Don't be daft Martin. Let's be honest neither you or Michael care for each other so he would have been a hypocrite including you in on the occasion. Besides my 'family' were all there and Michael is well aware of your feelings regarding the inclusion of them in my life.”

“I just worry you have been hurt in the past and don't want to see that happen again” Martin replied.

“I am more than well aware of the risks that letting people in to your life can hurt you but I honestly believe the positives far out weigh the negatives” said Jane.

“I hope you are right. Anyway tonight is your Birthday so let's not dwell on that.”

With that the door bell rang and the caterers had arrived, serving the meal on the dining table with some aplomb. Definately not a Dial a Pizza moment.

“This is wonderful, thank you” said Jane.

Later the two of them sat out on the back deck enjoying the balmy night.

“You haven't asked me for your Birthday present yet” said Martin grinning.,

“Was wondering if you had even brought me one” Jane replied laughing.

Martin handed her a small box which was beautifully presented.

Opening the wrapping and then the box she found inside the most exquisite white gold pear shaped diamond solitaire ring.

“Oh my God it is divine” Jane said putting it on her right hand.

“You have placed it on the wrong hand” said Martin standing up and then getting on to one knee.

“Jane Collins will you make me a happy man and marry me?”

All Jane could do at that moment was inwardly tell herself to breathe.

Martin noticed her hesitation and said that he knew it had taken a while to get to this particular scenario but that he would like an answer.

Jane took the ring off her hand and placed it back in the box handing it back to Martin.

“I am sorry but my answer is no.”

An incredulous look passed over Martin's face and he stood up unsure what to do next.

“Seriously your answer is no, why?”

Jane answered “In all honesty I never thought this moment would happen between us. I would be lying if I said it wasn't something I had hoped for, but that was a long time ago.”

The first time I met you at my initial consultation I noticed your Wife leaving your Office. God she was beyond beautiful and with my self doubt regarding my appearance I hoped you could help me look like that. Obviously I didn't like who I was on that day and wanted somebody, anybody, to 'fix me'. After all I had overheard years earlier that I was damaged goods and so perhaps I was looking for someone to repair me on the outside.”

“Now I realise that I was looking at myself in the wrong perspective. I needed to repair what was inside of me and no-one could do that except myself.”

“However, I do know something, I don't want to have a ring on my finger unsure if my Husband is at a Conference or is in-situ with another woman. I have only just now recognised I deserve far more than than. I just don't understand why it took me so long to acknowledge it.”

“I promise there will be no other women” Martin said adamantly.,

Jane took a long hard look at Martin and said “Considering I don't believe I was the first I now don't believe I will be the last. It has taken me a long to open my eyes and really see things with clarity. Roosevelt Franklin once said “No-one can make you feel inferior with your consent” and I so agree with that. It is over Martin. It is time for you to gather your things and leave.”

The next day Jane gave Michael a run down on the previous nights events.

“Damn is it too early for champagne?” said Michael hugging Jane. “I am so proud of you. How are you holding up?”

“I feel like a newborn” said Jane adding “like I am opening a new book and reading the first chapter.”

News travelled quick. Jane was well aware that was due to Michael but decided to let him run with it considering he was only doing so out of sheer happiness for her. However, she did think his reaction was a little over the top.

“You are a little extreme in your emotions over this situation Michael, are you ok?”

Michael kissed Jane on the cheek exclaiming “Happy days, happy days!”

ALI'S THIRD BIRTHDAY

Jane asked Michael if the two of them would be going to Ali's birthday party together.

“Sure, I will pick you up in an uber, but just letting you know I am bringing along a plus one. I have already asked Zac and Alex and they are fine with it.”

“Who?” asked Jane.

“Wait and see” said Michael mysteriously.

On the day Jane got in to the car struggling with her rather large gift. “Hey” she said looking at the man sitting next to Michael. “I remember you, you were at my 40th.”

“I was your Lifeguard. My name is Rick. Nice to meet you again” he said grinning at her.

“Well aren't you the sly one?” Jane said to Michael.

This year there was face painting. Ali still managed to make a mess of her dress and when the Wiggles music came on she started dancing like a rap artist. Everyone cracked up laughing.

With that someone dressed as Ronald McDonald arrived carrying burgers, fries, you name it. The kids ran up to him giving him hugs and grabbing the food.

“Come inside Jane, we need to help Ronald McDonald get is outfit off” said Zac.

Jane believed it to be Alex under the costume and imagined he must be sweltering hot.

“You start at the back and unzip everything and I will start at the front” said Zac chuckling pulling off the large boots first.

“I hope you have clothes on under all this garb” shouted Jane.

With that Zac wrenched the head off and there stood David.

“Well I am going to leave you two alone for a bit” said Zac dancing out of the room.

“You sure know how to get a girls attention” said Jane.

“That is all I have ever wanted, particularly from you” said David.

Zac rang back in to the room with two flutes and a newly opened bottle of champers. “Knew I forgot something” he said running out as quickly as he had run in.

Jane and David went out on to the deck holding hands as if they would never let go of each other.

Madge came out with the birthday cake she had created. It was a fairy castle with turrets and with a draw bridge, it was gorgeous. Just has she got up to the table she tripped and the whole spectacular creation fell on to the table breaking up in to a hundred pieces. The kids didn't care, all of them finding it hilarious and digging in.

Jane smiled and thought to herself.....................................

“THAT IS THE ONLY DAMAGED GOODS THAT ARE HERE

TODAY”