It took time for Carmen to get Luther out of her system. After everything
that had gone wrong, She'd gotten depressed and found it difficult to move forward.
On the days that immediately followed the fire. At the recommendation of a
co worker, Carmen joined the local church, where she found a loving church
family who helped guide her and support her through her darkest days. From time
to time, Carmen got a little emotional about the way her relationship with Luther
ended. Not even in her wildest dreams did she ever think that Luther would
snap on her the way he did two and a half years ago. Once
authorities arrived to extinguish the fire, Carmen immediately explained how Luther had lost control
and started the blaze with lighter fluid. She was thankful that the fire was
contained toest her unit and no other part of the building was damaged. Luther
was treated for the burns he sustained and was then charged with the crime of
arson. After being found guilty, Luther was sentenced to four years behind bars.
After Luther's conviction, Carmen saw a lawyer who helped petition a court and
dissolve her marriage. After the fire, Carmen contacted her insurance company, who
responded quickly and provided her with money, shelter, and other necessities she needed
until her condo was suitable for living again. Once she was able to return
home, she put her condo up for sale. She wanted to move forward
and create a good life for her and Nicholas, and put her relationship with
Luther completely behind her. She'd always wanted to raise a family in a home,
so she purchased a modest sized bungalow in oak Park, Illinois. She
was able to find a teaching job as a sixth grade school teacher at a
local elementary school. Carmen loved living in the village of Oak Park. She
loved its cultural diversity, the local shops, as well as the family oriented
community events the village put on every year. Carmen knew that the village of
Oak Park would be an excellent place to raise Nicholas. Today was a hot
July afternoon, and Carmen was attending an event called a Day in the Village,
which was held in a local park, put together by community volunteers so
that members of the neighborhood could meet their neighbors, local business owners as well
as learned about the wonderful township they lived in. Carmen and Nicholas were now
making their way over to a music stage to listen to a local band entertain
the crowd by singing Chicago style blues music. After they'd listened to the music
and danced with each other, Carmen walked Nicholas over to a nearby playground.
She took a seat on a bench and watched as he quickly made new friends
who were about his age. Carmen watched as children began chasing each other while
laughing. As she continued to watch the children, A happy go lucky black
labrador retrieve her wandered up to her, wagging its tail and nudging her arms,
hoping she'd pet him. I'm so sorry, it's okay, he won't
bite. Set the dog's owner who was rushing over. I am so sorry.
Set the man who was putting the leash back on the dog. I
know better. I shouldn't have him out here without his leash on. Carmen
never looked up because she focused on the dog. Boomer trusts me. Boomer
never runs off like that. I don't know what got into him. Carmen
began rubbing Boomer behind his ears. Boomer was so grateful for the attention she'd
given him that he attempted to lick Carmen's face. Carmen was tickled by his
efforts to reach her cheek Boomer set The man yanked the dog leash, and
Boomer obediently sat down. It's okay, Carmen said, laughing, No harm
done. I'm Marshall. I'm one of the volunteer organizers of the celebration.
Marshall extended his hand. Carmen rose to her feet, met his gaze,
and shook his hand. I'm Carmen, she greeted him with a smile.
Marshall looked at her curiously for a long moment. What as Carmen feeling a
little self conscious? Have we met somewhere before? Marshall asked, No,
I don't think so. Carmen laughed a little as she focused her attention back
on Nicholas, who was still running around giggly. I'm sorry, you just
looked so familiar to me, that's all, Marshall said. Well, are
you a school teacher? Carmen asked, thinking that perhaps they'd met somehow at
some distant school function. No, I'm not a teacher, Marshall laughed.
Did you ever live in Hyde Park? Carmen asked, thinking that perhaps she'd
seen him during one of her many evening walks when she lived in that community,
and then laughed, No, I have never lived there, although it's
a great community, he admitted. Carmen was now looking at Marshall curiously.
You do look familiar to me, now that you mention it, she said.
See there, Now we've got to figure out how we know each other.
Marshall said, scratching the back of his neck. You're not an exotic
dancer named Shotgun, are you, Carmen asked. Marshall split open with laughter
at that one. Oh God, no, Marshall continued laughing. Good,
Carmen said, laughing along with him. So what do you do besides volunteering
the community, Carmen asked, I'm a police officer, a state trooper to
be exact. Marshall answered her question. Carmen immediately stopped smiling and covered her
heart with her hand. Are you okay, Marshall, as noticing the sudden
change. I know who you are, Carmen said, as she sat back
down. Did I give you a ticket? Marshal asked, hoping that she
wasn't an upset motorist. No, Carmen assured him as she once again glanced
at Nicholas. Nicholas put that sand down. She watched as Nicholas tossed the
sand in the air above his head and stood there until it came showering down
on him. It looks like you're going to be washing sand out of his
hair tonight, Marshall said, laughing. Yeah, I know, Carmen said,
turning her attention back to Marshall, she smiled at him again. Marshall,
I owe you, owe me what Marshal ast puzzled about three years ago?
You risked your life to save me and Nicholas when our cars get it
off of the highway and onto a frozen lake. Marshall's eyes suddenly lit up.
That's where I know you from, he said, popping his fingers.
How are you. I'm so glad that everything turned out okay, Marshall said,
genuinely happy. Well, not everything. My marriage didn't survive the accident,
Carmen said, being lighthearted and casual about what she'd been through with Luther.
I'm sorry to hear that, Marshall said, as he glanced back at
her son, Nicholas, He's gotten much bigger since the last time I saw
him. Oh yeah, he seems to grow overnight. Every time I turn
around. He needs a newspair of shoes or a new Os Blue jean outfit.
Well, he looks very happy, Marshall said, as Boomer rose to
his feet and barked. Ah, that means that Boomer is ready to continue
walking. Relax, Boomer. Carmen spoke directly to him. Boomer glanced at
her curiously, and then sat back down. So, Marshall, do you
think that Nicholas and I could buy you a cup of coffee or sometime.
It's the least we can do for you, saving both of our lives,
Carmen said, there's no need for you to do that. No, Please
let me buy you a cup of coffee or tea, or take you out
to lunch or something. It means a lot to me to say thank you
in some small way. Marshall paused for a long moment because he felt a
little strange. It had been a long time since he'd allowed himself to enjoy
the company of a woman. His brother had been prodding him for some time
to move forward with his life and learn how to fall in love again.
Okay, I'd live over on Forest Avenue. I'd have to take Boomer back
home first, Marshall set, Really, Karma, chuckle, I live on
Forest Avenue too. I purchased a home over there recently. Did you purchase
a bungalow marshal at yes, Karmen said, How did you know your house
is just a few tors down from me? Wow? What a small world,
Marshall said, very small. Karmen agreed. Why don't we do this.
I'll take Boomer back home and then come back up here to meet you
and Nicholas. Then we could walk over to the Starbucks booth at the festival.
Is that okay with you? Marshall? Ast that sounds like a plan
to me, said Carmen as she once again glanced at Nicholas, who picked
up some more sand. Let me go pull him out of this sandbox.
I'll see you back here in about twenty minutes, she asked. Yes,
that will work, Marshall said, as he tugged on Boomber's leech and headed
towards home.