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John was used to sleeping in when he didn’t have to get up early and go to work. Sleeping in meant getting up around nine, and normally the routine for his days off would begin with a shower, followed by relaxing with a newspaper and cup of coffee, and then concluding with some breakfast. This had been his plan for the second day.
It was nearing 7:45 when the knocking woke him up. His eyes opened to the thought that he had heard someone knock at the door, but perhaps it might also have just been part of the dream he’d been having. But then he clearly heard a second round of knocking. Since he normally slept in the nude, he quickly jumped to his feet and raced into the bathroom where he had left his clothes.
Linda made eye contact with him as soon as the door opened. She’d clearly been crying, and there could be no missing the large suitcase that was sitting on the ground next to her.
“What happened?” John asked, his facial expression and tone of voice exhibiting genuine concern.
“My husband and I had a fight last night,” she replied in a defiant tone. “Would you mind if I stayed with you for a few days? I’ll help you pay for another room with two beds.”
The request was certainly a welcome one to John, but it was also somewhat unusual. After all, there were other rooms she could have chosen for herself before coming to his in search of a shoulder to cry on. Nevertheless, he was not about to turn her down.
“Of course,” he replied as he reached down to pick up her suitcase. “Absolutely.”
Linda walked in and shut the door as John carried her suitcase over to where all his luggage was sitting. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” he said in a loud voice. “I didn’t know you two were having problems.”
“Yeah well,” she said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. “We’ve had nothing but problems practically since we got married.”
“I’m sorry,” John replied as he looked at her. “The room comes with a coffee maker. May I offer you some coffee?”
“Yeah that sounds good,” she answered with a slight smile. “I actually should be the one who’s sorry for burdening you like this when you’re on vacation.”
“Don’t forget, love,” he replied as he began preparing the coffee machine. “I also came down here to meet and get to know you. In a strange sort of way, perhaps we’ll learn more about each other because of this.”
“Yeah, maybe,” she said. “You know I feel so stupid.”
“Why would you say that?” he asked.
“Because the fight started when I went out and bought you something yesterday, and my idiotic husband decided that it was something to get jealous about. So he hit me and broke what I bought, and I don’t have it now to give you.”
John flew around and stared in shock at Linda. “He hit you?!” he asked angrily.
“It’s not the first time,” she replied. “But I think it’s going to be the last time.”
John walked over and sat down next to her, gently putting his arm around her and pulling her to him. She almost immediately burst into tears as she rested her head against his shoulder.