Rosemarie's Revenge

McKenna decided it was time to reach out to Raul. During her Tuesday lunch break, she contacted the ADA’s office and scheduled a time to meet with him through his secretary. She was upfront about why she wanted to meet. “I know you’re used to people calling to talk about criminal cases and such, but I’m just someone from the past who would like very much to catch up with him when he has the time. I only work Monday through Wednesday, so if he has any time available at the end of the week, that would be wonderful.” “Okay, Miss Branson. I’ll pass along your message to ADA Ernoza right away.” The following day, the same woman she’d spoken with called and asked if she wanted to meet Raul in his office for lunch on Friday. McKenna looked forward to the meeting, though she was also a bit nervous. For the first time in quite a while, she found herself gazing at her reflection in the mirror self-consciously. She immediately felt silly for doing it, too. The man was not only still considerably younger than she was, but was no doubt happily married by now. Maybe he even had some kids. She thought about him over the years, and even though she saw a recent picture or two of him online, she still pictured him in her mind as the cute kid she had known over two decades ago. The online images of him weren’t that clear and were rather small, so she really couldn’t make out many details. It wouldn’t be until she had the pleasure of seeing him again that she would really see just how well he had aged. He was the spitting image of his former self—just a bit older looking. He’d also taken on a slightly stocky appearance, but McKenna could tell it was muscle and not fat. She hadn’t waited long in the waiting room before a woman—probably the one she had spoken to over the phone, judging by her voice—took her through a set of double doors and into Raul’s large office. Raul stood behind his desk, the city behind him in the giant window. They simply stared at each other for a few seconds when she first entered the room, taking in each other’s modern-day appearance. McKenna couldn’t say what he thought of her, but she thought he looked fantastic. Where he had been a cute kid, he was now a dashingly handsome man. She was at a loss for words until Raul’s secretary left and he came around the desk to greet her. “Wow, you look amazing!” he said. “This is amazing.” McKenna laughed. “I could say the same thing. You were a genuine cutie in your younger days, Raul, and now you’re handsome as hell.” Now it was his turn to laugh. “I might have been cute as a youngster, but handsome as hell now? I beg to differ. But you, on the other hand, have gone from hot to smoking hot.” McKenna laughed again, and then they embraced each other in a long, warm hug. McKenna felt Raul’s emotions almost as if they seeped from him into her very pores as he held her snug against him. She could smell the faint hint of his cologne. A moment later, he let her go, emotion shimmering in his gray-green eyes. He wore a dark gray suit with a dark red tie that looked very expensive, as did his shoes. His dark brown hair was cut and styled to perfection. Then they both started talking at once, eager to catch up, and stopped to laugh once again. McKenna was both relieved and pleased that Raul was happy to see her. She just wasn’t sure how he would take this little reunion. His expression turned serious. “So what brings you here? What’s been going on all this time? Fill me in.” He gestured for her to take a seat in a large, comfortable chair across from his desk as he resumed his position behind it. “Well,” McKenna said with a deep sigh, “to keep it simple… I headed over to Nevada when a writing opportunity came my way.” Raul listened intently. “Mm-hm,” he said, urging her on. McKenna told him about winning the lottery, returning to Arizona, living with Dan and Elsa, and then getting a part-time office job. She also told him about Rosemarie and how she offered to share her place. “I thought about you over the years and wondered how you were and all that. Finally, I couldn’t help but look you up online, but I couldn’t find much other than your impressive occupation. I knew you would be a success in life.” He smiled almost shyly. “I’ve looked you up as well, but I guess you’re pretty private.” “So how about you? I want to hear it all.” He gave a toothy smile this time. “Not much to tell, hun. Been here ever since.” “But what have you been doing besides working?” Raul shrugged. “Nothing too exciting. I’ve done some traveling and I’m still pretty active.” “It’s hard to believe you’re thirty-two now. You still look so young.” “As do you. What are you, fifty-three now?” “Right on. Great memory.” He smiled. “I always remember what’s worth remembering.” McKenna chuckled. “Okay, so where is that beautiful wife of yours?” Raul shrugged again, and McKenna thought she detected a hint of sadness. “Never happened.” “Aw, why is that? It doesn’t take a genius to know you’d be a great husband.” Raul cleared his throat. “I’m not a settler.” “Not a settler? What do you mean?” “I don’t settle for second best.” “Well, that’s good to know,” said McKenna, “but who says you have to settle?” “Oh, no one. I’m just a very picky person, that's all. If you can’t have first best, why take what’s next? That’s just my motto, McKenna. I’ve had my share of dates and romances, but none of them ever really felt right.” McKenna opened her mouth to speak when Raul’s phone buzzed. He pressed the button. “Yes, Bernice?” The secretary’s voice piped through the speaker. “Your next appointment is waiting.” McKenna took her cue and rose from her seat. “Okay, send them in.” McKenna and Raul hugged each other goodbye. “I would still like to talk some more if that’s okay with you,” said Raul. “I’d love to. I’ll leave my number with your secretary.” McKenna turned to leave, passing an older couple she assumed to be Raul’s next appointment on her way out. She felt herself smiling. She was glad she had contacted the cute-turned-handsome guy.