Is timing really everything?

      "Class, we're ending at 4 promptly today so if you want to ask questions, ask before 4.  The airline made an agreement with me that the plane would leave, whether I was there or not.  Perhaps you've had the same arrangement?" I told my students.    I was headed to Florida, the first trip there with Admiral.  
      Plans had been made since Christmas for this January trip.  "People today live and travel together all the time.  We're engaged and don't know if we can live together.  Let's go to Florida and practice living together." Admiral had said one cold December night.  "Look at your calendar and see when you can get away.  Arrange it anyway you can.  Don't worry about the logistics.  My team will get you to and from the airport whenever you need.  Pack your suitcase and I'll take it with me when I drive down in January." he continued.
      Not one to turn down a trip,  I found several two week increments for winter play in Florida.   That meant work focused and hard for two weeks at home to have play time.  "Let's call it honeymooning.  We're practicing this honeymoon stuff til we get it right. At our age it may take a long time since it's hard to teach old dogs new tricks." Admiral said, his eyes twinkling. 
      When the plane touched down in Ft. Lauderdale, my heart raced.  In a few minutes I'd be with my guy, ending a week apart.  I hoped I had the right clothes.  We had talked frequently, he filling me in on what he was doing in his FL house to get it ready for me.   Cleaning was the major project as the house had been closed up since April.   While he talked about all the cleaning he was doing, I was recalling cleaning my granny's summer cottage on the rivah bank from the winter's closing.  There were snake skins on the mantle, mouse nests in drawers and cabinets and more woodland critters' abandoned homes decorating the loosely secured cottage. 
       Knowing he is fastidious about his toys' cleanliness, I wasn't surprised about his activities.  Thankfully he found time to get the 'little boat' in the water.
      The ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples was long under the clear starry sky.  Because it was midnight it seemed endless.  And I was exhausted from a full work day and long travel.  The adrenalin had run out.  What a way to start a honeymoon.
      At last he parked in the drive way, a cozy area surrounded by tall building, lush greenery, palm trees and  orange, red and hot pink flowers blooming in the warm night air.  A shell wreath welcomed me at the door. 
      "Welcome to our home and playground." Admiral said as we stood in the light airy foyer.   "Let the honeymoon continue."
      "And here's the dining room." he said, pointing to a table at one end of a large room, piled high with all things put away in cabinets for years.  My heart sank.  "I told you I'd been cleaning out. I didn't know all this stuff was packed away.   I've pulled everything out of everywhere.   You go through it and keep what you want and think you can use.  The rest of it we'll get rid of." he stated matter of factly.   Now I was overwhelmed.  I'd never seen such a pile of stuff, not one bit different from what was stashed around my house.  
      Fatigue took over.  The tour ended when I said "I'm worn out. I can't go another minute."
      The next day that mountain was still there.  I had no clue what to do.   I thought I was here to play and this was not my idea of play. I went through every closet, cabinet and drawer to see what was left and useful.  More things I added to the pile, praying the table wouldn't collapse.  
      "Admiral, come here.  I'm not believing this." I hollered from the kitchen, looking at a complete set of Wedgewood Potpourri china.  "These dishes were my wedding china!  I didn't like them when I picked them out and I still don't like 'em." 
      "I don't like them either.  Get rid of them." he said to my delight. 
      Boat rides, outings and get-away trips to Walmart were escapes from the daunting pile, whose disappearance had become my responsibility.  "Let's get boxes at the grocery, fill them up and give it to Goodwill." I said. 
      Admiral agreed, 'Yea, this stuff needs to get outta here."
      "It'll take us 5 trips to take this stuff away so get ready. We can do it in a morning." I said as cheerfully as I could. 
      "Hey, lots of this stuff belonged to my late wife and her brother lives 5 minutes away. Maybe he'll want it and see that her brothers and sisters get it." he said.
      Several days later, Brother came, delighted to get so many of his late sister's belongings.  After a grand visit with the delightful man, the table was clear when he left.  I know I heard it breathe a sigh of relief with Admiral and me.
      At last it was playtime.  While walking on a white, sandy beach Admiral said "I've ordered your engagement ring. I designed it myself.  I told you I'd do something different from the little ring you're wearing."  Knowing how this engineer over-engineers things, my imagination went wild.  "I hope there's some sparkle in it." I thought.
      "If you don't like it, it can be changed." he continued.   "Whew, thank heavens for that." I thought again.
      Finally we were around long enough for a neighbor to visit.  Curious about all the activity in the usually quiet house, Hawkeye was all eyes and comments in the short tour to see what had changed in the house.  As we chatted in the kitchen, she asked how we met, how family was taking it, what plans there were for his Florida house.  Eventually we learned more about each others' work and delight in free time to winter in such a lovely place. She asked, "If you've been single for 19 years, why are you marrying Admiral now?"  
      " Because he's the right man and I'm crazy about him."  I answered emphatically.  Admiral appeared around the corner and joined us, ending Hawkeye's inquisition.
      After she left, I told Admiral about her relentless questions, especially asking why I accepted his proposal.  
      He replied  " Oh, she was a best girlfriend to my late wife."