Marriage Seasons 01 - It Happens Every Spring Read Online Free PDF

homeless guy, cold and hungry.
Brenda gave him a bite to eat, and he was gone this morning."
    "You got yourself a fine wife there," Pete observed. "Not too
many women would be brave enough to do a kind deed like that."
    Steve studied the bearded man for a moment. "You married,
Pete?"
    "Twice. I'm single now. Quit drinking three years ago after one
too many DUIs and a little jail time. I took a business class at the
tech school in Springfield. Got things turned around pretty good
now, but I'm not looking for another wife. I'm sure you're grateful
for yours, though. Brenda stopped in for gas today and bought a
cooler, and I thought to myself, now that's a good-hearted woman.
And pretty, too."
    "Yes, she sure is," Steve agreed, picturing his wife's tear-streaked
cheeks and swollen nose from the night before. He handed Pete
two dollar bills for the windshield. "Well, you have a good evening
now.
    Pete smiled and shook his head. "Glad to be of service," he said.
"You keep your money and come see me the next time you manage
to empty that hybrid's gas tank."

    "It'll be a while," Steve said with a laugh.
    Pete was a decent sort of fellow, Steve thought as he pulled away
from Rods-n-Ends. Passing the beauty shop next door, he saw that
the lights were still on and Patsy Pringle was doing someone's hair.
It gave him a good feeling to envision people working in their
stores and salons, building up the local economy, making life
better for themselves and everyone around.
    As he drove away from the town of Tranquility toward Deepwater Cove, Steve reflected on the long journey of his own life.
Growing up poor, marrying young, and having three kids-one
right after the other-had forced him to abandon all thoughts of
college. He had worked long and hard selling auto parts, coaching
Little League teams, helping with the youth group at church. He
had enjoyed his kids, and Brenda had done a great job with them.
Steve wouldn't be a bit surprised if Jennifer got married and went
off to be a full-time missionary. Justin and Jessica were making
progress in college, and Steve couldn't be prouder.
    Best of all, Steve had come up with the idea to sell real estate on
the side to defray the college expenses. He truly believed that God
had given him that desire.
    As it turned out, his experience peddling auto parts had helped
him become an outstanding salesman. He took a course on how to
sell property and went to work for an agency in Tranquility. Before
he knew it, he was making sufficient money to quit his regular job.
Soon he was earning enough to pay for all three kids' college and a
couple of new cars. The next step had been to start an office of his
own. And now he had a secretary and two sales associates.
    So why did he have to walk through the door and run smackdab into Brenda's cold shoulder? Why couldn't she be satisfied
with her husband and glad to see him at the end of the day? As
Steve pulled his car into the garage, he almost wished he could turn
tail and run.
    Brenda used to greet her husband with "hello" and a kiss. Today
she ignored him and kept stirring something on the stove. Steve hung his coat in the hall closet, kicked off his shoes, and went looking for the local newspaper. He liked to check the real-estate section and find out what his competition was up to. Settling into a
recliner, he flicked on the TV and scanned the paper. He could
hear Brenda in the kitchen banging pots and pans around. Well, if
she didn't want to talk, that was fine with him. A cop show was
coming on in a few minutes, and he would watch that and then
head for bed.

    Of course, Steve would have preferred if Brenda had come into
the living room, sat down in his lap, and let him put his arms
around her and tell her all about his day. About the couple who
had discussed listing their big lakefront house near Tranquility
with his agency. And the folks who had come by the office to see
pictures of his highest-priced