Read Mark My Words for Free Online

We’re meeting Artie and Philomena.” 
    “That sounds like fun. I’ll be up in a minute. I’ve been looking forward to bothering that old fella.” 
    “Poor guy. He’s wound so tight.” 
    “Yeah, especially when he hears that the wedding has been moved up to next weekend.” 
    “I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to go… White sandy beaches, crystal clear water…” 
    “You in a swim suit…” 
    “So fresh, Marv!” 
    “Are you breaking out the bikini?!” 
    “God no! Not at my age! But I have something saucy you might like,” Gloria said as she winked at Marv.  
    “Now get dressed!” she yelled as she yanked the covers off of their bed, revealing Marv’s  Yogi Bear  boxer shorts.  
    “Oh, baby, don’t leave…” said Marv trying to pull Gloria back into bed.  
    Gloria shook her head ignoring him as her boots clicked against the floor.  
    “I wish you wouldn’t leave me, but I love seeing you walk away.” 
    “That line is old as dirt.” 
    “Like me,” Marv said snickering as he got out of bed. 
    ***
    “Does no one know how to keep time, anymore?” grumbled Artie as he peered at his watch. They had just arrived at the Fountain restaurant no less than five minutes ago, and Artie was already beginning to get antsy.  
    “Quit your fussing. Look… Here they come now. Oh! She looks gorgeous!” 
    Marv and Gloria were strutting across the busy street looking as if they had not a care in the world. It was apparent that Marv felt like a teenager again, just thrilled to have his lady back by his side.  
    “Look at you!” squealed Philomena as she took in her old friend. She twirled Gloria around, eyeing her up and down and proceeded to hug her tight.  
    “And you! I love the red hair!” 
    “You look stunning. So svelte!” 
    “She’s a stone cold fox,” quipped Marv smirking at Gloria. 
    Artie rolled his eyes at his youthful friends.  
    Marv held out his hand for Artie to shake. He was immune to Artie’s grouchy moods. Marv smiled at his oldest friend with a jovial grin, just waiting for him to crack. Arthur finally did, and he started laughing heartily.  
    “How was the land down under?” asked Marv. 
    “Amazing. We took so many pictures,” mentioned Artie. 
    “Speaking of amazing. A little bird told us that you were back in town,” Philomena said excitedly to Gloria.  
    “I couldn’t miss my girl’s wedding. Not a chance.” 
    “We were so happy to hear that they got back together,” Philomena added. 
    “Me, too. They are at peace. Perfectly happy,” said Gloria, so pleased at things had fallen right into place again. 
    “So,” began Artie, “What’s this I hear that you too are shacking up together?” 
    “God. Word travels fast,” complained Marv giving his friend a surprised look. 
    “Any news on you two tying the knot again?” asked Philomena curiously. 
    Marv and Gloria exchanged a funny look as smiles spread across their faces. 
    “Technically, we were never divorced.” 
    “What?!”   
    “I could never bring myself to do it. I loved him too much.” 
    “So things are back to being perfect again… As if nothing happened…” asked Artie. 
    “Well, if you think about it. Nothing did happen. Gloria needed space, I wanted to stay home. I hoped she’d fly back to me eventually,” said Marv as he gave Gloria a sweet smile. 
    “That’s so sweet…” gushed Philomena. 
    “That’s so… weird ! I’m sorry. It’s just weird. C’mon. What husband wants his wife back after she says she needs space? Enough space to fill up two decades?” 
    Gloria and Philomena gave Arthur hostile glares as if they were about to murder him on the spot. 
    “Have you no sense of romance?” asked Philomena with agitation in her voice. “Are you not in enough trouble?” 
    “Uh, oh… What did you do?” asked Marv as if he was speaking to a bad dog who had chewed up his master’s