The Spare Husband, a Short Story

Jack Bishop avoids a second trip to the altar until his first wife and her maid of honor close in on him, posing a dilemma.Timing. Bad timing. Married too young, married before all the possibilities can be explored, Jack and Carol Bishop part ways but after the raw wounds heal become friends. Meanwhile, Jack maintains a perpetual letch for Lorna, Carol’s bridesmaid. Years later he discovers she always felt the same about him. Bad timing: now she’s married. Time had brought about another change in Carol’s life, a second husband cut down prematurely, leaving a sadder, wiser and strangely more alluring widow. Jack’s consoling takes a decidedly physical turn: now he can't get enough of Carol. She holds out for marriage and Jack, not getting any younger, accedes . . . only to learn Lorna’s a free woman. Bad timing.