Fifth Street Shadows (continued)

To my dismay, the words coming out of this man’s mouth made me sick to my stomach. Thestory he was spilling sounded unreal—like some twisted confessional I never asked to hear. Maybe it was unreal to me because this was not the type of person I would ever let in my circle.

He sat there, voice low but steady, confessing like the café walls were his church. He told me how, at one point, he was down bad—bills piled high, future looking bleak, his so-called dreams slipping through his fingers. Then he met a woman. Wealthy. Lonely.

Looking to play savior. She wanted to bankroll his art, set him up with classes, give him the chance he swore he deserved. He knew she wanted more, but he wasn’t interested. So, he did what he thought he had to do. He lied. About his name. His past. Who he was.

And then he kept doing it. Not once. Not twice. Three more times. Different women, same game. He perfected the art of ghosting—taking what he needed, then disappearing without ever thinking about their feelings or the trail of pain he left behind. 

Until the last one.

The one who didn’t let go.

His voice faltered when he said it. “She wasn’t easy to ghost. She was... attached. Obsessed. I thought moving cities, starting over with my art classes, would make it disappear. But then—” his eyes met mine, and something in them shifted—“then there was you. You weren’t supposed
to happen. The minute I saw your face, I saw... home. A piece of me before all this mess. I didn’t mean to drag you into it. I didn’t mean for her to find me. Or to find you.”

I sat there frozen, disgust wrapping around me like barbed wire. All I could think was: This man has lost his damn mind. What kind of person uses people like stepping stones? How did I ever let myself fall for him?

And in that moment, I was grateful. Grateful to God for Duane—for cinnamon rolls and Sunday mornings, for love that didn’t come with fine print or lies.

I leaned forward, my voice colder than the iced coffee sweating on the table between us. “You are not a good person, Darius. Nothing good will come to you until you face the women you hurt and make amends. You might be a great artist, maybe even a decent teacher, but talent won’t
carry you forever. Character will. And right now? Yours is bankrupt.” I shook my head. “I pray you figure yourself out. But truth be told, if I never see you again in my life, it’ll be too damn soon.”

I slid out of the booth without waiting for him to respond. My heels clicked sharp against the tile, my trench coat brushing past the stares of strangers who had no clue they were sitting in the middle of a storm.

The drive home blurred past, rain still clinging to the edges of the windshield like it didn’t want to leave. My thoughts spun tighter with every mile. How was I going to explain this to Duane? How could I tell him about the emails, the package, the café meeting—without it sounding like betrayal? I didn’t want him to be mad at me. But more than that, I didn’t want him to lose his trust in me.

When I pulled into the driveway, the house lights glowed warm and inviting, but my stomach churned. I sat there in the car, gripping the wheel like it was the only solid thing in my life.Finally, I pushed the door open, heart pounding. 

Inside, the TV was off. The couch where Duane had fallen asleep earlier was empty.

“Duane?” I called softly.

No answer.

For a moment I felt a sigh of relief. I didn’t have to face him right away and this would give me time to figure out when and how to explain the last events.

🥗 Warm Delicata Squash & Fig Salad with Maple-Dijon Dressing

Why it’s unique:
Instead of the usual butternut or acorn squash, this salad features roasted delicata squash — no peeling required! Paired with fresh figs, baby arugula, walnuts, and goat cheese, it strikes a perfect balance between sweet, savory, and earthy.

🍁 Ingredients

• 1 delicata squash, sliced into rings

• 6–8 fresh figs, halved

• 4 cups baby arugula (or mixed greens)

• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

• ¼ cup toasted walnuts or pecans

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Pinch of sea salt & black pepper

Maple-Dijon Dressing:

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Salt & pepper to taste

🔥 Instructions

1. Roast the Squash:
   Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Toss delicata rings in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.

2. Make the Dressing:
   Whisk all dressing ingredients until emulsified.

3. Assemble:
   On a large platter, layer arugula, warm squash, figs, and nuts. Drizzle with dressing. Finish with goat cheese crumbles.

4. Serve Warm or Room Temp — it holds up beautifully.

🌟 Optional Additions

• Add grilled chicken or lentils for protein

• Sub pears or roasted grapes if figs are unavailable

Joke Of The Day

Why did the retired couple join a fitness club?

They heard it was the best way to empower their rocking chairs to keep rocking after 50!

Fiji welcomes solo female travelers with its blend of tropical beauty, vibrant culture, and heartfelt hospitality.

This South Pacific paradise features over 300 islands, allowing women journeying alone to find both adventure and tranquility.

Locals greet visitors with their signature “Bula!”, creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety from the busy markets of Suva to boat rides out to the Yasawa Islands.

Many resorts offer women-only dorms and curated excursions to help solo travelers feel secure and engaged.

Nadi and Denarau serve as easy starting points, while Taveuni, known as the “Garden Island,” dazzles with lush trails and waterfalls.

The Yasawa Islands’ beaches and close-knit resorts promote friendships and relaxing experiences, perfect for those seeking meaningful connections over parties.

Popular activities include snorkeling, yoga, local village tours, or simply unwinding by the ocean—each enriching the solo travel experience in Fiji.

Interesting Facts

Families nationwide are embracing a broader approach to wellbeing, expanding health beyond diet and exercise to focus on the safety and sustainability of their own homes.

The drive toward non-toxic, eco-friendly living is transforming daily habits and reshaping community values.

People are questioning the materials in their cookware, the safety of cleaning products, and the health impact of everything they bring inside.

More consumers now opt for toxin-free kitchenware, reusable storage containers, and sustainable household essentials.

Local markets and community initiatives are pivotal in supporting these changes, turning everyday shopping into a gateway for education about greener living.

Major cities like Portland, San Diego, and Chicago are leading the way, launching policy changes and new services to prioritize sustainability and healthier homes.

Cleaner homes are building blocks for healthier neighborhoods, with less pollution, reduced waste, and greater resilience — helping to shape stronger, more vibrant urban communities for the future.

Quote Of The Day

"Embrace the beauty of aging, for it is a testament to a life well-lived. Your wisdom, experiences, and light shine brighter than ever before. Let your age be a source of empowerment and inspiration to others. You are a beacon of resilience and grace, guiding the way for a future filled with limitless possibilities."

Sharing is Caring - F.L.Y. After 50