Fatal Attraction

Today, I got a text from a friend that made me laugh and disturbed me a bit. It was from a younger, male coworker. Josh is working diligently at improving his life. In the past year he has moved into his own apartment, gotten his driver's license, taken some classes, obtained his own car, insured it, and taken any extra work he can find. Josh is a young man of faith with a similar personality to my son, Frank. Having Josh around fills a spot in my heart that is generated by Frank's absence. Josh's willingness to do extra work and my eagerness to help out a young man of his character has created quite a scandal. That scandal is the reason for the text that provoked the anxious laugh. 

Last spring, Josh was working on getting his driver's license. Since he needed a ride and he was on my way, he asked me to pick him up for work until he could get his license and a car. He needed time practicing behind the wheel so I offered to let him drive on the way to work. Other people helped him learn to drive including some other married women and the trainers at our terminal . People that get to know him, just want to do what they can to help this guy.  

Last month, Mike and I took on a short term job hanging coupons door to door for Yellow Book. In order to increase efficiency and provide Josh an opportunity to make some extra money, I asked him to help me. Each morning for a couple weeks, Josh and I got into my car, left for about an hour and a half and returned back to the terminal. We spent time telling jokes, sharing YouTube videos and talking about Christianity. There were instances where I paid Josh in front of witnesses. It occurred to us that this behavior could be considered suspect. I posted a sarcastic status update on Facebook about the possibility of rumors starting. Then last week, at the end of our second month of hanging coupons, Josh and I decided to start our own rumor. We let it slip that Josh was helping Mike and I make a baby to occupy my empty nest. I shared the joke with my husband and he approved of our charade. We have laughed about it repeatedly since we planted the seed. 

Today, Josh said there are people at work that believe the rumor is true. Someone even "joked" that he is a home wrecker. Pretty funny right? That was my initial reaction. After serious reflection, I have decided to squash the rumor. I don't care if people think Josh and I are having an affair, but I do care that we are heading down a dangerous path. Neither Josh nor I have any intention of having a sexual relationship. The proper circumstances can cause unexpected things to occur. I care about him and he cares about me...he refers to me as being like a corrupting aunt who is fun that lets you get away with stuff. I want to be a positive role model for Josh, women, my sons, and basically everyone to whom I come in contact. My commitment to God's marriage law is unrelenting. Any slip on that dangerous path would cause many people a lot of pain. Josh and I need to guard against this ever happening. If it did happen, most likely, healing would occur, but the damage would leave scars on too many loved ones. Josh and I will remain friends within some set boundaries that will insure that we keep our relationship platonic. That is the best we can do to avoid a fatal attraction.