“Good, because years ago someone told me the same thing.”
She studied me, and then a small and knowing smile came to her lips.
“You’re right.I just want to make sure she is okay.She’s lost so much.”
“She has, but trust me when I say these kids are resilient.”
“I know that too.Sometimes, I hate that I always want to make sure others are alright.”
“Yes, I remember.Your letters never talked about how much you missed me until the very end of the letter.After a while, I wondered if you were just saying you missed me so I didn’t feel you weren’t.”
“Please tell me you aren’t serious?”
“I am.”
“If I went on and on about how much I missed you, monopolizing the entire letter with my feelings, when I knew you were struggling with being away from home, what sort of girlfriend would I have been?”
“A normal one, and one who wasn’t afraid to let someone else know how she felt.”I winked.
“I wasn’t afraid of how I felt.I just didn’t want to make things harder for you while you were gone.I knew it was a struggle for you to be away from home.”
“It was, but, Mindi, what sort of man would I be if I couldn’t handle how you felt as well.We were in what I thought was a serious relationship, one in which we could talk about anything, even in the tough times.I knew you were struggling, even if you didn’t want to say it.I often worried about how you were handling things.”
“You’re acting as if I never told you how I was feeling.It’s not like I never did; I just didn’t want to make it an issue,” she said, bringing her hands to her chest.
“I know, I just had to get smart and read between the lines.”I winked.
We both grew quiet and picked up our coffee and took a drink.There was only one question on the tip of my tongue at the moment, and I knew I needed an answer to it, or else I might as well just get up from this table right now and walk out.There was no point in my sitting here talking with her any further about our past without an answer.I was certain that we deserved another chance; why else would she still be here all these years later?If this moment taught me anything, it’s that some feelings never fade and that just because the timing wasn’t right in the past, it didn’t mean it’s never the right time.The moment my cup was back on the table, I looked over at her and cleared my throat.
“Are you seeing anyone?”I questioned.I needed to know.If she was, that was fine, at least I’d know not to pursue things with her any further.I’d take a few days, and then I’d go into the center and apply for the counselor position.
She studied me and then shook her head.
“What about you?Married?”
I didn’t answer, but I’d gotten the answer I needed.I figured she’d get her answer with the next couple of questions I asked, especially if she were still as perceptive as she used to be.
“Won’t they be having the tree lighting soon?”I questioned, looking over across the street where I could see some men still working on stringing lights in the enormous park.“I remember it was always around this time of year.”
“Yes, it’s on Friday, always on the first day of December.”
“Well then, how about we meet that night?Say at the pavilion in the center of the park.I’ll stop and get us some hot chocolate.We can go ice skating; we’ll catch up.You can tell me about the type of counselor you are looking for, and we will take it from there.”
Her eyes met mine.Shock lined them as she stared back at me.She was still as perceptive as she once had been.She knew exactly what I was asking.
“What do you say?Will you meet me?”
She stared back at me.I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for her answer.
“How does six thirty sound?”I urged, afraid that a no was on the edge of her lips.
I did not know why I wasn’t letting this go.Perhaps it was because after all these years, she was sitting in front of me.Maybe it was the fact that she was single, and I could get my second chance with her.After all, the first chance we’d had was cut somewhat short.Maybe everything had been a misunderstanding.I didn’t know.
“I will see you then,” she said, her eyes finally falling to the table and away from me.
I wasn’t giving her a chance to change her mind.I drank down the rest of my coffee, got up, and grabbed my jacket.
“I have some errands to run, but I will see you then.”I smiled and then turned and made my way out of The Crispy Biscuit, leaving her sitting there.
