POISON KANDIE
(Stories)
Another Kept Promise
By: THIRTEENTWO
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Sweet and Sour KandieBook View/ Sign Home
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The old man wasn't crying, but he was close. Closer than he had been in years. But he wasn't sad. For a moment, he forgot that he could be sad. He looked into her eyes. He saw past the wrinkles, the age, the graying hair and he saw her as he did the day he met her.
Right in this spot. Over 40 years ago. The same place they went to on their first date. The same place they visited on their first anniversary. The same place he asked her to marry him. The same spot she broke his heart in. In the moment he was lost in her eyes, all those years faded away. He was back in time to that day. He was nervous, scared, happy, thrilled, excited, more emotions than he could sort out. He could forget that he hadn't seen her in decades. Most important to him: she remembered. "I didn't think you'd come," she said. "I didn't think you'd remember," he replied. On their first anniversary, he made her promise that no matter what happened they would meet here again in 40 years no matter what happened. No matter if they were together or apart, no matter where life had taken them, if they were alive they would come. "I promised," she said. "I keep my promises." "I--" he couldn't wait any longer. He held her. He couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "I have missed you so much." They sat together on a bench, holding hands and staring into each other's eyes like young lovers. She was crying too. They probably looked foolish, but there was nobody around. School was in and there was nobody at the park. "When you..." she looked for the right words. "When your career took off, I wanted to write you, to call you, get in touch but I was afraid you might think I wanted to talk to you for the wrong reasons." "I wouldn't have." "I remember reading somewhere you talking about all these people who used to...who never gave you the time of day, how they all wanted to be in your life all of a sudden. I didn't want you to think I was like that." "I wouldn't have," he said and squeezed her hand. "I wanted to talk to you too...but I didn't want you to think I was showing off." Birds sang. Fish splashed in the water. Grass grew. The elderly duo just looked at each other. The tears dried and more replaced them. "I guess we were both fools," he said. "Prisoners to our pride. We lost all that time." "I was so afraid you wouldn't be here," she said. "I have looked forward to this day for so long. I thought you would hate me too much to show up. Break the promise because of what happened....between us." "I don't blame you," he whispered. "I missed you terribly and there were times I was upset, but I was never mad at you. What happened had to happen." "I love you," she said and they kissed. "And I---" he smiled "Really hope you are happy with the way your life turned out. You looked forward to this day for so long? Pathetic." With that, he got up and walked away. He didn't turn around or slow down when she called out his name. He ignored her. He heard her crying and he didn't slow down at all. He sat in his car and fixed the rearview mirror on her. "Broke my heart once," he said. "You're not getting another chance." He drove away. |
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