"We Need to Talk."

She stood breathless as the figure emerged from the parked car. His hair was a little gray around the temples, but he still had that boyish twinkle in his eyes. His stance was a bit stooped, but his footsteps still had that youthful gait.

There was no doubt. It was him, the man she had tried to forget for so many years. The man she had so adored in her teen years. The occasion was not a happy one. It was the wake for a dearly beloved girlfriend from her youth, many faces looked familiar, but none so clear as his. What should she say? What could she say? "Hi, remember me?" seemed so mundane. She had a deep secret she needed to share, but was this the place or time?

Another figure emerged; the woman must be his wife. She was a bit younger than him and seemed rather aloof. How would she take the revelation? Would there be a scene? Was it warranted? Was this the place? This secret had been well kept. No one really knew. Seeing him had brought on the need to share. Was it fair to have kept the news to herself? Would he have even cared then? Would he welcome the news now or be shamed? The ceremony began but though she felt the grief of her loss, she also let her mind wonder to this man. He had meant the world to her. His very being had filled every thought of her days. She knew she was just one of many he had dated. He was indeed what her own children would call a 'player' today. Young and dumb was what she usually thought about herself when she thought of him. Now, here he was, and the old yearnings tugged at her heart. Though this event had happened many years ago, her memories were fresh.

Just a few weeks ago she had found her birth child. This new son had, of course, asked about his paternity, and she had answered honestly that his natural father knew nothing of his existence. The boy/man she was now sharing her life with so proudly had not pushed her for more. She planned not to give any more information.

Yet, here he was, looking so much like the young man she knew as her son. Throughout the eulogy, she had many changes of mind. Her fears of rejection were now mixed with a feeling of his eventual demise. Would it be fair to keep the secret? Did this man have a right to know he was a father to a fine young man he knew nothing of? Is life fair at all?

They shared a quick look, and she thought she saw a pinnacle of recognition. Maybe he did remember her after all. He had nodded, or was this just an automatic gesture?

The speaking stopped, and the guests filed by the casket for a final good-bye. Teary-eyed, she started for her car. Suddenly he was in front of her. Now, at such close proximity, she noticed the callowness of his skin and the tiredness in his eyes.

Life was too short for such decisions. She jotted her phone number on the back of her business card with a brief message "Call me. We need to talk." and pressed it in his hand.

© 2003