I entered the cafe at precisely 1:00 pm as is my habit. As I entered I wondered whether the beast would dare show her face on such a fine day. The hostess greeted me cheerfully, "Good afternooon Mr Raven, your guest has already arrived."
I had hoped against hope that she would fail to show. I began to tremble as in abject horror. The hostess then quieried, "Are you not well today?"
I assured her that I was fine, simply a tad surprised that my guest arrived before I had. And indeed I was. I shouldn't have been though, she always had a tendency to arrive early on such occations.
Noticing my hesitency the hostess asked, "Are you ready to be seated or would you prefer taking a seat in the lounge for a moment?"
I thought, " Oh yes lead me to a small table in the lounge and bring me a Dewars, straight." but instead I feebly uttered the words, "I'll take my seat now, thank you,"
As I entered the small private dinningroom for only the second time in all the years I had been taking my lunch at this cafe I noticed straight away that it seemed cold, much colder than the other day, despite the warm glow of the open hearth fireplace in the center of the room. Also I noticed that there were other patrons present in the room. "Odd," I thought, as I had been assured that the room was seldom used and we would no doubt be alone for our brief encounter.
When our eyes met for the first time on well over thirty years I was quite taken aback. Time had been very generous to her, as she was as radiantly beautiful as I remembered. She gazed intently upon me with her sparkling blue eyes and her mouth formed a perfect smile Oh yes, there were the usual signs of aging, but they only served to make her more lovely than even in her youth.
As she took her feet and extended her hand I studder stepped, not knowing just what to do. It was as though the years had vanished and I was once again that self concious clod who had fallen so deeply in love with her in different age, in a different world.
At last I had the good sense to accept her hand and draw her toward me. I gave her a polite peck on the cheek and lead her back to her seat. I prayed that she hadn't noticed my trembling, as I was quite sure it was visible.
It was then that I noticed the table. She had taken the liberty to have already ordered for us. "Presumptuous as usual!" I thought. I recognised immediately her gambit. I had seen it before. Daring and extremely risky. She knew full well that if her openning gambit failed she would have nothing with which to come back. The most she could hope for would be a stalemate, should I play conservatively. Otherwise it would be check and mate in a few short exchanges. She had gambled it all on her first move.
There on the table was an open bottle of what was at the time we first met, our favorite wine. Giacobazzi Lambrusco. Beside the wine was an array of cheeses, fruits and breads. The very meal we shared at our first meeting in a similar cafe long ago.
As I took my seat I noticed her dress, reminicent of those she wore during those college
years, and her hairstyle, then that gastly shade of pink polish on her nails. I think her nails were her only flaw in those years. She was indeed playing this to the hilt. Hoping that she could bring me back to that place where I saw her as my fairy princess, and I her prince charming.
As I reached for the bottle to pour us each a glass of wine she placed her hand on mine. Her touch sent chills up and down my spine and I could feel my resistance begin to melt away. By this time I was trembling so badly that I feared dropping the bottle. Perhaps it would have been best had I done so. It may have broken her spell. I did manage to pour two glasses without spillage.
After a few sips I suggested that we get on with it as time was short. I was beginning to regain control of my senses, and desisred little more than to be done with the whole affair.
We talked for some time, much longer than I had planned. She tried to explain why it was that she took leave of her family without a word and then secreted herself away for nearlly five years without word. As she spoke I could feel the old anger welling up inside and for the first time I actually welcomed it. I reveled in it, for it served as proof to me that her gambit had failed. She had gambled it all and lost on the first move.
As time passed I could converse with much greater comfort. I could reveal my heart and not fear that she might wrench it from me and utterly destroy it. I could tell her all the moments she missed with her children and now her grandchildren; the things she will continue to miss because they want nothing to do with her. I could tell her of the love I found in my sweet Edna; of the life we had shared for those thirty years.
I told her that all this could have been hers to share had she not been so selfish, so cold. I told her that I have never stopped loving her in a way, but also that it didn't matter anymore. I was no longer afraid. I didn't need her any more. Oh God, at last I could actually say those words, and moreover to her! To her face!
By the end of our conversation she had agreed to all my terms, she will never attempt to contact the children or grandchildren. She will drop any designs she may have had on any monetary gain. Moreover, she has agreed to move away, to Oregon where a younger sister lives in her own self made hell. In return I have agreed to finance her move. Thats it!
Now all I have to do get get the damnable lawyers to expidite matters so we can get this thing over with and her out of my life forever.
Tad, my attorney, was struck dumb when I stopped by his office to report the news.
