Excuse Me Sir....

I walked into the restaurant; it was one of my favorites, sitting directly on the beach, you could smell the salt water, sunscreen and of course, the boiled crabs. I looked around, admiring all of the décor with the wood plank walls, the fish netting hanging from the ceiling and the pictures of whales all over the walls. I just love whales; they are the most majestic creatures.

Finally, I pull my eyes from my surroundings and search for the person I have come here to meet. I am so nervous; it has been forever and a day since we have seen each other. I have always considered him the love of my life, the one that got away. All I see is the back of his head, but I know it is him immediately, I would know him anywhere. I walked up behind him, put my hands on both of his shoulders and leaned down to ear and whispered; “Excuse me sir, do we know each other?” He chuckles and replies, “I sure hope so or you are a very forward stranger.” I laugh and he stands up to give me the biggest hug. I forgot how tall he was, he was a presence to behold. I immediately felt protected; he always made me feel that way. He walks around the table and pulls out a chair for me and I sit directly across from him.

“Derek! It is so good to see you, I am so glad you called when you got into town.” He sighs, “I thought about it for so long and couldn’t decide if it was a good idea or a bad idea or if you would even answer the phone for that matter, but ultimately decided I couldn’t be so close and not at least try to see you, or at least hear your voice Melanie.” His eyes look sad and he looks away.

“Derek, how could you think I would not answer? You have always been such a special person in my life, no matter what the outcome of our relationship I would never not want to see you.” He smiles and nods his head, “I’m so glad you feel that way, I always wondered.”

“So, how is Kevin?” I look down at the table and close my eyes, “Kevin passed away about 2 years ago.” “Oh Melanie, I am so sorry to hear that. Why didn’t you call or text me?” he asks. “Oh, I don’t know. I think I needed to go through my grief alone I am not good with sharing my feelings. What about Karlie? How is she and the kids?” “Karlie passed as well about 3 years ago, the kids are good though.” I roll my eyes, “and you didn’t call or text?” He laughs, “Touché!”

The waiter walks up to take our drink order then we decide to look at the menu, I have been here so many time I already know what I want. The boiled crabs are my favorite. Derek decides on the fried catfish. When the waiter comes back, we place our orders and Derek looks at me and smiles, “not afraid to make a mess of yourself I see!” I looked at him with a shocked expression on my face…..”What are you talking about?” then I laugh. “Hey, I love my crabs, what can I say?”

We talk about old times, our lives since the last time we saw each other, our kids and grandkids until the food arrives. Of course I dig in with gusto, eating in front of the opposite sex has never been a problem for me. I notice Derek glance over a time or two and smiles, “I do love your appreciation for food,” he says. “Food is my weakness; I act like I live to eat instead of eating to live like normal people.” He just chuckles.

Derek clears his throat and looks over at me, “listen Melanie, I am in town for about a week and I wanted to know if we could spend some time together while I am here. I would love to catch up and just enjoy your company.” I stop digging into my crab and look directly at him with an open-mouthed expression. “I...I am not sure what to say…I wasn’t expecting this.” He looks up at me and says, “Look, I know I hurt you all of those years ago and I understand if you refuse, but I think we were meant to be together and somehow life just go in our way. All I want to do is find out if that is still the case. After this week if you never want to see me again I will understand, what do you say?” My mind starts racing, I remember the pain we both went through all of those years ago, and the outside forces that caused that pain. “Are you still friends with Kirk?” I ask. He sighs and looks down at the table. “I…well, not really. We still talk occasionally, but I thought about that letter you wrote me years ago, and I could never look at him the same.” “Yeah, me either, for obvious reasons.” I close my eyes for a moment and when I reopen them, he is looking at me, the way he used to look at me all those years ago. “Oh hell, what could it hurt? If it doesn’t work out, we end it here.” He lets out a deep breath he had been holding, “Thank God, I thought you were going to say no there for a second.”

When we finish eating and pay the bill, Derek walks me out to my car. He leans down to hug me and whispers in my ear, “Excuse me ma’am, I’m glad we know each other.” I look up at him and smile, give me a call tomorrow and we will plan our days together. “Deal!” He kisses me on the cheek and walks away.

I get in my car and put my hands on the wheel but I can’t bring myself to start it yet. My mind is spinning and I’m not sure I could drive a straight line right now if I tried. Memories come flooding back even more now that Derek is gone. Lord, what am I getting myself into? I know this is something that I prayed for, but am I ready for this. What if he hurts me again? Oh well, too late to back out now. Let’s just see how this week goes and not worry about anything else right now.

As Derek gets into his car, he looks in the rearview mirror. He can see me from where he is and he knows my mind is reeling right now, hell; his mind is reeling right now. That was tough he thinks to himself. Then he says to himself aloud, “tough, but worth it if everything works out.” He puts his car in reverse and leaves the parking lot with a huge smile on his face.

The week goes beyond wonderful! We spent time walking on the beach, eating out almost every day and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Around day, five of our little tryst we decide to go the movie and then go out to eat. When we sit down at the table he looks at me and says, “I know this is something you were missing from me all those years ago. Just spending time together you and me, I am sorry I did not give you that. I was so influenced by what others were saying and I was scared to be my own man. I want you to know…I love you then, I have always loved you, and it has never gone away.” When he looks up, he sees tears welling up in my eyes and starts to apologize, “don’t I said. I have always wanted to hear those words come out of your mouth and now I have. The past is the past, let’s now dwell on that, let’s just look towards the future. But, Thank You!” He smiles and I swear I see tears in his eyes as well.

In the near future, the day I have always prayed for and imagined since I was 16, but I thought would never happen, has finally arrived. I am 65 years old now, but does age really matter? I am finally walking down the isle to meet my soul mate, the love of my life. Derek turns to see me and I notice tears in his eyes. When I get to him, I stand on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear, “Excuse me sir, do we know each other?”