Twelve Stories About Devotion Page 8

love that we have for each other.”

  “Beautiful,” exclaimed Jim. He picked up a Minute Maid can from the kitchen table. There was a rose carefully positioned within. “Where shall we put it?"

  “How about the mantel shelf in the living room? Julie suggested.”

  “Good,” he said and placed the can with its contents, at the middle of the mantel.

  She held out her hand for Jim to take. Together, they contemplated what they had dubbed the symbol of their love; then they turned to each other and kissed.

  I Will Always Love You

  1“I will always love you.”

  “Though our paths must now diverge,” I continued, “what I’ve just said will always be true.”

  “I will always love you too.” she responded.

  We walked hand in hand down the steps to the curb where I had parked my car. There was no good-bye kiss. I did not think it appropriate this should be done at a time when a loving couple has broken up.

  I drove to the end of the block and exited from the car. Looking back I saw she was standing at the curb looking in my direction. I waved. She waved back. Her face was indistinct but I thought there were tears in her eyes.

  Arriving home, I did not call and she not either. I did not think it appropriate this should be done at a time when a loving couple has broken up. Each of us was making it easier for the other.

  The years went by. Five, ten. I heard through a mutual friend that Lynne had married. Though I, had also married, I felt sad.

  The years went by, fifteen, twenty. I heard through a mutual friend that Lynne had had two children, a boy and a girl. My wife and I had had children also, two boys. I felt happy for Lynne and I knew she would be happy for me.

  The years went by, twenty-five, thirty. I heard through a mutual friend that Lynne’s children had married and were having children of their own. This was also true in my home. I wondered if Lynne was feeling as lonely as I was.

  The years went by, thirty-five, forty. I heard through a mutual friend that Lynne had become a widow. I felt sad for her. I, also was feeling sad for I had lost my wife this year.

  Though once I had believed it would not be appropriate to call after a loving couple had broken up, I thought it might be all right to do this after forty years had gone by.

  “I knew you would call,” she said when she heard my voice. We talked and neither of us mentioned the reason for our breakup.

  She was waiting for me at the curb when I drove to her home. I held her in my arms and kissed her. “I will always love you,” I said.

  “And I will always love you,” she responded. We walked hand in hand up the steps and through the same door that I had closed behind me so many years ago.