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“I’m afraid I’d be the same,” Maureen added, although she had a feeling she’d be up all night worried about Adam anyway.
“Actually, can you tell me if anyone else has checked in?”
Billy’s lips pressed into a line, and he shook his head solemnly.“As far as I know, no one has made it through the storm at all.Is there anyone in particular you’re waiting for, ma’am?I’ll go check.”
She hesitated to give Adam’s name.If he’d made it through the storm, he’d already be there.Which meant he was either trapped in town at the bottom of the mountain, or he hadn’t come at all.The last thought stung.Surely he wouldn’t stand her up?Not after so long?Not again?
“No.”She managed a small smile and a quick shake of her head.“That’s fine.Thank you very much.”
“If there’s anything I can get either of you, please don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”
They sent him off with assurances that they would in fact ask if they required anything.
“Such a nice young man.”Maureen watched him go.“He reminds me of—”
“Are you going to tell me, or not?”
Maureen snapped her head around to refocus on her companion.“I’m sorry.”She shook her head.“Tell you what?”
Elise lifted her eyes from her project.“Tell me what was in the letter, of course.”
Almost One Year Ago
New Year’s Day
It was half past one in the morning by the time Maureen got home from the New Year’s party.It was way past the time when she should have been in bed, but with the letter still unread, there was no way she’d be able to sleep.
She sat at the kitchen table and took a deep breath.She hadn’t heard from Adam in over forty years.Did he remember her?
Obviously he had, if he’d bothered to write her a letter.
Butwhatdid he remember of her?
Did he remember that summer?The love they had for each other?Did he remember—
“Stop it, Maureen.”Her voice was sharp in the quiet condo.
There was no point in putting it off any longer.With shaking hands, she tore open the envelope and slid the paper free.
Dearest Maureen,
I’m not sure where to begin.
When your son reached out, to say that I was shocked would be an understatement.
I never thought I would have the chance to speak to you again, even through words on paper.I can’t tell you what it means to have the opportunity.
I’ve thought about you so many times over the years.I wondered if you’d married.If you became the mother you so badly wanted to be.If you were happy.
Selfishly, I couldn’t bring myself to ask after you.I think I was afraid of the answer.If you were happy, I would be devastated for myself.But if you were unhappy, I wouldn’t be able to bear it.
Over time, I began to think of you only as a sweet memory that never failed to bring a smile to my face.
Life has been good to me, Maureen.I hope it has been equally good to you.
We’ve lived a lifetime apart and if there is one thing I’ve learned over the years, it is that our time on this earth is limited and I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting any younger.So, with that in mind, I’m going to be bold.
I’d very much like to see you again, Maureen.
