The Encounter

1

I remember how lightly the snow fell.  So tiny, were the flakes, they seemed to float.  David was mesmerized.  Raising a small gloved hand pointing.  Today I didn't hurry as we walked the 2 blocks  home from the bus stop.   So rare was snow, I wanted him to enjoy it.  Too young, most likely to remember this.  The moment more mine than his. My watching his fascination and joy enough to warrant being late.  2

You can get so caught up in a moment, watching your child, that you lose the sense of where and who you are.  You can focus so intently on their smile, on their expression, their actions that you pay no attention to where you walk. Not notice that you list just slightly to the left.  3

I was the one he bumped.  His own attention caught by something in the street.  He no more than brushed my arm lightly, but I knew it was him, before I turned my head.  A familiarity borne by countless brushes of naked shoulders in a narrow hallway.  4

That one moment you've dreaded the past 4 years, and it happens without fanfare.  Without warning.  I turned.  He had stepped back toward me, to be sure I was ok. Recognition dawned.  My coat and hood having been enough to shield me from  his immediate view.  5

He was speechless.  Seeing me there so unexpectedly it took him a moment to catch himself.  To breathe.  To speak. 6

"Ann?"  he asked, more question than statement.  7

I commanded my heart to slow down.  Made myself smile. "Yes". I answered.  "How are you?"  8

"I'm good," he said...'What a nice surprise".  To his credit, his smile seemed genuine.  9

"Yes, for me, too."  10

"You look".....he hesitated..."good"  he hurriedly added. "you look good"  11

Not sure how he meant it, so I let the comment lay unanswered. 12

It was one of those uncomfortable moments between old loves.  Wanting to say so much, ask so many things, yet the moment passes, and the silence hangs heavy. 13

He noticed David for the first time.  "Hey...who is this?"  he asked placing his hand on David's cap. 14

"My son"  I say.  For a moment he looks stunned, again that heavy silence.  "His name is David" I offer.  15

Russ leans down then, eye level with David.  "How do you like this snow?"  he asks.  16

David turns shy, drops my hand, tries to hide behind me.  Russ is at a loss I can tell, not knowing what to say next, never quite comfortable with children. So, he stands, touches my arm, takes my hand.  I am thankful for the glove which hides my bare ring finger. 17

"Great kid"  he says.  I sense whatever old affection was there for this briefest of moments is now lost.  18

"Good to see you, Russ"   I offer him the out.   19

"You, too,"  he says.  I sense he means it. With that he turns and walks away.  20

David and I stand still, watching him go.  He turns once, offers a quick wave.  Then blends into the grayness of the afternoon.  David steps  from behind me, craning a bit to see between the people who braved the snow. Searching for the stranger.  I hold my breath waiting for the question he so often asks.  It never comes.21

"Ready to go, buddy?'  I ask..trying to will back the tears.  22

"Yeah.."   he says as he takes my hand, squeezes it tightly.23

"He was nice"  he says. 24

"Yes, he was."  and I wonder if Russ noticed the color of David's eyes.25