"Tell me you love me," she says.
A rush of warmth flows through my body; I'm almost too choked for words.
"Of course I love you. And always will."
Her eyes aglow, she smiles that smile that takes my breath away, causes the old ticker to skip a beat.
"No, no. You know what I want. Whisper it. Whisper it in my ear. Like you always used to."
Tears stream down my cheek. Good lord, where did those come from? I pull her close. The scent of strawberry shampoo overwhelms, taking me back to picnics in Stow Canyon, walks along the boardwalk, lying in bed on Sunday mornings.
"I love you," I say in my softest whisper.
"55 years, Henry. Can you believe it? 55 years."
I shake my head, but now it's my turn to smile. "Never thought in a million years you'd put up with me for that long."
"Well, here we are."
She's quiet for a bit – it’s what she does when something's on her mind.
"Henry. You need to watch the time. You're going to be late."
I glance over at the clock. 12:30. Mark, our grandson, is graduating from the university today. I haven't been out much lately, but I promised I'd be there.
"You'll be okay while I'm gone?"
"Silly boy. I'm never far away."
I set her picture back down on our nightstand and give my eyes a quick wipe with my hanky. It takes me a minute to find my legs – always does when I sit down for a visit – and, straightening my tie, I head for the door.
A rush of warmth flows through my body; I'm almost too choked for words.
"Of course I love you. And always will."
Her eyes aglow, she smiles that smile that takes my breath away, causes the old ticker to skip a beat.
"No, no. You know what I want. Whisper it. Whisper it in my ear. Like you always used to."
Tears stream down my cheek. Good lord, where did those come from? I pull her close. The scent of strawberry shampoo overwhelms, taking me back to picnics in Stow Canyon, walks along the boardwalk, lying in bed on Sunday mornings.
"I love you," I say in my softest whisper.
"55 years, Henry. Can you believe it? 55 years."
I shake my head, but now it's my turn to smile. "Never thought in a million years you'd put up with me for that long."
"Well, here we are."
She's quiet for a bit – it’s what she does when something's on her mind.
"Henry. You need to watch the time. You're going to be late."
I glance over at the clock. 12:30. Mark, our grandson, is graduating from the university today. I haven't been out much lately, but I promised I'd be there.
"You'll be okay while I'm gone?"
"Silly boy. I'm never far away."
I set her picture back down on our nightstand and give my eyes a quick wipe with my hanky. It takes me a minute to find my legs – always does when I sit down for a visit – and, straightening my tie, I head for the door.
