"So, tell me about your wife," Kelly said abruptly.

"What do you want to know?" Ray replied evasively. He wasn't certain he liked this at all. It had been okay when she spoke of her dead husband but talking about Roni's demise somehow felt too raw even after more than two years.

"Well, for one thing, what was her name?"

"Rhonda," he said making a face.

"Help, help me, Rhonda..."she sang jokingly.

"Oh, please no!" he said cringing. "I hate that song."

"So, you never sang it to her?" she asked amazed.

"She hated it even more than I did. I changed her name because of it. I called her Roni instead. She loved it. I think that's why she liked me right away because I refused to call her by a name she hated," he said reminiscently.

"That's so sweet," Kelly said dreamily. "How did you meet her? It was love at first sight, wasn't it?"

He stared at her completely shocked. "How in the world did you know that?"

She grinned impishly. "You look the type,"she said poking him playfully on the nose with her forefinger.

He gaped at her terrified. Dear God, could this woman see right through him? Did she know how wrapped up in her he already was? Apparently she did.

"Ray, tell me what it's like,"she said earnestly.

"What?" he asked apprehensively.

"Love at first sight. What does it feel like?" she asked softly. "You are so good with words, you can describe it to me so I can understand. I've never believed in it before. Make me believe in it. Please, Ray."

He hesitated a moment then tentatively said, "It was so long ago, Kelly. I don't..." He stopped as she sternly shook her head at him.

"Don't even try that, Mister. I saw the gleam in your eyes when you thought of Roni. You remember it as if it were yesterday. Tell me and don't skimp on the details. Where did you meet?"she asked eagerly, propping her chin in her hand as she always did when questioning him.

He gulped. He didn't like this, not one bit but what could he do? Lying wasn't an option. She would know. Somehow she would. But she also would know he was madly in love with her, if she didn't already. He just had to try to hide it, if possible. What chance did he have of that, though, when she was as intuitive as this?

"Um... it was at college, junior year, right after finals. We were crazed from studying, so, my buddies and I went to a party. We were only there a little while when I saw her. She was dancing with her girlfriends," he said dreamily, drifting back in time. "I never understood why girls like

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Finding love?
We want to hear your view. Write now!