by Mere

Created on: May 19, 2009

When I met him for the first time, I cannot remember. We lived in the same apartment building. Smiles and greetings must have been exchanged when we were both coming from somewhere or going out.

Somehow a friendship developed. We spent countless evening at my apartment sharing our backgrounds, day-to-day lives, goals for the future, hopes and dreams. It cannot be said that we were boyfriend/girlfriend. We didn't date per se. He was just the guy who lived upstairs. I was the girl who lived downstairs in apartment #3. We didn't take one another into our circle of friends. It was as if we shared a private world within those four walls of my studio apartment in Los Angeles.

Despite the casualness of our friendship there were sparks in our relationship. We both knew that there was chemistry between us. In one conversation I told him that we would be married the following year. I did not add to each other in my so-called words of prophecy.

Ironically within a short time a someone special came into both of our lives. Our evenings together came to an end. Our visits were limited to brief telephone chats.

In the meantime I was moving to a new apartment to be closer to my office. Having everything packed and ready to go, I went upstairs that evening to tell him good-bye. It was the first time that I had ever been to his apartment. He took me into his arms. With the tenderest kiss he whispered Don't ever tell Al about us. (I never did!)

That was the last time I ever laid my eyes upon him. Our paths never crossed again even though we continued to live and work within close proximity of one another.

Yes, we both did marry the next year. Wedding bells rang on June 4th for him and the girl who won his heart. Nine weeks later I said I do to Al, my Prince Charming. We did send wedding invitations to each other. Both of us acknowledged those elegant and formal the honour of your presence is requested cards with a lovely gift. After nearly 43 years I still have a beautiful silver bread tray that he and his bride sent to my groom and me.

So many times during the past years he has come to my mind with numerous questions. Has he had a happy marriage? A fatal heart attack crumbled my marriage seven months after our thirteen years of a happy marriage. Did he finish law school and pass the California Bar? I exchanged a career in freight traffic management for motherhood. How many children does he have? Have they been successful? I have been blessed with two children. They have been able to acquire good educations. They are happy and content in their chosen fields, etc. Where has he and his family lived all these years? I have been in Southern California since I first came here nearly 50 years ago. I have been at the same address for over 36 years.

With the availability of the Internet not much is a secret anymore. I did a quick search of one of the telephone directory telephone websites. I found him and his wife living in northern California. Their address and telephone number are public information.

Do I send a note saying Hello, just a line or two to keep in touch, an anniversary card, or perhaps just a Christmas card in December? Or should I seriously take to heart the first four lines of that familiar song sung over and over every New Year's Eve? Should auld acquaintances be forgotten?

Only I can make that decision!

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