An Old Flame

"This is our home.  We have to get along."one lady said,  "I was here first, I want to sit here," another person said.  The senior citizens were arguing as they do sometimes did at the assisted living center.

Suzie was single, always had been.  She had boyfriends, but lost her heart to Jacob Freebie.  She just never cared about anyone else.  Here she was 78 years old with no children.  She had some neices and nephews who thought she was charming.  They had their own lives and didn't come around very often.  She had found some friends at the living center.  She enjoyed the programs and activities.

One Saturday, they were having a folk singer perform.  Suzie wasn't paying much attention until they announced the name of the man who would be singing.  They said "Jacob Freebie."  Her mouth dropped open.  Being embarrassed, she grabbed her walker and got out of there as fast as she could go.

Lunch was right after the performance.  Suzie was sitting at her table eating her salad.  Jacob went into the dining room and approached her saying, "I noticed you left when they said my name. Do I know you?"
Suzie replied,  "You are much to young to be the Jacob Freebie I know."  "I am Jacob Freebie jr." "My father was about your age." "Well, don't tell him where I am.  He probably doesn't remember me anyway."

Days and weeks and months went by.  Life was the same as ever at the living center.  At dinner, Suzie found a piece of candy on her plate.  She thought that was strange. It happened every day at dinner.  Apparently, one of the servers had been paid to put candy on her plate.  Then one evening a bouquet of flowers came with her name on it.  Suzie realized what was going on.  Jacob jr had told Jacob Sr.

Just thinking of him brought many emotions.  She wanted to know who he had married and if they were still together.  With the address on the card, she got ahold of Jacob Sr.  She asked him about his wife.  He said that she had passed away in her sixties.  " Could you come see me?"Suzie asked, "We have some unfinished business.

Suzie was napping when Jacob knocked on her door.  She was startled.  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."  "You're looking pretty good."" What are you now? I your late 70's.""Yes." She replied."Are you in your 80's."We are both looking good." "I could loose some weight and you could grow some hair on top.

"Do you realize how my life changed because of you?"I thought you were perfect and everything was my fault.""When I think back on it, I don't know how you live with yourself." "You had no respect for me and didn't care that you were hurting me.""I've had a lot of boyfriends since you left."I couldn't commit myself, because I hadn't gotten over you."Jacob flirtingly said, "We're both still alive.  Maybe we could share our last years together.""You're such a jerk" Suzie resounded."Did you really think I would fall for that again.  "Allright, I'm sorry.  I really am."If you change your mind, you've got my number."

During the next little while, Suzie would get out the phone number and look at it.  She was so tempted to call him.  She wanted to know more about him.  She didn't want to get involved with him.  He was kind of distinguished looking.  Though she knew better, she was still attracted to him.  She made the call.

He was willing to meet and talk.  She reminded him that she didn't want to get involved.  She just wanted to know him.

He took her to a nice restaurant.  Tension filled the room.  She couldn't look at him without getting embarrassed.  She felt clumsy and didn't want to make eye contact.  He on the other hand was very calm, acting l like he had been in these situations before.  He took a sip of his water and said, "So, how have you been?"He too started to feel uncomfortable."OK." Suzie replied.  The was a cold restlass silence.  Breaking the silence, Jacob asked,  "What have you been doing for forty years?" "I need to ask you the same question."she replied."What do you do for a living?"  I am retired now.  I used to work for a home nursing service as a physical therapist." he answered. "Did you like your work?"  The questioning was getting very uncomfortable.  She didn't really want to know about the last forty years.  She jumped in and demanded,"Did you love your wife?"Surprised, he squirmed around and finally answered.  "I did at first.  I married her.  We had children together."  "Did you get along?"He replied, "We did at first.  Honestly, I stepped out on her."I tried to repent when my wife died."I still feel guilty."I feel guilty about hurting you also."

"I know what guilt feels like."Unlike you , my guilt wouldn't let me get close to anyone else."

"So, here we at the last of our mortal ives."Jacob announced. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Just kiss me goodbye." she answered.