Virtual Café V.

Second Time is the Charm

So, you lose someone you were crazy about early in your life.

Years later, your paths cross by the digital magic of the internet.

It is frosty at first, but you learn enough to sense they haven’t changed, at least the things you liked best about her.

It is odd: had she said yes, perhaps it would have been a terrible mistake. In the long run, the one you ended up with, was a gem beyond compare.

Still…

The digital constraints were a good idea. The opportunity had passed long ago but it was one that would still upset your dreams for reasons you couldn’t define.

“Face it: you never really knew her…” said a friend with an uncanny resemblance to her, or what she might have grown into with the passing of years.

...

She finally felt secure enough to mention her cardiac problems which she was treating with essential oils and yoga.

Yes, she would see her cardiologist on Tuesday.

Then, nothing.

We were only in touch occasionally or when inspired. For years I knew I would not see her again, although I had only half believed that.

A day passed.

Then, a week.

Then two.

Her elder sister, whom she had said, was visiting Arizona, was on social media. Finally, it became so long since I heard anything, I contacted her sister.

“We just buried her,” came the response. “We are headed back East…”

…