In high school, his class voted him most popular, most athletic, and best looking. He married his high school sweetheart, a woman of equal beauty one year his junior and they lived the proverbial 'Happily ever after'.
Happily ever after until two weeks ago that is. Leaving work, Mike's lovely wife Ellen was ran over by a fleeing felon and killed instantly. The funeral was in the Midwest where they spent their entire married life. Michael traveled back east to attend a memorial service in Ellen's and his hometown. He now finds himself surrounded by extended family and old friends who came to pay their respects for his slain wife.
Liz opened the sliding glass door and left the overheated kitchen for the brisk February air. The sky was gray, snow clouds loomed low to land, and occasionally the first flurries skittered through the sky.
"Oh, Michael, I'm sorry, I didn't know you where out here" Liz said.
"It's OK Liz, how have you been?" Michael replied
Liz walked over and stood by Michael. Looking at him, Liz thought to herself he is even better looking now than he was thirty-four years ago. Michael is tall, almost six foot three, his hair is golden, and there's plenty of it. His eyes sparkle, a clear crystal blue. Mike's a big man; he is very athletic. He has a firm square jaw line; he is simply the epitome of the all-American boy look. A Robert Redford type of beautiful, like the way he was in "The Way We Were" . Standing there in the cold wind Liz did not know what to say to him . "You know, Liz, I still cannot believe she is gone" Mike went on, "We had twenty six great years together, in a way that makes me luckier than most people. Ellen will always be alive for me. I see her in the faces of the kids. We spoke so much of this day, if it were to happen, and now I am so glad we did. Her words comfort me and as odd as it sounds I feel OK, maybe I'm still in shock I don't know."
Liz looked into his blue eyes and said, "I know what you mean, I think I do at least. Michael, if you ever want to just talk, you know, well, I am only a phone call away"
"Hey Liz, do you remember when we were kids, playing freedom back here? That one time you climbed up to the very top of one of those pine trees that used to line the left side of the property and you were there for about two hours when you finally let on where you were,.?"
"I remember well Michael," Liz said. "I was afraid to come down and you had to climb up and help me down. I always had a way of finding a good spot to hide"
Together Liz and Michael walked down the wooden steps that led off the deck and out into the frozen yard, reminiscing and laughing as they walked.
Liz stopped and leaned against a large oak in the middle of the yard. Looking at Michael, she began to speak slowly, "Michael, I need to tell you something, I know this is not the best time but this has been on my mind for thirty years and I don't know when I'll get another chance".
"Go on Liz, you've got my attention now, what is it?"
Liz continued, "OK, here goes, Michael, do you remember one night when we were kids playing freedom, I was the only one caught and you were the guard? We were sitting on that old picnic table that used to be right here under this tree."
"Yes, Liz, I think I remember the night, it was devastating for me. I finally got up the nerve to put my arm around you and no sooner than I did you removed my arm and said 'And don't even think about trying it again!' Boy, you set me straight that night."
Michael, that's exactly what's on my mind. I was so scared I had waited years Michael, years for you to do that. When you did I panicked, the next thing I knew I was removing your arm and the entire time saying to myself,' What are you doing Liz are you nuts?' You know", Liz continued, "There are not many things in my life I regret, mistakes I made I think of mostly as necessary learning mistakes. You know the things that shape us into who we are today. Regrets, well that is another story, when I think back that night here on that picnic table, well, that is something I still regret to this day. I had the biggest crush on you, ever since the first time I saw you. I was beginning first grade and you were going into fourth."
"Wait, You had a crush on Me? I had a crush on you; you were the prettiest girl I had ever laid my eyes on." Michael said.
