A Dream Come True

by Cynthia Lamanna

 

Barbara Ann walked into the old coffee house; an old haunt where she and her friend,

Shelley used to lament about their woes, (as teen-agers) or share first crush stories; Later on in their twenties after college, young marriages, and new babies, they had reconnected, and shared the glory of Motherhood, as well as the wistful days gone by.

In their sophisticated 30’s, Shelley had gone through a painful divorce, and once again, it was here, over a swearing off of diets, they told their secrets in whispers, and open grandeur. Root beer floats, and Pete’s onion relish, still waffled in from the small back kitchen.

.

Now, 20 years, and 20+Ibs later, unable to silence the lull of sweet memories, she had made the trek from California, not only to satisfy a yen, but to follow a deeper calling

of her heart, and to pay her respects to the old mountain town, she had called home for half of her life; On her way here, from the bus station, she had been tickled to catch the familiar sight of blackberries, and friendly down home folk, sweeping their porches, grateful for a little sunlight peeking in through the Northwestern clouds.

 

She paused, in a light headed wave of nostalgia, as she surveyed the mom and pop restaurant, with renewed interest; an old ghost of its earlier bustling days, that still bore vintage pictures of Hollywood on its faded blue walls;  A few old men were drinking coffee, and shooting the breeze on a Saturday morning. As Barbara Ann selected a window booth, she felt a chill of excitement, as the first rays of sun filtered in through the whipped cream white curtain; she was transported in time, as a blue eyed young man came to mind. She had sat at this exact spot, gazing into his eyes. Ray Townsend. Cowboy, musician, and aspiring minister;

 

He was the one who brought the hope of real love back to her and as they say, “the one who got away.” Actually, it was she who turned away a real chance at love, after a glorious season of romance and friendship. She had been separated from her violent estranged husband, and now that she had met Mr. Right, was sure that she would never go back.

 

Things had taken a serious turn as Ray had proposed over coffee and dessert! She sighed, and closed her eyes, as the exhilarated feelings, color of wild flowers, and Sunday aromas, came back in clarity. Kent had been jealous to find that she was smitten with another man, who was taken with her as well; after some deliberate attempts to spy on them, with his dark glasses, he decided he would exercise his giant ego, and try to woo her back. He was a charmer when it suit his purposes; he cajoled her to come back to him   and with his usual bullyish conduct, threatened to take away their young son, if she did not relinquish Ray Townsend.

 

Though fed up with her husband for good, overwhelmed by his intimidations, with a heavy heart of reluctance, she went back to him.

 

The look in Raymond’s eyes pained her that rainy morning, as she told him the dreaded news.  Tears blurred her vision as he walked away, head bent in defeat. Fool!

She had chided herself, after Kent went back to his old ways, and they divorced soon after. Raymond had gone back to his aspens, in Colorado.

 

Cynthia Lamanna may be reached at cynthialamanna@yahoo.com – and would love to discuss her writing with others!

 

After the transition to a new life as a single parent, and settling into a pleasant job, she realized at the end of a long day, long after her little one was tucked in, that she was still pining for Ray, and had managed to get his unlisted ph# from a friend who worked at the phone company. On impulse one fall night, she called him, and her heart jumped when she heard his voice.

 

He sounded less than enthusiastic, and said, in an awkward slow starting manner, “Barbara Ann, I uh, yes, I remember, but I uh- am-married now.

 

He ended on an abrupt note. “It’s late here in our time zone. My wife and I-are getting ready to turn in.” Barbara Ann had stared in mortification. She started to stammer an apology, as she felt her face redden. I-uh-I am so sorry. I didn’t realize how late”. She fought back tears. “Raymond-please take care, and I hope the best for both of you. Good-bye.” A painful sense of finality hung in the air, and she was aware of a sharp wrenching in her heart. “Good-bye, Barbara Ann. You take care too.” His voice was gentle, yet guarded, and without the passion she remembered. She told herself forget about it.

 

After all, it was she who messed things up, by deciding to go back to a two timing husband. She took a sip of the aromatic French roast, and looked out the window intently

Upon closer observation, she noted that the high grassy surroundings looked somewhat drier, and more tamed. She overheard the waitress saying something about a drought in these parts. She knew some changes were inevitable and needed, but how she wished at times that she could freeze some of those special moments, halt the hands of  those who cut down trees in beautiful forested places, and go back in a time machine and do things differently with the wisdom she had accumulated.

 

In the dawning of a new day, she looked up, jolted from her time travels, as a hovering shadow stood over her; a big teddy bear of a guy with a beautiful smile, and a strong gentle voice. A voice she knew- The sun was blocking his full features, with its overpowering white light. She shaded her eyes, and gasped when she got a better look at him-could it possibly be-after all this time? She thought that perhaps she had entered a time warp…Perhaps she had died, and this was her guardian angel, with the face of an older Raymond.

 

  “Barbara Ann! – I’d know those pretty hazel eyes anywhere.” She could see his beautiful smoky blue eyes with more clarity. His wavy brown hair was speckled with distinguished grey. A lump formed in her throat, as she tried to process what she

hoped she was witnessing, standing right in front of her; as the morning sun had shifted,

she noted the same strong and masculine arms.

 

The voice was unmistakable as well. “Raymond!” She let out a fuller aired gasp in a burst of incredulousness. She stood up, as he watched her with over-whelming affection, savoring the sight of her well preserved features, cascade of auburn shoulder length hair, and the low yet vibrant voice he recalled.

 

They fell into each others arms. After what seemed a long slow motion

embrace, she looked up, as in a dizzying stupor. “Oh Raymond, I never thought-why– aren’t you still married?” A hearty baritone laugh erupted. “Do you think I’d be here if-?” The question hung in the air, as he paused. “In Colorado, I pined for you. Met up with a gal from school, and well,” (he laughed with a hint of bitter irony), “had a rebound disaster. I was desperate, thinking I’d never see you.

 

She begged me to stay, on and run the farm. It was a marriage in name only, and we both knew I was there because of a crazy ex husband with a loaded gun. I went back to Law

School, but had to quit and get full time work, when she lost her job. We finally sold

the farm. Well, I took night classes toward my degree, and started pastoring a small church. It was a true calling and I thank God with all my heart.

 

 I stayed with her for twenty years, and helped raise her wild child grandson.

An old beau surfaced, and she wanted a divorce. No hard feelings. We just weren’t meant for each other. She finally found the strength to face her fears. And me- well, I was free to find the one I loved all along. I felt a guiding force, and still small voice inside of me, telling me to come here to this spot; I thought it was crazy at first; not knowing if the old place would even be standing.

 

With tears glistening in both their eyes, they fell into each others arms again, as she felt his warm breath and the heaving of his chest against hers. There was a gasp of a moan, from one and a sigh from the other that intermingled into

one glorious song, in the beauty of their new found love.

 

Old love, mixed with the youthful one they started with now deepened into a richness as now with time, and age, they had come to be grateful for the simple and the sublime; For both this marked a sweet and blessed release from captivity after years of longing, denial, sacrifices and deferred hope. Theirs was truly a joy of fulfillment, and a dream come true. This time, she would not let him get away. Not now-not ever.