Maria Montante

Friday, February 10, 2012

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Just a slight flirtation?

Sunday February 07, 2010 | 12:00 AM

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Did you ever get the feeling that someone is staring at you and when you meet their eyes they turn away pretending to be looking elsewhere? Or maybe they avert their eyes giving the impression they are concentrating on something else. This incident has been occurring to me several mornings.

The other morning I was awakened with an uneasy feeling of being looked at. Opening my eyes, looked about and found there was no one in sight. Was this my imagination or was there a friendly ghost in the house?

I remember many years ago my friend Columbia was convinced that George the Ghost lived in her attic and every now and then decided to make an appearance stealing items especially socks. It seems that George was a former resident of the house. His bed was stored in the attic and when the bed was given away so was George. There was no way a ghost was living in this house since Michele and her family is the first occupants.

It was now 7:00 a.m. there was no use in trying to fall back to sleep. Turned on “Good Morning America.” It had been preempted because of the weather conditions here in Texas. Temperatures for the past few days have been in the 20s. This morning a little precipitation was falling creating black ice resulting in school delays and closings. They were having Pennsylvania weather and not liking it too well.

While reaching for my reading glasses on the night table, turned suddenly, and caught the starer off guard. There he was “the Guy in the Glass” staring intently at “The Face in the Mirror”. She instinctively began fluffing the hairdo that had been tossed and flattened while in sleep. Finally, she had caught his eye and returned the stare. Of course he did not acknowledge it in his pretence of being preoccupied.

She waited and would play his game. Smiling almost laughing the Face was curious as to what would transpire next. After several minutes of eye avoidance, the Guy in the Glass spoke. “Good morning.”

Man of few words, she thought and responded “Good morning.” They stared for another few seconds and then she heard.

“How are you and how are things going since the last time I saw you?”

“I’m fine and things are great.” No point in going into the knee replacement and the creak in the other knee, or the back that gives out at times or the intense heartburn that keeps you reaching for the bottle of Tums and Zantacs. “How are you and how are things going in your life?” she asked.

“Things couldn’t be better. Can’t complain.” Should I tell her I celebrated a milestone birthday of 90 this past year and the only discomfort I have is the pain in the right thumb. Of course, it never keeps me from playing golf. Don’t suppose I have to mention the hearing trumpets in my ears for she will surely see them. “Tell me, when was the last time I saw you?” he asked.

The Face thought for a few minutes with eyes still focused on him responded, “It might have been two years ago!” Yes, looking at him two years could easily have gone by. The hair was much thinner and grayer with more scalp showing. More wrinkles appeared on his face. Studying it closely she decided it was still a good looking face worth a second or third look.

“That long?” he commented. Shaking his head in wonder he thought there is a lot more gray in her hair, more wrinkles around the eyes that still have a sparkle in them. Looks like she has a few more miles left in her! “Do you remember where and how we met?”

She thought for a moment or two and responded, “I seem to recall we met here in this very special place that is Mama’s dresser mirror. Her thoughts then went to the mirror that was purchased at the age of eight or nine years by Mama and Papa. It was enchanting with its scalloped edges and carved cutout top. Songs and dances were performed here after seeing a Betty Grable movie and the lines of Scarlett O’Hara’s movie “Gone with the Wind” were recited. A confirmation dress was modeled here as were Easter outfits that Mama had sewn, prom gowns, and graduation cap and gown. I can plainly see Mama as I adjusted her hat on my wedding day and she pinned and straightened my veil.

The face then related their first meeting was several years ago and was quite enjoyable with each of them smiling and laughing. “You were so charming and I rather sophisticated. The second time we met you were wearing ear phones and listening to the radio. Frank Sinatra was singing ‘The Second Time Around’ and then you began to sing along with him. Before I knew what was happening you were dancing. When the song ended you turned and asked. ‘Do you believe in love the second time around’?”

“Of course, I believe in love from the time of birth to the end of life. There are all kinds of love and each is special. The love of parents for their children, children’s love for parents, love between siblings, friendship love, neighborly love, puppy love, teenage love, first love, the sacred love between husband and wife and the eternal love of God.”

The Guy looked at the Face and stated “You did not answer my question. Do you believe in love the second time around?”

How could she say no when indeed love has been very special for her the second time around. Although the heart never forgets the first committed love, the second love if accepted is to be embraced, cherished, and celebrated for it is a grace from God.

The Guy in the Glass watched and listened closely as he noticed a glint of tears in her eyes. He too seemed a little misty. Their eyes met in complete understanding. He turned to leave, hesitated and whispered, “I love you!”

“Love you too,” responded The Face in the Mirror. Happy Valentine’s Day.