Singular Moments and Silver Maples

The mighty silver maple yawns, gathering the morning beams, soft light dancing on abundant green leaf. The scent of woody air flows through the window swirling into the bloom of perked coffee.

***

My husband swipes crumbs from his beard and sips the brew, skimming the morning headlines. I am smoothing every corner of toast with butter and jam. Laughing, he looks up and shares what he read. It reminded him of days past …of what could have been and what was now.

“Isn’t it interesting that if I did not take that promotion and move here…we may not have met? Or had our wonderful children… It really was a special moment."

The toast stuck in my throat. Nodding, I remember...

***

The wind ebbs and giant silver maple remains still.

A little girl of five was excited to start school at a strange place called Wright Elementary. She carefully buckled her black leather shoes. Then she walked and walked and walked. Sweat trickled down her neck soaking her blouse. Hands were wet and shaky. Her stomach churned; knees weak like a ride on a roller coaster. She blinked back tears. Ah! A bench! Swirling her new skirt just so, she sat.

“Hello, are you ok?” shouted a woman from a nearby house. Swiftly, the little girl ran from the voice and ran some more, her heart pounding the steps. Until she stood before a large building with lots of people and kids like her. She took a huge breath. She had found it.

***

The leafage of the giant silver maple is heavy and damp. One branch swoops low to the ground.

The rear of the bayou convent boasted aged bricks and broken cement steps. A young woman dressed in colorful cotton set the heavy suitcase beside her. Eyes dart about the familiar yard. Her summer mission has ended...yet, she had become fond of this place. What was so strange has become home; full of kindly people dedicated to “the mission.”

Heartbeats skipping.

The plane was ready to whisk her back to that other life …of college finals, work possibilities, relocation. A horrible fork in the road. She was akin to a two- sided clown, half was smiling, the other half, sobbing.

She had to stay. She had to go.

Abruptly, she grasped tight the handle of the suitcase. In seconds the weathered, gray gate flew open. And she was gone.

***

Crisp, endless nights of glittery skies have delighted the giant silver maple. Awakening to the morn, hints of gold are tipping its foliage.

She was almost ready to don the dark blue gown and cap. Leave her chair in the classroom and claim a seat in the professional world. But this afternoon she was ready for something else. A church bazaar…with friends, faith and fun.

Her gaze scanned the book table, the collection of magazines along with a plethora of hard and soft covers. So many good reads. So many good friends to chat with. As she darted about from person to person, she saw him. A man with a nice smile, nodding. A stranger, saying hello. Fumbling her purchase, she scooped up her books and looked up. The stranger was gone.

The day had been long. Wearily, she climbed the double staircase to her apartment. But it had been very satisfying. Moving the phone and its curled cord off the creaking rocker, she sat. Softly closed her eyes.

Then.

A jarring noise. Ringing. Ringing.

Grabbing the receiver … it was him.

***

“My, my where have you gone?” Laughing, my husband gently touched my shoulder. “I am sipping the last bit of coffee and you have not touched yours. Or spoken at all.”

“It's because of what you said about our meeting… those moments that brought me, us to this time, this table. “I was so excited you answered the phone and yes, here we are.”

They poured more coffee, enjoying the soft light of early morn.

***

The giant silver maple stood majestic against the cerulean sky. Nodding in affirmation as a most golden leaf gently touched the window.

… “and that’s how I live it.”