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The next morning, Fatima and Kim sat in my kitchen staring at me as I relayed the events from last night.
Kim exclaimed, “What happened to George? How did you just get a blast from the past as your date?”
I looked over at Kim before answering. With the way she was side eyeing me, if I didn’t know her any better, I would’ve thought she was jealous. But, I’ve known Kim Wilson since college. Previously married for a few years herself, Kim now opted for perpetual dating. I couldn’t imagine introducing myself to strange men over and over again. But she did and had the stories to tell. I got a kick out of her dating horror stories, but deep down I think Kim just didn’t like to be alone.
I explained. “According to the message I received about ten o’clock last night, George had to rush to the hospital for an emergency. Apparently. his youngest son fell and ended up breaking his arm.”
Fatima held her head in her hands. “He still should have called you. I’m sorry he just stood you up.”
I shook my head. “It was his child. If it was one of you and your children were hurt, they would be priority too.”
Fatima shook her head. “George still carries a torch for his ex-wife too.”
Kim yelped before I could. “What? You knew this and you still set him up with Donna?”
“Really?” I giggled and shrugged my shoulders. “I’m fine, Kim. But to answer your other question, it was a chance meeting running into Maxwell. Not a big deal.”
Fatima peered at me. “Umm, no. It is a big deal.” She wiggled her eyebrow. “God is obviously the better matchmaker here.”
Though I secretly agreed, I wasn’t going to admit that to Fatima or Kim. I reached for my empty coffee mug and then grabbed the carafe. “Last night was me having dinner with an old friend. That’s it. Besides, he still hasn’t gotten over his wife. He said it's been two years since her death, but he was still wearing his wedding ring.”
Kim shook her head. “Yeah, but he was interested in seeing you again, right?”
I almost spilt the coffee and concentrated on holding my shaking hand steady while I poured. “He mentioned he had been wanting to connect with old friends.”
Fatima placed her cup in the kitchen sink. “Old friends. You two were best friends. So, when do you plan to meet again?”
“Friday.” I rubbed my nose. “He has three teenagers though. I’m sure he’s a very busy single dad. He might change his mind.”
Fatima placed her arm around me. “Not a chance. His kids are going to love you.”
I arched my eyebrow at my friend. “Let’s not go that far yet.”
I’d already spent too much time thinking about Maxwell as a single dad. Could it really work to have a relationship with him? Would his kids even accept another woman in his life?
Fatima kept going as if I hadn’t said anything. “This is your chance. You and Maxwell were like this when you were younger.” She crossed her fingers together and held them in front of me. “I never understood how the two of you just remained friends. You were crazy about him and he loved him some Donna.”
“You mean you guys never dated?” Kim blurted.
I shook my head. “No, we were just best friends. He lived down the street from me. We’ve known each other since we were like nine years old.”
“Wow!” Kim’s incredulous look turned contemplative. “I never understood how a man and woman could just be friends. Seems impossible especially the older you get.”
Fatima sighed as if expressing a point for the hundredth time. “A relationship should start with friendship. It should be the foundation of any relationship. You should be able to be yourself and unconditionally accept the other person in your life, flaws and all.”
“Whatever.” Kim scraped the rest of her yogurt cup. “I will say something is different about you this morning, Donna. You’re glowing!”
“I am not.” I protested. I don’t know why I was trying to deny Fatima and Kim the satisfaction of seeing me happy. I guess deep down I didn’t want to be disappointed. I had loved this man for a good portion of my young life. As a teenager, I stood on the sidelines, watching my friend grow into a handsome athlete, attracting the attention of what felt like most of the girls at our school. And then he went off to college, came home less and less, and our friendship faded.
I never found another male like Maxwell. I was able to be myself with him, and I truly enjoyed being around him. My ex-husband Allen was clearly a fluke. His good looks fooled me for a little while, but I didn’t have the friendship with him that I had with Maxwell. Maxwell and I spent so much time together. We had known each other so well, we finished each other’s sentences.
The bond that had always been between us was there again last night. How else could we have fallen into that comfortable rhythm of being together after fifteen years? And, why would God bring us together when we were both single for the first time in a long time?
I hoped this was more than just a chance meeting with an old friend.
