We’ll Meet Again Someday

Judith took a bite of her baked cod. “Is it good?” Conrad asked. Judith looked up and glanced across the table at Conrad just as a toddler began wailing a few tables away from theirs. It wasn’t nearly as ear-splitting as the infant who’d been screaming right next to them nearly the entire time they’d been in the restaurant, but it was annoying enough. Why did most restaurants sound like nurseries on speed these days? Judith nodded and said, “It’s excellent. I just wish I could enjoy it in a more peaceful setting.” “You and me both,” Conrad agreed. “My son never wailed this much when he was little.” “I think we’re just living in a time when more moms don’t teach their kids any manners.” “Seems that way.” “How’s Willie getting along in college?” “He seems happy enough,” Judith said, although he doesn’t like the cooler weather up north.” “Good for him.” Judith studied Conrad, tall and dark. They’d only been dating for a few months, but they’d hit it off from the start. They shared a lot of common interests and views of the world. “Kids are great, for the most part. Do you want any of your own someday?” she asked. “Sure,” he lied. The truth was, he didn’t want to spend his money or time on kids, noisy or not. He was just reluctant to say so. Judith was such a great catch—a bit on the heavy side, but a great catch just the same—and he didn’t want to risk losing her by saying the wrong thing. Although it wasn’t as safe as birth control, he knew he could “slip out” in time if he couldn’t hold back altogether. Judith was approaching her mid-forties anyway, so he wasn’t exactly treading on highly fertile ground to begin with. With her son grown and tucked away in college, a few hours away from the houses they rented, he didn’t think he had to worry about any competition. Judith ran a hand through her short-cropped golden hair and fixed her hazel eyes on Conrad. “Well, you’re out of luck with me. I know we just met and all that, but I think it’s only fair to let you know up front that I got my tubes tied after Willie was born.” Hallelujah! “Oh. Oh, well, that’s just fine too. Kids are time-consuming and expensive, and well, I’m pushing fifty rather fast, you know? And as the latest reports confirm, it’s the quality of the sperm that matters, not the quantity.” “And that declines with age,” Judith noted with a giggle. They ate more of their dinner to the sound of the restaurant’s nearly chaotic banter before she spoke again. “Did I tell you about who’s renting Audra’s guesthouse?” Conrad forked some cheesy potatoes into his mouth. “Something about a weird chick from the past that Audra had a thing for that she won’t own up to. It makes her uncomfortable or something like that.” “Yeah, but I absolutely did not tell you about the part about her having a thing for her. Really, Conrad, you did not hear that from me.” “Nope, didn’t hear a thing,” Conrad said, shaking his head. “Audra’s very old-fashioned.” “But these kinds of things are hardly kept hidden these days.” “True, but she’s a closet case just the same—one who’s been happily married for a long time now. I guess she feels there’s no point in putting too much energy into a relationship that can never be.” “Attraction is something we can’t help, though, whether it’s to the same sex or not. No matter how devoted we may be to a particular individual, people are going to come and go that we find attractive.” “I’m sure she knows this,” Judith said. “Who says they have to have a relationship? While James can continue to be Audra’s husband, maybe Riana can be her side dish and add a little fun and variety to her life. Then she could have the best of both worlds. It’s been so long, though. Can this girl really still be that good-looking?” Conrad asked. “Audra says she looks much the same, just an older version of herself and a little heavier. She was very small when I last saw her—very short and skinny, with brown hair to the waist. Audra says it’s insanely long now and dyed jet black.” “Ah, the exotic type,” Conrad said with an impish grin. “Maybe her being right under her nose will be rather tempting for Audra.” “I don’t know about that. The longer we’re with someone, the more content we are with keeping attractive people as nothing more than eye candy, and Audra’s been with James forever now. Besides, they’re in their forties, not their twenties. Plus, Riana lost her girlfriend and the child they adopted.” “But that was two years ago, from what you told me,” Conrad pointed out. “Plus, eye candy that practically lives with you is different from the eye candy you’re friends with, work with, or see in a store or on TV.” Judith smiled devilishly and said, “Then maybe we should consider moving in together sometime soon.”