Summer Love - Finale (Complete)

And so it ends …

After two years of searching and spending nearly my entire savings, I had finally found Nancy.

Every day during those two years I relived each day we had, each moment shared during that incredible summer.  I kept praying she would still be alive when I found her.  At least alive long enough to tell her I love her and sorry for not saying it sooner.

It took me some doing but find her I did.

It was about a mile outside a town named Veria, northwest of Athens.  She was buried nearby a river called the Tripotamos, where daises, poppies and wildflowers grew beyond their numbers.  She was resting in her house of peace.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this right away.  She told me about this once and she said it in her letter about a going away party.

I had spent the better part of seven months roaming from town to town, village to village, showing her picture to anyone who might remember seeing her.  It wasn’t until I arrived in Veria, where an older man recognized her face and took me to where she now rests.

I knelt by her graveside, spoke a few words and said a small prayer but this time there were no tears.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t.

For Nancy, for me, the journey was finished.  We each did what we had to do.  It was time for me to go home and start over. 

At least I finally got to tell her, “I love you.”

**********

Another Summer Begins …

“Hello.”

“Hello, Linda.  How are you?”

“Bill!  Is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me live, not so close but sorta-kinda personal.”

“It’s so good to hear your voice again.”

“Same with you.  For a minute, I wasn’t sure you’d still have the same number.”

“Always.  So tell me, how are things going for you?”

“It’s over.  I found her.”

“You did?  Where?”

“Alongside a river in Greece called the Tripotamos.  I’ll tell you about it after my plane gets in.”

“Plane?  You mean you’re coming back?”

“Yes, I’m coming back.”

“Thank, God.  We need a cook really bad!  I mean, where are you right now?  I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Gee, nice to know I’m needed for something.”

“Don’t be such a smart-ass.  Where are you?”

“I’m at LaGuardia Airport, waiting for my flight to be called.  I’m due in about six-thirty tonight, but don’t meet me at the airport, Linda.”

“Why?  How come?”

“You have to stay home and make me another cup of coffee.  That, and I need a permanent place to live.”

“Am I … did I hear you right?”

“You heard right.  That is, if things are cool and you still want me.”

“Yes they are and yes I do.  I’ll have a fresh pot waiting for you when you walk through the front door.”  She paused for a second then her tone of voice changed slightly.  “Just so you know, Sid sold the Fun Center and moved away about two months after you left.  No one knows where he went or if he’s even alive.  He just vanished after he sold the place.”

“I think he did that because Nancy’s memories were there.  They were pretty close for the longest time.  I imagine as much when she said in her letter he was on his own, that that probably did him in.  Anyway, see you tonight.”

“You better believe it!  Bill, I meant what I said about having everything ready for you.”

“I know.”  I smiled.

We hung up and I headed for Gate-32A where my plane would be leaving from in another hour. 

Thinking back, Nancy was right about one thing—it was one hell of a summer.

As the time drew near and the voice over the P.A. system announced my flight was ready for departure, I stood in a small line, waiting to hand my boarding pass to a stewardess, I gave thought to Linda.  Somehow, I could see another good summer coming my way again.  If I knew Linda, she would make it a summer I would never regret.

Twenty minutes into the flight, I settled back to get some rest.  Just before sleep took control of my body, I remembered another thing Nancy had told me.

“Better watch out.  Linda might want you as badly as I do, and maybe even more.”

I wondered how she knew.

**********

Twenty-Four Summers Later …

“Dad?  Can I borrow ten bucks until tomorrow?  Tomorrow’s payday, and I need the cash for gas or I won’t be able to get to work on time after classes.”

“Sure, Brad.”  I reached inside my billfold and gave him a ten.

Brad grabbed the money, yelled back a thank you as he was heading out the front door on his way to class.  Two more months and he graduates college.  I don’t know where I went wrong with him, he wants to be a lawyer.  What is this world coming to?

I walked into the kitchen and snuck up behind Linda, grabbed her around the waist.  She had just finished loading the dishwasher.

Amazing what the years had brought us.  Eight years after my return, I took what savings I had, got a bank loan and bought the Gardens.  Linda handles the books and I sign the checks.  What a life.

I leaned in close to Linda and whispered, “Happy Anniversary, sexy.”

She turned in my arms, giving me a big smile and a quick peck on the lips.

“What are you talking about?  This isn’t our anniversary.  That’s still four months away.”

“In a way it is.  You know it was twenty-six summers ago when we first met.”

“I see.  I know what you want, you horny little devil you.”

“You read my mind.  Another cup of coffee sounds good to me.”