A Short Story

I walked with my wife down the boardwalk by the river. After thirty years, we can bask in the comfort of the quiet of just enjoying each other's company. "Hey, hon?" she asks. "Hmm?" I respond, watching a flock of birds fly overhead. I hear her hesitation, "Who was Billy?" My world grinds to a halt at this seemingly innocent question. How did she know? How long has she known? Why ask me now? My mind is flooded with memories of that day.

Billy and I were walking down this same boardwalk over forty years ago. We laughed and playfully punched one another, just enjoying the summer sunshine. Billy pointed to a group of girls coming the opposite direct, "I bet you can't get that girl's number." I laugh, "Nice try. I fell for that last time. She was your cousin, and you paid her to embarrass me like that at the mall." Billy shook his head vigorously, "No, I mean it! She's really cute. Maybe you guys will click like my parents did." "What do you mean," I ask. Billy started in on his story.

Twenty years ago on this same boardwalk, Billy's parents had met for the first time. They locked eyes and immediately knew they were meant to be together. Of course, it would take them another five years to admit to one another how much they liked each other. You never admit to your crush how much you like them! His parents had kissed each other, and as they pulled away, Billy's mother had asked, "What changed you mind?" Billy's father hugged her close, "Do you remember me telling you about my grandfather?"

Fifty years ago, Billy's father's grandfather was fishing with a buddy of his on the shore that would one day be the boardwalk. There were no busy streets or bustling folk, so the area was nice and peaceful for an afternoon of fishing. His friend turned to him, "You know what. I have an idea." Billy's father's grandfather rolled his eyes, "Oh, yeah? What is it?" His friend told him, "I think we should make some kind of walkway here so that we don't have to sit in the dirt." Billy's father's grandfather laughed, "Why? That's just going to encourage people to come out here. Soon, you'll have a bunch of crap stories about people falling in love or remembering old times. Nobody like those stories."