© Copyright 2006 by Charlotte Ann Zuzak

Jesse had just been looking at her. “I think you ought to try and get in touch. They want to touch base. They’re at the age where they’re doing a lot and Mom’s not there to see them.”

“What about you, Jesse? Why haven’t you been in touch with your family?”

“Don’t know where they are,” he mumbled. He straightened up. “But if you call that number, I’ll try to get in touch with my kids.”

“Jesse, what are you? What did you do?”

He pondered. “I was an art professor at a good college. Taught sculpture and pottery. Loved it. My wife had an affair. I couldn’t take it. My job went down the tubes. I ran away.” He hesitated. “ I guess the Good Lord is telling me it’s time for changes. He’s got me involved with two churches.”

“I thought you said you were in construction.”

“Well, yeah, when I was in school, during the summers I helped out with a company that belonged to the father of a friend.”

“Well, Jesse,” she said softly, “I guess some women would say that I had it all. Country club, beautiful clothes, money, three beautiful kids and an abusive husband. I bought very expensive cosmetics to hide bruises. Wrote my poetry to escape. Had a good amount published.” She sat and picked at her long skirt. “Jesse, I just want you to know, that I’ve had a wonderful time with you. You haven’t asked questions, but you’re always there.”

Jesse blew his nose and wiped his eyes. “Hey, get to the telephone!”



The following week the town saw reunions with agreement that the past was just that.

“Hey,” said Jesse beaming. “Can you believe I have a daughter that’s a lawyer and a son that’s a doctor?” He couldn’t stop hugging the beautiful girl and handsome, young man who called him Dad. Bitter feelings had been the first reaction of the two young people, but they agreed that hate took too much energy. They would go see this man who lived with a poetess. The priest and minister had put their heads together, and with the information they could get out of Jesse, had found his daughter through a legal association. She had been hesitant, but agreed to call her brother and see what he had to say.

Lily’s three children were thrilled that she had responded. The youngest, Carrie, barely remembered her mother, but she clung to Lily. The boys were in college and doing very well. They had been taken in by Lily’s sister, who also came, with the news that Lily’s husband had been killed in a car accident after getting raging drunk at the country club one night. The children had to admit that they had breathed a sigh of relief after being psychologically abused for five years. They said that they had tried over and over to find Lily, never dreaming that she was now living in homeless shelters. They thanked Jesse, repeatedly for taking care of their mother and asked to be taken to see his sculpture.

They made a good-sized group as they walked down the street to the church. The people from Bible Missionary Church were standing outside and applauded as they approached. A meal had been set down stairs after the viewing of the Nativity scene, which was on permanent display. The warmth that permeated the church was catching. Father Mulloy was also there and insisted that they come and see the baptismal fount in his church.

Father was asked to say the blessing and added that the town had much to say thank you for to Lily and Jesse. Lily had really become involved in home visitation of the elderly when she wasn’t cleaning. Jesse had whittled little figures that the high school students had sold to help with their senior class trip.

“To the children, I would say, forget the past. You have parents that were hurt and had to relocate for awhile, but they received an education that you don’t get from books.”

Jesse and Lily went back to the apartment and two tired dogs at the end of the day. The children were staying awhile and had been put up by a church member who owned a motel.

“Well, Lily. Where do we go from here? You come from a pretty fancy background. I’m just an unemployed college professor.”

“Jesse,” she said softly. “I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything.”

“What are you going to do?” he asked.

“Well, my children have asked me to come home with them. Going back to Philadelphia is going to be hard after all this time in Cleveland. And you Jesse?”

“Going back to Chicago. Might continue with my carving work, try to make a few dollars from it. My son wants me to move in with him and his family. Says he thinks I could get a part-time position at a community college for now. I don’t want to stay with him forever; I like having my own space.”

Lily nodded. “Sounds good. My sister says I also might get a teaching job in writing at a community college. I haven’t taught in years, but I have to do something since she’s taken care of the kids since I’ve been gone.”

“ Don’t go on a guilt trip now. Just keep writing your poetry, Lily. It’s beautiful.”

“Oh yes. And lots of places to read it in Philadelphia.”

The spoken words ended as they each became lost in their thoughts, but looked over at the other from time to time.

“Lily, what about us?”

“I like to think that we’ll keep in touch. After all, we came together at the right time; we both needed help.”

He nodded. “Maybe you could write some poetry to go with my sculpture. Is that ever done?”

“Well,” she laughed, “If it hasn’t we’ll do it for the first time.”

“You taking Annie?”

“Of course. And Jimmy?”

“Oh, he’s going. My son says he has a big back yard and that my grandson has been pestering him to get a dog. It’ll work.”

“Lily, do you think we’ll ever see each other again or was this just a momentary happening?”

She sighed. “Oh, Jesse. It’s been great being with you, but it was a unique situation. I don’t think any believes us when we say that living together only meant sharing an apartment. Let’s keep in touch, tell each other about what we’re doing and see what happens. No big plunges for now.”

“You’re right. Good answer.”

They packed up the few things they each had the next day, settled their dogs in each family’s respective van, and prepared to leave. It was tearful, even the dogs were upset.

“Someday, Lily, we’ll see each other again, I promise.”

Lily smiled, said nothing but kissed him goodbye.


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