Angels in the midst
I've always held that goodbyes bring to light the transient nature of our world!while our little cars rush to and fro, and the crowds flow in and out of the city as it breathes its abstract breaths, our ambitions and egos run futile circles to ensnare and cloud the essential. Only at moments of loss, on the edge of no return do we recognize the value of a touch, the power of an honest smile, the tenderness of pure intent, the heart!
I was sitting at a café, reading the last pages of an especially gripping fiction as it crescendoed into a bittersweet twist between two fated lovers!ending with a goodbye!
Perhaps my expression had betrayed my thoughts for as I closed the book and looked up, I saw standing not far from me a tall slender elderly woman with rich silver curls and opalescent grey eyes. She was looking at me, intently, not smiling; yet, her gaze was deeply comforting and warm.
"Mind if I sit next to you?" she asked with a trace of premonition.
"Yes of course."
"What are you reading?" she inquired while setting her bag down beside her chair.
I showed her my book. She casually pulled out a pen from her bag and wrote down the title and the author on a cocktail napkin, and placed both the pen and the napkin back in her tote bag. She hesitated for a moment, and then slowly pulled her hand out holding a tattered book. It was titled The Ultimate Gift.
"You should read this next," she whispered, hinting at a well-seasoned flirt, "and I'll read yours!"
"Thanks, I will," I said, not wishing to offend her. But it has also been my experience in the past several years that many of the books I've read have been recommended to me by friends and strangers. So, in some way I welcomed the punctuality of providence.
"Oh, there is a table outside, I think I'm going to take it," she said, and I dragged my eyes away from the book to look at her. She was already standing and holding her bag.
"Take care," I said as I handed back her book.
"Goodbye."
Something urged me and after about thirty seconds I looked back to see where she was sitting and noticed that there were several empty tables outside, but she was not there, nor anywhere in the vicinity. I feigned nonchalance as I forcibly ambled outside, and frantically darted my eyes across the parking lot and adjacent stores!but to no avail, not a trace of her!
It's been several days since, and I have yet to chance to read the book, and so, until then and even then, I wonder, my dear, what would you consider the ultimate gift? What would I?
-I.A.T.