She sat down heavily at the little chrome table. She’d just have a minute. Around her the Saturday shoppers passed unaware. The tears had come from nowhere. Well, that wasn’t strictly true… it was the spectacles that had done it, left next to the empty coffee cups. Just like his. A style no-one wore these days. Seeing them there on the table had made her heart lurch. Just a minute, then she’d take them in to the counter. Somebody would be bound to miss them.
He’d always worn the same style… aviators, they called them. She shook her head to clear the memories. It was a long time ago… a good innings, they’d said… Too young though.
She had been young then too, slim and attractive, once the dark circles had faded and the pinched look of grief left her eyes. She was older now than he had been… older by far. In fact, if she was honest, she was just plain old. Old and plain. All illusion of glamour had disappeared beneath the upholstery, the curves had multiplied with a mathematical logic that owed nothing to aesthetics and far too much to gravity.
She didn’t mind. There was compensation… grandchildren, bus passes, senior discounts… that kind of thing. And she had lived more than many; not longer, not yet… but lived with a capital ‘L’. It was a good letter… laughter, love… a good way to live…
She watched the young people passing. Half of them doing twiddly things with their phones, others trying to look interesting… all preening, though, hoping to be noticed. Mothers with pushchairs that looked like something from a science-fiction novel. Men rushing through the shopping with more haste than interest. It never changed, not really.
“What can I get you?” The waitress didn’t meet her eyes. She looked bored, her pen poised over a dog-eared pad covered in scribbles and doodles. She supposed she’d have to order something. One of these new-fangled coffee thingummies. “Madam?… Are you okay?”
The young woman looked upset. She wanted to reassure her but couldn’t seem to find her voice. She stood and felt an arm slide around the slender curve of her waist. “She’s fine,” said a familiar voice. He took the spectacles from her fingers and smiled down at her. “She’s with me now.”
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
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Oh! Sue you caught me unawares there . That is beautiful 💜. I was empathising a little with the woman but as beautiful was the end was I did not expect it.
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A gentle transition 🙂 x
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Yes it certainly was i
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A beautiful story, Sue. Thank you for sharing it.
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Thank you,Viv.
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This lovely story brought tears to my eyes, Sue… really beautiful!
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Thanks, Jaye x
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That was most touching, Sue. Thank you x
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Glad you enjoyed it, Joy. x
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That was so touchingly beautiful, I wept. Still am.
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May we all pass as gently when the time comes.
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This is lovely Sue. I hoped when my Mum passed away my Dad was waiting for her. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was laughing as he asked her ‘What kept you?’
Beautiful.
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That’s such a lovely image to hold 🙂
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They are together in my thoughts and my dreams, so hopefully in the afterlife. I am content with that thought.
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🙂
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This is lovely, Sue, but the ending is cryptic. I am left thinking she died.
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That was the idea 🙂
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How sweet. A lovely ending.
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Thanks, Darlene.
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So poignant, Sue. If only all endings could be so peaceful.
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Tha would be good.
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Oh! Foul! I seem to have something in my eye.
Trigger warning next time, please… 😀 ❤ xx
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Apologies, H. Tissue? xx
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Yes, thanks… 🙂 xx
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🙂 xx
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It is hard to type with tears a big lump in my throat. That is a beautiful story!
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Thank you, Jennie…and sorry about that 😉
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🥰
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Yum!
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Bloody brilliant ghost story!!! Bravo.
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Thank you, Widds 🙂
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What a lovely way to pass. It should only be so for all of us.
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It would be good if it were so gentle.
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Left speechless after reading this…what a finishing touch!
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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Thank you Sue,
stay wealthy healthy safe and happy
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a beautiful story!
Love the picture! that drink looks delicious
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Thank you.
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you’re welcome!
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