FIVE YEARS

I swing open the door and I see her
she is reading a story to my children
they are so engrossed in the story they don't look up
I go to the counter and ask for a cold water

I have been out horseback riding
and have worked up quite a sweat
She has me intrigued, mesmerized
I know her, I know her well

My children are as enchanted by her as I
I want her to see me
but I don't want to interrupt her
I take a quick glance in the mirror behind the counter

My hair is tousled, she liked it like that - back when
She is even more beautiful then I remembered
I didn't think beauty came any more beautiful
Evening is approaching - the children need to eat

I turn back around and she is closing the book
The children are looking at her face - smiling
I walk - anxiously, nervously, excitedly - toward her
Will she recognize me? What do I say?

As I approach the sofa the children see me
they sqeal in delight - mommy, mommy
that makes me smile - she sees me too
She has a "it can't be you" look - I feel ashamed

I only now realize how uncomfortable this moment will be
She doesn't know how much I love her
She doesn't know what has happened since we last spoke
I only hear silence!

Don't panic! I bend down and pick my babies up!
I thank her for reading them a story
They both look at her and giggle
I invite her to have dinner with us - say 7 o'clock?

TBC