The Hard Conversation

It was a cold, sunny day in July in Melbourne, a city typically known for its unpredictable weather. While many parts of the world experienced scorching heatwaves, Melbourne was uncomfortably cold for that time of year, with a brisk breeze adding to the chill. The sun shone brightly, illuminating patchy cumulus clouds in the blue sky. Despite this, the temperature remained surprisingly low, prompting residents to wear their winter jackets as they went about their daily activities.

Mark, carrying two steaming large takeaway cups of coffee, walked into Fitzroy Gardens, a lush green oasis in the heart of the bustling city. The cold air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and eucalyptus oil from the gum tree leaves, blending with the distant hum of city life. As he headed toward the familiar wooden bench — the spot where they had first met and later made their rendezvous place — beneath the sprawling branches of a large gum tree, he felt a slight flutter of anticipation, bringing back long-forgotten memories. Arriving a little early, he sat on the bench. The biting cold emanating from the icy wooden surface almost instantly penetrated through his thick jeans, causing him to shiver intensely. So, he pulled his jacket tighter around himself. He tried to ignore the chill, dreaming of warmer spring days and regretting choosing the gardens for their meeting.

While waiting, a young girl and her excited dog drew his attention. The girl was pleading with her energetic Border Collie to stay calm, trying to soothe his overflowing excitement. The dog's ears perked up, and his tail wagged eagerly, likely happy to be in open space. As he ran around playfully, he pulled her along with enthusiastic energy, causing the leash to stretch tight as she struggled to maintain her control amid the joyful chaos.

"Hello, Mark."

Elizabeth's greeting drew his attention, making him look away from the girl and her dog. "Oh! Hello Liz. I didn't notice you approaching."

"I saw you watching the energetic dog pulling its young owner."

"It seems that the Border Collie is the one in charge, not the girl," he said with a smile.

She smiled back but stayed silent.

"I got you a long black, as you prefer," Mark said and passed her the disposable cup.

"Thank you," she said and grabbed the cup with both hands.

"It's nicely hot."

"I just got it before walking in the park."

"It's freezing. Can we walk?" she asked.

"Sure, I won't suggest you sit on the bench because its surface is as cold as ice."

She nodded in agreement.

"By the way, you look good, Liz," Mark said.

"Thank you. You also haven't changed a bit."

"Just getting older," Mark said with a faint smile.

"As we all did."

They walked side by side in silence, each lost in thought. Mark's eyes were fixed on the distant horizon, not focusing on anything specific, but his mind was filled with memories of their shared past. Elizabeth cradled her coffee cup, her gaze cast downward, contemplating the same memories as Mark, yet both hesitated to break the silence. Finally, Mark broke the quiet and asked softly, "Are you still working at the same law firm, Liz?"

"Yes, I am. Earlier this year, I became a partner."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, how about you?"

"I am working for a different company. It's been about six months since I started there," Mark replied.

"Good! Do they pay more?"

"They pay a bit more, but the good thing is that I don't have to travel as much as I used to."

"Makes sense," she replied, remembering that when they were together, Mark was rarely home, traveling from one city to another around the world. It was initially okay, but his frequent absences eventually drove them apart. "You must be tired from traveling for a long time," she said.

"I grew tired of constantly flying from place to place, checking into different hotels, and getting used to sleeping in unfamiliar beds every night."

"I didn't know!" she replied. A mix of surprise and confusion crossed her face. She wondered why they had never discussed this issue before, back when they were still together, since it could have saved their marriage.

After a long pause, Mark resumed the conversation and asked, "You must be very busy as a partner?"

"Tell me about it. In addition to my responsibilities, I manage a team of over ten associates, ensuring they meet their goals and remain productive. I also oversee the firm's advertising efforts, creating strategies and campaigns aimed at drawing in new clients and boosting our market visibility."

"Wow, you must be crazy busy. I don't envy where you are."

"I'm so busy that I sometimes regret accepting the partnership offer."

"You're a capable person, Liz. The firm won't regret having you as a partner."

"Thank you, Mark," Elizabeth replied with a smile.

They both fell silent once more, as if there was nothing left to say.

"By the way, how is Paul?" Mark asked, restarting the conversation.

"He is good."

"Must be at school?"

"Yes, I dropped him off at his school this morning before coming here."

"It's been over two years since I last saw him," Mark said.

"I know."

"As he has your genes, he must be the tallest student in his class," Mark said.

"You are right. Paul is 170 cm tall now."

"Wow, 170 at year seven! He makes a good basketball player," Mark said.

"Paul plays volleyball on the school team."

"I'm proud of him."

"Me too."

Silence hung heavily between them again, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. After a minute or two of quiet reflection, Elizabeth finally asked, "Are you seeing someone?"

"Yes, I am," Mark said hesitantly.

"Is she Australian?"

"Yes, she is. She's a Chinese Australian."

"Good for you."

"How about you, Liz? Are you seeing someone?"

"No. Since becoming a partner at the law firm, my responsibilities have quadrupled. Even if I wanted to, I don't have time."

"Is your partner a good woman, looking after you?"

"Yes, she is a good, easygoing woman."

"Are you saying that I wasn't easygoing?"

"Not at all. You both have unique personalities, neither better nor worse than one another."

"What do you mean?"

"Liz, you are a strong and independent woman that I admire, but she's different from you. She's more family-oriented," he said.

"Do you mean I didn't care about my family?" she protested.

"Please don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say that. Generally speaking, Asian women tend to be more family-oriented, while Western women often favor independence. It's just cultural differences, and nothing more."

"Okay," she replied, thinking for a moment. "What's her name?"

"Her name is Meilin."

"Nice and easy-to-pronounce name."

"Yes, it is," he agreed.

Suddenly, a gusty wind swept through the park, lowering the mercury by a few degrees. Shivering, Elizabeth asked, "Can we go to a warmer place?"

"There's a nice Italian restaurant nearby. If you're interested, we can go there for lunch."

"I need to get back to the office. There are many things to do."

"Just a quick lunch, not more than half an hour. What do you say?"

"Um…"

"As I recall, you liked Italian. This restaurant opened recently, and the food is excellent."

"Okay, a quick lunch. It's better than being out in this cold weather."

"Sure. It's on the northern side of the garden," he said while pointing in the direction they should walk.

The restaurant was small but tastefully decorated, evoking an upscale atmosphere despite its limited size. The interior featured elegant furnishings, ambient lighting, and details that suggested a high-end experience. The restaurant manager quickly approached Mark and Elizabeth, greeting them warmly with a friendly smile, and said, "Hello, Mr. Williams. It's nice to see you again."

"Hello, Carl. Please call me Mark."

"Sure, sir."

"I apologize for not making a reservation."

"Not a problem, sir. We always have a spot for our loyal customers."

"Thank you, Carl."

"You're welcome, sir. Would you like your usual table, Mr. Mark?"

"Yes, please."

The manager asked, "May I take your coats?"

"Sure."

After collecting their coats, he then guided them to a cozy table by the window, offering a scenic view of the Fitzroy Gardens, which added to the warm and inviting atmosphere.

The restaurant's air was pleasantly warm, making Elizabeth feel relaxed and comfortable. "I'm pleased with your taste, Mark. Much better than I remember," she said.

"I've evolved," Mark replied with a smile.

"How did you come to know this restaurant?"

"At the company, we have many interstate and foreign guests, and we usually bring them here. It's a nice, cozy place with good food for dining and discussing business."

Mark noticed the delight in Liz's eyes as she enjoyed the food and the restaurant's ambiance. "It looks like you enjoy the food here, don't you?" he said.

"Honestly, I'm pleased with the food. It's superb."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"Thanks for bringing me here."

"Anytime. I'll let Carl know you enjoyed the food and might come back."

"For sure."

As they enjoyed their desserts — tiramisu and a flat white for Mark, and a cannoli with English breakfast tea for Liz — she shifted the conversation to the topic they had both been hesitant to discuss, saying, "I think Paul needs to be in contact with you."

Mark nodded.

"For his future, I believe, Paul needs his father in his life," Elizabeth said.

Mark desperately wanted to scream that it was you who kept me from seeing my son, but he restrained himself and instead said, "I agree with you."

"So how can we arrange it?" she asked.

"Does Paul want to see me after this time?"

"At first, he missed you and often yearned to see you. However, as time passed, he stopped inquiring about you."

"I hope he didn't think that I didn't want to see him, but it was the law that kept me from contacting him," Mark said, feeling some pain in his chest. How could a judge take away a father's right to see his only child just based on an accusation? But that was in the past, and he shouldn't hold on to his grudge.

"I'm also a bit worried about your first meeting. I don't want to cause him any distress," Elizabeth said.

"Me too," Mark responded, thinking. "How about you and Paul coming to my place on Sunday? It's also a good chance for you two to meet Meilin."

"At your place?" she replied dismissively.

"Yes, we can have a small get-together, a reunion party."

"What will Meilin think if I come to your place?"

"She knows all about us, and she is eager to meet you and Paul."

"But…"

He interrupted her and said, "Liz, even though we had some issues in the past, we also shared good times. Nothing is stopping us from being friends now," Mark said.

"Being friends?"

"Over the past two years, I've often reflected on our relationship. At first, I was angry and resented what you did to me, feeling hurt and betrayed."

"What did I do to you?" Elizabeth protested.

"Let me finish what I want to say first," Mark asked.

"Okay," she replied, expressing her disapproval.

"But as time went on and I gained perspective, I realized I also had some responsibility for our situation. I now understand that my frequent business trips and absence during special occasions have significantly strained our relationship. Now, I've let go of the anger and the grudge, Liz. I genuinely want us to be friends. It's good for our son, too."

"I see," she replied with a calmer tone. "I need some time to think about it."

"Of course, take your time."

"Thank you."

"I'm seeking a genuine friendship," Mark added.

"I need to think about it."

"While thinking about my offer, please come to my place on Sunday."

"But…."

Mark interrupted her again and said, "If you decide against my offer, please come just this once for Paul. It will be easier for him to reunite with me if his mother is present. If you accept my friendship offer, you're invited to your friend's house, and we can see each other more often."

After contemplating for a minute or two, she finally replied, "Okay, what time should we be there? And what's the address?"

"Thank you, Liz. You can come for lunch, and I will text you my address."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement.