Always and Forever

"It's a long story, my dear."

"That's okay Grandma, I've got time." I curl up on the couch as Grandma puts the kettle on. 

"Well your Grandfather asked me out in high school but really our story started way before that. The first time we met was the summer before middle school at the park. I threw a stone at him," She laughs fondly at the memory. 

   "I saw him standing over my little brother, who lay on the ground with blood dripping down his grazed knee. I've always been protective of my little brother and when I saw him there I assumed the worst. I started screaming at him, blaming him for what had happened. I threw stones at him to scare him off before I helped my little brother get up and dragged him away with me. Later my brother told me that he had fallen and the other boy was trying to help him. I felt guilty that I had blamed the poor boy without hearing the whole story first. Ever since that day I couldn’t get him off my mind.

We ended up going to the same middle school but we never spoke to each other. I was too embarrassed to even try to talk to him. I didn't think he would want to talk to me after I drove him away with stones the last time I had seen him. I secretly hoped that he would come talk to me and explain how the accident hadn't been his fault but that never happened. We weren't ignoring each other exactly, we were just kind of co-existing without acknowledging each other's presence.

We started high school in the same way. There were now even more people separating us. We had no classes together and we never really saw each other. Until I bumped into him in the hall one day. Literally. My books all fell to the floor and he stopped to help me pick them up. I was so flustered because I still hadn't plucked up the courage to talk to him since that day in the park years before. I didn't have to look in the mirror to know that my face was burning a bright red. I managed to stutter out an apology. How could I have been so absorbed in my own thoughts to not have noticed him walking the opposite direction?

We stood in awkward silence for a minute, neither of us knowing what to say. I decided that it was time I attempted to have a proper conversation with him. I plucked up all my courage but before I could get any words out, he walked off after apologising again. 

Then it hit me. He mustn't remember who I was! I was relieved at first because that meant maybe he didn’t hate me after all, but then disappointment washed over me. I had a growing crush on him all this time and he didn't even remember who I was. I guess it was understandable considering the only time we had talked had been 4 years prior to this, but I didn't stop to think rationally. I marched after him, determination flowing through me. I caught up to him and stood in front of him, blocking his path. He was going to hear me out. 

That had been the plan. However, the only thing that came out of my mouth was "I threw rocks at you." I knew that didn't come out right but my confidence had swayed and my words got lodged in the back of my throat. He just stared at me. I have always found his eyes hypnotizing. I'm surprised I hadn't melted into a puddle of goo at his feet. Suddenly he burst out laughing. A real belly laugh, he even had tears in his eyes. He was definitely the only one to find the situation funny. 

When his laughing fit had subdued he explained that he remembered who I was. Then my words decided it would be a good time to start coming out again and I just went off on a rant explaining how I was sorry and shouldn't have thrown rocks at him, and how I had always wanted to talk to him but that I thought he hated me for throwing rocks at him. Before I knew what was happening, his lips came down on mine. That was one way to get a girl to stop talking. I couldn't believe it. It only lasted a second but I was sure I had tasted heaven for a second. He chuckled at my dazzled expression and had told me how he had wanted to kiss me since forever. He explained that he had thought that I hated him so he avoided me and tried to make it look like he didn't remember me. As if anyone could ever hate him. He was as close to perfect as there is. Anyways, he asked me out for coffee that weekend and the rest was history. 

Of course it wasn't always smooth sailing. We had our share of fights and problems, and we had to do long distance for a while when we were in college, but we always knew we would make it. "Always and forever", we used to tell each other. I can't believe that we'll be married 50 years tomorrow."

Wrapping her arms around me, Grandma looks over my shoulder. I'm holding a photograph of my grandparents on their wedding day. It looks like it was taken mid-laugh. They are looking at each other and it's as if they are the only ones there. I wonder if they even knew the picture was being taken. 

A couple of tears slipped down her cheek sometime during her story but now they were flowing freely. I hold Grandma in my arms, letting her mourn the loss of her husband and celebrate their love. Because of them I know what true love looks like.

I remember the times before Grandad passed away. Every night when he came home from work the first thing he would do was give her a kiss. He always treated her so well and she returned the favour. They did everything together, not wanting to be apart longer than necessary. It was as if they were still teenagers, or in their honeymoon faze. 'Young love' is how I had heard it described; infatuated with each other and not needing anyone else, but it was more than that. They had faced their fair share of problems but they always stuck together. They seemed to be living solely for each other. I hope one day I'll be lucky enough to experience it myself. 

Grandma picks up another photo of her and Grandad. This one was taken at the hospital, just hours before Grandad passed, but they both still look as happy and as in love as they did on their wedding day.

A watery smile crosses Grandma’s face as she focuses all her attention on the photo in her hand. "No matter how far apart we are, no matter how old we get, no matter how long you've been gone - for as long as I live, Jeremy, I will love you; always and forever."