Maybe It's Fate?

I sat on the edge of my bed, tightly clutching a picture of my wife. Tears began slowly running down my cheeks, I started to sob. Hannah was my world, the only love I had ever known. It was eight years earlier that very night, she gave me one last kiss and softly whispered in my ear, "I love you." Hannah closed her eyes as I held her tightly in my arms. I felt her life slipping away from me. Her fierce and long battle with cancer was finally over. Our Hannah would no longer suffer. For that, I gave thanks. But for our children and myself, the pain and suffering of her loss would always be with us. As I stared at her picture, my heart ached, and the tears flowed like a river down my face. My sobbing became uncontrollable. Although eight years had passed. The pain of her loss had not eased for me.

I heard a knock on our bedroom door and then, "Dad, Dad, are you okay?" It was our youngest daughter Kathleen. She opened the door and saw my tear-covered face and rushed over to me. Wrapping her arms around me. She pleaded, "Dad, please stop crying. You know mom would not want you crying." Kathleen took her mom's picture from me and sat it on my dresser. When she sat back down, she smiled and said, "Don't you remember what mom told us. “Live your lives, enjoy, and love each other, never cry for me because I am at peace. I will never be gone. Just call my name, and I will be there with you. I promise." I looked up. "Kathleen, how does a girl of fifteen know just exactly what to say?" With a smile on her face. "I guess I take after mom."

"Now come out in the kitchen with us and have a late-night snack." As we walked to the kitchen, my son Sean and daughter Brigitte came up and hugged me. Brigitte escorted me to my chair. "Sit down, dad, while we get you a little treat. Sean brought over a Merlot with three glasses, while Kathleen brought over a plate of brownies. Sean poured the Merlot for Brigitte, himself, and me. Of course, Kathleen complained about having a glass of milk.

We sat and told stories of their mother and the funny things she would say or do. We loved her dearly, and not a day went by that we didn't miss her smile, her voice, or how beautifully she could sing. Hannah would be very proud of our children. Sean and Brigitte, the twins, were both in their last year of college. Kathleen was a junior in high school. All three exceptional students, for which Hannah would be pleased.

But more importantly, she would be so proud of the young adults they had grown to be. Caring, loving, and thoughtful, just like their mother.

I looked at my watch. "I need to get to bed. I have an early day tomorrow." I got up from my chair and gave each of them a hug and kiss goodnight. "Don't stay up too late." Almost in unison, they answered, "We won't."

Kathleen watched as my door closed. Sean looked at his sister's. "Mom has been gone for eight years, and dad is not getting better." Brigitte looked across the table. "If anything, he is getting worse. You heard how loud he was sobbing." Kathleen spoke up. "When was the last time he went anywhere and had fun, without us being with him? Never!"

While the girls were talking. Sean looked at the television; there was an ad for a dating site. He told the girls. "Look at that ad on tv." When it ended, Sean said, "That is it, we will get dad a date." Brigitte and Kathleen both agreed that it was time for dad to get out and live again.

While my loving children all plotted their plan to get their father out and dating. The guiding hand of fate would beat them.

I knew I would be the only one home for dinner that night. As I drove home, I thought I might stop for dinner at McGrail's Pub. But at the last second, I pulled into the grocery store parking lot. I had a very tiring day. I was the presiding judge for a criminal trial. Both the prosecutor and the defense attorney had egos bigger than the whole court building. Those two made for a long and exhausting day in court. So, I thought I would just pick up something for dinner.

Once inside, I grabbed a shopping basket and headed to the wine aisle. I could use a nice Merlot with dinner. I could not believe my fortune; they only had one bottle left of my favorite Merlot. I grabbed the bottle off the shelf and turned to put it in my basket. Standing right behind me was a woman. From the look on her face, I could tell she wanted that bottle. Ever the gentleman, I asked, "Would you like this wine?” "No, you got it first." I tried to hand it to her, but she refused. So, I tried again. "Please take it, I insist.” "No, I can get another brand." The two of us went back and forth, both trying to be polite.

Suddenly I heard other shoppers telling us to either move or take it outside. I looked at her, "I guess they are trying to tell us something. Please, I insist, take this bottle." I sat it in her basket, she smiled and walked away. I grabbed another bottle of Merlot. What I wanted for dinner had entirely left my mind.

All I could think of was this mystery woman. I could not help but think of how attractive she was, tall, long red hair, fair skin, beautiful green eyes. She looked about my age, and even though she was wearing hospital scrubs, she had a fantastic figure.

As I walked around trying to figure out what I wanted for dinner, I could not get her out of my mind. After I figured out what I wanted. I headed towards the checkout. As I walked, I thought, why would someone as attractive as her even give me the time of day. Besides, she may be married. So, I put any thoughts of her out of my mind.

When I got to the checkout, I set my basket on the belt when I heard a woman's voice from behind me. "Looks like you beat me again?" I turned to see my mystery woman from the wine aisle. Jokingly I said, "I am beginning to think you are following me?" She laughed. "Maybe it is fate?" I paid for my groceries and said to her, “It was nice meeting you.” She smiled, “Don’t you believe in fate?” Before I could answer, the cashier shouted, “next.” I started for the exit. As soon as I was outside, I stopped. A million thoughts raced through my mind. Do I just go to my car? Should I stay and wait for her? If I do, will she just smile and walk to her where her husband is waiting? Then I heard her voice. "Why, stranger, are you waiting for me?"

I looked, and it was her. "I guess I am?" She smiled, "Well, perhaps we should introduce ourselves? I am Mary Connolly.” "Mary, I am Patrick Twomey." I did not see a wedding ring on her hand. So, I did something I had not done in over twenty-five years. "Would you like to have a drink with me? "Much to my surprise, she said she would love to.

I told her there is a nice little restaurant across the street. We each drove over to the restaurant. While we were walking in, both of us did not say a word. The hostess led us to a booth. We sat across from each other and just looked around, not saying a word. I wondered if Mary was as nervous as me? It was almost like I was in high school going out for the first time on a date. We sure were not the same people that met at the store.

Our waitress came over to our table and asked what we would like to drink. We both looked nervously at the other, both waiting for the other to order. Then at the same time, we each blurted out, "A glass of Merlot." Mary and I started laughing.

The waitress smiled and said, "As nervous as you two looked when I walked up, this must be your first date?" I thought to myself, date? When she left, I looked at Mary, "Is this a date?" She smiled, "I hope so."

Before, the waitress brought our wine. Mary reached across the table and took my hand. "Patrick, there is something you need to know before we go any further." As she said those words, my heart almost stopped. I felt there was something special between us.

Now what? "I lost my husband five years ago. I have not been on a date or even wanted to go on a date. Until tonight. I cannot explain it, but there is something about you that I just could not say no." I squeezed her hand and looked into those beautiful green eyes. "Mary, I felt the same way. You see, I lost my wife eight years ago to cancer, and just like you, I did not care if I ever saw anyone again until now. There is something special about you." "Patrick, I feel the exact same way." As we talked, I remembered what Mary had said to me at the checkout. "Don’t you believe in fate?” I realized it was fate and that bottle of Merlot that brought us together. Mary and I talked for hours and fell in love that night.

Our first date turned into another date and another until two years later, we were married to the joy of our children. Every year since, Mary and I have celebrated that first date with a glass of the Merlot that played its role in our fate.