Everything boils down to the deed, Emily says, flashing a smile at the attractive woman strolling past her. You dont recognise me, do you? You just walk by without a wordare you being arrogant?
Gail, oh Gail, Im sorry, I really didnt spot you, Gail halts and squints. Where could I have seen you after we left school and never met again?
They hug, former classmates and close friends, now scattered by fate. Emily has stayed in her hometown, while Gillian married and moved with her husband to the Scottish Highlands.
Gail, youve put on quite a figuremust be all that happiness, Emily laughs, noting only a few silver strands and fine lines around her eyes. What wind blew you back to these parts? I thought youd have nobody left here.
My cousins sister, Charlotte, you remembershe was older than me
Yes, Ive seen her now and then. Why did you ask?
Shes died; I came to the funeral. My flight back is tonight, so theres truly no family left for me here, Gillian says sadly.
Right, she was a good woman, very kind.
And you know who I met at the funeral? Mike.
Mike? Which Mike?
The one you dated briefly a few years back. I dont know what went wrong between you two, but you dumped him quickly
Ah, Mike, I see I know nothing about him, Emily replies.
Hes a distant relative of Charlotte, I think on her husbands side. Hes aged, a bit shabby now. Weve all changed, but He split from his first wife after a short marriage, then remarried. They had two boys, the younger born with a disability. He apparently couldnt bear it, left his wife and children, and moved on. Hes now on his third marriage; I didnt even see his wife at the funeral, Gillian recounts.
Yes, hes always been harsh, Emily mutters, no wonder our paths divergedthank God.
Mikes sisterwho doesnt speak to themtold me everything. Vera was also at the funeral and mentioned his second wife and the disabled son. When he abandoned the sick child, his relatives condemned him, but he snapped back, saying, There are plenty of women without problems, why should I suffer? Imagine that, Emily, thats exactly what he said.
I can picture it and Im not surprised, Emily answers.
They chat a bit longer, recalling other schoolmates, but Gillian must leave, so they exchange phone numbers. Emily walks home slowly, still under the spell of the reunion. She thinks of Mike, the boy she dated before marrying Andrew.
God must have guided meor rather, thanks to my father, who saw straight through Mikes nature, she reflects, remembering those days.
Now, at fortyseven, Emily is still slim and respectable. In her youth she was a pretty girl who caught many boys attention, but she never hopped from one romance to another; she kept things friendly.
She dated Mike when she was about twenty. He seemed romantic, occasionally bringing flowers, taking her to the cinema, strolling together. They were together for roughly three months; Emily even thought she loved him and imagined marriagejust typical teenage dreams.
Mike always escorted her home, and her parents knew about him. Her father, Edward, a jovial, talkative man, could coax anyone into conversation.
Darling, why dont you invite Mike over for dinner? Wed like to meet the lad youre seeing, Edward suggests one evening. Your mother and I have never met him.
Sure, Dad, well come together, Emily promises.
The next day she tells Mike, Come over, love. My parents want to meet you.
Alright, lets go, he replies eagerly.
When they arrive, Edward is just about to sit down for supper.
Come in, lad, Edward says, shaking Mikes hand. Both of you, have a seat. Were about to eat. You cant be out all night, getting the girl and then starving till midnight. Have a bite first
Mike sits beside Emily at the table. She feels a tinge of shyness under her parents eyes, even though its her own house. Her mother is busy frying fish.
Their cat, Whiskers, roams outdoors but always darts back in, sniffing the fishy aroma. When everyone gathers, the mother drops a piece of fish into Whiskers bowl.
If I dont give her, she wont leave me alone, she chuckles. Shell just circle my feet.
Edward chats with Mike while the mother keeps offering him treats. Suddenly Whiskers coughs, choking on a bone. Everyone leaps up except Mike, crowding around the cat, unsure how to help.
The cat wheezes, distressed. Her mother lifts her and rushes outside.
She needs to spit the bone out, she says, almost sobbing. Edward follows her.
While the family scrambles, Mike remains seated, eating calmly. When the parents return with Whiskers, the bone has been expelled and the cat recovers.
Thank heavens, the mother sighs, letting Whiskers down. You gave us a scare, Whiskers.
Emily quips, You really gave us a fright, you little terror.
Mike, still composed, remarks, Whats all the fuss about a cat? Shell be fine. There are plenty of cats on the street anyway.
Emily and her parents exchange puzzled looks.
Mike, dont you have a cat at home? her mother asks earnestly.
No, I cant stand having pets in a flat. Theyre a nuisance, Mike answers dismissively.
After tea, they decide to take a walk.
Shall we go for a stroll? Mike suggests. Emily, having noticed Edwards sour mood, wants to leave quickly.
The evening, which had started well, ends on a sour note. Emily doesnt feel like walking far with Mike and hurries home.
Mike, I dont feel like staying out. Im going home, she says. You dont have to see me off; its close enough, Ill manage.
Fine, dont make me walk you, Mike replies, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Back home, her parents are on the sofa, apparently discussing the nights events. Emily joins them. She knows her father is fair and sharp, her mother gentle but indirect. Edward, however, can be blunt when displeased.
Girl, Ill be straight with you. I dont want to see that bloke near you again, he says firmly, looking her in the eye. Hes not worthy of you.
Emily and her mother stay silent; Emily had already been thinking about it.
Listen, love, Edward continues, you can test a person in many ways. Give him power, money, or watch how he treats animals. Todays incident shows his true colours. When the cat was choking, he didnt even flinch. He sat there as if nothing happened. Thats a man you cant rely on; hell abandon you when things get tough. Cut ties now before it gets any deeper. You havent promised him anything yet. Youll find a better man, and he wont be left alone. Thats my verdict.
Yes, Dad, thats why I came home early. I didnt want to keep walking with him, Emily admits sadly. I disliked his remarks about Whiskers and cats in general.
She tells him outright that shes ending things.
Perhaps Emily never truly loved Mike, or perhaps her fathers words struck deep, but ending it was no hardship.
The next day, when Mike meets Emily, she already plans how to state her decision.
Hey, Emily, he greets brightly, leaning in as usual to plant a kiss on her cheek, but she pulls away.
Whats that about, Vass? he snaps, Why the attitude?
Mike, Im telling you theres no future for us. Ive decided, so lets just be friends, she says, walking toward the house, muttering insults about him and her family behind her.
Good, Ive made the right call, Emily thinks, relieved. Dad was right.
Time passes. Mike doesnt show up, and Emily feels relieved; there are plenty of lads who linger longer than he did.
I never loved Mike, she concludes.
Soon she meets Andrew, the love of her life. They marry, raise two children, and now have a granddaughter. They live in perfect harmony.
As Emily approaches her front door, thoughts of Mike still whirl after her chat with Gail.
I cant shake that episode, she muses. Im grateful to my father. If he hadnt invited Mike to dinner, and if our cat hadnt choked, I might never have seen what kind of man he was. Perhaps his true nature would have shown later, but then it would have been too late
Her former classmate, now reminding her of Mikes historyhow he abandoned his wife and sick childechoes the same story as the cat incident.
