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Sunday, August 26, 2012

I'll Never See Them Again, But I Wish Them The Best


I'm not feeling well -- I think I may actually have a fever! -- which made me wish for winter...  So here it is, a bit of winter with a dose of heart-warming.

Because it's wonderful how the two work together.


There is a couple in front of me, waiting for the elevator. They know each other well and have for some time.  You can see it, somehow, in the way they stand next to each other.

They are together.

She leans into him, and he puts an arm around her, runs his hand up the outside of her winter coat’s sleeve and pulls her close. She rests her head on his shoulder, looks up at him and smiles.

Ding!

The elevator doors open, and the three of us step in.

We stare ahead, politely.

“I want to tell someone,” she says to him.

“It’s too early,” he says.

“Still,” she says. “I’ll burst if I don’t tell someone.”

I turn to face them. The woman looks at me and smiles.

“You can tell me,” I say.

“We’re pregnant!” they shout. And I don’t know this couple, this smiling, hand-holding couple, and yet goosebumps go up on my arms.

“Congratulations – wait, we’re happy about this, yes?!” I smile, to show I’m joking, that of course we are happy.

“Oh, yes,” and they are talking, the both of them, at once. “We’ve been trying for a while now – we want this baby so much – we’re so happy.”

“How far along are you?” I ask. “You look fantastic.”

“Six weeks,” she says, and a blush arises from the both of them.

“A summer baby! Plenty of time to tell people!” I enthuse. “Do you have a nursery?”

And for the next five floors, they tell me about the nursery, about the grandparents-to-be who will be so excited.

The doors to the elevator open on the ground floor. He puts his arm around her, guides her out the door. “Merry Christmas!” the man says. “Merry Christmas,” she says. She steps away from him, reaches out her hand to me. I take it.

“Merry Christmas,” I say, and tears come to both of our eyes.

“And a Happy New Year,” she whispers.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

You made me cry...

raydenzel1 said...

let me put a cool cloth on your fevered brow...

terlee said...

Oh for crying in the night, Pearl! Tears first thing on Sunday morning?

Great story...hope you feel better.

The Cranky said...

Here, let me warm you up some homemade chicken noodle soup and dab your forehead with a cool cloth.

Ummm, btw, did you realise you just might have a case of...yes, I have to say it.... the nice.

The Cranky said...

Oh! I've been meaning to ask if you mind me posting a link to your blog on Fabulous Friday.

jenny_o said...

Just a minute, got something in my eyes, they're watering ... oh, it's a Pearl sweet-ache post! This is so lovely ...

Feel better soon, won't you?

Jayne Martin said...

Such a lovely piece, my friend. There is nothing you can't write and write wonderfully. Feel better soon.

Elizabeth Rose Stanton said...

Nothing heals like creating. After this gem, I suspect you are feeling better--I know I am for having read it.

Joyful Things said...

Wishing for winter? a Minnesota winter? Yes... you must have a fever.

I wonder if they had a girl or boy.

vanilla said...

That child is one of us by now. Hope she/he has a good life.

Wishing for a Minnesota winter: dangerous fever. Take care of yourself.

lisahgolden said...

This so very sweet. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Notes From ABroad said...

awww ...made me cry :)
I hope you feel better right away ! You might need a drink.. My husband swears by a shot of vodka.
hugs!

lime said...

so lovely when we can enter into and share each other's joy, even when we are strangers.

Teresa Evangeline said...

Darn it, Pearl. One day I can't stop laughing, the next day I can't stop crying. Thank you for both.

stephen Hayes said...

A sweet story of a special encounter.

esbboston said...

Ah, four people got on the elevator, one was hiding!

Hope you are feeling better soooon. If it vvill help, I vvill begin the process of taking a nap. It is Sunday afternoooon, and I don't reaLLy vvant to go groc shopping. So vvhen The VVife asks me vvhy I am taking a nap, I vvill give her a cryptic reply, "I don't vvant Pearl to die!!!" - and then there vvill be laughter, of course.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Oh, this brought tears to my eyes, too!!!

Hope you're feeling better.

Lynn said...

I hope you feel better!

Lovely, lovely story.

kj said...

pearl, know what i like the most about your writing and your stories? YOU GET IT.

love
kj

Unknown said...

What a fun moment to share!

Indigo Roth said...

Lovely stuff, Pearl!

(and no, but it's hayfever season)

klahanie said...

Hey Pearl,
That's a lovely story. It gave me a 'lift' as the Brits would call an elevator.
Amazing to know that folks were actually talking in the elevator instead of the usual fascination of just staring at the floor numbers lighting up. And then there's always the joker who farts just before they get out of the elevator.
Nice one, Pearl. Your starstruck fan, Gary :)

Gigi said...

Ah, one of my favorites! And yes, it might have made me tear up a tiny bit.

Feel better soon.

Elephant's Child said...

Feel better soon. And I hope you are proud of the number of us who have developed sweaty eyeballs after reading this.

Linda O'Connell said...

Such a simple and wonderful story.

Lin said...

Awwww. I needed a happy story today. And that is a GREAT one!

Joanne Noragon said...

This is wonderful the second time around. It would read just as beautifully one more time come this December! And next.

Hope you feel better come Monday!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

What a beautiful story. Hope you're feeling better.

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

Love, love love this story. So tender and sweet! And this is what you write when your working on one less cylinder? Sigh. I want to be you.

Unknown said...

I remember reading this ..thanks for posting this again. Take care and get well soon, Pearl!

Unknown said...

Aww. This so sweet. What a inspiring story. Whoever can read this will definitely burst in joy.
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Rose L said...

*SNIFF*SNIFF* So touching...what I call a Hallmark moment.

Ms Scarlet said...

Feel better soon, Pearl.
Sx

Unknown said...

Ahhh such fun when the news is about the continuation of life. The only conversations I have overheard in an elevator this week was when a young lady vehemently denied the fact that it was she who had silently broken wind as the doors closed.

She was in fact quite truthful. It was me.

the walking man said...

So is it a fever to procreate? Please dear God no...there is only room enough for one Pearl.

Ride elevators until you feel better.

Raymond Alexander Kukkee said...

This is beautiful, Pearl -like you are. Get well soon!

Amy said...

And I bet they remember that elevator ride well!
With our first child, the first ones to find out were my husband's bandmates. It was touching to see huge polynesian men weaping with joy!
I hope your fever is short-lived!