"Especially in this town," Reuben says. "Everyone here knows me, knows my whole story."
"I gathered that from the doctor at the clinic."
"Exactly!" I explain. "I've lived here my whole life. and even now I'm guessing people are talking."
"About what?" Meadow says, confused.
"About me sitting here with you. I don't usually date."
"Right," Meadow says. "So have you been single for a while?"
I swallow. "Yeah. About four years."
"How old are you?" she asks. "Sorry if that's too nosy."
"No, it's fine. I'm 23. What about you?"
"I'm 22." I feel like she's doing math in her head and I don't blame her.
"We had Plum when we were 18, just graduated high school. It wasn't planned, but..."
"You don't need to explain. We just met."
"I know, but..." I run a hand over my jaw. "The thing is, Meadow, I'm not just a single dad. I'm a widower."
Meadow’s eyes soften at that and she reaches across the table and takes my hand, squeezing it. Her reaction is so different than the other women I've met over the years. They hear my story and they pity me or they want to replace my wife. But when Meadow looks at me now, all I feel is warmth, sincere care.
"Oh my God. You've both been through so much."
The fact that she lumps Plum in with me fucking melts my heart. She gets it. "Yeah," I say. "It was a car crash. It was awful." I shake my head. "It took Plum and me a long time to figure out our way. But now, now we know who we are.”
“Two peas in a pod?” Meadow says.
“Something like that,” I say. “I’m lucky to have my parents, that I get to live so close to them. They help out a lot. My whole family, really. I was just a kid. 19 years old with a one-year-old baby girl and the life I thought I was going to have was taken from me before it even began.” I run a hand through my hair. “Damn, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to get into heavy shit, but it’s the facts.”
“No,” Meadow says, “don’t apologize. I appreciate it, you telling me your story. I can’t relate. I’ve never gone through a hard thing like that, but I’m really glad you’ve had such a great family helping you through it.” There are tears in her eyes when she speaks, and suddenly I find there are tears in mine.
We're sitting at this table outside on Main Street and it feels like we're all alone in a cocoon, her and I. My chest tightens and my throat goes dry and I feel a connection to her I haven't ever felt before.
Her fingers are still in my hand. The truth is I don't want to let go. The truth is I wish we weren't sitting here on Main Street. I wish we were back in those woods all alone. If we were, I'd pull this girl into my arms. I'd kiss her cheek. I'd tell her thank you. But somehow I feel like she knows all of those things by the way she's looking deep into my eyes.
"Damn it," I say, tears falling down my cheeks. "I don't know why I'm crying. I just..."
"It's all right, Reuben. Maybe you're not ready for..."
"No," I say. "It's not that. It's more that I like being around you. It's been a few hours and I just..." I shrug. "I like you."
Meadow blinks and leans back in her chair. "I like you too, Reuben. So tonight..." She smiles. "We're making dinner."
"Right," I say. She lets go of my hand and pops another piece of cookie in her mouth. "So should I bring the food or do you have some secret recipe you're going to woo me with?"
I laugh, appreciating her way of lightening the moment. Not taking away from it. Just letting it pass. "I could grill up something."
She smiles. "I'll bring stuff to make a salad."
"Perfect," I say.
Just then someone rounds the corner and calls her name. "Hey, Meadow.”
I turn and see a younger woman who has the same face shape, full cheekbones, and wide eyes as Meadow. "That's my sister Lulu," she says. "Get ready."
I chuckle as Lulu bounces over to us. "Oh my gosh. Hi, I'm Lulu and I’m guessing you're Reuben. Are you okay, Meadow?" She grimaces as she takes Meadow in. "Your poor ankle, I cannot believe you were stranded in the woods alone."
"I was fine," Meadow says as Lulu gushes over her.
"You got a crutch and everything. Oh my God. What a day. I told Mom and Dad and they were like, oh my gosh, we should go get her. But I told them no, she's got it under control." Lulu looks over at me. "Which clearly you do. So I'm Lulu..."
I chuckle. "I'm Reuben," I say while playing along.