Albany Park (62 page)

“Shirley, I’m his father,” he said softly.

Her lips started to curl up at the corners as she looked into his eyes. “I know that it’s not exactly right and you might not approve of what I’m about to say, but I love that you are his father.”

He sipped at his coffee, returning the cup to the table before replying in a soft but serious voice, “I’m proud of being his father. David is a fine young man.”

Shirley chuckled and looked up. “Well, he’s not that young anymore. He just had his fifty-second birthday.”

“Kids these days,” Vic said, with a grin. “You turn around and they grow up. It’s hard to imagine.”

Taking a sip of coffee, he smiled. “But seriously, you know what? His mother is a good and loving person too.”

They sat silently for a moment. Shifting to a more upright position, she held the coffee mug in both hands, saying softly, “Victor I have always loved you. Even now, I look at you and think of what might have been. It’s a fantasy that has been with me since we were kids in high school.”

“We all had dreams then and I’ve never forgotten you either,” He replied softly.

Stirring the cold coffee, she smiled meeting Vic’s eyes and sighing. “I’m glad.”

His lips curled into a smile and he looked at her without saying anything.

“When I found out you were David’s father, I just knew he would survive,” She added.

“I’m sure you know that I’m glad I was able to help, and talking about dreams, isn’t David part of our dream come true.”

Looking up at him, she nodded slightly and folded her hands sitting quietly for a moment, before saying, “when we were young, everyone, especially me, thought you were special and I want you to know we were right. You were determined to do something to help people and you weren’t afraid to go after what you wanted. Well Mr. Congressman and successful business man, I’d say you succeeded. I don’t envy many people in this world, but I do envy Darlene. I’m sure she appreciates you.”

Sipping his coffee, Vic thought for a moment. “Darlene is my biggest fan. She has loved and taken care of me since the day I met her. She is also my severest critic and I listen to her and love her for being the way she is. She has made a wonderful life for me.”

“Humph,” she whispered, “like I said I envy her, she had a good man to work with.”

He paused for a moment, “I don’t think you realize it, but you played an important part in my life too. You taught me about being in love. I never forgot what we had as kids.”

“It was good, wasn’t it?”

“Our timing wasn’t right. If it had been, things might have been different.”

Reaching across the table she touched his hand and he pulled it away.

Quickly recovering he smiled. “When I found out about David, I must admit I was in shock. I was proud however, when he went public with our story. It was a real love story about real people; you and me. So you see, I think about you, too.” Reaching out he gave her hand a quick squeeze.

They talked for another twenty minutes. He told her about Wayne Construction and a few of their old friends including Jim Vogel, who recently retired. She told him about her real estate holdings and her life with Jack Brown, who had died the previous year.

All the while the two of them were remembering, she watched the way he used his hands when emphasizing a point. When he caught her just staring at him with a curious look on her face, she ducked her head shyly.

Her head to one side she licked her lips, hesitated and smiled. “Do you still jitterbug?”

”Sure,” he answered quickly with a short chuckle, “and do you still have the cutest tush of any girl from Von Steuben?”

Laughing, the two old friends knew the conversation was over.

As they got up to leave, Shirley smiled at him. Reaching for his arm and then, facing him, she put both hands on his shoulders. “Oh, Victor, what a glorious day this has been. I’m so glad we talked. It’s something I have wanted to do for a long time and never thought I would have the opportunity. I love you and always will.”

Leaning forward, she kissed him on the cheek and then pulled him close, kissing his lips.

Raising his eyebrows and leaning back he said, “I’m glad, too. It was so very nice seeing you. I hope you will always remember the young boy that loved you. I promise to remember you.”

At home Vic sat in the den with his eyes closed. CNN droned on the TV with shots of workers in heavy protective gear sifting through debris of the World Trade Center disaster five weeks before. About six, he heard Darlene pull into the garage, and went to help her unload some groceries; then went back to the den. After checking the answering machine, she brought him a scotch on the rocks asking, “How come so quiet?”

He told her about the conversation with Shirley and when he finished they sat quietly for several minutes. .

Finally, swirling her Cabernet, Darlene pursed her lips and tilted her head before gazing up at him. “Interesting day, how do you feel now that you’ve talked about it?”

Shifting in his seat, he looked at her and took her hand. “Dearie, one thing Shirley did, was teach me about love.”

“And?”

“No, no, I’m serious. It was important but was the inexperienced love of kids. We made a lot of mistakes because we were young, so it never could have lasted.”

“But that’s how I knew when I met you that you were the real thing. And without your love and you showing me the way, I don’t think I would have made what I consider the most important and interesting trip of my life, from Albany Park to Highland Park. I love you, Darlene. I always have and always will.”

She responded with a click of their glasses and a kiss on the cheek. “And I thought you were kidding when you kissed me on our first date and said you were going to marry me.”