They met at Valparaiso their freshman year. Simon’s major was computer programming while Claire’s meteorology. Living in the same dorm, they ran into one another often. Their mutual attraction blossomed into young infatuation and rapidly into romance. They were each other’s first love. The new, unfamiliar emotions overwhelmed them both. Simon proposed to Claire daily. She had other plans for her life, plans of a career and national success that didn’t include marriage. During the summer they visited each other’s hometowns, met the families, and did all the things young lovers do. Claire’s mother commented that plans can always be modified. She liked Simon. Their sophomore year was to include Greek life, parties, studying, and time together. But somewhere between meeting the family and classes resuming, Simon disappeared. He called a few times, wrote a few letters, and vanished. Claire knew that college had been a financial strain on his family. That was why, when out of the blue during the summer Simon received an offer for a dream internship he had to accept. An opportunity like that was unheard of for a sophomore. His computer talents exceeded many of the older students. The internship was in California and he couldn’t miss the opportunity. It was supposed to be just one semester. She waited for him to return, he didn’t. The correspondences became less frequent and then nonexistent. She moved on. Forgetting him wasn’t possible, but successfully compartmentalizing him was. Over the years life’s challenges and routines filled her consciousness, only sometimes in unconsciousness did he return.
“That isn’t necessary. We have both moved on with our lives.” Claire began to rise. “But it was nice to see you.”
He touched her hand gently. “Please, Claire, I need to tell you.” She timidly sat. “Do you remember that I went to California?” She nodded. “At first, it was an internship but then they offered me a job. I’m not sure you remember, but college was difficult for my parents to afford, and the offer was too good to pass up. I wanted to go back and finish my degree, but there I was, twenty years old, being offered my dream job.”
Claire remembered the letter she received saying he wouldn’t be returning from California. It broke her heart. She wanted to join him, but he didn’t ask. “I am glad it worked for you. Are you still living in California?”
“Yes, I am. And the company I went to work for interestingly is a subsidiary of Rawlings Industries.”
Claire’s heart started to race. If Tony knew, Simon would lose his job. She saw the darkness, she wanted to protect him. “Are you still there?”
“No.” She sighed with relief. “I was with them for over five years, but I left long before you met your husband. I read the article in Vanity Fair.” She smiled. “I have my own company now.”
“That is great, I hope you’re happy.”
“With business, I am. I should thank Mr. Rawlings. The start I received from his company made a big impact. Today I create some of the games people play on their phones. I’m doing well.”
“I am truly happy for you. I do need to get back to Tony.”
“My mother has been keeping up on you, relaying information to me. She liked you a lot.”
“I liked your mom too. Please tell her I said hello and to not believe everything she reads.” Claire’s eyes saddened with memories.
“Before you go, I wanted to let you know, even now with my success I regret not coming back for you.” Claire didn’t speak, she couldn’t. “I thought about it constantly. But the job required a lot of travel. I was in China when your parents died. If I had been Stateside I would have been there for you. I just had to tell you. I didn’t leave you because of anything you did or said. Claire, you have remained perfect in my memories. I wish things had been different.” She felt a rush of sadness at what may have been. But Simon continued, “I even followed your career. I knew you were in Albany and then in Atlanta. I remembered you wanted a career and I thought maybe after you achieved that success we could try again.” Claire looked at the table. This was making her uneasy. She needed to go back to Tony. “But I want you to know I am happy for you. And I am happy that you are happily married.”
The increasing feeling of anxiety made her stand. “Thank you, Simon. I wish you continued success. Please give my best to your family. I must get back to my husband.”
“Do you have your phone?” Claire’s expression became confused. Simon smiled. “I’m making you sad, which wasn’t my intention. I wanted to show you my latest game, it is fun and I hope it will make you smile. Do you remember staying up all night playing video games?” She did but it seemed like another person in another life. “I created this most recent game with someone from my past in mind. Kind of a tribute I guess.”
“I don’t have my purse, it’s at the table.” She silently berated herself. He was being so open and honest and she was lying about a phone!
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a smart phone, and started touching the screen. “Here it is, you can download it for $1.99.” Smiling, he added, “Which I believe is within your price range.” Claire looked onto the screen. The goal of the game seemed to be to find something. But in order to accomplish this goal you had to rummage through clothes, old pieces of pizza, pizza boxes, soda pop cans, etc. She smiled and he explained, “Each level has a new item to discover. It is very popular with the college and postcollege demographic. It’s made me millions.” She really smiled at him. He actually made that kind of money with games. “I am glad I saw your smile. Claire, you are beautiful, but I miss the brown hair.”
“Bye, Simon. Good luck to you.” She nodded. He looked like he wanted to hug her or shake hands, some type of contact, but she turned away. Immediately, she made eye contact with Tony. He’d been watching. She resumed her position beside her husband.
Acknowledging her return, he flashed his charming smile, nodded, and greeted her, “Mrs. Rawlings.”