Take This Tune

Posted: Monday, December 13, 2010 by Travis Cody in
10


My pal Jamie from Duward Discussion has reintroduced her wonderful meme.  Take This Tune provides a musical prompt each week, usually a video with the song lyrics.  The task is to write something inspired by the song or something in the lyrics.

This week's prompt is the song The Best Part of the Day from Elton John and Leon Russell.  The task is to tell a love story. 

Once upon a time, I answered a knock at the front door.  I had been staying with my mom while looking for a new apartment after a buddy of mine kicked me out in favor of his girlfriend.  A man said hello and asked for my mother by my last name.  I told the gentleman that she went by her maiden name now and that she was still at work, but I'd be happy to take a message.  He handed me a small envelope.

A message prepared.

I was intrigued, particularly when he told me his name.  I thought I knew that name.  I recalled it from some of my earliest memories.  I told him I would take the message to Mom.  He thanked me and walked away.

Closing the door, I turned to the phone.  Then I had another thought.  I knew who this gentleman was, and I knew I couldn't tell my mother over the phone that I had just met him again after twenty years.

I drove to her office and gave her the envelope.  She opened it, read the name and the phone number, and sat there.  I can only imagine what was going through her mind.

I could see her thoughts settle.  I saw the small smile.  There was something in her eyes when she looked at me.  I asked her if the man was who I thought he was.  She said yes.

I went home.  She called the gentleman and made the date.  I didn't see her for several days, although she phoned and said everything was fine.

Fine.  Silly, inadequate word.

Everything was more than fine.  Twenty years before, my mom had said no when this man asked her to leave her unhappy marriage with her nearly four year old son.  This man was prepared to leave his unhappy marriage and four young daughters to make a better life for the two of them...and for me.

She didn't do it.  She said no.  She remained in her marriage.  She and my father had my sister.  Then they divorced seven years later.

But my mom never forgot the offer she rejected.  And neither did the man who made the offer.  He found her again after twenty years, when his daughters were grown and his unhappy marriage had nothing left to bind it.

And now, 22 years after he knocked on that door, 42 years after they parted to honor commitments to unhappy marriages and young children, he still puts that little smile on my mom's face.  

And I have learned more of what that little smile means.

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:

    Travis, that story made me tear up! It so describes that little smile...

  1. One day I was sitting at work and something triggered "that little smile". A gentleman I worked with started to pass by, stopped, and said "It's really THAT good?". What a great story about your mom. Is there another chapter to the story?

  1. Coco says:

    That's a lovely story. I know that smile, too. I'm wearing it today.

  1. Lois: It did the same to Pam the first time I told it to her.

    Jamie: There are many additional chapters, but the first is the best.

    Coco: Pam wears it too. I like that I get to see it, and that I have something to do with it.

  1. Travis, that is a beautiful story. I hope it ended well. Nothing gets to me more than a story of unrequieted love.

  1. What a fantastic story, Travis. Thanks for sharing.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Travis: That story gave me goosebumps. How sweet!

  1. I guess everything good has its time. What a great story.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    Oh Trav what a wonderful story! It brought tears to my eyes - happy tears I have to say. x

  1. I wear that smile everyday as I know you do also Sir. I never knew this story and am so glad you shared it with us.