There's Something About Lucy

I met Lucy few months ago almost by accident. It was probably love at first sight, but I don't think I realized it until now. A trip to the grocery is not something that I look forward to, but this day was different. It was as if something pulled me into the store. I knew I wanted something but I wasn't sure what it was. Walking up and down each aisle aimlessly, my feet slowed down as I neared the last one. I usually never give a second glance to anyone, unless of course they are stunningly attractive and their looks demand my attention. This was a different kind of feeling. Not attractive, but beyond. Not sexual, but something much greater. Our eyes locked and there she was. There was Lucy, with her shopping cart, looking helpless like a child who wanted the mother to open the cookie can. I paused for a brief moment and our eyes remained locked. There were no words spoken. There was no need, for that helpless look in her eyes cried out for some help, and she was probably hoping I would. I walked up to her with a half hidden smile and said, "let me help you with that." Her smile was far from hidden as she gently held on to my arms as we inched closer to the counter. I felt bad just walking away, and thought to myself, "would she be able to carry all that to her car by herself? Being the gentleman that I was, I should have helped her all the way. Shoot" I could not stop thinking about her for the next few days.

I had to go back and I had to find her. I did not know what it was about her that created this strange feeling inside me, but I could not ignore it. I went to the store many times but just could not catch her. Then one day, as luck would have it, there she was. I waited till she reached the last aisle and like an ass I reenacted the exact scene as before. Only this time she had a bigger smile. A smile that shouted out that she was so glad to see me. I did not hide my smile this time. We walked back again and I felt that gentle touch on my arm, that I so badly have been wanting since the last time. I did not chicken out, but this time took her bags to the car. I nearly half raised my right arm to waive goodbye, when she asked, "do you want to come home? I live close by, and I have some real warm cookies for you." I found myself being pulled into her car, as if it was the most matter of fact thing to have happened. The The next thing I knew, I was in her kitchen, munching away to the most delicious cookies I have ever had. We sat and talked for hours that day. Time did not seem to matter right then. It was as if we could go on forever. It did not matter that I repeated certain things for the hundredth time.

What developed between us that day was something out of this world. There was something about Lucy. I really don't think a word exists in the dictionary yet, that could describe this feeling. It did not stop there. We met more often and this time not at the grocery, but at her house. We did go to the grocery together many times, but mostly what I loved doing the most was to just sit with her, hold her hand, and let her hold mine, and listen to her. Sometimes I used to feel that she became a whole different person after she met me. She always smiled and laughed and most of the time what she said made no sense at all, but she enjoyed every word, as much as I did.

They say all good things must come to an end. They do, but I did not expect it to happen so soon. One fine day, she was gone, as quick as she came into my life, not to be seen again. Sadness, anger, frustration, abandonment. I did not know what I felt. Why was I such a fool to let someone into my life and become such a huge part, knowing well that she would leave any day? Did not keep track of the number of days it took me to think straight. Everything seemed peaceful when I began to think differently. It may have been short and hurtful, but I was proud that I could without doubt say that I had given her the best days of her life. Even more, she had given me something that would last me a life time. A scar. A wonderful scar that felt so good to have. A few valuable lessons that I may have learnt. She taught me to be innocent again. She taught me that it was ok to be carefree. She taught me that we come into this world alone, and we leave the same way, and nobody wants to have the time in between to be alone, and nobody deserves to be that way. That was the greatest lesson I learnt from her. She filled my void, and I filled hers, even though it was brief. I can never do justice to words, but there's something about Lucy.

Lucy was 93 years young when I met her. She had no family. Her siblings had all died and her husband had ended his journey long ago. She hardly remembered how many children she had, but they had abandoned her and not bothered to check if she was even alive. Oh what a big burden it must have been to care for someone who had raised them. She had very little memory and I knew that her time with mother earth was short. I wondered if she knew. I wondered if she cared. I was just glad that I was able to give her a chance to live her last few weeks the way she deserved. Its been many long years now and I have a family of my own. Now each time I look at my kids, I cant help but wonder how my last days are going to be. If I am alone, I know I might pull through. All I need to do is close my eyes and think about Lucy. There's something about Lucy...There sure is.