Rekindling an Old Flame: A Chance Encounter at the Beach It was Saturday evening and I decided to head to the beach and watch the fireworks instead of sitting on my deck and watching alone. My wife was out of town visiting her Mom and would be staying overnight since it is just about 110 miles each way. Let me back up a little, our youngest child has finished college (he was a hockey player) and has started to earn a real living instead of just playing hockey for minimal pay. He was good enough to get an education with hockey but not big enough to play in the AHL or NHL. So we sold our big home and bought a beautiful condo on the ocean where every Saturday night during the summer there is a live band followed by fireworks. The first part of this story is true but the rest is a dream I had last night and decided to share it with you, hope you enjoy it. I started to walk to the beach thinking I would wonder through the discount store then grab a coke and slice of pizza to enjoy as I watched the show. This store has everything you could ever need, I joke and say if it is not here then you don't need it. As I walked and looked at the tourists buying their trinkets and trash I caught site of a very attractive woman. In my mind I heard Harry Chapman saying, "something about her was familiar, I could swear I have seen her face before." Nothing solid came to mind so I just continued to walk around. As I turned into the next aisle there she was again but this time our eyes locked. It seamed like time stood still then started moving backwards. I can't say how long we just stood there looking into each other's eyes but I took a step closer and softly said "Debbie?" A smile I knew in an instant appeared as she said "Al", we both reached out and gave each other a huge hug. It has been over forty years since we last saw each other at our high school graduation. …and then things took a turn
