A SUDDEN REALIZATION

by James Edwin

Jay turned the collar of his overcoat up to keep the chill from hitting the back of his neck. He leisurely sauntered up Third Avenue which was changing rapidly from the shoddy street that it had been before the "L" had been removed. On both sides of the streets the old and delapidated buildings gave way for more buildings like the new glass and steel ones that were already going up all over the city.

He stepped along the way, browsing first in one window and then in another. He was feeling depressed and some of the furniture in the show windows mirrored the impression that he felt of himself... cast offs, unwanted, badly in need of repair. But, there was also an abundance of charm in some of the collections. Some were priceless treasures of art that had seen empires topple, revolutions fought, and ages pass. There were chandeliers, beaded Victorian lamps, and crystal candelabras that had, perhaps, hung on the walls or stood in the rooms of famous, as well as infamous, families of generations gone by.

As he stood gaping at an old Louis IV chest he became aware, even before the voice spoke, that someone had stopped in back of him.

"Can I buy you a cup of coffee?"

"Cheryl?" he cried, revealing a genuine pleasure at the sight of her. "Hi," she greeted. "Where you going?"

"No place in particular. You?"

"I'm on my way home. I just left Jack."

"You left Jack?" Jay asked puzzled.

"Oh, you didn't know?" Cheryl replied, a look of surprise showing on her face. "Jack is in Bellevue. They've removed his arm all the way up to the shoulder. It was malignant."

"My God!" Jay gasped, feeling utterly helpless. "The pain he always complained about?"

"He always thought it was just a case of a cold. One never knows. It's everything I can do to keep from falling apart. But," she paused, observing Jay, "you look as though you need a boost yourself. Shall we go someplace and cry on each other's shoulder?"

Jay feigned a smile. "Gad! Do I look that bad?"

"Worse," Cheryl laughed.

"Where can we go? What about a beer?"

"Fine. I could do with a pick-me-up."

They walked around the corner to a small bar and grill that Cheryl suggested. They entered and sat in a booth. It was one of those places where they could just sit and talk, relax and drink... candlelight and soft music.

"You know," Cheryl said, "I haven't seen you since you got married."