Endings Are New Beginnings

September 15 2025

Prompt by: Stories from the Jukebox: MJ Polk: Bang Bang(My Baby Shot Me Down):Written by Sonny Bono: Share your prose of 1500 words or less!

Photo by: Brian McGowan (@sushioutlaw) | Unsplash Photo Community

“It was love at first sight.” 

Nancy stopped and considered whether it is love at 5 years old or simply an acceptance of the other person. “He was just there and we seemed to get along.” She looked across the gymnasium at her school reunion where memories were flowing faster than the alcohol consumption. Nancy had wondered if he would be here. It had been fifty years since she had last seen him. 

“Our lives were full. We had used our imaginations to create a lively childhood based on the simpler things that surrounded us daily. Playing in the creek as we explored the ecosystem that lived there. Emulating sport heroes in pretend games. Who had the money to buy sports equipment? Using sticks as bows and guns to fight off those dreaded menaces from the second world war. Playing house. He didn’t seem to have a problem with it.” Nancy smiled as she recalled discussions about homes and values that surrounded them. Life moves in mysterious ways. And then at 10 poof. It was all an ancient memory. 

Nancy sipped her drink casually as she spoke to other former classmates with their inquiries about life, and growth and past occurrences during their school days. 

Later Nancy struck up a conversation with a still youthful looking woman about her age.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” said Sarah with a smile that warmed Nancy’s heart. 

“Finally meet me?” inquired Nancy. “We didn’t go to school together? I was getting a feeling that I knew you.”

“I know, right?” Seeing the look on Nancy’s face Sarah explained, “I heard so much about you for the last 45 years that I wondered if you were made up or not. At times it made me feel uncomfortable.”

Nancy smiled one of those smiles one gets when there is information missing and you need to find out what it is. “Why were you uncomfortable?” she asked, wondering more about the unstated questions: who the hell are you and how do you know me?

Sarah faltered slightly. “I am sorry. I am Sarah. My husband, David Longley, was a friend of yours.”

“David!” Nancy’s heart pumped with enthusiasm. “David is here?” she inquired as her eyes looked past Sarah and searched the room.

Sarah reached out a hand and placed it on Nancy’s arm. “You haven’t heard?”

“Heard what?”

“David passed away a few months ago.”

Nancy paled at this news. Her whole purpose for being here was to see David again. Now that was gone. “I’m sorry. I need to go.” Nancy turned and started towards the door. 

“Nancy,” Sarah called out. “Wait up.” 

Nancy didn’t want to wait up. With her feelings crushed there was nothing left here for her. 

“David thought you might take this hard.”

Nancy whirled around. “What did you say?”

“David thought you might take this hard.”

Nancy’s mind flew from one set of emotions to another. “David thought about me?”

“Let’s sit down,” Sarah said, indicating the nearby chairs. “David talked about you often. He said you were the guiding light in a life that had to be recreated when he was forced to move away after his parents had died.” Sarah paused as she considered her words. “He loved me with all his heart. He was a most loving and generous man. I was so lucky to have him in my life. And as much as I meant to him I had to learn about how you connected with him and learn to accept it.”

Nancy’s mind flew to something Sarah had said earlier. “You said that he knew that I might take this hard.”

“Yes, he had planned to come to this reunion to see if you would be here. He thought that you might. You see he had forgotten nothing of those times you were together. His Aunt and Uncle, while nice people were not his parents, or you. When he moved he had lost everything and needed something to hang on to to keep him grounded. You were his need.”

“But his letters stopped.”

Sarah pulled a packet of letters from her purse. “About that time he met me. He had to let you go, so to speak, in order for us to develop. It was only later that I discovered through our conversations how strongly he held on to you.” Sarah shrugged. “I couldn’t replace you so I learned to accept you, for him.” She handed the letters to Nancy who held them in wonder.    

  

“Thank you.”

Sarah smiled. “No. Thank you. Without you I would not have had the love of such a kind and generous man. He wanted you,” she looked at Nancy who had some tears in her eyes, “to know that connections may fade but they never disappear.” She stood. “Here is my card. I know so much about the young version of you. I would like to know more. I am sure you would like to know about him. When you are ready, call me.” Sarah stood and walked to the door without turning.

“Tonight has been one form of closure,” Nancy thought to herself. She picked the card up from the table and smiled. “I need another form of closure,” she said as she deposited the card into her purse.