“Is there a reason you brought me here?” he said. “Surely you know I have no interest in seeing you.”

“It’s Kate. She’s died.”

These words hit Jack like a load of bricks dropping from the sky. After the history they had–after what he confided in her–hearing her husband telling him that was the worst possible reality.

“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, Jack—but I know how you felt about her. I know you would’ve wanted to know.”

“How? Said Jack, simply—lost for words.

“The George Washington Bridge.”

“Did she do it herself?”

Brad looked at him with a look that assured him that is was an individual and planned death.

Jack looked at Brad’s eyes for the first time tonight and saw the pain. He didn’t want to imagine Kate in this way. To him, he imagined her in high school still; with a big dopey grin on her face.

“I’m sorry,” said Jack—his voice trailing.

“Likewise,” said Brad, his glazed eyes staring at the condensation on the martini glass in his left hand.

“I never doubted for one second the feelings she had for you,” said Brad, changing the tone after several long silent seconds. “Five years at your age was a long time.”

“Yes, I suppose,” Jack responded.

Memories began to flood his mind—made even more vivid by the liquor running through his blood. He remembered. Only fourteen years old and falling in love—so young that it was inconceivable. Going through high school and running away after instead of going to college.

“There’s a reason she married you—“

“Jack, she married me for money. We’ve been—were—“ he said as tears filled his eyes—“married for nine years and she still lit up at the mention of your name. I know she was in love with you,” Brad said confidently.

“Please…don’t—“

“She left this at home,” finished Brad.

He pulled out a small, crumpled, yellow piece of paper out of his breast pocket and gently set it in Jack’s left hand.

Jack carefully unfolded it, leery as to what it could be. He read it slowly in his mind.

“My darling Jack, nine and a half years it’s been and my mind does not wander from you. I put on a brave façade but I am weak and I am nothing without you. I cannot endure more pain being married to someone I do not love. It’s always been you. One day, our reunion will be as sweet as our first meeting. I’ll save you a seat. Forever, Kate—“

Time stopped. For a moment, Jack’s heart leapt. He could be back with Kate. After the moment had passed, reality slapped him briskly on his left cheek.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea,” uttered Jack.

“Don’t apologize. I had no idea either,” said Brad in response.

They sat for a while and Brad broke the silence.

“I can’t imagine how she was feeling,” not expecting a response.

“I can,” Jack responded. “I confided in her for years about my struggles and about how I wanted to jump. I did this.”

“Don’t blame yourself.”

Jack thought for a moment and then stood up. He extended his left hand towards Brad who stared at it. They looked in each other’s eyes and Brad stood up as well. He embraced Jack as he hadn’t been embraced in years.

“Thank you,” Jack said warmly.

—————————————————————————————-

Later that night, Jack found himself on the George Washington Bridge.

“Forever and always, darling.”