It Seemed Like a Great Idea

This story falls under the category of “it seemed like a great idea at the time.” A few years before I got married, I lived with a young man for a bit over a year. He was from Germany and was doing his alternative service here in the United States. The relationship had its ups and downs but after he left we kept in touch by mail. He had a short unhappy marriage but eventually met the woman he is now married to and they have two children. They live in Germany. We lost touch for a time but when my friend Jane and I decided to take a trip to Germany, France, and Switzerland, Hans said he would like us to come and meet his wife and children. It was very exciting to wait in the Hamburg train station to see my past lover after almost twenty years. He had aged well. We had a great time and I enjoyed his family. We drank a lot of wine and reminisced. His wife did not appear to be at all jealous. When Hans and I were saying goodbye at the train station, we kissed quite passionately. Once I boarded the train, I put the window down and we held hands until the train started up. It was the only time in my life that I felt I was in the scene from a movie. Within a couple of years, a conference brought him to the States and he arranged to visit me and meet my husband. They got along well. Hans and I did not exchange anything other than warm hugs from then on.

Fast forward about five years. My husband and I separate after twenty-three years.  I am devastated. When I tell Hans, he tells me that he has decided to bring his wife and children to the States for their first time. He says that they talked about it and wanted me to accompany them and serve as their tour guide. I was flattered but unsure of the idea. Hans was persistent, so I agreed.