Second Chances

Written for MLMM Monday Wordle.
The prompt words are show below
and here’s where they took me.

music, relaxing, calm, peace, personal, always,
thinking, reminder, thankful, simple, friends, and meet

After her marriage at age 19 ended badly after just three years, Beverly believed romance was for other people. Now at 54, she’d built a good life …. close friends, a career, and the kind of peace that comes from knowing yourself. But love? That ship had sailed.

The community center’s music appreciation class changed everything. That’s where she would meet Gary, a widower who sat two rows ahead, listening with closed eyes, calm and totally absorbed.

It was after the third class when they first spoke. “Wasn’t that last piece just incredible? And to think I’ve lived this long without Chopin in my life!” Gary said, turning to Beverly. Their conversation stretched from the hallway to a café, personal and honest in ways that surprised them both.

Thursday classes became coffee dates, then casual dinners, then Saturday morning walks. There was no urgency, just two people relaxing in each other’s company. What amazed Beverly was how natural it felt.

Six months in, listening to records at his house, Gary said, “You know, Bev, I’ve been thinking. You’re a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late for love.”

Beverly felt tears stinging her eyes. “Oh, Gary. I’m so happy and thankful you’re in my life.”

On Valentine’s Day, he brought no roses or chocolates …. just a playlist of songs from their time together.

“Simple and perfect,” Beverly smiled.

“Always, just like you” Gary replied, and they danced in her living room, two people happy to have found exactly what they’d been missing.

This is “The Second Time Around” by Tony Bennett