Imagine Us in Heaven

A Blast from the Past

Honestly, if I could choose anyone from my past to meet again, I'd pick Alison Steele over my family. But that doesn't mean I actually want to see her for real. It's just a hypothetical choice in case I ever reach a point in my life where I'm left without any options.

Ten years. It has been ten years!

I freeze when I see her outside the funeral home, just as I'm about to head home after informing Markus that the godson of the body I worked on last night might drop by. She also goes still when she spots me. Her eyes betray little emotion, but I can tell that for both of us, the world has come to a sudden stop.

"Are you Blythe? That guy I talk to on the phone?"

Ah, the fiancé. Jake Wells is a handsome man with a pleasant personality---tall, neat, and well-groomed, just the way she likes them. As for Alison, she hasn't changed much since I last saw her. She's still the same---beautiful, sophisticated, and fearless. I recall how she used to join every feminist group in college. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it does come with considerations when dating someone like her.

Frankly, it was exhausting. Every day, she was fighting against the world because, in her eyes, everything was rooted in patriarchy. And I get it. I get it for the ten-thousandth time!

I wonder if she's still the same. Judging by Jake Wells and how attentive he is to her; it seems she might have found exactly what she was looking for.

"That's me," I say with a polite smile, because, well, it's necessary. I do my best to avoid looking directly at the small but fiery woman standing beside him.

...but that doesn't stop someone from introducing herself and her perfect partner.

"This is my fiancée," Jake says, proudly gesturing toward her as she rests her hand on his forearm.

"Cute," I think to myself as I scrutinize the couple. I address Alison with a hint of nostalgia, "Ms. Steele... it's been a while."

Alison looks taken aback by the greeting, glancing at Jake, the man she's promised to spend her life with. Jake clarifies, "He's the person I was speaking with on the phone last night. Remember? He mentioned that you two know each other."

I can tell she doesn't want to be associated with me any longer, and I can't really blame her for that. Maybe it would be best to pretend I've made a mistake. But Alison smiles back sweetly as if she's playing along with the situation.

"Yes. We know each other."

The way she says it makes me want to turn and run in the opposite direction. Is she planning to get back at me? It's been ten years. I know what I did was unforgivable, and if karma has come back around for her in a good way, why the a need for revenge?

Jake, however, seems genuinely excited. "What a small world! So, how do you two know each other?"

"College."

"Gatherings."

I glance at Alison, who meets my gaze evenly. Jake looks between us, puzzled. "Uh, are you friends?"

"No."

"Yes."

Even now, we're not quite on the same page. It's not like I'm hoping for another chance with her, but the whole situation is amusing.

"You could say we're... acquaintances," Alison says, flashing a smile at Jake. It's her way of signaling him to drop the topic.

But Jake either doesn't catch on or chooses to ignore her. "So, were you introduced by a mutual friend? Blythe seems to remember your name. That can't just be from being acquaintances, right?"