Beyond One Life

The Choice of Fate

He heard you. America finally spun around, eyes wide in bewilderment. Perhaps he expected a confrontation from a fan of his due to his social media presence (which you could not watch, because each time you tried you'd promptly burst into tears from how badly you missed him), or maybe you were someone that took great issue with the state of the country's political affairs and wanted to take it out on him. Yet this - you, and the reason you called out to him - were something completely different. The rarity of this moment was unprecedented, and that was why you knew to cherish every breath, every particle that buzzed around you.

Adrenaline was making your fingers tremble, and you couldn't stop the tears from forming in your eyes. "I'm...sorry," you gasped, fumbling for your phone in your jeans. On the back was a pocket with your ID and credit card, as well as a small paper delicately folded in half.

"I didn't mean to startle you," you continued, offering the paper to him as you caught your breath. "I don't know if you remember me, but my father...he worked for all of you. When I was little."

Swallowing down the lump in your throat, your mouth went dry as you opened the parchment, revealing a priceless artifact. It was a picture, one of the last you had been able to take before your father's retirement. You were eleven, still prepubescent and in a dress, standing happily beside your dad. Surrounding you were the members of the former G8* - but not the politically elected attendees. Alfred was to your immediate left, sparkling with joy as always.

He gazed at it carefully, digesting the information. In that pause, you felt like you were tumbling between indecisions, unsure whether to speak more or stay quiet.

Before you could make up your mind, Alfred's gaze snapped back to you. The surprise grew, then morphed into an expression that set your heart ablaze - recognition.

"No way!" In an instant, you were nearly tackled in a hug. You yelped on reflex, but you had dreamed of this moment on more than one occasion, hoping against hope that you could feel his heat again, feel an embrace that spoke of hellos compared to the bittersweet goodbye you received from him eight years ago.

Your exclamation became a squeal as he lost the composure to keep your feet on the ground. As you threw your arms around him he spun in a half-circle, carrying you for a second and no more. You smiled with your whole heart, feeling the weight of loneliness shake off with his momentum.

It was too brief. He pulled away and eyed you from head to toe. He was dressed casually, in a red hoodie and jeans similar to you. You hadn't often seen him in anything less than professional, so it stuck out to you. Oh, how fortunate you were to have seen him in the crowd. Certainly, it was more than coincidence.

"I can't believe it's you!" America's voice was as booming as ever, but you didn't mind. It carried comforting surrealism. "You're all grown up!" He planted his hand on your head and ruffled your hair, a familiar gesture that almost made you burst into sobs then and there, but you managed to smile and laugh even more instead.

"I am," was all you could mutter as you choked back tears. "I didn't think I'd see you here. Are you still living in New York?"

"Yeah, I was just visiting for business, but what the heck are you doing here?"

You cleared your throat, giddy and barely restraining yourself hopping from foot to foot. "I'm in the UN internship program!" your voice was far louder than necessary, but you couldn't contain yourself.

"Are you serious?" His mouth fell open, but there was no maliciousness to be heard. After a second, he seemed quite pleased. "Well how about that! That's great! Man, what a coincidence we met up like this."

"Right?" you shouted, then quickly covered your mouth, flush with embarrassment. However, he chuckled.

"U-Uh, I mean," you rushed, "I actually met with Ambassador Gottfried today and talked about seeing everyone again - because I want to be like my dad - but he told me I'd have to wait. I thought I'd have to stick it out for the next few years and get a full-time job, so I'm so happy to see you. I didn't think I would for...for a long time."