Reacquainted

Seeing James after ten years

“What may I do for you Melina,” James asked without looking up from his stack of papers. Though he had asked, Melina knew that he had asked out of obligation rather than politeness.

“I wanted to announce myself personally rather than meeting in the staff room or colliding in the hallway,” she said mildly with a small laugh; an attempt at humor to break the tension.

James continued to focus on the papers before him, finishing one with the stroke of his pen and placing it aside.

“That is not necessary, I am quite aware of your return. Congratulations on your appointment and welcome back. If you will excuse me, I am quite busy; good day.”

From the doorway she admired his profile. She had always remembered how attractive he had been, but the years had been very kind. He had aged beautifully. His once thin, young frame had given way to a lean, masculine stature. Ten years and twenty pounds had unmistakably turned James into a man with distinguished, handsome features. She could not take her eyes off of him as he sat, taking note of his physique which was quite visible despite his tweed suit and vest.  Its autumn colors matched the beard he had grown, auburn in color, perfectly. It reminded Melina of the fall in Durham when trees were ablaze with vibrant oranges and yellows. It was also the color of his mother’s hair. Her heart began to ache for leaving him, for missing all of the years and times until now with him. Melina thought back to the first time he had kissed her during a walk they had taken along the river on a section of garden adorned with an arbor. He had stood in front of her with both of his hands gently holding her face, his right thumb and forefinger stroking her ear. When he finally leaned in to kiss her she could feel him take in her exhalation before placing his firm, warm lips over hers.

“James, I just thought it might be best-“she began.

James dropped his pen letting out an audible sigh. Rising from his chair, he walked to the bar, pouring himself a drink. He took a sip and then turned to face her. His once aloof, sapphire eyes were now cold and dark as he glared at her. She could read the tension in his face.

“There you are with your assumptions already Melina when you have only just returned,” he said finishing his drink. His voice was calm and even but his tone was filled with contempt.

“I would think that you might be more particular in your assumptions as they have a history of being hurtful to those around you.” He removed the crystal stopper from the decanter to refill his drink.

“Since we are making assumptions, please do not think that you had my support in being brought on to teach here or that we would be dear friends upon your return, because you would be mistaken.  So, Professor, if you please, I have work to do. Good day, “ his anger jumping over the top of the glass, across the room and slapping her on the face.

Melina stood, stunned and as if she might cry. She could feel her face begin to flush and her eyes sting. She had not expected the warmest of welcomes, but was unprepared for James's reaction. She wished to flee to the ladies room to cry but knew that this encounter would gauge what sort of relationship she and James would have during her tenure there. Melina drew in a deep breath slowly as to not draw attention to being upset; mentally pleading with her throat and voice to cooperate.

"I apologize. I only wanted to...I thought it might be...less uncomfortable to meet again in a less formal setting. It won't happen again." Melina turned to leave. She placed her slender arm on the doorway, turning to face James. "I do not expect us to be dear friends, James, but I would expect that we should be able to work together. It has been a long time and we are both grown adults. That was all I stopped to say; nothing more."

She lowered her arm and left, leaving only the remnants of her faint perfume, haunting him just as the memories of her had for years; lingering, never quite gone.