Home from his second year of college during a short spring break, Chris was taking the trash out to the street at the front of his parents' home. A young woman on a power walk stopped to talk.
"Chris? Chris, is that you?"
"Why, ah, Angela?"
"Yes, you remember me. How nice," she said extending her hand to him.
He shook her hand and said, "I almost didn't recognize you. I'm sorry."
"Oh, no need," she laughed lightly. "It's good to see you. How's college treating you?"
"Great," he said enthusiastically, "I like it a lot. What about you?"
"Well, I started college, but then fell in love and got married and moved to my husband's home in Canada."
"Oh," he said slyly, "are you here on a spring break, too?"
"No," she responded, ignoring his attempt at humor," I got divorced several months ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."
"No problem," she said, waving her hand, signifying no offense. "It just didn't work out."
"I thought you looked a little sad."
"How would you know?" she asked taken aback.
"Oh, well, you were always so sunny and upbeat the few times we met during Spanish club. Now you have sad eyes."
"You noticed me in high school?" she asked with gleeful surprise.
"Yeah," he laughed nervously, "you were always smiling and enthusiastic. I noticed that, because it was unusual to see such a beautiful co-ed participate so thoroughly with us ordinary folks."
"Is that an insult or a compliment, Chris?" she asked craning her neck so her sad brown eyes could meet his happy brown irises.
"Definitely a compliment, Angela. Your dark blonde ringlets were always bobbing up and down, and your lips so full—oh, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean..."
"Are you kidding?" she interjected. "What woman doesn't live to receive a stream of compliments like this? Please," she urged, "please go on."
"Really?" he asked in relief.
"Yeah really," she laughed gaily. "In fact, if you're not busy, why don't you come to my house for a swim?"
"Uh, okay. Are you sure?" he asked as a furrow crossed his brow.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"Well...I've never been to your house."
"Well..." she mimicked with arms akimbo, "I've never been to yours."
"Huh! How is that, do you suppose? How could we go to school together for so many years and live four doors away from each other, and never visit even once?"
"Well, I guess," Angela began, "I was a year behind you in school for one, and except for Spanish club we didn't move in the same circles. Maybe it's time we do."
"Okay. Thanks. I'd like to visit you. But will your parents mind?"
She giggled as she said, "My parents are out of town for a few days, and they've told me that since I'm a big girl and have already been married, that I'm 'emancipated' and can pretty much come and go and invite whomever I please into the house."