Stalking The Future!

It was our first Valentine’s Day. Harry and I had known each other for less than a year. We were young, poor and madly in love. Those were the days when fun was free and easy. Without any little mouths to feed, tuitions or mortgages to pay, the fact that we were broke never cramped our style. Our car was an old Volvo without a properly working clutch. (I know, what was I thinking getting into that vehicle?)

Sometimes when we stopped, we had to get out and push it to get into gear again. It seems unbelievable now, that when we would do this, we would be laughing the entire time. The power of our new young love was as strong and mighty as any superhero!

It was Valentines Day evening. We had worked all day and then picked up our burritos for dinner. We ate them by the oversized heart and arrow art structure at the Embarcadero. The moon was full and the guacamole was fresh. Life was good and we were invincible.

On our way home, we got the old Volvo running along smoothly and started to talk about the future; you know the talk. We dreamt about how many children we might have and what sort of house we might live in. Every new detail was more delectable and exciting than the one before it.

Then we stopped at a red light, behind a much newer, Volvo station-wagon. I am sure that car’s clutch worked perfectly.

“You know, that’s the kind of car we might have eventually. Two car seats in the back, the caged-in trunk area for the dog.” Harry has always been a joker.

“That’s true, we might have a car exactly like that,” I agreed.

“In fact,” said Harry, “if we follow them, we might find out exactly what kind of house we’re going to live in!”

“Hmmm,” I answered, getting ready for what I knew would be coming next.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s see where they go.”

Off we went, up the curving roads and past the stop signs. We followed them for a long time, this family that was to be our future. Obviously, they finally noticed us, because all of a sudden, they tried to lose us! Now we realize how scary we must have been to them. A couple of laughing hyenas in an old Volvo without a clutch; I’d run for my life too! It felt like we were in a scene from that old TV show, The Streets of San Francisco. The good guys trailing the bad guys, or were we the bad guys … whatever.

The switch to our good consciences turned on at last, and we stopped following our future in the new, well-oiled Volvo ahead of us.

It’s twenty-five years later now. We’ve got the two kids, the pets and a fully functioning vehicle. But the memory of that brand new love potion can still conjure up a bout of hysteria when we need it.

“Remember when we tried to follow that family home?” Harry will say. That’s all it takes. I look over at him and we both crack up laughing.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!