A Trip to the Zoo

She wore blue jeans, bleach-blonde hair, and a white peasant blouse, and gnawed mercilessly on a huge wad of gum. I was smitten.

She thought I’d run when she told me she had a five-year-old son. I must admit, being young and never married, I had reservations about getting serious with a divorcee who was six years older than me and came with child. Then we went on our first real date.

Jeremy had a reputation for telling his mother’s suitors exactly what he thought of them. He famously spit milk on one of the more overbearing ones and snarled, “Why don’t you just go home!”

Sheila packed a picnic. We took Jeremy to the zoo and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon. Back at their apartment, Sheila put a sheet of cookies in the oven—really, I’m not making this up—as I stretched out on the living room floor. Without warning, Jeremy climbed on top of me, gave me a hug and a kiss, and told me he loved me.

My anxieties faded. It occurred to me that I had no guarantee of a positive relationship with my yet-to-be biological children, but Jeremy was a sure thing. He’d already communicated it.

Sheila still chews gum most days. Jeremy is the father of two of my grandchildren. If you love someone, tell them.