" The day we meet again
We will walk in peace
Thru the garden down the road
Where the mist of time is lifting…

So hold on, and don't let go
Time heals, you know, I know"*

Janet invited Justin to her house when she was alone, she didn't want his visit to upset her family. Even if he was an old school friend, they might wonder why a grown up man was visiting their mother. That would raise all sorts of questions that she did not want right now. Still, she could not refuse Justin, he went all this way to look for her and truth was, she really wanted to see him again. She thought that perhaps he may just want to gain closure for the past. Janet smiled and thought, all in all it would be good to see Justin again and she was looking forward to his visit. He called her up promptly on the given day and told her he was on his way.

Justin was anxious and excited at the same time. The thought of seeing Janet again was overwhelming, he was so happy and yet he fears that she will reject him for the years he was gone. All these thoughts were running in his mind while he was driving towards her place. When he arrived at the address she has given him, he can see that she now belonged in a different community. He parked his blue MB sports car, which looked so out of place in the neighborhood. He wished he could have just taken the train like he used to when he was young except his kind of life now made that impossible. He saw that Janet now lived in a five story red bricked community apartment building. The place was huge, he had to look around to get his bearings, finally he saw that the number she gave him was on the third floor. He lost no time in going up the stairs until he arrived at her door and knocked on it. He knew that behind that door is Janet, he could feel her getting near. Janet heard the knock on their door and knew it was Justin. Like a child, she dropped what she was doing and ran to the door to welcome him. When she opened the door, Justin could see how happy Janet was in seeing him again. Seeing her lovely smile made all his fears disappear
and he stepped into her world.

They were enthralled by each others' presence as they updated one another about the years they missed. Janet told Justin that she is now married with two children and he told her that he has a grown daughter of his own, they were just too happy to consider any complication. They didn't even notice the time until Janet saw that it was getting late. Justin for one didn't want to leave, he wanted to take her with him, he wished if only he could. When Justin was about to go, he promised that from now on he will always be there for her. He told her that he will return again soon and then he lightly kissed her on the forehead when he said good-bye.

After Justin left, Janet was left wondering how things will change now that Justin has returned, but then again she had doubts if he truly meant his promise. How can he mean it? When he lived in a different world from her? Despite of her doubts, she cannot get over the fact that Justin searched for her and actually visited her. She guessed that perhaps he was truly looking for closure. She was so happy that she saw him again, her wonderful David Justin, the memory of his visit was enough to last a lifetime, even if he did not call or return again like he promised.

After three days, Justin called her up at work. She was completely taken by surprise, she never expected him to call again. He said he was in London and that he was about to leave for France. He also told her that he wanted to visit her again when he returns, he called to ask if it was alright with her. Janet told him that he would always be welcome and that he did not have to ask again. Justin sounded so happy at what she said that she couldn't help but look forward to his next visit.

Justin brought Janet a gift on his second visit, she remembered the times when he would give her small gifts when they were younger (and in love, but she brushed the thought aside). Janet opened her gift and the treasure inside took her breath away. It was an exquisitely beautiful antique Lalique French table clock with a golden face and carved white lovebirds upon its clear blue crystal setting. She opened the card and learned that the clock was called "Inseparables". A tear of joy fell on Janet's cheek. Justin brushed off the tear on her face, and he softly told her, "This is wishing that I can give back all the time that was lost". Janet was so very happy, she hugged Justin and kissed him on the cheek when she said "Thank you. It's so beautiful..."

Janet was so touched, not only for his beautiful gift, but because more and more she is learning that Justin had not changed. Fame and fortune did not tarnish the David Justin she had known, he remained as sweet, loving, and kind as before. Seeing Janet's beautiful brown eyes light up with happiness when she received his gift was one of the best things that happened to Justin for a very long time. He remembered from long ago that it never really mattered to Janet if his gifts were simple or if they were expensive, she always received them with such deep appreciation that it was no wonder why he loved her so much. And he always got a kiss from Janet every time he gave her a gift. Justin fondly remembered that when he was younger, he was always fishing for a kiss from Janet, and that was one of the reasons why he gave her all sorts of gifts. He smiled when he thought that nothing much changed about that.

Justin shared his wish with Janet, he asked her if she would like to go to the park and visit the spot where they used to go. Janet's eyes lit up more brightly that they resembled liquid gold and then she beamed him a most enchanting smile that Justin felt he was melting from where he stood. She told him that she thought it was such a wonderful idea, and that she would be delighted to go.

It amazed Janet to see that Justin still knew his way as he drove around their hometown. These were the very same streets they used to walk home together after school. She looked at him while he was driving, she marveled at how Justin has become so handsome over the years. It seemed his blonde hair became lighter and his eyes bluer than she remembered them to be. Janet saw that he was driving towards the front entrance of the park, she told him it was not a good idea to pass that way since he is now famous and he will just create a commotion. Justin laughed with amusement at what Janet said, when he was about to ask her for directions, she told him that she knew another less familiar way. They took the long way around the park, then they alighted from Justin's car and Janet took his arm and gently led the way as they walked towards the backwoods. They were so happy walking arm in arm that they almost didn't feel the ground on their feet.

The backwoods path they had taken was unfamiliar to Justin, but he saw that they finally arrived on their special place on top of a hill. Justin and Janet held hands as they marveled at the memorable view around them, for some reason the colors of the autumn foliage around them were brighter, the grass was more verdant, and the lake was so crystal clear that it reflected the vivid blue sky above them. It was as if the vista welcomed the two of them who were part of this piece of heaven.

Justin turned around and looked up at the giant chestnut tree behind them, he joyfully exclaimed "Janet, look at our tree!" The tree has grown to be so tall over the years that they have been absent, its red orange leaves burning brightly above them. Justin saw that Janet was looking up at him, then his warm blue eyes melted into her shining golden brown eyes. At that very special moment, they felt the happiness they missed all these years. The feelings that Justin always had for Janet rushed back to him a thousand times stronger, as if it kept on growing through all the years they were apart. He looked at her beautiful serene face and wondered if she felt the same way.

Justin took off his coat and placed it on the mantle of leaves beneath them for Janet to sit upon. They both sat under their tree, Janet leaned upon Justin and he placed his arms around her like he used to, he gently kissed Janet's lovely brown hair that was still fragrant with the intoxicating scent of sweet honeysuckle just like when she was a schoolgirl, Justin closed his eyes and he let himself become immersed in her presence. Nothing else in the world existed at that moment, together they floated backwards and forwards in time until the sun set around them.

Janet had to wake them up from their dreamlike reverie, to which Justin replied that he wanted for them to stay there forever. She smiled at him and nudged him the way she had always done before, she told him "David Justin you are so sweet, but we have to go." Reluctantly David and Janet went down from their hill, when they reached the bottom, Justin brought her to the edge of the lake and asked Janet if she still remembered that they played skimming stones before. Janet's lovely brown eyes once again sparkled and she said yes, she remembers so well. They both got themselves some pebbles which they threw at the water to see who can throw farther and who can throw more, exactly the same way they used to many years ago. As they left the place hand in hand, their laughter sounded like the pealing of silver bells echoing around the valley.

*_"The Day We Meet Again"