Frederick and Samuel were walking through the elegant and lively streets of Harvard Square. It was a neighborhood that had always liked Samuel. It had great bars, theaters, music venues, bookstores, libraries and shops. He enjoyed the architecture, with those houses and old churches that contrasted with the youthful atmosphere was palpable in the streets.
After a while, went into a cafe. That detail was surprised to Frederick, waiting to be taken to a bar. That place was discreet, charming and elegant. They sat at a table:
- I confess that you surprised me. I thought you'd take me to a noisy bar.
- Sure, sure -Samuel smiled.
After the waiter take note, continued their conversation.
- Samuel, I would talk to you about something, but it is difficult to address.
- Nothing happens. You can speak with confidence. Shoot!.
"Shoot?" -thought Frederick- "What kind of language is that for a Harvard academic? Maybe not was so wrong."
- You see -Frederick continued- Some months ago, exactly since we started the course, there is a girl I like...
- Tracy. Isn't she?.
- Y.. Yes... Did you know?.
- Of course! I can see it a mile away.
Frederick blushed for a moment. When he could suppress this untimely reaction, continued:
- I have seen you together, walking hand in hand or arm in arm, you usually say goodbye with a kiss, speak and laugh excitedly ...
- ... And she's so pretty -Samuel continued- with that hearty and long black hair, her big and beautiful green eyes, her gorgeous body, her sweet voice... whatever man will fall in love with her. Right? And specifically you think that we're dating. That's OK?.
Frederick looked down. He could only stammer:
- If so, I shall retire and nothing has happened here.
Samuel covered his mouth with his hand so that his laughter drowned not attract too much attention.
- Not really.
- Do not... what? -Frederick replied intrigued.
- That we are not boyfriend. If it wasn't because I came to Boston in love with another girl, I confess that I wouldn't mind she was Tracy, but no, we're not dating. We are very good friends. I love her with all my heart. My love for her is deep, I want her so much that I consider almost like a sister. She means a lot to me. And if someone tried to hurt her, I swear I would beat.
Fredrick sighed with relief.
- So no problem if I courted her...
- For crying of God, Frederick! What kind of talk is that? We are in the XXI century. And I'm not her father, or you're not a knight of the Round Table or she isn't a young damsel in distress locked in a glass tower. Relax! Be natural, honest! Just go for her by opening your heart. If you like her, you will get her. Come on, boy!... By the way. Do you realize that the decoration of the table is like a chess board?
- Yes...
- For if we ask the waiter chess pieces, we could play a game.
Frederick was surprised with his mouth open.
- Be warned -Samuel continued- In high school I was champion of chess in several times.
Sam and Diane were in the other side of river, in Beacon Hill. Lilith lived there in a small apartment. Just when she was coming out of a shop, Diane approached her simulating a chance meeting:
- Lilith! Oh, God! What a coincidence! Long time no see!
- Sam? Diana? What heck are you doing here? -she said cold and dry-I thought you were in Los Angeles.
- Well, yes -Diane said- But our son studies here at Harvard...
- Well, I think you walk a little far -cut Lilith- The university is the other side of river. And I don't think you lost. So goodbye. End of conversation.
She was going to continue walking, when Sam unexpectedly reacted and said with a smile as he took her shoulder affectionately:
- Wait, wait, wait... Why do you have such a hurry? Long time no see us. And now thou cast us out of your beside like that?. Come on! Give me a break! I don't know Diane, but I wanted to see you again, and especially those beautiful brown eyes... missed them... seriously.
That caught her off guard and couldn't help but smile.
- Really?
- Really -said Sam resounding.
Lilith had forgotten that Sam knew how to treat a woman and how to pluck a smile.
- Been a long time since the last time someone said something!.
- Really? -Sam said- How long have become blind men in this town?.
- Stop Sam, not continue! -Lilith said as she laughed openly. Then she continued- Going to forgive me that I have tried that before. Sorry. I know that you have no guilt, but a lot has happened and... I don't want… Please, go away...
- But what happens? -Diane asked.
- I think Frasier hath commanded you, I will not see him and you remind me of him -and at that time Lilith began to mourn quietly and bitterly.
Diane held her tenderly. Lilith felt, for the first time in a long time, the comforting warmth of someone who loved and cared for her. Diana went on to say:
- I think you're wrong. Frasier didn't send us -persuasively lied- The latest news we have is that he lives in Seattle. We just got back from a trip to Europe on the occasion of our anniversary. By the way we went to see Samuel, our son, and now we were walking through Boston remembering old times. That's all. This encounter has been entirely coincidental. Right, Sam?.
- Sure, sure! Of course!.
Lilith wiped her eyes with the back of her right hand.
- YouI're telling the truth. Aren't you?
Sam and Diana didn't say anything else, just were limited to smile.
- All right -Lilith said- I give you the benefit of the doubt.
- You say things have happened -Diane said- What things?.
- It's a long story. Come, I invite you to my apartment and I'll explain.