Spring was just closing the door to her garage when he appeared. A lone figure at the end of her driveway, a dark silhouette against the gray dusk.

“Hey,” he called, and she froze. She recognized that baritone voice from her past, her college boyfriend, Aaron, the one she almost married before he announced he was leaving her for her best friend, and they were going to France to study at the Sorbonne.

“Hey,” she called back. “Long time, no see.”

He walked up the driveway and gave her a brief hug. “I hope you don’t mind me coming here.”

“Mind? I’m more surprised than anything.”

He flashed the crooked smile she’d found so endearing at age 22. “It’s been a long time, but 18 years doesn’t show so much on you.”

Spring gave him a once-over at closer range. His face had deep lines around his eyes, but he had maintained his muscular body. “Are you just wandering by or do you want to come in for some coffee?”

“Yes, coffee. That’s good. I have some news to share.”

Stepping inside, Aaron looked cautious. “Is Jonah here?”

“No, he’s at basketball practice. He’ll be home later.”

With a look of relief, Aaron sat down where Spring pointed.

“Tell me,” she said.

“It’s Maggie. She’s dying of cancer. Wants to see you.”

“Me? You’re kidding, right?”

“Yeah, who would have guessed?”

“Why now?”

“Because she wants to meet him.”

“No.”

“Come on.”

“No, that’s not fair. He doesn’t know.”

“But she’s my wife. She has a right.”

“No.”

“Come on, it’s her last wish.”

Spring leaned close and narrowed her eyes, “I don’t give a damn about her last wish. That boy has no clue his father is anyone other than a sperm bank donor, which is exactly what we agreed upon. We signed a contract, in fact, at the time.”

“I know, but who knew she was going to die so early in life? Show a little compassion, please.”

Spring glared at him. “You ran off with my best friend, and I was left to raise our child alone. Does that sound like compassion, kindness, or even common decency? I think not.”

“I know, I know. But she and I haven’t been able to have any kids, and she just wants to see my son. She also wants to see you and apologize. You and I had to make our peace for Jonah’s sake—so he could have things he needed—and I’ve appreciated the yearly school photos you send. But Maggie has refused to look at any of them. They make her feel too guilty. Clearly, she has amends to make before she dies.”

Spring felt a headache forming behind her forehead. How could this be happening? Seeing Maggie was the last thing she ever wanted to do. It was bad enough that Aaron acted as he had, but being betrayed by her best friend since kindergarten? That had hurt her to her core. “What kind of cancer does she have?”

“Pancreatic. The doctor has given her a couple of months to live at the longest.”

She sighed. Her father had died of that same disease. It was quick, but merciless. She thought of her beautiful boy, who would not know who Aaron or Maggie were. “Tell her I will come to see her and will ask Jonah to drive me. I’ll have him wait outside the car until our visit is over. She can look at him from a front window.

“That’ll work. Thank you.” Aaron bent over and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry Maggie and I caused so much pain. We had a terrible beginning, and this is a sad ending.”

“Very sad, but I can tell that you love her.”

“Yes, more than I could ever express.” He stood up to leave. “And, Spring, thank you for being such a good mother to our boy.”

Spring heard the sadness in his voice. Life could be so unpredictable and short, it made her heart hurt.

When Jonah returned that evening, she met him at the kitchen door. “Hey, let’s order pizza tonight. That’s my bribe, so I can ask you to drive me somewhere this weekend to see an old friend.”

“Sure, Mom,” he said, then gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. “You know I’ll do anything for pizza.”