I turned around, and there she was. As beautiful as the day I left her. The year was 1957. There was nothing special about it, except that we were supposed to marry. Just not each other. She was engaged to a wealthy businessman. He would be able to take care of her and their future children. She would want for nothing and would be able to enjoy life in all its beauty.
I, on the other hand, was engaged to a plain woman. She was pretty, yes, but nothing compared to the girl I truly wanted. I worked a very plain job as a grocery store manager. Nothing fancy, but we’d live comfortably enough. I would never be able to give my wife the things that my true love’s future husband would bestow upon her.
The last time I saw her was an hour before her wedding ceremony. She came to me in the most beautiful lace wedding dress. White as snow, perfect as she was. It was her intention to talk me out of my marriage. It was her intention for us to run away together. And I wanted nothing more. But I knew that I couldn’t provide to her the things she deserved. She deserved a beautiful life filled with beautiful things. Not to mention that she’d never see her beloved father ever again if we did.
And now, after all this time, she was standing before me. She was wearing a modest floral day dress and her hair was done up in curls.
“Hello John.” Her melodious voice sailed through the air and pierced my ears ever so delicately.
“Stacy.” I murmured, unsure of what to say.
“It’s been a long time.” She said.
“Almost forty years.” I replied.
She looked at the casket beside her and her lips twisted into a wicked grin. “I am so sorry about Emma.”
I stared at her in disbelief. She didn’t…She couldn’t have…
“It may have taken forty years, but I finally got my revenge.”