V is for 20:20 Vision

20/20 Vision

There was no mistaking him. He was still as tall and rangy. Limbs,
flamingo like, long and angular. She saw a freeze frame of him just as
the bus slowed to a halt. He was leaning against a shop front, book in
hand, legs crossed, head tilted lazily. She knew he'd be squinting. He
never like to wear his glasses, not even when riding his bike. He would
say '20/20 vision me', as he focused too far away and purposely walked
into something just to make her laugh.

She would tell him he was too vain and he should wear them, he'd have
an accident otherwise. He'd just gather her up and say not everyone
aspired to perfect vision, and that he preferred seeing the world as a
soft and fuzzy place. Then he'd explore her face with his fingers,
whispering blind men made the best lovers.

She smiled at how he didn't appear to look any different. Hair a bit
shorter but dressed in the same way. Jeans and open necked shirt with
sleeves rolled up to show of those forearms. The first thing she really
noticed about him was his arms. That lower part, the bit between the
elbow and the wrist. For all their slender and grace they could lift
her up like they belonged to King Kong.

They were students and he was moving into the shared house she was
vacating. He answered the ad and she answered the door. She thought he
looked a bit sly. Big lazy eyes that wouldn't really meet hers. Funny
how she nearly had him down as a complete no-no, not even a
possibility. Two months later she was a total wreck over him. She told
him that her first impression wasn't great, how his short sightedness
made him look a bit dodgy. He laughed. He said when he first saw her he
thought she looked like his sister. His imaginary sister. His real
sister had died at childbirth. So he fashioned another one in his head.
He hadn't wanted to be an only child.

The bus took its time pulling into the stop and she pushed herself
forward to be near the doors ready to jump off. He'd been leaning
against Boots window. She couldn't believe it. She'd thought about him
on and off for years, imagining bumping into him on the tube or in a
book shop. Boots was only a block away so if she ran it would only take
a few minutes. She hoped it was him and that she hadn't been mistaken.
Maybe her eyesight wasn't so good these days. She didn't want to think
about that option. It had to be him. This was fate. She just knew
someday they'd meet again. She just knew it.

She would watch him in the workshop. Cutting and sanding huge chunks of
wood into the finest of veneers. He'd mould them together to make some
curvy modern piece of furniture he called his Conman Conran works. She
saw everything he was, locked in those forearms. They swept her
straight into his heart. He was on for a first but he flunked his final
year. She'd always wondered if she really was to blame. He had never
pointed the finger. He'd just let her do what she thought was best. So
she did. She couldn't see herself taking classes in motherhood just
then. He got a good grade though 2:1, high second class. A grade higher
than her. But slowly and very gracefully he withdrew his arms and she
stopped seeing him.

They would bump into each other around campus and there was always a
lingering look. But they never really talked about what happened so it
stayed stuck between them like a huge no-man's land. Too dangerous. So
they took to walking safer paths. The timing would be perfect now she
heard herself saying. The day dream carried on. He'll pick me up and
swing me around his waist again and bury his head in my hair and tell
me he's really missed his 'sister'. And overwhelmed by relief and
smugness we'll laugh hysterically.

Then he was in sight. Just as before. Languid and laid back. Still
propped up against the window, still reading the book, still with those
balletic arms. She slowed down wanting to compose herself. To look as
if she was just walking by. Casually. And then he looked up. He stared
and his big brown eyes were as unfocussed as ever.
'Ruby' he smiled. So cool and calm.
She smiled back and started to say 'I know what a surprise' but someone
interrupted. A long limbed child had appeared by his legs. He raised
her up in his arms and began the introductions.
'Hi Ellie this is Ruby. Ruby this is Ellie'.
The child looked about five years old and had the same slow eyes.
Suddenly Ruby's vision wasn't so good. Everything was looking a bit
soft and blurry. He told Ellie how Ruby had been a very good friend of
his. Almost a sister.

Then Ellie's mum joined the small group and Ruby said she was sorry hay
fever problems. She pushed past them into the shop and his glazed look
followed her as she stumbled about bumping into things.

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