I saw an old guy purchase two movie tickets every Monday yet sat alone. My curiosity led me to buy a seat close to him to discover his secret. When he began telling his tale, I had no clue our lives would intersect in unexpected ways.
The ancient city cinema was more than a job. It was where the projector’s buzz might temporarily obliterate global anxieties. The air smelled of buttered popcorn, and the fading antique posters screamed of a golden period I had only dreamed.
Every Monday morning, Edward arrived as steady as the sunlight. He wasn’t like the other customers who hurried in for cash or tickets.
Edward, tall and slim, wore a well buttoned gray coat with calm dignity. His precision-combed silver hair caught the light as he approached the counter. His requests were consistent.
“Two tickets for the morning movie.”
However, he always arrived alone.
As I gave him the tickets, his December chill-cold fingertips touched mine. Though my head was full with questions, I smiled politely.
Why 2 tickets? For whom?
Two tickets again? Sarah grinned behind me as she rung up another client. It might be for a lost love. You know, like an old romance?
Steve, another colleague, laughed, “Or maybe a ghost.” He’s probably married to one.”
I didn’t laugh. Something about Edward made their jokes seem off.
I considered asking him and even practiced a few sentences, but my bravery fled every time. It was not my place.
***
Monday thereafter was different. As I lay in bed on my day off, looking at the ice on the glass, a thought came to me.
If I follow him? Not snooping. Just curiosity. It’s almost Christmas—a time of wonder.
Morning air was crisp, and street Christmas lights appeared brighter.
I entered the dimly lighted cinema to see Edward sitting, his form silhouetted by the screen. Though deep in contemplation, his posture was straight and determined. A slight grin touched his lips as he looked at me.
“You’re not working today,” he said.
He sat next to me. “You might need a company. I’ve seen you often.”
Though unhappy, he laughed gently. “Not about movies.”
“Then what?” My tone was curious as I asked.
Edward reclined, hands folded on his lap. He appeared unsure whether to trust me with what he was going to say.
He spoke.
“Years ago,” he said, staring at the screen, “a woman worked here. Her name was Evelyn.”
I kept silent, feeling this wasn’t a quick narrative.
He said, “She was beautiful,” with a little grin. The way that lingers, not the way that turns heads. Not forgettable like a melody. She worked here. We met here, and our story began.”
As he talked, I imagined the busy theater, the projector throwing shadows on her face, and their quiet discussions between showings.
“One day, I invited her to a morning show on her day off,” Edward added. “She agreed.”
Paused, his voice trembling. “But she never came.”
What happened? I murmured, drawing near.
He replied, “I found out later she’d been fired,” his tone harsher. “The manager refused to give me her number and told me to leave. Why was unclear. She vanished.”
Edward sighed, looking at the vacant seat next him. I attempted to move on. I married and lived quietly. But when my wife died, I came here again, expecting… I don’t know.”
Swallowed hard. “She was your life love.”
“She was. And she is.”
What do you recall about her? I requested.
“Only her name,” Edward said. “Evelyn.”
Will help you locate her.”
I suddenly realized what I’d promised. My father was the movie manager who dismissed Evelyn. A guy who scarcely noticed me.
***
I felt like I was prepared for a losing war against my father. I straightened my modest jacket and combed my hair into a tidy ponytail. Every detail mattered.
Thomas, my father, valued order and professionalism and assessed people accordingly.
Edward quietly waited at the entrance with his hat, appearing worried yet calm. “You sure he’ll talk to us?”
“No,” I said, putting on my coat. “But we must try.”
I opened up to Edward on the walk to the movie office, maybe to soothe my worries.
“My mom had Alzheimer’s,” I said, tightening the steering wheel. She began it when pregnant with me. Her memory was erratic. Some days, she knew me. Other days, she looked at me like a stranger.”
Edward nodded thoughtfully. “That must have been difficult.”
“It was,” I replied. “Especially since my Dad, Thomas, put her in a care facility. I know why, but he stopped visiting her. After my grandma died, I was responsible for everything. He gave money but was absent. That best describes him. Distant. Always apart.”
Edward was quiet yet reassuring. After arriving at the movie, I hesitated to enter Thomas’s office.
He sat at his desk with documents neatly placed. He glanced at me and Edward with cold calculation. What’s it about?
“Hi, Dad. Edward is my buddy, I mumbled.
“Go on.” He looked the same.
“I need to ask about a former employee. Woman Evelyn.”
He froze briefly before reclined in his chair. “I never discuss ex-employees
“You need to make an exception,” I demanded. Edward has searched for her for decades. We deserve answers.”
Thomas narrowed his attention on Edward. “I owe him nothing. Or even you.”
Edward spoke first. I adored her. She meant everything to me.”
Thomas’s jaw stiffened. Her name wasn’t Evelyn.”
“What?” I blinked.
“She called herself Evelyn, but her real name was Margaret,” he said, cutting the air. Your mother. He motioned toward Edward, “and thought I wouldn’t find out.” She made up that name because she was having an affair with him.
Room got quiet.
Edward became pallid. “Margaret?”
“She was pregnant when I found out,” Thomas raged. With you, it happened.” His hard demeanor melted for the first time when he glanced at me. I believed isolating her from him would make her depend on me. No, it didn’t. When you were born…”
Huge sigh from Thomas. “I knew I wasn’t your dad.”
My brain whirled, disbelief crashing in. “You knew all along?”
“I provided for her,” he replied, ignoring me. “For you. I couldn’t remain.
Edward spoke up. Margaret is Evelyn?
“She was Margaret to me,” Thomas said stiffly. But plainly, she wanted to be someone else with you.”
With shaking hands, Edward fell into a chair. “She never told me. I had no idea.”
My heart raced as I gazed between them. Thomas was not my dad.
“I think we need to visit her,” I remarked. Together.” I looked at Edward, then held Thomas’ stare. The three of us. Christmas is a time for forgiveness, therefore now is the time to make amends.”
I expected Thomas would laugh or reject the notion. He paused, softening his severe demeanor, surprising me. Without speaking, he rose, grabbed his overcoat, and nodded.
He grumbled, “Let’s do this,” putting his arms inside the coat.
***
Silently, we drove to the care facility. Edward sat beside me with his hands on his lap. Thomas sat in the back seat, stiff and looking out the window.
The festive wreath on the facility’s entryway stood out when we arrived.
Mom was sitting by the lounge window, her weak body wrapped in a warm cardigan. Staring outdoors, she seemed lost in a different world. Her hands were still in her lap as we approached.
I softly called “Mom,” but no one responded.
Edward moved slowly ahead. He regarded her.
The transformation was immediate. The recognition in her gaze made her turn toward him. Like a light went on within her. Slowly, she stood.
“Edward?” she whispered.
He nodded. My name is Evelyn. It’s me.”
She shakily advanced, tears in her eyes. You’re here.”
He said, “I never stopped waiting,” his eyes watering.
Watching them filled me with unnamed feelings. Their moment was mine too.
Thomas was a few steps behind me with his hands in his pockets. He seemed vulnerable instead than harsh.
“You did the right thing coming here,” I said.
Nodding slightly, he said nothing. For the first time, I saw remorse in his eyes as he watched Mom and Edward.
Snow fell softly outside, creating a pleasant quiet.
“Let’s not end it here,” I remarked, breaking the silence. This is Christmas. Could we grab hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie? Together.”
Edward’s eyes sparkled. Thom paused.
He grumbled, “That sounds… nice,” quieter than I’d ever heard.
Four lives intersected in ways we never anticipated that day. We entered a narrative that had taken years to conclude and begin.
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