The story is based on true events, despite its amazement!
“I attended the 35th school, what about you?”
“So did I,” replied Anthony, raising his eyebrows at the girl. A rather unusual coincidence, but life is full of surprises.
It was intriguing that their names were similar. Anthony and Antonia, as if no other names existed. But this coincidence wouldn’t stop two people in love from being together!
Anthony had met Annie not too long ago in a grocery store. It was a silly incident, seemingly dictated by fate that brought them together in such a place. He was struggling to pick out olives, and Annie, passing by, simply recommended a brand. From there, they struck up a conversation and exchanged contacts. Who can say how each meeting might end, so when Anthony asked Annie out, she agreed.
Anthony had experienced marriage before, the daily routine, and infidelity, whereas Annie hadn’t become entangled in such matters, not rushing through life, believing happiness would find her. And now, they were on their fifth date.
Anthony looked his 35 years, having acquired a slight belly and a receding hairline, thanks to the family genes where men starting balding early. A brunette with what hair remained, standing around 5’11”, considered fairly attractive by his ex-wife, who still pursued romance elsewhere. Add a bit of intellect, humor, and manners, and he was quite a good catch.
Annie was ten years younger, a beautiful woman with thick chestnut hair cut to her shoulders, a slim figure, and striking hazel eyes. Her smile, she often said, was her calling card, and Anthony took note. She truly could charm anyone. He admired her naïveté, yet she certainly wasn’t foolish. Her second notable trait was her eloquence, he was enchanted by her voice and wanted to hear more.
“Do you remember Mrs. Peterson?” Anthony launched into memories.
“Oh yes,” Annie smiled, “with that wig,” she gestured around her head, and they laughed.
“Mr. Thompson?”
“Chekhov?” Annie misunderstood.
“No, Hamster.”
“Ah, the woodwork teacher,” the girl nodded. “Yes, he was quite a figure.”
They were strolling through the park, hand in hand, talking about their future plans. Anthony enjoyed the way Annie spoke of life, dreams, and goals, and also her passion for literature. It turned out Annie wasn’t just a reader; she had her own well-regarded novels, given the number of her online readers.
She was a remarkable girl: bright, gentle, and determined. Anthony realized that his fear of a second marriage was fading, replaced by a conviction that not all women were the same.
One day, while visiting Annie’s home, they decided to look through old photo albums.
“You were adorable,” Anthony complimented.
“And now?” Annie playfully challenged him.
“Now you’re simply stunning!”
Annie lowered her gaze, warmed by his praise. She liked him. She didn’t notice the age gap at all, as with Anthony, everything felt comfortable, like home. No need to pretend to be better than she was, just herself.
“It can’t be!” Anthony was so shocked, he couldn’t believe his eyes. In front of him was a photo from the first day of school, when he moved into the eleventh grade. Or nearly the same photo, just from a different angle, unquestionably: it was him with an unfamiliar girl. The slightly faded image brought back memories from the distant past when he turned 17. The headteacher announced Anthony would have the honor of carrying a first-grader. It was quite an achievement! Out of the five graduating classes, only he, a hopeful achiever, had been chosen. There was also Ronny Green, his perpetual rival, but still, Anthony was picked. Looking at the forgotten photo conjured memories within him.
The day had been lovely, warm. Wearing a crisply ironed white shirt, black trousers with sharp creases, and polished black shoes. They introduced him to a little girl; of course, he didn’t remember her, she was tiny, slim, and slightly frightened. She looked up at him, but he didn’t notice her at all, scanning the crowd for Jenny Richards. Jenny had long captured Anthony’s attention, and on that day, he decided to seize his chance. She laughed and turned him down, but the attempt made the day memorable.
Now, before him lay a photo where a little girl in a white blouse and similar tights, a black skirt, shiny shoes, with enormous bows on her head, sat on his left shoulder.
“Who is that?” Anthony couldn’t tear his eyes away from the photo, still not understanding how it ended up there.
“That’s me,” replied Annie, not grasping what had surprised Anthony.
He examined the child’s face and then looked at the adult woman.
“That’s me,” his finger pointed at the 17-year-old boy, spreading a peculiar smile across his face.
“How is that possible?” Annie didn’t understand, pulling the album closer.
She carefully studied the teenager in whom Anthony’s features were recognizable.
“It can’t be!” she exclaimed, astonished, looking at him. “So…”
“It’s fate,” he shrugged, still in disbelief.
And to think, Anthony had marked that school year’s beginning day as important in his life. Even though Jenny Richards turned him down and fate made him wait all these years before he realized that that day he was carrying his future wife on his shoulders. And there was Annie, ringing the bell with its resonant chime echoing all around.
They got married. It was quite a simple wedding but tremendously joyful. As expected, the bride shed tears, and her husband embraced her, feeling truly, that’s the soulmate chosen by destiny. The second time in his life, Anthony held a bride, only now, they knew each other.
Today, Annie and Anthony have two sons, aged 14 and 13. Annie remains engrossed in literature, creating new romantic worlds for readers, for what happened to her was beyond the wildest stories imaginable.
