The Lady Who Would Have Been My Sister-in-Law

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Whenever I meet a client for the first time I try to connect with them by looking at pictures they have to see if I know anybody. Then through time and hours of idle chatter, we get to know each other. I recognized pictures of her children who went to the local high school at which I was employed. Talked about each other's children, sharing stories of their childhood and adult lives. Still I felt there was more of a connection with her, but it hadn't yet surfaced. One day I came to her home for our visit. I was clearly upset and she asked what happened. I told her that my children's father had passed away and that I was there with them when he took his last breath. It was difficult for me to watch my children watch their father pass away. It was also hard for me to watch the man who fathered my children and the man whom I still loved leave this world. She told me to go get us a cup of coffee and sit a while. I gave her a cup and sat on the sofa with mine. She then asked me what my children's father's name was. She said that I must have told her numerous times, but she had forgotten. When I told her his name her jaw dropped slightly in surprise. She then said that she had been engaged to my ex-husband's brother who tragically died when they were quite young. We both sat there in silence for a moment. Then I told her that I knew that we had a deeper connection that I couldn't quite figure out. And there it was....she would have been my sister-in-law. I visited her today, only intending to stay about a half hour, I stayed for 2 hours. We laughed and talked and laughed some more. She had surgery in October and then a lengthy stay in a rehab facility. She just recently returned home. It was good to see her.