The happenstance of running into an ex is unknown to me. I am either a homebody or so far out there that the chance of running into anyone familiar is significantly reduced. So, when I saw Marlene walking down the aisle toward me I had to stop and be sure that she was smiling at me, and that it was in fact her. Her hair was no longer the old peroxide orange. It was more of a dark cherry. Her hips and breasts had expanded, and she wore unflattering clothes. My verbal thinking was merely that she’s grown up.

The first thing she said was, “Oh, my God!”

And then she brought her arms out and I hugged her.

“Hey. Look at you.”

“And you! It’s been so long. Like, more than ten years? You have so much hair on your face! It feels so different.”

“So I’m told. How are you doing?”

“Ah, busy! Everyone’s coming over and I forgot so many things.”

“Who’s everyone?”

“Mi ama, Carlos, ALL of Ruben’s family.” She laughed and placed her hand on my arm in a familiar way. “I’m married! I forgot to tell you. What about you?”

“Notoriously single. Kids?”

“Yes, two. Here…” She produced a wallet from her purse and pointed at two boys in a photograph. “Ruben Junior y Danny.”

“How old are they?”

“Well, Junior is ten—I got pregnant with him at the end of high school—and Danny is eight.”

“Good ages. They’re strong-looking boys.”

“Ruben takes them out to futbol. He makes them practice every single day.”

“Yea, well. Practice makes perfect.”

“Yea, I know, I know… So what are you doing?”

“Oh, just picking up some buns for dinner. My mom forgot some things, too.”

“Como estan?”

“Good, good. They’re doing good. Just worrying about all the people that will be there, like you.”

“Your mom sola?”

“No, my brother’s girlfriend is helping with the turkey. The rest of us still watch movies and hang out with the cars.”

“Que huevones!”

“Yea, I know.”

“Pero es bueno. It’s good you’re together. Where are you living? Are you coming for Christmas?”

“Up in Oregon. I don’t know about this Christmas. I might just spend it alone somewhere.”

“Really? But you hated being alone.”

I perceived this as a weakness to be abhored. I didn’t like her saying it out loud.

“Asi es. We used to be some things, and now we’re others.”

“I know. You’re right.”

She paused long enough for me to crane my neck in search of a clock, or a person, or whatever she wanted to imagine.

“I better get going. I need to get this stuff back to the house.”

“Oh, me too. It was so good seeing you! Tell your mom I said hi!”

We hugged again and she went on her way. I watched her walk. If I’d only seen her from the back I would have never recognized her. Two boys, I thought.