Alice's Romance

Imagination was given man to compensate for what he is not, and a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Author Unknown

After Herb passed away, Alice was left on her own. Sometime in the 8o's I recall a gentlemen talked about who was smitten of Alice in her later years. It's true.

I never met him but Alice would tell about his advances and their intended dates. When she'd come to visit we would ask her in teasing voices, "Grandma, how's your boyfriend"? She would scold us and say she didn't have any intention of serious pursuit and that she only had him on her line.

Because his love for her so ardent and he was a tad dim witted, he remained persistent even when he was mocked or snubbed by her. Alice didn't introduce him to us, I suspect, because he was an embarassing sort due to his lack of social skills. It most likely stemmed from him having spent his life in bacherlorhood. As well as, residing with his mother until she passed away in his mid- 50's.

This poor suitor wore his heart on his sleeve but that wasn't enough to win her over. He was lacking in most things as he was small and slight but always well dressed. Through hardwork he had made a meager nest egg that he kept squirreled away under his mattress in his apartment. He was just rather plain, talentless and dull except for his bow tie and his misguided passion for Alice. He would rustle the bills out of his sack to dote on her without second thought; to win her affection. He wasn't jovial but mousy and his lack of common sense about women was a source humour for her to share with us.

She was older and wiser to fall for this romance, but I think she enjoyed having the chance to feel young again. I'm not sure how it came to an end but I never heard about Willie Terd anymore.