My First Love

Mitzi and Goldie went steady in 1962/63 back in Liberty, Massachusetts. Mitzi receives an e-mail from Goldie in September, 2010. He tells her she is the love of his life, the motivation behind his actions, at the center of it all. Mitzi is tentatively pleased to hear from Goldie, but since he is married she is concerned that their communication is 'cheating' and tells him she does not want to be the 'other woman'. He opens his heart and confides to her that his marriage is miserable and he is on the path to effect change in his life. He does not want to demean their reconnection as something wrong. Their lives have been reversed in adulthood. He came from humble beginnings, she from privilege. Her parents did not find him 'worthy' of her. He has achieved business and financial success 'beyond my wildest dreams'. She has struggled through a series of job losses as a single mother. He lives on a thousand acre cattle ranch in Texas. She lives simply in Hawai`i. Because of her past disappointing love life Mitzi continues to be fearful of being hurt. In addition to daily heartfelt e-mails, Goldie sends Mitzi meaningful gifts as proof of his commitment. It is when he sends a note along with a signed first edition of a book intended to give her comfort that she has her watershed moment. He writes 'I do want it back someday – but only if your hand places it upon the book shelf'. She cries. This is when Mitzi first trusts, believes there truly is a future with Goldie, they are meant to be. She writes to him that she wants to get together. He is thrilled that she has overcome her fear. They begin making plans to meet in San Francisco.