Grayson's Grocery has been an Oakdale landmark since WWII. It has everything I crave, and the lay-out of items in aisles hasn't changed in decades.

It was late Saturday afternoon, and my daughter and I were doing some last-minute shopping. I'd sent her for fresh vegetables and canned goods while I went to the Deli counter for potato salad and my favorite cheeses. We'd just reunited in Aisle 2 by the breads when he burst upon us.

"Stephanie Berke? That's you, isn't it?" shouted a man about her age, thirty-five. I recognized him, but she just gawked.

For a moment he looked abashed until I said, "Tim Rutherford, hello."

When he noticed me for the first time, his face flushed. "Mr. Berke, I--I didn't see you."

"I know. She's prettier."

I've always enjoyed embarrassing old students, especially ones like Tim who had behaved inappropriately in class.

I turned slightly so I could see both their expressions. Steph has her mother's best features, especially the eyes, and they were gleaming. Tim, a trim six-footer, was smiling.

"You still teaching, Mr. Berke?" he asked.

"Nope. Retired a decade ago. You done anything worthy since I saw you last?"

His eyes dropped, but only momentarily. "Knew you didn't like me much, but the only 'A' I ever got in English was that last paper I did for you. Spent hours writing it. Wanted to show you I did have a brain. Your remarks on it made my year. Remember what they were?"

I grinned. "Yep. I said. 'While goofing off in here, you got lost,Tim, but now you've found your way."

Stephanie's grin matched mine. "Now I remember you. Timmy Rutherford, the little snot who chased me all around Locust School in fourth grade."

"Guilty! But my family moved to the east side of town and I didn't see you again till high school. Knowing you were his daughter, I kept my distance."

"Until now," I said. "Done anything these past . . . uh . . . eighteen years to brag about?"

He gave me a sheepish look. "I managed to get lost again in college. But I found my way again by senior year. Graduated and went to law school. I'm now a judge in Indiana. Came home for Mom's birthday this weekend."

I reached out and shook his hand. "Terrific, Tim. I'm proud of you."

I also observed Steph peering at his other hand. No ring. Then I noticed her special signal to leave her (them) alone--raising her left eyebrow. She hadn't used it once in the year since her divorce.

Smiling, I said, "I think my daughter would like me to get lost,Tim. Great seeing you."

I grabbed the grocery cart from her. "See you at home, Steph."

She smirked, then grabbed his arm. "You have time for coffee, Tim? A new restaurant opened two doors down."

"Absolutely!" Tim winked at me. "We'll find our way."