Her Name Was Jackie

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Jackie M. was an English girl, who'd been in the U.S. since she was about ten years old. I'd known her casually for a few months, when she cleverly arranged for me to join her and her two girl friends for coffee at a local shop one evening. When I arrived I noted that their car was not there yet. Just then, their car pulled in and parked. The girls got out of the car - not noticing me, and Jackie, forlornly, said, "Oh, he probably won't even show up".

I now knew why I had been invited to join them...

I'd had no idea that she'd even noticed me. Once at a table, Jackie began to tell me about her secret love for me. Laying her head upon her folded arms, she looked up at me with great, adoring blue eyes, and said, "You're perfect".

I was a young man...

My heart skipped a beat...

She was beautiful! We were in our early twenties - and I was lonely and very much looking for a wife. And, I liked her. But Jackie had the remnants of a "punk" haircut - a bit too short and racy. I was concerned about her stability, and I was looking for a very conservative and sophisticated lady (I found one, but it took another dozen years!) And so, I didn't follow through, and spent many years waiting for my "lady" to arrive. I later heard that Jackie had married a nice man of asian descent.

Years passed. While attending a convention, and breaking for lunch, I noticed a beautiful young lady across from me. She had very long, shining, gorgeous auburn hair, and was surrounded by three or four Eurasian children - obviously hers. She glanced at me a few times. As I ate, I realized that she looked familiar to me. Finally, I went over and asked, "I'm sorry, but do I know you?" She replied, "of course you know me, Alan".

It was Jackie, of course - looking radiant and happy, and just the kind of lady I had been looking for all those years! We chatted, briefly, she returning to the duties of motherhood, me returning to my lonely life, rueful of what I had passed up.

That was the last time I ever saw Jackie. She's another fish that got away - but this particular fish was in the palm of my hand - and I still let it get away!

Fool... fool.

I'm happily married now, but I still remember how I felt then - so the emotions in my voice as I sing this song are quite real.

Jackie, if you're still out there: I hope you're still as happy and beautiful as you were when we last met.