Bernard stood in the cold as Opal’s taillights disappeared, watching long after she’d gone. He’d never felt so empty before, so useless. Why hadn’t he just told her?

He glanced at the Chinese food he’d set by the door to Opal and Allen’s cabin, and walked slowly over to the door. He reached down and picked it up, intending to head back to his own cabin to eat alone—like he would be for the rest of his life, apparently—when Allen opened the door.

“Hey, son, what are you doing out here in the cold? Come on in. The Olympics will be starting soon, and I’m glad for the company.”

Bernard hesitated for a moment before he followed Allen inside and set the Chinese food on the table.

“I’d better tell you that Opal’s not here. She had a date with her sister, so if you want to stay it’ll be just you and this old man.”

Bernard smiled a little, and realized that he truly enjoyed Allen’s company and he’d much rather be here than alone.

“Yeah, I saw Opal on her way out,” he said as he sat on the stool at the kitchen counter and dropped his head in his hands.

“Uh-oh,” Allen said. He reached for some plates and forks and set them down on the counter. He reached into the bag and took out several cartons of food and opened them up, shoving spoons inside.

Bernard watched and wondered if Allen was going to ask what happened. He clearly knew something was wrong. But Opal had asked him all kinds of questions and he hadn’t been able to answer, anyway. So he thought he might as well practice taking the bull by the horns.

He surprised himself when he started, and surprised even more when the words just rolled off his tongue. He started with the trip up to the knoll with Opal earlier that day, and the bear sighting. He told him all about Belinda’s trip up to the knoll, and his horrible answer to Opal’s question. And he even finished up with his inability to answer Opal’s question again out by the car.

Allen nodded and said, “Go on,” several times during the story, encouraging him when his resolve started to flag. By the time Bernard was done, Allen had finished eating while Bernard hadn’t even started.

“Whew,” Bernard said as he reached for the carton of shrimp fried rice and dumped some on his plate.

Allen leaned back in his bar stool and folded his arms, smiling at Bernard.

“What?” Bernard asked between bites of shrimp.

“Now, that didn’t exactly kill you, did it? Not even the parts that talked about feelings. I know that’s a dirty word for some of us men, but I eventually learned while I raised two girls and had a wife I loved very much that talking about feelings isn’t going to kill you.”

Bernard laughed and took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders as he did. He was surprised how much lighter he felt, just having told Allen part of the story.

“So, why don’t you want to talk to Opal about your mom? What’s the deal, anyway?” Allen finally asked as he reached for a carton of ice cream in the freezer, scooping out two helpings and sliding one over to Bernard.

“Aw, it’s not a very pretty story,” Bernard said as he took a bite of ice cream.

Allen poured chocolate syrup on his ice cream and handed the bottle to Bernard. “You can’t even imagine how much I’ve heard in my lifetime, living with three women. Some would have your hair standing on end, I can assure you.” He laughed slapped his hand on the counter. “Why don’t you try me?”

Bernard smothered his ice cream with chocolate and took a deep breath. He thought about what he had to lose if he didn’t talk about it—and realized that it was something that meant more to him than anything ever had before. Maybe if he practiced with Allen, he could tell Opal and she might give him another chance.

He looked up into Allen’s kind eyes and, taking the biggest breath he ever had in his life, he started.

He gave a somewhat abbreviated version—he wasn’t ready for all the details—and ended with his current situation with his mother.

“Whoo, boy, that’s quite a story,” Allen said as he shook his head. “No wonder you’re not too keen on talking with her.”

Bernard pushed his ice cream bowl away and leaned back on his stool.

“Now tell me, why are you worried about telling Opal all this?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never told anybody, not the details, anyway. What if she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me after I tell her?”

Allen threw his head back and laughed.

“I’ve never seen Opal sweet on anyone the way she is on you, son. I can see it in her eyes. Granted, she’s pretty stubborn, but if she doesn’t want you after this, I’ll eat my hat. But you’ll have to find out for yourself, won’t you?”

Just then, the anthem of the Olympics sounded, signaling the beginning of tonight’s competitions. Perfect timing, as Bernard had never talked this much about himself in his entire life, and he was happy to change the subject.

He and Allen sat on the couch, having a couple more bowls of ice cream, and yelled at the TV as they rooted for their favorites.

As the games came to a close, Bernard yawned. He felt totally drained from their talk earlier and the emotions that had been coursing through him since Opal left.

“You look tired,” Allen said as he followed him to the door.

“Who knew talking could be so exhausting,” Bernard said with a laugh as he pulled on his coat.

“I know, I know,” Allen said as he clapped his hand on Bernard’s shoulder. “If my wife’s death didn’t kill me, talking to Opal sure won’t kill you. Every time you do something that difficult, it makes you stronger, and even better, it makes you closer to the people you love. To your family.”

“Family,” Bernard repeated slowly as he opened the door and stepped outside.

“Now, Opal’s pretty stubborn. I can’t guarantee what she’s going to do, but I have to tell you, just by telling me this story tonight, it’s going to make you a better person. Do it for you, not for Opal, and the rest will take its course.”

Bernard thanked Allen for the ice cream and Allen thanked him for dinner in return before he closed the door.

Bernard walked slowly to his cabin with his hands in his pockets. He kicked a couple of rocks and looked up at the stars. He really did feel better having talked about his family, his childhood, and he was grateful for Allen’s kind ear while he worked these things out.

He wondered how much lighter he’d feel if he finally addressed the real issue—his mother.

He walked into his bedroom and sat down on the bed. He reached into the nightstand and pulled out the letter his mom had sent and read it over once more. She’d asked if they could talk, saying she wanted to apologize and she missed him. He’d shoved it away in a drawer when he’d gotten it over a month ago, but somehow he felt like he needed to look at it again now.