Clarence Buss: A Short Story

As Bobby Henry said ‘goodbye’, she didn’t think she would see Clarence Buss again. He stepped into the car and waved to her. She watched her friend speed away down the black road. Did you ever wonder if you and your good friend would end up married? Even 28 years later without seeing them? Bobby Henry and Clarence Buss met in July of 1948 while she was working at Rath Packing company in Waterloo. She was 17 and Clarence was her first boss when she started working there. He was 10 years older than her and married at the time. They eventually became good friends. Then in 1949, Clarence decided to move back to his hometown in Doumont to go work at the post office there. It wasn’t until 28 years later in 1977 when Bobby was 46, she was working at Kmart and sold a watch to a couple that was from doumont who said they knew Clarence. She told the couple to tell them ‘hello’ for her, and they told her that his wife had just died. So, she told them to send her condolences to him and that was it. A few days later, he came to visit her. After they had caught up with each other, he asked; “Would you like to go get a cup of coffee at Sambo’s?” And of course, she said yes. So they went out and a few days later he had to go back to Doumont to

Patrick 's church. At the reception, he made a toast; “Now I’ve always wanted kids, and usually when people get married, they’re just expecting to start a family, but I just got married and I already have a grandchild!” After the wedding, they took a late honeymoon to Texas 3 months later because they had lots of company over for the wedding. In conclusion, even if someone you were close with moves away, don’t expect not to see them ever again. You may see them one day after 28 years and end up spend the rest of your lives together. As Bobby Henry once said, “The most important thing in a relationship is respecting how the other one feels. Maybe even more than how you