"Once they told me you were dead, I didn't wait any longer, and I remarried. You can't blame me for that, Todd. Can you?"

"No, I guess I can't. It was an easy mistake for the newspaper to print my obituary. I can't blame the press either."

"So, what are we going to do now? I can't have two husbands."

"I suppose you'll have to divorce one of us. And since you had a child with him, it would make sense for us to get divorced."

"That would be the best thing for all of us. Of course, we'll have to discuss it with Jim. I told him the whole story about you and how we got married just before you went off to war. He's not upset about it at all. He's very happy for you, and he can't wait to meet you."

"Well, that's good. The sooner we settle this, the sooner we can get on with our lives."

"We can still see each other from time to time."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Lisa. It might be best for us to continue our separate ways. Why don't we take it one step at a time? I think everything will work itself out on its own."

"I sure hope you're right. Thank you for understanding."

"Honey, after everything I've been through, I don't think there's anything I can't handle. I only hope you'll be okay after this is over."

"I'll discuss it with Jim tonight. Maybe we can invite you for dinner later this week."

"That sounds like a good idea. Thank you. In the meantime, I have an appointment with the newspaper. They want my opinion on the biggest retraction they ever printed in history!"

Later, at the newspaper...

"Mr. Harris! I don't know what to say, except that I'm sorry. But it was the best mistake I made in my life. I'm glad you're alive!"

"So am I, Mrs... What did you say your name was?"

"MISS Stanton. Julia Stanton, but you can call me Julie."

"What a pretty name for a pretty lady! If you don't mind me saying so."

"Not at all."

"So, Julie, when will the paper print the retraction?"

"It's in the presses now. But the editor wants to do a feature story for the Sunday paper... front page, above the fold!"

"That's quite flattering. But I imagine it must be embarrassing for you. I hope you don't get fired."

"On the contrary, there'll be a small companion story on page two about me and how I decided to print your obituary."

"Good for you! Say, when do you break for lunch?"

"In about... ten minutes. Why?"

"I hope you don't think it's too forward of me, but I'd like to take you out to lunch. That is, if it's alright with you."

"I'd love to! There's a little Italian place around the corner. We can be back in an hour."

"Sounds great!"

Six months later, they were married.

Story and Cover Illustration Copyright © 2021 by Michael DeFrancesco

Loosely based on a true story -

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/27/745104831/declared-dead-at-war-he-returned-alive-to-find-his-world-had-moved-on-without-hi