Smart lady, that Rhonda Leong. Intelligent, spiritual, attractive, tender and affectionate. Young men stood in line to court her favor. I was but one.

Our relationship did not last more than a few months, a few dates, a few conversations. As quickly as it began, it simply ended.

Early in the relationship, for what little there was, Rhonda asked me if I considered her a candidate for marriage. I was surprised at the forward formality of the question, stammered and stuttered for a moment, but answered in the affirmative. She smiled.

After all, I had no doubt that other young men had courted the affections of the tall and graceful Rhonda Leong, and here I was, in line, giving consideration and being considered.

We had dinners and lunches and picnics and movies. And one day, as it seemed to me that all was going well, I discovered all was not well, asked why, and was summarily dismissed as the court jester, rather than one who sought a courtship.

To this day I have no clue as to what ended so abruptly that which began so pleasurably, though I suspect she saw a future with me somewhat different from what I envisioned with her. I was poor and unsophisticated, a single father struggling to make it through the next day. She was a woman of privilege, sophistication, with many opportunities. Perhaps the match of my dreams became an irritating nightmare to her.

Adulthood and marriage carries not only great opportunity, but heavy responsibility. Some enter the future with excitement and energy, though not always knowing where they may end. Others are able to see more of the future than they are willing to share, and make adjustments accordingly. She never married, never had children. I suspect others stood in the courtship line, and as it was with me, were equally disappointed in the outcome.

So it was with the beautiful Rhonda. A very smart lady.