Five days ago, a certain Virgilio sent me a few words via the feedback function on my Residua website. “Sir,” respectfully ran the subject line. “You will never meet me, sir,” he starts ominously, “but I know who you are very well, not just from parsing through your thoughts from time to time.” This sounded threatening enough, I felt. “Perhaps one day you will be reunited with your children,” he continued. “Perhaps not.” He was referring to the children from my second marriage, of course, and he sounded like a kidnapper to be. “God knows what this message is about,” I immediately forwarded Virgilio’s missive to my daughter, who lives with her mother not far from Los Angeles, “but take good care of yourself.” For good measure, I added one more line: “Tell your brother and your mother, as well.” I have not heard from any of them yet, and I cannot but worry a bit. After five whole days, I would expect a few words of reassurance from at least one of them. Returning to Virgilio, he was quite wise in his terse prediction. Perhaps I will and perhaps I will not be reunited with my children from the second marriage. How very true! Judging by the long silence at this perilous juncture, perhaps not.

Addendum (January 29, 2014)

As it turns out, Virgilio Urbina is a close friend of my No. 2 son. As he explained in his electronic-mail message, which I found this morning, he was only hoping that his dear friend and I would get in touch one day. Although his language might have been awkward, his intentions were certainly not. I also found a message from my No. 2 son, explaining that Virgilio was his close friend. I responded to both at once, it goes without saying. One way or another, Virgilio has indeed brought me closer to my No. 2 son. And that is a good thing without any doubt.