A man hosted a dinner party at his home one particularly cool summer evening. His best friends were of course all there, in their best dress. The evening began with freshly brewed tangerine herb tea as the fellowship sat around the living room rekindling memories of the past. A fine dinner was served, and all mouths were fed to satisfaction. The guests then took up post supper residence in the parlor where the host offered a pleasant dessert and premium port as well. Upon finishing all dining, the party moved on to the patio, which looked on to a moonlit valley covered in trees. The aroma of dark slow roasted coffee filled the chilly night air and everyone was quite comfortable. It had been a very relaxing evening thus far.

The host then rose to speak, and the words spilled forth from his lips, “My friends, you have all known me for a very long time and we have all shared wonderful times together. I invited you all here tonight because there is something I must tell you. I am not of the age that you believe me to be. Rather, I have traversed this earth for just beyond one hundred eighty years. You will all have a hard time believing this, but you may examine these personal photographs and other oddities of mine that I have collected through the years.”

Upon careful inspection and much discussion, the guests determined that indeed, their long time friend had been truthful in his admission. Of course they were still shocked and puzzled and several still doubted the outrageous story. They petitioned their host for an explanation to calm their spirits. The man rose once more and conveyed to his attentive audience that he had hidden his age from the world out of fear. He knew that if it was widely known that he was actually five times the age he looked, his life would surely be in danger. The man also explained to his guests that his age was of course due to his ever enduring lifespan for which there was no end in sight.

Finally, after the group had all talked the situation to death, the host bid them all farewell and gifted each person with a special envelope which they were to open at a later time. Everyone was most grateful to their host for the wonderful evening, though it was certainly served with a surprising finale.

A day or two later, one of the guests opened his envelope that he had received and in it he found a card. The card read, “Thank you for your friendship, kindness, and loyalty. You will surely remain dear to my heart. Unfortunately, we shall not see one another again. For I have moved on, as I have done many times in my life. It is difficult to understand, I know, why I have vanished from your life and many others’ lives as well. You must know, however, that since my life has no bounds, I must open and close the chapters in it with my own hand. It is the only way I can remain unharmed by those who would selfishly seek to know my secret. It is best for us all, really, for your children and new friends will eventually make note of my eternal youth, and pain will only result from that. I cannot guarantee that I shall stay hidden for always, because always is a long time. Until then though, I bid you a final farewell.