The voice on the phone is so strong and familiar that it makes me take a breath. "The fair, Sunday?" I heard.

A recollection rushed back to me of "Summer skies and lullabies, nights we couldn't say good-bye."

Has it really been 20 years since that song danced into our minds? Did I dare take a step back into the past once more?

"You know how I feel about county fairs," I added with returned youthful hesitation. "But then again, sure, why not?" I decided.

The silver Mercedes arrived promptly at my door by 7:00 p.m. I stepped outside taking in the moment. The air was hot and laden with the scent of late summer roses from my garden. There he stood, so tall and handsome in the early evening light.

"You never change," he whispered into my ear as we made our way through the fading light. Memories came easily gliding inside that streaking silver vessel. My mind raced as our heads rested on its soft leather seats and familiar music gently stirred the silence of the night flashing by outside.

Up ahead on the distant horizon we saw the colorful whirling lights of the giant Ferris wheel. As we walked through the velvet darkness approaching the gate, I felt him gently reaching for my hand. The wheel was our destination and words were no longer needed as we climbed the steps to our chariot in the sky. The latch snapped closed, we rose up into the heavens and a magical journey into our past began. Stars blinked their pure white light guiding us as a giant wheel of life began to spin. I closed my eyes as his lips brushed against mine.

Memories of blue denim jeans flashed for an instant as a drama from yesterday unfolded before me. The wind whipped my waist-length brown hair around me protecting me from the night. I could smell the fresh gentle scent of Loves Baby-Soft lemon perfume clinging ever so softly around me like a blanket of puffy cotton candy. His familiar hand touched my cheek brushing the hair from my closed eyes.

I remember the warmth of his breath as he moved a little closer to me on the seat. I opened my eyes and saw his, only his. Their crystal blue brilliance was all that I could see. I could only compare those magnificent eyes to an endless blue October sky.

The wheel turns and his laughter brings back another time and I could hear the scuffing sounds of sneakers on that old wooden gym floor. Maroon and white saddle shoes shuffled in time mingling with boundless youthful energy. The crowd screamed, hailing his winning points and I jumped high into the air knowing that his cheer and heart are forever mine.

The big wheel paused for a moment giving us chance to look down into the crowds below. A flash of gold and a hint of red reflected from the old wooden horses on the carousel below. A gentle tug and the wheel moved again, climbing higher into the night as soft breezes whispered around us.

"Do you remember the beach after our prom?" he asked.

Silver shoes glided across the dance floor to Chicago's, "Color My World." A bright yellow dress of silk organza clung effortlessly to my teen-age form. A simple opal necklace dangled from a golden chain around my neck, a gift of love from my king of the prom.

A midnight night kiss mixed with a box of Dunkin Donuts while we were whisked away to the sea.

As our Ferris wheel turned memories flooded my heart and mind with images of the Boardwalk roller-costar, screaming high school friends and sticky salt-water taffy on our fingers. So strong was the memory that I was certain I could once again feel the beach sand between my toes.

The old red plaid blanket from the back of his green Torino wrapped us snugly into one. We all watched together, young friends clinging to the moment while Bruce Springsteen played on. Sleepy eyes gazed and blinked while the pink light of morning formed along the line of the sea. A cry from a gull and a single line of pelicans soared to the tune of the waves while the bold orange dot of the sun grew brighter with the day.

"Your eyes reflect the sea," he whispered to me and we made our way back through the early morning sand. There's another tug and the magical wheel begins its decent bringing me back to the moment.

The night air has turned chilly now as we made our way back to my home. He leaves with a simple kiss on my forehead and a promise to return.

"Until then," he whispered in darkness.

"Until then," I responded, knowing it truly meant forever.