He sat there at the table holding a small box. Inside, an engagement ring. He had been thinking about this moment for so long. He had every word he wanted to say perfectly rehearsed. She was everything to him. He loved her with all his heart. He wanted nothing more than to make her happy. That is why he didn’t stop her as she walked away.
Change.
He didn’t know what was going to happen. He didn’t know if he was going to like it. He didn’t know know where he would end up. But, he did know things were changing. And, he did know he was ready.
Knowing.
She knew it was coming. She was there and watched the whole thing unravel. But didn’t do a thing.
Confidence.
Everyone else knew he was before he did. But he knew it now, and that is all that matters. He was ready.
Women.
“I like you,” he began to write, “do you like me to? Check yes or no.”
He folded up the paper and just stared at it for a moment. He let out a breath and tapped the should of the boy in front of him.
“Could you pass this down to Sarah?” He asked as he handed him the paper.
The next five minutes seemed like an eternity. He thought he was nervous before he wrote it, now he was sweating bullets. A millions things were flying through his head.
“What if she says no?”
“Does that mean she hates me? Or worse, that I have cooties?”
“What if she says yes? Does that mean we’re boyfriend girlfriend?”
He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even see Sarah walk up to his desk. He looked up and just froze. She didn’t say a thing. She just smiled at him, put the note on his desk and walked away.
“She smiled,” he thought as he reached for the note, “that has to be a good sign. She would have smiled if it wasn’t a yes. Or would she?” He was a wreck as he opened up the note. He had no idea what to expect. He unfolded the last fold and looked at the note.
“Other?!” He yelled out, forgetting he was still in class. The whole class laughed and the teacher shot him an evil look. He held the letter to his chest and just sank in his sit.
“Other?”
Ready.
He walked up to where she was, flowers in hand. He paused for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.
“You know,” he began, “you have earned a place in my heart, and you will always have that. It’s been quite some time now, but I think I am finally ready to admit it. I think I am in love, and its not with you.”
He bent over, tear in his eye, and laid the flowers down by her headstone.
Dance.
Bodies beating against each other like heat waves against gravel. Clothing soaked through with the sweat pouring from our bodies. Arms move through the air as one. Legs cascade across the floor. Music fills the air and carries us through the night. Not one single person without a smile on their face.
It was beautiful.
Next.
He reached down and picked up with bag. The heaviness of his breath was evident as it misted in the cold air. He approached the greyhound and tossed his bag in the side compartment along with the others. He took a step onto the bus with a clear mind and heavy heart. He had no idea what was next, but he knew that it was not here.
Waiting.
“Come on,” she thought to herself, “get over here and talk to me already.” She had been sitting in the corner of this cafe for awhile now. When she first walked in, she noticed a guy sitting across the room. She wanted him to come over but didn’t want to come off too strong either. So she just gave him a little smile and nod as she sat down.
It didn’t work though and it was about time to get going. She thought for a moment about going over to him, but she scared herself out of it. She thought back on past times she’s done that and scared guys off. She started to gather her things to leave, slowly. She thought that maybe if she took enough time to leave, he would notice and come over before she left.
Again, it didn’t work. She got up and headed towards the door. As she headed out, she paused for a split second and let out a little sigh. She went on about her day as normal but a constant thought played over in the back of her head.
“I just wish I knew what his name was.”
Together.
He stood there in the doorway, frozen, like a deer caught in the head lights. It had almost been twenty years. He spent so much time thinking about what he would do. What he would say. And now that the moment had finally come, he froze up. Nothing.
After what seemed like another twenty years, she got up from where she was sitting. With tears in her eyes, she made her way towards him. When she was close enough to do so, she threw her arms around him and buried her face into his chest.
As if her touch freed him from his frozen state, he slowly wrapped his arms around her. He laid his head upon hers and just closed his tear stained eyes. After they had shared their embraced, he looked at her and said something he’s been wanting to say for almost two decades.
“Hi mom.”
