She didn’t know what to expect. Thoughts beyond thoughts ran through her mind over the past month drawing up every possible scenario. What would be the actual outcome? Will this story have a final good-bye or will a new chapter bloom? It’s all in a defining moment.
She sat on this particular step, her friends’ front stoop overlooking a park more times than she can recall over these last few evenings. She and a glass of dry pinot were taking in the quiet scene of this quaint Brooklyn block. It was one of those perfect summer nights with a warm breeze and sound of laughter in the background lingering from the tiny cafes across the road. Tonight in particular, on the eve of her big day, she was dressed in a black chiffon dress with flats awaiting the rest of the crowd. There was dinner to be had at a local jaunt just down the road.
Slowly drifting into thought images arose of the string of lights, hanging fabric and maneuvering through the billowing crowds of people. How such unexpected events took place. It was somewhat of a Sliding Doors moment. The next months to come were a blur in the most fantastically imaginable way. Opportunity knocked and fine memories were created. This was truly the path to have taken. Disrupted in thought by everyone barreling out of the apartment and down the stairs bustling to the dinner which was running late, she picked herself up and followed leaving only her glass of wine behind.
The sun was glaring down on her face as she peeled her eyes open. As she lifted her head from the pillow she realized the day had come. She sat up in bed with a bold stretch and declared it was going to be a truly special day. She chose a less than perfect outfit as why should she look as if she is trying too hard. She wanted to just be herself and nothing more. Well, maybe she wanted to look almost perfect, or at least perfect in his eyes. The day went on like any other beginning with a workout in the morning followed by coffee, an eventful day at work and suddenly evening time quickly arrived. She opted to go on foot to slow time and ease her anxiousness. She envisioned jumping into his arms and never letting go, as this time it would be forever. She made up her mind and knew this was right, it felt more right than anything else in her life.
Here she stood. It all had arrived and the defining moment was upon her. She could hear her heart beat as it became louder. She was trying to distract herself. Why was she nervous? There was nothing to worry about, she thought. She was merely anxious in a very happy way with excitement. In through the door she walked and was seated in the garden per her reservation request one month ago. She was the first to arrive as she was always early. She couldn’t think about ordering anything at this point so she sat up straight in her seat and kept breathing a controlled breath. She would glance at her phone for the time and place it back in her bag over and over. There was still time. Their agreement was a fifteen minute window and only five had passed. And then ten. And then fifteen. She waited some more as things happen and people run late. Well, he actually never ran late. Maybe he still needed more time to decide, she thought. She couldn’t continually sit at this table without ordering but couldn’t bring herself to order. After an hour, it was time to face this reality.
There was no new chapter ready to bloom. And this was in fact, her final good-bye.
This post was my assignment prompted by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.
