ll

rin

sit Gloria. After class was over, I trekked to the coffeehouse, whistling. I was in a good

right w

there,

t you?” She tu

e bruise on her chee

ri.” She

ing. I didn’t need to draw attention to it, but

ing up.” She gr

hat bruise. It was

hich she returned. She needed that smile today. I left the coffee shop, and w

rned to the coffee shop to discover Glori

in, then bolted the door.

I couldn’t help but notice the bruise

’s nothing. I’m such a klutz, running

t press Gloria about it.

are killing me, but the bills wo

nd if I kept

lted h

e to talk to someone

mile. “Okay, you can tal

ut things that caused her to laugh. Gloria had a sple

t I didn’t mind. She was busy and wanted to go home. Gloria finished up, and I

me. I didn’t care if I dumped out my coffee. If it me

*

fee, and ditch it. I would return later and kill time with Gloria wh

offeehouse because I loved spending time with her. The conversations were natural

th her. How can you fall for someone you have known fo

g her clean. One night, I took a chance and showed he

ebox in the coffeehouse’s corner. I chose a song she would

eeping. “What

nce with you if

d to f

all I want.

m against the counter, walked over

about anyone, how I felt about Gloria. I held her close to me as we floated around

we swayed back and forth, my emerald-green eyes met her chocolate bro

pped my arms around her waist. I pressed her body to mine as she wrapped her

I remained there, confused as she

e me. “I can’t

ha

mar

at her, s

uld happen between us

kissed

rrowed he

r. “Does your husb

an be your friend, but

d in ag

be friends, I understa

iends.” I gave her

get about

e counter and grabbed the broom, an

. She got inside and sped off into the distanc

to be a part of her existence and to remain in her world.