The One That Got Away
This time of year always depressed me. It had been three years ago when we had broken up. On Valentine's Day of all days. There had been a proposal, but I was afraid of commitment - something I learned after the fact. We ended the most romantic day of the year with sorrow. We exchanged our items the next day and we went our separate ways, never to see each other again.
Until today.
I was at the grocery store, looking over the variety of Valentine's Day candy when Riley turned the corner. I felt my heart thump in my chest as I looked over at my former lover. I swallowed hard, mouth dry.
"Riley," I whispered when we neared each other.
To his credit, he stopped and flashed me that charming, 1000 watt smile. "Casey, how are you? You look well."
"Fine," I replied, voice breaking. "Just, um, shopping. And, and you?"
"I'm good. Last minute shopping for Valentine's Day." He looked uncomfortable for a moment; what he was about to say would be hard for me to hear. Finally, he spoke again. "I'm having dinner with my fiancé."
Fiancé? I swallowed hard and nodded.
"Oh. That's good. Good for you, Riley."
My heart was breaking inside. I hadn't found anyone else and, allowing myself the fantasy every now and then, had imagined that I would be able to meet up with Riley once more. I had hoped that we could reconnect and try again. Now that would never happen.
"Yeah. Well, I'll see you around, Casey."
I watched Riley walk away, out of my life once again. It was a strangely cathartic feeling, even though I was watching the man I had loved leave. He was happy; and after I broke his heart three years ago, he deserved to be happy.
-The Author
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