at the theater

As she pulled her car into the parking garage her eyes were twinkling with anticipation. The Nutcracker was waiting for her, just moments away. She sat, stagnant, in her car for a few moments before getting out and following the crowd of well-dressed children towards the theater. She stood, blinking in the sunlight, nervously pulling her hair as she waited for him. She thought back to the morning and the text he sent her. A beautiful Christmas tree. "Mozart" he had said. She had waken up late that day and didn't bother to apply make up or change her clothes before heading out. She knew that he liked her just the way she was.

Smiling softly to herself, she glanced around at the crowd and felt the buzz in the air. That buzz translated into her purse as her phone vibrated with a text. Her heart picked up with anticipation as she glanced around for him.

"I am so sorry I cannot make it to the theatre."

A lump materialized in her throat as if by sorcery. She felt her body grow warm as her face flushed with embarrassment. Shaking, she tried to read the rest of the message. None of it communicated to her.

All she read was... "I cannot make it to the theatre."

Embarrassed. Confused. Hurt. Lost. Scared. Lonely.

Disappointed.

The wetness of her eyes betrayed her bravery as she slipped away from the theater. Away from the smiling children. Away from the families. Away from the beauty and elation of a Sunday at 1:30pm. She kept her head down as she rushed to her car.

Once again, stagnant, she sat in her car for a few moments.

Turn the key in the ignition.

Run away.