Muse Magic

I took a seat at my regular booth in the diner. The last one, in the corner along the window. I liked looking out and seeing who was coming in.

I had just finished my breakfast and was working on my third cup of coffee as I was reading the paper when the bell above the door jingled. I did a double take when I saw who came in and nearly fell out of the booth.

Five years ago, Harper Told me to go fuck myself and vowed never to lay eyes on me. I was crushed. I couldn’t blame her, but it hurt like hell.

I was stupid and put my job ahead of our marriage. I was always volunteering for assignments that took me on the road for a week or two at a time.  After being gone for a month from a job that was only supposed to last a week, she walked out.

“Bill?” she yelled, when she saw me.

I stood and invited her to sit with me. Harper kissed me before sitting. Shocked, I relished the taste of her lip balm.

“This is a happy coincidence,” I said

Shaking her head, “I have a confession. I’d knew you were here.”

“How?”

“I was across the street dropping Jimmy off and saw you pull in.”

“How is your brother?”

“He’s good.” She smiled, “He just made lieutenant.”

“That’s great.”

We made small talk for a few minutes then she said, “I love you. Can I move back in?”

I don’t know which was more shocking. Hearing that she loved me, or her asking to move back.

Harper was the love of my life and thought I would take her back if given the chance. You don’t always get a second chance to make it right.

I took a deep beath and said, “I love you. But no” Her puzzled look made me want to throw my arms around her. “I can say that I’ll stay home more, or that you won’t get mad at me for not being home. But we’ll eventually be back where we are now.”

She looked at me with a tear streaming down her cheek before leaving.