A Little Late

She hurried through the busy traffic. Just a few more miles to go after what had been such a long journey. Not so much in miles, but in her mind -- her heart, which was racing. She couldn't wait to see him again. He didn't know she was coming but nothing had changed. Nothing. She looked in the mirror as she drove. Aigh! Lipstick on her teeth! Licking it off with her tongue she peeked again. Perfect. Her perfume was lingering in her car - a smell to remember this moment. Their moment. It was her exit to leave the long highway. She turned and saw her final destination only a few blocks away. She got out of her car and straightened her long coat which covered her black cashmere sweater and black slacks. She was shaking as her hands ran down her stomach. She looked down at her boots which made her a little taller and took one last look at her hair in the window of the car beside her. She took in a deep breath that was so chilling going through her lungs and thought "This is it." She opened the door and stepped in. Gracefully removing her gloves from expertly manicured hands. She walked inside and there were so many people. Sudden panic flew over her. "What if I can't find him" she thinks to herself. A man leaving smiles politely at her and she manages a weak toothless gesture in return. She is scanning the large room and begins pushing through the crowd! But just as she is about to give up, she turns to her right and there he is. Just like she remembered.....her heart is beating so fast. He is talking to a young woman beside him and looks so happy. Unable to hold back, she grins to his contagious smile and steps forward. As she approaches, he helps the young woman remove her coat and she notices that his hands linger on her shoulders. He is talking to this person but the words are muffled by the loud music filling the room. Suddenly, someone must have opened the door because a rush of cold air bursts in the crowded space. At first it all seemed like a bad dream happening so quickly. But she knew her eyes were wide open as he leans over and passionately kisses the woman whose coat he holds in his arms. Her mind is juggling a million protests. Wait! What are you doing? I am here! That isn't me! Who is she? What are you doing? No, Don't! Please God! Her panicked heart forces her to turn away, unable to watch the event as it unfolded. She can't retract out of the room because so many people have filled the path she had taken to get to this place. The floor is like thick sand underneath her feet holding her back. Trying to keep her in this place she so desperately wanted to escape. Finally, she reaches the door and knows she must see his happy face one last time. The kiss that would be hers, is over. He leans over the woman's shoulder taking her in his warm embrace. His eyes suddenly fix on her gaze - the one running away...Those eyes she had studied intently. The eyes that melt her heart. The eyes that in their most intimate closeness, etched their mark on her soul. She will remember this moment forever. The moment when two people come together finally after a long space of time apart. Only it wasn't as she had planned. It wasn't the moment she had dreamed about over and over in her mind. The urge to run to him is overshadowed by the truth of what she had just seen. She smiles her best smile for him and turns and walks away....

Remember: Go Vols Beat Notre Dame!