A well-kept secret happened on dates,
late-night dates, specifically.
The second-hand tick slowed the clock
for conversations, lasting hours.
The problem?
No one showed.
Internet chicks confirmed their intentions
for being no-shows.
I sipped coffee alone more than chatting
with the woman of my dreams
(if there were such a thing).
If she existed, she’d have red hair,
and love autumn.
A woman pushed through the cafe’s glass door with gold and red leaves in her long, red hair, panicking about a flat tire. I offered to help.
“Don’t you just love autumn?” she said, tucking her long, red bangs behind her ear. “The beauty of the leaves scattered on either side of the street and people raking their yards, you know?”
It’s a sign from God! I thought. “Couldn’t agree more.”
“So, I might have let the air out of my tire to see if you’d help a girl out.” She folded her lips under her teeth and then released a smile.
“You were—”
“Watching you?” she said. “I guess you could say that.”
“How long?”
“Since the first grade.”
I screwed up my face, waiting for the punchline. “What?”
“We weren’t in the same classes, but I always wanted to talk to you,” she said.
I squinted. “Helena?”
“In the flesh.” Helena’s voice expressed a euphoric tone.
“I can’t believe it’s been ten years since…”
Helena closed the distance between us and kissed me. She pushed back, and her eyes bulged. “I’m so sorry. If that was inappropriate… Please don’t ‘cancel’ or ‘me too’ me.”
A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth. “I’m going on Twitter right now to tell everyone that the most beautiful woman on earth stole a kiss.”
Helena blushed. “What do you say we grab a coffee?”
“Coffee after midnight tastes best on your lips.