Gratitude

Jan. 16, 2000

Beautiful morning together. Sun stretched against sky. Breath barely visible in air. Walked across parking lot into crowded restaurant. He held door open for her. Congratulated himself for remembering.

"Man, I need some coffee," she said.

"Doesn't it smell good?"

Sat in smoking section. Balled up jackets in booth. He lit her cigarette. She cupped his hand with hers. Looked at memorized menus.

"What are you gonna have?" she asked.

"None of your business," he replied with snaking smile. "Don't want you copying me like always."

Waitress took orders, chewing gum. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage. Hot food on a cold morning.

Smoke wafted across the table. He loved it. Reminded him of her. He looked at her intently now. Wisps of golden hair dangling on either side of her face. Full red lips. Scar from where she fell as a child. Eyes blue like Lake Michigan.

She finished her cigarette and reached her hands across the table. He held them in his. Smiled at each other. Eavesdropped on conversations. Wondered about weather.

Food came and went. Silver against ceramic sounded, coffee slurped. Check silently appeared.

"Shall we do this again some time?" he asked.

"How about every morning for the rest of our lives?"

"Sure," he said with half-smile.

"Oh, boy. Here it comes."

"As long as you're picking up the check," he added.

"Shoulda known. Second I saw that smile … I love your smile."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I love you. So there."

"So there," she said.

Coins clanked on table. Register rang up. She waited at door. He forgot again.

"Give up on me already," he said and opened door.

"Never," she said.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

Wind blew hair across faces. He reached for hers and held it. Kissed. Warm lips on a cold morning.

"Thank you," he said.

"It was my pleasure."

"Not the kiss."

"Well, you paid for breakfast."

"Not breakfast."

"What, then?" she asked.

"You know," he said. Squeezed her hand tight. Walked across parking lot. "You know."

Beautiful morning together. Sun stretched against sky.

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