Tea for Two…Adieu
She was later than usual, and he felt her slipping further away. Even sitting in the
warm afternoon sun in front of the little cafe, he felt a chill. One day soon, he knew
she would no longer come at all. He would not look up and see her breathless smile
as she walked toward him. Ah, but there she was, beautiful, glowing and sleek. An
explosive kick to the ego of a man in middle age.
“Forgive me?” Of course he would.
“Love me?” He always would.
“Miss me?” With fearful certainty, he would.
He ordered hot tea and croissants, their usual fare. She added spoons of sugar to
her tea, making it almost too sweet. Like her, he thought. He wondered what today’s
excuse for tardiness would be. She was usually quite creative.
“I have news.” She looked for his reaction.
“I have been offered a job back home, in the States. I said yes, and I leave in a week’s
time. Will you come with me?”
“My love, you flatter me. You know I cannot leave Paris. Even for you.” Each word
had been an effort, but he must be firm in his decision. He had a family, his parents,
his children, his wife who had not slept with him in years. They all depended on him,
looked for his emotional strength and financial support. He felt suddenly older and
less significant. This beautiful young woman before him had asked just this one thing
of him, and it was the one thing he could not give.
Their food and tea sat before them, untouched, and now unwanted. Today was the
last tea for two.
“Adieu.”