Chance Encounter

“Do you mind if I sit here?” a voice said from behind.

I looked over my shoulder and saw a woman in her late-twenties, several years younger than myself. She was dressed in a stylish knit dress that suggested she had a big evening ahead of her rather than celebrating the end of a long workday. She could have been me five years ago. I had often been described as a classic beauty with fine symmetric features and glowing skin. Her blond hair had not fallen limp from walking in the rain, so I surmised she had parked in the underground garage.

“Do you mind?” She said. “If your date comes, I’ll move. I promise. It’s just that I’m meeting someone here tonight – sort of a first date – and we agreed to meet here at the bar. In this corner actually. All the other seats are taken.”

I lifted my cup in a mock salute. “May he be tall and handsome and wise.” I said. She nodded in agreement. “And rich,” I added with a giggle. She laughed and nodded again.

Just then, he walked into the restaurant. We both saw him at the same time. Tall, handsome, well-groomed – and in his hand, a white carnation.

I realized this chance encounter may change both of our lives. Unfortunately, we were about to experience that fateful moment - when love becomes a lie.