Absence Makes the Head Grow Dumber

My hands are shaking as I tighten my tie and smooth my hair in the mirror. Only one hour until I get to see the most amazing woman I have ever met. I shouldn’t still be nervous months into the relationship, but the idea that she would choose to be with me is still incredible to me. She had just returned last night from a 2 weeklong business trip, and I can’t wait to see her again. Just as I turn to leave, my phone dings. I look to find a text from my love.

“Can’t wait to see you! I’ve missed you!”

I smile and write back: “Right back at you, love! I’m leaving now.”

Locking my door behind me, I walk to the closest metro stop. Right outside the entrance is a small flower cart with a little old lady attending it. I check my watch quickly; I still have a few minutes before the train should arrive, so I walk over to the cart.

“Hello, hello,” the lady said as she hobbles around to the front of the cart. “Flowers for a special lady?”

“Yes,” I laugh.

“Any catch your eye?”

I look over the flowers stored around the cart. There are red and white roses, daisies, sunflowers, tulips, and many others I don’t know the name of. They all seemed too formal or too simple. Then my eyes landed on these little yellow bulbs. They were small and round and I just knew she would love them.

“What kind are those?” I ask, pointing to the small flowers.

“They’re marigolds, dear,” the lady says, taking a few from the pot. “Would you like me to pair them with some other flowers?”

“No, thank you, just those will be perfect.”

The old lady nods and sets to creating a bouquet for me. I check my watch again and see I am running out of time. I quickly pay for the flowers and thank the old lady as I rush down the stairs into the metro tunnel just as the train pulls up. Practically jumping through the doors, I settle in a seat in the almost empty train car. My knee bounces as I wait for the train to meet my destination. The flowers shake in my lap with each bounce, and I place them on the seat beside me so that I don’t ruin them. A few stops later, I grab the bouquet and exit the train. We agreed to meet at a small restaurant just on the other side of the street from this metro station, so I don’t have much farther to go. As I am climbing the stairs, my phone dings. I pause long enough to retrieve my phone from my pocket and read the text on the screen.

“I am here!”

“Almost there,” I text back, slipping the phone back in my pocket.

I take the rest of the stairs two at a time. When I reach the street, I scan the sidewalk on the other side for my love. When I see her, she is waving at me with all her might, the biggest smile on her face. I wave back and hold the flowers aloft for her to see. She smiles and holds her hands against her chest in appreciation. I smile as I look for the crosswalk which is just a few feet away. The crosswalk light is green, so I decide to cross where I am. I hear a squealing of tires, but I am already stepping off the sidewalk. I turn my head to see a speeding car trying so hard to stop for the crosswalk, but I was too close.

The next thing I know, I am flat on the ground and my head is pounding. The car is stopped in the middle of the crosswalk and I hear screaming. I cannot move, but I hear the click of heels on pavement and my love comes into view. She crouches next to me, but I cannot focus on her; my eyes are locked on the small yellow flowers now scattered across the road.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe. “I love you.”

I can barely hear her response as I fade out of consciousness.