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Her drink was almost empty when the waiter came by to check on her.“You are still waiting for one more?”
“I am.”Her cheeks heated with a blush.“I’m sure he’s just running a little bit late.What time is it, please?”
“It’s quarter past six,” the waiter offered.“Could I get you a refill?”He gestured to her almost empty glass, but Maureen shook her head.
“No.Thank you.I’ll wait until he gets here.I’m sure he’ll be along any minute.”
“I’m sure he will be.”
Maureen didn’t miss the way the waiter looked at her with just the slightest bit of pity on his features.He thought she’d been stood up.But he didn’t know Adam the way she did.The waiter had no idea that they were about to go to Africa together and start a life full of adventure and excitement.Adam would never stand her up.He loved her.
Still, the worry started to niggle at the back of Maureen’s brain as she considered the options that might have kept Adam from being on time.He would never be late on purpose.All summer, he’d been early for their dates.Picking her up at least ten minutes before their agreed-upon time.
Something must have happened.Maybe a flat tire?She wouldn’t let her mind travel to anything worse, and there was no way she would entertain the idea that Adam would stand her up.It wasn’t a possibility.Especially on such an important night.
Still, as she looked across the table at his empty seat and his glass of lemonade with the ice cubes long since melted, beads of water sweating on the side of the glass, a sense of dread settled over her.
When she couldn’t stand it a moment longer, Maureen pushed back her chair and was about to go in search of the hostess to see whether she could use their house phone when the waiter once more reappeared.
His face was set in a thin line as he handed Maureen an envelope.“This was delivered for you.”
“Who delivered it?”Fear raced through her veins.She craned her head, trying to see the front door and who might have delivered the envelope the waiter still held in his hand.She refused to take it.Afraid of what it might contain.
“Miss.”The waiter shook the envelope, and when she still wouldn’t take it, he set it on the table in front of her.“If there’s anything else I can get you…”
His words trailed away.Maureen couldn’t focus on anything else except the envelope in front of her, and her name written in Adam’s precise handwriting.
He wasn’t coming.
She felt it in her gut before she even picked up the envelope.Somehow, Maureen managed to stuff the offending paper in her purse, put a few dollars on the table, and walk out of the restaurant with her head held high.It felt like everyone was looking at her.
Her heart was breaking in a million pieces before she got to the beach and the log where she’d sat only a few hours ago.It was only then that she pulled out the piece of paper and read Adam’s note.
Dearest Maureen,
Words will never be able to properly express how much I care about you.As you know, I never expected to fall in love this summer.I never expected you.Some of the very best things in life are unplanned.And you are one of the very best things in my life, Maureen.That is what makes this so hard.
I would love nothing more than for you to come to Africa with me.Together, I know we would make such a difference where it really matters, and we would never have to feel the pain of saying goodbye.
If I know you the way I think I do, Maureen, I know you agree with me.I know you will say yes to me so we can leave together.And that’s why I couldn’t meet you for dinner tonight.Selfishly, I want nothing more than to walk hand in hand with you into the greatest adventure of our lives.But I cannot.
I love you too much to let you come with me.I know you dream of getting married and having a family of your own.And you will be the most amazing mother.I cannot let you give that up for me and my dreams.I know in my heart that I will not be able to give you what you need and desire so much out of life.I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I knew that you’d given up what you want most in life for me.
Please forgive me for my cowardice, Maureen.It breaks my heart to know that by the time you read this I will already be gone and I will not be able to say goodbye properly, but I fear I’m not strong enough to walk away from you.
You deserve to be happy.Happier than I will ever be able to make you.
If only we had met at another time or place, maybe it could have been different, but I will never regret meeting you or having the most wonderful summer.
I will think of you often.
Forever and Always,
Your Adam
A Few Days Earlier
December
