September 2024

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t see you tomorrow.”

“You’re calling off our Wednesday date?” he asked. “We’ve been having dinner every Wednesday for eight months!”

“I know,” she said. Her voice was small. “I just can’t tomorrow.”

They walked in silence.

“Are you going to tell me why?” he finally asked.

She didn’t answer. “I’ve got to go,” she said abruptly and turned around.

He watched her walk away and pressed his lips together.

He started to call her that night, but changed his mind.

He thought about her all the next day. He knew that he shouldn’t, but he went to her house after work and stood in the shadows of the alley across the street, trying to think what to do.

She came out, dressed in a stunning dress. She didn’t see him as she walked past the alley, but he could smell her perfume. She had only worn perfume one other time that he could remember. Clearly, this was a special occasion.

He followed from a distance, walking up the hill to the cemetery. He lost sight of her, then heard her voice. “I miss you so much. I love you.”

But he found her alone. She was startled.

“Who are you talking to?” he asked.

“M-m-my husband,” she stammered and started to cry. “He was in New York on business on 9/11. I never got to say good-bye. Every year I try to.”

He wrapped his arms around her.

“I still can’t,” she said.

This is my submission for the Unicorn Challenge. It’s a simple challenge — write a story of no more than 250 words based on the photo.