Awkward Greetings

The jagged edges from the crumpled note dig into my hand. I unravel the paper maze and read it one more time as a reminder of what I need to say. When I finish, I crumple it, again.

I never understood why people claim goodbyes are hard. That idea always felt wrong. A goodbye is quick. Easy. There is a universally accepted understanding to it.

Greetings, on the other hand, are tricky. Everyone expects them to be joyous. You are, after all, seeing the person for the first time since you last parted. But what if it isn’t a happy occasion?

The train whistles its arrival and rolls into the station with Rick hanging from the exit, flashing his charming smile for all to see. He hops onto the platform before the train has a chance to stop.

A wave of dread hits me in the chest.

“Mary!” Rick says as he opens his arms wide to embrace me in one of his warm bear hugs.

My arms stay frozen to my sides. 

I tremble as Rick grips my slender shoulders with his firm hands. I want to melt into them and lose myself with him, one more time. Simply forget everything and return to the world of blissful ignorance I knew before the note.

I squeeze the paper and welcome its harsh edges, refusing to let this turn into an awkward greeting. 

“Is everything okay, Mary?” Rick says as he gently raises my chin so our eyes meet. 

I fail to hold back my tears. I unwrap the handwritten note, sealed with another woman’s lipstick kiss, then place it in his hand and say, “Goodbye.”