floral plates

It was a warm summer day.
I stood in the store with my cart full of ingredients.
With you in mind.
You texted me, and I lit up...
like a giggling teenage girl,
strolling the aisles,
thinking about our dinner.

I saw the floral plates.
Teal, with bright flowers.
They made me smile....
like you did.

I wasn’t sure I should get them.
Money was tight.
But I had a vision:
serving you dinner on our date.

So I smiled.
Made it work.
I got them.

You canceled.
Said you were busy.

With her.

That was the summer of ‘24.
I still have the floral plates.
But I no longer have you.

For those who listen between the lines.
Elaine Degro

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