Flower Free Zone

I am staring into space when the doorbell rings. I answer just in time to see the delivery man drop a fat bouquet of roses on my doorstoop. Flowers! I never get flowers! I am a flower free zone! The blood fizzles in my head and I think, Matt? Matt! Flowers from Matt to say he likes me again! I take a sidelong glance at the fire escape just in case hes climbed up the building a la Richard Gere and is loitering with the intent of sweeping me away. He hasn't. But roses - the symbol of romantic love! He's sorry for bellowing! He's contrite and I'm right! I fumble for the card and rip it open. My hands are clamy and shaky as I read the message.

Lisa, It's been too long.

Love Laramie XOXO

My hopes shrivel and I feel like James in James and the Giant Peach when he drops the bag of life-enhancing grubs and they wriggle and shrivel and disappear into the dirt. Marvelous things could have happened to me. But I messed up and now I have nothing. Nothing but this fat bouquet of roses.