Her husband was always so busy
that he didn’t seem to notice her anymore, she said.
He had school
work
sports
and she was an afterthought –
if he thought of her at all.
They had a great love, once.
But.
But someone else had been paying attention – to her.
Someone else had told her she mattered.
She was important to him.
That was all she ever wanted.
This new guy barely knew her,
but he had noticed her.
And that was significant.
It had started out innocently.
Since she was a customer,
it was his job to notice her.
Nothing was inappropriate.
Until she went back there. Again. And maybe again after that.
He remembered her.
Smiles were exchanged.
They laughed and talked about the weather.
It hadn’t taken much.
She was finally important to someone
and their conversations
lengthened.
Coffee?
Why not?
They could just be friends.
They could get to know each other.
He paid attention to her,
and she felt like she could talk to him
about anything.
Even about her husband
and the difficulties they had been having.
He listened
offered advice
comforted her
reached out and
touched her hand
as he looked into her eyes
and didn’t move his hand away.
She never meant to sleep with him.
She never thought it would go that far.
She never meant to be that person.
It had all seemed so innocent.
Where had she crossed the line?
How did she get here?