The Lobby

“Sometimes you have to fall in love from a distance to avoid getting hurt up close.”

It was easy to love me.

That was how he fell.

They were still in the lobby.

She barely looked up.

“Why didn’t you speak?”

“Huh?”

“If you’re going to keep looking at me, say something.”

“Hi.”

“Hello.”

“What’s your name?”

Outside, the city kept moving

through a little place called Vila Nova de Gaia.

“You’re still looking.”

“You thick as hell.”

She burst out laughing.

“At least you’re honest.

Don’t say nothing when I lose this weight.”

“Anyway—”

Sometimes you have to fall in love

from a distance

so you do not get hurt

up close.

“Why do you keep talking about love?”

“Because I see it in your eyes.”

“I don’t even know you.”

“But you want to.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you fell head over heels

the moment you saw me.”

But how could she see him

with her face buried in her phone?

“I doubt it.”

“I can prove it.”

“How?”

“What’s your name?”

“Hi.”

“I’m _____.”

“Hold my things.

I have to use the bathroom.”

“Wait. I don’t even know you.”

“I’ll be right back.”

She went.

He sat there holding her things.

Then she came back out.

He looked up

and saw her again.

The excitement of seeing her—

even now,

still holding her things.

I could walk away right now.

What am I thinking?

Then their eyes met.

He smiled.

Then she smiled.

“Where’s my stuff?”

Still in his hands.

She looked up at him,

clearly, eye to eye,

and he saw everything.

“You love me,” she said,

“because when I left, you missed me.

And when you saw me again, you smiled.

That means you love me—

or at least you care.”

“What?”

“What?”

“Do you want to know me?”

“I don’t know.

It depends.”

“Don’t worry. It’s fine.

I’ll see you around.”