The Confession

Broken couple reunite at a speaking event.

Dave paced around the hotel lobby.

“Jillian?”

She smiled.

“What are you doing here?”

“I wasn’t going to let you be here by yourself.”

He took a step back, searching her face.

“It’s been three years, Jill. Why today? You’ve never come to an event.”

“That’s why,” she offered. A heaviness wore at the corners of her eyes.

“DAVE GROSSENS” the loudspeaker announced.

“Go,” She pushed him gently.

“But Jill -“

“We’ll catch up later.”

She wrapped her hands around him, pulling him into her embrace. “You’ll do great.” She kissed his cheek.

“Jill, you don’t get to just *show up* after all this time.”

“I know.”

“Please, go home.”

He slid past her and pushed into the auditorium. He found his place at the microphone.

“Sorry for the delay everyone - how are we tonight?” The crowd cheered.

At the corner of his vision, a door opened and closed silently. Jillian stood in the back, against a wall. Even at this distance he could see the glisten on her cheek.

“Guys I have a confession.”

Silence in the crowd.

“Three years ago, I pushed away the love of my life.” His eyes scanned the front row.

“I don’t know what carried her here - but tonight she came back. I shut the door on her.”

He took a deep breath, steadying the quiver in his voice.

“I don’t know why she chose to stay.” His eyes settled on Jillian’s.

“I’m glad she did.”