All Your Firsts Without Me

by L.M. Terry

He never introduced her and I. Last Friday was the first time I ever saw her. She walked into the bar and it was like all of time stopped. David looked towards the door as soon as it opened, like he could sense her before she even arrived. Their eyes met and the love I witnessed made my heart clench painfully. I watched their interaction with fascination and a longing in my soul. Then she stood right next to me, waiting for the waitress to take her payment. David selected her favorite song on the jukebox, and I gently nudged her arm, telling her it looked like someone was waiting for a dance. She didn’t even look my way. Her eyes were solely on him. I trembled at her nearness, scared I would do or say the wrong thing. It wasn’t our time, it was theirs. David only allowed me that glimpse as a way of showing me the stakes. When we spoke the next morning by phone, he told me if I want her to look at me the same way she looked at him, it will take a lot of work and patience. I’m willing to do that. I am. You’re thinking I’m a stalker, aren’t you? You’re wondering why in the world would David ever go along with this. Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m not sure if April will ever love me like she does David. Maybe she won’t even like me. But no risk, no reward. I have to try. Something happened during all of this that I didn’t expect. I started to look at David as a father figure. I evidently needed him as much as I thought I needed her....