The Do-Over

by Lynn Painter

You are not the people-pleasing mouse you purport yourself to be.

I felt like he knew me. And I rarely felt that from anyone.

“I didn’t know you this morning, and now I know the feel of your hand in mine, the sound of your voice when you’re trying not to cry, and the taste of your mouth. I know that you hate potato salad and love that video with the cat that dings the dinner bell.”

“You only love me for seven more minutes.”

he kissed me like we had seven minutes before the world ended.

March 4, my birthday,

birthday twin!

“I fell in love with you on Valentine’s Day, Emilie, but I need more than just seven minutes.”