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A staff member in a mascot costume hands me a discount coupon.
“Miss, are you a student nearby? We have a student discount for movies right now.”
I wave my hands: “No, I’m just a middle–aged mom.”
But the coupon has already been pressed into my hand.
“Miss, you look so young though!”
Her voice fades into the wind.
I look at my reflection in a nearby department store window. I’m still so small and thin. Students with backpacks walk by chatting laughing.
In a daze, I see the me from years ago.
That’s right, I’m not even 30 yet.
I go see a movie.
It’s a romantic comedy set in a school. The audience around me bursts into laughter.
I sit in the corner, crying until my eyes are swollen red.
The girl sitting next to me keeps turning to look at me.
I apologize to her guiltily.
“I’m so sorry, I can’t control my emotions. I’ll leave.”
She grabs my hand and gives me a piece of candy.
“It’s okay, cry if you need to. You’ve been very quiet.”
She sticks out her tongue.
“Sometimes when I fight with my boyfriend, I cry secretly in the movie theater too. But it’s okay, crying means you’ve turned the page. We look forward now.”
Look forward. The candy melts in my mouth. It’s sweet.
As the movie ends, I wave goodbye to the girl. A boy with a backpack is waiting for her outside the theater with flowers.
She pouts, pretending not to forgive him, but her eyes are full of happiness.
Kevin used to comfort me like that when we were dating too.
I was happy then.
I turn to leave and see Kevin holding Tommy’s hand standing behind me.
I don’t know how long they’ve been watching.
He takes a step towards me.
“Haley, let’s talk.”
I nod.
“Okay.”
