he arrived early at the restaurant

an on-line dating encounter

it was just lunch for their first face to face meeting

messaging chats at first

then a video call

this was their first real date

they had both been married before

the dating scene was intimidating

it was much easier when they were younger

a large pool of unmarried friends and coworkers back then

twenty years later that pool was dried up

forcing them both to reach out further

he checked the time every few minutes

she was late but he waited

after fifteen minutes he sent her a message

sorry I am running late was the quick reply

still no show fifteen minutes later

he sent another short message

asking her arrival time

sorry I will have to cancel she said

something cropped up at work

he left the restaurant disappointed

taking a walk to relieve his frustration

then he spotted her in the restaurant across the street

having lunch at an outside table

with a very attentive man

she was laughing and having fun

a lucky escape he thought

she is dishonest and untrustworthy

he sent her another message

how about same time and place tomorrow

he watched her pick up her phone

ok was the quick reply

he made the reservation with no intention to go

the next day she showed up late

he ignored her messages asking where he was