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
Cheeky Monkey Poetry 