This time, it all started when they caught the wrong bus.
They knew this the moment it went left at the traffic lights. He said nothing. Once again she had absolutely insisted on organising their evening. He knew she had problems with low self-esteem. She had always been a poor planner. She was so easily distracted, finds it hard to maintain her concentration on anything, has permanently scattered thoughts and is forgetful… along with a couple of other things. Beyond all this, on the surface, she’s always brimming with confidence. He had been so patient with her. He suggested he pick up the tickets for the show when he was in town, but as usual she told him to leave it with her. Despite all this they had been together for a couple of years and in all other respects their relationship was just fine.
So, they got off the bus at the next stop and read the timetable. They walked back the way they came and crossed the road to another stop. They caught the next bus and ended up in town, right outside the cinema. When they went in they looked for a poster, but there was nothing for their movie. He went to the ticket box and was told the film was showing at the other cinema across town. He was really annoyed, but didn’t show it. They thought about catching a bus, but decided it would only be a fifteen minute walk and the film wouldn’t start for another half-an-hour. When they arrived it seemed that the movie showing was one with a similar sounding title to the one they had chosen, besides which, it had started nearly an hour ago, as shown on their website.
He asked if they could sit down in the foyer for just a few minutes before making their way home.
When they were sitting, he took her hand gently in his and smiled lovingly at her.
He said, “You know honey, we really need to talk.”