Oodles of Noodles

I can picture him standing on the corner of Pine and Broadway. He checks his watch, it’s 12:10. He kicks at a loose piece of cement on the sidewalk, then a woman walks by and asks for the time. “It’s 12:15.” She thanks him and he watches her walk away. He looks up and down the street. Maybe she’s just running late, maybe she’s lost. He calls, but she doesn’t answer. “Melissa, it’s Peter. I was just calling to see what’s going on. 12 o’clock, the corner of Pine and Broadway like we agreed. I guess I’ll see you in a few minutes.” I played the message and my stomach twisted. I’m a terrible person and I did an inexcusable thing. I feel bad, but I don’t have the balls to call and apologize. I should have called in advance and just cancelled. I should have done a lot of things, but I didn’t and now I don’t have the decency to apologize for causing another’s pain. Now it’s too late and I’m officially a jerk.