Member-only story
It just happened to come wrapped in a broken heart.
Three years ago the Universe decided to show me that she can be good to us.
I awoke on the morning of my first Valentine’s day as a single father. My first Valentine’s day as a single person in over 6 years. In so many ways I was relieved. I got my kids out of bed, prepared them for the day, dropped off with their mother, and went about my day.
That night I had planned to join in an Irish music session held at a local pub. I’ve been playing the violin since I was seven, and Irish music had always been the love of my musical heart.
There was a woman I’d met at work — L — who I had invited to come meet up with me after she got off her shift at her other job. She worked nights and weekends at a restaurant downtown, just around the corner from the pub. I figured by the time she was off, we’d be about done playing, and she and I could have a drink.
I suppose a part of me also wanted to charm her with my musical abilities in a way that looked like an accident.
I noticed her come in earlier than expected, but pretended I hadn’t.
She took a seat at a booth across the aisle from me and the other session players. After a while, I glanced over and saw her…
