At the Movies

I picked up a movie flyer. There was approximately five minutes till Nancy arrived and the movie started. I had exhausted my social media browsing. There is a limit to the amount of times I can refresh a page, till surely, I am caught up with everything worthwhile. New babies, engagements, life changing purchases in the suburbs. Checking movie flyers is somehow exciting. I like to see what is coming out. For any titles that spark my interest, I set aside a date in my imaginary calendar, and consider who to invite. Sometimes I choose to go alone, particularly if the genre is romance...

-- Alone. A dismal state I often grapple with ever since I left you five long years ago. It was not an easy choice. It had become obvious to me that you were not happy in your job. You would bring the stress home. You were often too tired to spend quality time with me. You were giving up opportunities to stay with me. You weren't free to do what you truly wanted. So, as one does when they truly love someone; I put you first. I left you. I flew away from our relationship and the life we had built, and the promises we had made, so you could soar. My heart hurts when I think back. I had to be harsh so you could move on without regrets. To achieve a dream like yours, you need to focus. You need to be desperate. I knew if you could return to me, you might give up --

"Beth! Thanks for waiting! I'll quickly grab the popcorn. It's on me!" Nancy brought me back to reality. "Oh, that movie looks good, too. I saw an interview with the director on TV. He apparently dedicated it to an ex-girlfriend."

I looked at the flyer. My body felt hot and my heart rate quickened.

The movie title, "Did we move on?"