Love Finds the Gate

They met in an airport once, years ago, by accident. Two strangers delayed

by the weather, sharing a charging outlet and quiet jokes. Now,

airports were the only places they felt whole. Laura memorized his gait before

he reached her. The way he scanned crowds, always looking for her first.

Mike memorized her smell, clean soap, and something familiar he couldn’t name.

Every goodbye happened at a gate. Every promise lived in the future tense. This time,

he was supposed to be on the flight. The message came an hour before boarding: Work emergency.

I’m sorry. She sat alone in the waiting area, staring at the empty seat beside her.