I took a deep breath as I sat on the couch and took some of my anxiety pills. Dating Jared had not been as stress free as I thought it would be, but it was worth it because I loved him. And he saved me once when some men from a rival gang tried to kidnap me on a raid.

I texted back: Will I see you today?

It felt like I waited for an eternity for him to reply. 

During that time, my mind went back to all of our previous dates that had been cancelled on such short notice. Like a picnic in the park or riding a bicycle alone.

It didn’t matter what kind of date it was or how little it seemed, Jared would show up and when he wouldn’t he would always send a detailed message about why he couldn’t come and when I could expect to see him again.

But I do not see that now. 

All I could see was my ice cream melting and the food getting cold. I rushed the chocolate ice cream cake to the freezer. 

But as I did, I remembered our last date. 

Jared promised to meet me at the ice cream shop. I waited for him to show up. He said he was just around the corner, but when 15 minutes had passed without me seeing him, I called him.