Take a Chance by Annalisa Nicole

me to get you. She said no, not to bother you. I told her I didn’t feel right not telling you. I thought I was doing the right thing, until I saw the flowers in the trash.”
    “That’s alright Amelia, don’t worry about it. I’ll call her and check on her. Thanks for telling me.”
    Hanging up the phone with Amelia only made me worry more. It’s not like Willow to lie to me . She said she was always a say it like it is kind of girl. She always says what’s on her mind. I’m beginning to worry there’s something really wrong. Packing up my brief case and laptop, I rush to my car and go right to her condo not even bothering calling her. She has me really worried.
    Knocking on her door, she doesn’t a nswer. Her car is on the street, she has to be here. Oh God, if she’s not here maybe she needed to go to the hospital. Frantically knocking now, I shout, “Willow, are you there?” Please God, let her be here.
    “Willow , please open the door.” I bang again louder.
    “Go away , Asher.”
    “Oh , thank God you’re here, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Please let me in. Amelia said you went home sick. Are you OK? Please let me in.”
    “Go away , Asher, I’m fine.” But I can hear she’s not fine. She sounds like she’s been crying.
    “Sweetheart , you’re scaring me, you don’t sound like you’re fine. What’s wrong?”
    She throws the door open , she’s wrapped in her afghan with tissues in both hands. Tears are streaming down her face, “Go away, Asher. Haven’t you done enough? I don’t want to see you ever again.” She tries to throw the door closed, but I put my foot in the jamb.
    “Willow, what’s going on ? Talk to me, please?” I beg her.
    I walk in the foyer as she turns around to walk away. “Willow sweetheart, talk to me.” Grabbing her arm to stop her from walking away, she turns around dropping the tissue and slaps me across the face.
    “You’re married, you son of a bitch. I can’t believe I was so gullible. Everyone in the office knows. Well , everyone except me. I’m such an idiot! How long did you think it would have taken me to find out?”
    Staring at her with disbelief , I knew I should have told her about Olivia. Now she has the wrong idea. She plops down on the couch and starts to sob. Closing the front door, I walk over and sit next to her. “Willow sweetheart...”
    “Don’t call me that. Is that what you call your wife?”
    “Willow, I had a wife , she died three years ago. I know I should have told you sooner and I was planning on telling you tonight, if the right time presented itself.”
    “What?” she asks looking at me, sniffling.
    Tears are still streaming down her face , but she stopped crying. I reach to wipe her tears. Thankfully, she doesn’t pull away, so I take both hands and gently wipe them away holding her face.
    Looking in her eyes, I explain, “Willow, my wife was killed in a car accident three years ago by a drunk driver. That’s why I told you I don’t’ really drink. I actually hadn’t had a drink in the past two and half years. I only just now started to have a drink now and then.”
    “Asher , I’m so sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. The woman in the elevator after lunch made a comment about your wife, and I just assumed the worst. Oh, my gosh, I’m such an idiot! Asher, I’m so sorry about your wife.”
    “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner . I was afraid something like this would happen. I wanted to tell you. You’re actually the first woman I have dated since she passed away. It’s the first time I felt that it was right. Willow, I’m so sorry you had the wrong impression. I never meant to hurt you.”
    “Oh , Asher, I’m the one to be sorry. I wanted to believe deep down that that’s not the type of man you are. Please forgive me. It’s completely up to you, but if you want to talk about it, about her, I want you to know I would love to listen. You have been my rock these past few weeks. You can tell me