It was a week before the second semester started and I wanted to talk to my English professor to see how she was doing and how her break went. I wasn't sure if she'd be in her office but I went anyway. I got there early so I could take care of a few things before we talked. I finished much more quickly than I expected so I decided to wait for her by her office. When I got to her office, the door was slightly ajar. I was about to knock when I heard a sniffle, at first I thought she might have been ill, when I peeked through the tiny opening I could see that she was crying. Normally I would have left, not wanting get involved; however, I couldn't do it, seeing my professor that upset bothered me. I tapped gently on the door as I pushed it open slightly.
"Mrs. Riehl? Would you mind if come in?" I asked quietly. She shook her head and I walked in, closing the door behind me. I took a seat and moved closer.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing..." she replied between sniffles, wiping her eyes.
"I can tell something's wrong, what is it?" I pressed.
"It's my... my husband. He... he left." She said quietly, trying desperately to suppress her tears but failing miserably. I put my arm around her, hoping I wasn't overstepping my boundary, and squeezed her gently.
"I'm sorry..." was all I could manage.
"Yeah, sure!" She shot back at me. I pulled back and looked at her quizzically. "Don't look at me like that! I heard what you said about me with your friends."
"What? Oh, it's not like that. I didn't mean what I said to them, I know I should have stuck up for you but... I just didn't want them pissed at me and talking about me behind my back. I know that doesn't excuse what I did... I'm really sorry." I said looking apologetically at her tear streaked face.
"Really?" she asked fearfully.
"Yes, why would I spend so much time with you if I didn't like you? I talk to you after class, I come to your office to visit you between classes, I'm in your club, and I'm here today, on my break to see how you're doing... Of course I like you." I said to her, smiling slightly. A small smile lit up her face, then faded as the pain of being left flooded her mind again. I didn't want to force the subject but I just had to know why a man would leave such a beautiful women. It didn't make sense, she was 5'6" with brown hair dyed blonde, but you could see the roots, which made her that much cuter, her deep blue eyes, the sweetest smile I'd ever seen, and a perfect body, I thought she was the kind of women most men would give anything to be with. Not to mention that she's smart, funny, fun, sweet, kind, caring, patient, giving, and all around perfect.
"Do... do you know why he...?" I trailed off.
She nodded, "He said he just couldn't be with me anymore... He said I was too... old..." She began crying again.
I got up and crouched next to her, taking her hand. She looked up at me as I said,
"You are not old, he's just a fool. Anyone else would give almost anything to be with someone like you." I knew immediately I'd said too much, I hoped that she hadn't caught on that I was one of those men who'd give almost anything to be with her.
"You think so?" I asked. I nodded and smiled sweetly at her. She reached down and hugged me warmly. "Thank you."
I nodded, "You're welcome." My thumb involuntarily began caressing her hand. She looked curiously at me and I slid my hand away quickly. Still looking at me awkwardly I asked if she was feeling a little better. She nodded and I smiled at her again.
"So, why'd you come to talk to me today?" she began as she reached down to rub her feet.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing, see how your break went." I pointed to her foot, "Something wrong?" She looked down and chuckled slightly, making me very happy to know she really felt better.
"No, I got some new shoes; I haven't broken them in yet." She replied.
"Oh, hurt much?" I asked.