Up & Up

Ding. Mira looked at her phone to read the text from “Unknown Caller.”

“Hey Babe,” it read, with the emoji of a smiley face blowing a kiss.

Her heart raced. She knew exactly who it was from. She’d deleted Morgan from her contact list, and her life, when he cheated on her. She hadn’t heard from him in over a year and had moved on. But there it was; that stirring deep in her belly that made her swallow and lick her lips. Then the anger flared.

Her fingers flew over the keys and she hit send, instantly regretting it.

“Wrong Babe.”

She shouldn’t have answered and now held her breath awaiting his reply.

“You’re my only Babe. I miss you. Let’s talk. Friday 6 pm at the usual.”

“Fuck you and your fuck bunny.” Mira wrote and deleted.

“I’ve got a new man in my life.” She deleted this, too.

What should she say? She stared at the screen, then closed her eyes and set the phone down and went back to work. She didn’t pick it up until she was ready to go home. He hadn’t texted again and she was glad.

Mira had a date on Friday with Dan. It was their fourth date and the first time he had invited her to his apartment. She’d bought a new outfit and chosen a good bottle of wine to bring. As she was getting ready, her phone rang.

“I’m so sorry, Mira. I haven’t felt well all day. I’ve got to reschedule in case it’s some sort of flu bug. I don’t want to get you sick, too.”

“Don’t worry about it, Dan. Can I drop off anything?” Mira asked.

“No, thanks. I’m hoping to sleep it off. If I’m better, I’d still love to see you this weekend.”

“Me, too. Let’s play it by ear. Give me a call tomorrow?”

“Definitely. Thanks for understanding. Take care.” Dan said.

After they hung up her phone dinged, and she expected a text from Dan. He had sent her a funny meme or picture every day since their first date two weeks ago. There wasn’t that rush of instant lust she’d had with Morgan, but Dan was sweet and made her laugh and she felt herself slowly falling for him.

“Change of plans. I’ll be in the city so let’s do that place you like by the airport.” It was Morgan.

She was surprised he’d suggest Amelia’s. He rarely agreed to go anywhere except a country bar.

She contemplated answering, “Go to Hell,” while she finished her makeup. She also contemplated going to Amelia’s to tell him in person. She was an up and up kind of woman and knew that if she went, she’d have to tell Dan.

“Good evening Miss. Table for one or are you meeting someone?” the Amelia’s host asked.

“Just a to-go order of chicken noodle soup, please,” Mira said. “I’ll wait over at the bar.” Then added, “With extra crackers.” Dan liked crackers.

Written for the  To Live and Write in Practice  June 2023 Flash Lit . We were challenged to write a piece of fiction, non-fiction or poetry of 500 words or less, inspired by a specific prompt (the title), in three days or less. Click the link to join this awesome group of writers and find out how you can participate in future workshops, retreats and challenges, led by a woman of many wonderful words, Bronwyn Emery.