Zero chance

Anna Viterets

by Anna Viterets

Story

The city department didn’t deceive Derek, and it started to rain the very next day. Samantha was even let out of work early, because there were no customers to be expected in this weather. She decided to stop at a coffee shop and wait it out, maybe have a hot chocolate and talk to someone for a while. Sam’s hopes were quickly dashed when she saw Delilah dancing and singing by the coffee machine. It was so strange, she was running late for work this morning and didn’t have time to go in for a coffee and she secretly wondered if she wanted to see Derek.

“Why are you making such a sad face?” asked the always cheerful Delilah, “aren’t you happy to see me?”

“Of course I am!” Samantha smiled.

“Derek works the first shift on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,” Delilah smiled mysteriously. Sam blushed.

“I’ve known you for a while, but this is the first time I’ve seen you blush!” the woman clapped her hands.

“He’s just my new neighbor,” Sam began to make excuses. “By the way, has he told you anything about himself?”

“Yes,” Delilah looked thoughtful. “He’s three years older than you, he has a car, he moved from another city and he goes to university in the evening shift.”

Sam rested her head on the bar and closed her eyes for a second. The image of Derek immediately came to mind. Especially his smile.

“Delilah,” Sam suddenly spoke up, “have you ever been in love?”

Actually, I have a fiancé,” she laughed. “We’ve been engaged for three months.”

Samantha jerked her head up and stared at her friend. How could she not have noticed?

“I’m sorry, I…” Sam began to search for words.

“It’s okay, Sam, you’ve never asked me about relationships, I’ve never told you,” the woman replied calmly.

“But how did you realise this, Di? That it’s love?” Samantha persisted.

“You know, our parents teach us to eat, speak, walk and love, too. By example. We see how they communicate with each other, how they behave, how they treat each other. What words they say, what gestures they make… All of it. You learn to love from childhood.”

“Then I have zero chance,” Sam sighed hopelessly. “I don’t remember a single moment when my parents loved each other.”

“My dear,” Delilah said, “then someone will come along who will teach you. Because this is a skill that is acquired. Do you understand?” Delilah came out and hugged Samantha. Sam put her head on her shoulder. In twenty-five years of life, she had never known what love was. Was there something wrong with her?

© Anna Viterets 2023-08-24

Genres
Novels & Stories
Moods
Sad