Conversation by Yehor Boichenko

Two women were sitting at the bar.

It was a cold night, which was rather unusual for the middle of July. 

“What a strange time we live in”, said the first woman.

“Indeed. This morning I woke up thinking that I miss those warm and carefree evenings, when the main problem was planning your next day”, replied the second.

“Maria”, said the first woman and held out her hand as a sign of acquaintance.

“Catherine”, answered the second with a hesitation in her voice.

The two women continued to sit silently in the empty bar.

“You look…quite sad, can I ask you what happened?”, Maria asked calmly.

Catherine looked at the empty glass, then checked her watch.

“Have you ever had such a thing…that your life…changed overnight? And this only makes it scarier because you were not ready for it”, said Catherine.

“You know, I actually had. I will say even more, today is just that day”, answered Maria.

“What are the chances! Then why don't we open our souls to each other? Maybe it will be a little easier for me to accept… «the new reality». Honestly, at first I wasn’t very sure about starting this conversion, but now… but now I feel that I really need it”.

“With great pleasure!”, Maria exclaimed happily. “So, how exactly has your life changed?”

“My husband left me today. And you know what? I'm kind of happy about that. I am not one of those women who will always rely on men. I liked that I could work on my own and build my life the way I wanted. However, when I woke up this morning, there was a small note next to me. A note! Can you imagine? We had been married for almost fifteen years, and all he had the courage to do was write me a note. I can even tell you more, I'm sure he went to another woman, because, it may sound trite, I've seen him try to hide the smell of someone else's perfume more than once”, said Catherine.

“Oh, you’re a poor thing. I am very sorry that you had such a terrible morning, but…but…but now I wonder why you are worried? You knew it was going to happen. By the way, why didn't you tell him anything?”, asked Maria.

“How could I?! It may sound stupid, but I loved him and still do. And maybe I even want him to write me again, or ask me out!”

“Nonsense!”, exclaimed Maria. “Your husband cheated on you, and you still want to return him? Trust me, I know what it's like. And believe me, I know what happens when you give someone a second chance. You know what they say, if it happens once, wait for the second one”.

“But how can I forget him? Just.. what? Let it go?

“He let you go easily and you should also take an example from this. We often hold on to people who hurt us. Somehow, we hope that everything can be endured, and then it will be as it was. But while we wait, it doesn't get any easier. You drive yourself into a cage from which it becomes more difficult to break out. Catherine, dear, you have jumped out of this cage. Don't let your doubts drive you there again”.

​Two women were sitting at the bar. Catherine looked at Maria and felt a glimmer of hope.

“Thank you. I guess, that's what I needed to hear. Don't you want to go somewhere else? Somewhere more crowded?”, Catherine asked hopefully.

However, as soon as she said this, a car pulled up to the bar.

“Oh, I would gladly continue our conversation, but, unfortunately, my fiancé is already here. However, it was a wonderful conversation”, answered Maria sweetly and ran to a man, who was just getting out of the car.

​Catherine was about to ask if her new friend would like to meet tomorrow, but through the window of the bar she saw her husband happily hugging Maria. The couple then got back into the car and drove home. Catherine remained sitting alone. It was getting warmer outside the window.