She had been crazy about Brad for years. He had been crazy about her. Finally, they made it. He spent the night at her place and they made love all night long. In the cold light of morning he had to get up, dress and leave for work. She stood, dressed in only a bed sheet, at the front door to wave him off. Brad was suddenly shy and awkward.

“Bye then, I’ll see you sometime,” he said clumsily.

She paused to take in what he was saying.

“Don’t bother!” she answered.

And he didn’t, though what she had said bothered him and what he had said bothered her.

Every so often each still wonders how things would have panned out had they made a better choice of their words…