For the first time in a long time I was speechless. I could think of nothing to say and had no clue as to why. She was stirring her drink as before and my eyes became fixed on her hand swirling the straw in the glass. I wanted so badly to reach out for it, to hold her hand to feel her in some way. I put both hands out as if to do so and stopped myself. I tried to speak. “I…”, was all I could manage to say. her hand stopped but she didn’t move otherwise. again I tried to speak, and could only say the same thing. I dropped my hands and slowly stood, reached for my wallet and placed a twenty on the bar.

“I hope you find it…” I said to her as I returned my wallet to my pocket. A few silent seconds passed and she began to stir her drink once more. I let out a sigh, turned and headed for the door, walked out into the night and walked west.

There was always tomorrow.