Becky With The Good Hair

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SURE, MY HUSBAND wasn't the best at punctuality, but he made for it with the gifts he showered my twin daughters and I with.

Chicago always covered up his mistakes with diamonds, dolls, and romantic nights out, but I'm not sure he'll be able to make this up to me.

It's our six year anniversary and he's late. He's an hour late. I'm on my fifth glass of wine. I'd already ordered our meals so I ate my lukewarm crab legs and shrimp when I finally accepted he wasn't coming.

I sat there after I finished, staring at me nearly empty glass of wine, wondering where he could be. Is he okay? Is he still at work? Is he at home? Did he forget our anniversary?

I purse my lips, frowning in frustration. Why would he leave me like this? Embarrassed, alone, and tipsy on our six year anniversary.

"More wine?"

I look up at the waiter who'd been refilling my glass for the past hour, my frown still on my face. He looked about twenty or nineteen with curly brown hair pushed back in a quiff, pretty green eyes, and a friendly, dimpled smile.

"Am I pretty?", I ask him, blurting out the question.

"Oh. Uh..." A pink blush brushes across his cheeks, but he doesn't look away from my face. "Well, I think you're very pretty. Gorgeous, actually."

I nod, still frowning, before I look back at my wine glass. There's a pause before I feel his hand on mine, gently touching it.

"Hey.", he says softly, making me meet his eye again. "No matter what, please know that you are insanely beautiful, alright? The guy that stood you up is definitely stupid if he can't see what he has right in front of him."

My eyes are wide in drunken wonder as I stare at this green eyed stranger. I hadn't heard anyone say something like that to me since Chicago and I said our wedding vows.

"What's your name?", I ask him, another blurt of the mouth.

He is back to blushing pink again as he removed his hand from mine, clenching it by his side. He clears his throat.

"M'name's Harry.", he says lowly, his British accent more prominent when he mumbles.

"Thank you.", I say, smiling at him. "I mean it, really."

He nods, blushing a deeper shade of pink. I pull my wallet out of my purse, grabbing a few hundred bills.

I place two on the table and press one to Harry's chest as I stand up, still smiling.

"Keep it, you've earned it. Goodnight, Harry.", I say, turning to leave.

"Wait! Are you okay to drive?", he asks me.

"I'll get a taxi.", I say, stopping to turn to him.

"That's a bad idea.", Harry says, frowning, doing a little pout with his pink lips. "You had about ten glasses of wine."

I look at him, confused. Did I really have that many?

Harry looks conflicted for a second, clutching the wine bottle and hundred dollar bill to his chest and biting his bottom lip.

"Just.. wait a second.", he tells me before hurrying over to a door that lead to the restaurant kitchen.

I do as he says and wait patiently, checking my phone notifications. Nothing from Chicago. I sigh and put my phone in my purse just as Harry comes rushing back, slightly out of breath and in normal clothing.

"Alright, come on.", he says, gently holding my wrist as he leads me out of the restaurant and onto the cold, windy night streets.

I shiver slightly in my short white dress, walking subconsciously closer to Harry for warmth.

I wait as he calls me a taxi, leaning against his side, my head on his shoulder. Fatigue sets in my limbs and I feel tired, yawning loudly. It's not all bad, though. At least Harry smells good.

"You're a gentleman.", I say. "The world needs more people like you."

I hear him chuckle, his shoulders moving slightly.

"Thanks. I couldn't leave you on your own when you've been drinking, though. People are disgusting nowadays.", Harry says.

I shiver again, and he notices. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his side. I gratefully embrace the warmth.

We stand there, silently, until a yellow taxi stops in front of us. Harry opens the door for me and helps me in.

"What's your address, love?", he asks.

I mindlessly give it to him, not taking the repercussions of my actions into account.

"Please, get her there safe.", Harry tells the cab driver as I cling to his arm.

"Will do.", she replies, smiling kindly at him.

Just as Harry goes to close the cab door, I tug on his arm, keeping him from moving.

"Wait!", I say, pouting. "I wanna see you again. You're nice."

He smiles, his dimples on full display. "I work at the restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays. Come back when you're sober, yeah?"

I nod, relunctant to let go of his arm. He waves goodbye as the taxi drives off.

"Cute kid.", the car driver says. "You know him long?"

I shake my head, sighing as I look out the window. "No. He's nice, though. I like him.", I say, the drunkenness in my voice prominent.

She grins, chuckling at me.

When I get home, I'm thankful that my sister had taken the twins of my hands so I could have a romantic night with Chicago. What plan that turned out to be!

Thankfully, though, I could go to bed in peace. I take off my heels and dress, lay under the silk red sheets of my bed, and cry myself to sleep.

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