It Takes a Strong Women to Love a Military Man

Thirteen

I sat in a booth at the diner. I was suppose to meet Colton at nine but he wasn't here. I was starting to think this was a bad idea. If he wasn't here in five minutes I'm going to leave. I started the clock now. A minute passed when Colton walked in. He was wearing his army uniform and had a bag slung over his shoulder. He slid into the seat opposite me.

"Sorry I'm late had some last minute packing to do." I shock my head telling him not to worry about it. A waitress came over. "Good morning what can I get you two." I opens my mouth but Colton cut me off. "Two cups of coffee with sugar and creamer." She wrote down our order and walked away. "I can order for myself you know." Colton just smirked. He knew I was capable of ordering on my own he just liked to be difficult and show off just how well he knew me.

The waitress came back and placed our coffee on the table. "Would you like anything to eat." I shock my head but Colton decided he had to speak for both of us, "No we are fine, thank you." The waitress nodded and walked away.

"Colton as nice as this is what did you need to talk about." He sighed. Clearly this was a rough topic for him. I sat there patently waiting his reply. "Tess I know I broke up with you last time I left and well I'm starting to think that was a mistake." My heart stopped. He couldn't be implying that he wanted to get back together could he? I'm not sure I could handle it with him being gone.

"It's just spending all this time with you has made me miss when we used to be together. I know I'm not always going to be around and I know it's going to hurt you every time I leave and not hearing from me for long periods of time but I really miss you Tess." Oh no he did want to get back together. The palms of my hands became sweaty. I was nervous. Did I want to get back together with him? I wasn't sure. I needed time to think but we don't have time.

"I'm sorry I had to spring this all on you so suddenly but I can't leave without saying how I feel. Tess I love you. I need you in my life again because you were the best part of it." All the color drained from my face. He still loved me after all this time. Sure we had dated for four years and only been broken up for a month but still. "Tessa please answer me."

I opened my mouth but no words would come out. My hands had started to shake. Oh god what was he doing to me. I was fine. I had my emotions under control and now I could hardly breath right. One thing I did know was I missed being with him but I didn't know if I can handle losing him like I did Ryan. I took one long sip of my coffee before speaking.

"Colton I-I don't know what to say. I miss you I really do but I can't lose you like I did Ryan. I don't think know is the best time to get back together. Maybe there never will be a good time for it but I need time to think. I wish you could have told me sooner so I could give you an answer before you leave." Coltons eyes held sadness in them. As he stared at me all I could think of was how much I was hurting him. "It's alright. Will you walk me outside I need to leave soon." I nodded and we both stood up. Colton placed some money on the table for our coffee and we headed out to his car.

"Colton I'm really sorry I can't answer yo-" but I never got to finish my sentence because he had kissed me. And I couldn't help but kiss him back. He pulled away with a smile on his face. "Sorry but I had to do that. I love you Tess and I'll see you soon." He got in his car and drove off. Leaving me standing in shock, anger, sadness and disappointment.