You're Late

Her wavy hair bounced with every step she took. She wore a red dress and heels.

Peggy Carter might have been walking towards the lights of the Stork Club, but her mind was somewhere else.

A week, next saturday at the Stork Club, 8 o'clock on the dot. Don't you dare be late, understood?

Men whistled and made catcalls and she walked by. Normally, she would shut them up. Tonight was very different. Peggy's vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. Immediately, she swiped them away.

I'll show you how. Just be there.

Peggy stopped just under the sign for the Stork Club and looked in the window.

8:01. Steve wasn't coming.

The tears came faster now, and Peggy made no effort to stop them. She had been foolish, thinking he was going to show up. Steve Rogers, Captain America, was gone. With a mighty crack, the skies opened and rain poured down on Peggy's lone figure. Everyone either rushed inside or put briefcases or umbrellas over their heads, but Peggy didn't move. Instead, she covered her face and sobbed.

"You're late..." She whispered.

***

"You were late, Steve." Peggy said, smiling through her tears. "But you are here now. But I'm an old lady now Steve. I couldn't dance even if I wanted to." Across from her, Steve Rogers smiled bravely. Already, she had forgotten the conversation they were having moments ago. But he didn't tell her, he never told her. It wasn't her fault she had Alzheimer's. "I couldn't leave my best girl." He said, still smiling.

Suddenly Peggy started to cough violently, and doctors rushed into the room. "Sir, I'm afraid you will have to leave." One said to Steve. He nodded and left the room slowly, a doctor closing the door behind him. "She's right though," Steve said to himself as he left.

"I was late."