The previous night’s snow covered the street in a cold, thin blanket

Marinello

Seeing Evangeline

The previous night’s snow covered the street in a thin, cold blanket. Alexander wrapped his scarf more tightly around his neck and pulled on his gloves. Outside the gallery, people bustled past him, buried in their woolen scarves and dark coats. An older woman hurried past the steps, two small snow-covered children trotting in her wake. Neither child looked particularly happy for being pulled away from their wintry games. Alexander smiled, remembering what it was like to be that young.

The bright sunlight was deceiving. Digging his hands deep into the pockets of his overcoat to keep warm, Alexander headed for his usual café on the corner of the square. Café Radek served what he considered the best coffee in all of Prague. He could afford to go somewhere more flashy, but Café Radek felt the most like home. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming despite the rickety chairs and chipped varnish on the tabletops. Alexander figured some kind of divine intervention was the only reason the café remained standing - that, and the thousands of krona that passed hands there each day. Café Radek’s determination to remain standing was as dedicated as its clientele.

The familiar aroma of strong coffee filled the room. Alexander picked up a newspaper from the stand by the counter, sat down, and ordered a coffee. His Czech wasn’t fluent, but good enough to understand the gist of the articles. As he turned the page, a movement by the entrance caught his eye. A redheaded woman entered the café and sat down by the window. Alexander picked up his cup and took a sip as he watched her beckon the server. There was something strangely familiar about the woman. He tried to place her. Was she one of the secretaries from the gallery? No, there had only ever been the two blondes for as long as he could remember. Was she a relative of one of the other dealers? No, they all were too young to have a daughter her age, and not lucky enough to have a wife that beautiful. The woman took off her sunglasses and caught his eye.

Suddenly it hit him – Evangeline. It had been almost two years since he had seen her. The last time had been the day she walked out on him. She looked strangely pleased to see him. Alexander wanted nothing more than somewhere to hide from her penetrating gaze. How was he going to face her after all this time? He looked back down at his coffee cup and twisted the silver ring around his thumb. From the corner of his eye he saw Evangeline stand up from her table and walk towards him. A million different scenarios sped through his head as he tried to figure out what to do.

“Evangeline,” he managed.

At least he could say her name, and at least he was the first one to say something. Evangeline flashed him a smile and sat down in the chair closest to him. A cloud of lilac perfume hovered around her and mixed with the scent of coffee. It was sickening and enticing at the same time. She crossed her legs at the knee, exposing the stylish black boots beneath her skirt.

“Alexander, it’s so good to see you! I’ve wondered whatever became of you!” It all came out in her rushed classy accent. She placed her hand on his wrist and squeezed gently. “How are you? What brings you to Prague?”

She hadn’t stopped smiling. She had a perfect smile. She had a perfect everything. Alexander hadn’t been the only one to notice that. Evangeline had never lacked for attention. He nodded in response, still unsure of the situation. He had spent the past two years trying not to wonder what had become of her. He had hoped they would never have to discuss what had happened between them.

“I’ve got a house in the country now,” Alexander said. “It was my Grandfather’s. Adelle and I are living there and...”

“Oh how is your sister?” Evangeline gushed, interrupting him. “She was such a sweet little thing!”

“She’s doing well, still playing piano.” Alexander was thankful to change the topic away from himself.

“That’s nice. She has such a talent for it. So what about you? You didn’t tell me why you’re in Prague.”

“Work. I’m an art dealer. It’s a lot of traveling, but I enjoy it. I come to Prague every month or so for business.”

“That’s wonderful!” Evangeline beamed.

Alexander wondered how much more of her cheer he would have to endure before being able to excuse himself. As politely as possible, he shifted his arm away from her hand and took another sip from his coffee. Even that held no pleasure for him when she was at the table. He placed the cup back on the tabletop and glanced at his watch. Evangeline took the pause as opportunity to talk about herself. Alexander only heard pieces of it. She was in Prague on holiday with her fiancée. He did note it was not the same man she had left him for. On some level, that made things seem better. She was living in the outskirts of London and currently between jobs as “wedding plans take up a lot of time, you know.” As she was talking, a tall man in a brown coat entered the café.

“That’s Richard, my fiancée,” Evangeline said, finally turning to smile at someone other than Alexander. “Richard, this is Alexander. I knew him when I lived in Paris.”

Richard nodded in greeting and leant down to give Evangeline a kiss. Knew him. The two words hovered in the air like fanged butterflies. Is that all the value she put into a year and a half of their lives? Alexander finished the last of his coffee and made a move to stand.

“I’m sorry, but I really should be going. I have a meeting with a client.” He was going to be over an hour early for the meeting, but he couldn’t bear the situation any longer.

“Such a shame,” Evangeline stood up and kissed him briefly on the cheek. “It was good seeing you. Don’t let it be so long next time. Send me your address and we’ll be sure to send you an invitation to the ceremony.”

Alexander nodded and pulled on his gloves. He left a few coins on the table and headed back out into the cold, grateful to escape the tension. He could still feel the touch of her curls against his cheek when she had kissed him in the café. The scent of Evangline’s perfume trailed after him like the veil she had almost worn two years ago. He tried to ignore the image in his mind of how beautiful she would look in one now.

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