Regrets

Craig raced through the streets. He had to find Judy. Fast.

“What have I done? I’m such an idiot! I had this good thing going with Judy and I had to mess it up! What is it that everytime I have something good, I push it away? WHY?! Come on buddy, move!”

Craig screamed at the driver in front of him, laying hard on the horn. The driver stuck a middle finger out the driver side window.

“Yeah, same to you buddy.” Craig scowled, returning the gesture. Rain poured down on the dirty New York streets, casting everything into shadows and gloom.

Okay, calm down; remember what the doctor said about your blood pressure. Just turn on the radio to a soft rock station, that will calm you down. Judy’s voice echoed in his ear, somewhere from the distant past.

“Okay, yeah. Good idea. The radio. Maybe it will take my mind off the situation for a while.”

You give good love to me, never to much we’ll never be, so good, take this heart of mine…

“This has always been my favorite song.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I always dreamed of dancing to it on my wedding day.”

“Judy?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to dance?”

“Craig, I thought you didn’t dance.”

“Well, tonight is different. I figure, hey, why not live a little. I do have a romantic side.”

“Oh really. Suddenly you’re Mr. Casanova?”

“Of course. Come on, how bout it? Let’s give it a try.”

“Okay.”

HONK!

Craig jumped a foot into the air. He shook himself and looked up.

“What’s all the…oh, the light’s green.”

He shook himself some more, the memory of his second date with Judy still etched deep within his memory. He had to find her. He turned the corner onto her street, pulled up in front of her apartment and jumped out of the car. He ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and came to an abrupt halt outside Judy’s apartment, panting heavily.

“You know what the doctor said about your blood pressure. Don’t run so hard. Who you trying to impress?” Judy gave Craig’s arm a playful punch.

“I’m trying to impress you with my manly physique.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes.”

“Come on, let’s sit down right here on the grass before you keel over from exhaustion.”

“I’m not exhausted.”

“You’re panting like crazy.”

“Okay, but only if you insist.”

“I do insist.” Judy plopped down on the grass, patting the spot next to her.

“Excuse me; did you lock yourself out of your apartment? If you need to be let in, I can get the attendant.”

Craig looked up. Standing in front of him was an elderly woman, hunched over with a bad back, who looked like she had to be about eighty-five.

“Huh? Oh, no thanks. This is my girlfriend’s apartment. Ex-girlfriend’s apartment actually. I was coming over here to talk to her.”

“Oh, you mean the nice young lady who used to live here. With the brown hair and brown eyes?”

“Yeah, that’s her, she… wait a minute. Did you say used to live here? As in, she doesn’t live here anymore?”

“Why yes. She moved out a couple of days ago.”

“Do you know where she went?”

“Um, Queens I think.”

“Queens? That’s a half hour away!”

“Well, if you want to find her, I’d suggest you head over to Queens right now. Traffic’s bad this time of day.”

“Oh, this traffic is heinous. I hate traffic.”

“Traffic isn’t all that bad. I can drive if you want.”

“That’s okay; I don’t want you driving in this mess.”

“Craig, you know what I think?”

“What?

“I think you’re very sweet. “

“Why?”

“You’re a gentleman, I feel protected when I’m with you and I’m not the one driving!” Judy laughed.

“Ha, Ha, funny.”

“I was just trying to make you smile.”

“Well, it didn’t work.”

“If it didn’t work, then why are you smiling?”

Craig smiled in spite of himself. Judy knew him better than anybody. She knew his thoughts, his moods and his quirks. He got back into the car and headed in the direction of Queens, hoping against hope that he would find Judy. He didn’t have her new address, but he wouldn’t stop until he found her. Even if he had to drive around the block twenty times over, he would find her.

She had touched Craig’s life in so many ways, especially teaching him how to love somebody unconditionally. This wasn’t a love you throw away; it was a love you fought for. And he would fight for it, as long as he could.