Five Years Long-Distance, and He Came for Another Woman

In the five years Herbert Harding and I dated long-distance, he never once came to my city to see me.

It wasn't until my twenty-sixth birthday that I worked up the nerve to text him.

"Today's my birthday. I miss you so much. Could you come and spend it with me?"

I waited a long time and he didn't answer, so I sent another.

"Are you busy? Am I bothering you?"

Hours went by before his reply finally came.

Just a few words: In a meeting. No time.

So I ordered a cake by myself and went to the restaurant, only to find Herbert, the one person who had no business being in this city at all.