crosswords

you’re sitting in front of me concentrated on finishing the diner crossword.

you’ve been at it for a while now so concentrated that you’ve failed to notice that I’m almost done drinking the milkshake we were supposed to share.

“five letter word with a g?” you mutter glancing up at me.

that’s way too vague but I’m not going to tell you that. it would ruin the mood.

“love”

“that doesn’t have a g,” you frown looking down at the crossword.

no- I love you

that’s what I want to say. I continue to stare at you- the sun hitting your hair as you stare intently at the paper.

there’s bad pop music playing on the radio, people talking loudly, pots and pans banging in the back.

“I-“

“yeah?” you glance up at me- a smile spreading on your features as our eyes meet

“it’s nothing I just thought I knew the word.” I let out a long sigh.

I love you I love you I love you

saying it out loud in such a public place where so many people are watching feels wrong somehow.

like I'm inviting other people into our little world

besides you’d be too embarrassed to finish that crossword that you’re smiling so happily about

I love you

my heart swells

“the word is grinch” I offer up tapping the table

“thank you” you beam quickly writing it down in nearly illegible handwriting

I love that about you

whether or not I tell you that I love you now doesn’t really matter as much as I’m making it out to be

I know you know what I want to say- I can see it in your eyes when the sun hits them just right

“sorry if I’m too slow about this thing” you hum

“no it’s ok take your time”

I’m going to take my time

and you know that

thank you for waiting