The Empty Red Seat

I remember rain tapping at the diner window. The smooth white table we sat at held ketchup, salt, and her mournful face cradled in the palm of her hand. The menu appeared as eye-catching as a butterfly in the dark to her. Her dull eyes only scanned the cars outside, drifting by like weary clouds.

At the slightest push, the checkered floor looked ready to fall one by one. But it was us who had fallen, each piece out of place through years of doubt and frustration. 

In the past, our time together flew by, and any silence between us was fine. But this kind of silence was excruciating. It was hard to talk with a stomach full of uncertainty. Four years of magic ended painfully. Other people entered our lives and things became complicated. "I'll call ya," she said. We both knew she never would.

In the foggy windshield, her head leaned forward for a minute before pulling away. Then, with the red taillights reflecting off the wet pavement, I watched, silently saying goodbye, all the while knowing a part of me just drifted away... like a gray, weary cloud.

Author's Note

Note to self: The poem has been slightly expanded from a poem format to a story format. Thanks to anyone who reviews. :)

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

Sad that the longer you stay with someone the longer the silence becomes in some cases

[Relic]

True andrew, and that's a sad part of some relationships. I've heard it said many times that some people feel more lonely even in a relationship.

[RomaJ]

I really loved the narration of this piece. It's sad but beautiful at the same time
When a couple, drifts apart after "years of frustration " ....:(

Well written and very descriptive.

[Relic]

Its very sad Roma. Thank you for the review.

[RomaJ]

You're welcome, Relic.

[Julia Mars]

Gulp... This left a lump in my throat that I keep trying to push down.
I was in New York once, in a diner, at some ridiculous night time hour.
I went to visit my boyfriend who was there with s new job. We broke up just like this...
or very similar. I left in a cab.

[Relic]

OWW! Sorry to hear that for sure. What an awful feeling that must have been for you. I guess its safe to say you can relate to it. Thanks for the review despite some bad memories.

[Julia Mars]

It was for the best. He's a nobody living in Alaska now. Far far away. The cold climate suits him.
He was a cold basta...

[Relic]

Yikes, sorry to hear that. It's a blessing to have someone in your life. I don't know why some guys are so thoughtless.

[Julia Mars]

Youth.....

[Relic]

Yeah, that's a big part of it.

[~]

The only time I have been in a diner, is through movies, and now through your poem. A lonely telling of this encounter and separation. The emptiness gets vivid through the poem. You did really well with the title and the picture. great combination. :D

[Relic]

Thank very much for your great review.

[I Am Svetlana]

It hurts to share such a moment with a person, just to know that when they leave, you'll never see or hear from them again. The moment was nice, but you feel so empty once she's gone. Small moments can mean so much to us as they are happening, but sometimes, never appreciate them until we know we'll never get them back. I like the setting of diners, the red seats, the old decorations, the atmosphere. Very...home-like, I say. Great write!

[Relic]

You're so kind, thanks.

[Cory Barrett]

What is it about diners. Maybe it is the bright lights, freezing us in time, making every minute any minute. Maybe it is the clinical sterilized feeling of the easy to clean stainless steel on all of the horizontal surfaces. Maybe it is the comfort of simple food and beverage, or the unassuming nature of the waitresses. What ever it is, it creates an environment for clarity in conversation. A place to hurt without judgment, without concern. A place to baptize your fears in hot coffee, and banana cream pie.

I have had this conversation, in a diner, minus the rain. She drove off in a red ford ranger with my happiness in the bed, and left me with a slice of dried out cliche humble pie.

[Relic]

Even your reviews are rich in details. I envy you. Someday I'll talk like that. ha Thanks again my friend.

[Relic]

Oh yeah, and sorry to hear of your breakup. :(

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"but the silence between us was too long"

oh my, yes...what a classic line..

and time does seem to slow down in diners...i remember going to them a lot as a kid in the 50's--

i love the scene created here, and i could feel the drifting apart of the couple...
she, watching for cars, and the speaker noticing all the nuances of the diner itself..because the fascination with each other had worn off.

[Relic]

I'm glad you liked it Jacob, I appreciate the review.

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

This was a lovely Story and poem I remember going
into Diners like this when I was little I remember they
had Mini jut boxes where you could play music in the
Booths where we would sit and I remember
Spitting Spit balls at my Big brother well he started it then
my mom had to stop it HA...HA I miss those days they were fun
thank you for reminding me of good times .



Makes me think of The Waffle House over here
there's a He Jut box in them I love old fashion places
like this.



You Painted this story beautifully very nicely penned
thank you for sharing.


Blessings. kindred poet

[Relic]

I'm glad I could bring back some memories for you, thanks for the review.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

You're very welcome. and thank you. It's my pleasure always. blessings. kindred poet

[Muse]

Nostalgic and melodically beautiful. I missed your poems. I enjoy all your stuff about the cafe. But I have REALLY missed your poems.


The magic was over.
"I'll call ya." she said.
But we both knew she never would.


We've all lived this moment a time or two. Mundane and lonely encounters, people always coming and going, we become complacent in our casual conversations. "The magic is apparently gone." We become faded and fickle.

[Relic]

What a cool review. Thank you Muse.

[Muse]

Strangely, and sadly I could relate to your words.

[Relic]

That is sad.