Meeting David for Coffee #1

Lauryn sat nervously at the coffee shop, stirring her latte. She glanced at her phone, anxiously awaiting David's arrival.  
 
An older lady smiled in passing and said, “You look so lovely. When is your baby due.”  
 
Lauryn blushed. “I’m close to five months. Thank you for being nice, but I feel fat.”  
 
“Oh honey, being with child is the most special time. Enjoy it.” And with that, the lady walked toward the door with her coffee in hand.  
 
Lauryn's thoughts raced back to August 5, the last time she'd seen David. Oh hell, she thought. August 5 was the first time I'd seen David. She shook her head. He’d been so mean since then but his most recent message seemed so kind. She wondered what had happened.  
 
As the door chimed, Lauryn looked up to see David entering the cafe. He was taller than she remembered. He spotted her and approached with a hesitant smile. "Lauryn," he said, and his eyes dipped for a moment.    
"David," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.  
 
The air felt wet with unspoken words. Lauryn couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that hung over her from that one-night fling that had changed their lives and the lives of others.  
 
David began, “Lauryn, I want to begin my child support payments now.” He pulled an envelope from his jacket and placed in next to Lauryn’s hand. “I put extra in this month to make up for the last few.”  
 
Lauryn blushed and said nothing but slid it into her purse.  
 
 After some small talk about mundane things, David took a deep breath and said, "Lauryn, I know things have been complicated, and I'm not proud of what happened. Is there any way we can begin again?”  
 
Lauryn sighed. Her shoulders looked as if they hung heavy below her neck. She imagined Joseph hearing this conversation. She looked down at her hands, clasped tightly around her coffee cup.  
 
"David, I have a life with Joseph now. We have a baby on the way. He plans to adopt the child and give her his name. I can't just revisit the past like that. It's not fair to him."  
 
David nodded, “You’re right. I was stupid to bring it up.”  
 
He paused.  But I need closure. I need forgiveness. Can we meet again, just to talk? I just want us to both move forward."  
 
Lauryn hesitated, torn between her loyalty to Joseph and the strange desire she had for healing things with David. After a moment, she sighed again, giving in to the complexity of the situation. "Okay, David. We can meet again. But let's keep it clear – just talking, nothing more."  
 
David's expression softened with gratitude. "Thank you, Lauryn. I appreciate this. It means a lot to me."  
 
“When?” Lauryn asked, looking back at her cup.  
 
“Can we meet now?”  
 
Lauryn laughed. “We are meeting now.”  
 
David smiling. Yes, but we can’t really talk here with everyone around. Here, let me refill your coffee.”  
 
As they exited the coffee shop, Lauryn couldn't shake the conflicting emotions within her. Meeting David again was a step into the past, and she couldn't predict where it would lead. The only certainty was that she felt a tingle of excitement travel up hear spine when he held the door for her.  
 
To be continued