I waited until Ellen’s shift ended.
For eight hours, I sat at the same table and watched her.
I ordered three more meals.
Each time, I called Ellen over and asked her to recommend a wine pairing.
Finally, her shift ended.
She came out of the staff room after changing her clothes and walked out of the restaurant.
I followed her for a block before calling out.
“Um, Ellen…”
She turned around and looked at me.
Then she said,
“Why are you so dumb?”
“Huh?”
“You ordered food four times.
You could’ve just asked for my phone number.
I would’ve given it to you.”
She shook her head.
“What a waste of money.
Do you want my number?”
“Uh…
yes!”
Then I quickly added,
“Actually, I’d rather sit down somewhere and talk.”
“Aren’t you full already?
Because I’m starving.”
“Then let’s go wherever you want.
There’s something I’d like to ask you while we eat.”
“Sure.
Why not?”
As I followed Ellen down the street, I thought about the woman who had once been my wife.
The first place we met had been a handmade burger shop.
Ellen had been working there part-time. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
She was a college student studying to become an accountant.
I had fallen for her almost immediately.
Just to see her, I went there every day and ordered hamburgers.
Back then, she’d said almost the exact same thing.
“Why do you keep coming here every day for burgers?
You could’ve just asked for my number.
I would’ve given it to you.”
Come to think of it…
Even the timing had changed.
In the Room of Choices, we didn’t meet until three months later.
What had changed?
Why had this variable appeared?
The restaurant Ellen led me to was the very same burger place where I had first met her.
Hans’s Handmade Burgers.
Wow.
It’s been a long time.
No.
In reality, this was my first time here.
Ellen opened the door and held it for me.
Then she walked up to the counter.
“Dad!
One extra-large combo and a Coke for me.
One regular combo and a Coke for him.”
I almost laughed.
Even the way she placed her order was exactly the same.
But…
I had never met Ellen’s father.
Not once.
During our entire life together, she had barely spoken about him.
What was going on?
Ellen casually tossed a comment over her shoulder.
“You know, if you’re trying to impress a woman, you’re supposed to buy her a meal first.
Payment’s over there.”
I walked to the register.
The middle-aged man behind the counter— presumably the owner— stared at me with narrowed eyes.
After paying, I carried the two trays of burgers over to Ellen’s table and sat down.
“Well then,” she said.
“If you’ve got questions, ask away.
Actually, before that…
What’s your name?”
“Luke.
Luke Miller.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr.
Luke.
I’m Ellen Hoffman.”
She smiled.
“All right then, Mr.
Luke.
What was so important that you waited for me all day?
Let’s hear it.”
I sat across from the woman who had once been my wife in the Room of Choices.
The first variable to appear in my perfect scenario.
The woman who should never have been here.