I’d always wanted to travel, so when I got the opportunity to work on a project in Europe, I jumped at the chance. I packed my bags and said goodbye. Not knowing when I would be back.

I arrived in Italy and started my work right away. I met a lot of new people but one person in particular caught my eye. I met her at a bistro. She was a server. Her name was Sophia, and she was drop-dead gorgeous. 

We said nothing at first.

We didn't have to. I wasn't too bad looking back then. So I could tell she was interested in me by the way she would smile and stare every time I came in. Of course, I wanted nothing more than to take her out and paint the town red.

But as fate would have it, I was already married with a daughter and one on the way at the time.

So we just flirted back and forth. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife. I draw her pretty flowers on the napkin and she’d drop me a word or two on the napkin the next time I came in. If I’d stayed in the country much longer I would have taken her out and back to my little flat. 

But that never happened. 

After a few months, my wife called and said she needed me back home, my daughter wasn't well. So, of course, like any good father, I packed up and headed home without ever saying goodbye to Sophia.

I often find myself thinking of that sweet apricot aroma in the diner and that fire in her eyes.

Every day I wish I would have made the move. 

As it turns out, my wife was having an affair of her own with the neighbor across the street. Old Bony Bob. His wife found out before I did, and that lady went berserk and smashed out my wife's car windows. 

When I arrived back home I found my daughter in great health. Not a thing wrong with her. She gave me divorce papers and took off with Bony Bob and my daughter. Some place up north. Never heard from her again. 

Word to the wise. Do what makes you happy today. That’s how I live, and I love every second.