Melissa sat on the bench that she always sat on during her lunch hour under the blossoming cherry tree. She had made sitting on the bench a habit after she first spotted Tom Hatcher in the lobby of the hospital. She waited to see Tom walk by everyday for the last couple of weeks. Every day, he walked with his shoulders forward and his head down. It was contrary to his looks. He had the face of a confident man, lined with experience and forethought. Melissa could tell that he was hurting and she wanted to reach out to him. He didn’t notice her for two weeks. Then yesterday he said hi to her and today they shared an elevator ride.

She knew him from television, of course. He was as handsome in person and she wanted to meet him. However, he never looked like he was in the mood to...

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