Just to be absolutely sure

You’ve seen a pigeon walk in a circle. He seems unsure or hesitant and just loops back around, retracing his claw steps. I saw this lady pigeon walk up to a corner with 2 other pigeons. They all kind of mulled around a bit, saying their goodbyes, and while the other 2 pigeons crossed the street going West, the lady pigeon began like she was going to cross to the North but then circled back around as soon as the others were at a safe enough distance that they wouldn’t notice. She made the circle another 2 or 3 times, fretting over each step. When she completed the next circle, she continued South for 2 blocks and then turned the left corner. Her pace slowed as she approached a black-awninged bar with a warm glow coming from it’s front windows, barely visible on the dark night sidewalk. “This may be a terrible idea, but before I give up I must be absolutely sure.” And with that, she entered the bar.

Of course he was there, but she walked in with her head down and would never be sure if he noticed her right away or not. Instead, she made her way to the back of the bar and found the face of the other man. It pained her that this man, the one she cared nothing for, was the only one who appeared happy to see her. He greeted her with a booming hello, set a glass in front of her, and asked about her day. Such simple gestures, but they came from the wrong one. When the other, the one who just a week earlier had filled her with an easy hope and then took it away even more easily, finally came to say hello, she knew. She knew by the tone of his voice and the hidden panic between his eyebrows. He made small talk, made excuses, even had the nerve to compliment her when she brought up The Cramps and Charlie Rose. The smart thing would have been to leave, or to never have come in the first place. But, as pigeons often do, she circled round and round, knowing full well that while no progress was being made, her own time and dignity were being wasted. But she stayed on. Just to be absolutely sure.