44. I am more than fine

MICHAEL

Alison gasped. I guess she wasn't ready for what I was about to say. I figured if I threw enough hints at her, she would anticipate this better. I even threw the cliché line, 'it's not you, it's me.'

"You want to break up? Why...oh....why!!" Alison screeched. Other customers at the café looked at us curiously. Some had their cellphone out. Oh great, are we about to become a viral video on social media?

"Calm down, Ali. People are watching us!" I said in a hushed tone.

"Let them watch. Let them all see how my boyfriend is breaking my heart in public, no less!" She made a sniffling sound. She held a napkin on her face and loudly snorted into it.

"Whoa, Ali. don't cry out here." I waved my hand desperately. I did not handle somebody crying in front of me, especially when I was the reason behind it. It made me uncomfortable, and I never knew what to do about it. "There's no reason to cry," I said and tried to touch her arm but she swatted my hand away.

"Why? Am I embarrassing you?