Portals of Perception

Just then Carmine saw a cab.  After we were settled he said, “I guess you didn’t hear. Jody and I split up about three months ago.”

“Oh,” I said.  “I’m sorry,” I added.  But I wasn’t.  I felt my heart give a leap.   Carmine was single!  And, by some miracle of fate, at the same time as I.
“It was a long time coming,” he said. 

He lapsed into silence, not saying anything else until we arrived at my apartment. 

“Too bad Mario’s is closed, I could use something to eat.  I’ll come over one day and buy you dinner. I haven’t had dinner at Mario’s for a long time.”

“Do you want to come up?  I could make you a sandwich or something”  I didn’t intend to lose the opportunity.

Carmine hesitated for a moment.  For a moment it seemed he could read my mind.  “I’ve scared him off,” I thought.

“Yeah, that’d be good.”