For The First Time

Ludwig pushed his bangs back as he walked down the sidewalk, not even paying attention to where he was going. He and Alice weren't going to make rent again.

All because he lost his job two months ago.

He stopped when he got to the park and just looked up at the sky. Everything was great until he got laid off at work.

Now he and Alice were barely making it.

He sighed and clasped his hands together behind his head. She should just leave me, I can't provide for her now anyway. he thought bitterly.

He brought his hands down and something glittering on his hand stopped his thoughts.

His ring.

Ludwig's memories went back to when he and Alice got married a year ago.

He gulped, wanting to punch himself.

"Ludwig?"

Ludwig glanced over his shoulder to see Alice standing behind him. She held up his keys.

"You wouldn't have been able to get back into the apartment silly," she said with a smile.

Ludwig turned, looked at his wife sadly. She was smaller than usual. She also looked weary. She started working two jobs when he lost his.

He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, just glad to feel her. He rested his cheek on top of her head.

"It's going to be okay, amore."

Ludwig looked down at her. She smiled up at him. He looked into her eyes, seeing that she believed what she said.

He closed his eyes to stop the tears from coming out, wondering how such a little person could be so strong when he couldn't.

He cupped the back of her head, kissing her forehead.

Ludwig felt hope for what seemed like the first time.

******

We're smiling but we're close to tears,
even after all these years
We just now got the feeling
that we're meeting for the first time...