For once Audrey was not only on time, but early. She could hardly sleep previous night but not from anxiety, from excitement. She got to see Seymour in the morning. And now she knew finally, he felt the same way.
She stepped into the shop and the bell above the door jingled.
"Seymour!" she called before taking two steps in.
The store appeared to be empty. She stepped over Audrey II's vines, now entangled in a web of obstacles on the shop floor. She poked her head in the basement. Empty.
"Seymour?" she called again.
She rounded the corner past the counter and into the back room. There he was sitting at the table with his back to her. His head was placed face down on the table and his hands sat tangled in his hair. Smiling she sat down beside him. The chair scraped against the floor making a faint scooting sound, causing Seymour to jump. He looked up, genuinely surprised to see her. He didn't look as though he had slept much either. He was still wearing his blue shirt and khakis from yesterday and his eyes were red behind his glasses. He sat up slightly and rested his hands on the table.
"Seymour, sweetheart, what's going on?" she asked grabbing one of his hands and enlacing her fingers.
Seymour said nothing. He couldn't even look at her. His eyes fell from her face down to their hands as her thumb stroked back and forth. Audrey glanced around the room. Mr. Mushnik appeared to not be there. Maybe he hadn't arrived yet? She glanced back at Seymour. Something was on his mind. It was clear in his eyes. It wasn't uncommon for him to cry. He did it often enough, but he wasn't now. He just looked numb. She leaned forward and placed a deep kiss on his cheek and he loosened up. It was almost as if he was stone and her kiss freed him.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He shook his head, keeping his gaze on their entwined hands.
"That's okay. Just let me know when."
A smile rippled on his mouth for just a moment before it vanished. He looked up now and met her eyes. She cared so much for him. He could see that. Without saying a word he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace. Squeezing his eyes shut he rested his chin down on her shoulder. She ran her hand up and down his back as if to say "It's okay, I'm here". He held tightly as if any second she'd be gone.
"I'm sorry I didn't call last night Audrey," he whispered into her hair.
"That's okay sweetie."
Finally, he smiled.
