He sits by himself at a table for two. The uniformed waiter returns to his side and asks, "Would you like to go ahead and order, sir?" The man has after all been waiting since seven o'clock -- almost half an hour. "No, thank you," the man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer." "How about some more hot chocolate?" "Certainly, sir." The man sits, his clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centerpiece. He fingers his napkin, allowing the sounds of light chatter, tinkling silverware, and mellow music to fill his mind. He is dressed in a sport coat and tie. His dark brown hair is neatly combed, but one stray lock insists on dropping to his forehead. The scent of his cologne adds to his clean-cut image. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. Yet he is not so formal as to make one uncomfortable. It seems that he has taken every precaution to make one feel at ease with him. Still, he sits alone. The waiter returns to fill the man's cup. "Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?" "No, thank you." The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosity. "I don't mean to pry, but..." His voice trails off. This line of questioning could jeopardize his tip. "Go ahead," the man encourages. He is strong, yet sensitive, inviting conversation. "Why do you bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This man has been at the restaurant other evenings, always patiently alone. Says the man quietly, "Because she needs me." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Well, sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs you, she sure isn't acting like it. She stood you up three times just this week." The man winces and looks down at the table, "Yes, I know." "Then why do you still come here and wait?" "Cassie said that she would be here." "She's said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do you?" Now the man looks up, smiles at the waiter and say simply, "Because I love her." The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stands him up three times a week. The man must be crazy, he decided. Across the room he turns to look at the man again. The man slowly pours creme into his hot chocolate. He twirls the spoon between his fingers a few times before stirring. After staring for a moment at the liquid, the man brings the cup to his mouth and sips, silently watching those around him. He doesn't look crazy, the waiter admits. Maybe the girls has qualities that i don't know about. Or maybe the man's love is stronger than most. The waiter shakes himself out of his musings to take an order from a party of five. The man watches the waiter and wonders if he's ever been stood up. The man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He's looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, he wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell him about her day, her triumphs, her defeats...anything, really. He has tried so many times to show Cassie how much he loves her. He'd just like to know that she cares for him, too. His sips sporadically at the hot chocolate and loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping she will show. The clock says 9:30 when the waiter returns to the man's table. "Is there anything I can get for you?" The empty chair stabs at the man, "No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check please?" "Yes, sir." When the waiter leaves, the man picks up the check. He pulls out his wallet and sighs. He has enough money to have given Cassie a feast. But, he takes out only enough to pay for his five cups of hot chocolate and the tip. Why do you do this, Cassie? His mind cries as he gets up from the table. "Good bye," the waiter says as the man walks toward the door. "Good night. Thank you for your service." "You're welcome, sir," says the waiter softly, for he see's the hurt in the man's eyes that his smile doesn't hide. The man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and his eyes glisten as he thinks of the good time he and Cassie would have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it, he thinks. "Seven o'clock tomorrow for party of two?" the hostess confirms. "That's right," the man replies. "Do you think she'll come?" asks the hostess. She doesn't mean to be rude, but she has watched the man many times alone at his table for two. "Someday, yes. And I will be waiting for her." The man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone. His shoulders are hunched, but through the window the hostess can only guess whether they are hunched against the wind or against the man's hurt. As the man turns toward home, Cassie crawls into bed. She is tired after an evening out with friends. As she reaches toward her nightstand to set the alarm, she sees the note that she scribbled to herself last night. "7:00 -- spend some time in prayer," it says. Uh-oh, she thinks. She forgot again. She feels a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushes it aside. She needed the time with her friends. And now she needs her sleep. She can pray tomorrow night. Jesus will forgive her. And she's sure he doesn't mind.