Later in the evening, when it had died down a considerable amount, Ben’s parents came in. The very same day I had had my awkward reunion with him.
His parents, mother especially, had been there for emotionally over the past 4 years, more than my own had been. She meant the world to me and made it even that much harder to end our relationship. When she locked eyes with me while standing in the concession line, she nearly broke into tears instantly. It took every shred of professionalism in my body not to do the same. But my hands shook violently as I got her popcorn, and the corners of my mouth trembled with overwhelming nostalgia as I smiled and refused to take their money.
She leaned in, kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “You were the best thing that ever happened to him.” She smiled weakly, obviously teary-eyed. And I watched wordlessly as she entered the dark theater.

That night, I clocked out early. Before her movie ended and I had the chance to brush my happy past that closely ever again.