A Magic Moment on the Sidewalk

We knew as soon as we locked eyes that our connection was something special. I managed to keep my cool and walk casually towards him, but he abandoned all decorum and rushed towards me with tail held aloft and amber eyes gleaming. We had a few golden moments there on the sunny sidewalk as I stroked his gray fur and cooed "you're a pretty boy, you're such a pretty boy" and he purred like a propeller. But, alas, the moment had to end. I explained to him that I had a [deathly allergic] husband and our relationship had no future. We would just have to cherish this time, hold it in our hearts and carry on with our lives. When I straightened up to keep walking home, he froze in shock. The hurt and confusion emanating from his eyes was palpable. I assured him once more that this was not a fling, it was simply a connection that wasn't met to be. Resolutely, I squared my shoulders and walked away, only turning once to look back. He remained frozen in shock, paws in the process of walking forward to rub against my leg when I had delivered the news. This is the picture of him I will carry with me until the day we might once again meet on a sun-drenched sidewalk.