But a month ago, it happened.

I was having dinner in a restaurant. I had been eyeing the bouncy little figure from across the room, noticing a personality conveyed so strong. I couldn't even see her face. Over the course of dinner, it was just a mild curiosity drawing my attention.

I had to use the restroom, requiring me to walk to that side of the room. I felt anticipation.

She was around 2 years old, able to walk but in that wobbly way. Her mom was cute-hot, so she herself was luscious adorable with big bright eyes and soft chubby cheeks. Her features were soft, oh so soft. Her disposition, an intense playful. She bursts out in laughter, giggles, bubbles, cherries. Probably charming to be around. Charismatic and poised. I gathered all this from a glance.

She was having a good time with herself. Now that's alluring. Her parents were there, but they weren't paying her any attention. She was chanting and humming softly something about catching fish. As I neared her table, right at the restroom's entrance, I couldn't help myself. I had to sneak a peak at her face. Spinning around, I made a face and repeated her fish chant in exaggerated fashion. I wasn't expecting anything, kids are usually shy with strangers. Perhaps she would look away. Maybe she would ignore me.

I couldn't have expected what came next. Without the slightest hesitation, she looked up and smiled deeply right into my eyes, dimpled cheeks beaming with pleasure. There was not a moment's hesitation or doubt. Just a vast, all-loving satisfaction with the way of the world. She was amused by me. And this fact amused her. She was endlessly amused. She returned my exaggerated chant with a bold one of her own, beckoning my response. Her voice was loud and confident, but there was no challenge or sass in it. She wanted, simply, to play. Meow.

I never saw her again. After I came out of the restroom, the family was gone. The memory, however, remains. I doubt it will ever fade. The radiance of her smile, it's just not possible to forget.

What gets me the most is the way I turned my back on her without a second glance. Why did I walk away? For a while, I told myself that I didn't want to creep out the parents. And that I was in a hurry to use the restroom. But I've realized all that would be false. Well, okay, I was being creepy, and I did have to pee, but that's not why I turned away. The real reason is that I was caught off guard. I wasn't prepared for the pure joy, for such honesty. I retreated. She invited me to play, and I had no response.

I would give anything for a second chance.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3925308&forum_id=2#35658641)