For this week’s Thursday Inspiration prompt, Jim Adams has given us the word “treat” and asked up so repond by going with a song that is about deep regret for not showing enough love and appreciation to a partner, admitting shortcomings in words and actions, while reassuring them they were constantly thought of and are still cherished, or a song that expresses remorse for past neglect, and recognizes missed opportunities. As I was reading this, I thought about the Bruno Mars song, “When I Was Your Man.”

After listening to this song and reading the lyrics (at the end of this post), this short, fiction tale came to mind.

He still parked two blocks from her street, though she’d moved out months ago. Habit was hard to break, and guilt even harder. The maple trees lining the sidewalk were bare now, their branches like the bones of what used to live — just like them.

Sam leaned against the hood of his car, the same old silver one she used to complain about. He’d laugh, say he’d put a ring on her finger before he ever replaced it. The joke had stopped being funny a long time ago.

He remembered small things: the way she’d hum along to the radio while washing dishes, the way she’d rest her head on his shoulder during old movies, how he’d scroll through his phone instead of holding her a little tighter. Back then, he thought love was a promise that could wait. Now, he knew it wasn’t.

Last week, Sam saw her by the café window with someone new. The look in her eyes — soft, unguarded — was the one she used to wear when she believed in him. He didn’t look away. He even smiled, though it cut deep.

Tonight, he’d go home and sit at the piano — the one gathering dust since she left. He’d play her favorite tune, halting and uneven, the way his heart felt now. And somewhere in the music, he’d whisper the words he should have said when she was still there to hear them: You deserved more. I should’ve treated you better.

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Here are the lyrics to “When I Was Your Man.”

Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now
Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same
When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name

It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I'll never, never get to clean up the mess I made, ohh…
And it haunts me every time I close my eyes

It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

Although it hurts
I'll be the first to say that I was wrong
Oh, I know I'm probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes
But I just want you to know

I hope he buys you flowers
I hope he holds your hand
Give you all his hours
When he has the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man