Janice’s heart pounded every time Colin messaged her. Their conversations were effortless, their connection undeniable. But as their first date approached, fear gripped her.

She had kept one truth from him—she was blind. How long could she hide her secret before Colin realized she navigated a world he could see but she never had?

The soft glow of the computer screen cast faint shadows on the walls as she sat at her desk, listening to the robotic voice of her screen reader.

Message from Colin: I love that author. One winter, I read nearly ten of his books. ‘Love is War’ is my favorite. What about you?”

Janice smiled, her fingers brushing the keys as she carefully found the right one to respond.

“Good choice,” she dictated softly. “I might’ve picked that one too, but I really loved ‘The Princess’s Favorite.’ I remember bawling at the ending—I couldn’t stop for hours.”

She hit send, then exhaled. Their conversations were so natural, so easy. But would that change once he knew the truth?

Her phone buzzed.

Message from Colin: That book made me tear up too. There’s something about the way he writes grief—it feels so real. By the way, looking forward to Saturday. Can’t wait to finally meet you in person. 😊

Her stomach twisted. She was excited to meet him, but also terrified. Should she tell him beforehand? Give him a chance to cancel if he wanted? Or was that just her fear convincing her she wasn’t enough?

She bit her lip. No, she’d go. She’d show up just like anyone else. If he liked her for who she was, he’d accept everything about her.

—

Saturday came too fast.

Her friend, Maya, helped her pick out an outfit. “You look great,” Maya said, squeezing Janice’s hand reassuringly. “Are you nervous?”

“Beyond nervous,” Janice admitted. “But I have to do this.”

Maya hailed a cab for her, and soon, she was on her way to the café where she and Colin had agreed to meet. Her cane tapped against the pavement as she stepped out, her fingers brushing over the familiar textured grip.

Inside, the aroma of coffee and fresh pastries filled the air. Janice took a slow breath and listened. The clatter of cups, the hum of conversation—she focused on it all, grounding herself.

She had arrived early. Good. It gave her a moment to compose herself.

Then she heard a familiar voice. “Janice?”

Her pulse jumped. She turned toward the sound, smiling. “Colin?”

“Yes.” He sounded delighted. “Wow, you’re even prettier than I imagined.”

Her heart swelled at his sincerity. “Thank you.”

There was a pause, a moment of hesitation. And then, before she could decide whether to say anything, Colin spoke again.

“I, um… I didn’t realize you were blind.”

Her breath caught. “Is that a problem?”

“No! Not at all. I just… I wish you’d told me.”

She bit her lip. “I wanted to, but I was scared. People treat me differently when they know.”

“I get that,” he said. “But you don’t have to be scared with me.”

She turned her head toward his voice. “You mean that?”

“I do,” he said softly. “Let’s sit?”

Relief flooded her as she nodded, letting him guide her to the table. The date went smoothly after that. They laughed, talked, and shared more about their lives. By the end of it, Janice realized something—Colin hadn’t treated her like she was fragile. He had listened, asked questions, and most importantly, acted like he wanted to know her, not just her blindness.

As they parted ways, he squeezed her hand. “Can I see you again?”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

She had spent so much time afraid of rejection that she’d nearly missed the chance for something real. But today had taught her a lesson: the right people wouldn’t just accept her—they’d appreciate her for exactly who she was.

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