Fate Intervened

I Am So Sorry

AMY

I walk back into my old house and everything looks exactly the same. In the living area, I can still remember sitting on that couch and crying my eyes out because of the bully at school. And I remember that couch as well that couch, that couch has a different story.

I had a boyfriend in high school and I thought that he was the love of my life but soon I realized that someone asked him, as a dare, to ask me out. That was a low blow. But I am happy to be back home with my dad and my brother. This is the place where I can find peace from my busy schedule in the city.

I make my way to my old room and they eagerly bring my suitcases to put down on my bed.

"I am so happy that you are back where you belong"

My dad has been begging me to come back home ever since I left. He never liked me being in the city all by myself. But what he does not know is that I am not alone. I have friends and hospital staff and also Jen to keep me company.

"I see you brought your entire closet"

It is only my brother that will make a comment like that. He always claimed that I have more than enough clothes and that I never had to buy clothes again. But clearly, he had not heard of retail therapy?

"Yeah, yeah why do you not just keep your comments for yourself?"

I playfully slap him on his shoulder and he pulls me in for a hug.

"You know that I am only kidding right?"

"Yes, I know"

"Now, if you two are finished can we please go and have some coffee in the kitchen?"

We make our way downstairs and we sit at the counter while my dad makes us a cup of coffee. I feel completely loved and relaxed. But there is one thought that I can not seem to get out of my mind. It is the man that I saw in the coffee shop. How can he make such a big impression on me if I have only but seen him once before? I try to get him out of my thoughts and focus on the conversation.

"Brandon, did you see old man Sanders today?"

"Yes, I saw him this morning but it looks like I am not needed anymore"

I have no idea what they are talking about and soon they fill me in on who old man Sanders is. Then they continue their conversation.

"Why do you say you are not needed anymore you know that he is hopeless without you?"

"Someone else opened the door this morning and it turned out to be his grandson. He seems to be a really nice guy and did not have any hang-ups with me bringing groceries for him. Actually, he thanked me for looking after his grandpa"

You decide to jump into the conversation.

"So, is this the first time that someone came to visit old man Sanders?"

"Yes, no one really goes and sees him because he is so stubborn and he doesn't like people to help him. But this man is not from around here he must be from the city if I am judging by the car that he drives and the clothes he wears. He said he will be staying here for a couple of days and that I do not have to worry about groceries"

I sit and listen to the rest of the conversation and I wonder who that guy is that came from the city. I know that gossip travel fast in small towns, like this. He will probably be the talk of the town tomorrow. I decide to go and visit my old hangout, where we used to visit as friends. I might just find an old friend or two there, as most of them decided to stay here and make their living around here.

MIKE

I see my grandpa's face and he looks like one of those adverts on TV. About those old grumpy men and now I am standing next to one. I always knew that my grandpa was stubborn but I didn't know to what extent. This man Brandon, obviously only wants to do something good for him and here he is telling him to his face how much he irritates him.

"I am so sorry. It's Brandon, right?"

"Yes, that is right and you are?"

"Sorry, I am Mike, I am this grumpy old man's grandson"

"I am not grumpy!"

"Yes, you are a grandpa. It is clear that Brandon here just wants to help you so that you do not have to go to the shops every day?"

I watch him throw his hands in the air, turning around and going back to his room. I turn back to Brandon.

"Did you bring those groceries for my grandpa?"

"Yes, I did. I am sorry if I have caused you any trouble"

"No, you did not cause me any trouble. I know how difficult my grandpa can be. Do you come by every week?"

"Yes, only because I know how he struggles to go to the shops. I did not mean him any harm"

"No, not at all, I really appreciate you looking after my grandpa when I can not be here, to look after him myself. It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you once again"

Then we greet each other and he turns around to go back to his house. I forgot how small-town people work. They like to look after each other. I must say I miss those things in the city. I spend a few more hours with my grandpa and then decide to go and have a beer at the local bar.

I open the door to the pub and to my surprise, I see one of my long lost friends sitting at the bar.

"Mike!"

John comes up running to me and hugs me.

"Man, when last we see each other?"

"I am not sure, it must be longer than 10 years ago. It is so good to see you!"

I sit next to my long lost friend, John, and fellow jock. We chat about old times and how our lives have changed since High School.

"Did you hear about the reunion?"

"Oh no, do not tell me there is going to be another reunion?"

I remember the last time there was one. All I can say is that it was not such a beautiful picture. Everyone got drunk and of course, there was a fight. Then there was something, about someone that slept with somebody's wife, and let's just say, not everyone had a good time. Now, they want to do another reunion?

"Do they not remember the last time we had one?"

"I think everyone remembers the last reunion, but it has been ten years now and it is due for another one, according to Penny"

"Well, why did you not just lead with Penny wants to do a reunion? Then everything makes sense because she can not seem to leave High School behind her"

We laugh together and take another sip of our drink.

"So? Do you think you are going to go?"

"Are you serious about this?"

"Well, my wife really wants to go and it would be nice to have my friend there too"

"I do not know. When does Penny want to do this?"

"One week from today"

But then my attention is suddenly diverted from our conversation, as a beauty beyond my comprehension walks through the door. I can not believe my eyes. Is this the same woman that I saw in the coffee shop the other day in the city? It can not be, I am very far from the city.

But as she walks past me her scent fills my senses. A hint of honey and vanilla almost slap me through the face and I know, this is the same woman that I saw in the coffee shop, as it is impossible to forget her scent. She walks over to a booth and takes a seat. Everything in me screams out to be next to her right now.

"Mike?"

I feel a hand on my shoulder, shaking me.

"W-what?"

I turn angrily back to John and then he frowns at me.

"Are you okay? Did you hear me?"

Then it is as if I remember, that I was talking to John before she walked into the bar. I try to snap my thoughts back to John.

"I am sorry no I was distracted. What were you saying?"

"I said I need to get back to my wife. Are you going to be okay alone?"

"Yes, I will be fine thank you, it was good to catch up"

He stands up and gets his keys but before he leaves he turns back to me.

"Think about the reunion, okay?"

"Yeah, I will think about it but do not get your hopes up. There will be very little that will get me to a reunion, especially one that penny is organizing"

He just chuckles and then walks out the door. My eyes immediately flick back to her. I can not believe that I am seeing the same woman from the coffee shop, in my hometown. Who is she? I get the bartender's attention and sent a drink her way.

AMY

I find myself a cozy booth and remember all the things we did in these booths. I can not help but smile to myself as I get my old trusty book out of my purse. I am just about to open and read it when a waiter walks up to me.

"Here you go, mam"

She puts a drink down in front of me on my table. I am sure I did not order anything yet.

"I am sorry but I have not ordered this drink"

"Yes, you are right. This drink is from the gentleman at the bar"

She gestures towards the bar and then I see the man sitting at the counter. He has completely turned around on his chair to look at me. As our eyes meet my heart starts to race. This is the same guy that I saw at the coffee shop the other day.

I know this is him because you can not miss his unforgettable green, blue eyes. He smiles at me and I return his smile. I swallow deeply as I do not know what should happen next or how I should react. I would not mind having his company as he has never left my thoughts, since that day.

I look down at my drink and when I look back up again, he is gone. I feel my heart sinking into my shoes. I really wanted to have his company tonight. I wanted to get to know the stranger that does not want to leave my thoughts.

Then suddenly he appears right before my eyes.

"Hey"

He has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen and his presence is unmistakable. I try to respond as calmly as possible.

"Hey…"

"May I?"

He gestures towards the seat across from me and I answer him as if my heart is not trying to escape my ribcage.

"Sure"

"I hope that you like the drink, I send you? I was not sure whether you would like it"

You see a blush on his face as if he seems to be a bit shy. You know this feeling very well as you are someone that would rather read a book than talk to a total stranger.

"No, no I...I like this it is a good choice"

"Oh, that is good to hear"

You can see relief falling on his face as if he was scared that he might have sent the wrong drink.

"So, what are a city girl like you, doing in a small town like this?"

"Well, I have a legitimate reason to be here. My parents live here. What about you?"

"I also have a good reason, I came to visit my grandfather. It seems we like to run into each other…"

MIKE

I am trying my best to keep calm. I know that I should not get too excited. But I am struggling to keep my heart from racing. This woman that sits before me has intoxicated me with her long brown hair and dark brown eyes. My hands start to shake and I know I am in trouble.

"I am sorry I have to go. I am so so sorry…"

I can not believe that I am doing this but I have to. I stand up and walk out the door to my car.