late, is it?
I check my phone.
Damn, it’s after five.
It makes sense that the shop would be closed by now, especially on a Friday.
After hopping back into the Nav, I drive out to Becca’s house.
It’s such a beautiful day. The skies are blue and the birds are chirping. It gives me hope that I can save my relationship.
But my hope is allayed when I pull up her long gravel driveway only to find she’s not home.
“Fuck,” I bite out. “This is so frustrating.”
Becca doesn’t have a garage, and her car’s not here, so it’s pretty obvious she’s out.
Just to be sure, I hop out of my car and walk up to her door.
After knocking and receiving no response, I head around to the back to see if maybe she’s out on the porch, a place that means a lot to us.
I’m leaving no stone unturned.
What if Becca had car trouble and Jodi dropped her off?
I’m considering everything here.
But she’s not on the back porch.
Our chairs, nudged close together like they haven’t been moved since the last time we were out here, just about knocks me on my ass. A barrage of memories of us sitting in these very same spots, sipping iced tea and talking late into the night, overwhelms me.
I need a minute.
“Damn.”
Collapsing down to one of the chairs, I place my head in my hands.
I didn’t truly realize just how much I miss Becca.
This is bad.
This is ripping-your-heart-out level stuff.
I sit for a while, just pulling my shit together.
I consider staying until she returns, but I don’t want to freak her out.
Last thing I need is for her to think I’ve turned into a damn stalker.
But maybe that ship has sailed.
Because here I am, hanging out on her back porch while she’s not home.
Standing, I prepare to leave.
I’ll just come back.
I look around and sigh.
We have got to make this work.
I have to get her back.
Once I return to my vehicle, I head back up the long driveway.
What should I do now?
Where should I go?
I need to waste time before returning.
And you bet your ass I’ll be back.
Nothing can change my mind now.
For old time’s sake, I decide to drive over to the old theatre where Becca and I first met. The little town where it’s located isn’t far.
That means I reach my destination quickly.
“Hey, Say Anything is playing,” I murmur to myself when I see the marquee.
Someone is pulling out of a spot right out in front, so I wait and pull in once they’re gone.
Yep, I’m going in.
I need to waste a little time to allow Becca a chance to return home anyway, right?
The movie will be a good distraction.
I’ll swing by her place afterward.
I check the clock on the dash and find it’s five to seven.
“Shit, the movie starts in five minutes. I better get my ass in there.”
I head inside and buy a ticket in the lobby.
Just for the hell of it—and mostly to remind me of Becca—I purchase a big tub of buttered popcorn from the concession stand.
Once I’m inside the theatre itself, it takes me a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness.
The previews are playing, providing the only real illumination.
I forgot how dark this place is.
As I start down the aisle, I think about where I should sit. It’s not like the place is super crowded or anything, but there are more people in attendance than there were last time I was here.
I walk a few rows down, and then stop.
That’s when I hear a gasp from the back of the theatre, an all too familiar gasp.
Joy fills my heart as I spin around.
I see her, even in the darkness.
I’d know her anywhere.
Yes, there she is in the back row, right where we sat on Valentine’s Day.
Softly, I murmur, “Becca?”
I take one step in her direction, praying she doesn’t get up and run.
History Rewritten
Holy crap!
Lars just walked into the theatre.
What’s the chance?
I let out a gasp of surprise.
I think he hears me.
Why else is he turning around?
Even from a few rows away, that electricity that always runs between us sparks to life.
It’s only been a little over two weeks since I last saw him, but it feels like forever.
I thought I was doing sort of okay without him.
Ha!
How could I have been so blind?
I was sadly mistaken.
This man gives me life.
I feel more alive now, my senses more acute, especially when it comes to him.
I guess that’s why I can hear him when he says, “Becca?”
I swear I even