May the Wellerman Come

Chapter Twenty: New Rowan

Dec. 23, 2021 @ 4:07P

I take a step closer and the person stands up; they now turn to face me. It's definitely Rowan. Something about him is just, different! He has red hair that goes down to his upper back in a ponytail style, blue eyes, and pale skin. He has two gold earrings and is wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and black rainboots. The weirdest thing about Rowan though is he has a long, three inch, vertical scar going through the middle of his left eye. He also stands at 6'2. I look him up and down before giggling nervously "Uhm, hi, I've actually been looking for ya. Long time no see...do you remember me?" I ask, he gives me an expressionless stare "I know who ya are." He says gruffly; he has a Scottish accent. I smile awkwardly at him "Right, I'm sure you would. Uhm, I was wanting to talk to you, we didn't get to when I hit my head an-" "Ya got hit wit a basketball. Saw it wit me own eye." He says as I nod "Oh, okay. Well, I was wondering, would you maybe want to continue our conversation?" I ask. Rowan looks back before turning back to look at me; biting his bottom lip "Uhm, alright. But jus' fer a little while, I've gotta finish a-workin' on me board." He says making me nod "Oh, okay. Alright, you said you wanted to confront the past and change the future. What did you mean by that?" I ask. Rowan looks down and crosses his arms "I, I made a mistake, Ash. D'ere were a lot o' things I did that were wrong. Ye was jus' tryin' ta go ta school, I shouldn't have got in yer way." He says shamefully "Rowan, you weren't in the wrong. I was selfish, I didn't see how anyone else felt but myself! I'm so sorry." I say. He now looks at me "Ash, it was four years ago. I've moved on, I'm 'bout ta git me own boat. I mean, it hurt, quite a ton. I'm over it." He says with a soft smile. I look at him with an arched brow "Hurt a ton? Then why did you do it?" I ask confusingly. He now gives me the same look "Do what? Ash, you left me
Don't ya rememba?" He asks. My eyes widen; I broke up with Rowan? No, that's not possible. I cross my arms "Rowan, that can't be. I threw my picture away of us because you broke my heart." I say "Oh, Ash...it's okay, I've forgiven ya." He says softly, also looking at me strangely. I shake my head "No, this can't be happening. Come on, let's go somewhere and talk, Rowan." I beg, he now arches his brow "Ash, I can't leave me stand. Tell ya what, I want ta be a friend ta ya. Maybe next month we could hang out." He says. I now look down "So...you don't want..." I trail off, looking up at him "If you're asking what I think it is...I've jus' got a lot in me head. I just want friends fer now." He says. I now nod "Rowan. I wanted to get into college because I wanted a better life, in fact, I wanted it so bad, that I forgot why I was fighting to begin with...I guess what I'm saying is, I'm sorry to have broken up with you, you're a really great guy, and anyone would be blessed to have you." I say. Rowan looks me up and down with wide eyes "Ash, give me a while ta think. I promise I will." He says. I nod at him "Alright, and a question." I say, he looks at me again. "Did you ever come visit me? When it all happened?" I ask. Rowan looks down for a moment before looking at me and nodding "Ev'ry now an' again. I wanted ya ta know ya weren't alone." He says "Thank you..." Is all I can say. I walk away got a moment before turning around to face him. "Rowan, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't make you a priority in my life, and I wasn't really there for you...I really cared for you, Rowan. I still do. You deserve so much more than me." I say. I take one last look at him and walk away. I can't believe this is all happening! Ugh, for one thing, how could it? So I broke up with him now in this world? I just have so many questions, and nowhere near enough answers. I walk on the sidewalk and begin to feel this empty feeling inside, what was I thinking? I just think it's time to maybe, maybe, I just wish things were back to normal; whatever that means...I head home to see my Mom outside walking on the porch "Hey, hon." She greets with a small wave "Hey, Mom. What's up?" I ask as she now puts her hands on her hips "Oh, just walking, I've heard it's great exercise." She says as I nod. I now shift pressure from my right foot to my left "So, uhm, I spoke to Rowan earlier." I say, she now looks at me and arches her brow "Oh?" "Yeah, don't worry, Mom. It was nothing like that. It's just, I can't believe I broke it off." I say, looking down at the grass "I remember when you did...I think it broke the boy's heart. But you wanted to do your classes and get done in time. You've always been my little overachiever after all." She says with a smile making me roll my eyes "Yeah, and I think because of that I've doomed my chances of ever getting married." I say. Mom now walks off the porch and gets in front of me "Ash, don't think like that. You did what you felt was right at the time. Look, I'm not too crazy about Rowan, but if you guys were truly happy together. Who am I to judge? Since you've been in the hospital I've done some thinking, and Rowan would be there in your room. He was there every day for only a couple of hours. How I know is I talked to nurses. He was so crazy about you when you guys dated. Ash, I'm sorry if I might have pushed you too hard with school, and with dating Rowan. I just wanted to say that..." She says shamefully. I smile warmly "Thank you, Mom. Wow...I never thought I'd hear you say that." I say as she laughs "I know, believe me. But it's true, and I mean it. If you guys are meant to be together, it will be so. Just wait and see." She says. I hug her and smile, I'm just happy to be home, and maybe this new version of the world isn't so bad after all. I tell her goodnight and I walk upstairs to my room. I try to think of Doc and Reid; were they real? And was it all a dream? How did the world change so much all of a sudden? Mom's right though; I need to just wait and see I guess, and for once in my life, I want to be selfless.