A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 2

Sidney Lewis was in her last semester at James Morgan University where she majored in business. By all accounts, she was a very likable young woman, but a bit on the shy and naive side. Her father, Todd, was a native of California. Her mother Sophia, was an immigrant to the United States from Greece and was married to Todd for nearly thirty years. By anyone's account, they were a devout family, and Sidney remained active in her college's Christian ministry. On her last spring break before she graduated from college, Sidney and several of her friends traveled to enjoy the surf, sand, and a little nightlife in Santa Monica. On their last day there while her friends were getting ready to go out for the evening, Sidney decided to try for one more good wave before calling it a day. She loved the beach, surfing was her passion; her tanned skin reflected that. The feeling of the wind in her long brown hair as she surfed was something she loved. She also loved scuba diving and spent the better part of a day diving near a coral reef.

"Hello," there came a voice behind her. She was startled when she turned to see a young man with sandy-blond hair and scruffy beard approach her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that you looked familiar from back there, and I wanted to be friendly."

Sidney remembered seeing the man on the beach earlier and thinking he was very attractive, and she couldn't help blushing. "Sorry, I don't think we've ever met." Really? That's what you're going to start with? She thought. She tried not to look embarrassed as she felt. Sidney had never seriously dated anyone. A boyfriend was out of the question. Her friends always told her to loosen up and quit spending so much time with her nose in books.

He didn't seem to notice her nervousness though, and if he did, he wasn't letting on. "Well, that's a shame really. I'm Lawson, Lawson Pierson, and who might you be?"

His smile was so disarming to her. There were few people that she knew who could put her at ease, but this Lawson whatever he said his name was did so like a pro. A small voice inside her head told her this was too good to be true, but she dismissed it. "I'm Sidney Lewis. Good to meet you, Lawson," she said with a smile. Oh gosh, Sidney, you're doing it again. Stop blushing, she thought. "Um, where are you from? She thought. Really, Sidney, ask something interesting for once, she thought again.

"Probably from no place you've ever heard of really. I'm originally from outside a small town called Warrenton, not that far from here actually."

"Warrenton?" she exclaimed. "I grew up there. I graduated just a few years ago. I mean, I'm about to graduate now. College. James Morgan University. About thirty miles from here. Did you go to school there? I don't remember you."

"Oh no, I graduated from private school, but we must have seen each other about a few times."

"Yeah, maybe."

"Look, my things are over there on the beach. What say we grab our stuff and catch up somewhere over dinner?"

"Oh wow, yeah, that would be great. Wait, no, I can't. I'm supposed to go out with my friends tonight. It's our last big time before graduation, and we promised. I really want to, really." Calm down, girl, you sound desperate, she thought.

"Tell you what, then. Why don't you give me your number, and I'll call you next week for that dinner. I know a really nice place near the beach."

"Yeah, um, yes, that sounds....yeah, that sounds great."

"You competitive at all, Sidney?"

"A little."

"All right, then try to keep up with me." He caught the incoming wave so naturally.

Sidney snapped out of her daze and caught the next one. She had to admit he was pretty good, but she was better. Do I beat him or let him win? she thought. She decided to try and beat him to shore, but he stuck with her the whole way.

"Hey, you're good," he said, flashing an irresistible smile.

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," Looking up, she could see one of her college friends waving and calling to her. She waved back and told him she had to go. They exchanged numbers and agreed to dinner next week. With that, she stared back to her room. That night, her friends picked on her the whole night about finally meeting her Prince Charming.

Lawson was true to his word. He called her on Tuesday, and she agreed to go out with him that Friday night. She lived in an apartment with two of her friends off campus. She gave him the address and counted the hours until the appointed time. Her roommates teased her about never seeing her so excited over a guy before. When the night arrived, Lawson was a few minutes early. Her roommate Donna let him in, and Sidney started to nearly panic. She checked herself in the mirror for the hundredth time and finally walked in the sitting area to find him holding several newy picked flowers. "I found these for you. They do not do you justice. You look amazing."

Oh gosh, here comes the blushing again, she thought. As they walked together, they chatted about the week they had and other small talk. Then she saw his car. "That's your car" she said aloud without meaning to. She didn't know the make and model, but she knew by its looks it was very expensive.

"A small thing really," he said, trying to put her at ease. I got it from a dealer in LA a couple of years ago. It gets me around town."

"Gosh, Lawson, I don't know if I should sit in it or not. I'm afraid I might break something." Okay, why hasn't he left me by now with all those stupid comments? She thought.

Lawson laughed, "Please, it's just a car. Let me get the door for you."

She had to admit he had an easy way about him. She half-expected him to take off like a fight pane, but to her surprise, he drove like everyone else. They talked the entire way to the restaurant, which overlooked the ocean, and had valet parking. This was way more than she was used to, and it made her a little uncomfortable. He almost could sense her unease, and he reassured her that she had no reason to be shy. After they ordered their meals, Sidney's curiosity got the better of her. "So what is it you do for a living?" she asked him, hoping it wasn't too soon for that question. She could tell by his car that whatever it was brought him a very comfortable lifestyle. He didn't seem to mind the question, and she was relieved.

"Well as strange as it sounds, I work for my father's trucking company. My job requires me to travel around meeting with clients, mostly on the West Coast. From time to time, I'll visit places like Atlanta, Richmond, New York, and others in between."

"Wait, a trucking company?" she asked him. "Pierson Trucking Company? Oh gosh, yes, how did I not get that before?"

"I am not really a celebrity so it's okay. Actually, I'm glad. Some women see the car or the clothes, and all they see are the dollars." He took a drink from his glass. "But that's not you, is it?" Lawson could see her shift uncomfortably in her seat."That's a good thing. I can tell you are not like so many others. You're special. And I just went all weird on you."

"No, not at all," she said as she smiled back at him. The rest of the evening went by smoothly. They talked as if they were old friends. The date ended just after midnight. She shyly asked if he would like to come in, but he politely refused, saying he should return home, but he promised to call her. He took her hand and kissed it with a good night. She shut the door behind her, nearly out of breath. Donna was staring at her with a sly smile on her face. "Oh shut up," Sidney said and went to her bedroom.