I will love you from afar

Chapter 5:

I laced up my sneakers and set out for a jog through the neighborhood, hoping the physical activity might clear my mind. The sun was warm on my face as I ran, but my thoughts were heavy. As I rounded a familiar corner, I found myself standing in front of Sam's old house, the one I had so many memories of.

The sight of the house brought a flood of nostalgia—of days spent playing in the street, rain or shine, and the laughter we shared. I was so lost in those memories that I didn't notice a car approaching until I heard the faint buzzing sound. Startled, I realized I was blocking the driveway.

Quickly, I stepped aside, mumbling an apology, "I'm so sorry." As the car window rolled down, I looked up and froze. It was Sam's father, a face I hadn't seen in years but remembered vividly.

He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Do you need anything, or are you lost?"

I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. "No, I'm okay. Thank you."

As I began to walk away, I heard him call out again. "Is that you, Alex?"

My heart skipped a beat. I turned back slowly, trying to gauge his reaction. "Yes, it's me," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

He studied me for a moment, his expression softening with recognition. "I didn't expect to see you here. How have you been?"

I wasn't sure how to respond. This was an unexpected turn in my quest, but it seemed like a chance to reconnect in a way I hadn't anticipated. I took a deep breath, ready to share a bit of my story and see where this conversation would lead.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I just came back from LA yesterday," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray my anxiety.

Sam's father's eyes widened with surprise and something else—perhaps curiosity or even a hint of warmth. "Oh, come on then! Let's catch up inside. It's been too long."

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the house. Memories of old times and the unexpected turn of events made me feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. But the invitation was too generous to decline.

"Thank you," I said, stepping forward. "I'd like that."

He gestured for me to follow him, and I walked up the path to the front door, my heart racing with anticipation and a touch of fear. As we entered the house, the familiar scent of home and the warmth of the environment brought back more memories.

Sam's father led me into the living room, a place that seemed both comforting and alien after all these years. "Let me get us something to drink," he said, moving towards the kitchen.

I sat down on the couch, taking in the surroundings. It felt strange to be here, but also oddly right. I tried to steady my breathing, mentally preparing for whatever conversation might come next.

Sam's father returned with two glasses of iced tea, setting one in front of me as he took a seat across from me. He looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "So, Alex, it's been a long time. How have you been since you left so abruptly? We were all worried about you."

I took a sip of the cold tea, grateful for the moment to gather my thoughts. "It's been a journey," I began, trying to find the right words. "My family moved to LA for work, and I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye to anyone. I know it must have seemed like I just disappeared."

He nodded, listening intently. "Yes, it was quite sudden. We never really knew what happened. It must have been difficult for you, moving so far away like that."

"It was," I admitted. "I tried to adjust and build a life there. I've been working as a writer, and things have been going well professionally, but I've always felt like something was missing."

He studied me with a thoughtful expression. "And what brings you back here now?"

"I guess..." I hesitated, searching for the right way to express my feelings. "I needed to come back and see if there was still a place for me here. I've missed this place, and more importantly, I've missed Sam. I wanted to reconnect and see how she's doing."

He gave me a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure she'd be glad to see you. It's good to reconnect with old friends. But I should tell you, she's been very busy with her career. She's a well-known actress now, so her schedule is quite packed."

"I understand," I said, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension. "I just want to be honest and try to make amends for disappearing without a word. If there's a chance to catch up with her, I'd really appreciate it."

He nodded, clearly understanding my sentiment. "Well, I'm sure we can arrange something. It's good to see you again, Alex. We'll figure this out together."

The warmth in his voice eased some of the tension I felt, and I took another sip of my drink, feeling a bit more at ease.

"Thank you for the drink," I said, standing up and giving Sam's father a warm smile. "I really appreciate the chance to catch up. I need to head home now, but I'll definitely visit again soon."

He stood as well, nodding. "You're always welcome here, Alex. It was good to see you again. Safe travels back."

I made my way to the door, feeling a bit more hopeful about the possibility of reconnecting with Sam. As I walked down the path to the street, I couldn't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. There was still a lot to figure out, but at least I was making steps toward facing my past and finding some closure.