My What if Christmas Wish

Chapter 6

Patrice opened the door to her craftsman styled house after she pulled into her driveway. She placed her shopping bags in a corner and walked to her bedroom. She changed her clothes, went and grabbed the shopping bags, and wrapped the presents she was talking to her family. Patrice couldn't deny it. Adam crossed her mind, again. She thought about the good times they'd shared before he asked her to marry him. He was truly her college sweetheart.

I wondered what would have happened if I had said yes, Patrice thought. Where would we be right now? Patrice rose from her place on the floor and walked over to the window. She remembered the first time she and Adam met.

****

It was Patrice's second year at Langston Hughes University, where Adam was a new transfer student. They met in the student union as Adam was walking away from the counter with his food order. Patrice was reading a passage from her book when she accidentally bumped into him. His drink and food spilled over them and the floor.

"I'm so sorry. I thought I was watching where I was going," Patrice said apologetically.

"That's alright. Are you okay?" Adam replied. He picked the remaining French fries out of her hair.

Patrice smiled even though she was embarrassed. "I'm okay. Thanks for not being upset. I know I should've paid more attention." She picked up her books.

"Well if you did, we probably wouldn't have met," Adam said with a heartwarming smile.

"I'm getting the feeling you're flirting with me," Patrice responded returning the kind gesture.

"If I told you I was, would you go out with me tonight?" He was clearly taken with her.

Patrice mulled over his offer. "Maybe, but I don't know you that well to go out with you."

He joked, "That's the whole point of going out with me so you can get to know me."

Patrice thought about it, but she was not sure if she should agree. "I don't know."

"What's your name?"Adam asked.

"Patrice. Patrice Nelson," she answered.

"I'm Adam Chambers. Nice to meet you," he replied as he extended his hand.

Patrice took it kindly, loving how his thumb grazed over her knuckles. They rose up from the floor as the employees came to clean up the mess.

He suggested, "How about this Patrice, why don't we make it a group thing. You invite your friends and I'll invite mine. If you like it, then we can go on a date by ourselves. If not, I'll never bother you again."

Patrice considered the idea. She would be comfortable if her friends were there with her. "Okay. I think that'll work." She turned to walk away.

"Where should we meet?" He called after her.

Patrice spotted him still smiling at her. "We'll meet here tonight at seven." She walked out of the student union looking forward to seeing him again.

That evening, Adam met Patrice at the student union. She brought her two friends Emma and Andrea, and he, in turn, brought his friends Luke and Will. The group decided to see a movie and afterward they went bowling. It was the battle of the sexes, and the girls rubbed it in the boys' faces every time they scored. The guys seemed to enjoy watching the ladies play, and Patrice noticed Adam's eyes never left her.

On that night she wore jeans with a yellow short-sleeved top. She caught Adam staring at her from time to time. She found it flattering. While their friends entertained each other, he appeared to want to spend time with her.

"Having fun?" he asked putting his arm around her.

"I think so, as long as you behave," Patrice replied in a flirty voice.

"How am I doing so far?" Adam asked in a whisper.

Her heart clenched. She was starting to like Adam, even though she barely knew him. "So far you're being a gentleman."

"Does this mean we can have a second date?"

Patrice giggled. "You don't waste any time do you?"

"Let's just say I'm interested in you and I would like to get to know you better," he revealed.

"How do I know you're being sincere, and you're not trying to win me on a bet or something?"

Adam laughed at her statement. "What makes you think that?"

"I've had my experiences."

Adam moved closer. "Well, maybe you had the experience with the wrong man."

Patrice moved in closer to him and gazed into his eyes. "Are you always this forward with women?"

"Only with beautiful women," Adam replied slyly.

"You think you're all that don't you?"

"Do you think that?"

"Just answer the question, Casanova," Patrice pressed him but kept the humor in their banter.

"No I don't, but if you think that I can't argue with you."

"Whatever player," Patrice responded as she folded her arms and sat back in her seat.

"Come on now. You can't label me without giving me a fair chance to prove myself," Adam pointed out with a grin.

Patrice conceded. "Okay. I'll give you a chance, just don't blow it." She rose from her seat beside him and rejoined her friends at the snack bar. When the date ended, Patrice allowed Adam to walk her back to her dorm room. Unbelievably, she felt comfortable around him and enjoyed the time she had with him and his friends.

"Do you think you know me well enough now to go out with me alone?" Adam asked inching closer.

"I think I can. What do you have in mind?" Patrice beamed.

"I don't know. I was planning on you saying no," Adam replied jokingly.

Patrice laughed. "I think you underestimated me, Adam Chambers. Goodnight."

"There's something about you Patrice," Adam declared. He appeared mesmerized by her.

She twisted her mouth into a grin. "I know."

"Do you mind if I call you?" Adam asked.

"You can if you want to," Patrice replied as she unlocked her dorm room door.

"Can I get your number?"

She pointed out, "You already have it."

"I do?"

"Check your right pocket in your jacket." With that Patrice closed her door.

****

Patrice continued to stare out the window. The sky was mostly clear, aside from the few clouds against the blackened sky. The stars gave off a magnificent glow, twinkling away to their own rhythm. Tears filled her eyes once more.

She wondered was Adam truly happy with Danielle, and was he going to proceed with the wedding. Patrice knew she had not seen nor heard from him in seven years, but deep down she knew her feelings for him were still the same as the day she left his apartment. The reality hit her like dump trunk. She laid curled up in front of the window on the floor.

It took seeing him for her to admit her true feelings. She had made a mistake. She used her work to hide behind the truth. When her friends and family asked, she denied the possibility. Still, it was inevitable. She didn't have it all.

Why did I leave him that day, Patrice thought. What would have happened if I had married him? Maybe I wouldn't feel this way. I'm not happy. I know I'm not. Patrice cried herself to sleep.