Continuation of The Age of Adaline story #TheAgeofAdaline

2 Mind Games

Ellis had brought Jenny home for the weekend to celebrate his parent's fortieth wedding anniversary. His father, William, couldn't take his eyes off Jenny.

"Adaline, was my mother," she'd explained, flustered.

"The resemblance is extraordinary. We were very close." William kept repeating as he recounted the details of his first meeting with Adaline.

The following day, William noticed a scar on Jenny's hand. Jenny failed to recognize the state of panic that this observation put William in.

"I'm going out for a walk," she told him.

Once she was gone, William tore into the garage to frantically riffle through dusty boxes. Standing there like a statue, he held a faded photograph of the two of them. A bandage on her hand concealed seven stitches that he's sewn.

Jumping in his suburban, William raced after her. He found Jenny, alone, on the dirt road a few miles from the house. "Adaline!" he yelled as he got out of the car.

She halted, regarding him with concern. " William, are you alright?"

"No! I'm not alright ─ I know."

"What? ─" her face turned ashen. She started to shake.

He grabbed her hand, pointing at the scar. "It is you. I couldn't forget that!" he ground out through labored breaths.

"Oh, William," she cried softly.

His hard expression softened. He stepped closer, tipping her chin so that he could examine her face, "How? How is this possible?"

"I don't know."

"Is this why you left me?" His unruly eyebrows steepled.

She nodded, her brow wrinkled. "I can't tell you how painful that was." Adaline's voice sounded distraught.

"Oh, I know something about that," he replied gruffly, "I was on the verge of proposing." William looked puzzled as he continued lightly tracing the contours of her face.

Adaline closed her eyes. He could tell that she was holding back tears. "I wanted to stay with you, William, but I... just... couldn't," her voice was raw.

He pulled her against him, cradling her in his arms. "I would have protected you, if you had trusted me."

She nodded, crying harder, "I know..."

William pulled away. Digging in his pocket, he brought out a handkerchief. Handing it to her he said, "Here, sop it up Della." His weak smile didn't reach his eyes. "I take it that you make a habit of running?"

She nodded, still dabbing at her face. "You were the first man I loved after my husband died. That was in 1937. Ellis is the second."

"That's a long time. Do you have anyone that you confide in?"

Adaline pressed the cloth to her eyes as a fresh wave of grief washed over her. William reached out to hold her elbow.

"My daughter. She is the only one who knows."

"You have a kid?" he was surprised.

Adaline chuckled, "She's older than you are, Will."

Blinking rapidly, he took a step back, "Ellis," he sighed.

Her eyes widened. William could see that a flight reflex had been triggered. Clutching at her arms he pleaded, "Adaline, don't go! Don't do that to my son!"

Wrenching away, Adaline darted into the woods. She ran like rabid wolves were nipping at her heels. Maybe they were.