Destiny Destroyed

Chapter 39 (Five Years Later)

I'm back in my hometown. I've been here for nearly a month. Julie's grandma passed away six months ago leaving Julie her condo. Julie has been here for three months already. The condo is about a half hour from my parent's home. It's near a new development not far from the hospital where both of us work. Julie and I both got our nursing degrees. The condo is in walking distance of a group of new shops and a small grocery store. Ben would be arriving tomorrow. Yes, it's the same Ben from high school. Julie and Ben reconnected out in California and are now engaged. I was so happy for her. Tony and Pam had gotten married last summer. Everyone was moving on with engagements, marriages and soon children. Everyone except me. I had dated a few guys in California, but never really had a deep connection with them. I was starting to think I would never find someone to settle down with. I kept busy in California by working, going to school and making new friends. I slowly started to heel, but my heart never became available.

"I want to make lasagna for dinner tomorrow. It's Ben's favorite. I've missed him so much," Julie says looking for a pad to make a list. We had bought a fair amount of groceries since moving in but was still missing a lot of items. I'm sitting on the couch enjoying a day off. "Let's walk down to that small store and pick up what I need for the lasagna," Julie says. I give her a look. "Come on Destiny. The sun is shining. It's going to be a magical day," she says. Julie was always in a good mood. Every day was the best day. I roll my eyes but stand to find my flip flops. I glance at what I am wearing. Old jeans and a tank top. "You look beautiful as always," Julie says. "Give me a couple minutes." I say.

I walk to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I run a brush through my hair. My hair is longer than I ever wore it. It comes down to the lower part of my back. The California sun has it a beautiful shade of blond with natural white highlights. I'm still tan from the beach we hung out on just about every weekend. I missed the beach but was glad to be home. I missed my family. Faith was all grown up. Deciding I didn't need any makeup for the walk, I make my way out to where Julie is pacing waiting for me. I grab my purse and we head outside. The small grocery store isn't far from our condo. It's nice to be able to walk to the small shops and cafes from our condo. Julie likes it because she doesn't have to take a bus to the store like back in California.

I follow Julie through the store and toss a few items into the baskets she's holding. "We're only here to get a few things," she says looking at the nearly full basket. "Keep in mind we have to carry this all back home." I toss in a couple more items and say, "They can double bag it." We turn to walk down the next aisle. "I still need to find the spices," Julie says. "They don't look to be down this aisle." I stop listening to her the minute my eyes land on the man walking towards us. My heart stops and so do I. Julie continues to walk on. I'd know him anywhere. He's slightly taller and broader. He has filled out nice. He's wearing jeans and grey t-shirt. The shirt fits him perfect across the chest and through the arms. His hair is shorter than the way he used to wear it when we dated, but it still had that messy look to it.

He doesn't see me at first. When he finally looks at me, our eyes lock. I vaguely hear Julie say something about meeting me up front. She hasn't noticed him. He seems as shocked to see me as I am him. We stand staring at each other unable to talk. Finally, I say "Hi." He smiles. "Destiny. How are you?" he asks. I smile back and say "I'm doing good. How are you." My eyes travel to his left hand. I'm holding my breath. No ring. I release the breath and hope that's a good a sign. "I'm doing good also." His eyes travel to my left hand. It hits me fast and furious. I've missed him. I've been fooling myself all these years. I still love Eric. I have no doubt in my mind. My heart is beating at a rapid speed. "What are you doing here," he asks. "I heard you moved to California." I take a chance and say, "Would you like to go grab a coffee. I can tell you all about it." His smile widens and he nods yes.

I locate Julie and quickly fill her in on my sudden plans. Instead of whining, she smiles and tells me to go get my future. I give her a quick hug, before I turn and find Eric waiting for me. Julie gives him a wave. He smiles and waves back to her. We walk outside and down the street to a small diner. We order coffee and apple pie. Eric fills me in on what he's been doing for the last five years and I do the same. 

The conversation is easy and comfortable. Before we know it, two hours has gone by. I don't want to leave him. I glance at my watch. "I should probably let you go," he says. I look up and say, "Please don't." He laughs. "Okay well then how about dinner." I smile at him and my heart soars. "It's my day off so I'm all yours," I tell him. He smiles and says "I like the sound of that. Give me your address." I dig through my purse and pull out a pen. I grab a napkin from the table and write down my address. I hand it to him. Our hands brushing against each other. I resist the urge to touch him again. "What time should I pick you up," he asks looking at the address. "How about seven," I say looking down at my watch to see what time it currently is. "I'll see you then," he says.