Setting Sun
My phone rings, his name flashes on the screen. This is unusual, he never calls. I answer on the third ring.
“Is everything ok?” I ask straight away. The line remains silent. I remove it from my ear and look to see if it still connected.
“Hello? Justin?” I say into the phone.
“ Yes I am here.” He wheezes out. My adrenaline instantly spikes.
“I need your help, please come.” He pleads.
“Send me the address, I will be there as soon as I can.” I reply without hesitation.
“Thank you” Justin says and hangs up.
With in a minute the address is in my gps. Of course he is at the lake, 2 hours away. My mind races as I make my way up the mountain. The terrain changes as the miles pass by reflecting my pacing mind. We agreed to let things settle for a bit but here I am sprinting to his side. He is one of those people that no matter the distance you place between, there is something pulling you back in.
My car follows the curves in the road perfectly, as we climb higher into the mountain. Palm turning to pine trees, the summer air floating in through the open windows. Finally my gps gives the last turn instructions, my Porsche turns onto the gravel road leading to the lake front cabin. I park and jump out. Taking the steps 2 at a time. I dont bother knocking and make my way into the cabin.
There is Justin bent over the pool table plotting his next move that ends the currently game, smiling as he finds his shot. My vision narrows. Blocking out the party scene that is playing out, girls dancing, top 40 music playing, people shot gunning shots in the kitchen. He is all that is in my line of sight and my adrenaline is now spiking for a different reason. My whole body has started shaking, my fists clenching. He makes the shot, a grin spreading across his face, those around him celebrating. He looks up and sees me standing in the door way and his face drops. We make eye contact, he starts to walk towards me, I turn and walk out the door.
“Kelly!” He shouts after me “Kelly wait!”
I keep walking to my car, still warm from the drive up here. How dare he. The summer evening breeze makes it way off the lake but the cool air does nothing to soothe my hurt soul. I reach for my keys but Justin catches my hand. He turns me around. “I can explain.” he starts, his eye searching mine. Removing his grip from my hand, I stare straight back.
“ For your safely, would recommend stepping away from me.” I breath out.
He takes a few steps back, and starts to speak but before he has the chance, I break in. “ Save it, this is obvious just a joke to you. I raced up here thinking something drastic had happened and here you are perfectly healthy, tipsy even, with nothing the matter.” I say, my words laced with venom.
He stands there taking the verbal hit.
“Am I just a joke to you? Someone who you can call and you know that will show up? Your almost 30 years old Justin, dont you think its time to stop being a fuck boy, stop running from something real and be an adult?” I question him.
Others have started to gather on the porch as the scene unfolds below them. Justin stands there in his board shorts starring at me. His tussled brown hair moving in the gentle breeze, his piercing blue eyes searching my face for a clue as to how to make this better. But he knows there isn’t a way and he might have just finally pushed me over the edge.
I take a few shaky breaths, how can the person in front of me be the same one only a few months ago that swept me off my feet. Who brought my soul to life in a way I never thought possible. Our meeting was anything from a perfect. But after talking for a few hours, we knew this would be something special. To the point we spent most days together, savoring the warm summer evenings, dancing until the sun was long past set, analyzing our favorite comic book movies, enjoying the others company. There was talk of a future together but nothing promised. And now that glimpse of a future has faded.
“ Loose my number.” I finally manage to say. I turn get into my car, and drive away. I look back in my rear view mirror he is still there watching me drive away. I turn onto the main highway silent tears rolling down my face as the sun sets on what could have been our notebook love story.