My hands quivered as I grabbed for my phone, its buzzing sounding loudly against my room's silence like a rhythm. I wasn't sure I could take another shock after all that had transpired between Lucas and Sophie. Unknownly, I received a message from someone I thought I had done away with.
My heart was beating as immediately I saw the name 'David' on the screen.
I hadn't given David much attention in a while; he was my ex-boyfriend and the guy I almost wed until Lucas entered our lives. We had not communicated for years, not since our sudden and bitter split. I was shocked to see his name now, out of the blue.
I was hesitant to read the letter because I was a little scared of what I could discover. However, my insatiable curiosity overcame me, and I clicked on the notice.
I have an essential conversation to have with you. – David
And why now, when everything in my life was already verging on chaos? The timing seemed almost too perfect as if destiny was attempting to surprise me with a turn of events just when I thought things couldn't be any more convoluted.
With my thoughts running, I perched on the side of my bed and stared at the letter. A part of me wanted to brush it off, wipe the message, and act as if I didn't see it. But, there was a curious part of me that I didn't want to acknowledge.
A little, persistent voice within me suggested that maybe, just perhaps, meeting David might help me recognize the disaster my life had become. David had once been a significant part of my life.
It's nice to hear from you, David," I quickly responded in response before giving it too much thought. I'm free in the afternoon of tomorrow. Tell me the location and time, and I'll be there. Claire
Doubt began to creep in as soon as I pushed submit. How did I get there? I was already having trouble keeping my marriage together, and now I was letting myself into the past, which may result in much more suffering. But there was no going back once the message was delivered.
I felt like I had no clear road ahead and was being pushed in a thousand different directions by Lucas, Sophie, and now David.
I was standing outside a tiny café on the outskirts of town "the next afternoon". It was a remote, peaceful location, far different from the typical hangouts for Lucas and myself. I had specifically picked it out of a desire for a quiet space where I could reflect and speak with David without worrying about being observed.
I looked at my phone and saw that it was two minutes after three. Although David had promised to meet me here at precisely three, he had not yet shown. I questioned if he would really appear or whether the world was just cruelly mocking me.
I turned to go, but then I saw him. Even after all these years, David's towering physique was easily identifiable as he approached me. He seemed almost exactly as I had recalled, but maybe a little more experienced and mature. Still, it was the same David who had previously been my whole universe.
Our gazes locked as he got closer, and for an instant, I had the impression that time had stopped and we were once again together. The unpleasant feeling of meeting someone who had meant so much to me years ago but was now nearly a stranger replaced the moment, however, and it went fairly swiftly.
He murmured, "Claire," in a warm, soothing voice that was just as I recalled. "I'm so happy to see you,"
I attempted to mimic his carefree attitude by forcing a grin. "Likewise, you, David. It has been a while.
We were silent for a while since neither of us knew what to say next. We paused, uncertain of how to behave around one other, as a result of the years apart creating a gulf that was difficult to heal.
"Should we enter now?" David said, pointing to the coffee shop behind me.
Thanking you for the advice, I nodded. Once inside, we found a peaceful corner table near the window.
The environment seemed ideal for the kind of discussion I was afraid we were about to have.
A waitress came by to collect our orders after we were seated. David ordered a coffee, but I decided to have a plain cup of tea. The more we waited for our beverages, the more silent we became until David eventually said something.
"I apologize for extending myself so quickly," he said in a hushed tone. "Although I wasn't sure whether you'd want to meet me at all, It seemed necessary to me.
I peered at him, looking for clues in his expression. David, why now?
I suppose I recognized that I never really found closure, and I reasoned that maybe seeing you one more might be beneficial.
"End of story?" The term was like a kick to the stomach, reminding me of things I had wanted to forget. "David, our relationship ended years ago. Each of us went on. What use would closure serve right now?
He fidgeted with his coffee cup and glanced down at his hands. "Yes, but..." We ended the way we did, and I never really understood why. There was always something more to say, but we never said it, so it always seemed incomplete.
His remarks sparked a mixture of long-forgotten regrets and unresolved emotions within of me. In a sense, he was correct. We had broken up abruptly and never really discussed the reasons behind it. I believed that I had moved on, however.
David, we were different people back then, I said, carefully selecting my words. "Our goals were different. You want exploration and adventure, and Stability was what I wanted. To put it plainly, our paths diverged.
With a contemplative gaze, he slowly nodded.
"I am aware. Moreover, I don't regret my decisions. However, I regret how our relationship ended. I never had the opportunity to express to you how much I honoured and respected you.
The waitress came back with our drinks and smiled as she arranged them down on the table, but he hesitated.
I was able to gather my thoughts briefly during the pause, but it also made the tension between us much more apparent.
Taking a sip of his coffee, David's hands quivered a little. Claire, I'm not here to resurrect the past. I just... I wanted to catch up with you and know how you were faring.
And see if there's a way we may become friends once again, just maybe.
David was uncomfortable with the term. We'd been so much more than that previously, and it seemed terrible and right at the same time to think of our relationship as just friendship.
I honestly told David, "I don't know if that's possible," while maintaining eye contact. "We carry too much baggage and too much history."
With a glimmer of agony in his eyes, he grinned miserably. "I get that. If you're game, however, I'd want to give it a go. Claire, there was a time when we got along well. Perhaps we can work things out once again, even if it's only as friends.
I tried to quiet the avalanche of emotions brewing inside of me as I took a drink of my tea. Considering how badly things were going in my marriage, the thought of getting back in touch with David seemed alluring. However, I couldn't overlook the dangers, the possibility of adding to the complexity of an already difficult situation.
I responded, I am ready to see where this will leads to, however, "I am not sure what the future holds". David grinned sincerely as his cheeks brightened. "All I can ask for is that. I'm grateful, Claire.
For the next hour, we spoke about our lives, bridging the gaps caused by the years that had passed. It was simpler than I thought, falling into comfortable patterns without feeling like much time had gone. By the time we had finished our drinks, I experienced a weird feeling of relief, as if seeing David again had somehow healed a long-ago injury I was unaware was still hurting.
However, David's demeanor changed as we prepared to depart, his eyes examining mine.
He said, a little hesitant, "Claire." "I must tell you something else as well. anything I was previously unsure of how to bring up.
My heart skipped a beat as I froze. "David, what is that?"
He averted his gaze, his jaw tensing. It has to do with Lucas. You should be aware of what I've been withholding from you.
I felt a wave of fear sweep over me and my blood went cold. How on earth could David be aware of Lucas? And why hadn't he told me about it?
The moment was cut short when David's phone rang b
efore I could inquire. His face tightening with worry, he took a quick look at the screen.