Becky
“Hey, what’s going on with you?” Cindy asks as we walk through the parking lot after their shift.
“Nothing. I’m just beat. When I get home, I’m taking a bath, having a glass of wine, and reading. I might not get out of my pajamas for two days.” Too bad I have a list of chores, including laundry, to do during my days off. Maybe I need to put in for some vacation. I’ve got plenty stored up.
“Bullshit. You can’t pull that shit with me. What’s really going on?”
Sighing, I look over at Cindy while I dig my keys out of my purse. “It’s nothing, really. Just saw someone I never thought I’d see again.”
“Who? When? You’ve been working for…” Cindy looks at her watch, “…thirteen hours and fifteen minutes.”
“Exactly. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I was hallucinating.”
“C’mon, Becky, just say it. It can’t be that bad.”
If she only knew. I never told anyone about my background, not even my work BFF. Why would I? I don't want anyone to know how horribly I treated someone I loved.
“Fine. I can’t believe I’m even admitting this. I know Jason Royce. Or I should say I know him as Jason Richmond—that’s who he was in high school when we dated.” I push the unlock button on my key fob and wait for the explosion.
“What the hell, woman. You dated the most famous country music star of our time and never said a word?”
“In my defense, I didn’t know. After high school left our small town to go to college and I never looked back. I hated it there. It made me a horrible person. I broke his heart, and mine.”
“Shit. That’s so sad.”
Nodding, I blink back the tears that try to form. I cried so much over the years, but I’m done. He obviously is doing great and probably never thought about me after that day.
“How did you not know? Didn’t you hear any of his songs on the radio?”
“Because I don’t keep in touch with anyone from back home. How would I know it’s him or that he changed his name? I don’t listen to music in the car, you know this. There’s a strict no music rule except the stuff they play in elevators.”
Cindy knows me too well. I know she’s going to see right through me. It takes only a second for her to put it all together. She’s one hundred percent right. I can’t bear to listen after everything. Every song reminds me of how we used to sit outside and he’d play for me. Sometimes songs from the radio, sometimes songs he wrote for me.
“Because of him?”
I nod. “Yup.”
“Wow. I… I don’t even know what to say.” Cindy pulls me close for a hug. “No wonder you’re acting strangely.” After stepping back, she continues, “I bet that was a shock, huh?”
“You have no idea. I don’t know how I didn’t pass out. Then Mrs. Lee kept going on and on about how everyone loves him. Plus, he’s hotter than hell now. He grew up good.”
Cindy snickers. “Hell yes, he did. I mean, I don’t know what he looked like before. But damn, that man is sex on a stick. I would like him like a lollipop.”
When I give her a sideways look, she laughs.
“Okay, besties rule, no touching the ex. I get it, though. Are you going to go see him?”
“No, I’m not. What would I do? Drive to Orlando and hang out like a groupie hoping he remembers me?”
“Why not?”
“Really? What are the odds that first he’d see me or recognize me. He’s not the only one who’s changed since high school. Then he’d have to want to talk to me. I don’t see that happening.”
Cindy gives me a considering look. “Okay. I guess I understand. But if you had the chance to talk to him, would you?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. I’d love the chance to apologize, to explain, but it’s been ten years. Does it even matter now? He’s obviously not crying in his beer over me.”
“No, maybe not. But what about what you need? In all the time I know you, you’ve never gone on a date. You work, volunteer at the veteran’s clinic, and read. Don’t you think it’s time for a little closure? You’re an amazing woman. Caring, compassionate, a wonderful supportive friend, and nurse. Everyone deserves one of those happily-ever-after’s you’re always reading about.”
