|
James was sitting on a grave at the cemetery, holding a single
rose. His eyes were closed, and the wind was whipping his hair about.
It was the beginning of a new year, and he was doing this year what he
did every year, remembering his past. He opened his eyes and let the
snow fly into them, stinging them and making him shake more. He leaned
against the tombstone and remembered back...
It was a windy summer day in the suburbs of New York, a long,
long time ago. Two teenagers were holding hands under a tree, staring
into the depths of each others eyes, not saying a word. They didn't
have to, either. They knew what the other was thinking without speaking
anything. James and Jeniffer were there names, and they'd been dating
for over three years. They'd been through everything together.
"James," Jeniffer said, looking away and sighing deeply.
"Yes, love?" James said, reaching a hand up to stroke her hair gently.
"I... I'm moving," she said slowly, turning her head away and letting a tear fall from her eye.
James didn't know what to say, his heart felt as if it was
breaking in two. After everything they'd been through, her family had
finally decided to move. They never did like him, anyway. She'd have to
sneak out all the time to see him, and he'd have to make sure to code
his notes to her in case they fell into the wrong hands.
James took a hand and gently turned her face towards him, his voice shaking as he asked, "When?" Her
face instantly turned into a frown as more tears fell from her face,
her body shaking as she held him close and whispered into his ear,
"Today, love."
James nodded his head slowly and kissed her on the top of her
head, and held her close. A breeze came along and made chills run up
his spine as he heard a horn honking. He looked up, tears in his eyes
to see her father pulling up, truck packed already with their
belongings. James held her tight and kissed her softly, letting the
tears fall freely.
"I'll always love you," he said. She nodded and bit her lip, not
allowing herself to break down completely in front of her father.
Standing up slowly she kissed him one more time and made her way to the
car. As she got in, James saw her lean her head against the window and
from a distance he could see the tears rolling down her face.
James wrote to her every day, never sending the letters due to
not having her address. Eventually, James found some people who knew
how to get her address. He mailed letters constantly, and never got one
in return. His heart broke into two pieces every time he opened his
mailbox and found it not containing a letter from her. He went through
in a haze, not allowing himself to get connected to anyone.
One day it was too much for him, and he had to go see why she
hadn't returned his mail, or tried to get in contact with him. Driving
his car as calmly as he could, he remembered back on the days where
they'd hold each other close and promise to be together forever. So
much for that, he thought bitterly, biting his lip and almost running a
stop sign. Pulling up to the house where he'd been sending his mail to
for so long now, James took a deep breath and walked to the doorstep.
He closed his eyes and sighed, straightening his hair before
knocking on the door. After a few moments waiting, he was sure that no
one was going to answer. Just as he'd turned around to wait in the car,
he heard someone tramping down the stairs. His heart raced as the
footsteps came nearer. Opening the door, Jeniffer's father tilted his
head and voiced,
"Yes, hello?" James took control of his emotions and replied,
"Hello. I don't know if you remember me or not... I used to date
your daughter. I know you were never too fond of me, but I can't stand
not hearing from your daughter anymore. I've written letters to her for
so long now, and haven't gotten an answer."
Her father bowed his head and said in a grave voice,
"Son... Jeniffer died a year ago. She got into a car accident and died
the same night in the hospital. I'm so sorry. Whatever happened in the
past, happened. I know she loved you. I regret every day of my life
bringing her here. If we hadn't left..." He paused, breathing deep and speaking slowly, "If we hadn't left, maybe she'd still be here."
James couldn't stay in control anymore, and broke out crying. He
got the address of her grave, and walked there. He knew he wouldn't be
able to drive safely in this condition. Getting there, he leaned his
head against a tree and closed his eyes, remembering the good times.
James opened his eyes once more, realizing some people had
gathered around him at the cemetery. They were tilting their heads,
wondering what was wrong. He faked a smile and stood up, greeting them.
"Hello! I was just remembering my past, as I do every new year. I was thinking about my first love..." James lit a cigarette, and to the group he appeared in control, though under his skin his heart was breaking all over again.
"Take this time to think back on the past years, and your first love.
Share your experiences, we've all had 'the one who got away.'" |
