Five Years Later
Time is a tricky thing. It can be a mind game—a passing clock of deception, but it can also carry the gift of acceptance. Over time, I grew and became someone I never thought possible, and though it was hard getting over my past—my failures—I made do. I kept my head held high, even though some nights I would cry until I no longer could.
I missed how it used to be and the people I used to hang with. I missed the smiles, the laughs, the hugs, kisses, and even the momentary conflictions I endured. I shouldn't have missed it. After so long, it all just seemed so unreal, so unlikely. I never thought I would end up in a situation like that, losing and walking away from almost everyone I loved. Shit, just being back brought back all the feels—a deep-rooted feeling that tugged and pulled at my heartstrings, but got me nowhere at all.
It was July 18th. I would never forget that day. It was the day my dreams officially came true.
I had an interview at 12:30 PM the day before, and though my nerves were frazzled, my palms sweaty, I knew I had aced it. I went in prepared, with my head held high and my mind focused on only one thing—becoming a second grade teacher.
I got a call to come back in the next day. I figured they were going to reject me, but boy was I wrong.
"Congratulations, Ms. Knight—the kids will love that name by the way—we believe you have the patience and energy a second grade class will need for Bristle Wave Elementary." Mr. Lint, a man in his mid-fifties with a bald head, square glasses on the bridge of his nose, and a bright white smile that, surprisingly, didn't come off unsettling, held his hand out, and I hopped out of my chair, shaking it swiftly.
"Oh my goodness, thank you!" I tried hard not to bounce in my red wedges as he bobbed his head and then pulled away to pick up a manila envelope.
"Of course. We are glad to have you as a part of our staff." After informing me there would be papers I needed to sign and bring back before August, I was out of Bristle Wave Elementary with the widest grin on my face. I rushed to my Escalade and immediately whipped out my phone to call Sterling.
Yeah... Sterling Martinez.
We had become really close, especially after I apologized to him about the whole Mrs. Black thing. He forgave me. No doubt. No questions. No hesitation. At first, he was only a friend. He listened and understood and even gave me space when I told him all about my last night on Dirty Black with Theo. Unfortunately, he was still in Arizona, but he was going to transfer to Bristle High the next school year to continue his teaching career. We wanted to be closer now.
It was strange because, all that time I thought Sterling was a weirdo, he just really didn't know how to express himself around me. After months of texting and calling, checking up on me, and randomly asking me out on dates (which I had constantly turned down due to my damaged, no-good heart) he finally got to me. It wasn't during the best of situations. In fact, the situation was ten times worse than losing Izzy and walking away from the first man I ever loved.
Dad died when I was twenty-four. Another stroke. It was very severe and happened when he was walking to his bathroom one morning. Margie and Sterling showed up at the funeral, and after shedding crocodile tears and hiding the pain that truly dwelled in my heart, I told them I would pack up the apartment my dad rented out.
I also didn’t want Margie to have to deal with his belongings, the sweet memories of their tough two years together. Sterling volunteered to help me, which totally distracted me from having to think about the funeral. The next day, he asked me to join him for ice cream.
He came down the hallway as I was tying my robe, catching a glimpse of my cleavage, and I covered myself as he cleared his throat, apologizing quickly as he whirled around.
“Shit! I’m sorry.” He rushed away from the bedroom, but I called after him.
“No, it’s fine,” I assured him. “What’s up? Need something?”
“Nah… uh, never mind. I don’t think I should be bothering you right now.”
“No,” I laughed as he looked every which way but into my eyes. “Sterling, what is it? Come on, spit it out.”
He rubbed his face, and after his nervousness had passed, he said, “I was thinking we could go for some ice cream today. It’s nice out—and I swear I’m not asking for a date. I just want to give you a little pick-me-up after yesterday.” His smile was charismatic, his grey eyes gentling as he squared his shoulders, most likely preparing for the rejection.
This guy never gave up. Like, ever. “Sure,” I said.
“Shit, I knew it.” He turned and started to walk out, but when he realized I wasn’t turning him down, he turned to face me again. “Wait—that’s a yes?” His face lit up.
I grinned. He was so goofy. “Yes, Sterling. I’ll go with you for some ice cream. Just let me get dressed. I’ll meet you in the living room in fifteen.”
His lips quirked up, and a breath of relief passed through them. “Okay. Fifteen.” He nodded his head and walked away, glancing back once before disappearing.
Let’s just say having ice cream turned exactly into what he wanted it to be. A date. But the crazy thing about it? We actually hit it off. I didn’t know too much about him, but I connected with him in a way that was difficult to explain. I was comfortable with him, and I could truly speak my mind without feeling judged or ignored.
We both were full of wonders and had questions that we'd always wanted to ask. Maybe all of those reasons were why I had fallen so hard for him.
"Sterling!" I screamed when he answered the phone.
"Shit, Chlo!" He laughed, and I blew a breath of relief as I focused on the building ahead of me. "Trying to blow my ear drum out?” he chuckled. “I take your excitement as you getting the position?"
"Yes! Oh my god! I seriously didn't think I would! They were asking me all these questions about what I would do if a kid choked on a crayon or got lost during a field trip - ugh, it was insane, but apparently they loved me and they think I'm a good fit for their staff."
"That's great, babe. I knew you'd get it. See, what did I tell you? I don’t know why you always doubt yourself."
"I don’t know why I do it either." I sighed, and the line went quiet for a few seconds.
As if he had read my mind, he said, "Listen, I know you didn't want to go back to Bristle, but this is a great thing. You can start fresh, and when I get there, we'll make the most we can out of it… together." I could tell he was smiling on his end.
"Yeah." I dropped my head. He knew what being here would do to me. I would remember and then I'd regret. God, I regretted so much, but this position was one I’d been trying to acquire for so long. I loved Bristle Wave. The serene city with little crime and a lot to do. "Hey, listen, I'm gonna go check out the house. The agent said I could view it today and I also have to meet the previous owner. Apparently the owner wants me to know a few things before moving in."
"Okay. Let me know how it goes. Call me later."
"I will."
"I love you, Haze." That was a nickname he gave me. He swore he would never be able to stop looking into my eyes for as long as we lived.
"I love you too, Creep."
I listened to his deep chuckle, how it hummed straight through me, and then I hung up with flutters in the pit of my belly. We'd been together for two and a half years, and each day seemed to only get better. I placed my phone in the cup holder and grinned once more at the future school I would be teaching at before pulling out of the parking lot and driving to my new home.
The house was right off the coast. A two story home made of tan cement and a burnt orange stucco roof to accent. There was a two-car garage, and the front yard was covered in well-kept, green grass with two, towering palm trees. It was beautiful, but what I loved most about it was the backyard.