“So am I.” He welcomed me with a hug and I started to sit down.
“Not so fast.” He said pulling me up, “I was hoping we could talk in a more quiet area.”
“Like where?” I asked.
“I’ll show you. Just follow me.”
“Okay..” Brian drove me up a street or two and we then hiked up to a spot on a hill. It overlooked houses, and trees, along with lakes. You could see everything.
“Wow. This is nice. How did you know this was here?”
“Actually I didn’t find it. Nick did.” I dropped my head. Even hearing his name seemed to cause pain. “Mandy..” He lifted my head and continued, “He was walking the other day and just happened to find this area. He came here to think. And you know what of? You. I had a chat with him, and got him to try to see things from your perspective. Now I’m asking you to do the same thing. Try to see things from his.”
“I don’t think I can Brian. It hurts too much! Even hearing his name.. it .. it just brings tears to my eyes.”
He was quiet. He just sat there and listened. He waited hoping I’d continue- and I did. “I’ve never been able to find that special someone B. And when I think I finally did- he goes and kisses another girl! And not just anyone, but his ex!” I shook my head in discust, and continued, “I always get hurt like this. Always. It never seems to fail. No matter what I do and no matter how hard I try to make it any different... each time I get into this type of situation a wall forms around my heart and I try not to let anyone in. And this time, well.. I thought he was different; I really did...so.. I knocked down every single one of those walls, and let Nick into my heart. And what did he do? He went and formed another wall-- this time bigger than ever. It hurts too much... and I guess I’m just afraid to knock that wall down and let him in again...” My words drifted in the air and I looked up at Brian for the first time since I started talking. “Does that make any sense? Do you understand what I’m talking about?”
He shook his head. “Mandy I know exactly what you’re talking about and where you’re coming from. I was in the EXACT same position with Leighanne as you are with Nick. And I know it hurts, I really do. But you know.. things do end up working out for the best. I should know! Mandy-- as hard and as painful as it may be, you should really try to let Nick back in. Not all at once.. but slowly. This stuff takes time.. but I promise you. It’ll be worth the wait.” He put his arm around me and we sat there in silence for awhile.
“Thank you Brian. I know you’re right.. and I.. I promise I’ll try.”
“Good.”
Brian made a crazy face that he knew would get me cracking up.
“Aw.. there she is! That’s the part of you we miss! Keep that smile on your face. That’s the part of you we want to see! So.. you going to come up to the hotel later or what?!?”
“No. I can’t.”
“Mandy, you need to work this out!”
“No really Brian, I can’t. I have a softball game.”
“Oh!” He sounded relieved, “When and where?”
“Why? You planning on showing up?”
“Yeah!”
“Ok, well it’s at 6:00 tonight. Over at the Taylor Mill fields... you know where that’s at?”
“No, but I’ll find out. I guess I’ll see you then.”
“Guess so!”
“See you later, Mandy. Oh! And promise me another thing will ya?”
“And what exactly is that?”
“Take care of yourself ok?”
“Alright, bye Brian.”
“Hold on gurl! You’re not getting away without giving me a goodbye hug!”
“Aww! Hey- I tried!”
“Oh ok!”
“I’m just playing! Come here Brian!” We shared a long friendly hug, then left.
“She’s safe!” yelled the ump.
“Yes!” yelled Laurie.
“Next batter.” I was up. I looked around. Bases were loaded. The score was 2-0. The other team was in the lead, and this was the last inning for us to catch up, and there were already two outs. So it was all up to me. I went up and took a few practice swings.
'Come on, Mandy! You can do this.'
I let the first pitch go by. “Strike one!” That’s ok. It’s only one.
I stepped out of the batter’s box and watched the signal my coach gave. He told me to go ahead and swing at the next pitch. The pitch came, but something told me not to swing at it. Trusting my instincts, I didn’t swing.
“Strike two.” Oh, man! I looked at my coach. He was upset and aggravated. Just then I heard a familiar voice. Once again, I stepped out of the batter’s box and turned around. As I had thought, there stood Nick. He looked so hot, and- Yeah, but he cheated on you.. his lips were on another girl’s..
I had anger all built inside of me now, and I had to get it out. As the ball left the pitcher’s hand, a flashback of that kiss went through my mind. I swung as hard as I possibly could at that ball.
BAM!
Cheers came from the dugout, as I ran. That ball was gone! I ran to first, rounded second, and got to third. My coach was unsure if I should keep going. He just couldn’t make up his mind. So I did it for him. I saw the ball being brought into shortstop, but I didn’t care. I ran to home plate.
The pitcher got the ball and threw it to the catcher. I slid. “Safe!!”
“Yes!!!” I screamed. I had just gotten a grand slam! Everyone of my teammates, and coaches, along with my mom, ran out on the field and congratulated me with hugs and screams. I was phsyced!
I had gotten all 3 girls that were on base in, along with myself. The score was now 4-2, Us.
Since we were home team, and there were already two outs, (and the game had been running over time anyways) the ump called, “That’s the game!” More cheers. We all lined up and shook hands with the other team. Afterwards Amy came over to me and dumped the ice-cold cooler over top of my head.
“Oh my gosh!” I shrieked. Then I walked out of the dug out and into the sun and quickly changed my mind. “Aw! Now it’s feeling sgood!” My whole team stood there laughing. I walked out of the dug-out and Nick ran over to me.
“That was awesome!” He said giving me a hug.
I returned it and said excitedly, “It was wasn’t it!” I then moved away. There was still a lot of tension between us and I knew it was probably my fault for shutting him out. But it still hurt -- and I had a feeling it would for awhile.
Nick had figured out why I had backed up and started telling me, “Mandy. I’m so sorry. And I don’t want you to think I’m trying to blame it on anyone else- but it really wasn’t my fault.”
“What? It sure as heck wasn’t mine!”
“No, no. I didn’t mean it was your fault cause it wasn’t!” He looked me in the eyes as he had many times before. “I promise I didn’t kiss her Mandy.” I looked at him in disbelief.
“What are you talking about! I saw it with my own eyes Nick!”
“That’s not what I meant. And.. looks can be deceiving.”
“Nick I know what I saw!”
“Mandy..there was nothing on my side of that kiss I promise you!” I didn’t know what to think anymore.. or who to trust. I had nothing to lose so I just decided to hear him out. “Mandah just came up to me out of the blue and told me how good it was to see me again. The next thing I knew-- she leaned over and kissed me on the lips.. I guess that’s when you came. But Mandy.. I pushed her away as soon as she stuck her lips on mine. Then I saw you standing there..” He looked away. I swear I saw a tear or two form. “I.. I didn’t know what to say. Then you started running. I looked back at Mandah and said I couldn’t believe she did that and reminded her that we were over. I told her that like a million times. I said there’s no way I could forgive her... Then I chased after you.”
He looked me in the eyes once again. “I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you. And that kiss.. it meant absolutely nothing to me Mandy. You’ve gotta believe me! It meant absolutely nothing.
I studied his eyes. Well, he looks honest..
Just then my instincts told me everything would be okay and I should let him back in. I had no reason not to trust my instincts. Especially after what happened in the game!
I smiled at Nick for the first time in a long while. “I believe you.”
“Oh, thank god!” A smile swept across his face in total and utter relief. We stood there for a couple of minutes unsure of what to do.
“Umm.. I don’t want to push you into anything too fast or anything.. but umm..” There he went stuttering again; just as he did when I first met him. “May I kiss you?”
I grinned and shook my head acknowledging it was ok. We leaned into each other, and shared the most amazing kiss. It was definitely the best one yet. All the walls I had built up came crashing down in that instant. I trusted Nick again and I wasn’t afraid to admit it.
I knew at that moment that he was “The One” and I decided I should let him know.
“Not only have I found “The One” I have been waiting for, Nick.. but I definitely found my ‘Perfect Moment’! And that I want to thank you for. So.. thank you!”
“Your welcome! But you shouldn’t be thanking me! I should be thanking you!”
“For what?”
“For sticking with me this whole time! I was so afraid I was going to lose you-- and that’s the last thing I want to happen! You mean so much to me..”
“Aww. Well in that case, your welcome!”
He gently and sweetly replied, “Mandy, I love you.”
“I love you too, Nick.”
“YES!!” Someone shouted. We turned around. There stood Brian, AJ, Kevin, and Howie, who were all applauding.
“It’s about time!” yelled AJ, whole heartedly satisfied.
We all started cracking up. This was truly the best night of my life. I had faced my fears and jumped many obstacles to be with Nick. And as Brian had promised it was all so worth it!
