Chapter 13

I sat in the truck, holding my breath as I watched Todd walk up to the door. I could see his hand slowly go up to the door. Then he knocked. He stood there for a minute, fidgeting. He looked back at me and I gave him a little, nervous smile.

After what seemed like ten minutes, the door slowly opened. I could see Todd's lips moving. The door opened wider and I could see a tiny white haired woman. Todd looked down as the woman spoke. I could tell it was bad news by the way Todd was standing. After a moment or two, the woman went inside and the door shut. Todd turned to walk back to the truck, stopping to light a cigarette. He climbed back in the truck.

"Well, how did it go?" I said already seeming to know the answer.

"That was Rebecca's aunt," he said looking at the house from the truck.

"What did she say?"

"Umm...she said that...that Rebecca is still in town and I should be able to find her at the church a few miles back down the road," he said

"You mean that little one room church we passed awhile back? She was right there?"

"Yeah," he sighed.

"Well, what's wrong, Todd? I thought you would be happy. Let's go back and find her, "I said throwing my arms around his neck.

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Todd started up the truck and did a U-turn, once again leaving a trial of dust behind us. He was quiet for the most part, and I knew why. I wondered what was going through his head as we drove down the long, winding dirt road. Before long we were right in front of the church. I don't think Todd was ready for what was about to happen. He cut the engine and we sat there. Within a matter of seconds the doors to the tiny church flung open and about 15 small children ran out. Then after the last child ran out, she came out. I looked at Todd and by his reaction I knew that was her.

Her long, wavy brown hair blew in the wind. Her face was pale without a hint of makeup. She looked angelic and I knew what had kept her in Todd's heart all these years. I looked over at Todd again; he was motionless, like in shock.

"Todd, go talk to her," I said as I gave him a little nudge.

"I...I need a minute," he said.

He took some long, slow breaths, and then as if he was being pushed, left the truck. I knew this was a hard, private moment for him. But it was so hard not to stare as he walked up to her. Her back was to him and I could hear her talking to some of the children, who had gathered to hear the Bible story she was reading.

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As Todd approached her, he could see a few strands of grey in her hair. He smiled to himself. One of the children saw him coming up from behind. The child pointed and Rebecca turned around.

She stared at him for a few moments as if trying to figure out if he was really there. Todd smiled a faint little smile and looked into her eyes. Her eyes were the same, he thought.

She dropped the book she was holding and without saying a word, began to walk toward him. As she turned, Todd could see that she was pregnant, very pregnant. He felt a small ache in his heart as he searched her hand for a wedding band. There it was, a small delicate, thin band.

She was standing in front of him now. She reached her hand out to touch his face. Todd stood there with tears welling up in his eyes. Her hand touched the side of his face. He closed his eyes at her touch and brought his own hand up to hers and put it over it.

"Todd?" she asked searching his eyes to find the man she once loved.

"Yeah," he said softly as a tear ran down his cheek.

Without another word, they embraced. The tears began to flow down both of their faces. He held her as tight as he could and wept in her arms as he had done so many times before. For a moment, the hands of time had turned back.

Tears couldn't help but roll down my face as I watched the two of them. The children stood back with their mouths hanging open and a couple were giggling and pointing.

Rebecca turned to look at the children standing there, watching.

"Okay, you guys, I think you can go play for awhile. Your parents will be here soon. My friend and I need some time to talk. Can you all go play over there?" she said pointing to the little play area.

The children walked toward the playground, turning back to get one more look at the man with the long hair and scar.

Turning back to Todd she said, "I can't believe you are here. How did you find me?"

"I went to your Aunt's house and she told me I would find you here." he said still in awe of being there.

"You came all this way. How have you been? What has become of your life?" she asked as they began to walk to the church steps.

Rebecca slowly lowered herself onto the step, holding on to her stomach. She sat and looked up at Todd. He stood there in there silence.

"So tell me what has become of you, Todd." She said.

"Looks like you have more news than me," he said pointing to her stomach.

She looked down at her belly and said, "It's great. To feel life moving inside you. What a true blessing."

"What is he...like? Your husband." Todd asked

Her eyes lit up as she began to speak, "George is wonderful. He is the pastor here. We met about a year after I left Llanview." She looked off, her eyes saddened. "I never stopped thinking about you. Praying for you to find your peace. I pray for Powell as well. All that seems like a life time ago."

Todd sat next to her. "I know. Sometimes it all comes back to me like it was yesterday. Then other times....it...seems ages."

Todd looked at her, he couldn't believe that he was there. How she looked the same, even with the hint of grey in her hair. The face and eyes were the same.

"Did you ever marry? Have children? Tell me," she said.

"Yeah, I got married...twice. I still make some bad choices. Guess I haven't changed all that much. I did do one thing right...I have a daughter. She is beautiful."

"Oh that's wonderful! Do you have a picture?"

Todd stood up, reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He pulled out five pictures and handed them to Rebecca.

She studied the pictures. "She looks just like you, Todd. She has your eyes. She is beautiful. What's her name?" she said handing the pictures back.

"Starr," he said

"Starr," she said out loud. "The name fits her. She shines."

"Mommy!" a little girl yelled as she ran towards them.

to be continued