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Leigh stepped out of the brick house early Saturday morning. Closing the door behind her, she walked down the dirt pathway that led to the
driveway and unlocked her new green Neon, sitting in the driver's side shutting the door as her left leg swung into the car. Starting up the ignition, she
put her right hand on the passenger seat while her left hand did the steering. Raising up a little from the seat and looking behind her, Leigh backed down
the driveway and turned onto the road. She didn't know where she was going but all she knew was that it had to be away from her fiance.
Putting on her directional, Leigh slowed to almost a stop and turned right. Heading down the street, she passed the familiar houses of her childhood. One in particular, as she remembered, was approaching. Carefully glancing to the left, Leigh found that house. It was still there, after all these years. Quickly deciding what to do, Leigh slowed and put the
directional on and turned to the left. She parked in back of a white van that sat looking old and broken down. Sighing, she gathered the courage to
go up to the door, knock and see if the old family was still living there.
Shutting the car off and pulling the keys from the ignition, she opened the door pushing it with her feet. Getting out, she shut the door and started her walk to the front door. As she was walking, she glanced in the back yard and tears almost stung her eyes as she saw a beat up, broken down treehouse in the tree that was so old. Shoving the thoughts aside, she approached the door and timidly rang the doorbell. A few minutes later, a woman appeared in the doorway.
"My heavens! Its been so long," she gasped inwardly.
Leigh smiled warmly as the lady reached to her. "I know it has," she said in her hair.
The lady stepped back and looked Leigh from head to foot. "My how you've grown."
"That's what age does to you I guess," Leigh laughed.
Suddenly realizing what may have possessed Leigh to have come to the house, the woman spoke. "They are all here for a family cookout. You're welcome to
join us if you'd like," she said holding the door open for Leigh to enter.
Leigh smiled. "I'd love to join you. Its been forever and I'd like to get back up to my gossip," her and the woman enjoyed a laugh together.
"Come. They are all in the livingroom," the woman said, leading Leigh into the house.
It still was the same as how Leigh remembered it. The smell of the house, the pictures, all of the memorabilia was still scattered around. The
house was still in mint condition just as it had been long ago. She wondered if the rooms were still the same.
"Everyone, look who's here," the woman announced as the two entered the livingroom.
Everyone stopped talking and turned to see what the commotion was. Gasps escaped from the lips of the older men as they looked at her. One, in particular, seemed a little more thrilled than the others. The family members all raised to their feet and wandered over to the new guest in the house. Surrounding Leigh, they asked many questions as the younger
members looked on with wonder and delight.
"I can't believe you're here," the youngest said.
"I'll agree to that. How long has it been?" the second oldest replied.
"Leigh, you've done a lot of growing," the oldest member said, smiling.
Leigh's face lit up when he spoke to her. It was as if old feelings were flooding back all at once. Instinctively, Leigh reached forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. He responded and tightened his grip upon her. Moving away from him, she reached a hand to her face,
whiping the tears that had formed under her eyes.
"Don't cry," he said soothingly, trying to help clear her eyes.
"I can't help it," she said, sniffling.
"Here, lets go and talk," he said, taking her right arm and leading her up the stairs.
They walked the hall in silence, but as soon as he opened the door to the room she knew all to well, the tears were once again forming. The room had been turned around since the young men were old enough and had moved out a while ago. It now was an extra bedroom with two single beds with a nightstand and a single lamp in the middle. The room was also painted
to a light blue color and the shades on the windows were draped in a baby pink silk lace. Sitting down on the bed, they began to talk.
"Listen, about what happened," he started.
"Not now. I don't want to live that again. I'm living now," Leigh said.
"So many things have changed," he said, glancing around the room.
"Exactly. But I've never stopped loving you," Leigh said softly, glancing at her engagement ring. He noticed her playing with it.
"Is that what I think it is?" he asked almost like he was hurt.
"Yes it is. I'm getting married at the end of the year," Leigh said.
"Congratulations," he said a look of hurt danced in his eyes.
Leigh felt it. "Thanks."
"Leigh!"
"Isaac," they both laughed.
"You first."
"No, you."
"Well, okay. I was gonna say that I wanted to call you many times before and I'm sorry I never did," he said.
"Isaac, don't worry about it. It's in the past," Leigh said.
"So, I'm past?" Isaac asked.
Leigh thought for a moment. "No," she said.
Isaac reached over and took her hand in his. Slowly, he raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. Giggling like an old school girl, Leigh
reached over and kissed his cheek.
"Oh Isaac, you're still the charmer I remember you as," Leigh giggled as Isaac made a face. "STOP!" she giggled some more.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'll, I'll," Leigh stammered as two hands went to her waist. "STOP! Ike, no!" she screamed.
Somehow in the middle of their tickling fight, Isaac landed on top of Leigh. Feelings rushed over both of them. A magnet of longing pulled them together as they both stopped and stared. Right then, Leigh knew she had made the mistake of moving on without Isaac. But now, it was too late, wasn't it?
