appletree

I waited. That's all I could do. I wonder if she even remembered our pact. Even before things went sour in our relationship, we had made a pact to meet under this tree fifteen years from that time. True we made it when we were like fifteen and our families were on vacation but it was something I never forgot about her. It's a small world when the girl you meet on vacation is the girl that's been right around the corner from you since the beginning of time. How is it we never notice girls until they become women? Perhaps because the ones that develop the earliest are the ones we notice the earliest and the girls that blossom later on down the road are the worthwile ones. The ones worth taking the time to get to know and fall in love with. She was definitely in the latter caliber and well worth every smile and heartache she caused along the way. Under this tree is where we shared our very first kiss. Then it was just a summer fling. I didn't know until our senior year that she was that very same girl I had kissed that summer vacation I was in Washington. We had three wonderful years together(that is, when I wasn't gone). The Boys had taken up a very big part of my life and she understood. I was very fortunate in the fact that she wasn't one of those posessive girls. The ones that need your attention constantly no matter what it is you do. She had her own thing going. She was off to college herself getting into the field of broadcasting. I've seen her over the past couple of years on the local news. She had done quite well for herself it seemed.

Me? I guess I'm doing okay.   I never expected to come this far in my life that's for sure but here I am waiting for somebody that I wronged nearly a decade ago. I hadn't planned to do it. I was young and wanted to explore my options. Did I expect her to show up? Not really. She was the one that I should have never let go.
I heard the crunch of the leaves in the silent orchard."Howard?"she inquired.
Her voice still as beautiful as any love song ever made. I turned at the sound of it. She still looked just as beautiful. She was simplistic in her attire even now. She was the girl next door in every sense of the word. Long blonde hair, big blue eyes and curved in all the places that mattered. She donned a white cowl neck sweater with an earth toned sweater and basic blue jeans.
"Janet."
"You didn't think I was gonna show up did you?"
I guilitly looked toward the ground.
"It's okay. I didn't think I'd get here either."
I drew my eyes toward hers."I see you're doing well these days."
"I'm happy. I don't wanna sound like a fan but I do love the music. There doesn't seem to be enough romance in the world. You guys sure know how to capture it."
"Thank you."
"Are you happy?"
"I'd be lying if I said yes but I'm doing okay."
"Funny how time changes things."
"They haven't changed that much. We've just grown up a little."
"I guess you're right."
"Honey?"the booming voice echoed as the crunch of leaves brought the unidentified voice closer.
"Over here,"she returned.
"We really should get going,"he stated.
"Can you give us just a minute? I'm sorry. Howard this is my husband, Tom and this here,"as she took the bundled baby from her husband."Is Melinda,"offering me a peek at the child's face.
My heart sank. A lot had changed in fifteen years.
"Nice to meet you. I didn't believe it when she first told me but who was I to deny her. I can never say no to these big blue eyes. I'll take Melinda back to the car and give you a few minutes more."
"Thank you baby,"she kissed him on the cheek as she handed the child back over to her husband.
As soon as Tom had left, she turned back to me.
"I guess time really does change things."
"Disappointed?"
"A little but I'll survive.   What I did then?"
"Water under the bridge.    You've grown into a good man.   You have a good heart. Somebody'll find it one day. It was good to see you again Howard,"she pecked me lightly on the cheek. She knew. She knew I hadn't found that one. I had hoped fate was gonna bring us together for a different reason but now I know why it did.
"Jan?"I beckoned.
She turned back toward me."Wanna do this again in ten years?"
She smiled and responded."I wouldn't miss it for the world."
We shared dreams under this tree. Under the apple tree where things grow and reproduce constantly. So do we.