| Shelby stayed home the rest of the week and took the time to sort through all her feelings. But they never changed. She loved Brian and always would. She was destined to compare every man she would ever meet to him unless� Shelby wanted to believe everything he told her. He sounded sincere but as much as his words were heartfelt, the images of him and Laurie plagued her. But it was over; they could start fresh, move beyond their respective mistakes and finally be together. It sounded strange, together. It had been a dream for so long and then it seemed impossible. But now, it was within her reach. Could she let this chance slip by? Shelby knew the answer. She could, but it would be like living without ever seeing the sun again. So she continually churned it all over and over until finally one night she just collapsed on the bed as the tears soaked her pillow. Brian stayed away. As much as he wanted to see her, he gave her some space. But he phoned her daily only to say hello and check and make sure she was feeling better. He sent her flowers and even left cards under her door. It wasn�t much, but he wanted her to know that he truly cared. He tried to fill his days, but he found it hard to concentrate even on the simplest task. And when he wrote, all the words were sad and melancholy. Brian feared the worst. The longer they were apart his hopes continually dimmed. And that weekend as he had dinner with his parents, Jackie noted how preoccupied he seemed. She surmised the cause and could only hope and pray that their love would help to bring them together. However seeing Shelby on Monday only confirmed for Jackie how sometimes young people could be so blind. They needed a little push. Her husband would tell her to stay out of it, but her instincts were right and she couldn�t. Should she be doing this? Probably not, but Jackie pulled up in front of Shelby�s building. Brian would probably side with his father too, but sometimes these problems needed a woman�s touch. She got out of the car and proceeded to the front door. The worst that could happen is the girl sent her away. Jackie said a short prayer as she prepared to knock on the door. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Shelby returned to work on Monday and was greeted with a sea of cards and flowers. Even though she had handled some important calls and checked emails while at home, Shelby had two major meetings that day. And as the day waned she was beginning to feel the affects of returning work. By four she was grateful that the last meeting of the day ended and she left for home to lay down. When Shelby got home she went straight to bed and slept about two hours. When she woke she felt refreshed and the ache in her head was long gone. She had even forgotten for a few hours her quandary over Brian. She prepared a light dinner and sat and ate while watching an old tear jearker on TV. It was well after eight when she heard the knock on the door. The surprise on her face was quite evident when she greeted her visitor. "Jackie!" "Hello Shelby." Shelby had a queer feeling go through her. "I thought we agreed to meet in the morning." "We did. I�m here on a personal matter." Shelby could feel her stomach churn at her words. This was not going to be good. "Oh?" "Could I come in?" A small smile crept across her face. She could see Shelby was taken aback by her visit. "Of course, I�m sorry." Shelby opened the door and Jackie entered her apartment. Shelby led her into the living room and they both stood for a minute not quite sure what to do. "Won�t you sit down?" Shelby gestured to the sofa and Jackie took a seat. Shelby fidgeted and waited for her guest to speak; almost positive she knew what was on the woman�s mind. Shelby gave her a half smile and Jackie took that as her cue. "I�ve always believed in honesty and speaking the truth straight out, Shelby, so I�m not going to preface what I have to say with any long explanations." Shelby could feel her heart inch up into her throat and steeled herself against Jackie�s comments. Jackie could see the apprehension on Shelby�s face. She reached across and took the young woman�s hands. "I�m not going to hurt you child. Just shed a little light on your dilemma and give you some motherly advice." Shelby swallowed at her words and she let out a breath not realizing she had been holding it. "Dilemma?" Shelby eased away. "I don�t know what you mean?" "Yes you do, you and my son." Shelby�s mouth dropped open. "Don�t look so surprised. It�s very obvious you�re in love with him. And he has told me about his feelings for you too. So why are you here and he is watching TV with his father?" "Excuse me?" Shelby was astonished at her bluntness. "I know his reticence and yours have created quite a predicament, but it is also very clear to everyone that you love each other. And therefore the past is just that, the past. Let it go Shelby. She never meant anything to him." "How do you know? You never saw them. You didn�t�" Shelby didn�t finish, a flush coming over her face. "From what I have heard, it was very hard to resist her charms." Shelby nodded remembering how Laurie could use her assets to set any man on edge not only Brian. "Of course I don�t condone his behavior or hers but I know him Shelby. He is sincere in his feelings for you." She squeezed the girl�s hands causing Shelby to look at her. Her eyes sparkled just like Brian�s and there was a hint of a mischievous smile on her lips. "In all the months he was seeing Laurie his face never lit up when he spoke about her. But you, his eyes laugh and his whole face just reflects his love whenever he speaks your name." Shelby removed her hands and inched back on the sofa. "You don�t understand," Shelby took a breath. "I want to believe it all, but when I think," Jackie stopped her. "Don�t think. What do you feel?" Shelby hung her head. "I love him." She whispered. "I�ve loved him for so long." "That�s all you need." "But�" "No, Shelby, no buts." "You don�t understand. It�s more than Laurie." Shelby stood up and went to the window. She turned and looked forlornly at Jackie. "I was in love with him long before Laurie, and I never said anything. I couldn�t at the time. I was working for him and I didn�t want to cause any problems in the organization. So I kept my feelings to myself and my coolness pushed him away. I�m really to blame." Jackie stood and came towards her. "And then when he told me how he felt, well I�" "It was a bit of a shock?" "Yes. All this time I dreamed of," Shelby turned away. Her eyes filling. "The dream is a reality now, Shelby. I hate to see the two of you so miserable. You�re meant to be together." Jackie took hold of her hands. "Listen to your heart. It will give you all the answers you need. There�s just one more thing you need to know. He never brought Laurie home to meet his father and I. A mother knows Shelby. He never loved her. His love for you wouldn�t let him." She started towards the door and Shelby walked with her. Jackie hugged her. "Forgive a mother for meddling. I just want you both to be happy." Shelby watched as Jackie walked to her car. She closed the door and went back to her bedroom. Listen to her heart. And her heart kept telling her to go to him. To have Brian�s love was what she had desired for so long. She couldn�t go on like this. Too much time had been wasted and her heart was his forever no matter how much she tried to rationalize their past mistakes. Shelby changed her clothes and went out. It was nearly dusk and there was the smell of rain in the air. She started down the path. She breathed in the evening air to clear her head. It was time she got on with the rest of her life. |