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“Don’t be silly. I want to. She seems like a nice girl, and she’s here alone. I kind of feel sorry for her. I’m sure she’s torn up by what she did, and she could use some company.”
* * *
Jillian
I rented a car and drove to Ano’s house. I smiled as I pulled up and saw his family sitting on the front porch. His wife, three kids, aunt, sister, and brother-in-law. They were a tight-knit family and lived in the same house. Stepping out of the car, I walked up to the porch, and his wife, Lonnie, got up from her chair and hugged me.
“You’re back.” She smiled. “Look at you. It’s been what? Two years since you were here last.”
“Yeah.” I hugged her tightly.
“I’ll go get Ano. He’ll be so surprised.”
As she went inside to get her husband, I said hello to all his family members. When Ano opened the creaky storm door, he stopped when he saw me.
“Jillian.” He held out his arms.
“Hi, Ano.”
“It’s good to see you again, girl. What’s been going on in that humdrum life of yours?”
I took in a deep breath. “I was supposed to get married yesterday.”
Ano looked at me and cocked his head. “And you bailed, didn’t you?”
“Yep. I sure did.”
“Good for you. You know, I never liked that little weasel. Come inside, and I’ll make us some herbal tea.”
“I’ll make it, dear,” Lonnie spoke. “The two of you go sit down and talk.”
He led me out the patio door, and we sat in the lounge chairs facing the water.
“So, you finally decided it was time to go find yourself.”
“Yeah. Pretty much. I just walked away from the only life I’d ever known.”
“How does it feel?”
“It feels great but also a little scary.”
“Are you questioning yourself for leaving?”
“No. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
“Good. It’ll make your journey a little easier. But I will warn you, Jillian, to continue with your journey, you need to become fearless of what you may discover and how your life will change.”
“I know. I understand that.” I looked down.
“What you discover about yourself will be with you forever, and there will be no escaping it.”
“Here you are,” Lonnie spoke as she handed us our tea.
“Thank you, Lonnie.” I smiled.
“Thank you, my love.” Ano took hold of his wife’s hand and kissed it.
They had the kind of relationship that I’d always dreamed of. Every time I visited them growing up, their bond seemed stronger. They had the kind of love that was rare, unlike my parents, who were at each other’s throats 24/7.
