Prologue
Your life can change in as little as twelve minutes.
God created humans to love and be loved. Some experience love more than once, but others find their soul mate and love that one person their entire life.
I was that person. I fell and I fell hard, without any care that someday I would hurt like I do now.
It happened so easily, and I never fully comprehended the risk.
Love can be an emotional roller coaster that, for the most part, makes us happy. It makes us complete. It also makes us crazy, leaving us with a high that will blind us. We love hard and fast and take it for granted, never truly realizing our heart can break in the blink of an eye.
At least I never realized it. The thought never crossed my mind.
Now that I stand at the graveside of the one true love of my life, I can’t help wonder… Was the love worth the broken heart?
Chapter 1
Seventh Grade – April 1978
Jayden
I never had a chance. It was decided, and I have no say about it. My dad got a new job in another state. Mom and Dad moved a month ago. We all agreed I would stay with my Aunt Sara to finish out the school year. I got the good end of the deal. Aunt Sara is the best and my most favorite aunt. In just four weeks, I learned how to cook some really tasty dishes, learned how to knit, and even learned to like liver—well, at least the way she makes it. Don’t get me wrong, my mom is a fantastic cook, but there are just some things Aunt Sara makes that are so much better.
Then they blindsided me. Well, frankly, I don’t think Dad had much say in the matter. Mom missed me and could not wait another two months. I had a typical Friday at school, was happy for the weekend. But then I get home and—surprise! My mom is there. She and my aunt are in the living room talking.
“Hey, Mom, I didn’t know you were coming this weekend.”
She hesitates. “It’s not for a visit, Jayden. I’m taking you home, sweetheart. We leave tomorrow, so be sure to get your things together tonight. I want to get an early start in the morning.”
That’s it? No good-bye to friends, friends I have had since kindergarten? No going away party? Nothing?
I want to pitch a fit, cry… protest about not being able to say good-bye to my friends. I even think about playing the unfair card, but I know deep down, it won’t work. When my mother makes her mind up about doing something, it gets done. So, like the dutiful daughter I am, I pack up my things and make sure I’m ready to leave by morning—just like Mom asked.
I say good-bye to my aunt with tears in my eyes. I’m gonna miss her. It’s not that I haven’t missed my parents, but I really wanted to finish the school year and hang out with my cool aunt and my cousins.
I love my parents. I don’t want to move away mainly because I am scared. I’m afraid of starting at a new school and am more afraid the kids won’t like me. It’s hard enough going to a new school, but to start when the school year is almost over is the worst. Everything was worked out months ago. Dad got a new job; I get that. But they both promised me I could stay and finish my school year. Like I said, I love my parents, but right now, I don’t like them very much.
***
It is Monday morning, and I am getting ready to start at my new school. I’m dreading it and am more scared than I was before. The weekend flew by so fast, between packing and traveling to my new home. I only had one day to adjust. I’m not ready. Sure, I am showered and dressed, but mentally, absolutely not. I can tell them I’m sick. How easy would it be to just crawl back into bed and sleep the day away? Real easy, but unfortunately, it’s not an option. Mom would never have it.
She hollers upstairs, “Jayden, hurry up. Your dad is waiting. He’s gonna be late for work if you don’t get a move on.”
The bus stops right at the corner, I could easily just take the bus like I’m sure most of the kids do. But no, my dad insists he is going to take me to school. Back at our old house, he always took me to school, but the school was within walking distance, so there was never a need to take the bus. Now that I have to ride a bus to school, he won’t have it. They don’t understand that It’s just one more thing to make me stand out to everyone.
I hate this!I wish I could boycott and refuse to go, but I’m only thirteen and need to do as my parents say. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. I quickly finish up, grab my bag, run downstairs, kiss my mom good-bye, and head out the door. I can faintly hear her saying something about breakfast, but I keep going. The last thing I want right now is food, and besides, Dad can’t be late for work.
Dad is waiting in the car. I open the passenger door and jump in. Dad smiles, puts the car in gear, and we are off.
It seems like forever as we drive to the school, Ridgefield Junior High. It’s not far from the house. As we get closer, the knots in my stomach clench. I am dreading this.Dad, please can we just turn around and go home?
Dad pulls up to the front and says, “Have a good day, kiddo.” Obviously he did not hear my silent pleas.
I get out of the car but turn back and glare at him.
He raises his hands in the air. “I had nothing to do with this. This was your mother’s idea.” Of course it was.
I shrug. “Bye, Dad,” I say as I turn toward the steps of the school. Kids are rushing in, carrying books and such, as I walk slowly up the steps.I don’t want to be here. I don’t care if I’m late.I look back as my dad pulls away.I wanna go home.
