“No.We’re not debating this.Mary has been there for us through the years, and this is our chance to be there for her.Copeland and I were a long time ago.Yes, I was upset, because for me, a world without Copeland—” My voice cracks.“It’s not right.He’s a part of my childhood.Of course, I would be upset if something were to happen to him.It’s fine.Chandler, I’m here for whatever you need.I’ll call your mom and Macie tomorrow to tell them the same.”
“Ellie?”Dixon says, from his seat next to me.
“It’s done.A very small ask that I can easily grant.”Standing from the couch, I move toward Chandler and open my arms for a hug.He hesitates briefly before stepping into my embrace.“Anything,” I say softly.
When he pulls back, his eyes are glassy with emotion.“Thank you, Ellison.I know this is hard on you, and I don’t know if Mom is right about Cope needing space, but I don’t have the heart to fight her on it.Not now.Not with this.”
“You don’t have to.It’s done.He can check in whenever he’s ready.”My heart pounds erratically inside my chest, but I ignore it.Life is hard.It sucks a lot of the time, and this is one of those times, both from the cancer and my ex being thrust back into my life, but I’ll handle it just as I have every other crisis that’s been tossed my way.I’m going to try not to love him anymore.
How hard could it be?
Four
Copeland
It only took me a few hours to pack up everything I own and load it into the bed of my truck.I'm a simple guy who lives alone.I don't need much, but it's also sad that seventeen years is reduced to a few boxes.I donated all the furniture, which was minimal at best.
My commanding officer was understanding and helped me file all the necessary paperwork for my dependency discharge.Everything was approved, and I was granted early retirement.I'm glad my seventeen years of service weren't for nothing, but at the end of the day, I was going home, no matter what the outcome was.My mom needs me, and so does my brother and his family.
It's a little before three in the afternoon when I hit the corporation limit for Magnolia Ridge.I left North Carolina at five this morning, and with minimal stops along the way, I've made great time.
Sitting up straighter in my seat, I take in the small town where I grew up.I visited at least once per year when I wasn’t deployed, but I never spent any time in town.There've been some updates to the buildings, including a fresh coat of paint on the hardware store and a new, fancy lighted sign for the pharmacy.However, all in all, it's the same, and it feels like home.
I have so many memories in this small town, and most of them revolve around Ellison.I fell hard and fast for her all those years ago, and for the first time in seventeen years, I'm about to face the only woman I've ever loved.It’s been years since I’ve laid eyes on her, and I have no doubt she’s still beautiful.We were just kids back then, but the love I had for her ran deep.It still does.Now that I'm home to stay, I can't stay cooped up in my mom's or brother's houses.
This isn't a visit.This is the next phase of my life.Yet another stepping stone I didn't bet on, but it's here, and I'm ready to face it anyway.
My family needs me.That means I have to put my broken heart on the back burner and let it simmer.I’m a Marine.I can handle the pressure of living in the same town as her.And even if I can’t, I’m going to have to fake it until I make it.
I slow the truck at Mom’s driveway, and just as I always do, I look up ahead at Magnolia Estates, hoping for a glimpse of her.Sure, I stay hidden when I’m here to avoid seeing her happy with someone else, but my eyes have a mind of their own, and they’re always looking, always searching.
Today, just like every other day I’ve been back here, I don’t see her.However, this time, I know that’s going to change.It will be impossible not to see her living in this town.I’m not ready.I tell myself that my heart is hardened.That I’m prepared to see her happy and with someone else, but that’s just it, she’s not with someone else.
She’s single.
My girl, she hasn’t moved on, and my hardened heart doesn’t know how to handle that.
What the fuck is wrong with the men in this town?Do they not understand how amazing she is?I might not have spoken a word to her in seventeen years, or even laid eyes on her, but I know with absolute certainty she’s still the same incredible, beautiful woman she was back then.
I shake out of my thoughts and park my truck in the driveway.Grabbing my phone, I don’t bother with my keys or my things.I can deal with them later.Right now, I need to see my mom.I need to wrap my arms around her and see for myself that she’s okay.I know she’s going up against a battle, and I plan to be there for her every step of the way.
Stretching out my back, I bend left and right, twisting and turning before making my way to the front door.My boots clunk against the steps, and when I reach the door, I don’t bother knocking.My mom would scold me for that, so I turn the knob and step into the house.Instantly, the smell of vanilla greets me.Mom loves to bake, and the house always smells like vanilla.I close my eyes, letting the scent and the memories that come with it wash over me.
“Ma!”I call out.I can hear sounds and the low hum of voices from the kitchen.She’s not expecting me today, but I was able to get everything packed up a day early.I didn’t tell her because I was hoping to surprise her.The voices are quiet as I round the corner to the kitchen.
Mom stands, a blinding smile on her face as she rushes toward me, wrapping me in a hug.My arms envelop her petite frame, and I close my eyes.She’s here.She’s okay, and she’s going to beat this.When she pulls back, she’s smiling as she lightly slaps at my chest.
“Copeland James, what are you doing here?I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“I got everything packed and taken care of a day early.I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you certainly did that.”She smiles up at me.She takes another step back, and that’s when it happens.
My breath hitches.
The world around me stills.
Ellison.
