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“I think this is what you need to finally forgive yourself,” Dr. Burns pointed out. “Have you done that?”
Zoe gripped the steering wheel as she drove down the highway. The guilt had weighed on her like a heavy stone. It was time to release it. It was the only way to fully move on with Alex. What would she say to Jayden? Would he want to see her?
Roslyn wasted no time when Zoe arrived, only giving her time to freshen up once she arrived at her apartment. Zoe laced her fingers in her lap as Roslyn drove them to the university.
“You ready?” her friend asked.
Zoe nodded as they approached the university lecture hall. Walking through the double doors, students and faculty gathered in the fold-down seats. Audio sounded from the projector on the wall. Zoe sat along with Roslyn in the back of the room, inhaling the floor cleaner in the air. She stared at clips of Jayden on the screen. His baritone voice reverberated through the room. He looked well, and the smile on his face in his profile picture proved it.
She clapped along with the others as he rolled himself onto the stage.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” he said. The audience laughed. Jayden continued. “I’m grateful you all are here. I appreciate it. How many of you is this is your first time?” A few people raised their hands. “Thank you again. Some of you know my story.” Then he pointed to his wheelchair. “I wasn’t always crippled, but I can honestly say, my accident made me a better man.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. A better man? This was not the Jayden she knew.
“I wasn’t a good man at one point in my life. I made some bad decisions. I even ruined the heart of a good woman.” He paused as his chin dipped to his chest. “That night changed everything. I said some things I regret. Has anyone else been there?” A few others raised their hands. “I want you to know that no matter what happens in life, you can change. I never thought I would be here, but with the love of my family and faith in God, I can stand here and say I’m better. I’m stronger. You can be too.”
Zoe sniffled. Jayden wasn’t even fully into his lecture, but he already had her in tears.
Jayden smiled at the crowd. “Will you choose to be a victim or will you move forward?” He paused. “Only you can answer that question. I know for me, I had to decide to move forward. There’s always someone else worse off than you.”
Zoe played with her necklace. The man before her was a complete transformation from the bad boy she dated in college. Jayden Henderson. A changed man.
“You want to stay afterwards?” Roslyn asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Zoe swallowed. She’d already made the effort in coming to hear him speak. She wrung her cold fingers together, recalling Dr. Burns’ advice. Only Jayden’s reaction to her presence played in her mind, running to and fro like a frightened sheep.
When the audience applauded, Zoe joined in and clapped. She and Roslyn stood, and she spotted a few students and faculty members joining Jayden on stage and shaking his hand.
“I hear he’s signing a few books,” Roslyn said.
Zoe’s limbs shook. “I don’t know why, but I’m...”
Roslyn gave her a side hug. “We can leave. I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you.”
She walked along with her friend into the hallway. “You didn’t.” She gave a soft smile. “I appreciate you encouraging me. You’ve been a great friend. In spite of everything.”
Roslyn hugged her. “You’re my best friend. No matter what.”
Zoe patted her back and broke their embrace.
“Talk to Alex yet?”
“Not today.”
“You think you two will be okay?” her friend asked.
“I hope so.”
Her stomach rolled, noticing Jayden signing books at a nearby table. His smile was bright along with the people who flocked around him.
“Let’s go,” Roslyn said.
Zoe nodded and turned her back.
“Zoe?”
The ache in Zoe’s throat increased. Jayden recognized her. After all these years, he didn’t forget her. She pivoted to face him. He rolled his chair closer to her, his mouth falling open.
