AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I…” I shake my head, then nod in agreement, remembering the day when I’d stood on a real road, watching Bo and Owen drive away, desperately trying to figure out who’d turned left and who’d turned right. Maybe it was some sort of forewarning, that I’d one day soon be having to make the decision blindly, not knowing who I’d really choose. Who went left and who went right…
What other choice do I have? It’s been dragged on too long. At some point, I will end up losing them both if I continue. The pain will only be prolonged. My lids close and the roads are before me.
“Cris, you need to walk down the path on the right.”
My breath catches even as my heart races and I turn my head to the right.
“You promised. Do not switch now. The choice is made. Go down the road.”
Panic sets in as I begin to walk down, the soft dirt puffing slightly with every step. As I go further in, the man I’d named for the right begins to form. And when I reach for his outstretched hand, I glance to my left and see the other’s face.
The pain that lances within my chest at the thought of never seeing him again is swift and sharp. There is a sting in my left eye and I wipe at the fat tear that threatened to roll down my cheek, catching it with my forefinger instead. I study the wetness, and it dawns on me then what this is.
I look back into loving eyes and down into the offered hand. And I step back.
“I’m sorry,” I say shaking my head.
Yes, I agreed to walk down the path the good doctor set for me, but when I did, I realized that though I could not envision life without the man before me, to live without the other was a fate worse than death.
I cried for myself, I cried for the two of them. And when I finally stop I am curled on Dr. Riker’s lap as she brushes my hair away from my face and rocks me gently.
Dark blue eyes look down into mine with an understanding I’ve never seen before.
Sitting up, I hug her without a word, hoping I convey my gratitude at what she’s just done for me and leave.
I’ve made my choice.
