The Fork in the Road

The choice

Kendra, while dating Luke, had been texting Henry the entire time. They were supposed to have no contact while some legal stuff was going on but one night she broke down and couldn't take it anymore. She knew she shouldn't have reached out, but this was a man she had loved for years, her best friend. It was killing her to have not talked to him for weeks. They had never even gotten to say goodbye because of what transpired between them.

That line of communication kept her heart linked to Henry. What was worse was they even met up in secret a time or two. One night things went too far, falling back into old familiar habits. This caused a lot of confusion and guilt for Kendra. Henry knew about Luke. Henry wanted her back and when the no contact order was dropped, Kendra had to officially make a choice once and for all.

Looking back now, Kendra knew she chose Henry out of fear. Fear of the unknown and unfamiliar.

Henry was the safe choice. She knew what to expect, both the good and bad. She knew she could be mostly happy, comfortable and content. Kendra also knew they could pick up where they left off. She likely wouldn't have to wait several years or more for things to get serious. She had never wanted to be an older parent and this weighed in her too. Plus she knew his family and cared for them as well.

As much as a relationship with Luke seemed effortless and absolutely heavenly, she wasn't sure if that would last. She remembered that even in the beginning with Henry it was better, and that faded away. It had only been a few months with Luke and there were too many unknowns and what if's to risk losing the life she knew she could have.

Kendra's mind and heart were constantly at war with trying to make a choice. In the end, logic won. She was scared to choose Luke in case it didn't work out, and end up losing both of them.

Kendra ended things with Luke, even though every fibre in her body was screaming at her not to. He seemed to take it well, which was almost worse. She, for some reason, was hoping he would have fought for her. Though she also couldn't fault him for being respectful of her decision.

She didn't know what it was, but there was this odd pull to Henry that couldn't ignore or sever.