Chapter 12: Unearthing the Past
865 Words
The next morning, the soft patter of snow against the window was the first sound Maya heard as she woke up. She sat up, stretching as the winter light spilled through the curtains. Sophie was already awake, her giggles echoing from downstairs, and Maya couldn't help but smile.
Pulling on a warm sweater, she made her way to the kitchen, expecting to find Sophie coloring or playing with one of her toys. Instead, she found her daughter sitting at the table, staring wide-eyed at a small photo album Ben was flipping through.
“Morning,” Ben said, looking up with a smile that made Maya’s stomach flutter.
“What’s this?” Maya asked, gesturing to the album as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Found it in one of the old boxes your mom asked me to move to the attic,” Ben replied, holding up the book. “It’s full of pictures from our high school days.”
Maya’s brows furrowed as she walked closer, curious. She hadn’t seen those photos in years. The memories came flooding back as she sat down next to Sophie and peered over her shoulder.
There were pictures of winter dances, awkward poses by the lockers, and group shots during summer barbecues. Sophie pointed excitedly at a photo of Maya and Ben in matching Christmas sweaters.
“Is that you and Uncle Ben?” she asked, giggling.
Maya groaned, embarrassed. “Yes, but don’t laugh too hard. Those sweaters were very trendy back then.”
Ben chuckled. “They were horrible, and you know it.”
As they flipped through more photos, Maya couldn’t help but notice how many of them included Ben. He was always there—by her side, laughing, teasing, supporting. It was a stark reminder of how close they had once been, and how much distance had grown between them over the years.
“I remember this,” Ben said, pointing to a picture of the two of them standing in front of the old skating rink. “You were so nervous about skating, and then you ended up being better than me.”
“Only because you kept tripping me,” Maya retorted, her smile betraying the accusation.
Sophie looked between them, her eyes sparkling. “Can we go skating, Mom? Please?”
Maya hesitated, but Ben jumped in before she could reply. “I think that’s a great idea. It’s been years since we’ve been to the rink. What do you say, Maya?”
Caught off guard, Maya nodded. “Alright, let’s do it. But don’t blame me if Sophie shows you up out there.”
The skating rink was just as Maya remembered—filled with the laughter of children, couples holding hands, and the occasional tumble of a first-time skater. Sophie was ecstatic, tugging on her skates and racing onto the ice with an enthusiasm that was contagious.
Maya stepped onto the ice cautiously, her legs wobbling slightly as she found her balance. Ben was already gliding smoothly, his confidence on full display as he spun in a small circle.
“Show-off,” Maya muttered, earning a laugh from him.
“Come on, I’ll help you,” he said, extending a hand.
Maya hesitated for a moment before taking it. His hand was warm, steadying her as she started to move. They skated together, slowly at first, until Maya found her rhythm. It was a surreal feeling, being so close to him again, their movements in sync as if no time had passed.
After an hour of skating, they sat down for a break. Sophie was still zipping around the rink, her cheeks flushed with joy. Maya sipped on a cup of hot chocolate, the warmth spreading through her hands.
“This feels nice,” Ben said, breaking the silence.
Maya glanced at him, her heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in his eyes. “It does.”
“I’ve missed this,” he admitted. “Being with you. Laughing with you. It’s like the old days, but... better.”
Maya looked away, the vulnerability in his words hitting her harder than she expected. “Things are different now, Ben. I’ve changed.”
“So have I,” he said softly. “But maybe that’s a good thing.”
The tension between them was palpable, filled with unspoken emotions that neither seemed ready to confront.
Later that evening, as Maya tucked Sophie into bed, her daughter asked a question that caught her off guard.
“Mom, do you like Uncle Ben?”
Maya froze, unsure how to respond. “Of course I like him. He’s a good friend.”
Sophie tilted her head, studying her mother. “But do you like him? Like, really like him?”
Maya’s cheeks flushed. “That’s a grown-up question, sweetheart. Go to sleep.”
Sophie giggled but didn’t press further.
As Maya closed the door to Sophie’s room, she leaned against it, her mind racing. The truth was, she didn’t know how to answer Sophie’s question. The feelings she had for Ben were complicated, tangled up in years of history, hurt, and hope.
Could this really be a second chance for them?
- Writer
