Second Chance at Love

Chapter 11

“Wow, he really won’t give up, will he?” Lanie says, re-reading the note Mathieu left me today on the box of my favorite chocolate.

“It doesn’t seem like it. I’m so confused. Part of me doesn’t want to ever see him again. But another part wants to hold on to him for dear life. What should I do?” I ask, taking a big gulp of wine.

Having days like these, I’m very thankful for the friends that I have. We are always there for each other when we need to be. One, or two bottles of wine help too.

Funnily enough, Alex, Sandy’s son, seemed all too happy to come over for dinner. He looked so bashful when he walked in. He is such a good kid. I’m glad he likes and cares for Kaylee so much. He better treats her right, or I’ll kick his ass if his mother doesn’t do it before I do.

“What do you think he’ll do next?” Sandy asks, refiling her glass for the second time.

“I don’t know. I just hope he won’t show up at work too often. It freaked me out today. I totally lost it in the washroom!” I say, massaging my temples.

“He sure seems determined not to give up on you. He was there talking with Benji when I got home after work. I don’t know what they talked about, Benji wouldn’t say, but he had this look in his eye. The kind of look you see in someone on a mission.” Lanie says.

“Seriously? Please tell Benji not to meddle in this mess.” I say, taking another gulp of wine, emptying my glass for the third time.

“Argh… please tell me what I should do! Should I even consider giving him a chance?” I tell the girl, throwing my head backward.

“He does seem sincere in not giving up. Wait and see what he does next. His action will speak louder than his words.” Sandy says, filling my glass again.

“He did sound disappointed that I didn’t even want to talk to him. When I rushed to the back store to get away from him, he tried calling me back. I was just so surprised that he showed up at my workplace. I can’t have my personal problem show up at work. What kind of example will that give my employee if I let things like this happen during work hours?! Why did he have to show back up in my life after all these years?”

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but do you think he might be your second chance at love? I know you were madly in love with Michael and in no way am I trying to diminish his memories, but do you think he might be back into your life to make it whole again?” Sandy asks, making Lanie sit up too.

Is she right? Could he be a sign that I can fall in love again? He was my first love. Could he really be my second chance? Can I really open my heart to love him again? Do I WANT to open my heart to the possibility? I still feel so confused, or it might be the wine by now.

“Hey, mom!!” I hear Kaylee yelling from upstairs.

“Yeah sweet-pea?” I yell back.

“Where’s my cozy blanket? And do we still have some popcorn?” She asks.

“Your blanket is in the laundry room, and if there’s popcorn left, it’s in the cupboard. And FYI, keep your door open! I mean it.” I yell out again, starting to slur a bit.

“Yes, mother dearest!” Kaylee says, mockingly. “Thank you!”

“You know them two are going to end up together, right?” Lanie says, looking from me to Sandy.

“I’d have nothing wrong to say about it. He’s a good kid, and if he ever did anything to her, I’d kick his ass, simple.” I say, busting out laughing along with the girls.

“Get in line, I’d kill him first if he ever treated her badly! I raised him better than that.” She says, laughing too.

Suddenly, I hear my notification sound coming from my cell phone. Looking at it, it’s a text from an unknown number. Frowning, I open it up to read it.

-‘Hey beautiful, are you still up?’

Who is this?

“Are you ok?” Lanie asks, looking a little concerned.

“I’m not sure. I just got a text. I don’t recognize this number, do you?” I ask, showing my phone to them.

“I don’t.”

“Me either.” They both say.

Ding!

Another message in.

-‘I’m sorry that I upset you so much showing up at your workplace.’

“Holy s**t! It's from Mathieu!” I tell them, my eyes bulging out in surprise.

“How the hell did he get my number?!” I say staring confusingly at my phone.

“Remember Friday/Saturday’s fiasco? I gave him your number and address before I had found out everything. I’m sorry!” Lanie says.

Now I remember. She did tell me about it this past weekend.

Ding!

Another message. Taking a breath in, I look at what he texted.

-You wanna know what’s the best thing in my life right now? It’s the beginning of this sentence

Feeling myself blush, or maybe it’s the wine. I keep staring at my phone, not doing anything, or saying anything either. Sandy being curious, take my phone from my hands.

“Oh, my, god!! This is so cheesy!” She says after reading it. “But you know, A for effort.” She says, giving the phone to Lanie.

“I have to give this one to him. I don’t think he’ll be giving up on you.” Lanie says, giving me back my phone.

“Should I answer him back? What do I even respond to that?” I ask, furrowing my brows, not knowing what to do.

Ding!

-‘You are all I can think about <3’

Wow…

Ding!

-‘I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you, good night, xoxo’

Looking at my phone, I don’t know how to react to this. It’s so cheesy, but at the same time, so cute. Without even thinking, I start typing.

-‘Night…’

It sounds so lame, but at least he’ll know I read his messages.

Putting my phone away, the girl and I decide to watch a movie. Half an hour in and I can concentrate on anything happening on the tv screen. I keep thinking about Mathieu. On how he just showed back up in my life like a bomb. I never in a million years thought I’d ever see him again. Taking out my phone, I re-read the text he sent. A small smile creeps up on my lips.

He really sounds cheesy… What an i***t.

Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt?!