Rewritten Fate

Art walk 2

Ryan

I saw her walk in the door and my heart stopped. It’s been 15yrs since I saw her last, but she hasn’t changed a bit. Long straight black hair, just past her belt line. Crystal blue eyes, no makeup, her natural beauty shining. Her normal wear of blue jean shorts and plain pink t shirt. Oh God she’s still just as beautiful! She walks right past me, I’m standing to the left of the door, talking to a couple wanting to purchase a painting of eagles in their nest.

By the time they pay and head for the door, she’s made her way to the opposite corner, she stopped and is studying a wedding portrait my sister painted. Our brother got married in May and Susie painted them saying I do.

I decid to approach her after several minutes. I’m so nervous. Does she remember me? What is she going to ask… do I tell her?? f**k it. I’m going over there.

“Hey man, where do I put…” I put my hand up and stop Ronnie from finishing. He can tell I’m on a mission. I hope this is Gods mission for us to meet tonight, in his house.

I’m standing behind her, watching her, waiting for the right time so I don’t startle her. I step beside her. Her body tightens to my presence.

“Hey girl. “ I quietly say My voice crackles, trying my best to keep it together.

She straightens up, takes a deep breath and turns to look at me.

“Hey… Ryan. “. She stammers. s**t. I shouldn’t have done this.

I turn to the picture, panicking inside, but trying not to show it. “Susie painted Paul’s wedding…. “ I trail off. I don’t know what I was expecting. I need to abort this mission.

“Really! To who?” She asks. Turning to the painting herself.

“Claire. His high school sweetheart.” I choke out.

“ nice. They look so happy.”

“Yeah. They moved to Dublin last year. “ why and I going on about him?!? Mr Goody who always had it easy.

“Huh. Moved away from mom and dad? Wouldn’t have expected that”. I’m shocked she remembers. Noone ever expected him to move out let alone 2 hrs away.

“Yeah. They’re graduating college soon. Teachers, both of them. “

“Good for them.”

Fuck.. now what do I say!! I can feel my face getting hot.

“How about susie , how is she?”

“Doing good. 3 kids, 2 dogs, moved to dads farm outside of town when she had her first”

“Nice. 3 kids, she’s got her hands full!” She chuckles, just as heartwarming as I remember. Her body is starting to relax.

“Yeah, they’re well behaved though. They help her with the farm.”

“Good for her. Keep em busy. “

“Yeah. “

“How about you? Looks like you’re doing better,” she turns to me, studying my face, and body.

“Yeah. Had to do better. I’m 4yrs sober. After kissing death, I had to make the changes” I admit, a little embarrassed that it took me so long to it was all she ever wanted and I couldn’t give.

She turns towards me, her face relaxed. “I’m glad to hear that.” A smile tugs at her lips.

“Yeah, finely took your advice, got in a group, joined the church, made new friends. Left the old me behind.” Time to be honest with her. It’s what she deserves.

She reaches out to my arm, settles it at my elbow “I’m happy for you. “ squeezing her hand around my arm, “took you long enough to listen” she laughs.

“Yeah, just wish I’d done it sooner” I smile back. She has no idea what I lost before I got clean. She left me before I got in too deep.

She lets go and looks around us at the other displays. She’s looking for something.

“Who’s piece are you looking for”

“Bennys. He demanded I come see it. “

“Oh… Benny. He’s in our kids program. It’s over here” I lead her around the corner. He made a race car form clay. It’s gold and black with stripes of white on the hood.

“Wow! He did really good!” Her face lights up as her smile spreads.

“Yeah he worked so hard on it.” I can’t take my eyes off her.

Just as I started to ask where she knew Benny from, I hear her voice and flinch. I can’t believe she showed up! My face flushes and I do everything I can to ignore her.

“Ryan! There you are!” Rita comes up and hugs me. I do everything I can to get away without pushing her away.

“Hi Rita” I say, my voice as bland as possible, I turn my head long enough to answer her.

“When are getting out of here? Everyone’s meeting at the bowling alley in a little bit” she starts. I turn to see Leigh walking out the side door, in a hurry. f**k f**k f**k. I have to catch her! I didn’t get a chance to exchange numbers… or ask how she’s been. I take off for the door, leaving Rita standing by the displays. She’s always ruining things.

I get to the door and swing it open. The darkness makes it hard to see at first. But I catch her and another woman rushing past the stage where susies ’s husbands band is playing.

I go back in, Ronnie and I are in charge of clean up tonight. So I can’t follow her.

“Where’d you go ry?” Rita asks.

“Go find your DJ Rita. Art walk was over 10 min ago” I say blandly and walk past her back inside and lock the door behind me. Time to start cleaning the goodies table. I need to get the money counted and locked up before we leave.

“Good riddance” Ronnie breaks my thought. I was thinking much worse.

“Yeah, DJ needs to keep better track of her. And keep her away from me. “ I shake my head. I can’t believe Rita ruined my time with Leigh.

“Who were you talking to before stalker showed up?”

“Leigh… “ I sigh. I wishing she’d stayed longer.

“Man, she had your full attention! Rita had been calling you for a while before she made her way over.”

“176.30… not bad for a bake sale! And we don’t have much to put away for Sunday.” I try to change the subject. I don’t want to talk about Leigh to Ronnie. “Get the lights off and doors locked. I have to get going”

Ronnie hit the lights and I locked all the doors, I hope I run into Leigh on away to my bike. I parked it down at the bank lot, it’s on the outside of the art walk blocks. My hope was an easier exit to my meeting, that I’m now running late to.

40 min later, im sneaking into the meeting. I’m 5 min late and don’t want to interrupt anyone. I didn’t see her or her friend on my walk back to my bike. I was, though, able to loose Rita. The roads were pretty empty for a Friday night. Caleb and Mateo saved me a seat. I’m glad to have such good guys looking out for me. I haven’t missed a meeting yet.

Tonight is my turn to speak.

“I ran into an old friend tonight. I haven’t see this person in 15yrs. I did this person wrong in so many ways. I have ALOT to make up for.” I start. “I hope to run into them again soon and start my mends. We had a bake sale at the art walk. Thanks to all who came out! We raised almost $200 for the Bible camp. The kids will have so much fun this year!”

I go on about work struggles. But end on a good note. “In 6 months will be my 5 year mark! I want to thank everyone that had a hand in helping me make it this far. Caleb and Mateo have been there through everything! I wouldn’t be here with out them. “

I sit back down with them, they slap my shoulder. Their sigh of atta boy. But I wasn’t lying. They’ve seen me though a lot of down and outs. But never left my side.

After the meeting, everyone helps reset the room for the next function and enjoys some snacks before leaving. I’m pouring myself some water when my skin starts to crawl.

“Hi Ry!”

“Hi Rita” I roll my eyes. I can’t believe she’s here. Her meetings are across town, earlier in the evening. And now she’s here. Ugh. My luck.

“Thought you were meeting friends at the bowling alley” my voice is short and sour.

“They were busy and didn’t make it. Wanna grab dinner? We’re going to applebucket”

“No thanks.”

“Suit yourself. By the way. She doesn’t care Ry. If she did, she wouldn’thave run away, again. “ Rita spits before turning around and hauling it out the door.

“Don’t listen to her man. “ Caleb reassures. “b***h be crazy! Where’s DJ?“

“I don’t know. But he better watch her closer. That’s the second time she’s found me today!”

“Who’s she talking about?? Who’s the friend you ran into!?!?” Mateo questions me.

“Remember when I first got clean, I told you about Leigh?” I start

“Yeah?” They both drawl.

“Well, she came into the church after you guys left. She was looking for bennys artwork. I was interrupted by the b***h before I could give her my number” I continue. I start cleaning the table so I can head home. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted!

The guys reassure me she’ll be back, this town isn’t all that big. But I’m not so sure.