Recapturing Fate

Chapter 2

Her life was so dramatic. That little phone call had turned her life around. In ten years, her mom hadn’t talked to her and now that she was in her hometown, she called. Her mom hadn’t even known she was coming here. Contemplating all this she started to drive away. Before fully leaving she turned her head to the view of the city lights. “A joy seeing you again old friend,” she shouted into the wind. She drove away not bothering to look back at what she left behind.

She drove back down the path and maneuvered her car back to the main street. She was wondering where her dad was. He hadn’t talked to her either since she left. She shook those thoughts away and blasted her radio she needed to focus on something else. She started singing like a crazy person while looking around to see what had changed in her little town. Nothing changed. Before she went to her mom’s house she decided to stop at the local diner. She had gone there all the time when she was a teenager. As she stepped out of her car she stalled for a minute, staring at the little diner.

Nothing changed with the 50’s design. She took her time walking to the door and entered the memory-filled warmth. As she entered everyone’s eyes turned towards her.

“Well, I’ll be darned if it isn’t little Miss Aurora Mathews. Who knew you would show up in this place again? I heard you were hitting the big money down in Miami. You’re a Chef now huh?” a waitress in her late 60’s said walking up to her.

At first, she hadn’t known who the waitress was but glanced at her name tag, which sparked remembrance. “Good to see you, Joyce.” She smiled kindly to her old friend.

“You look great. Even better than I thought you would. It doesn’t even seem like you were the ugly duckling in that group of yours. If you stayed here you might’ve won the hearts of all those boys you were crushing on in high school. Nobody but you and Tristan Alvarez left this place. You’re here in time for the reunion. All of them are going to be at the high school gym tomorrow at twelve. Even Tristan since he’s home for the holidays. It’s not that surprising he’s here though he comes home once a month. You, on the other hand, haven’t been here in ten years. Did they tell you about that reunion?” she said so enthusiastically.

Aurora sat down at a booth she had remembered so well. “No, they didn’t mention it. Looks like I’m going to be a surprise.” She replied brightly.

Oh, how she loved high school. She never had problems with the people around her. They treated her with respect and made her happy. It annoyed her a bit that they hadn’t told her about the reunion. She wondered if she had done anything in the past to cause them to want to forget about her. Truthfully she decided to forget about this place so why wouldn’t they?

“Do you want your usual?” Joyce said breaking Aurora’s thoughts.

“You still remember what I had?” Aurora said stunned.

“You’re my favorite youngster. How could I forget you? I remember when you and that group of kids would come here.” She smiled while writing on her pad of paper.

Aurora looked up at her and smiled. “That’s good to know ma’am,” Aurora said sweetly. Joyce smiled at her and walked away towards the kitchen. She sat and looked out the window. The rain had stopped a bit but she knew it would come back within minutes. She heard her phone ring silently in her bag and positioned to answer it.

“AURORA! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Your house, the apartment… your office? I even checked Mike’s house just in case. I know you guys are over but I had to check.” Renee Hicks shouted into the phone.

Renee was Aurora’s secretary and closest friend. Renee had that perfect family life Aurora only dreamed about. She wasn’t jealous of Renee but she sometimes wished she had her life.

“I’m not there Renee. I’m not going to be back three weeks.” Aurora sighed into the phone.

“Where are you then? You have clients on hold and your boss is wondering where you are! You didn’t tell anyone that you were leaving. Not even me!” Renee whined.

Aurora laughed slightly and responded, “I know Renee. I can’t tell you where I am. It’s a secret. I promise I’m not hurting myself in any way. It’s more like a trip down memory lane.” Aurora said giving a hint without meaning to.

“You’re in your HOMETOWN!!” Renee screamed into the phone.

Aurora laughed loudly and replied between labored breaths, “Yeah I am.” Renee told her she would be there in two days but Aurora reasoned otherwise.

“No, you shouldn’t. I’ll bring you here some other time. Right now I just need to stay here and figure things out.” Aurora sighed yet again.

“Alright, you better not get in trouble there,” Renee said before hanging up.

As Aurora hung up Joyce came back with her eggs and Taylor ham. She thanked her and was left alone again to ponder about what had happened while she was gone. When she finished Joyce came back around to ask if she needed anything else.

“No, I’m good. Take a seat here I got to ask you about what’s been happening in this place.” Aurora said while showing Joyce to a seat. Joyce sat and looked at her sheepishly.

“What’s there to say? Your life must be more exciting than how things are around here. It’s the same old city secrets and drama. You skipped out here quicker than I thought you would. Your parents were that bad?” she asked.

“Yeah, they were,” Aurora said gloomily.

Joyce reached out to hold Aurora’s hand. “I’m sorry dearie. I doubt they were ready to even have a family.” Joyce said sympathetically.

“Yeah, it’s alright. Nothing will change. Do you know where my parents live?” Aurora asked.

“Your mother still lives in your old house and your father moved into a new apartment,” Joyce said calmly.

“Dad was the one who bought the house. Did he just give it to Mom?” she asked shocked.

“Looks like it. I guess he just wanted to end it there without more problems.” Joyce said while shaking her head. Aurora snorted.

“That’s so like dad… Just… give up. I’m serious why did they have to raise me at such a young age? They were kids themselves when they had me. "Aurora said heatedly.

"I know dear. I’m sorry it turned out that way. Look why don’t you go talk to your mom? You’re here anyway.” Joyce said calmly.

“I plan to… I’m just thinking about what to say. I tend to go straight to the point you know? I guess that’s why I have the best kitchen in Miami.” Aurora said with a smile.

Joyce blinked and smiled. After a couple of minutes, Aurora left the diner and walked toward her car. She entered her car and became nervous. “Breathe Aurora you got this.” She chanted softly to herself. She drove off with more confidence than she ever had.