Page 43 of Love By The Falls

“Which one’s that?”

“Bubblegum Cherry Soda Blast.”

“Mmm,” I say, holding back a gag. “Yum.”

The mint green motif continues throughout the shop—mint green walls, counters, and even plastic spoons. Of course, when we reach the glass in front of the ice creams, Charlie orders Bubblegum Cherry Soda Blast and I begrudgingly refrain from making him choose something else.

“What can I get for you, Charlotte?” asks Mr. Davis. He’s worked at the sweet shop for as long as I can remember. “Will you have a chocolate chip cookie as usual?”

Charlie looks up at me, licking his ice cream cone, and I’m still feeling rebellious, so I say, “Make it a brownie today, Mr. Davis.”

The old man’s eyes widen as he turns to pick up the brownie with a wax piece of paper. “You’ve never ordered that before. Did something happen while you were away?”

I smile and pay him for the ice cream cone and brownie. “Yes, Mr. Davis. I had fun.”

He looks at me, and when he sees my grin, he smiles, too. “Oh, well, I’m happy to hear it.”

“Thank you, Mr. Davis.”

Charlie and I sit at one of the small, white round tables and chairs. Charlie tells me about his day between licks, and I wipe the ice cream from his mouth with a napkin before he uses the sleeve of his jacket.

“That was so good. Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome, Charlie. Let’s get going now.”

I turn to wave goodbye to Mr. Davis. “Thank you. It was nice seeing you today.”

“You, too, Charlotte. Strange how I saw you both in one day. It’s been a while since that’s happened.”

I wonder what Mr. Davis meant by that, as I open the car door for Charlie and wait for him to hop into the passenger seat. I’m still thinking about it when someone steps in front of me, trapping me behind the trunk of the car.

My hand flies to my chest, instinctively.

Jason.

“Hi, Charlotte.”

I stare at the man in front of me. I don’t know if I would have recognized him if Jane hadn’t warned me. He’s pudgier than he was back in college. His light brown hair is shorter and thinner up top. But those eyes. Those green-blue eyes that I stared into countless days and nights, I would have recognized anywhere.

“Excuse me,” I say, stepping away from him.

“Charlotte, it’s me, Jason.”

“I know who you are.” I pivot to walk past him, but he grabs my arm.

“Where are you going? Aren’t you happy to see me?”

I ball my hands into fists at my sides and will them to stay down. “Happy to see you?” I sneer. “Are you serious?”

“We haven’t seen or spoken to each other in a long time. I thought…” he searches my face.

“You thought wrong.” I stare at his hand, still holding my arm. “Let go of me.”

He does and I step away.

“Wait,” he calls. “I want to talk to you, and to Charlie.”

My son’s name on his lips ignites an explosion in my chest and my voice comes out deeper than it ever has before. “That will never happen,” I seethe.

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