Page 22 of One Little Chance
“If you ever want to…” There was yearning in his voice, a question, but also hesitance. I wanted to push through it like a door.
“Idowant to,” I said quickly. Maybe too quickly. I didn’t care.
He nodded. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I said, almost forcefully. I stepped closer. He ran his hand over his face to clear away the water.
The two of us were stuck in place, freezing and drenched, like we had cement in our shoes instead of rain. Like it was useless to try and keep us apart.
A few silent beats passed. A car drove down the street splashing water in its wake. A couple ran down the sidewalk squealing in the rain to their car.
“We probably look crazy out here,” Jordan said, his eyes still on me. “Why…”
“I guess we missed each other,” I offered. A feeble, tiny, minimization of the feelings between us.
It hurt when we separated. Every single time. Even tonight.
“I guess so,” he murmured, thoughtful. “I don’t want Sweet River Elementary needing to call in a sub because their favorite new teacher is sick.”
I laughed softly. “A little rain doesn’t hurt,” I said through chattering teeth. He raised a hand toward me, and I knew that little shoulder rub he was about to do so well I started to lean into it…but before making contact he dropped his hand.
He took a step back. “I’m this way.” He pointed behind himself in the opposite direction of where I was parked.
“I’m that way.” I nodded behind me.
“See you around, Sophie?”
“Not if I see you first,” I said as he turned on his feet and sloshed his way toward his truck.
I stood there another minute, not ready to leave the perfect little Valentine bubble we’d shared. A car door slammed shut. I shook my head, waking myself from the haze, and stumbled through the puddled streets to my car.
Chapter 11
DECEMBER 23RD, 2023
My doorbell rings, I’m wrapped up in a special satin robe gifted to me for today. I skip from my spot in the bathroom stationed in front of my skincare products lined up.
“A special delivery?” Mom asks with a twinkle in her eyes, joining me on my trip toward the door. We race toward it squealing together.
I feel giddy, light, as I open the door to the cold winter air. No one is standing there, but instead, a tiny silver box with a red bow is waiting on the doorstep. I pick it up. I can smell the snow on the ground mingling with my fresh pine Christmas wreath as I start to eagerly undo the bow.
“Come inside to the warmth,” Mom giggles as she pulls me into the house, closing the door behind me.
I remove the bow, then lift the lid to find a shiny gold locket inside. I scoop the locket up, dangling it from my fingers. I knew this locket. The feel of it was familiar to me. It used to hold a picture of Herb inside when it hung from Nana Silk’s neck. I open the two sides of the locket, to find it now holds a picture of Jordan and me, dressed up for our pretend wedding as little kids.
Tears drop from my eyes, one by one. I hold the locket close to my chest, knowing everything this gift meant, not only for the two of us, but for his family. In that moment, with all our twists and turns, I wouldn’t change a word of our story.
Chapter 12
MARCH 4TH, 2023
Jordan
I hope the new favorite teacher didn’t catch a cold last night after our dinner
Me
No worries. Miss Sophia showed up to work this morning bright and early and healthy
