Chapter 32

When Another Door Opens…

THEN

(Leith)

When I saw the police car pull out behind me, my heart sank. I think anyone would feel that way though. I had nothing to hide in my car or about myself. It was just the idea of a cop following me.

The car didn't put its lights on, which meant nothing was going to happen.

Truthfully, I wasn't focused at all.

My mind was all over Beth.

It had been one hell of an afternoon with her.

I hated that she had to go.

I hated that I had to sneak around to pick her up and drop her off.

I made a split second decision and turned into the gas station parking lot and parked in a spot next to the building.

The police car did the same thing.

The car pulled in right next to me.

I turned my head and saw a familiar face.

It was Pete.

Better than Tim , I thought to myself.

Last thing I needed was another showdown with Beth's father.

Eventually I was going to lose my cool with him. I wanted to know what was so bad about me. Or so wrong about me. Was it the money thing? Because I had no parents? Because my grandmother struggled to survive? All I wanted to do was take care of his daughter. But why would he understand that?

Pete climbed out of his car and I put my window down.

Again, I had nothing to hide.

When Pete got to my open window, he looked down at me and grinned. "Heard you moved away."

"I like to revisit the old streets."

He laughed. "I don't know about that."

"He called you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

I looked forward at the brick wall of the gas station.

"Keith, do you have anything in the car I need to know about?"

"Leith," I said. "And no, I don't have anything in the car."

"Good. I'd hate for this to go south."

"What do you want?"

"Just saying hello," he said. "Wondering what you're up to."

"So this is a courtesy thing?"

"Exactly," Pete said. "Now, I could ride your ass a little if you want me to."

I looked at Pete. "He hates me for loving his daughter."

Pete widened his eyes. "Love, huh?"

"Yeah. Love."

"That's a risky word there, Keith. You're almost a baby yourself."

"Of course I am," I said.

Pete laughed. He reached into my car and patted my shoulder. "Want my advice?"

"No."

"Good. I'm telling you anyway. I dream of a world where you listen to me."

"Good luck," I whispered.

"Letting go of someone is hard to do. If you think it's hard now, wait until you're an actual adult. But I'll stay on topic here, Keith. You should let her go. Let this little puppy dog affection ride off into the sunset for good. Because it'll never happen. It'll never work out the way you want it to. Ever. You're never going to sit at his dinner table and break bread. You're never going to have a beer with him. You're never going to sit down and watch a baseball game with him."

I looked up at Pete. "I hate baseball."

Pete laughed. "You're a little prick, aren't you?"

"I have to get home. My grandmother is expecting me."

"Grandmother, huh?"

"I live with her. We moved because the packing warehouse shutdown."

"Damn shame," Pete said. "I hope you're not this much of a pain in the ass to your grandmother."

"Is it a crime if I am?"

"Not with the law," Pete said with a wink.

"You can call your boss now and tell him you did his dirty work. My car is clean. I'm not drunk. I don't drink and drive. There's nothing illegal here."

"Just a bunch of messy towels and blankets in the back seat, huh?" Pete asked.

"That a problem?"

"Not for me," Pete said. "Hope you'll listen to me."

"I won't," I said.

"Teenagers," Pete said.

"Old dudes who can't let shit go," I said.

"Who are you calling old?"

I backed out of the parking spot and got the hell out of there.

But I didn't leave town.

Not yet.. I wasn't ready yet…

I parked in a different spot on the side of the building and stared at the church.

My hands were tight on the wheel as the lump in my throat became harder to swallow.

I wished more than anything Beth was next to me right then.

She had been amazed by the church and the wedding.

Me, I had been more worried about finishing my cigarette and enjoying that rushing feeling when she and I were together. Those images of us in the back seat flashing through my head. I wasn't sure if it was a happy memory or pure torture because I wanted more of it.

I turned my head and looked at the back seat.

Where we confessed our love and confessed a hell of a lot more too - without words.

I had the windows down in the car and ran a hand through my messy hair as I watched the church doors.

I had no business watching someone else's love story play out, but there I was.

Hopefully waiting. My heart actually racing a little.

Then when the church doors opened, my heart beat even faster.

Two men stood at the doors as people came out of the church. They formed two rows, leaving a pathway for the newlywed couple.

I was captivated, waiting.

When the couple appeared, everyone cheered.

I heard their applause.

The bell high up in the tower started to ding! and gong! away.

The bride and groom walked down the steps, smiling ear to ear, their hands locked tight. There was a black limo waiting for them at the end of the sidewalk.

I watched the entire thing play out.

I touched my jaw and took a deep breath.

I looked over at the empty passenger seat and swallowed hard again.

Someday I wanted that to be us. Me and Beth.

Fuck how old we were today… this was about tomorrow. And what came after that.

Nobody would ever understand it.

But as long as we didn't lose each other, we'd be okay.