by Sarah Gai
Nolan finished what he was doing and looked down toward the street after he heard Charlie going off on some tangent to whomever he was talking to on the phone. Making his way down the ladder, Nolan walked toward his best friend who just hung up from his call, his head facedown on the hood of his truck. Nolan slapped him on the back before he sidled up and stood next to him, resting his elbows on the car. "What's got you fired up?" he asked.
Charlie groaned before standing up straight and running his hands through his buzz cut. "Nicole, my darling fiancé has gone and played stupid with people’s lives," he growled.
Nolan knew Nicole well. Sure, she could be fiery and pigheaded, but the past few years have done her well. The girl from high school with her dark-lined eyes, piercings, and colored hair was unrecognizable. She looked more like a housewife from the fifties these days. He had to admit he did miss the purple or pink streaks she used to don. Whatever Charlie was stressed out about couldn't be that bad.
"I know what you're thinking, Nolan. Charlie is being dramatic! Surely, Nicole could do no wrong!"
"Damn man, you're actually pretty spot on."
Charlie rolled his eyes. "Well, let me tell you something buddy," Charlie lectured, pointing his finger at Nolan’s chest, "that woman is like C4 and the explosion is never far behind. Her meddling and sneaky, deceptive ways will be the end of me!" He turned and walked away from his friend to open the truck door.
As Charlie stepped up into the cab, Nolan shook his head, smiling. What has gotten into his best friend? He seems so on edge. Nolan walked up to the driver’s window as Charlie turned the car over, revving the engine.
"You just have to tell me what the little vixen has done now."
"She told a huge whopper of a lie. When I got home from work last night, she proceeded to inform me she told Winter that I was in the hospital and to get home. Man, I was furious! When I went to text my sister, Nic swore if I intervened the wedding was off. And you know when Nic says something, she stays true to her word," Charlie finished, rubbing at his jaw in frustration.
Nolan tried to look casual and act like he actually heard everything Charlie said, but all he focused on was Winter’s name having been mentioned.
"So, what you're saying is, Winter is coming home?"
"Seriously man, that's all you heard?"
That’s all Nolan wanted to hear. Heck, she’s all he had thought about the past few years. The last time he saw her she was leaving town. In the years gone by, not once had she come back for a visit, a holiday, or a birthday. His heart raced as he thought about her returning to Port Townsend.
"Nolan! Are you even listening?" Charlie interrupted. "Winter is going to kill me! Nic, just told me her flight was delayed but she’s left Seattle and almost here”
Nolan cleared his throat, a smile forming on his lips as he looked at his friend. “I’m with Nic on this one Charlie. If this is what it takes to get your sister back here, then I'm all for her scheming," his smile turned to a huge grin as he thought of the possibilities. This is his chance, one he has been waiting for, preparing for, for years.
"You know what, I'm outta here. I need to go and make sure mama's house is clean before my sister arrives and rips me a new one after she finds out I'm as fit as a fiddle."
Nolan pushed away from the driver’s door and waved, "Enjoy that!"
"You suck," Charlie flipped him off as he put the truck in gear and drove off down the road.
Nolan got back to work and finished as much as he could. As the sun began to set, he packed up his tools and jumped into his truck, cranking the heater. He had not been able to concentrate that afternoon, not since he found out Winter was coming home. He wondered if she was back yet. Once she found out Nicole had lied, would she stay? Or would she hightail it straight out of town again? The thought of her leaving and going back to Seattle without seeing her had made Nolan sick. He had waited it out, given her the time and space to grow, to come to terms with the fact her life now ran without Connor.
There was barely a day all those years ago he didn't wake up in a sweat after what happened to his friend. He wished they had more time to get to know each other. Connor had been a great guy. Pulling him out of that water, Nolan instantly knew he was gone long before he refused to give up. It was enough to haunt a man. But as the years moved by, thoughts of Connor became less and less frequent. The nightmares of that haunting day slowly faded, but were never gone; more like a dream than the reality of what actually happened.
Nolan let Winter heal; at least he hoped she had healed even just enough to let him in to see if there was a possibility the two of them could be together. God, he had hoped she could see him as a possible suitor. From all the questions he had pounded Charlie with on a weekly basis, he knew she hadn't been seeing anyone, which helped settle his heart every time. His best friend truly knew Nolan had a crush on his sister. If he only knew the feelings Nolan had for her were so much more—practically bordering on insanity.
There were so many times he simply wanted to pack a bag and head to Seattle, confess his feelings, sweep her off her feet, and bring her home. He almost did a few times, but Charlie settled him. "You know she's not ready and any chance you two could have had will be destroyed man," he would remind him.
He was right; Nolan was only new in town all those years ago and even he hadn't been blind to the fact that Winter and Connor had something so much more that puppy love. It almost killed him to be around them, wanting her, yet knowing he would never, ever have a chance. He was willing to stay away, someday move on from his feelings for her knowing she was happy and loved.
He may have a chance now that Connor was gone, but if he could go back and save him, he would. No one deserved to die so young, especially someone as great as Connor. Nolan couldn't change history though and by some miracle he had been given the chance of a lifetime.
As he headed for his house, he went over how he should approach the situation—slow and easy or fast and hard. It didn't take him long to decide. He was all in; slow and easy just wouldn't work with Winter. It most certainly wouldn't work for him. He was not going to give her the chance to leave again. He was going in with all he had, no messing around. Winter was going to know once and for all she belonged with him and he was not letting her leave town without a fight.
Winter
The plane landed. Winter barely slept on the flight, even though she was so tired, but her mind was racing wondering what happened. Once she was in the terminal, she was wide-awake as she headed for the exit doors and flagged down a cab. As soon as she was inside the back of the car, she turned her cell phone back on and texted Nicole: “I'm in the cab, be there in an hour.”
Winter's knees shook as she waited for Nicole's reply. Nothing, not a thing came back through as Winter stared at the screen, clicking the button over and over in case she missed the message. Maybe she was just busy looking after Charlie. Maybe her phone was in her bag and she was yet to see the numerous amounts of text messages Winter had been sending. Panic sat stuck in Winter’s throat as she thought of all the possibilities.
Please God, don't do this. Don't take away one of the only people who cared for her. It was a selfish prayer, she knew, but Winter had already lost too many people she loved. She didn't think her heart could take losing Charlie, too. Every possible injury ran through her mind as she watched the scenery fly by—head trauma, cancer, broken limbs—it was too much!
The taxi ride seemed to drag on, but Winter finally breathed her first real breath in what felt like ages when she saw the sign welcoming visitors to Port Townsend. She spotted Nicole seated on a bench outside Jefferson County Hospital, sipping a cup of coffee, and next to her was...Charlie. Winter squinted, her eyes unsure of what she was seeing.
The cab was barely at a stop as Winter burst free through the passenger door and ran towards her friend. She set her eyes on Nic as she stormed her way over. Her brother and Nicole both stood. Winter could see her brother from the corner of her eye;
his head was down guiltily and the frown between his brows showed he knew they were in for some serious explaining. Winter’s eyes were zoned in on Nicole, who didn't seem to look upset one single bit. Her soon-to-be-ex-best friend grinned joyously from ear-to-ear, as if the world was simply amazing. As she reached Nicole, she saw Charlie take off past her.
Winter came to a stop in front of Nic, throwing her hands out in warning as Nicole attempted to go in for a hug. She stepped back, still smiling at Winter, which in turn infuriated Winter more. "You better start explaining," Winter signed before crossing her arms, her body shaking as anger seeped from every pore in her body.
Nicole lost the smile a little, her stark white, toothy grin turning into a sheepish, guilty smirk. "Okay, so hear me out. Charlie isn't sick."
"Well, I see that!" Winter signed furiously, throwing her hands up and briefly turning to see her brother holding her duffle and trying to hide from her line of sight.
"Oh, no you do not. You stand with your liar of a girlfriend," she threw out at him. Charlie tucked his head down and slowly made his way towards Nicole.
Once they were both standing in front of her, Winter signaled for her to continue. She took in the two for a small moment, watching the pair eye each other. Nicole was still the same, only not; her hair had grown out and her figure was fuller, making her look like a woman, not the teenager she had in her mind from years before. She was beautiful, but still mischievous, yet...happy. Charlie had filled out; his muscular frame even more defined, obviously from all the manual labor he did every day. His neatly-trimmed beard made him look older and his hair was buzzed short and neat. Winter felt guilty. It had been a long time since she had been home and with that she barely recognised the two standing in front of her.
"I'm waiting," Winter signed impatiently.
"Well, as you can see, I'm not sick or dying," Charlie signed to her.
"Surprise!" Nicole added, still wearing a stupid grin Winter wanted to wipe off her face.
"I'm deaf, not blind Charlie," Winter threw her hands around furiously.
"I told her she shouldn't have done it this way." Charlie said as he looked at Nicole with fury in his eyes; she though seemed unaffected by the daggers being thrown at her.
"Well, I would do it again because I couldn't think of a single thing that would get her to come home unless you were injured or dying."
Winter had to scrutinize Nicole’s signing; she hadn't used it in years so her ASL was rusty and she signed using mostly letters.
Winter couldn't take one more look at the grin Nicole sported; she balled up her fists and lunged forward, trying to make any kind of contact with Nicole she could. She knew she didn't have the strength behind her, but she threw everything she had into trying to strike. Nicole was tall so all of Winter’s punches were aimed at her torso and arms. She could see Nicole laughing off the pathetic attempt at an attack, which infuriated Winter all the more. Charlie stepped in by encircling Winter’s waist and easily pulled her back. With her last bit of strength, she tried to kick out at Nicole, missing her target altogether. Charlie held her tightly and wasn't letting go until Winter calmed, which she did when she realized she lost the fight, letting her body go limp. Only then did her brother loosen his grip and let her legs find the ground again.
"Well, thanks for the wasted trip. I’ll be going home now," Winter signed, her heart hurt at the fact her brother and so-called friend lied to her. Did they not understand what she had just been through? The fright she felt at thinking she had possibly lost her brother? The memories their lie brought up?
Winter pushed away from her brother and stepped towards her duffle. She had been holding the tears at bay while she tried to stay strong until she reached the hospital, but now they fell freely. She watched as her brother’s hand snatched up her bag once again. She couldn't bear to look at him or let him see her cry. Suddenly, she felt a long, warm arm slide around her waist and knew Nicole was beside her.
A hand reached under her chin and tilted it up. She saw the pain in Charlie's eyes. He let go of her face and pleaded, "No, please don't leave. I know what Nic did was wrong, but she's right. We need you back here and it was the only way she could think of to get you to come. We tried to get you home for birthdays and holidays. We tried to come see you, but you were always telling us you were busy."
He was right, there was no excuse for her actions; except every single person in her life was a reminder of Connor. To see them was like reliving every childhood memory that involved her soulmate—including his death. Winter fled the town and learned to live with the loneliness and the gaping hole inside her heart. But she never stopped to think others were suffering, too. Her anger at them lessened a little and she nodded, understanding what he said. It was true; there was really nothing else that could have gotten her back, knowing she would have come up with some excuse as to why she could not return home.
"Why did you need me back?" Winter signed before wiping away the tears distorting her vision.
Nicole's arm tightened around her; Winter could feel the excitement rolling from her in waves and she watched as Charlie's eyes lit up with hope. "Well, there are three things. First of all, we love and miss you. Second, Christmas is in a few weeks and we want to spend it with you, and third...we’re getting married!" he grinned down at her enthusiastically.
Nicole let go of her and began bouncing up and down next to her holding out her hand to show off the ring. Winter was shocked; they were finally doing it. She couldn't help but return his smile, "I'm so happy for you both, congratulations!" And she really was happy. She turned to look at the still bouncing Nicole. "I'm still mad at you. Like really mad, but I am happy to hear you're finally tying the knot." She managed to grab hold of her friend’s ring finger and look at the delicate, small cut diamond ring. Nicole stopped her over-eager dance and lunged in for a hug. Winter smiled and hugged her back.
Nic once again had her in a side hug, but this time she was pushing her towards the parking lot. "So, how long do you want me home?" she directed at Charlie.
"Well, for as long as we can keep you," she watched him chuckle, his throat bobbing in delight.
"Until after February at least!" Nic let go to sign.
"February? Who gets married in February? It's still cold." Winter looked at them both like they were crazy.
"It's not soon enough," Nicole said, turning to look at Charlie with an enviable affection.
Winter had forgotten what it was like to look at someone with nothing but pure, innocent, earth-shattering adoration. Charlie headed towards a blue Toyota Camry and popped the trunk. Nicole forced Winter into the back seat and tried to help her buckle the seat belt like you would a child. Winter batted at her friend’s hands in annoyance to which Nicole just laughed. Charlie climbed into the driver’s seat and settled himself in behind the steering wheel. He turned and looked at Winter, just staring at her as if he couldn't really believe she was home. His eyes told her how much he had missed her and her heart constricted.
"I'll see what I can figure out with work. Maybe they'll let me do this long distance. If not, I have a lot of holiday time saved up," she smiled.
"Thank you, and i’m so sorry about what we did to get you back here. We… I really missed you,“ he signed sincerely before he turned in his seat and started the engine.
She had missed them too.
Winter
She looked out the car window as they drove through her childhood town. Winter expected things to look as they did in her memories, but everything had changed. New estates had popped up everywhere she looked and Main Street had taken on a new chic, artsy feel with boutiques scattered among long-standing businesses. Aside from the few shops and houses she remembered, it was as if she was stepping into a new place. She didn't know how she felt about that.
She watched as they headed towards the fringe of Port Townsend and her stomach began to churn as her brother turned onto their old street. Charlie pulled into the driveway of their
childhood home and turned to look at her. She thought once they all piled into the car they would be going to Charlie and Nicole's new house. But no, once again they had surprised her and Winter almost jumped out of the car.
"I don't want to be here. I don't want to see her," Winter let him know.
"She's not here Winter, I promise. Rosie and I convinced her to go to rehab," he assured.
Oh God, Rosie; another person she wasn't ready to see. She promised Connor's mom before she left she would stay in touch, but she couldn't. Even thinking about Rosie brought up memories of the boy she loved and lost. The pain was excruciating. There were many nights she longed to just text her to ask how she was, but like everything else, Winter was selfish, thinking only of her own pain. Shame washed over her as she glanced towards her neighbor’s home, her eyes instinctively zeroing in on Connor’s old room. She looked away quickly, refusing to let anymore tears fall.
Nicole jumped out of the car followed by Charlie. Winter unbuckled her seatbelt and, with a deep breath, opened the car door and followed suit. She peered up at her old home—it was different. No longer old and outdated looking, it was repainted a sunny yellow with white windows and shutters and a new tin roof, no longer rusted and probably lacking the leaks. Snow piled high covering the lawn and garden beds and she thought back to her younger days when the blossoming flowers of spring littered their entire property —the magical world that was their back yard came to the forefront. Beautiful thoughts of the mother she briefly knew, the happy mother of her childhood that had not shown her face in years, surfaced within her mind. Winter watched as Charlie and Nicole made their way up the stairs. The footpath had been cleared of snow, obviously by Charlie in readiness for her arrival. Winter sucked in another breath and followed them up to the front door.