After All This Time: What She Wished

by Brittainy Brown

“You do Tina. It’s me Tina, your childhood friend, David McCallister.” the voice responded.

  Tina could not believe her ears.

  “David! Charlie if this is a joke, stop it.” she said.

  Charlie was fond of playing pranks on people. It was about time she paid him his pound of flesh to warn him to stop all these jokes, Tina thought.

  “It is not a joke Tina. And this is not Charlie. It’s really me, it’s David.”

  Tina could not believe it, David McCallister. It seemed like just yesterday he left for Texas. How did he get her number?

  “David.” Tina screamed into the phone.

  She was jumping in excitement and had to stop herself from jumping.

  “You said you would call, every day you said.” she told him.

  “I am sorry Tina. I lost that line and had to go incommunicado for a while. When I got back to my feet, I had lost all your contacts.” he replied.

  She still recognized his voice. She didn’t know how he looked now but she could still fit the voice with the perpetual smile and the cool confidence he always exuded. David, she had never forgotten him.

  “Wow, this is a pleasant surprise. How did you get my number? And are you back?” she asked.

  “How I got your number is a weird story but thank God nothing really bad happened.” he answered.

  Tina didn’t understand why he was speaking like that.

  “What happened? Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “I live in California now. I moved here about two weeks ago, I was relocated by my firm from Texas to our branch in California. I was on my way back from work last night when a car and a bus crashed into each other.”

  He had paused for a while. Tina was about to speak when she heard his voice continue.

  “I found out the driver of the car was Charlie. I saw him dragged out and recognized him instantly. I followed him to the hospital when the ambulance came. I told them I was a friend.”

  Tina was scared when she heard this. She couldn’t lose Charlie too. Why were all these things happening to her? She felt her heart rise; there was a sensation in her chest like it pressed against her ribcage.

  “Did something happen to him David? Tell me.” she said.

  “No, nothing happened. He had a concussion and fainted, is all. Even his car seems to be in fair condition, the people in the bus came off worse, far worse.” David said.

  Tina felt the rising fall. Her breath became light again and her throat cleared.

  Thank God.

  “I took his phone and went through it. That’s how I got your number. I have already called the five numbers he called last, it turns out Ronda Bloom was part of them. They still talk, can you believe that?” David asked.

  Tina could hear the surprise in his voice. He would be in for a bigger surprise when she told him they were still dating and were scheduled to get married by December that year.

  “I know, David. He is still my best friend. He and Ronda are still dating. They are scheduled to get married by the year’s end.” she said.

  “What?” David screamed into the phone.

  “Wow, those guys ain’t playing.” he said.

  ,“No, they aren’t. They never were.” she said.

  “So what is his status now? Is he awake? Can I come see him?” she asked David.

  “I left him to go home but I came here early this morning. I just saw him about thirty minutes ago. He is still asleep. The doctor says he is fine but would be under observation till tomorrow. They want to be sure there is no internal bleeding.” he said.

  Tina exhaled.

  “He is fine. He is fine.” she repeated in her mind.

  Charlie was the last real relationship she had asides her parents. Charlie and Ronda but she knew without Charlie, there could not be anything with Ronda. Till now, Ronda was still more of her best friend’s girlfriend than her friend.

  “You can come see him this evening or tomorrow morning; hopefully he’ll be awake by then. He still doesn’t know I followed him to the hospital. He was unconscious all through.” David said.

  “What did Ronda say when you called her?” she asked.

  “She was outside the state when I called her. She told me she’ll be with him today, so she should show up at the hospital any time now.” he answered.

  “So how are you now?” David asked.

  “I am fine.” she replied.

  “Do you work in California?” he asked.

  “Yeah sure, I am an attorney at Stinger and Barlows.” she replied.

  “Woah, that’s a totally high powered job. You are doing well Miss Jordan.” he replied, sounding very impressed.

  Tina laughed when she heard him.

  A high powered job.

  She could imagine the smirk on his face when he said that. She could see how his mouth would turn up into a smile at the end of his sentence before returning back to its slight downward slope.

  “Where do you work?” Tina asked.

  “I am a lawyer like you Tina. I work as legal counsel for The California Times.” he replied.

  “Talk about high powered, now that’s high powered.” Tina replied.

  She heard him laugh over the phone.

  “Not as high powered as you Tina.” he replied.

  They both didn’t talk for a few seconds, listening to each other’s breathing.

  “So tell me about life after David left Evergrant high.” David said to her.

  Tina told him everything. She told him how she had focused on her studies after he left.

  “Although that was a given, since my one big crush, my only distraction was gone.” she said.

  David had only laughed when she said that.

  She told him about how she got into the University Of California and how she had graduated as the second best student in her class.

  “Wow, you really did well for yourself.” David commented when she was done.

  Tina found she still loved the sound of David’s voice. She remembered how he had stood for Charlie and her against Pedro and imagined the incredible courage he would show in the courtroom.

  “He would be a sight to behold.” Tina told herself.

  David had done very well for himself too. And he was back in California. Tina couldn’t wait to see him but she didn’t want to be too forward. She wanted him to be the one to ask.

  “So when are you free Miss Jordan? Or are you a Mrs. now?” he asked.

  Tina laughed.

  “No, Mr. McCallister. It’s still Miss Jordan. And I am actually free anytime for the next three weeks. I am on leave.” she replied.

  “That’s great. So can we see? I really can’t wait to see you. I’m sure you would still be as breathtaking as you looked last I saw you, you and your green eyes.” he said.

  “You still remember.” she replied, pleased that he hadn’t forgotten details about her.

  “I take it you are still a single Mister, not the married Mr.” Tina said over the phone.

  She heard David laugh for a long while. His laugh took her back to her childhood, it had not changed one bit. When he finally stopped laughing, he replied.

  “Yes, I am still the single Mr, not the married type.” he answered.

  “So would it be really appropriate,” he asked, “to make a date with you under the circumstances?”

  “Who says it’s a date?” Tina replied him, making her voice sound as serious as she possibly could.

  “Oh, I am sorry for jumping to add that label. Let’s just say we want to see, is it appropriate?” he asked.

  Tina laughed. She was sure David knew she was playing.

  “I was pulling your legs. What else would it be if it wasn’t a date?” she said.

  “I wasn’t so sure.” he answered.

  “I don’t think Charlie would mind. He’s been trying to fix me up for a while now.” she replied.

  “Oh?” David asked pleasantly, “Why do you need fixing up?”

  Tina nearly choked.
She had been talking with David for over an hour now and she hadn’t even thought about her relationship. This was the first time that would happen since Toby left. She couldn’t bring up the sadness that talking about her relationship would bring, it would kill the vibe.

  “He thinks I work too much.” she answered.

  “That’s a lawyer thing I have found out.” he answered.

  They agreed to meet at Numero Uno, which was a posh Italian restaurant that had opened around the time Toby left the year before. It was on a cliff just at the edge of the coast. It had a terrific view and even better food. But Tina was sure food there would be much cheaper if that view wasn’t there.

  “So why don’t we see tomorrow evening? I think tomorrow is a Friday, I’ll have less work.” he said.

  Tina was free on any day.

  “No problem then. Let’s make it 6 p.m Friday evening at Numero Uno.” she answered.

  “I’ll call and make reservations, don’t worry about that.” he added.

  Tina nodded.

  “So see you then David McCallister.” she replied.

  “Yes sure.” he answered.

  “Don’t run away again.” she added playfully.

  “No, I won’t.” he answered.

  CHAPTER 18

  LOVE BUDS BY THE COAST

  T

  ina could not remember the last time she had been so anxious to impress someone when she was getting herself ready the next evening. She had taken her bath and done her makeup only to clean it off again.

  “It’s too imposing.” she told herself.

  She used very little at last, deciding it was better to look simple.

  “You can’t miss it if you let him see a face he is still familiar with.” she reasoned.

  She wore a short red gown. She had bought it years ago but had never won it, now seemed a good time to wear it. She decided to take her platinum-plated clasp purse and wore medium height heels. Her hair was blown up and curled into many twisted twirls. Tina looked at herself in the mirror before she left and was pleased.

  “This is as good as I have ever looked.” she said.

  She drove to Numero Uno and found a parking space easily. The restaurant was designed to make everything easy, increasing the pleasurable experience. There was a car park that was far bigger than required. David had called her that morning to tell her to just go to the receptionist at the restaurant’s door and tell him her name. He would direct her to her seat. She went to the receptionist and told him her name.

  The young man at the door handed her over to a warden who led her to a seat outside the hall with glass walls which was where most tables were. He took her just close to the edge, under the stars. There she saw a figure sitting, the figure rose when she got close to the table. When she got close enough she looked into his eyes and saw that laughing twinkle.

  “Tina.” he said.

  It was David. He had grown facial hair now and kept a goatee. He also added a bit of weight in all the right places, making him more handsome than Tina remembered. He wore a navy blue blazer with white trousers. The shirt under his blazer had a striped design and gold edges where the buttons were. David looked amazing.

  “You look gorgeous.” he said, moving closer to her.

  “I was about to say the same thing.” she replied.

  He didn’t know whether to shake her or not and extended his hand at last after visible deliberation.

  “You cannot be serious.” Tina said and drew him into an embrace.

  She was surprised he hugged her so tightly. He seemed to glean off all those years they were apart by just hugging her. When he released her from his embrace, he guided her to her seat and summoned the waiter. The menu was in front of their seats so Tina used it to pick what she wanted to eat. When the waiter got to their table, they both told him what they wanted to eat and allowed him to leave before returning to their discussion.

  “Tina, I couldn’t have imagined.” he said.

  Tina smiled. She loved the evening already.

  “Imagined what?” she asked.

  “You are so beautiful. You really grew up to become a dashing princess.” he said, eyeing her as he spoke.

  “You are not serious. You have always been handsome. Now you have added manliness and maturity to it, I wonder how you haven’t gotten married.” She answered.

  “I’ve been waiting for you.” he replied, tapping her hand as he spoke.

  Tina turned up her nose and smiled broadly. David still had his humor.

  “You picked a lovely seat. It has to be one of the best in this place. I hope it wasn’t too expensive.” she said.

  David smiled, his mouth turning up in that familiar expression. Tina felt like placing her fingers at the edges of his mouth to trace his lips. He looked so handsome.

  “We have official reservations to this restaurant. I was happy you picked Numero Uno. I just picked this one; I am not the person paying. Well, I am but only technically, it’ll be deducted from my pay.” David answered.

  Tina’s eyebrows were raised in a gesture of surprise. She was even more impressed. David must be doing much better than she thought.

  “So what’s up with you? How was Texas?” she asked him.

  David told her about his life after he left California with his family. His family had struggled at first to settle down. They didn’t have enough clients for their animal care center. David admitted he had to do a lot of odd jobs to keep head above water for the first year they spent in Texas.

  “But by the end of the year, things were changing. My parents’ decision to move to Texas and start out on their own proved to be a masterstroke. They got contracts to be the specialist veterinary clinic for many farms and a few ranches. That was what my parents had been targeting when they left California.”

  He was looking at her after saying that, staring at her. Tina was about to call his name and bring him out of the daze it looked like he was in. He continued just in time.

  “I completed high school in Texas. I went to the University of Colorado before going back to work as legal counsel for a pharmaceutical company in Texas, Toldo Food and Drugs. I became their lead counsel when their chief lead had to retire due to health issues. I became lead counsel in less than one year. Up till now when I think about that, I am surprised.

  The owner of Toldo bought the California Times and decided he needed my expertise here in California. He figured he wanted good cover for his news outlet and he told me he felt a newspaper company was more likely to be sued than a pharmaceutical company.”

  He laughed after saying that.

  “I don’t know about that but I left anyways. And that is how I came to here once again.” he finished.

  The waiter brought their food and they didn’t talk for the next few minutes. Both of them were hungry and savored the taste of the food before speaking up again.

  “So how is your relationship life Tina? How come you aren’t dating anyone? You are too beautiful and successful to be single. And I am serious about that.” David said.

  Tina stopped eating. She told David everything. She told him about how she met Toby and how they had dated all through law school to Stinger and Barlows. Her throat constricted when she got to his betrayal and how he cheated on her with their colleague. She didn’t know her eyes were watering until she saw David leave his seat to come bend beside her. She saw his bushy brows; she had never noticed that before.

  She was telling him about how Toby left with Katherina for another firm when the tears started dropping down her cheeks. David brought out his handkerchief and mopped the tears from her cheeks.

  “Stop crying Tina, it is not worth it.” he said.

  “He has left and your life has moved on. There’s no need crying over spilt milk.” he added.

  Tina nodded and tried smiling. David saw her weak attempt and made a funny face. Tina laughed when she saw that. David made her feel much better.

  When they finished eating, David called on t
he waiter who came to take their trays away. “Let’s go stand at the banister.” he said, pointing to the shiny railings that demarcated the edge of the open floor.

  Tina stood up before him but waited for him to take her hand as they walked to the balustrade. On getting there Tina spotted a shiny dot on the horizon but it was night she couldn’t tell if it was a ship or a star.

  “I love this view David.” she said, “Thank you very much for a wonderful night.”

  “I should be thanking you Tina for agreeing to go out with me.” he said.

  David also had a sad romance story. His was a tragedy. He told her he had met her after school and they had fallen in love.

  “We were engaged.” he said.

  Tina felt her eyes fly to his left fingers as if to confirm. There was no ring on it.

  “She broke up with me a month to our wedding. I was crushed. But I moved on. It only gets easier for Tina. Give love another chance.” he said, ending their discussion about their former love lives there.

  They talked about the things that happened at their workplaces, the similarities and differences.

  “I found out that money blurs the line for people. They find it difficult to distinguish moral from immoral if the money involved is much. They prefer sticking with legal and illegal.” David said.

  “I got a lot of questions if this chemical was illegal or if this part of the food processing requirements could be interpreted to mean something else, when I was at Texas. All of that in a bid to maximize profit within the furthest reaches of the arm of the law, many times disregarding the health and experience of consumers.” he said.

  “That used to be the most annoying part of my job. I just hated advising them to do something like that, even if it was within the law.”

  Tina smiled when he said that. She told him that they faced no such problems most of the time at her firm. Their clients would have erred by the time they contacted Stinger and Barlows, an advisory role was hardly required.

  “What? I forgot to ask, I was taken away by your graceful presence. Did you go to see Charlie today?” David asked.

  Tina couldn’t believe she had also forgotten mentioning it to him.

  “I went to see him in the morning. He was awake, Ronda was there beside him.” she told him, watching as the searchlight from a passing boat caught in his hair. She felt like moving her fingers through his hair but only touched his watch, tracing the edges with her red nails.