No. He wouldn’t accept it. He couldn’t accept it.
In the bathroom, he turned on the light and opened the sliding door to the shower and turned on the cold faucet. He opened the towel drawer and sitting on top of a folded stack was a note. The only words he read before he crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash were:
Dear Finn,
I'm sorry.
Epilogue
Endings
Three years later.
Finn looked at his watch. It was finally 7:00pm and his last student was being picked up for the day. Usually most of the kids in his after school program were gone by 6:00pm, but sometimes a parent couldn't get there on time and had to push pick-up until closing time at 8:00pm.
He didn't mind spending extra time with one of his favorites. Malcolm was nine and reminded Finn a lot of himself. He was inquisitive and full of life, but took art very seriously where the other kids just wanted to have a fun time and paint cool stuff to give their parents. This kid was interested in specific artists, different genres of art, and wanted to learn as many techniques as Finn could fit in a session so that he could practice at home.
Another similarity was that he had recently lost his father. Finn may have been much older when he went through that experience, but he recognized a kindred spirit when he met one. He wanted to help Malcolm in anyway that he could.
Over the years, Finn had learned how to channel his feelings of anger, frustration and despair. There had been many reasons for him to do so. Some hurt more than others. Some were harder to forget, but at the end of the day he had to learn to let things be. Learn which battles to fight, and which ones to let go. One of the hardest had been confronting Harry about his feelings for Raven. When Finn read her letter, after digging it out of the trash, she explained her reason for leaving the way she did. Raven was too afraid of upsetting her father to tell him the truth. She wanted to be with Finn, but not at the risk of causing conflict for their parents. Finn knew he had to set things right. He wasn’t prepared to let her go. He went straight to Harry, and sat him down for a man-to-man talk. It hadn’t gone well, not at first, but in the end
Finn walked around the room to clean up and put all the utensils in their proper places. One of the rules of his class was to keep neat and put things where they belong. There was a bin for soiled paintbrushes. The paints were stored in color-coordinated cubbies, and there was a big hamper for used smocks. His kids were good about cleaning up, for the most part.
This was his favorite part of the day. When he could decompress and reflect on the high points of the day, and get prepared for the next day. However, he didn't dwell on cleanup since it was already so late.
Besides, he had a hot date.
After locking up his classroom, Finn strolled through the halls of the Kids United Rec center. After he moved to Austin, he had gotten himself certified to open up his own afterschool program. He was surprised at how much the program had grown in such a short amount of time.
"Hi Mr. Huckleberry!"
Finn turned towards the tiny little voice, waving at a little girl walking with her now embarrassed mother.
"Jessica! That isn't nice."
Finn smiled.
"Don't worry, ma’am. It's an inside joke."
Finn was used to the joke at that point.
He continued towards the exit near the gymnasium. It wasn't unusual for the athletic classes to run late. Those kids hardly ever wanted to leave.
As he walked he could hear the sounds of music and basketballs bouncing streaming from the gym. He checked the time. It was almost quarter to eight. Time to wrap things up.
He pushed the colorful double doors open and couldn't help but smile. On the opposite end of the gym from the basketball tykes, were the petite ballerinas. Ages 3-10 practiced routines in two groups. Big girls and Wittle ladies. They were adorable in their tights and tutus.
"Hey Huck!"
Finn looked up in time to catch a pass from Ed, the basketball coach. On days like this they would normally shoot around as they waited for the late-goers to be picked up.
"You up for a game?"
"Not tonight Ed. I've got plans."
"Have I ever told you what a lucky son-of-a-gun you are?"
"Almost everyday," Finn said with a huge grin. He tossed Ed the ball as he marched over to the ballerinas.
Shouts of Mr. Finn filled the air as they saw him approach. One by one they ran up, or totted up to give him high fives. He had to admit; it felt good to be so well known. Even if it was only by little people.
Then he laid eyes on his favorite person. Every time he saw her felt like the first time. He walked up to the dance teacher and gave her a high five.
"Hello Mr. Walters. How was your day?"
"I feel like your turning me into a stalker."
"You've been a stalker since I met you." She gave him a knowing smile. Dark eyes twinkling.
"Obsessive, stalker tendencies. I believe that’s what you called it."
Raven laughed. “Should I be concerned?"
“Try leaving me, and find out what happens."
The End
Thank you so much for reading Secret Obsession. Did you enjoy Raven and Finn’s story? Let me know! I’d love to hear from you.
OLIVIA LINDEN
Olivia Linden, a native New Yorker, was raised between Queens and San Antonio, TX. Currently living in Florida with her tween-aged son, she decided it was time to follow her dreams of becoming a full time author. Her creative itch began when her elementary school principal posted one of her stories in the halls of her school. She was just seven at the time, but old enough to understand how integral writing would be to her future. From that moment on, reading and writing became her two greatest passions. It is her philosophy that laughter is essential to making it through even the toughest situations. Find your passion with Olivia Linden.
Vialinden.com
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I use a playlist to help set the mood for each scene in my books. Here is a peek at the playlist for Finn and Raven
PLAYLIST
Take Your Time: Sam Hunt
Thinking Out Loud: Ed Sheeran
Photograph: Ed Sheeran
You & I: John Legend
Get You Alone: Lissie
Mirror: Bobby V
Human: John McLaughlin
This Ain’t Goodbye: Train
Blurred Lines: Robin Thick
Bad Habits: Maxwell
Is It a Crime: Sade
Collide: Howie Day
Flaws and All: Beyonce
7/11: Beyonce
Link to playlist
Secret Obsession Page 8