“How long did it take you two to get together?”
“Believe it or not it took three years. I kept seeing him every where. I told you that I met my husband at my sister’s wedding, but what I didn’t tell you is that I left without getting his number. You see I was dating someone at the time. I told myself and God if I was really suppose to be with him then he would keep throwing us together. The next time he was groomsmen at my best friend’s wedding.
We had great conversation an still I didn’t give out my number. The next time I saw was when my family took a vacation to France where of course my husband lives. This time we stayed at his house. Before I could ask for number I thought about it and he lives too far.” Linda said
“Then how did you two get together then?” Robert asked
Three weeks had past Loren was surprised how much she learned from Glen. They had gotten closer over the last couple weeks. She learned that he didn’t have a girlfriend, loves day-old pizza, loves walking in the rain.
“You are funny, smart, and can cook. Why don’t you have a girlfriend?”
“You forgot good-looking.” Glen said with a smile.
“Oh, yes how could I forget good-looking, but seriously why aren’t you dating anyone?”
“I guess I was waiting for sunshine. I know that didn’t make any sense to you. I guess I was waiting for someone that could make me smile and laugh. I guess someone who could make me forget.”
“Forget what?”
“That I was a lone. Or maybe I was just waiting for you.” Glen said looking deeply into Loren’s eyes.
Before Loren could response her cellphone started to ring. It was her mom telling her that her dad was in the hospital. Her mother was telling her that her father was asking for her. She told her that she would be there as soon as possible.
“What happened? You went from being happy to sad.”
“I am so sorry, but I leave. My father is in the hospital. I was going to wait a week before going, but this would be my last day here.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“Maybe I should go alone. I call you to let you know what’s going on with my father. Thank you, you more than what I needed.”
Loren grabs his face and kissed him. Then she went upstairs to pack her stuff. Glen waited outside the room that she was staying in. He took the suitcase from her hand and then he put them the car. Before she could go into the car kisses her with passion.
“Glen, I am not who are looking for, but I am just a friend. You are everything a woman could ask for and more, but I am afraid I have given my love and heart a long time ago. And it’s my heart that I can’t give because another holds it.”
Before he could reply she left. She prayed all while she drove. She prayed for her father and prayed for Robert. She knew that he held her heart. She prayed about life and her decision. She didn’t know where her life was going to take her. And she didn’t know if she was ready for that ride yet.
She arrived in the hospital right on time. She called her mother and asked what room her father was in. Mrs. Crawford told her that their best friend was in town to check on the her father. When she went inside the room Robert’s father was there. He told her that he would wait outside the room.
“Daddy, are you ok?”
“Yes, of course. Loren, I will be getting out of the hospital in a week. There something I always wanted to tell you. Live your life. I was so happy that you quit that other job.”
“Dad, you want to talk about me?”
“Yes, out of most people in this world except for your mother of course. I love you the most. Was it just letter or is it your heart? I need to know.”
“It was my heart and still is. Dad, I gave my heart to the little boy who I found out to be….”
“Robert. I knew the moment that I saw you with him at the church. The truth be told that the father’s had always exchange pictures. Loren, listen to me give yourself a year. Don’t think about Robert or any other guy. Spend that year doing all the things you waited to do. Do that for me. “
“Ok, daddy.”
Loren was going to grant her father that wish, not knowing that doctors just a day before had told him that he had a year to live. Loren invited Robert’s parent to stay at her house and they agreed. Loren really did like Robert’s parents. Loren wanted to call Robert, but she couldn’t. She called Glen like she said and he was relived that her father was ok.
Robert’s father called Robert and told him that Loren’s father was in the hospital. Robert was very sorry that happen, but he refused to leave France. He told him that they are staying at Loren’s house if he wanted to contact them.
Every time that Robert called Loren’s house his parent answered the phone. He was so sorry that he didn’t take the next able flight and go down to see about her father. He felt like he foolishly listened to his friend, Steve that was also there. He was in a bad mood an whole week. Then Mike came along and stay with them for three days.
“Do you think I am a jerk for not see about Loren’s father?” Robert said to Mike while they was walking.
“I think if you have to ask then you are already guilty. Do you still love her?” Mike inquired.
“Very much. She is the stars and the ocean when I am out sea.”
“Then why didn’t you just go. Whatever is holding you back kill it. What is holding you back?”
“Honestly, I wasn’t the man I should have been. Loren needs the kind of man who could give more then I could.”
“How do you know that’s what she needs?”
“You are right. I asked Linda’s husband what took so long with them getting together and he told me that he was to much a chicken to ask her for her number because he didn’t think he was good enough. I know what I got to do.”
Chapter Eighteen
Robert called his father on his cell phone and he told him that LC was at his house. Robert’s father told him that they going back home. Robert couldn’t get on a plane quick enough. He kept thinking about Linda’s story. Linda told him that her husband wrote her until he had gotten a visa to work by the time he got down there he had to work two job to support himself which took a year. He barely got to see Linda, but one day Linda went up to one of his job and got on one knee. She asked if he would take her to be her husband, but he said no. Although he had lot of money he wanted to prove that he could be a great provider. When Linda was going leave sad and depressed he turn around and got two things out of his pocket. One was a ring and the other was a poem. He asked Linda if she would be his bride and she told Robert with a sigh of relief and she said yes. Michael visa was for two years and he couldn’t leave the country until the two was up. He had one more year. So he decided to stay with Linda’s brother. He felt like it was only right. He wanted to experience being with her completely and not until then. Linda decided if he worked in the States for two years because she would live in his home in his country.
Robert thought about how when Michael got up the balls to make a move he was all in. Why was he worried about doing the same? He had been a complete jerk. He wanted to change that about himself. Robert thought to himself how many times had he told himself that he wanted a better life, but better came he ran.
He arrived at the airport and called Jason to pick him up. Steve stayed in France. Chris was hard working in his restaurant and he missed talking to Jason. Jason told him that it would be an hour before he would be able to pick him up. Robert got his bags and bought an over price notebook and started to write what he wanted out of life. One of the things on his list was to be happy, but he didn’t know exactly how to do it.
Robert was expecting Loren to come with him, but she didn’t come instead Kayla, the girl that he saw at the restaurant that one time to help. Robert wished he just took a cab because Kayla and Jason looked like they
were so in love. And it made him sick. It took an hour and half to get to Loren’s father’s house. He told Jason to leave and they would eat lunch together in two nights from now.
Robert was scared because he stood at Loren’s parents’ house and there was no turning back. He took a deep breathe before he rung the door bell. He prayed that Loren wouldn’t be there. He was glad when Mrs. Crawford answered the door.
“Hello, Robert.”
“Can I come in?”
“Of course we were expecting you a week ago. But all the same we are happy that you came.”
“Am so sorry I was in France.”
“My husband is in the bedroom.”
Mrs. Crawford pointed to the location of their bedroom. His hearted started to race faster and faster the closer he got to the bedroom door. He knocked on the door and Mr. Crawford told him to come in. Mr. Crawford was sitting under the covers in the bed.
“So, tell me why are you just now getting here?”
“Do you want the truth?”
“No, I want a lie. Of course I want the truth I am not asking for my health.”
“I told Loren that I was in love with her and she deserves better then me. I thought I would never see her again in turn never see you again.”
“Normally I would get mad at you and tell you leave my house.”
“I understand sir. I will go.”
“Son, I wasn’t finished. I am going to tell you something that I should tell Loren, but I am not. I only have a little over then a year to live. Fourteen months the doctors tell me. This is what I want you do for me. I want you to write down all the things you would have been doing if you never married Maria. Then I want you to do them.
I look at you like a son. So Son I don’t want you to bother Loren unless you are a hundred percent sure she is for you. I don’t want you to break my little girls heart. I want you to come by here every two weeks. Will you do this for me?”
“How long until I talk to Loren?”
“Give her a year and you as well. You need to heal.”
Robert agreed. It was as if Loren’s father had given him permission to live. Loren’s told him to go and stay a night. Robert talked about his marriage with Maria with Loren’s parents. Mrs. Crawford told him he should go to counseling. Robert decided that in the morning he was going to look for one. He knew from this moment his life was going to change.
Chapter Nineteen
Six months has and both Robert and Loren started to do the things on both their list. Robert was now starting run the restaurant that Chris own at night. And Loren was now running the restaurant that Thomas left her in the morning and noon time. Chris would come over to help her sometimes. Thomas went back to London after four months on training Loren how do run the restaurant. She closed the restaurant on Sunday so she could go to church. Robert went ever Sunday with Loren’s parents while Loren with to the next service. They never bump into each other because they would be different parts of church.
One day when the service was over Loren with to art showing of some Kayla’s work. that Jason had invited her to and she was introduced to one of his top editor his name Richard Wellington. He was thirty-five years old. Loren couldn’t take her eyes off of Richard. Richard was dark-skinned, with dark eyes, and athlete’s body. Jason left them alone because Kayla was finish talking to the owner. Loren started to look around and Richard stayed at her side.
Robert was invited to Kayla’s art showing and was about to go into the building, but he saw Loren with a man. Loren seems happy and Robert made a promise to Loren’s father that he would give her a year. He wanted to keep it. He was about to leave when he saw Jason get everyone’s attention. Jason got on one knee and asked Kayla to be his wife. And Kayla said yes. Kayla ran into Jason’s arms. When she let go Jason put the ring on her finger and watch as she showed the ring to Loren.
Jason had saw Robert at the doorway of the building. Robert wave to him and Jason waved back. Jason could tell that he wanted to leave before Loren could turn around. Loren did turn around, but Robert had left before she could see him. Jason would later have a talk with Robert to see how he is feeling. Jason saw him the day before and knew that his life was really starting to come along nicely.
Loren had saw Jason wave, but when she turn around she didn’t see anyone. Some where in the back of her mind she knew it was Robert. During the course of the night she was really considering dating Richard, but when Jason got on one knee and asked Kayla to marry him she knew she wasn’t ready for that. She always wanted to have a love like that one. She thought Richard was beautiful, but the sad part is that is all he would be is a beautiful man.
Robert didn’t drink when he saw Loren it wasn’t any need to too. There was this peace from not facing her. Robert did listen to her father’s advice and started to do what was on his list. He started to really live. He kept in touch with Mr. Crawford. He saw him every Sunday except for the Sunday that Loren came over. He started to know what real happiness was. He didn’t feel that when he was married. He didn’t feel when six months ago. He went to the gym and shook off the thoughts.
Loren went home alone. She kept thinking about Jason and Kayla. Since they worked at Chris’s restaurant they became friends. Kayla did understand about not wanted to date Thomas again. Kayla became her best friend. Richard did ask her out, but she turned him down. She decided to take her father advice and give herself a year where didn’t worry about any guys.
As soon as Loren got home she got a call from Kayla. She wanted her to be her maid of honor and to help her plan the wedding. Loren always wanted to design her dress when she got married. So since she is a part of Chris’s dream and she only works morning to three in afternoon she said yes. Kayla and Jason decided that they would get marry in six months that way they could go look for house and have the house in place before the tie knot.
Jason knew about the year that Robert and Loren are taking off from each other and he thought was a good thing. So he would have his marriage after that year was up. Plus he wanted Robert to help with finding a house. Jason knew that Loren worked in the mornings to afternoons. He also knew that Robert work at night. He was going to honor both their decision. Just before Jason went into work he called Robert.
“Hello, who is this?” Robert replied after getting awaken by Jason’s call.
“Hey, this is Jason. Let’s have lunch to day. It would be my treat. What do you say?”
“I will say yes if that get you off the telephone so I can sleep.”
“Great I will call you in five hours to remind you.”
“Ok, good-bye.”
Jason was true to his word and called him to let him know where they would be meeting for lunch. Robert already knew what Jason wanted to talk about his wedding and Loren. He rather talk about this after the six months was over. He met him over at the Cotton Patch restaurant. Jason was already there.
“The first time you take me out it would be to a cheap restaurant.”
“Seriously, like coming here for the food. Let’s talk. Are you still going to the therapist?”
“Yes.”
“Is it helping you at all with your problems?”
“Yes, why are you asking?”
“We decided to have our marriage in six months from now and I wanted you to be my best man, but Kayla wanted to Loren to the maid of honor. I am telling you a head of time. This is the real reason why I call you here so as the best man I want you to help me look for a house.”
“You could have told me over the telephone that you wanted me to look for a house with you. When do you want to start looking for house?”
Between working at the restaurant and help Kayla plan her wedding and she didn’t have a chance to see her father. It had been four months since Jason asked Kayla to be his wife. Loren thought it was time to see her father. She
didn’t know that her father had to go to the hospital because he again had gotten sick. She also didn’t know that Robert was at the hospital. She had talked to her mother once a week. She just never seems to have the time.
Robert would spend days talking to Loren’s father. Her father became like his father. Robert was the one who was there when Mr. Crawford fell out on the golf course. Robert’s father would be coming to play golf with them the next day. Robert had to go home to get the number of Mr. Crawford’s lawyer. He didn’t’ know why he couldn’t remember it since it was his friend’s number. He knew that he might see Loren because her mother finally called her. Robert prayed that she wasn’t mad at him. While Robert was getting on the elevator to down Loren was getting on the elevator to go up. When the elevator opened he saw her and his heart started to beat. Loren was the only one who ever made him lose his cool. But at that moment he didn’t. He got in the elevator and she got out there were no words said to each other.
Loren didn’t have time to ask any questions because in less than a year where her father was being sick. She didn’t understand why. She didn’t know that her father had less then a year to live. She had lots of question like why is Robert there? She sat in her father’s hospital room and waited until he finished sleeping.
Robert found it hard to move when he got in the car. He saw her again and she didn’t even say hi. He thought she would say something to him, but she didn’t. He tried to not let it stop him from what he needed to do. While going to his house he remembered the number and called Kris Kelly to go to the hospital. He stopped and got a cup of coffee and drunk it before coming back. He just needed time to think.
Loren couldn’t believe it had been four months since she saw her parents. Her father had gotten so thin that she didn’t realize him. She couldn’t believe that her mother made it sound like everything was ok with her father. She became angry. She was so busy trying to be who she always wanted and she was except for the wife and mother that she wanted to be. She was so caught up in thought that she realize Robert was at the door until she heard a knock.
Chestnut Brown And Cinnamon Happiness Page 19