Autumn's Dance (Season Named Series Book 1)

by Sarah Gai

  “I think you need to come home son,” he said.

  “Why, what’s wrong? Is it grandfather?” Eric asked, his tone vexing.

  “No, but I think you need to come see this. I…did wrong by you and it’s time to make it right.” His father was not making a lick of sense as he spoke in riddles, refusing to give a straight answer.

  “Dad, I can’t just up and leave. I still have three months left here,” Eric explained.

  The work he was doing in the mission’s field had been more than he had bargained for; it was also a miracle. He learned to appreciate the life God gave him, his struggles seeming minute compared to what he witnessed—the poverty, lack of work, inadequate medical care, and homeless children were enough to break anyone’s heart.

  “Fair enough, son. I’ll see you when you return,” his father ended with.

  As Eric hung up the phone, something still didn’t sit right. His father would never call and ask him to come home if it wasn’t urgent. But there was something else besides his father’s call that troubled him; for the last few weeks, he felt in his heart it was time to go home. It was a gentle nudge at first, but now it was a sense of urgency. Over the last few years, Eric discerned it imperative to pay attention to his gut instinct—a reaction he was not going to ignore now.

  Trudging his way from Town Square didn’t take long, especially since he cut through the forest. Eric felt an immediate sense of relief once he entered his grandfather’s house—he missed home. Instinctively dropping his bag by the door, he winced as the raucous thud was loud enough to wake anyone; he just prayed no one heard it. Slipping off his boots, he made his way towards the kitchen. He needed a glass of water for his parched throat and then it was off to bed for a few hours, especially since it was just after four a.m.

  Eric opened the fridge door and pulled the chilled bottle of water from the top shelf when a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

  “Son, you’re home!” As Eric turned around, Alec walked towards him, wrapping a solid arm around his shoulders. “I knew you would come back,” he smiled.

  His father looked relieved and delighted to see Eric who could not help but hug his father back. “Well, you sounded like I needed to be here,” Eric answered.

  “Yes, you do,” he responded, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Before Alec could say anything further, Eric heard the sweetest voice ever ask, “Is everything all right?”

  Looking past his father, he saw Autumn rubbing her eyes, still sleepy. Eric dropped the bottle of water he was holding, the frigid liquid splashing his legs and puddling by his feet.

  She hadn’t looked up yet as she dragged her slippered feet along the floor, but the sound of the bottle dropping caused her to raise her head. As she did her mouth fell wide open at the sight of Eric.

  “Autumn, I…I…can’t believe it. What are you doing here?” Eric asked. It took everything in him to remain still; he wanted to run to her, to prove she was really there, but the stunned look on her face warned him to go slow.

  “H…hello, Eric. It’s good to see you,” Autumn tried to smile, her voice shaky and unsure.

  What was going on? Eric thought. He managed to pry his eyes off the beautiful woman standing only mere steps away, disheveled in her nightshirt, and looked at his father. “How long has she been back, dad?”

  Alec rubbed his chin and neck again, not looking at his son.

  “Dad, how long?”

  “Just about six months,” Graham answered, joining them in the kitchen.

  Eric could not even embrace his grandfather as the words struck him, causing a fury Eric had not felt in years rise up, consuming his every thought.

  “Six months! Six months?” Eric struggled to wrap his mind around it. “Was anyone going to tell me?”

  They all lowered their heads to peer at the ground, their silence answering for them. Eric threw his hands up in frustration before stepping over the puddle on the floor and pushing past his grandfather toward the kitchen door. He stopped briefly to give Autumn a side-glance, seeing her body tucked against the door jam.

  “Why Autumn? I thought…” When she refused to look up at him he snarled his frustration out and marched towards the front door, stomping into his boots and exiting his family home.

  Freezing and exhausted, he continued to walk back into town to try to wrap his head around what just happened. Barely a day had passed that he didn’t think of the girl who stole his heart all those years ago. Heck, he couldn’t move on even when he thought she was dead. She consumed his thoughts so much he even built a dam sculpture in the middle of Ligonier in memory of them. Yet there she was, more beautiful than ever, standing in his grandfather’s kitchen. Why didn’t anyone tell him she was back? And alive and well?

  As Eric hit the town center, he still had not made up his mind about where to go. He continued to walk down Main Street, his thoughts and emotions all over the place. As he reached the end of the street, he glanced up to see his father’s workshop. Aiden lived above the garage; Eric knew he would get answers from him; they became good friends over the last few years, best friends really. How could Aiden not tell him?

  The apartment light above the garage was on so Eric made his way across the street and up the side steps, but before he could even knock, the door flew open. Aiden was standing in the doorway with his hair ruffled, obviously woken from slumber and ready for him.

  They looked at each other; Aiden gave Eric a small smile, while Eric furrowed his brows at his long-time friend. “Alec called me and told me to expect you,” Aiden broke the silence.

  “Why didn’t you tell me she was back?” Eric growled, barely containing his temper.

  “For selfish reasons. I’m sorry, Eric. Look, come inside, it’s freezing. Let’s talk.”

  Aiden held the door wide open and Eric stepped in though he paced the small living room, unable to sit down. He wanted answers, as his heart was breaking and his temper was at an all-time high, feeling betrayed by the quietness of the situation.

  “Do you want anything to drink?” Aiden offered.

  “No, I want answers,” Eric yelled back.

  With a sigh, Aiden walked over to the small kitchen counter in the one-bedroom apartment and leaned against it. Crossing his arms, he prepared to tell Eric what he wanted to know.

  “Autumn came back six months ago. She finally got the courage to leave her father. She’s staying at Ava and Sharon’s house now.” Aiden continued to inform Eric about Autumn’s job, her studies, and how she was doing in general.

  “Yeah, that’s all great, but you still haven’t answered me. Why didn’t anyone tell me she’s back?” Eric bellowed.

  “At first, she didn’t want us to. She wanted to get settled in. You were on your first mission trip and we thought within a few weeks you would be home. We had no idea you would sign up for a consecutive trip. Then your father…”

  “What about my father?”

  “Well, maybe he should tell you that part,” Aiden added.

  “No, you tell me. I’m upset, tired, and fuming right now, Aiden. Don’t test me,” Eric warned.

  “Well then my friend, by the time we finish this conversation this morning I’m gonna hate to see what you do to me.”

  Confused, Eric stopped his pacing, coming to a halt in front of his friend.

  Aiden gulped and blew out a breath, running his hands through his tousled red hair. “Your father told her to stay away from you, to stop ruining your life.”

  Eric thought he was angry before, but that news ignited a whole new level of fury. Walking over to the wall, he threw his fist into it with all his might, cracking the plaster as he screamed; over and over his fist connected with the wall until his knuckles bled.

  Aiden didn’t try to stop him; Eric needed to let the rage and hurt out. He could not understand how or why his father acted in such a way knowing the pain he endured after that summer Autumn didn’t return.

  Eric still could not understand
the situation, but he managed to calm himself, somewhat, and rested his head against the wall, taking deep breaths. Without turning around he asked Aiden one last question, “What’s your excuse, Aiden? You could have told me.”

  “Like I said my friend, I had my own selfish reasons. I’m…sorry.”

  The room was quiet; Eric somehow knew he would not like the next part. “Tell me.”

  “I’m in love with Autumn.”

  Eric’s head snapped up and he turned to look at his friend. “What!”

  “We’ve been dating for just over a month now. I love her, always have.”

  In two strides, Eric was in front of Aiden his fist connecting with his face. Aiden didn’t move or react; he was expecting it. He simply rubbed his jaw before his thumb wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth.

  “I deserved that.”

  Eric couldn’t take the betrayal; turning, he walked to the front door and turned to look Aiden in the eyes before stating, “You’re no friend of mine.”

  Eric stormed out of Aiden’s place and headed for the one place that brought him comfort. He wanted to feel ashamed of his behavior, but he didn’t. Everyone he loved and trusted lied to him, betrayed him, and kept secrets.

  Climbing through the back window of the church, he made his way to the front pew and fell to his knees. He loved and trusted in God. How could the Father bring him so much pain? Why did he feel such an urgency to come home if it was going to just rip him apart?

  Long after the sun rose, Eric was still on his knees praying. He still had no idea why he was called home, but he was going to trust God. Rising from his knees, Eric left the church and headed back to his grandfather’s house.

  The day wasn’t going to be for answers or more hate and pain; it would be for sleep. He would eventually get to the bottom of everything to begin to understand, mend relationships, forgive, and figure out what to do next.

  Autumn

  Autumn couldn’t sleep after what happened earlier at Pastor Graham’s home. After Eric left, she went back to bed, but her eyes refused to shut, as her mind replayed the hurt that crossed Eric’s face as he discovered everyone kept her homecoming a secret. Her chest ached as she remembered her betrayal and the agony in his eyes as he walked past her.

  Unable to lie in bed anymore, Autumn got dressed and made her way to the kitchen where Alec and Graham were sitting at the table deep in conversation. After a quick cup of coffee in silence, Alec offered to drive her home. Autumn had a pretty good feeling he was also going to drive around to check on his son’s whereabouts.

  She heard Alec call Aiden to warn him and her heart sunk with worry for both men. She knew Aiden would tell Eric about their relationship and Autumn’s heart broke at the thought. She didn’t want to hurt anybody, yet she had done just that. All three of them were going to be broken in some way.

  “This is my fault,” Alec broke the silence on the drive home.

  “No Alec, it’s not. I’m the one who told Graham and the others not to mention I was back yet.”

  “No, I told you to stay away, but I had no right and now look at the pain I have caused him. I tried to make it right; that’s why I called him a few days ago to tell him to come home.”

  Autumn’s head jerked around to look at him. “What? Why did you do that?” she said, annoyed.

  “Because I got to know you and I could see why my son fell for you the way he did. He needed to come home and fight for you, if there is any chance of you two being together.”

  Autumn’s heart ached. She was with Aiden and cared deeply for him, but when she raised her eyes this morning and saw Eric in Graham’s kitchen, her heart skipped three beats. He was just as handsome as ever; not the boy she remembered in her mind, but better. Just as tall, a little broader, his face more defined, but his eyes were what she remembered most of all.

  She still had the only keepsake of their time together that summer; the photograph tucked away in the back of her Bible was now creased and had been held too many times to count. She wondered if he still had his.

  Alec and Autumn reached Ava’s house. After parking the car, Alec turned to look at Autumn. She didn’t know how to answer him. Of course she loved Aiden, but did she love him the way she should love him?

  “Look, I know you care for Aiden, but I have a feeling you’re in love with my son. There are some things we can’t explain Autumn, even when we’re young. I think the first time you and Eric met was the start of something special. Am I right?” Autumn nodded, unable to talk and ashamed of her admission. “Besides, Aiden knew what he was doing. He could have told Eric, too. They are friends, really good friends, but he chose to keep your return a secret for his own reasons. Can’t say I blame the boy. I see the way he looks at you.”

  Autumn was so perplexed emotionally; she had no idea what she was going to do.

  Autumn thanked Alec for the ride home and ran toward the house. Creeping up the stairs to her room, she knew sleep was out of the question, so she pulled her Bible from the drawer and removed the photograph from the back. She remembered that night as if it was yesterday—her blonde hair styled perfectly, the gorgeous dress, the cake, the dance with Coltrane playing in the background, the corsage, and the magical butterflies…all of it. All those years she had longed to see him again, only left with dreams about their life together—travelling, living by the sea, laughing at Disneyland; but her favorite was being married with a family of their own and living in Ligonier. It was a beautiful dream that brought Autumn such joyfulness, yet such sorrow at the impossibility of it.

  After some time, she placed the Polaroid back into her Bible as she heard the stirrings of people talking downstairs—Ava and Sharon were up and laughing away in the kitchen. Autumn made her way downstairs towards them. As she entered the kitchen, Sharon swung around on her chair with a big smile on her face as she rushed towards Autumn.

  “Merry Christmas!” she shouted.

  Autumn laughed, “Oh, thanks Sharon, but wasn’t it Christmas yesterday?”

  “Yes, but I want it to be Christmas every day!” she cheered, raising her hands in the air and swirling around like a ballerina. Ava and Autumn giggled at Sharon’s enthusiasm.

  After she stopped her dizzying circles, Sharon pointed to Autumn’s neck. “Ooh, pretty necklace. Can I touch it?”

  Autumn was surprised after what happened the night before, but Sharon had obviously forgotten about the incident.

  “Of course,” Autumn said, holding the pearl out.

  Ava smiled at her from the counter she was leaning on as she drank her coffee. After Sharon became bored with the necklace, she ran off into the living room, leaving Ava and Autumn alone. “So, I got a text message early this morning,” Ava informed her. “Which, by the way, why didn’t you get a cell yet, girl?”

  Autumn shrugged, “I don’t feel the need for one. If anyone needs me, they just call here or the bookstore,” she grinned, as she moved to sit on the kitchen bench.

  “So, like I said, I got a text this morning from Alec. How are you feeling sweetie?”

  Once again, Autumn shrugged, “Honestly, I don’t know Aunt Ava. Confused, elated, sad, nervous, oh, did I mention confused?”

  Ava gave her a sad smile. “What are you going to do about Aiden?”

  “What do you mean, what am I going to do about Aiden?” Autumn snapped.

  “Oh come on, you’ve been pining over Eric since you got back, heck probably since that last summer. I see the way you freeze every time someone mentions his name, as if it hurts to hear.”

  “Oh Ava, it doesn’t matter now. It’s been too many years—we’ve moved on. Besides, I can’t hurt Aiden like that. He doesn’t deserve it and, well…Eric has his own life now,” she sighed.

  “From what I heard about his reaction this morning, I’d say he hasn’t forgotten about you one bit, Autumn. You know how much I adore Aiden, but he knew what would happen the moment Eric came home, heck we all did. He knew the trouble he was bringing on
himself and their friendship.”

  “No, I caused it,” she mumbled, turning her head down in shame.

  “No, you didn’t,” Ava said adamantly. “Now come on, the eggs are ready. Let’s eat and then I think you should go see Aiden.”

  Autumn finished breakfast and washed the dishes. She was trying to stall her visit to Aiden. Normally, she couldn’t wait to see him, but something shifted. She finally got dressed and walked to his apartment above the workshop. She had no idea what to say or what to do as she climbed the stairs and knocked on his door.

  When Aiden answered, Autumn gasped. The left side of his face was swollen, his jaw was bruised, and he had a split lip.

  Autumn reached up to touch his face and Aiden flinched. “What happened?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

  Aiden reached for her hand, drawing her into the apartment. Shutting the door, he pulled her to him and wrapped her in his embrace. She responded by weaving her arms back around his waist.

  “Don’t feel sorry for me sweetheart. I deserved it,” he attempted to laugh, but the pain in his voice was discernable.

  “No one deserves to be hurt Aiden. Believe me, I know. Eric did this, didn’t he?” she peered up at him, feeling responsible for his bruises.

  Aiden let her go and stepped away. Heading towards the sofa, he dropped down onto it, raking his hand through his hair. Autumn walked over and sat next to him.

  “Like I said, I deserved it. When you came back, I couldn’t believe how beautiful you were. I mean, I always liked you, but I knew you didn’t see me that way.”

  “Aiden…”

  “No, it’s true. I thought if there was ever a chance of us being together, for you to fall in love with me, it would be while Eric wasn’t here. I should have told him, regardless of what you said. He was my best friend for crying out loud. But I wanted you so much I was willing to hurt him over it and I’m ashamed, Autumn. I played dirty and that’s wrong,” he sighed deeply, leaning forward and placing his head in his hands.