When we got off the plane, Andrew vanished. I had no idea where he went.
I found my way to the baggage claim. I got my first bag with no problem. As my second bag came around the bend I grabbed at it, but it slipped out of my grasp. Suddenly a pair of hands reached out and grabbed my bag and handed it to me. As I looked up to thank the man, I stopped dead. “Do I know you?” I asked in French. “No” He said in French. “Merci.” I said gesturing toward my bag. “Oui” he said and walked away. I stared after him. I was so sure it was Collin when I first saw him. His eyes were the same striking blue. But as I stared after the stranger I knew it wasn’t Collin. The man’s voice was too low, his hair was brown, and he had a beard. Collin’s voice was higher, his hair was blonde, and he hated beards. I shook my head. I must be really frazzled. Now I’m seeing him everywhere.
Over the next few weeks Andrew helped me move into my apartment. After I was settled we went on a couple dates. One date in particular he asked me if I wanted to go home with him after the date. I knew he wasn’t my religion, so I knew he would ask me eventually. I told him no and explained why. He seemed very interested and on our next date he asked me more questions about my religion. As I saw more of Andrew, I began to see more of the stranger. After a couple of dates, I told Andrew I was going to start dating other people, and not just exclusively him. He seemed relieved, and I started seeing him less and less. As I saw Andrew less and less, I seemed to see the stranger more and more. I called Ruby and Bev every night. When I told them I had been seeing less of Andrew they seemed relieved. They didn’t like him. One day I was at the grocery store, when the stranger approached me. “I haven’t introduced myself. I am Aaron Smith.” He said. “Hi. I’m Kristen Dennin.” I said. “I see you at church sometimes, and I thought I would introduce myself since I live a couple blocks away.” Aaron said. “Well thank you.” I said, and then I had to leave.
The next couple of weeks I looked for him at church. I could often spot him, but when I got close, he was gone. Then all at once I stopped seeing him. He wasn’t at the grocery store or at church anymore. I was starting to feel a little lonely. I had a job at the local Library, but I only got enough money to pay my rent and get groceries. When I had a little bit of extra money, I put it in my “Home Jar”. I called it the “Home Jar” because I was saving up to go back home. By Christmas I had enough for a round trip. I didn’t tell Ruby or Bev about my trip because I wanted it to be a surprise.
When I got to Utah, I got off the plane and rented a car. I drove straight to Ruby’s house where I knew Bev would be. The Wakeworth’s were very generous. Right before I met Collin, both my parents died in a car crash. Collin brought me home, and I was immediately a daughter. Ever since, I have been as much of a part of the family as Collin, and Taylor. When I met Bev, I introduced her to Ruby and Frank right away. Bev’s parents were divorced and didn’t speak to each other. Ever since Bev joined the church, neither of them will speak to her. Ruby adopted her, too. Frank is Ruby’s husband. He’s also the Stake President, so he’s always willing to talk.
As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed how much snow there was. I had forgotten how much snow Utah got. Andorra didn’t get a lot. I pulled my jacket closer around me and rang the doorbell. I heard laughing, and then I heard footsteps. The door opened and there was Ruby. Her mouth opened in shock, and her eyes filled with tears. She motioned me in. I stepped in and gave her a hug. She hugged me back. “Ruby, who’s there?” I heard Bev say. She came around the corner and squealed. I ran and gave her a hug. I heard the door close behind me and I knew I was home.
Monday, May 17, 2010
chapter 2
I settled back in my seat. One more flight and I would be in my new home. As I moved around in my seat my purse fell off my lap. I picked it back up. The man sitting next to me picked something up off the ground.
“Is this yours?” he asked, in a strong accent that I couldn’t place.
It was the letter. I had forgotten about it. “Yes, thank you,” I said. As I took it from him, I noticed his eyes. They were a vivid green, contrasting his dark skin and hair. He was really cute! He was probably around twenty-seven. “A letter from your husband?” he asked.
I smiled; I always got asked if I was married. “No. I’m not married.” I said.
He smiled “I’m Andrew King.” He stuck out his hand.
I shook it. “I’m Kristen Dennin,” I said, smiling.
“Such a pretty girl traveling alone? Where are you going?” Andrew asked. “I’m going to Andorra to study French.” I said “Where are you going?” “I’m going to Andorra also. Isn’t that where the plane is going?” he said, laughing. I laughed with him. “You avoided my question. Why are you going to Andorra?” I asked. “For business.” He said vaguely. “What do you do?” I asked, curious. “I do little things in my company, here and there.” Andrew said. I wondered why he was looking so uncomfortable. Before I could ask him any more questions, the flight attendant asked if we wanted anything to drink. I said no, but Andrew asked for some wine. After he drank his wine, he went to sleep. While he was sleeping, I got out my letter and started reading.
Dear Kristen,
There is a good chance that I might not come home from my assignment. Before I leave I just wanted to let you know that I love you and if I don’t come back I won’t blame you for going and being happy with someone else. In fact please do. I want you to be happy for the rest of your life with that lucky guy you pick. And just in case you don’t believe me, I promise I won’t come back to haunt you.
I stopped reading. I couldn’t see the letter anymore, because I was crying so hard. I fished a tissue out of my purse. My fingers brushed against the package that Bev gave me. I took it out and opened it. It was a picture frame. Inside the picture frame was a picture. It was the picture I was going to use for mine and Collin’s engagement picture. We were sitting on a picnic blanket with our food laid out in from of us. I was sitting next to Collin, with my face turned up, returning his kiss. We had been at a Young Single Adults activity. I dried my tears and smiled. Bev had surprised me later by showing me the picture.
My tissue was soaked. “Here.” Andrew said, handing me a tissue.” “Thanks.” I said. I hadn’t noticed he had woken up. I smiled. “I must look like a mess.” I said. “I think you look beautiful.” Andrew said. That did it. I started crying again. I stood up and went to the bathroom. I glanced at Andrew’s face. He looked bewildered. As I locked myself in the bathroom, I noticed I was still holding the letter. I dried my tears and finished the letter.
I love you with my heart and soul. I hope that we can be together again someday.
Yours Eternally,
Love,
Collin
My tears were gone. I was suddenly angry at Collin.
How could he tell me to marry someone else and then tell me he was mine eternally?! Thanks a lot Collin! I shouted in my head. I stopped. I just yelled at a letter. I started laughing. Once I started laughing I couldn’t stop. It became hysteric. I calmed myself down. Wow, my emotions were really out of wack. I guess being on a plane for eighteen hours straight without sleep can do that to you. I took a deep breath, wiped the mascara under my eyes, and walked out of the bathroom.
I walked back to my seat. Andrew was either asleep again, or else pretending to be. I didn’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to deal with myself either. The captain came over the intercom. “This is your captain speaking. We are about to touch down in Andorra. Please fasten your seatbelts. Thank you.” He said in rapid French. I understood enough French to know to put my seatbelt on.
As we touched down, Andrew woke up. He looked at me, gauging whether I was going to cry again. “Are you feeling better?” Andrew asked. “Much better, Thank you.” I said. “Thanks again for the tissue.” “No problem” he replied. I gathered my purse. People were starting to leave. Andrew grabbed my arm. “Can I have your number?” he asked. I was a little taken aback. I smiled incredulously. “You want my number after that little emotional outburst?” I asked. He smiled. He was probably relieved I didn’t start crying. “Maybe I can take your mind off some things.” He said. I raised my eyebrows, “Alright, I’m willing to let you try.” I said smiling. I wrote my number on the piece of paper he handed to me. “Here ya go.” I said. Who knows, maybe he could take my mind off Collin.
“Is this yours?” he asked, in a strong accent that I couldn’t place.
It was the letter. I had forgotten about it. “Yes, thank you,” I said. As I took it from him, I noticed his eyes. They were a vivid green, contrasting his dark skin and hair. He was really cute! He was probably around twenty-seven. “A letter from your husband?” he asked.
I smiled; I always got asked if I was married. “No. I’m not married.” I said.
He smiled “I’m Andrew King.” He stuck out his hand.
I shook it. “I’m Kristen Dennin,” I said, smiling.
“Such a pretty girl traveling alone? Where are you going?” Andrew asked. “I’m going to Andorra to study French.” I said “Where are you going?” “I’m going to Andorra also. Isn’t that where the plane is going?” he said, laughing. I laughed with him. “You avoided my question. Why are you going to Andorra?” I asked. “For business.” He said vaguely. “What do you do?” I asked, curious. “I do little things in my company, here and there.” Andrew said. I wondered why he was looking so uncomfortable. Before I could ask him any more questions, the flight attendant asked if we wanted anything to drink. I said no, but Andrew asked for some wine. After he drank his wine, he went to sleep. While he was sleeping, I got out my letter and started reading.
Dear Kristen,
There is a good chance that I might not come home from my assignment. Before I leave I just wanted to let you know that I love you and if I don’t come back I won’t blame you for going and being happy with someone else. In fact please do. I want you to be happy for the rest of your life with that lucky guy you pick. And just in case you don’t believe me, I promise I won’t come back to haunt you.
I stopped reading. I couldn’t see the letter anymore, because I was crying so hard. I fished a tissue out of my purse. My fingers brushed against the package that Bev gave me. I took it out and opened it. It was a picture frame. Inside the picture frame was a picture. It was the picture I was going to use for mine and Collin’s engagement picture. We were sitting on a picnic blanket with our food laid out in from of us. I was sitting next to Collin, with my face turned up, returning his kiss. We had been at a Young Single Adults activity. I dried my tears and smiled. Bev had surprised me later by showing me the picture.
My tissue was soaked. “Here.” Andrew said, handing me a tissue.” “Thanks.” I said. I hadn’t noticed he had woken up. I smiled. “I must look like a mess.” I said. “I think you look beautiful.” Andrew said. That did it. I started crying again. I stood up and went to the bathroom. I glanced at Andrew’s face. He looked bewildered. As I locked myself in the bathroom, I noticed I was still holding the letter. I dried my tears and finished the letter.
I love you with my heart and soul. I hope that we can be together again someday.
Yours Eternally,
Love,
Collin
My tears were gone. I was suddenly angry at Collin.
How could he tell me to marry someone else and then tell me he was mine eternally?! Thanks a lot Collin! I shouted in my head. I stopped. I just yelled at a letter. I started laughing. Once I started laughing I couldn’t stop. It became hysteric. I calmed myself down. Wow, my emotions were really out of wack. I guess being on a plane for eighteen hours straight without sleep can do that to you. I took a deep breath, wiped the mascara under my eyes, and walked out of the bathroom.
I walked back to my seat. Andrew was either asleep again, or else pretending to be. I didn’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to deal with myself either. The captain came over the intercom. “This is your captain speaking. We are about to touch down in Andorra. Please fasten your seatbelts. Thank you.” He said in rapid French. I understood enough French to know to put my seatbelt on.
As we touched down, Andrew woke up. He looked at me, gauging whether I was going to cry again. “Are you feeling better?” Andrew asked. “Much better, Thank you.” I said. “Thanks again for the tissue.” “No problem” he replied. I gathered my purse. People were starting to leave. Andrew grabbed my arm. “Can I have your number?” he asked. I was a little taken aback. I smiled incredulously. “You want my number after that little emotional outburst?” I asked. He smiled. He was probably relieved I didn’t start crying. “Maybe I can take your mind off some things.” He said. I raised my eyebrows, “Alright, I’m willing to let you try.” I said smiling. I wrote my number on the piece of paper he handed to me. “Here ya go.” I said. Who knows, maybe he could take my mind off Collin.
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