Across the Creek

by Jeremy Asher

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Felicia said.

  “Anyways,” Robbie said, hoping to change the subject before Aunt Sherry started sprouting tears. “Felicia made lasagna. Are you hungry?”

  Aunt Sherry looked at the sack Robbie held. “Lasagna. Sounds good, but I can’t. I’m on that Atkins Diet. You know, the one where you can only eat bacon.”

  “I think you mean meat,” Robbie corrected.

  “Of course, that’s what I meant. And bacon is a meat, isn’t it?” She looked at Felicia. “I just can’t get enough of bacon. It’s so delicious. And I think the diet’s working. I started the diet this morning and I’ve already lost a pound.”

  Robbie rolled his eyes.

  “It was so good meeting you, Felicia.” She gave her another hug and then squeezed Robbie’s cheek. “You be good to her. I can tell she’s a keeper.” She gave Robbie a wink before opening the door.

  “It was nice meeting you too.” Felicia waved as Aunt Sherry walked out of the breakroom.

  When they were alone, Robbie said, “Sorry about that. I should’ve warned you about her.” He pulled out a chair for Felicia. Then he set the sack of lasagna down on the table and took a seat in the chair next to hers. “She can be a bit much for some people.”

  “I like her. She’s sweet.”

  “Sweet is one of the many words that you could use to describe her. But she’s a good person to have in your corner when you need someone.”

  Felicia removed two plastic plates, forks, and the pan of lasagna from the bag.

  “Smells delicious.” Robbie removed the lid from the pan. “And it looks just as good as it smells.”

  “So, you’re a diamond in the rough, huh?” Felicia asked as she dished out two squares.

  Robbie rolled his eyes. “She’s talked like that ever since I was a teenager. I don’t know where she gets that stuff.”

  “I can see where she gets it. You are different from most men I’ve dated.”

  “Really?” Robbie’s chest swelled with pride.

  Felicia nodded. “You do have a hardened shell,” she said. “Probably something you developed as a way to protect your soft center.”

  “Hey, my center is anything but soft,” Robbie said, slapping his hand to his gut. “These abs don’t come natural, you know. I work out.”

  Felicia chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.”

  Robbie took a bite of the lasagna and closed his eyes. “Oh my gosh, this is good.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “I think this is the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted,” he said, pointing his fork to the plate. “You should sell this stuff.”

  “Thank you,” Felicia said. She sliced into her piece with a fork but left it sitting on the plate, as if it were too heavy to lift.

  “What is it?”

  Her eyes remained fixed on the fork of lasagna. “I’m sorry that I was late.”

  Robbie sensed that something more was bothering her. Although she had prevented him from responding when she had said that she loved him, he wondered if she was upset that he still hadn’t said anything. “Are you not hungry?” He wiped his mouth with a napkin.

  “I actually left work early today because I wasn’t feeling well,” she said. “I took a nap and ended up sleeping longer than I thought I would.”

  “You didn’t have to come tonight.”

  She turned her gaze toward Robbie. He noticed an unusual seriousness in her eyes, as if she could cry at any moment. “We’ve been dating for a few months now.” She paused. “And it’s been great.”

  “It has,” he agreed.

  “What I said earlier. When I first showed up tonight. I didn’t want you to feel like—”

  “Wait,” he said, interrupting her. “There’s actually something that I’ve been wanting to tell you for a few days now. Something that I’ve never told another woman. Aside from my mother and my aunt, of course.” Robbie took Felicia’s hand in his. Her warm and delicate fingers fit perfectly in his large calloused hands. His heart pounded harder at the thought of putting a ring on her finger someday. “Felicia, I love you.” As he said it, the weight seemed to lift from her shoulders.

  Felicia’s eyes lit up. “Robbie, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “What’s that?” he asked, wanting so badly to hear the sound of her voice when she said those three words again.

  She straightened in her seat. Tears welled in her bright green eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

  And just like that, with two simple words, the weight of the world took its place back on Robbie’s shoulders.

  Chapter 8

  Jesse

  Jesse’s little red S10 truck came to a squeaking halt across the street from Sarah’s apartment. He sat for a few minutes staring at the shadowy figures that crossed back and forth in the windows on the second floor. Sarah’s floor. His shaking hands reminded him of his senior prom. Poor Tina Mincy. Her brand new prom dress had a bright red stain from where Jesse had accidentally spilled his fruit punch on her.

  Get it together, he told himself. It’s just a surprise birthday party. For Sarah’s fiancé. A concept he still hadn’t gotten used to. It gnawed at the back of his brain like the elusive answer to a trivia question.

  Jesse popped a piece of gum into his mouth and got out of his truck. “Here goes nothing.”

  The sun’s fading light cast shadows across the apartment building’s weathered stone, giving it a classic look. Although the buildings looked two hundred years old, they appeared to be well maintained with updated light fixtures and nicely groomed landscaping.

  Jesse pulled out the note that Sarah had given him and double checked the address. Then he moved forward, climbing the two flights of stairs leading to Sarah’s apartment. Each step brought more butterflies until they tickled the walls of his stomach.

  He wrapped his fingers around the large brass knocker that hung from her door and paused. It’s just a party. One hour, two tops, and he could leave. But the tornado of butterflies within his stomach weren’t convinced. He drew in a deep breath and knocked twice.

  The door opened a few inches and Sarah’s crystal blue eyes peeked out. She gave him a quick smile before opening the door the rest of the way. “It’s okay,” she shouted over her shoulder. “It’s not Kevin.” A cluster of people hiding behind furniture and the open-style kitchen counter stood up and let out a huge sigh of frustration.

  “Come inside,” Sarah said, waving him in.

  She looked stunning. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, spilling over a silky white tank that clung tightly to her body. As Jesse followed her to the kitchen, it took a lot of effort not to stare at the shapely legs her jean skirt failed to conceal.

  He felt dozens of eyes staring at him, like he was the new kid in class. Sarah led him through the living room, introducing him to people as they passed by. Her introductions were quick, not lingering long enough for them to know more than Jesse’s name, leaving him to believe that most of the people there were probably Kevin’s friends. Everyone seemed nice, but Jesse noticed a certain confidence in their eyes. The kind of confidence that came with a life of few struggles and possibly money, both of which were not afforded to Jesse growing up.

  Sarah led Jesse into the open-style adjoining kitchen, which gave the tiny apartment a spacious feel. She introduced him to a group that was gathered behind the kitchen counter. They seemed different from the rest. Their clothes were more casual and they seemed younger than the people in the living room. All were shy, bar one: Rachael Miller. “Can I get you something to drink? A beer or a margarita?” she asked.

  “No, thank you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Jesse nodded. “I’m positive.”

  “So, Sarah tells me that you own a pet store.” Rachael lifted herself onto the kitchen counter next to where Jesse was standing. Her mini jean skirt covered only the necessities. And her tight t-shirt left little for the imagination. Jesse knew Rachael’s type
well, and given a different time and place, he’d probably be inclined to ask her out.

  “It’s just a small shop in Old Town that I run with my brother and aunt.” He watched Sarah out of the corner of his eye as she made her way through the crowd, checking on everyone, making sure they felt at home.

  “I think that’s so cute.” She smiled at him, stringing gum in, out, in, out from her mouth. The smell of alcohol and grape bubblegum turned Jesse’s stomach. Her thick makeup reminded him of one of those hundred-year-old houses that been painted about fifty times over.

  Jesse’s gaze wandered back to Sarah. Her long curls bounced every time she turned her head, and two tiny dimples complemented her electric smile. Glancing back at the kitchen, she spied Jesse watching and gave a subtle wave before walking deeper into the crowd.

  Jesse couldn’t take it anymore. The alcohol-flavored bubblegum and the slurring conversation—he had to get out of here. “Rachael,” he said, interrupting whatever she was saying at that moment, “could you tell me where the bathroom is?”

  “Sure, doll, it’s just down that hall,” she said, pointing through the crowd. “It’ll be the second door on your left.” She spoke loud enough that Jesse was pretty sure everyone at the party now knew where the bathroom was. “You want me to show you?” she asked, stringing the gum from her mouth again.

  “No thanks,” he replied. “I got this one.”

  “Just don’t be gone too long. I might need another drink soon.” She held up her glass and shot him a wink. Again, he was pretty sure the rest of the party had heard her.

  Jesse looked for Sarah on his way, but he found only rows and rows of frat boys and the sound of prattle about stocks, bonds, and sports cars. Robbie would have a ball with these yuppies. He had a way with the highfalutin types.

  Pictures lined the walls of the hallway. Most of them were of Sarah and a thin older man: her father. Most of them looked like they were no more than a few years old, but one was of her when she was looked to be about twelve. It brought back memories that had been filed away in the deep recesses of Jesse’s mind. Long, curly blond hair, soil-stained gown, and bright yellow rain boots. Even then he had found her intriguing.

  “What are you looking at?”

  Jesse turned and saw Sarah standing just a few feet away. “I was just looking at your photos. These are really cool. Where was this one taken?” He pointed to one with ocean waves crashing in the background.

  “That’s me and my dad in Hawaii,” Sarah said.

  “Hawaii? That had to be a fun trip.”

  “My cousin was getting married there, and my dad and I attended the ceremony. It was quite beautiful.”

  “I bet.”

  None of the photos included Sarah’s mother, Jesse realized, and he remembered how difficult things had been between them when she was little. Judging by her complete absence on the hallway walls, things must not have improved after he had left New Haven. Then he noticed a photo that seemed out of place, yet familiar. All of the other photos were portraits, posed by a professional who snapped the photo, except for this one. It appeared to be taken with an everyday camera. Sarah looked a few years younger than when he had known her, and she was playing with an even younger boy. “How about this one? Is he a cousin?”

  A sober expression formed on Sarah’s face. “Actually, that was my brother.”

  “Your brother? I didn’t know you had a…” Jesse stopped. He remembered the day when she had taken him up to her room. This was the same photo that was sitting next to her bed. She had told him that day, told him that he’d died, but never elaborated. At the age of twelve, Jesse wasn’t sure how to respond. Even now he found it difficult to comment. Losing someone close to you is a horrible thing to have to experience, something that Jesse was all too familiar with.

  Sarah removed the photo from the wall. Pain swirled in her eyes. “His name was Henry. He passed away when I was ten.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Sarah’s eyes never left Henry’s image. “He was only five years old.” She paused. “It was twelve years ago, but with each passing year I find it more difficult to remember what he was like. It feels like I keep losing pieces of him as time goes by.” Jesse placed a hand on her shoulder. He often thought about his mother as an exercise to keep her fresh in his memory. But she was right. Time was a thief when it came to memories. Not so much the memories as the details that give the memories life, making them more than just a dream. “He smiled a lot. I remember that. He was happy all the time.” A smile formed on her face. “One time I walked into my bedroom and he had gotten into my Barbie makeup kit. He was rubbing lipstick on his cheeks. I think he thought it was blush or something. He looked like a goofy clown, but he still wore that same ridiculously wonderful smile.”

  Jesse hated that he had unknowingly opened an old wound. He wanted so badly to wrap his arms around her. Comfort her. Take away her pain. But he knew it wasn’t his place. “He sounds great. I remember one time I walked in on Robbie singing a Color Me Bad song. He was using his comb as a microphone.” He paused. “It must have been hard for you. Losing someone so close.”

  She hung the picture back on the wall. “It was a long time ago. But I still miss him.” “Wherever he is now,” Jesse said, “I’m sure he’s missing you too.”

  Sarah looked at Jesse and smiled. “Thank you. Did you see this one?” she asked, pointing to a picture of a tree.

  Jesse moved in for a closer look. The smell of wildflowers and a hint of something sweet filled his nose, igniting something deep inside of him, just as it did when she had hugged him the other day at the pet shop. He looked harder at the photograph she was pointing to. “Is that? It can’t be. The willow tree!”

  “That’s it. Just before we moved to Chicago I took a picture of it. You see…” She pointed to a body of water behind the tree. “There’s Crooked Creek, where you taught me to catch crawfish.”

  That tree had become the one place where Jesse could go as a child and escape from the pressures of home. His mom had done the best she could, given the circumstances, but things were far from easy. “Wow, I haven’t seen that tree in...” He paused, trying to remember the last time he had laid eyes on it. Then it dawned on him that it was the last time he had seen Sarah. The first and last time they had kissed. Every detail of that kiss came back to him, along with the memory of what he had found at home just minutes later. It was the best and worst day of his life.

  Jesse stared into her soft blue eyes as the walls around him started to slip away. He was no longer at a party, no longer at Sarah’s apartment; he was simply with Sarah and nothing else mattered. His chest ached and an overwhelming sensation to kiss her came over him.

  “That was a long time ago, Jesse. But I think about that place often,” Sarah said, looking back at the photograph. The sincerity in her voice played on Jesse’s heart strings, making it even more difficult for him to keep from wrapping his arms around her. She stared at the picture the same way an art collector might gaze upon a Rembrandt. In that moment, Jesse wanted nothing more than to kiss her.

  She turned back to Jesse and their eyes locked in silent communication. Jesse felt it and he knew she had to feel it too. Her lips pressed tight and then parted, the tip of her tongue wetting them. He leaned in closer, waiting for her to pull back, but she didn’t. Eyes still locked, he turned his head.

  “SURPRISE!”

  Jesse and Sarah quickly pulled back and looked toward the front door. And just like that, the moment was lost.

  Chapter 9

  Sarah

  Sarah pushed her way through the crowd of congratulating people. She had spent weeks planning and putting this thing together and now she was missing it. The surprise, the look on his face, everything was happening while she was reminiscing with Jesse. And as much as she enjoyed seeing him after all these years, it was time to focus on the future, and Kevin.

  A bright smile covered Kevin’s face. “Did you put all of this together?” he
asked, placing his hands on Sarah’s hips.

  “Of course I did. Are you surprised?”

  “Totally. I had no idea.”

  “Well, I’m glad you like it.”

  “Like it?” Kevin pulled her closer to him. “I love it.” He reached down and gave her a slow, gentle kiss. People around them clapped and cheered. “They approve.”

  Sarah leaned into Kevin and whispered, “So do I.”

  Kevin grabbed Sarah by the hand. “Come on, I want to say hi to everyone.”

  Together they made the rounds, Sarah by Kevin’s side. She knew most of the people here. Most were guys Kevin had worked with or had gone to school with. Some of the women looked familiar, too, but most were the guys’ dates, people Sarah had never met until tonight.

  Kevin had always been good with people. He had a way about him. A politician’s smile and an actor’s good looks made him easy to talk to. In fact, he was the one who had made first contact over two years ago. She and her father were having lunch at a restaurant, sitting outside on the sidewalk, enjoying the sun and their meals. Kevin had just finished up a work lunch with a client and was saying goodbye.

  Sarah had noticed him looking her way. At first she thought that he must have been looking at someone else who happened to be in her direction, but when she realized that all the tables around her were empty, it was evident that he had been checking her out.

  On his way out, Kevin walked up to her table and first introduced himself to her father, telling him that his daughter was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. When he introduced himself to Sarah, he kissed her on the hand, like some European gentleman. He left her with his business card and said he hoped to hear from her soon.

  It took her four weeks to work up the nerve to call him.

  “Sarah did this.” Kevin kissed her on the cheek, bringing her back to the party. “She put this together for me,” he said to Fred, one of his work colleagues.

  Fred was like Kevin: charming, wealthy, and very confident. “She’s quite the catch.”