Several minutes passed before Luke received the last text message from Marion.
“I’m good. But um… please don’t text this number again.”
Luke placed his phone on the edge of his bed and began laughing to himself. He continued removing items from his closet when he said aloud, “Some things never change.”
He decided to continue with his plan to contact Whitney. He dialed her number, feeling the excitement flow through his veins as the phone began ringing. He felt every second go by until Whitney finally answered her phone.
“Hello, Luke! How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well. I just wanted to see how you have been and possibly see you the next time you are down here.”
Whitney thought for a moment. “Well, if you want to see me, I could be down there tomorrow night! I’m off, and I don’t mind making the trip as long as you don’t brush me off again.”
“That would be great! I’m going home in a couple of days to visit with my family and to check out a couple of apartments with my cousin. But I would love to see you before I go.”
Whitney laughed as they agreed on the date.
Luke soon prepared for work. He had devised a plan to inform his supervisor of his resignation from the hospital. He tucked in his solid blue shirt and tightened his lightly colored blue tie and went over the plan one more time in his mind.
With a strong stride, he planned to approach his supervisor and informed her of an unexpected move back to Biloxi. Explaining to her that transferring to “USM” on the coast was the best for his political science major, he stated that the program was much more effective on the location’s smaller scale. He felt ready and makes his way to the hospital.
He arrived thirteen minutes early. He walked into his supervisor’s office and requested a meeting. They sat face to face. Luke went over his sudden change in plans. By the end of the meeting, the two agreed to set his last day for the following Friday. Luke exited his supervisor’s office and began his rounds.
The next morning, Luke woke to the sound of his phone indicating a new text message. He slowly turned to his right side and reached for his phone. He unlocked the device to see a new text message from Whitney.
“Hey. Good morning. I can’t wait to see you tonight!”
Luke smiled, placing his cellular device back on his nightstand.
That evening, Luke was finishing his laundry and his phone began to ring. Whitney was calling to inform him that she was around the corner and requesting that he step outside and direct her towards his building. Luke agreed and rushed to his front door. He grabbed his coat and hat and exited through the white portal.
He ran to the parking lot and immediately searched for Whitney’s car. He looked around the corner from the entrance and spotted a red sports car driving extremely slowly as it approached him. Luke stood in the middle of the road and franticly waved down the vehicle.
The car pulled up to Luke as the window rolled down. Whitney smiled at him and invited him into her car. Luke walked around to the passenger side and entered. The two continued towards Luke’s building, parking next to his vehicle.
They decided to sit in the warm car and talk before walking in. They caught up on the past few years and even discuss their most recent relationships. Whitney opened up about her failed marriage to her high school sweetheart. Luke shared a lighter version of his relationship with Anna, reluctant to even mention any of it.
Whitney sat with the moon shining on her face and reached for Luke’s hand. She squeezed it tight while leaning in to kiss him. Luke responded to her soft, innocent kiss by returning the affection. She made further advances towards Luke and soon took his hand and placed it on her breast.
Fighting the temptation to squeeze and to enjoy the large round globe, Luke finally gave in. Whitney slowly pulled her face away from his and with a relaxed look, she said, “Let’s go inside. There is something that I have wanted to do with you for a very long time.”
Luke sat for a moment and ponders. He brushed back the loose red strands of hair from the front of Whitney’s face and said, “Well, do you think that we should? I mean, this is like our first night together and all. I just figured we would have a drink and continue talking until I fell asleep on the couch and you on my bed.”
Whitney giggled. “Come on, Luke, I didn’t drive down here to cuddle! I’ve been waiting to fuck your brains out since the moment I saw you at the casino.”
Luke began feeling uncomfortable with Whitney’s direct advancement. But convincing himself that he wanted Whitney just as badly, Luke decided to go for it.
He escorted Whitney inside and walked her to his bedroom. She sat on the edge of his bed and took off her shoes. She soon stood and instructed Luke to close his eyes while she made herself more comfortable. Luke continued standing while covering his eyes until she allowed him to see.
Luke slowly placed his hands to his side, standing at the end of the bed. He aw Whitney wrapped in his comforter, exposing only the top of her chest. He walked to the side of the bed, feeling her eyes follow his. She pulled the cover from the corner of the bed and invited him in.
The eager yet nervous young man climbed into the bed and lay next to the nude woman. She began rubbing the side of his face and made her way to his crotch. She massaged his member shortly before unzipping and pulling his blue jeans off. Luke sat up as she indicated to Luke of her intention to perform oral sex.
But at that moment, Luke stopped her and quickly excused himself, informing her of his need to use the bathroom. He jumped off the bed and rushed to the small washroom to his left. He placed his hands on each side of the porcelain sink and looks at himself in the mirror. Nervous and shaking, he soon came to the conclusion that he couldn’t go through with Whitney’s request.
After several more minutes pondering his next move, Luke walked out the door and sat next to the aroused woman. She begam rubbing his shoulders, slowly making her way down. Luke stopped her again.
“I’m sorry, Whitney. I just can’t do this.”
Showing that she was slightly offended, she covered her entire body. “Why not? Aren’t you attracted to me? Was it something I did?”
Luke turns towards her and while placing his hand on top of hers, he responds,
“No, it’s not you, it’s me. I haven’t been completely honest with you about Anna. Yes, we broke up but she hurt me. She hurt me deeply. I didn’t really realize how bad it was until you kissed me tonight. I miss her. I miss the soft feel of her hand, the taste of her kiss, and the comfort of her eyes. I know that I don’t want her anymore, but I never got the closure I needed from her. I’m so sorry. Please don’t be upset.”
Whitney looked at Luke with a blank expression. She asked him once again to cover his eyes so she could become decent.
Whitney dressed and sat at the end of the bed, facing perpendicular from Luke. An uncomfortable vibe sweeps the room, before she breaks the silence.
“I came all this way to be with you because you said it’s what you wanted. I drove for hours just to see you! It hurts me bad that you would have me travel this far just to reject me.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for all this to get this way. Please forgive me!”
Whitney remained silent for a moment before replying, “I think I should leave, Luke. I’ll find a hotel nearby and leave in the morning. I know that you are going home tomorrow and I’m not going to impose.”
“You don’t have to leave, Whitney. I’m not going home till tomorrow night. We can still hang out and find stuff to do around Hattiesburg. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Whitney picked up her overnight bag, keys and purse. She turned around before walking out of Luke’s room and said, “You just made it this way.”
Luke continued to sit on the bed, hearing Whitney walk down the hallway and out the door. Disappointed in his night, Luke decided to go to bed.
The young man lay slumbering in his empty bed. He began feeling light vibr
ations from the opposite end of the bed. Curious and alarmed, he sat up and realized that it was his phone flashing, indicating an incoming call. He picked the phone up, only to discover Anna’s name flashing on the screen. Luke takes a deep breath and answered.
“Who is this and what do you want? If this is Calvin, I swear to god I will track you down and skin you alive! You have pushed me one too many times and I have had it!”
“Luke?” a recognizable female voice said. “This is Anna. Did I catch you at a bad time or something?”
“No. Why are you calling me?”.
“Well,I wanted to apologize for everything. I know we didn’t go over so well and I wanted to call you and talk about it.”
“No, I don’t want to talk to you! You really fucked me over, Anna. I have nothing to say to you.”
Without hesitation, Anna quickly responded, “But, Luke, we love each other! We made a promise to one another! Don’t you remember that? I’m sorry for everything that happened, but I want you to know that I still love you very much and I want to be with you!”
Luke began feeling his blood begin to boil. While trying his hardest to resist showing any emotion to Anna, he said, “I don’t owe you anything, Anna. I don’t want to see or talk to you ever again! Please leave me alone.”
“Luke,” Anna pleaded while expressing feelings of guilt and losing control of her emotional grip, “please, I just want to see you. I’ve missed you so much these past months and all I want to do is meet up with you. I’m home for the holidays and I’m staying until spring semester stars.”
Luke thought for a moment. Accepting the coincidence of Anna’s timing to meet up, Luke reluctantly decided to meet with her the next night to finally get the closure he deserved so that he can finally move on with his life.
The two continued talking as Luke implored Anna to convince him of her true intentions to meet with him. Hours of conversation passed and Luke became certain and secure with seeing Anna the next night. They planned for Luke to drive to Bay St. Louis and meet at the very place where he first told her that he loved her. He informed Anna of his plans to stay with his parents for the night and that he would see her at the train depot at approximately seven o’clock.
Luke hung the phone up and continued with his sleep. That night, while in deep slumber, Luke began to dream. He is in the middle of a room, sitting in a student’s desk. All around him was silence and darkness. Scared, he tries to step out of the seat, only to be filled with even more intense feelings of fear and anxiety.
Too nervous to remove himself from the desk, he starts yelling for help. After several attempts, a voice soon responds.
“Luke! Luke! Where are you? I can’t see you anymore!”
Luke screams back, “I’m here, I’m here!”
It was at that moment that Luke woke from his nightmare. He got out of his bed and stepped into the bathroom to splash cold water over his face. He walked back into his room and began packing an overnight bag for his short trip.
Before leaving his apartment, he reached for the large black liner filled with photos of him an Anna. He loaded the black plastic bag onto the back seat of his vehicle and his night bag right next to it.
He entered the vehicle and began making his way to Biloxi. He decided when he reached Wiggins that he would call his father and inform him of his location. Sharon had text messaged him a few days prior and requested him to give them plenty of notice before arriving, indicating a small surprise dinner.
Luke finally arrived at his parent’s house. He removed his medium sized luggage filled with his clothing and toiletries. He walked through the open garage door and into the house. As he entered, he was greeted by his parents as well as most of his siblings. They all welcomed Luke home while surprising him with his favorite dish, chicken parmigiana.
The family sat around the dining table and discuss Luke’s plan to move back. Still curious about his passing condition he noticed a short brunette walk into the dining room. Luke looked up to discover his younger sister Nicole. Excited, he rose from the table and rushed towards her. He embraced her small frame delicately and said with a tear in his eye, “Nicole… what are you doing here?”
“I knew that you were going through a rough time and I wanted to come down and see you. I heard that you were getting an apartment with Enzo. Maybe you guys will have room for one more.”
Luke prepared a chair for his sister, smiling as he does so. He returned to his meal and led the family in prayer.
They began eating their dinner when Sharon directed her attention towards Luke.
“So, what happened between you and Anna?”
Luke placed his fork on the edge of his plate and while noticing the attention of the rest of the table, he replied, “It doesn’t matter anymore. It will soon be completely over, and I will be able to put it all behind me.”
Thomas removed his napkin from his lap, wiped his mouth, and interjected, “What do you mean, dude?”
“After I am through eating, I will be driving to Bay St. Louis to meet with Anna and finally ending this once and for all.”
Nicole looked at Luke with a slightly confused look on her face. “Do you think that is a good idea? I mean after what you told me about what happened with the phone calls and text messages that her boyfriend sent, aren’t you a little nervous that she might just go completely psycho on you?”
Before Luke could respond, his oldest sister Sharon decided to speak up.
“Well, I think it is a good idea, Luke. I know how important it is to get that last bit of information and seal all those little cracks.”
“Yeah,” Thomas said, “if she does try something, I’m going to whoop her boyfriend’s ass while Sharon beats her ass!”
“Okay, okay, calm down everyone,’ Michael interrupted as he looked to his son. “Good luck with it, Luke.”
Luke reached for his glass of wine and responded as he looked at his father, “Thanks, Dad.”
Luke finished his dinner and began to walk towards the door. Reaching his vehicle, he stepped into it and placed the gear in reverse and backed out the driveway. He placed the gear in first and begins making his journey towards Anna. Excitement mixed with a heavy nervous feeling started to churn in his abdominal area. A twist of apprehension followed by relief washed over him. Luke finally crossed the Bay Bridge, turning left onto Beach Blvd.
He turned right onto Carroll Ave and then left on Toulme. He continued driving through “Old Towne” until he arrived at the old train station. He parked his car next to Anna’s vehicle and got out. He walked towards the same bench where he first confessed to Anna of his love for her.
He saw Anna sitting on the rusted metal bench. She sat waiting patiently while wearing a pair of long dark jeans and a solid black over coat. The aroma of her perfume was enough to guide Luke to her position. Noticing Luke approaching, she stood up. She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his cold body. Luke could hear her begin to sob.
Luke gently pulled himself from her grip and stood within a foot of her. She began crying heavier and expressing to Luke of the mistake she had made. Luke continued to stand and listen as Anna explained her side of the story.
“I didn’t even know that he was calling or even texting you. I didn’t realize what was happening until I was about to leave and I checked the history on my phone.”
“Well, did you break up with him or get angry with him or anything?”
“I just don’t understand how this all got out of hand!” Anna said while slapping her hands at her side. She then continued rambling, ‘Oh, and I’m sorry about the whole thing with my parents. Calvin made sure that they hated you! I had to tell them I went on a walk tonight just to clear my mind. They think I’m walking around down town. But don’t worry, though, my love. We will be together whether they know about it or not.”
Anna went in to kiss Luke. He stopped her by placing his hands forward at his chest. He began backing up.
“I didn’t come here tonight
to make up or start over or whatever you thought. I want to end this for good. I realized after everything that you put me through, that I’m much better off. I just don’t want to deal with all this anymore. I want to walk away tonight, knowing that we ended this the right away.”
Anna continued crying, once again pleading to Luke to take her back. Luke stood by his word and continued to turn down Anna’s request. He took a seat on the bench and invited Anna to sit as well. The two continued talking about their ending relationship. Inside his soul, Luke began feeling better about being there that night. He knew with every second that he was doing the best for the long and short run of his young life. Ideas flooded his mind as he realized his compassion for life became completely restored.
The two spent an hour and a half talking before deciding to part ways. They stood up from the bench and gave each other one last hug goodbye. At the same moment they both heard the squealing of tires. They made their way from the furthest point of the parking lot. Luke suggested that it was Blake, showing his jealous and obsessive manner as he often does when he knows Anna is in town, and feeling relief that he didn’t have to deal with him anymore as well.
They walked back to their vehicles. Anna removed a small silver chain from her pocket and handed it to Luke. He looked at it and realized it was the pendant he gave her on the night they celebrated six months together. He looked closer and noticed the diamond engagement ring he gave Anna when he proposed to her was hanging from the chain, also.
Luke placed the jewelry in his front right pocket and said, “Thank you. You don’t know how much I appreciate your taking care of this for me.”
With tears running down both sides of her face, she tucked her hands into the side pockets of her coat and responded, “I wouldn’t have let anything happen to it. It meant a lot to me that you would give me something that important. I’m just disappointed in myself for ruining such a great thing.”
Adaptation of the Chameleon Page 27
