by LeLa Summers
hope but again it is a long shot seeing how Josh never made an attempt to work on that part of his life that he knew was very important to her. How she really missed him. Josh was the best thing that happened for her in awhile, beside her sister Crissy she was willing to trust him, she knew she could let her guard down and not get hurt, it was just something about him. She remembered the first time they met. It was at the farmers market in Michigan at the grant park and there were a lot of things to do for that summer day. Plenty of music, entertainment of all cultures, plenty of fruits and vegetables to buy, arts and crafts to buy and plenty of activities for the family. Crissy and Clarrisa set up a booth in the arts and crafts section to promote the pet shop and services, they brought along several puppies to draw the crowd, yeah who couldn’t get won over by a cute little puppy face. That day was the day Clarrisa knew she met the one. “This little guy is definitely a cutie and a little feisty” Josh said as he reached down in the playpen to pet the pup. Clarrisa picked up the small poodle and allowed Josh to hold him. “Actually it’s a girl and she is the leader in the playpen, most female dogs are”. Clarrisa said as she stared into his deep green eyes but of course she didn’t want to stare too hard to mess up a sale. “Well she is definitely a cutie; she will be great for a little girl”. Josh said. Clarrisa thought this would be the perfect time to mill around for some questions of her own about Josh. “Oh you have all boys”. Clarrisa said without sounding to nosey. Josh chuckled a little as to suggest he knew what she was hinting at. “Actually, I don’t have children and I don’t have a wife to give this cute little angel a home”. He said looking directly at Clarrisa as to say I know what you’re getting at. “Ummmm, I see…” Clarrisa said bashfully. “But I am looking”. He said. “Oh for the right pup”. Clarrisa said as she put the puppy back in the pen. “No a wife”. He said softly as he allowed her to take the puppy out of his hands. “Well you come to the right place”. Crissy said laughing. My sister here is single and is ready to mingle. “Cris!” clarrisa said embarrassed. Josh let out a loud laugh and a lit up gorgeous smile. “Hey she is just joking”. He said to Clarrisa. “No I’m not”. Crissy said singing it out very softly. “So is it true?” Josh said as he waited for an answer from Clarrisa. “Well I am single but I am not the mingling type”. “Are you the type that would like to go out for a cup of coffee”? Josh said continuing to smile. “I don’t even know your name”. Clarrisa said holding out her hand. “Oh I’m sorry, it Josh and yours”. “Clarrisa but everyone calls me Rissa”. “Well Rissa would you like to go out for a cup of coffee, there’s a café a little ways from here”. “Well that sounds great but I do have to stay and watch the pet booth”. Clarrisa said nervously. “Oh Rissa I can watch the booth, we only have three puppies left and I don’t think it will be that hard to watch them and work the booth”. Crissy said nudging her. Clarrisa could have pinched Crissy right in the side for that one. “Well I don’t know, I hardly even know you”. Clarrisa said as she busied herself at the booth. “Well the cup of coffee would be the first step”. Josh said as he extended his hand. “Yeah Rissa and while your at it have a piece of coffee cake for me, I’m still trying to trim down from that last Caribbean feast from last week”. Crissy said as she pushed her next to Josh. “Fine, I guess I could use a short break, okay why not”. Clarrisa said as she reached under the booth for her purse. “Oh can I bring you anything back Crissy, a pound of ground coffee, chocolate coffee beans or some tape for that huge mouth of yours”. Clarrisa said as she crumpled her nose at Crissy. “Don’t worry I’ll have you back before the festival closes, which is probably in about an hour and half”. Josh said as he let Clarrisa take the lead. That day was the start of something special between Josh and Clarrisa, Somehow the hour and half turned into six hours of conversation, a walk along the Michigan pier, and horse carriage ride in the downtown heart of Michigan City and to top it off a night of dancing at the Spanish dance off festival near the pier of Michigan waters. Clarrisa never had this much fun in one day, just living life on a moments notice not knowing what adventure she would take in next. She never felt more alive in six hour than she has in years. He made her feel that she could do anything; he was a guy that had no limits on what he could do. He didn’t ponder of his goal of that day he just did it; he was always taking her by the hand. Clarrisa was so glad that Crissy pushed her into having coffee with him as much as she wanted to be mad at her but after this she’ll probably take over Crissy choirs at the pet shop. Clarrisa didn’t want the night to end she was having a wonderful time and a greater time with Josh but she knew that the night had to end. “I am having such a good time I don’t want the night to end but I do have to get up early”. Clarrisa said feeling butterflies in her stomach, the night was so perfect the stars were shining so clear, the air was so sweet and warm, the moon gave its light so bright and josh eyes sparkled so strong. She felt within herself a deep connection with him, just an instant touch she knew that it would make her feel alive. Josh came closer and held her hand in his and gentle took his other hand and ever so lightly brush the hair from Clarrisa face and just for that quick moment both stared into each other eyes knowing that his touch meant a lot. Josh slowly moved in for a kiss and lightly kissed her on her cheek that has become rosy from the intense connection. “I would like to remain a gentleman”. Clarrisa was so impressed that her face flushed from embarrassment. “Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way”. Clarrisa said slightly smiling. Could this be the guy of her prays; his manner was so perfect for her. She almost have given up on dating, some of the guys she was dating was so not right for her and of course little sister Crissy didn’t make it any better, with her blind dates and because of that she decided not take anymore time in that area all she wanted to do was concentrate on the pet shop and growing the business. This would have been her parents wish. “Why don’t I get you back home before your sister starts to worry”? Amazing her sister didn’t call but she did text her to see how things was going and Clarrisa text back was simply don’t wait up but knowing Crissy she was. “Clarrisa can you stop daydreaming for one minute and answer my question”. Crissy said as she snapped her fingers in front of her face. Clarrisa hadn’t realize that she a drifted off in thought on how her and Josh met, she had to face the facts that getting over him would not be that easy but she wanted to and no matter how much she threw herself into her work, the thoughts were still there and no matter where she went the thoughts of the things that they use to do enter her head; no place was off limits, the beach, the park, even the local bakery; all those places she couldn’t escape or run from because they were apart of her life it was her community. Why did this one thing stand in the way, she wanted so much to take him back, to even pick up the phone on every call he made to her, the text messages he sent out to her, emails, letters, she wanted so much to get back with him, she evened tried to reason within herself that it didn’t matter about his belief, so what he didn’t believe in God everybody had some type of hang up and so why not him, but as soon as she felt the reasoning was justified there was always something that would snap her back into reality, like the fact that she would dream of her parents sitting at the kitchen table with her when she was a little girl saying how much they thought of her being their princess and that they only wanted her to have the prince of her dreams find her and make her happy forever, she could still hear the words of her mother voice “ and remember princess God will bring him to you”. She said holding her small hands. “How will I know momma?” “Because you will have peace and happiness”. “With just a sprinkle of problems”. My dad said chuckling and then the dream will end. Nothing would allow Clarrisa to take back Josh, not even the prays she prayed , surely God knew how much she loved him and wanted him in her life, it just didn’t make sense; it seemed so perfect and right and now it’s all over, a dream that really didn’t even exist. “Hey Clarrisa! Clarrisa”. The voice sounded familiar to her, almost the same voice of Josh, Clarrisa and Crissy turned around from their jogging
and there coming up on his mountain bike was Josh looking great has ever. Josh pulled up right between Clarrisa and Crissy; he must have been riding for awhile because his clothes were covered in sweat. “Isn’t it funny running into each other today huh”? Josh said as he took the water bottle from underneath his bike to drink, he nearly drunk the whole bottle but that wasn’t surprising seeing he had sweated out his clothes and he’s hair was dripping with sweat but it didn’t matter he still was handsome as ever, the only thing the sweat did was make him look more masculine. “Well I better refill my water bottle”. Crissy said walking toward the water fountain and eyeing me as to say stay strong. “You still look great Clarrisa”. Josh said getting off his bike and standing closer to Clarrisa. Josh couldn’t stand to be one foot away he had to be as close as possible to Clarrisa even when they would go out to eat he would sit next to her instead of in front of her.
