I have been writing a story on and off for about a year. My fiction short story is only about 6 pages long right now but I'm trying to add on to it as much as possible. The story has some real people in my life but all the stories are fiction and slightly exaggerated. The characters are all people that I truly know in my life but of course I changed their names just to protect them. So here is the first part that I am sharing with you all.... Feel free to let me know what you like and don't like. There will be more coming soon.......ENJOY.
I looked out the window of my first class seat and smiled a little. The light brown of the desert hills and the bright blue of the sky above me shed a sense of calm over my mind. A year ago I couldn't wait to leave this state but now, well now things were different. As I put my seat back up and turned off my iPod, I realized this was it. I was really back. I wondered how much things have changed with all my old friends. I wondered if they would realize the drastic change in me. I knew cutting off everyone when I left was a bit dramatic. But at the same time it was more than necessary. Growing up in Arizona, I was always around the same people who knew the same people that knew more of the same people. It was a never ending cycle of he knows she knows. I had made some terrible mistakes in my younger days but got my act together and my courage up then moved thousands of miles away all alone. Now here I am, a shining new image of what I used to be. Before, I was so intent on coming back here just to rub it in everyone's face how successful I am. Now, I could care less. Well actually, I still want them to envy me. But no longer do I crave the desire to show off. I grabbed my carry on bag from the compartment above me, picked up my purse and headed off the plane. I didn't tell anyone I was dropping in. I wanted it to be a surprise. I made my way down to baggage claim. There was my driver. A tall lean older man dressed all in black holding a sign that said Ms. Marshall. I just couldn't help but smile and giggle a little. It was funny to think of all those times I've been in an airport and been a little bit jealous of the people who had men waiting with signs. And now here I was one of those people that I had been jealous of.
Watching the scenery pass me as we drove down I-10 I began to become a little nervous. I actually had butterflies in my stomach. Maybe it was because I was excited to see so many old faces but in my heart I knew it was because I had finally become the person I had always wanted to be. The driver dropped me off at my hotel and carried my bags inside. The woman standing behind the check in desk watched me walk in and immediately I saw a look in her eyes that seemed as though she was searching my face for familiarity.
"Welcome to the Phoenician. Are you checking in?"
I smiled took off my Gucci sunglasses and replied, "Yes. My name is Elle."
She typed a few things in on the computer.
Looked at me, smiled and said, "Ah yes here it is. Elle Levesque. Checking in today for 4 nights. The penthouse suite right?"
I nodded. Got my key for the room and headed for the elevator.
The room smelled of sweet daisies and lavender. I dropped my bags to the floor and flopped down on the bed. I stared at the ceiling trying to decide what was going to be my next move. It was a Wednesday morning in March. The cool springtime breeze was welcoming and carried the scent of the Palo Verde trees. I grabbed my laptop out of my bag and decided I'd look online to see what the nightlife was looking like for the weekend. As soon as I logged onto the internet I saw I had email. There it was. The email I was never expecting to get but at the same time I wasn't surprised to see it.
Wednesday March 11, 2011 8:45am
What's good? So you in AZ huh? You should give me a call.
- Lavell
I was shocked. How in the world did he know I was here? Even my own parents didn't know I was coming into town. Honestly though, I couldn't be that surprised. It's not like this was the first time it happened. Lavell and I had this relationship that was love hate. I hated how much I loved him. Although we hadn't spoke in over a 3 years and I hadn't seen him in even longer, there was still a longing in my soul for his company. Maybe it was just from all the years we spent together or maybe I was just a glutton for punishment. Nonetheless I decided to ignore the message. The purpose of this trip was not to get back into my old ways. Nor was it to light any old flames. No, this trip was about finding that piece of myself that I felt I had been missing. I called the front desk and arranged for a car. Maybe if I drove around for a little while I could clear my mind. The cute silver convertible was waiting outside for me when I walked out the front door. It would be a lovely day to drive around with the top down. Already I was feeling better.
The wind blowing through my hair and my music blasting from the speakers was pure bliss. I drove to Scottsdale and decided that I would treat myself to a pedicure. I found myself a nice little shop in the Biltmore area. The warm water on my feet and the massage chair couldn't be more relaxing. I was drifting off into a sweet little daydream when I heard one of my phones ringing from inside my purse. I was startled because although I still carried that phone with me, I hadn't used it in months. It was Anna. We used to be the best of friends but, for certain reasons I had separated myself from her. I was kind of taken aback to see her calling but at the same time I was very curious to see why.
"Hello?"
"LB! What up? How the hell you been?" she exclaimed.
"Well I have been alright. What's up with you?" I said suspiciously.
"I'm pregnant! Again. I know I know it's not really that shocking," She laughed. "But yeah I'm super excited. It's a girl. My fourth one can you believe it?"
I laughed to myself. Yeah I could believe it. It wasn't surprising to hear that she was pregnant once again. But I tried to sound enthusiastic about the situation.
"Wow congratulations." I muttered. "So is Erick excited too?"
"Oh well…" She sounded different. The happiness in her voice was lost and an awkward silence followed.
"Hello? Anna are you still there?"
"Yeah I'm sorry. This was the part that I was nervous to talk about. I am happy that I'm having a baby. And I do love the father of my child. But…."
"But what?" I said. I was worried now. Why was she being so strange and how come she's acting so mysterious?
"Well, Erick isn't the father. Actually, we broke up a few years ago after we had Victoria."
"Oh… well I'm sorry to hear that hun. What happened? Things just didn't work out?"
"Actually L, I hate to have to tell you this but Louis is the father. Ever since you left he and I have gotten closer and closer. And well, we fell in love. We're getting married after the baby is born."
I felt my heart fall out of my chest. The seat beneath me suddenly began to feel as if it was melting away. The room began to spin and the phone fell out of my hand. The Korean woman at my feet looked up and asked if I was alright. I pulled my feet out of the water and grabbed my phone from the floor. I could hear Anna trying to get my attention but all I could do is hang up the phone. I paid the woman for my half pedicure and ran out to the car. I jumped in, sat down and broke into tears. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. The only man that I have ever truly loved has impregnated the woman that for years upon years I had considered my best friend. I don't know why I thought that he would wait for me to return but at the same time I don't know why he wouldn't. I sat in the car just staring out the window. I ignored call after call on my cell phone. I probably had a million voicemails from Anna but right now I couldn't bear to talk to her. I turned off my phone and put the car into drive. Maybe a drink will ease the pain. I headed over to my friend Deann's house hoping that she would be home. I rang the doorbell like a mad woman. She opened the door and her mouth dropped open.
"Oh my god! Elle! What…what are you doing here?" She exclaimed.
"Hi. I just, I needed a friend." She looked me up and down and I know that she could see my swollen eyes and the residue of mascara on my cheeks.
"What happened sweetie? Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yes. I'll be fine. Are you busy, can you leave right now?"
"Yes of course. If you need someone I'm here for you." She smiled and hugged me.
We climbed into my car and headed towards the nearest watering hole. As we sat on the patio of Salty Senoritas I told her the whole story of Anna and Louis.
"I knew it, "She said. I knew that something was going on."
I tried to stay focused and strong. I wasn't going to let this bump in the road ruin my trip. Or the purpose of my trip. Over my fourth premium margarita, I explained to Deann that I was in town to work out some things. I asked her to keep it a secret that I was here but that later that night we would get together and go out to dinner or something. She said that I was too drunk to drive so she drove me back to my hotel room and would have her boyfriend pick her up from there. We were sitting in my room talking when there was a knock on the door. We both looked at each other and got silent. No one knew I was here. So who would be knocking on my door? I had Deann look out the peephole. She turned around quick and had a blank look on her face.
"Who is it?" I whispered.
She just walked over to me and started laughing.
"Come on girl tell me who it is?"
I got up and walked to the door. The person on the other side began knocking louder. I looked out the little peephole and couldn't believe my eyes. There he was. All six feet of him. I didn't know whether to open the door or ignore the knocks.
But then,"Elle. I can hear you. Are you gonna open the door or not?" Said the all too familiar voice.
I slowly opened the door. Deann was still laughing like a hyena when the man walked into the room. He smiled as he stepped inside, grabbed me and hugged me as tight as he could.
"How have you been? When did you get into town?" He said.
"Um I got here this morning. How did you know I was here and how on Earth did you know where I was staying?"
I asked him looking confused and sort of frightened. He looked me dead in my eyes and the smile faded from his face.
"How could I not know you were in town?"
I didn't know how to answer that question. The email I purposely avoided this morning had now taken form into reality and was standing in front of me. My stomach was turning and my mind was racing. Was I happy to see him or was I upset that he found me? Either way here he was. I just couldn't bring myself to kick him out. So I invited him to stay and hang out with me for awhile. Deann's boyfriend came and picked her up.
As she was leaving she whispered to me,"Please… Please don't fall back into that trap."
Sometimes all the words that a woman wants to hear is "I Love You." But when the words are just words with no meaning do we still want to hear them? I wonder at times do we just want to have the thought of being loved thrown out there or do we truly and deeply want to have someone love us? Unfortunately there are so many people that just throw these words around nowadays. I can't lie and say that I've never said it when I didn't mean it. I have told a few people I love them because they said it first and it was an awkward moment. I never really used to think about love or relationships like I do now. I'm not sure if the topics float around more in my mind now because I am older or because I alone. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being single. I love being able to what I want when I want without it affecting anyone else. I enjoy sleeping in my own bed by myself and being lazy on the weekends looking a mess if I feel like it. Then there are those days when that bed isn't so great being all empty. Or those Saturday nights out on the town with a bunch of rowdy twenty somethings really isn't that much fun. Even though I'm an amazing single woman who has a lot going for her, it would be nice to have someone to come home to every now and then. Ok, I'm not Betty Crocker nor Martha Stewart but I wouldn't mind having someone to cook for at night. Maybe the answer to my sporadic loneliness isn't a man. Maybe I just need a puppy. LMAO Honestly though, is it just me that wonders is it time to stop the clubbing and get serious about my life? Maybe it is time to stop bar hopping and focus on being an adult. I don't know anymore. The clubs are fun and I enjoy spending time with my friends. But then again I like being at home in the comfort of my room. I guess there is enough time in my life to still do both. Back to the love idea now. Is it the words that many of us are just looking for or do we really want to be in a committed loving relationship? Personally I'm not sure. My ex used to tell me he loved me all the time. This happened after one 3 or 4 weeks of dating. I admit it was fast and for that reason I felt that it was just words and they were shallow. Did I enjoy hearing them? OF COURSE! It had been years since a man other than my dad had told me that he loves me. I was basking in the thought that maybe I had actually found a guy that loves me and maybe I could love him back. Then I realized I was a girlfriend now. That's when the fear set in. The phone calls started all day long asking where I was and what I was doing. Then it's like I was a child again. I felt as if I had to check in with my parents or I would get in trouble. All I could think was "Is hearing I love you really worth it?" I was making a lot of sacrifice just for a few words and a feeling they gave me when they were said. Finally after arguing all the damn time with the kid I gave up and told him we had to go separate ways. He swears he still loves me. But honestly can you fall in love with someone without knowing that much about them? Many people say that they believe in love at first sight. But I have a feeling that its not love at first sight they are feeling but the hope that they could fall in love and maybe that person is the one they will settle for. Well ladies and gentlemen this is one lady who is never again going to just settle. Watch out LOVE cause I'll be watching you and all your little tricks you like to play.
