Surprise that Changed My Life

For my Slice of Life post tonight, I write about a surprise that changed my life years ago.  This post is also for the Five Minute Friday community where ladies come together to write without backing up for five minutes on a prompt word. Tonight’s word is “surprise.”

 

 

A Redeeming Surprise

He’s not coming. Why do I do this? Get hopes up? Excitement peaked. Then nothing happens? I waited two hours in my mom’s home for my date to arrive. Two hours late, and he isn’t coming.

My brother showed up. “Well, he is probably not a nice guy. Sorry.”

Tears pooled, threatening to spill out. “Well, it’s okay. I will be fine.”

“Come out with us to dinner,” he said.

“Naw go on. Have fun,” I answered.

Just then my late date pulls up into the driveway. My little brother who was four inches taller than me rounds his shoulders and sets out toward him.

“It’s okay, don’t,” I said.

My date unfolded from his car and extended his hands. He was not as tall as my brother, but he had a presence of calm about him. The bluster of my brother evaporated as he shook his hand.

“I’m late, sorry,” he said. “I got lost. I am Ricky Hill.”

“Steve Pearson,” my brother nodded back at him. “Glad to meet you. I hope you have a nice date.” His took his hand back with a curt nod and got into the car. Before leaving, he looked at me. “You going to be okay.”

“Yes. Love you little brother,” I called as he pulled out of the driveway.

We went out for a brief date, dinner at Capris and then came back to my mom’s house.

“I’m really sorry for being late,” Ricky told me as we sat on my mom’s glider looking out over the hill toward the mountain view that my mom enjoyed everyday. “I am not good at directions and those Mapquest directions had me turning around in circles. I asked this guy at a station and that’s how I found you.”

“It’s okay,” I shrugged.

“No, it’s not, but I’ll make it up to you.” He said determinedly. “Well,” he took my hand, kissing the back of it and then kissing my cheek. “I enjoyed taking you out to dinner. I hope you will answer my calls. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.”

I laughed and looked into his green eyes. “Please stop being so hard on yourself. I enjoyed our time together. When can we do this again?”

“Not sure. I have my girls next week. Let me call you, and we will arrange something.” he said as he got into his car.  “I have a long ride, sixty plus miles. Night.”

“Don’t get lost,” I joked.

My first date with Ricky Hill  made me cry and then made me happy.  I felt butterflies in my stomach as I watched his car disappear, wondering if he would call me. It was 2003 and neither one of us had a cell phone.

I tried not to think about the phone the next day as I sat on my computer trying to write up plans for a program for my school library where I worked.

At five o’clock, my mom came in. “You have a guest.” She smiled at me.

“Huh?” I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I went to the front door and Ricky stood there with a bouquet of roses in his hands. “Surprise. I told you I would make it up to you. I want to redeem myself.”

I took the flowers and kissed him on the cheek.

I still remember those two nights now almost 14 years later. He more than surprised me and redeemed himself. He took my heart and love.

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This post is written for Day 18 of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge #SOL16.

I will also join several of the hops listed on my Link-up Parties page.