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Chapter 25

My decision to replace out more about my birth-parents actually increased my desire to get back together with Allison. I missed hanging out and listening to her stories about what she was going to do while working at the Library. I also figured my decision would alleviate some of the Colonel’s concerns, which would thereby alleviate Allison’s and bring us closer together.

The day after my session with Dr. Marconi, I spotted Allison as I walked out of civics class. Our eyes met, then quickly darted away, but the attraction and curiosity was too much. We both stared at each other like lost puppies in search of a ride home.

“We were just discussing Crimson James,” I said, breaking the ice.

“Oh,” she replied, biting her lip.

“Okay then, I guess I’ll see you around.”

“No, wait,” she pleaded. “Do you want to meet for coffee tonight?”

“I guess so.”

“Okay, I’ll see you there,” she finished and scurried away.

As I thought back on the conversation, it was pretty juvenile and not much was said, but then again, when two souls are trying to mend fences, the external interaction is probably less important than what’s actually going on below the surface. As the doctor said, there’s a lot more percolating underneath than we’ll ever know.

I approached the coffee shop a bit apprehensively, but, in truth, loved every minute of it. I was alive with anticipation and the tingling sensation rushing through my body was not because of an impending blackout, but a yearning to see the girl I loved. It was great to be in the spring of life and back on center stage.

Allison was already sitting quietly by the widow when I arrived. I stopped and watched for a few seconds, admiring her beauty, but couldn’t take it any longer and dashed through the door. Then, in a moment of reflection, I composed myself and tried to act cool, but it was too late, Allison had seen the whole drama and grinned. I kicked myself inside and returned the favor sheepishly. Allison jumped up and kissed me then gave an even bigger hug.

“I missed you so much,” she exclaimed.

“Me too,” I replied and stole another kiss. I suddenly realized that maybe this making up thing was worth the pain we’d gone through. A little embarrassed at the scene our embrace caused, we sat down and swallowed the sight of one another as an art curator examines a lost, cherished painting.

“I missed you at the lake this weekend,” she said, breaking the spell. “And I didn’t even want to go.”

“I know,” I replied, suddenly remembering Camille and wanting to throw up. “We hung out with Gable and his friends at the university.”

“Matt said you guys had fun, but someone got a little too drunk.”

“He did, did he? What else did he say?”

“Nothing really. He said it was fun, which surprised me. I didn’t take Matt for the college partying type.”

“I know, right? I think he’s breaking out of his shell,” I said and wanted to change the subject. “So how about the lake, was it fun?”

“It was until the cops came and everyone fled. For a moment, I thought we were going to be arrested.”

“You, arrested,” I exclaimed. “That would never happen to miss goodie-two-shoes.”

“Well I was certainly scared ... but it was kind of exciting.”

“Oh boy, watch out, I think we’ve created a monster.”

“I would’ve much rather been with you. It would’ve been more fun.”

“I agree. Let’s not do this again, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And there’s something else that I wanted to tell you,” I said and watched Allison’s eyebrows jump with curiosity. “I’ve been thinking about everything that’s going on and have decided that I’m going to try and replace out who my birth-parents were and what happened to them.”

“Trenton, that’s wonderful,” she replied and placed her hand on mine. Her touch was warm and inspiring.

“And although it pains me to admit it, I am a bit curious about what I might replace in my Past Lives Letter...” Allison sat up, completely taken aback. “But I haven’t done it and I still don’t know if I will.”

“Okay, that’s great ... whatever you want.”

“I just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about it, but no promises.”

“Of course,” she replied, leaning across the table and planting a sweet one on my lips. As she drew back, her eyes dampened, but when she realized I had noticed, she fought it. “That’s a big step you’ve taken. It’ll all work out, you’ll see.”

“Let’s hope so.”

We spent the next hour chit-chatting about inconsequential things and caught up on the latest gossip. It seemed as if an ice age had passed in the last few days and I vowed to never let that happen again. Allison was too important and so was our relationship.