Secret Valentine

 “Ashlyn Brooks, look at you! It’s unhealthy to stay cooped up in this house. It’s time to move on, get your life back in order.” My Gran came around the counter and put her coffee cup in the dishwasher. I leaned against the kitchen sink, gripping my container of brownie batter ice cream, and prepared myself for more.

My reflection stared back at me in the hall mirror. I took a quick inventory; Gran was right. My curly shoulder-length blond hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail with a bright pink scrunchie; my favorite pink pajama bottoms and black tank top hung looser than a month ago. I knew I didn’t look presentable, but the only destination on my agenda was the living room couch with my new best friend Ben’s Ice Cream, to watch a far-from-realistic love story on
Lifetime
. Not only did Ben not care how I dressed but he wholeheartedly agreed that love never lasts like in the movies. He knew, as I did, that life just doesn’t work that way.

“I know, Gran,” I said, rolling my eyes. How many times was I going to have to hear that I needed to start living again? No one understood what I was going through. “I just need more time. When I go out, I feel like everyone in this small town is looking at me. Gran, I can’t face people every day, knowing they feel sorry for me since my husband took off.”

She touched my shoulder lightly. “I understand, child, but this is no life either. You’re young, and love will find you again. You must live and open your heart. Just think about what I say.” She leaned over to kiss my forehead “Goodnight, child.”

“Night, Gran.” I followed her out of the kitchen, and headed back to the living room with a heavy load on my shoulders. I knew she was right, but at the same time, I didn’t want to face the residents of Cedar Grove. Maybe coming back home wasn’t the best idea, after all.

As she turned toward the steps, the doorbell rang. “Who could that be this late? Are you expecting someone?”

This was going to be one of those nights, and I suspected I would never find out how the movie ended. Grumbling, I told her, “No, but go on. I’ll get it.”

I opened the door to find a kid standing there. He couldn’t have been older than seventeen. “Can I help you?”

“I have a letter for Ms. Ashlyn Brooks.”

My mood still wasn’t good. “Is that what teenagers do nowadays, steal other people’s mail? If it’s not your mail you, shouldn’t take it. You’re young, but that’s a federal crime.”

The young boy stood in the doorway looking scared to death. “I…I work for Pete’s Delivery,” the kid stammered, “over on 5th Street. He asked me to deliver this today along with my other packages. I would have delivered it sooner, but this one fell on the floor. I didn’t notice it until I picked up my girlfriend for dinner.”

Taking the envelope from the boy, I nodded, and complained. “Get back to your date and thanks for bringing it by. I won’t tell your boss it was late.”

As he returned to his car, I inspected the envelope, wondering who it could be from. I slid my forefinger under the lip of the envelope, noting that there wasn’t a return address. I found that to be odd, yet interesting. As the envelope came unsealed, my hands shook with nerves.

Welcome home, Ashlyn!

I have watched from afar for much too long.

It’s finally time I told you how I feel.

I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you,

and shall until the day I draw my final breath.

When the time is right, I will reveal myself to you.

I stood by the door in awe, wondering who in the world…

Did I know him? He must live here, since he knows I’m back in town, but who could it be? I now had more questions than answers.

Gran was right I needed to get out of the house. I just didn’t know how to move on. I needed a boost, and the best person to do that, was my childhood best friend, Kasey. I snatched my cell phone off the table and began to text.
Meet for lunch, say noon at Tony’s Grill?

* * *

Something happened inside me when the letter arrived; maybe things weren’t as bad as I thought. Today I planned to make a change. I couldn’t keep moping around the house. So, I got out of bed, bright and early for the first time since I moved back home, and made breakfast.

“Something smells scrumptious,” Gran said walking into the kitchen.

“It’s your favorite, buttermilk pancakes with bacon.” I flipped the pancake onto her plate and smiled as I took the sizzling bacon from the pan. “You were right last night, things have to change. I have an appointment to get my hair done with Gracie and then I’m meeting Kasey for lunch. I love you, Gran.” I set the plate down and kissed her cheek.

* * *

Leaving Gracie’s Salon, I felt like a million bucks. Gracie could work miracles. She was able to take my dull blond hair and make it vibrant again. She added golden sun-kissed highlights, and gave me a haircut that framed my face. By the time I met Kasey for lunch, I was exhausted. Tossing and turning all night doesn’t produce much sleep.

As I walked into Tony’s Grill, I spotted her there waiting with a table. One of the best things about being back in town was being able to see her all the time.

She looked about to burst when I arrived at the table. “You look fantastic! I love what you did with your hair. I’m so glad to see you out of the house.”

“Thanks. Sorry I haven’t been much of a friend lately. I just needed some time to myself.”

“I understand, but that bastard husband of yours isn’t worth your tears. You should have left him long before you caught him cheating.” I went still. She must have noticed because she changed the subject. “But we didn’t meet for lunch to talk about him. Tell me what’s been going on. I have missed you so.”

It was just like old times with Kasey. She was always so full of life. She had a bubbly personality, and you couldn’t be sad for too long with her around. “I’ve missed you, too.” I gave her my biggest smile. “Things are better. Gran’s wonderful. Thankfully I can work anywhere as long as I have my laptop and Internet access. But something weird happened last night…”

Kasey’s interest piqued, and she leaned closer, but before I could give her the details the waiter showed up.

“May I take your order?”

Kasey sat back and let out a hefty sigh.
Talk about bad timing!

I chuckled before turning to the waiter. “Two of Tony’s specials. Sound good, Kas?”

Still in a sour mood, she replied. “Yeah, sounds fine.”

As soon as the waiter was out of ear shot, she sat back up. “Spill it.”

“Oh man, I forgot to tell the waiter I wanted…” I turned slightly in my seat to see if he was still around, but before I could raise my hand to get the waiter’s attention Kasey, grabbed my wrist.

“Oh no, you don’t. You’ll tell me everything now, and then you can order as many of whatever it is you wanted.”

I let out a quiet laugh. One of Kasey’s less attractive traits was how impatient she was. “Okay. This was weird. Last night one of the workers at Pete’s came by to deliver a letter.”

She seemed disappointed. “What’s your point? We get letters all the time.”

“Not like this.” I pulled the letter from my purse and passed it to her.

Finishing the letter, her eyes grew as big as saucers. “Who you do you think it’s from?”

“I have no idea. Has to be someone who knew me when I was younger, because he says he’s been watching from afar for too long. I was hoping you could help me figure it out. You know what has been going on around here while I was away.”

“Umm, sure.” She glanced about. “Let’s eat, and catch up now. How about I stop by your Gran’s place tomorrow after work? I don’t know if we should be talking about this in public. You know how nosey the residents of Cedar Grove can be.”

* * *

The next night as Kasey arrived, Gran was just leaving for Bingo. “Bye girls, have a nice time. Dinner’s in the oven.”

Kasey laid her coat on the back of the couch and we hollered. “Bye, have a good time!” As the door shut, I let out an impatient sigh and asked. “Have you any ideas yet?”

Kasey wasn’t her normal bubbly self. “No, I was up all night thinking. I came up with a small list but no one I think would do this.”