I remembered exactly where Bella’s parents lived. A white Cape Cod-style house with blue shutters on Maple Street.
Just three blocks from the high school. I’d spent so many hours in that house during our relationship.
I could probably still navigate it in the dark.
The house looked exactly the same. The shutters were still blue, though maybe a slightly different shade.
The mailbox at the end of the driveway was still slightly crooked. I remembered her father saying he was going to fix it for approximately three years straight.
He never got around to it.
I almost turned around and left. Fourteen years is an impossibly, absurdly long time to show up unannounced at someone’s door.
What was I even going to say? That I’d finally read her note after over a decade and wanted to see if she happened to still be available?
But I’d come this far. And that note was burning a hole in my jacket pocket.
I took a deep breath. Walked up the familiar path to the front door.
Knocked before I could talk myself out of it.
A woman answered. Older than I remembered, with gray streaking through her dark hair.
But I recognized her immediately. Bella’s mother, Mrs. Martinez.
She had Bella’s eyes.
“Yes?” she asked, polite but cautious. Clearly not recognizing me after all these years.
My voice came out rougher and more uncertain than I’d intended. “Hi, Mrs. Martinez. I’m not sure if you remember me.”
“I’m Chris Morrison. I’m looking for Bella. Does she still live here?”
I couldn’t quite figure out how to finish that sentence properly.
Her expression shifted dramatically. Surprise melting into something more complex.
Recognition. Confusion. Maybe a hint of disapproval, though I might have been imagining that.
“Christopher,” she said slowly. “It’s been a very long time indeed.”
“Yes, ma’am. I know. I’m sorry to show up like this without calling first.”
“I just need to see Bella. If she’s here. If she’s willing to see me.”
Mrs. Martinez stared at me for what felt like a very long time. I could see her trying to decide what to do with this unexpected situation.
Finally, she stepped aside. “She’s here. Come in.”
My heart was pounding so violently I thought I might actually pass out.
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