Don't wait, you'll be too late!

This is actual advice I'm giving to myself. Too often I (and I know I'm not the only one) allow fear of failure or humiliation keep us from doing what our hearts urge us to. Sometimes it's small, like giving someone a hug that you wouldn't regularly approach. Other times it's bigger, like using your saved up money to pay for someone's groceries. My point is you know what I'm talking about. Its that weight you feel setting on your heart that won't disappear unless you comply. Whatever is knocking at your heart, don't postpone action. Because inaction leads to regret. And sometimes, you are robbed of the time you thought you had left to do it.

This story shares that same message and I honestly hope it resonates with you. I believe that there is something to be gained from every story. The beauty is that every reader experiences something different. I would just love to hear what you found most prominent.

Time to act

Photo by Specna Arms on Unsplash

WHEN?

She ran into his arms and her feet swept off the floor. Tears fell from her eyes onto his shoulder. Her sobs were muffled by his over-sized coat that she had shrunk in many times before. He was home, safe. She had her better half back and her best friend would not soon leave her side again.

Charles had made it through the war twice. She was sure that she could convince him to stay for good this time. The drive home was timeless. She wrapped herself in his stories and breathed in the sight of him. They had known each other since high school and a lot had happened since, but in moments like those she could’ve sworn that they were 17 again. Careless, young, free and innocently pure. She lived for those moments and cherished them as they flew by. Charles was lucky not to be as affected psychologically as some of his platoon members. Anne felt comfortable knowing that he was still himself even after everything he had been through.

“Annie, are you going to stare at me with those big eyes the whole time, or are you going to tell me a bit more about this new boyfriend of yours?”

Charles raised his eyebrows taking his eyes off the road to stare her down. Anne punched him on his shoulder a little too hard, which she immediately regretted. She had forgotten how hard training had made his muscles and her fist became the victim.

“Not much to add since the last letter, he’s very kind and one of the few gentlemen left on this planet. Besides we’ve just been having coffee.”

“Just checking, you still remember promising not to date anyone I haven’t met, right?”

“Yeah, you remind me way too much for me to forget,” she leaned back indecisive whether his smirk had a hint of triumph or jealousy. She didn’t know what to make of either of them.

They pulled in through her mom’s white picket fence and stopped in front of the light wooden home. The only home she had only known. The only home Charles had known too. Her mom came running through the front door as he got out and embraced him almost as aggressively as Anne had just moments before. Georgia had taken in Charles after his parents left without warning, the system would’ve been fine with a 15 year old fending for himself, but Georgia would not have it. Charles almost lost his composure as he set her down.

“Oh, Charles. You’re really here. I’ve been busy all morning. Come, come. Your room is ready. The food is almost finished. We can’t wait to hear all about it. Well, probably not ALL of it. Only the parts you want to tell, that is. O, never mind me. Come, let’s get you inside. I’ll get the...”

“No please, I’ve carried much heavier loads. You just lead the way.”

Anne thanked him with her eyes. If he hadn’t stopped Georgia, they would’ve stood outside till sunset. Anne hooked her hand into his free arm. It felt good to have him home again.

They had dinner and Charles unpacked all his things. The fire was inviting on the winter’s night and Georgia left for her night shift at the hospital. How she managed to keep a job as a nurse with that mouth of hers was a mystery best left unsolved. Anne sat down on the lumpy couch and Charles laid his head on her lap.

“My hair has grown longer again, see?”

His way of asking her to stroke it. Anne ran her fingers through his scalp feeling the texture

“Yeah, yeah no need for subtlety,”

she kept pinching his hair between her fingers, the way she always had.

“You know they’ll want me to shave it again when I go back.”

“IF you go back,” Anne corrected him.

“You’re impossible you know that. Why are you so adamant that I stay. It’s not like you gain anything from it.”

Anne retracted her hands from his hair and raised her voice enough to be heard over the crackling fire.

“Yeah, nothing besides knowing you’re safe. Nothing besides being able to sleep at night. Nothing besides having my best friend in my life again, Charles. Look,” she took a breath and tried to calm herself failing miserably, “I don’t want to pretend that its easier going back there, but it sure as hell isn’t a piece of cake watching you leave every time.”

“I shouldn’t have brought it up so soon. Sorry. I might still find a reason to stay, who knows,” he said. Charles sat up and held her tight to calm her “I’m here now, okay.”

Anne didn’t know what to make of his words, but one thing she believed; he was there and she had to enjoy it before it was gone. She had sworn to herself she would tell him the first day he came back, but in that moment she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“Morning, Annie” Charles came into the kitchen with disheveled hair and made his way to the pantry.

“Charles. You look terrible” Anne handed him his coffee and sipped on her own. Mom’s asleep, she came in at 6 this morning. How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” Charles forced a smile and Anne noticed that the words came out a little too rehearsed. She took out two bowls and he grabbed the coco pops from the pantry, pouring it into the bowls. Anne added the milk and they ate in silence, still waking up. The silence had never bothered Anne before, she treasured it most times. But that morning Charles seemed to be somewhere else, so she decided to break the silence, “Ethan is coming over later, I’d love it if you could behave, you hear?”

Anne shoved him lightly and Charles seemed startled by the touch.

“Hmm?”

“Ethan, the umm guy, I’ve been writing to you about. I want you to meet him, and you better not screw it up,” she forced a laugh and hoped Charles knew that she was serious

“On my honor, my lady” Charles held his right hand straight next to his head and then dropped it poking at her sides to tickle her “better wake you up then little Annie.”

A burst of laughter erupted from Anne and the flood of relief filled her. She babbled through the gasps of air from laughing, “Ever think you’re too impulsive.”

He chewed it over for a moment letting her breathe and then smiled, “Never. You see dear Annie, impulsive decisions create the best of memories,” his fingers poked at her sides again.

Things were good. Things were back to normal. She would at least wait until after Ethan made his visit, then she would tell him.

The morning flew by. They cleaned the kitchen and sat on the couch exchanging stories, laughs and looks while Anne worked on her thesis. They were so wrapped up in the moment that the doorbell startled them both. Anne raised her eyebrow at Charles and pointed her finger telling him to behave. He pinched his index finger and thumb together sliding it over his lips to zip them.

“Anne, hi.”

“Hey, come on in. Ethan this is Charles. Charles, Ethan.”

They shook hands and both men looked like dogs trying to claim territory. Anne offered to make coffee and to no surprise both declined never breaking eye contact. A few minutes into conversation Anne started to ease up as they got to talking about the army and training. They seemed to at least have that in common. Charles’s phone rang and he stepped out to take the call, which meant it had to be his platoon leader, or else he would’ve sent it to voice mail. Anne saw her chance and turned to Ethan easing her hand into his.

“Thanks for understanding, I know it’s hard, but I just haven’t figured out how to tell him yet. We’re all he’s got left. He’s always looked out for me you know. I just want him to get to know you, see why I fell in love with you.”

Ethan gently stroked her cheek, “I know, love. I get it, but you’ll have to tell him soon. We can’t keep postponing the wedding plans.”

Ethan released her seconds before Charles stepped in from the back door and Anne felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She wasn’t sure how much he had heard or what was going to happen next,

“My apologies, but you never turn down your captain’s call,” he said.

He hadn’t heard. Or pretended not to. Either way, she knew she had to tell him soon.

“Quite alright,” Ethan said, “I’m on my way anyway. Great finally meeting you. See you soon.”

Ethan leaned toward Anne by force of habit and quickly turned it into a hug. He shook Charles’s hand firmly and left the same way he had come. In silence.

They were still facing the front door that had just shut when Charles turned to Anne with tears in his eyes. Anne had neither seen him cry before, nor seen him with such vulnerability in his demeanor. His eyes searched for hers. He finally spoke, “So, that’s that then. I’ve never been known for good timing. I guess,” he struggled to find the words and he forced a grin holding her face in his hand, “I guess I never stood a chance, did I?”

Her cheeks were soaked with tears. She hadn’t even noticed that she had been crying. Her voice croaked when she finally spoke, “That’s what breaks my heart, you always have.”

Go ahead and comment below what drew you in to the story most. Exciting news, I will also soon start taking requests for poems or short stories you wish to have written. Stay tuned to see when that will happen. Have the best weekend ever and don't wait. Don't be too late.