Welcome to Hell: Rediscovering First Love

My heart promised.

His lips touched mine tenderly. A promise of our future together. A future we had lost and found.

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Each of my sisters took the conversation to heart that we had with my mother last evening. Gemma called my cell phone crying while I was driving back to Eden.

“Gem, what is it?” I asked with concern. “Is Yancy all right?”

“Gab, Troy told me that although my cuteness attracted him it was my innocence that he loved most. He said I had opened his eyes to things he had stopped appreciating as an adult.”

“I’m glad Gem.”

Adin already had her answer Brad was a keeper but she called me too as I was driving across the Ohio-Kentucky border, crossing the Ohio River seeing the Welcome to Kentucky sign stretched across the bridge. Home seemed closer. Only 90 miles to go.

“Gab, Brad has asked me to marry him. We talked for hours when I got home this morning. We both feel that life is too short and we you find the one and after Yancy’s talk last night and seeing her so frail…I’ve accepted. Life is too short. Do you think I’m nuts?” She asked breathlessly.

“When’s the wedding?” I asked. I was actually happy for my sister.

“In the summer,” Adin replied. “I’ll let you know soon.”

“Am I in the wedding?” I asked teasingly.

“Matron of honor?”

“I’ll be there,” I replied. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. Gab do you think I’m crazy?”

I thought for a moment. Life was short. If she was happy she should jump at the chance for more happiness.

“I think you’re doing what is best for you,” I told my sister. “I don’t think you’re crazy.”

“Thanks Gab.” Then, Adin hung up the phone.

Michaela called next. Halfway to Lexington. “Gab, you and I need to get our lives straightened out. I’ve asked Byron to go to marriage counseling or give me a divorce.”

I gasped at my sister’s ultimatum. “What did he say?” I asked her.

“He was surprised but he knew that I meant it. He agreed to counseling. I’m going to find a counselor for us. I deserve more than this Gabby. I really do.”

Yes she did. I whole heartedly agreed with my sister. So do I.

“Did you ask him the question?”

“No,” my sister replied. “I’m not ready to hear the answer. How about you? Will you ask James?”

I didn’t need to ask James I had the answer from the one that mattered most but I said to my sister, “I don’t know. Like you, I’m not sure that I’m ready.”

“Gab, we’ve fought a lot I know but I wanted you to know that I do love you.”

“I know,” I told my sister. “I know.”

This part of the drive was the best part of the drive. Hills and valleys, green pastures, horses grazing. I was nearly home. My home for now.

Chapter Thirteen

Upon my return to Eden I discovered the man that I had dated had replaced the man that I had married. James was acting different. He was sweet as he could be and he tried awkwardly to be loving to me. He was wooing me again. Did he somehow know that I had changed since leaving Eden for Hell? Although I knew the charade would not last I felt guilty. Guilty because I had made love with Kerry? Guilty because Kerry was all that I could think about even when James was lying next to me sleeping in our bed. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.