Dave Collins was walking along the street. It was a Thursday afternoon and he had nothing to do but pay a few bills which he had already done. His time was his own and planned on browsing in a few shops before heading back to the rented house that he was currently living in. Around him people were mulling along doing their own thing, traffic was going back and forth on the road. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye a movement grabbed him. Not just any kind of movement amongst the people there, but the specific movement of a young girl.
It was Abigail. Abigail Croft. She was older of course but he would have recognize her anywhere. He stood there and stared at her. Through his mind ran a million different thoughts, then one stuck. Should he call out to her? Should he talk to her? Could he talk to her?
Before he was able to reason out his thoughts he heard his own voice calling out.
"Abigail!"
His hand shot up to wave. At the same time he saw Abigail's head turn towards him. There was a moment before the recognition hit her and then Dave was delighted to see the beaming smile run across her lips. Her hand shot up and she returned his wave then proceeded to make her way across to Dave dodging her way across the busy road.
As she came over to him Dave could see that she had grown.
It had been five years since Dave had last seen Abigail. Dave had last seen her when he had moved away with a new job. He used to volunteer at the youth centre and that was where he had met Abigail.
They met and instantly Abigail's arms shot around Dave as she hugged him to her.
"Oh my God. Dave." she said, "I haven't seen you in like, forever."
She stepped back and looked Dave up and down.
"Wow," said Dave, "You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
"Why thank you kind sir." Abigail said as she did a little curtsy before him.
"No, seriously! You could be a model."
"Stop it Dave." Abigail replied as she slapped Dave playfully on the arm, "Where have you been? It's been ages."
"Five years." replied Dave.
" That long? Where have you been?" she repeated, "What have you been doing?"
"Well you know that I moved for a new job." Dave said, "Well I have done quite well, been prompted and my company are expanding here. I'm taking over the new area just now, so I've moved back."
"What, here?" Abigail asked.
"Yes." said Dave.
"OMG." said Abigail, "That's great news. I really missed you when you left. The youth centre just wasn't the same without you. It's still going, but it wasn't the same if you know what I mean?"
Dave looked at Abigail and saw the sparkle in her eyes, the wry smile on her face. He knew what she meant alright and she was the main reason that Dave had felt the need to leave.
Dave had been helping in the youth centre for a couple of years before Abigail had turned up one evening. Dave remembered it well. The night was pouring with rain and Abigail and some of her friends had arrived at the youth centre like drowned rats. It was; for them somewhere to escape the rain. Dave had noticed her even then. She was exceptionally cute, even soaked as she was. He had ushered them all in, found them some towels and got them all hot drinks. They had stayed until the rain had subsided and had disappeared almost as quickly as they had arrived.
Over the next couple of months Dave had seen Abigail and her friends a few of times as they had occasionally came back to the youth centre, they had spoken and exchanged a couple of glances and a smile. Moreover, Dave felt that he had been caught looking at Abigail when she looked at him but nothing more.
More and more Abigail had seemed to turn up at the centre and Dave had had occasion to talk with her a few times. They had seemed to hit it off. Talking at length on occasions, laughing and joking most of the time. Dave had even given Abigail a lift to her home a couple of times.
As they had come to know each other a little better there had been some innocent flirting and whilst Dave was flattered he knew that nothing could come of it. He was in a position of authority and Abigail was underage. The relationship continued in this vain. There was, Dave noticed the odd occasions that their friendship became more physical. The odd bump, a squeeze, standing a little closer than usual or a playful touch. Was it true or had Dave just imagined it. The flirting continued, the friendship grew and Dave began to notice that he had started to have feelings for Abigail.
This was serious, but Dave knew that it could lead no-where. He suppressed his feelings and tried to continue; but that was no good as Abigail had continued to frequent the youth centre. Before long there had been a couple of rumors that there was something between Dave and Abigail. Dave had been asked to attend a meeting to discuss the rumors. It was at this point that Dave had decided that he could not continue like this and the best thing he decided was for him to move away.
That had been a little over five years ago. Now here he was back in front of the girl, only now she wasn't the little girl anymore.
"Come on Dave, you can buy me a coffee and tell me all that has gone on since I last saw you"
Abigail grabbed Dave's hand and led him down the street. It was as if no time had elapsed at all. Dave felt the surge of the emotions that he had tried to suppress so long ago.
They arrived at the coffee bar and sat drinking whilst they regaled each other with the events of the last five years. Abigail had continued to frequent the youth club with her friends for a while but without Dave there she had felt that it was not the same and had drifted off into other things. Dave listened with interest as she talked. She had left school and had obtained work in an office doing menial jobs filing, some data entry, secretarial work and the like.
Dave had related his history, such as it was. He had moved, she knew. Other than that he had devoted his time to his work and been successful. Been promoted and moved back to set up a new area for work and was currently looking to set up an office in the area.
Dave looked at Abigail over his coffee. She really was as beautiful as he had remembered. Only now over the last few years that childlike beauty had matured.
Abigail looked back at Dave and smiled, "What are you thinking Dave?"
"I was thinking that you really are beautiful." Dave replied returning the smile.
"Listen Dave," Abigail started.