So I didn't intend to take this story longer than one submission, but I've expanded it due to popular demand. Hope you like the second chapter. Voting and feedbacks are appreciated**L.S
Dear Lynn,
By the time you read this, I would have been long gone. I can't say where to in this letter, but far away from Denton County, and out of Texas even.'
Why?
I did a very bad thing, something really shameful. I can't say it to your face, but I really do hope you can forgive me.
Remember the day you came to my place and told me you dumped Mitch? Well, I went to confront him while you were asleep and somehow, we had sex. Please don't stop reading yet, there's more.
Last month, I took a pregnancy test and it came out positive. I can't stay in Denton and have this baby, and you of all people know how I feel about abortion. I really wish things didn't turn out this way. I still want to be your best friend if you'll let me.
When I get to my destination, I'll call you. Please answer Lynn, your friendship means a lot to me. I know I've wronged you, but that was never my intention, and I want you to understand that.
Be good Lynn, and find yourself a deserving man (not Mitch)
All the Best,
Rhe.
Lynn could still remember every word of that letter, hell! She still had it in her possession. She remembered how bitter she had been, vowing never to speak to Rhea ever again and even going as far as burning some of their pictures. Suffice it to say, she hadn't answered the phone when Rhea called. A whole week passed with Rhea calling and leaving voicemails and her not bothering to call back or even listen to those voicemails, after two weeks of the same routine, Rhea had gotten the message and the calls had stopped. She remembered how Rhea had sounded on her last voicemail; regretful, alone- depressed. She had apologized again and never called back.
For three months Mitch had harassed her and damn near stalked her in his mission to find Rhea. It had been hell seeing the man she thought she loved going on about her best friend like she was the love of his life. He didn't even seem the least bit phased that he was more worried about a fling than getting his girlfriend back, and it registered to her that Mitch didn't want her back this time.
She remembered a certain altercation between them once while she was leaving the grocery store.
Mitch had jumped out of his truck and grabbed her arm, "Hey, I need to talk to you Lynn"
"If it's about Rhea, I don't know where she is"
"Come on Lynn, she must have contacted you" he urged. The whole Mitch Montgomery charm seemed to be on full alert waiting to pop out if and when necessary.
Lynn folded her arms across her chest and looked him over, "What makes you think that Mitchell?" she asked, her voice dripping with contempt when she said his name.
"She's YOUR best friend..."
"Who fucked my boyfriend...."
"Ex- boyfriend..."
"Barely an hour after we broke up! Do you really think I would be interested in keeping contact with such a friend?" she damn near screamed at him, her frustration and anger evident.
He looked her over, apparently now lost for words. She didn't wait to hear his reply as she rushed towards her car, apparently off to cry her eyes out.
He had kept up wit hhis pushing two or three more times until he finally realized she wasn't just playing him for all the wrongs he did her. After that, it was a downward spiral for the player that was Mitch. He became withdrawn, he stopped being a regular at the golf clubs and high-end restaurants he used to frequent. He became cold and unapproachable, he had even dismissed his harem of women rather unceremoniously.
For a couple of years, Lynn had really been glad to see Mitchell was getting a healthy dose of his own medicine, sure she wasn't thrilled that it was Rhea who broke him, but she was content with the fact that he was broken.
He had bounced back briefly after two years, even going into the dating scene. He had been with Noreen, an auburn-haired pretty little thing who used to be a pageant queen, Lynn had never bothered finding out about her, she was just going to end up like all of Mitch's play-things anyway. She had almost swallowed her words after they got engaged, but Mitch proved her right once he broke off the engaged, but Mitch proved her right once he broke off the engagement barely a month before their wedding. No one in the county ever found out why especially as Noreen didn't seem as put off as Mitch's other women were.
Did Lynn care? Of course not. She had her own life, dating Ronald Fletcher. He had taken up Rhea's post as manager at the timber factory, and by extension, her post as a friend and confidant. She couldn't exactly say how she and ron started, but his sense of humor and intelligence roped her in. he was no Mitchell as far as his looks went, but he wasn't far behind.
It was Ron who finally convinced Lynn to speak to Rhea two years ago, some months before she gave birth to their daughter. It had been a teary conversation between both women with Rhea repeatedly apologizing and Lynn updating her about her new life as Ron's wife.
Since then, Lynn had repeatedly tried to convince Rhea to come back, especially when she began divulging to her how rough she was having it in Kansas. It was a bit difficult juggling two jobs as a black woman, and raising her son- their son.
She stopped the thought as soon as it surfaced. There was no need for bitterness. She was now on her way to the airport, her two-year old daughter, Amy, was strapped to the baby-seat behind. Rhea was finally back home and she was going to pick her up. She was going to welcome her best friend with open arms- betrayal or not.
Within ten minutes, she was waiting outside the airport with Amy in her arms, searching for Rhea among the steady filter of travelers. Soon she sighted a female who looked like Rhea, she debated with herself if that was her Rhea, she seemed slightly...different.
It was only when the woman came closer that she was able to identify her. For a moment she just stood there, staring. She had changed, this Rhea's hair had grown out, she couldn't say the length of it because the ringlets were packed up in a messy bun. She had lost a few pounds but that definitely did her some good from what she could see.
But what shocked her the most was that this Rhea was actually wearing a dress, not just any type of dress but a floral print thin-strapped, sun dress. Rhea hated dresses, even more anything with a floral print. What had she been drinking in Kansas?
A bright smile grew on Rhea's face as Lynn waved to her an approached her. A sense of ease shadowed her seeing the warm smile Lynn sported. She had been so scared Lynn would still be holding grudges, she did miss Texas and Denton county, but returning and having to live without being on the good side of her best friend hadn't seemed worth it. Knowing that Lynn cared enough to come pick her up really made her feel good for the first time in years.
The first thing both women did as they got o each other was share a warm hug, moving as close as they coul get with the children in their arms.
"I've missed you so much pumpkin" Rhea muttered to Lynn as she felt unwanted tears well up in her eyes.
"Missed you too Rhe" Lynn replied. This time she was as genuine as she hadn't been able to be with herself in years. She really did miss her friend and the only one that acted as her backbone for years. With Rhea back, she felt like a vital part of her was back in it's rightful position.
Rhea's eyes fell on the cute little, blonde-haired, grey-eyed girl in Lynn's arms, "And who's this little cutie?" she asked. The toddler smiled shyly and tucked her head in the crook of her mother's neck.
Lynn and Rhea smiled, "This is Amy, my little peach. Amy say hello to Aunty Rhea"
"Hello" Amy replied in a tiny voice, her plump cheeks now rosy.
Lynn noticed the rather big boy in Rhea's arms move, he raised his head off her shoulders and turned with a yawn. The first thing Lynn saw was a pair of startling green eyes that looked confused and tired. He was a few shades shy of being white, he had a mass of thick, curly, dark brown hair on his head, his brows were also thick, but well defined, those emerald eyes were shadowed by lashes that were a bit too feminine, his nose was tiny, but aquiline, another feminine feature, and his lips were a much smaller version of Rhea's. He was by far the cutest little boy she had EVER seen, and by the doe-eyed look on Amy's face, she thought so too.
"Mama, are we there yet?" he asked in a tired voice as he rubbed the sleep away from his eyes.
"Yes sweetie. This is aunty Lynn and her daughter Amy, say hi"
"Hi" he was apparently not as timid as Amy was.
"Hey cutie. Did you have a nice trip?" Lynn asked.
"I don't know, I slept through most of it" he replied with a quirky smile.
Lynn smiled, "Where's the rest of your luggage?"
"Oh, Jared's bringing it along" Rhea replied.
"Who's Jared?" Lynn asked with a raised brow.
Rhea didn't have to reply as the object of the discussion emerged from behind Rhea, "You move pretty fast don't you Rhe?" he asked as he stood by her side, he had a medium-sized bag hung on his shoulders and a larger one was wheeled behind him.
Lynn looked up at the tall, lean man, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Rhea really did know how to pick her men...or maybe she was just lucky as opposed to her. She guessed his height to be somewhere around 6ft.2", she figured he should be somewhere in his late twenties or early thirties, but he looked much younger, like some frat boy, especially in those torn jeans and yellow polo.
"Jared, this is my best friend Lynn, Lynn, meet Jared, my boss, or should I say, ex-boss" Rhea introduced.
"Hi, nice to meet you." Jared said in a thick Southern accent as he extended his hand out to Lynn who accepted it.
