Landing at JFK airport, Dunni’s heart pounded with nervous anticipation. The air was crisp, the unfamiliar scents of jet fuel and New York traffic sharp in her nose. She made a stop at her hotel to freshen up and drop her luggage, but she was too excited to see the surprise on Moses’ face that the thought of resting before setting out was unappealing.
The drive to Moses suburb felt endless. Her heartbeat was in rhythm with the passing mile markers. His neighbourhood was as she’d imagined — spacious, the scent of cut grass lingering in the cool air. His house stood tall and sleek, framed by perfectly manicured lawns. Space. Always space. That was something they both had in common.
She rang the bell, hands trembling. Over the last four weeks, she had changed her mind many times, but when she remembered Moses’ sacrifice, she knew this trip was something she had to make. She was about to leave when the door opened.
Becca. The scent of her perfume reached Dunni first, floral and overpowering. Didn’t Moses say they were just work colleagues and nothing more? Yet she was staying at his New York residence.
“Hi. You must be Dunni,” Becca said, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Moses didn’t mention we were expecting anyone.”
“We?” Dunni caught the word instantly.
“I was in town… thought I’d say hello.”
“Ahhh.” She cooed. “He’s out of town but will be back in two days. You can come then.” She spoke with a saccharine sweetness so overdone it nearly made Dunni gag.
“Not to worry. I’ll call him,” Dunni fibbed. She didn’t want to let Becca have the upper hand.
She turned to leave. Her heart felt crushed, breath tight in her throat. She willed the tears not to fall and was lucky to have made it to the car. Thankfully, the driver had insisted on waiting. Dunni returned to her hotel, heart heavy, yet her eyes remained dry. She wasn’t going to torture herself any longer. She would return home and put Moses behind her for good. Some things were never meant to be. A few days later, she flew home.
When Ola asked how the trip had gone, she lied and explained she could not make the trip.
Dunni knew no one else would ever fit the space Moses had carved within her heart. And if life led them down different paths… then she would walk alone. Some loves were etched too deeply. Although she tried to forget him, it was his face she still found in her dreams. Dunni threw herself into her work, letting it consume every part of her. She’d always been a workaholic — but now, she took it to extremes. Work became her outlet to drown the pain, and Ola’s insistent pleas to rest fell on deaf ears.
Share this:
21stcenturybelle 