Along The Way

Chapter 4 - When I Don't Want to Think of Him but I Do

- Present -

| Charlotte |

THE MEMORIES ASSAULTED me as soon as I stepped foot in Columbus Ohio airport.

It was like going back in time. Although this time I'd been prepared for the onslaught. I knew it would be unavoidable. After all, I did spend most of my life here. And that included many important moments. Moments I hadn't forgotten even when I was living in Wisconsin.

Though there was a time I desperately wanted to.

My fingers tapped the rythm of the music coming from the stereo against my thigh as the car flew down the road with the windows down. The few hairs that had managed to escape my messy travel bun sneaked into my eyes and mouth as I turned my head to peek at my brother.

"So...how are you handling the chaos of wedding planning?"

He shook his head on a laugh that sounded as joyful as the Grinch on Christmas. "It's crazy. Kalley is crazy. Her mother is crazy. Our mother is crazy. Everyone seems to have an opinion about how things should be done. There are dress fittings, tux fittings, cake tastings---though I'm not complaining about that one---trips to the flower shop, to the printer. I can't catch up. Seriously, I'm happy you are here, but I'm happier that your arrival will mean less work for me."

I laughed. "Wow, thanks."

He smiled at the windshield. "I'm an honest guy."

"You are so stressed your forehead is wrinkling. If this keeps going you'd be looking like grandpa in no time. Makes one wonder what would happen to you if this was your big day."

Instead of running down the hills like most guys would do at the mention of marriage, Ryan just smiled wider.

Yep. He was helplessly in love.

And I couldn't have wished for a better sister.

I'd talked with Kalley on the phone a lot while I was away and she was thrilled by her mother's wedding. The fact she'd asked both of us to be her bridesmaids didn't hurt either.

Yes. Kalley's mother was tying the knot with that guy she'd been dating long before I'd left town. Philip something or other.

She seemed happy.

Kalley said she was.

Who was I to say anything?

We talked some more about the crazy preparations, then
I leaned back against the seat. The wind brushed my face, filling my lungs with fresh air. A minute later my eyes closed, exhaustion getting the better of me.

The ringing of Ryan's phone woke me up sometime later and for a moment I looked around disoriented. The sun was still up so I probably hadn't dozed off for long.

Ryan spoke. "Hey Kells, you are on speaker."

A second later Kalley's voice filled the car. "Baby, could you pass by Target on your way home? I forgot to buy some things when I went this morning and now I'm helping mum make some calls so I won't be able to make it and we really need them today."

"Sure." Ryan gave me a painful grimace and I pressed a hand against my mouth to hold back a laugh. She probably hadn't caught on the last part of Ryan's line.

"Great, I'll text you the detailed list..."

I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me.

"Is Char there with you?" Kalley asked, probably having heard me.

"Yep." He winked at me.

"Hi." I sing-songed.

"Oh my god! I'm sorry Char. All this planning and running is catching up to me." There was a sigh. "I'm really excited to see you again. It seems like ages since the last time we saw each other."