Canton stared off into the trees, listening to Randi's quiet words, even as her own self-hatred grew.

Suddenly, Randi's own anger grew and she climbed out of the Jeep, throwing her tissue as she spun back to the Jeep and Canton. "Why did you leave?" she demanded. "Why did you do that to me, Canton? Ilovedyou! I wanted to spend my life with you! Why!?"

Canton hurried from the Jeep and around to Randi's side. "I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. "I didn't want to hurt you, Randi. I knew I would. I was young and stupid and…" her shoulders sagged as the air seemed to be knocked out of her. "And scared. I was scared."

An uneasy silence prevailed as both absorbed what had just happened and what had been revealed. Finally Randi spoke. "What were you scared of, Canton?"

Canton took a deep breath before turning to face Randi. "Loving you. Being enough for you. Not hurting you. Back in those days I had the world by the tail - and every woman I wanted. What if I did something so stupid you'd never be able to forgive me?"

"So you ran, then."

"Yes. I ran. I fully admit it, and it's something I'll regret and wonder about for the rest of my life." She looked unwaveringly into Randi's tormented eyes. "You were the love of my life, Randi. If I would have lost you due to my own stupidity, I would have lost everything."

Quot;But didn't you? Lose me to your own stupidity, Canton?" Randi asked softly, her heart breaking for the broken woman who stood before her.

"Ironic, isn't it?" Canton smirked. "I feel so responsible for so many things because of the decision I made that morning, Randi. Foremost is your unhappiness in life." She took a deep breath, feeling as though a weight had been lifted, finally able to speak her heart after so many years. "Maybe we would have been happier than either of us had a right to dream about. Maybe we wouldn't have made it. Guess we'll never know."

Quot;Don't carry this with you anymore, Canton," Randi said, stepping up to her. "It's been almost twenty years and we've both made our choices." She reached up and briefly cupped Canton's cheek. "Let it all go." She took Canton in a comforting hug, holding her close.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 680