Page 44 of Until We Weren't
Thankfully the truck attendant called out their number and Faith got up to get their food. Regret burned in her stomach, but she pushed those feelings down, determined to make the most of this day with Destiny.
They got back in the truck and Destiny said, “I hope where we’re going isn’t too far away. This food smells amazing.”
Faith chuckled. “It’s right around the corner.”
They turned into a subdivision with new homes. Faith drove down the main street to a common area with a playground for kids and a walking path that disappeared into the neighborhood. She circled around to a small area with a couple of benches.
“We’re here,” Faith said, getting out of the truck with the food.
“This is nice,” Destiny said. “I love the landscaping.”
Faith chuckled. “It’s definitely your style, isn’t it?”
She led them to one of the benches and they sat down. “I completed this project last year,” Faith said.
“Oh, Faith.” Destiny looked around the area. “It’s beautiful.”
“The prairie style that you love was the perfect complement to the houses in this part of the subdivision,” she said. “I thought of you as I imagined it, planned it, and put it in.”
“Last year?” Destiny asked as she opened the container with the dumplings and set it between them. “You hated me last year.”
“I never hated you,” Faith said, opening her noodle bowl. “I hated myself and as much as I wanted to hate you I couldn’t. I don’t know how many times I laughed at myself as I planted this particular area. I almost told Mark to bring you by to see it because I knew how much you’d like it.”
“You’re right, I do.”
“I look at it today and remember back to when I created it,” Faith said. “It was my way to love you, Des.” She turned and waited for Destiny to look at her. “I’ll never stop loving you,” she said softly.
Tears sprang to Faith’s eyes and she quickly reached for her drink. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay,” Destiny said. “You didn’t notice last night, but tears were in my eyes.”
“Yes, I did,” Faith said. “We’ve always been emotional when it comes to our feelings for each other.”
“Yeah, we have,” Destiny agreed. “You could leave a note in my lunch bag and make me tear up.”
Faith chuckled. “You did the same thing to me!”
They sat back against the bench and for several moments they ate in comfortable silence.
“This is so good,” Destiny murmured between bites. “I’m glad you thought of the Pearl Panda.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Faith said, eating the last dumpling.
After a few moments Faith looked over at Destiny and said, “After we got out of the shack, I went to see your mom.”
“She told me,” Destiny said, taking a sip of her drink.
“Did she tell you what I said?”
Destiny shook her head. “She said it was yours to tell me.”
Faith nodded. “I had a lot of things I wanted to tell you that day, but I knew you weren’t ready to hear them.”
“A lot happened that night.”
“I know the things I’ve told you are hard for you to believe,” Faith said. “Especially how quickly and how sure of myself I am now. That’s why I suggested dating.”
“Dating?” Destiny asked. “This is one date.”