A short story by Laurie Ryan     

"Who says you can't go home," Sarah said as she walked through her quaint hometown. It had taken nine years and some hard lessons to bring her back, but she was here to stay. She stopped at the town park, amazed. The tree still stood. Many kisses had been stolen underneath its limbs and carved initials immortalized countless young loves. Sarah traced a set encircled by a heart. If only hers had been added.

A glance at her watch told her she needed to move. Her organizational consulting business, Find Your Life, was growing nicely. Not wanting to be late, she hurried on to her newest client, a Charles Wilson.

Sarah frowned. Her teenage years had been spent staring at the house she now stood in front of. Night after night. Hoping he would notice her.

Jake Wilson.

Even after all this time, her heart pounded. She'd loved him with a forever love but he hadn't known she was alive.

Sarah hesitated before knocking. When the door opened she smothered a gasp as tall, dark and way too handsome stared back at her. She let her breath out in a whoosh and felt the crimson flush creep into her face. Reaching deep for some professionalism, she stuck out her hand. "Hi, I'm from Find Your Life." Good. Hardly any stammer. "My name is-"

"Sarah Rose," he finished with a voice that could melt chocolate. "It's wonderful to see you again."

She'd met him? "Um..."

His smile faltered. "You don't remember me, do you?"

"I remember a Jake Wilson." Her mouth dropped as she looked closer. "Jake? I-I didn't recognize you. You've changed."

"A bit. I use Charles now. You, on the other hand, haven't changed at all."

"You live here?" she asked, following him to the living room.

"No. My father died two months ago-"

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

Jake waved a hand. "Thank you. I need someone to help me sort through," he looked around, "all this, figure out what's worth selling and what should be trashed. When I saw your ad, I...thought you were the answer to my prayers."

"That's what I do," Sarah said.

"Perfect. Can you start today?"

She nodded.

He smiled and reached for her hand. "I'm so glad it's you."

Sarah caught the sigh trying to escape and forced it back. "Where should I begin?"

"Wherever you like. I have a quick errand but I'll be back soon to help."

"Fine. And Jake?"

"Yes?"

"It really is good to see you again."

His eyes softened. "You, too, Sarah. You, too."

Sarah did a quick tour of the house and then climbed the rickety stairs to the attic. A single overhead bulb illuminated the dark space. She sneezed at the dust, shed her suit jacket and rolled up her sleeves, starting with the furniture. Then she tackled the boxes. Christmas decorations, old magazines and, at the very bottom, an old shoe box. A single flower adorned the lid.

A rose.

Sarah's heart skipped as she traced the outline. Sitting on the floor, she untied the yellowed lace and lifted the cover. Nestled in some old tissue were letters. Letters addressed to her. With a glance to the stairs, she opened one and read the first line.

Today I fell in love with you all over again.

It was too quiet when Jake returned and his heart froze. Had she gone? He took the stairs two at a time and almost roared relief to see her sitting on the floor, dust-smudged and tear-streaked. Beautiful.

She looked up and held out the letter. "I never knew."

"Knew what?" Jake then saw the paper scattered around. His eyes widened. The letters? He'd thought them long gone. He scuffed at them with his shoe, "I never meant for you to read them."

"If I had known-"

Pride straightened his spine. "Don't worry. I got over it."

"I didn't."

He waited, afraid to breathe, afraid to hope.

"From the day you moved in," she said, "my diaries were filled with you." The words spilled out so fast she hiccupped as she finished.

"I thought you didn't see me," he said.

"W-why-" Another hiccup. "-didn't you ever talk to me?"

"I couldn't. Every time I got near you," He flicked his hand in the air, "the words disappeared."

Sarah busied herself picking up letters. "You're not tongue-tied now."

He pulled her up and into his arms, grinning. "No. I'm not." He wiped at a smudge on her cheek. "Let's go for a walk."

Together, they retraced her steps to the kissing tree and he showed her the initials.

S.R.+ C.W.

She ran her hands over the aged carving. "When?"

"In high school." Jake softly kissed her. "I've been waiting for you to find me."