Finding My Way
Song of the Chapter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU
Chapter 37 Part 1: Val's P.O.V.
Ben was helping me along with everything so much. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s been helping me figure out what to try and do next on my list, and he’s been keeping me occupied so I don’t think much about Loretta.
Every night, I used to wish that she would find her way back to us. I realized at the funeral that this was impossible. I’ve also realized that I’m the one who needs to find her way; I’m the one who’s been lost. Starting with the day Loretta was taken I hadn’t completely been myself. I became obsessed with the play because I knew Loretta would want me to do well, and I wanted to prove to her that I could do it; I wanted to make her proud.
And now I’d decided I need to live my own life. And I mean really live, not just survive. Hence, the bucket list.
I think doing this will help me find my way out of the maze that I’ve been lost in for the last half-year. And there’s one person that’s been there with me through everything and has been helping me find my way back: Ben. Time after time, he’s been there for me when I needed him. If I’m lost, I know I can count on him to find me. And when the day comes when he finally needs me, I’ll be there for him.
Without Ben, I don’t think I’d be happy right now. But I am. I am happy. This sounds really bad, but what happened with Loretta was slightly liberating: I didn’t have to worry about her anymore. She was in a better place now and I could sleep at night now knowing that no one could harm her anymore. And now that that phase of my life was over, I could focus on becoming who I wanted to be, doing what I wanted to do; I could focus on making myself happy.
Today, Ben decided he would surprise me with which item we were going to cross off my list.
He texted me and told me he would be here in a few minutes and I was excited to see him; I couldn’t wait to spend more time with him. Before I could analyze why that was, the doorbell rang and I sprinted to it. I quickly fixed my hair and then realized I was being ridiculous; after all, it was just Ben! So then I opened the door.
Ben stood there with an older, very attractive, man that I had never seen before.
“Hey, Aly.” Ben said as he stepped inside, removing his coat.
“This is my mom’s old friend Matt from college. They went to NYU together before my mom moved here. Matt, this is Val.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you. Please, make yourself at home.” I smiled warmly and extended my hand, and he shook it easily.
“Thank you.” Matt said.
“So what are we doing today?” I questioned, trying to indirectly ask why he had brought his mom’s old friend from college to my house.
Ben turned to Matt and gesture for him to explain.
“Well, Ben here told me about your bucket list and mentioned one of the things on it was to learn a new language.”
“So you’re here to teach us a language?” I questioned.
“Yes. You see, I met this girl in high school who was deaf, her name was Darcy. And when I found out she was deaf I wanted to be able to talk to her, so I learned sign language. I actually had one of her teachers tutor me, and by the time I hit college, I had it down. It meant a lot to her.” He smiled.
“Do you still talk to her?” I asked, curious now.
“She’s my wife. I actually proposed to her in sign language.” He said sheepishly and I was in awe.
“That’s so romantic!” That was honestly one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.
“So what are you doing in California?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Me and Darcy came here to visit Ben’s mom, like we do every year; the three of us were great friends in college. So Darcy’s with Sharon and I’m here, ready to teach. Darcy said she’d help out too but she wanted to catch up with Sharon for a little bit.”
“Great, I can’t wait to meet her!” I smiled.
“So, let’s get started?” Ben looked at me and smiled. “Yeah? Okay, let’s go!” Ben said enthusiastically and I laughed at how excited he was for this.
A/N
I hate that I always half to do two parts *sigh*
So check out part 2!
And also, if you read Speechless then you remember Matt and Darcy,
Just thought I 'd throw them in here for fun (:
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