Which do you regret more?

Which do you regret more: the things you did or the things you didn't do?1

Veronica Arocho2

This quote has inspired me to write a story. A brief story of two halves. A story in which a girl called Mindy is in love with a guy called Brody. She loves him dearly but is still unsure how to tell him or whether to tell him at all. Will she regret telling him, or not telling him more? Here is the outcome to both:3

Scenario one4

Mindy was walked up Victoria Drive. She was holding a small package covered in pink tissue paper and silver ribbons. As she was walking up, her blonde hair was lashing at her face. The up-coming storm was making it even harder for her to breath. The humidity was getting unbearable. 5

She finally reached house number 42. She knocked on the door. She knew Brody would answer. It was Saturday night. His parents always went out for a meal on Saturday night, leaving Brody at home.6

The large door opened and sure enough, Brody was standing there. His chestnut Hair was wet and he was wearing a baby blue bathrobe and black slippers. He had only just gotten out of the shower.7

'Hi Mindy. I wasn't expecting to see you tonight. You said you had something important to do', said Brody in his Texan accent, and smiling at Mindy showing his white teeth. 'What’s that in your hand honey?' Brody asked looking at Mindy's hand.8

'Oh. It’s why I came here,' she said giving a week smile. A fork of lightning flashed across the sky behind her.9

'You better come in before the storm starts' Brody said still smiling broadly. Mindy stepped in the house she had been in a hundred times before. She turned to the left into the lounge and fell into the big brown sofa.10

'So what you need honey?' Brody asked sitting next to her.11

'Well... Well... Erm...' Mindy wasn't sure what to say, she had never asked anyone out, especially someone she’s known for ten years. 'I spose... It's... Erm...' she was still stuttering, the words just wouldn't come out. She closed her eyes and thought that she should just say it. 'Iloveyouwillyougooutwthme?'12

'I'm sorry sugar. I didn’t quite get that' Brody said giggling slightly.13

'I love you. Will you go out with me?' Mindy said a lot clearer.14

'Of course I will sugar' Brody said smiling broadly and leaning in to hug her.15

Mindy didn’t expect that. She hugged him to and gave him the present. 'I got this for you as well', she said beaming at him and handing the present over. Before Brody opened it, he kissed her deeply and romanticly. Mindy's dream kiss.16

Brody opened the present and found a gold bracelet with the words 'I love you' engraved on it. 'I love it nearly as musc as I love you hun'. Brody smiled and leant in to give Mindy another tender kiss.17

***18

It had been exactly a year since Mindy and Brody had been going out.19

Brody had learnt to drive and Mindy's parents had bought them their own, little apartment, only for weekends and holidays. They had loved every moment they spent together and they loved each other dearly and would stay together no matter what. They had also found out what pure bliss was together. They had been happy since they had been going out.20

They had just finished their one year anniversary dinner and where leaving the restaurant. They had to cross the road to get to Brody's car. Little did they know, a rather drunk man was hurtling down the road at 50mph. 21

Brody saw the car coming. He instinctivley pushed Mindy out of the road and onto the sidewalk. A second later the car hit Brody sending a crunch echoing through the still air. The man drove off, not batting an eyelid to the person he had just run over.22

Mindy ran to her lover who was lying motionless in the road. 'Wake up! Honey, wake up! Wake up for me', Mindy was screaming this at the body, sobbing and pressing her head to his chest. There was no heartbeat. The car had killed him instantly.23

The paramedics arrived. They knew he was dead; they put him in a black bag and took him to the hospital. Mindy went with them. Her tears didn’t stop for days. 24

***25

At the age of 30, Mindy was raped. Her mother agreed with her to get an abortion, but her father completely diagreed. Yet the two women won and Mindy's father gave in and let his only daughter have the abortion. Her mother didn’t leave her side since Brody’s traumatic death. She got an abortion and carried on her life in depression. Her mother trying her best to cheer her up, but failing misrebly.26

***27

Years after, Mindy was still visiting Brody's grave every day, walking back from work. She had no one to pick her up anymore. She had never been out with a guy since. She still loved Brody and never stopped loving him.28

Mindy died at the age of 44. She died of breast cancer. She didn't want to suffer through chemotherapy. She believed that it couldn't do anything for her. She believed she was already dead in spirit after losing Brody. She died peacefully, with her parents. She was now reunited with her first and last lover.29


Scenario 230

'Hi Mindy. I wasn't expecting to see you tonight. You said you had something important to do', said Brody in his Texan accent, and smiling at Mindy showing his white teeth. 'What’s that in your hand honey?' Brody asked looking at Mindy's hand.31

'Oh. It’s why I came here,' she said giving a week smile. A fork of lightning flashed across the sky behind her.32

'You better come in before the storm starts' Brody said still smiling broadly. Mindy stepped in the house she had been in a hundred times before. She turned to the left into the lounge and fell into the big brown sofa.33

'So what you need honey?' Brody asked sitting next to her.34

'Well... Well... Erm...' Mindy wasn't sure what to say, she had never asked anyone out, especially someone she’s known for ten years. 'I spose... It's... Erm...' she was still stuttering, the words just wouldn't come out. She closed her eyes and thought that she should just say it. 'I've bought this present for my dad’s birthday and I wanted to know if you think it’s alright' she couldn't do it. She couldn't tell him her true feelings towards her.35

Brody took the gift off her and looked at it. 'Shall I unwrap it?' he asked her.36

'Yeah. Go ahead' Mindy said wiping a tear from her face. She watched him unwrap the delicate tissue paper and untie the silver ribbons. He opened the little box and looked at the gold bracelet with the inscription of 'I Love You' across it.37

'Well I would accept it. It's beautiful hun. You have great taste', he said handing it back to her.38

Mindy waited until her parents could pick her up until she left. As soon as she got into the privacy of her room she started crying. She cried for hours. 39

***40

A month had passed. Mindy was still upset about that stormy night. What made it worse was the fact that Brody had a girlfriend. Jessica Simmons.41

Mindy watched those two going out for two years. Since they started going out she had lost everything, her mother had died in a car crash. Her father had gone bankrupt and they lived with Mindy's grandparents.42

Whereas Brody had learnt to drive. Jessica had a very well paid job and they were engaged. The wedding was in the winter. Mindy had been invited, but she declined the invitation. It would have been torture watching the man she loved for so long getting married to a woman that she didn't particularly like.43

***44

When she was 30 Mindy was raped. From this she became pregnant. Her father was a devout catholic and wouldn't let her get an abortion, Mindy wasn't strong enough to argue with him. This was another blow to Mindy's life. After this little experience she lost what little faith she had in men. Her love turned to the little baby girl she had.45

She had been on a few dates before this, but that was it. She still loved Brody and was still in contact with him, his wife and two twin girls. They had dinner once a month, and this just strengthened Mindy's feelings for Brody. Along with her constant heartbreak.46

Through the time that Mindy was pregnant, and the time afterwards, Brody and his family helped as much as possible.47

***48

At the age of 44, Mindy was diagnosed with breast cancer; she went through with the chemotherapy, but only for her daughter, Megan, who was now fourteen years of age.49

It was another hard time for Mindy. Once again Brody helped as much as possible. He was the only true friend that Mindy ever knew.50

***51

At the age of 57, Mindy developed cancer again. This time it was cancer of the lung. Nothing could be done for her.It was found too late. She had an estimated, six months to say her goodbyes and do the things she wanted.52

On her death bed just after her 59th birthday, when Brody came to visit she did the final thing she wanted to do.53

'Brody. Remember that night when I came to your house to ask about the present for my dad?' she said feebly.54

'Course I do honey' Brody said with the same smile he wore all those years ago. His teeth still in the same positions, just stained a slight yellow color and the same brown hair, all be it a little faded and flecked with grey.55

'That bracelet was meant for you. I have loved you ever since that day' she said through coughing.56

'Why didn't you say honey? I loved you to, but that love filtered away when I met Jess. You should have said something' Brody said, the smile had gone and he was now crying and clutching Mindy's hand.57

'All I wanted to know was that you loved me' Mindy said with a weak smile. Her life faded away. She had done everything she wanted to and let go of life. Brody stayed with her until her daughter arrived. 58

Brody helped Mindy even after life. He helped with the funeral. He helped Mindy's daughter. He helped her father. 59

Brody soon died at the age of 63. He was in a car crash with his wife. They both died instantly. Brody was now with his wife and his best friend once again.60


After reading both sides, which one would you regret more; doing what you did, or doing what you didn't do?61

I know what I would choose