The Pier

“Then I’ll meet you on the pier.” She wrote, wondering if he realized that once she committed to something, she almost always followed through. No turning back, though she also wondered if he would do the same? Would he stand her up? Would she lose her nerve and become too afraid to really face him? What if he didn’t like her?
Now she was overanalyzing, and over-thinking, as usual, and she had all week for that, no sense in worrying about it now. Easier said then done.

The entire week seemed to crawl by in a slow paced, torturous agony. She couldn’t concentrate or focus. Sometimes she couldn’t sit still, and was daydreaming like never before. She couldn’t get him off her mind, but then again, that was nothing new.

When Friday finally came, she couldn’t wait to get home. She threw some clothes in her bag, grabbed her camera, and was off to pick up a couple friends who were going up north to spend the weekend with her. They had acquired a simple room, with a beautiful view overlooking the great lake. The drive was only a couple of hours, and so relaxing, and fun. She loved it there, and spent much of Friday night sitting on the balcony, living that serenity. Waterfront did that to her somehow. She tried hard not to get too wound up in her anticipation, as she knew she had the tendency to do.

She slept well that night, seemed to be so long since that had happened. When she woke Saturday, her heart immediately started in, and she could barely contain her nervous anticipation. She wanted to get to the pier early, and walk the distance by herself, another place, another scene, that she loved. She showered and got dressed, utterly stressing about how she looked, probably to the point of being annoying. Then, after repeated reassurances from her oh so supportive, encouraging, loving, trusted friends, she left. Walking first through the park, all the while, asking herself the same questions as she had been all week, and prayed that this was how it was meant to be.

It was a beautiful day, perfect really. The sun shone brightly with just enough clouds so that it wasn’t blinding. It was warm, and the wind off the lake was light and refreshing. At the far end of the pier, she leaned against the railing with her face to the horizon, feeling the wind and warmth on her face and neck. And for those moments, she thought of nothing.

She never wore a watch and had no idea what time it was, but sensed it was getting close, although she was afraid to turn around and look. When she couldn’t take the suspense any longer, she finally turned around and there he was just stepping onto the pier, heading straight for her. She immediately wanted to turn away, wondering if he knew it was her, but she knew she couldn’t, and knew she needed to get a grip because the time had come.

There were very few people there at that time, and she started walking toward him along the railing. Half the time she thought about turning and running, maybe even jumping off the end when she got there. But she knew she was being ridiculous, and kept going, bouncing her hand lightly off the railing every few feet, and looking off into the distance trying so hard to breathe and calm down. She was certain that her heart could be heard by everyone in the city, even through the wind and light splashes of the waves on the shore. It was beating so loud and so fast, and she was all too aware of it.

As they got closer, she could barely look at him, she was so nervous. A few deep breaths and a few more steps, she could see the intensity and passion that she knew would shine in his eyes. She was so captivated by him, and for a minute she forgot all about being terrified and nervous. He smiled a most beautiful, amazingly sweet, and timid smile. One she knew she would never get enough of in her lifetime.

Then of course all of those fears of what he would think of her came flooding back in. She was certain that her face was a bright ruby red, and she wished she could blame it on the wind and sun.

Here comes the nervous humor. Stepping up to him, she held out her hand and tried to put on a matter-of-fact face behind a teasing smile. He looked a little uncertain for a second while he contemplated exactly what to do. He thought about extending his hand as well, until she dropped hers, smiled, shook her head a little and said, “whatever!” as she stepped into him and put her arms around his neck.

As she lightly pressed her face against his neck, taking in the smell of his skin, she felt his arms slip around her, pull her closer, and squeeze her tight. She closed her eyes and exhaled as she felt his face touch her neck and he closed his eyes, and thought only about how good it felt just to hold her in his arms.

And his heart, was beating just as fast, and just as loud, as hers.