left the driveway of his parents’ home. Patrick went back to his car to bring in some leftovers his mother insisted that he take home, like every Sunday. He wasn’t sure why he even bothered trying to argue with her. She had been giving him leftovers every Sunday since he had moved out. But he was thankful, because it usually meant he didn’t have to cook for a day or two, and it made the start of his work week a lot smoother.
After tucking away the various plastic containers filled with chicken and cold salads in the fridge, Patrick grabbed a beer and went out to his back deck. He sat down on the porch swing and absorbed the quiet. The sky was a pale tint of violet as night and a few twinkling stars began to emerge. He glanced at his watch and noticed the time was nearing nine. This was one of the great things about summer; it got dark late. He raised the bottle to his mouth and took a long leisurely sip and noticed a deer silently walking into his yard. It stopped to look at him briefly, before gnawing away at the grass, unconcerned with his presence. The area was full of wildlife that made themselves quite at home in everyone’s yards. He had seen deer use the crosswalk in town, and the thought made him laugh. Only in a place like Birch Valley would you see something like that. As Patrick swung slowly on the swing, he felt himself being lulled to sleep. He felt relaxed, almost content, which wasn’t a feeling he got to experience often. His mind was tame, and that’s when visions of Amber decided to appear. He could see her sea-green eyes, which were like small lagoons, clear and bright but filled with mystery. Patrick had a hard time believing that he never really noticed her before, that they’d gone to the same school. Granted, she was in Liam’s class, and hadn’t run in the same social circle as Beth and Patrick. But how could he not have noticed such a beautiful girl? Because he had been madly in love with Beth, the blonde goddess of Birch Valley.
Thoughts of Beth pushed any of Amber aside. He remembered how much everyone loved his wife. She was kind and outgoing, and calling her pretty had been an understatement, with her classic girl-next-door looks. She was the center of attention, studious, outrageously popular, and head-over-heels in love with Patrick. In high school he only had eyes for her. Though many of the girls did anything they could to get his attention, he only wanted Beth. They were voted the cutest couple multiple times, and everyone knew that they were meant to be together.
They both graduated and went to the same college in the lower, eastern part of Washington, where their relationship continued to flourish. They both knew what kind of life they wanted, and that it would be back in Birch Valley. Patrick understood that it was his job to take over the family business eventually, even Beth helped at the shop, where she used her accounting skills. They both wanted what their parents each had—a loving and strong marriage. They wanted children and a simple life. Beth and Patrick just wanted to be happy and be together. He didn’t feel that they had asked for much.
After returning to Birch Valley, they married and immediately set out to make their dreams of starting a family a reality. Months turned into years, which then turned into visits to the doctor, then to a specialist, all of which were met with frustration and tears. The strain of not having children put their marriage to the test. They’d had to answer questions about why they didn’t have kids yet, which only made matters worse. Beth blamed herself, and finally, one day, it happened. It was as though all their prayers that had gone ignored for so long had finally been answered. When they found out about their pregnancy, they were back on track to have the life that they were planned for, the life they were meant for. But fate decided to step in again and rearrange and alter their plans. There would be no getting back on
After tucking away the various plastic containers filled with chicken and cold salads in the fridge, Patrick grabbed a beer and went out to his back deck. He sat down on the porch swing and absorbed the quiet. The sky was a pale tint of violet as night and a few twinkling stars began to emerge. He glanced at his watch and noticed the time was nearing nine. This was one of the great things about summer; it got dark late. He raised the bottle to his mouth and took a long leisurely sip and noticed a deer silently walking into his yard. It stopped to look at him briefly, before gnawing away at the grass, unconcerned with his presence. The area was full of wildlife that made themselves quite at home in everyone’s yards. He had seen deer use the crosswalk in town, and the thought made him laugh. Only in a place like Birch Valley would you see something like that. As Patrick swung slowly on the swing, he felt himself being lulled to sleep. He felt relaxed, almost content, which wasn’t a feeling he got to experience often. His mind was tame, and that’s when visions of Amber decided to appear. He could see her sea-green eyes, which were like small lagoons, clear and bright but filled with mystery. Patrick had a hard time believing that he never really noticed her before, that they’d gone to the same school. Granted, she was in Liam’s class, and hadn’t run in the same social circle as Beth and Patrick. But how could he not have noticed such a beautiful girl? Because he had been madly in love with Beth, the blonde goddess of Birch Valley.
Thoughts of Beth pushed any of Amber aside. He remembered how much everyone loved his wife. She was kind and outgoing, and calling her pretty had been an understatement, with her classic girl-next-door looks. She was the center of attention, studious, outrageously popular, and head-over-heels in love with Patrick. In high school he only had eyes for her. Though many of the girls did anything they could to get his attention, he only wanted Beth. They were voted the cutest couple multiple times, and everyone knew that they were meant to be together.
They both graduated and went to the same college in the lower, eastern part of Washington, where their relationship continued to flourish. They both knew what kind of life they wanted, and that it would be back in Birch Valley. Patrick understood that it was his job to take over the family business eventually, even Beth helped at the shop, where she used her accounting skills. They both wanted what their parents each had—a loving and strong marriage. They wanted children and a simple life. Beth and Patrick just wanted to be happy and be together. He didn’t feel that they had asked for much.
After returning to Birch Valley, they married and immediately set out to make their dreams of starting a family a reality. Months turned into years, which then turned into visits to the doctor, then to a specialist, all of which were met with frustration and tears. The strain of not having children put their marriage to the test. They’d had to answer questions about why they didn’t have kids yet, which only made matters worse. Beth blamed herself, and finally, one day, it happened. It was as though all their prayers that had gone ignored for so long had finally been answered. When they found out about their pregnancy, they were back on track to have the life that they were planned for, the life they were meant for. But fate decided to step in again and rearrange and alter their plans. There would be no getting back on
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