Chapter 5 One Last Chance

"So how have you been? Did you miss me?" Jill asked curiously, searching in his eyes for a sign of joy. "I left several messages for you when I was in Sumerville, but you didn't return any of my calls. I knew that I wanted a life with you, Jack. I wanted to share the good news. But now that I'm here, I'm confused because you seem preoccupied and distant."

Jack stared at Jill, remembering how much he loved her before she left Thornsberry. He could also feel the pain in his heart, from when she left him.

Then Jack said, "It's not that I don't care, but I wasn't sure if you still loved me. I avoided your calls because I didn't know if you were breaking up with me or telling me you had someone else.... I didn't know how you were feeling."

"Jack, didn't you hear what I said? I came back to be with you." Jill cried. "I love you and I want to be with you forever. We can start a family like we always talked about."

"I'm sorry Jill, it's too late for us," Jack said, "My heart ached for your touch. I missed you so much and I felt so broken inside. I didn't know what to do. There's someone else and we have been hanging out a lot. She's beautiful and fun and filled that emptiness in my heart for you. We made love, and I'm here to confess to you. I want to be truthful and transparent about what's going on in my life since you've been away." Jack sighed, and said to Jill, "I still love you and wish you the best."

Jill was stunned and not wanting to believe what Jack was saying. Jill felt her heart breaking, as his words rang in her head.

"But I wasn't gone long, only a couple of years, because I needed time away. To find myself and figure out what I wanted. I tried calling you and you never even called to check on me. Jack, you can't be serious, you're making a terrible mistake. We belong together!" Jill exclaimed. "You're the only man I love and want to spend my life with. What am I supposed to do without you?"

"No, it's not a mistake," said Jack. "I never wanted you to leave me. I wanted to marry you after you graduated and we start a family. But I had to let you live your life, and I went on with mine, but it wasn't easy for me either. You made up your mind Jill, and you did what you felt was best for you. I forced myself to accept your decision despite how bad it made me feel."

Jill pleaded, "Please don't do this, you know what you mean to me? I love you, with all my heart, and I'm sorry I hurt you. It's NOT too late, Cindy will understand. Let's try again, please. You are the love of my life, and we had our whole life planned out."

The tears filled her eyes, Jill held on to Jack as she begged and pleaded. But Jack wouldn't change his mind no matter how hard she cried.

"Who is this woman who has your heart? And why does she mean so much to you? Is that why you didn't answer your phone or return my calls?" Jill inquired. Before Jack could respond, she sobbed even louder. Jill was distressed and she became irate. "This can't be real! Why.... Why are you doing this to me? Is it to punish me because I left? I wanted you to go with me and you refused! I never stopped loving you, and we never even broke up! Please, forgive me and take me back! "We can fix it.... I know we can!" She screamed and shouted as the tears flowed from her eyes.

Jack felt bad, as he continued apologizing to her, but his mind was made up. People were murmuring as they walked by, watching and listening. Jack was trying to console Jill as she continued to cry. "Please calm down," Jack whispered, "People are starting to stare."

"Jack I came back because I love you." cried Jill. "But you don't seem to care about how you make me feel. You could have called me to break my heart over the phone instead of letting me come back to be humiliated and hurt around my family and friends!"

Before Jack walked away, Jill held on to him, wrapping herself in his arms. Jack removed his arms, kissed her forehead, and walked towards the door. Jill couldn't believe that Jack was leaving and walking away from her. She was dumbfounded and she felt numb. No more Jack and Jill, what people were saying in Thornsberry. Jill's life felt dreary and empty after that awful day. She felt like a fish out of water, with no one to rescue her. Jill wanted to meet and see the young lady who had captured Jack's heart. The one responsible for comforting him and making Jack forget about her.

Jill's whole life had shattered, and her light was now darkness. She was NOT prepared for the pain, and she was quickly falling apart because she couldn't handle the hurt in her heart. Jill was tossing and turning all night, she hardly got any sleep. Every time she thought about Jack walking away, she began to cry. She cried alone, and most times at work she faked her smile. It seemed as if the pain inside her heart lasted for such a long time.

Her parents realized something was wrong, but didn't want to interfere. They heard the whimpers from her room and saw the tiredness in her eyes from all the crying. Then one morning Jill seemed different, as if everything was okay. She even mentioned going to see Jack, after she gets off work, and maybe going out on a date. Jill's parents became more concerned about her behavior. They heard about the break-up from their neighbors. They were very angry with Jack and what he had done to Jill.

We must talk to her, to make sure she's all right." her mother insisted.

But Jill had no intentions of talking to her parents, at least not at the moment. After work, she drove by Jack's house, but he wasn't there. Jill checked with some of his friends, hoping they knew where to find him. Jack was out with Cindy at a place he used to take Jill when they were dating. When Jill saw Cindy with Jack in the restaurant, she felt jealous. Cindy was attractive and curvy. She looked more like a city girl who liked getting intoxicated and staying out all night. Cindy wasn't special, but she was the one who turned Jack's heart against Jill. Jill kept thinking about how terrible Jack made her feel. She patiently waited for Jack and Cindy to come out of the restaurant.

Ever since their break up, Jill hadn't heard from him anymore. The break-up had caused her so much stress and heartache that she was barely eating. She continued to sit in her car until their date was over then she would make one last plea for Jack to give her another chance. Jill didn't want to make a scene, but she was not giving up that easily. As they walked out of the diner, Jill drove her car over to Jack's car, in the direction he and Cindy were walking in. But before she got any closer, they turned around to see her driving towards them. They were caught by surprise, unaware of what was going on. Jill hopped out of her car, crying and running into Jack's arms, but he held his arms out pushing her away.

"Jack please hear me out, I don't want our relationship to end. We started as childhood friends and grew into lovers. I need you and I want a life with you too. I know you still love me. I promise I'll do whatever you want me to do. We can fix this."

Jack was shaking his head as he sighed. "Jill, please move on with your life and leave me alone."

"Yes," said Cindy agreeing. "I'm the one he loves now and has chosen me to be his wife."

Jill was sad but angry, not knowing what to say to Cindy. She still had a strong love for Jack and she didn't want to walk away. Jack and Cindy walked towards the car, and he turned to apologize to Jill once again.

"If only you had stayed in Thornsberry when I asked you to, things would have been different. I was shattered and my heart was full of pain, but I was still yearning to be with you. Every day I felt sad and lonely, wondering if you were thinking about me. And whenever my phone rang, I avoided your calls because I thought you had met another man and were breaking up with me. I was afraid that you weren't coming back to Thornsberry at all. When I met Cindy, it was a distraction and a comfort to my heart because she filled that emptiness I felt while you were away." he explained solemnly.