Page 42 of Memories of the Past

Trinity’s eyes flew to mine and she got quiet, her eyes reflecting a look I wasn’t sure I liked. “You’re selling the place?” she questioned. “When were you going to tell me?”

I could already see the tears beginning to well in her eyes. I didn’t want her to panic, to start off assuming things without letting me explain to her. I reached out to take her hands in mine, to ask her to give me a chance to explain, but she stepped backward out of my reach.

“When were you going to tell me, Thomas?” she repeated. “How long has it been up for sale?”

“Trinity, I listed it privately the morning we went on our first date. I planned on telling you, but every time I went to mention it something happened and then it slipped my mind. Things were going so well between us, and I hadn’t gotten any offers, so I figured there was plenty of time to mention it. I mean it’s not a big deal.”

“How can you say it’s not a big deal?” she cried.

I met her eyes. I could already see the pain reflected in them.

“Because it’s not that big of a deal. It just sold this morning. I haven’t even signed anything yet. I don’t know if there is anything I might not agree to, and honestly, until the offer is signed, it’s really not official. I’ve got to go down to the office this morning.”

Trinity stood there, quiet, looking at me, a whole new world of hurt in her eyes. “And then what? Were you just going to pack up and move away?”

“No!”

“So then you’ve found a new place to move into?” she asked, a slight glimpse of hope in her eyes.

How could I answer that? I hadn’t exactly even begun looking for anything. I frowned. I didn’t know what to say. She was putting words into my mouth. I could feel the worry building in me. I didn’t want to get into an argument with her first thing this morning, especially after what I’d said to her this morning. I could have taken her to a house I’d purchased, and deep in my gut I felt as if it wouldn’t matter anyways because she probably wouldn’t believe.

“Well?”

I stood there looking at her, trying to form more words while still trying not to have Trinity freak out. I certainly didn’t have the best track record with her. In her eyes, I had literally abandoned her when we were younger and hadn’t returned. I really didn’t know what reaction I’d been expecting from her.

She turned her back on me, and I watched as her right hand went up to wipe her eyes, while her left hand held onto the knot in the towel.

“I think it’s time you leave,” she whispered.

I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move. I didn’t want this to end this way. I wasn’t leaving Willow Valley, but for some reason, I couldn’t seem to find the words to be able to explain anything.

“Trinity, please, just give me a chance to explain.”

She shook her head and sniffled. “I’ve given you plenty of time. Honestly, don’t feel bad, there is no need to explain. Really, it’s okay. I understand. I should have known better. Now please, I don’t have a lot of time. I have to get ready for work, and you need to go and sign those papers.”

“I don’t need to leave for a bit yet. Please let’s talk about this.”

“There is nothing to talk about. Like I just said, I should have known better. I should have known you’d do this again. When things are too good to be true, they probably are.” Trinity’s voice caught and she sniffled, her shoulders shaking. “Please, just go, Thomas, and don’t worry about going with me tomorrow to see Aunt Vi. I’d like some space.”

Without another word, Trinity walked across the hall and slammed the bathroom door behind her. I stood there for a moment, then walked across the hall to the door. I was about to knock, to pull her in my arms and comfort her, but instead my heart broke when I heard her sobs coming from behind the closed door. I should have told her I had put the property up. I should have explained to her that I was going to look for a new place, but for some reason, I hadn’t. Her loud sobs hit me right in the chest over and over; she was killing me. I walked into the bedroom and grabbed my shirt from the back of the chair and threw it over my head. Then I made my way out into the kitchen where Luna approached and rubbed up against me. I leaned down and pet her head. “Well, Luna, you take care of your mom okay. I fucked up, sweet girl,” I whispered as Luna loudly purred. I stood up, looked around the small apartment, and made my way down the stairs and let myself out the back door and headed to my truck. As I approached my truck, it started to blur and my eyes burned. I’d blown it. I didn’t know how to fix it.

* * *

“So aside from putting on a new roof on the farmhouse, there are no other stipulations. That can be taken out as well, if you agree to a price drop of the cost of the roof,” Serenity said as I looked down at the paperwork in front of me, barely seeing a word.

My head ached and my thoughts were still completely focused on Trinity’s words that she should have known better. I’d told her I loved her, which was the truth. At this point, I really didn’t care what happened with the property. All I cared was having my Trinity back in my arms and showing her, I was still in love with her.

“Thomas, what do you think?”

I blinked and looked up at Serenity. “Sorry, um, I guess a price cut is fine.”

“Well, I will get the word over to the buyers then. The Eastons will be very happy. Oh, and they’d like to let you know that the ranch will no longer be called Jenkins Ranch. They have decided to call it Sunset Ranch. They want to make sure that you are okay with the name change.”

“Whatever they decide is fine. This old place needs a new life. Where do I sign?”

Serenity turned some documents around. Each page had a sign here tab, and I slowly went through each page, making sure that I had completed them all.

“Thank you…I feel like this was a fast sale for a truly private listing.”

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