The Pond

Chapter 7: The Pond

Tyler

I've been up most of the night trying to think of a way to fix this, to show Maddie I care and I'm an idiot. My mind just keeps thinking about the pond she took me too. Wondering how often she goes there. As soon as I know Brent will be awake. I call my cousin

"Yo. What happened? Did you see Maddie for some ass?" He answers the phone.

" fuuuucccckkkkk Brent" Is how I reply

"Spill it bro. What?" Brent asked and I gave the brief details; coming to her aid, hanging out, defending her and the bar.

"Man what are you waiting for? That was your moment." Brent tells me what I already know

"I know but now I need to make it up to her. But how? All I've got is going to the pond or her b&b."

"Ty. You're going to need a huge romantic gesture but not at her work. Don't embarrass her."

Brent and I spoke for a while longer until I came up with a solid idea. Brent might be my cousin, but he's also my best friend. I get dressed and grab my bike and head to where I met Maddie last night. I walk down the path not sure exactly what I will say if she's actually here. I come to an empty dock, memories of last night filling my head. I sit for a beat. Still trying to plan out how exactly I'm going to meet her here. I need her to know I'm coming here too. Waiting for her. I make a plan for the days to come, each day I am going to come to the pond, twice a day, once in and around lunch time and again in the evening before the bugs come out. Each time I come I'll leave a message for her at the dock and one at the clearing where we watch the sunset. It has been days since Maddie walked away from me and I've yet to run into her at the pond. I don't know if she's been here at all. Each time I come I am a little surprised, my 'I'm sorry' are untouched. Is she avoiding coming here now because she showed it to me? I need to figure out how to get through to her without showing up at her BNB.

Maddie

It's been four days since the worst best night I've had in a long time. I wish it didn't end the way I let it. I wish I wouldn't have run away like I did. I also wish I could stop thinking about it. But I can't. I have always wondered what life would be like as Tyler's girlfriend. I can't help but think he must have some sort of feelings for me, then I think maybe he was just being nice because I was having a terrible evening. We used to be good friends, maybe that's all it was. I try to keep busy with my two businesses, but when they both operate easily now it's hard not to let your mind wonder. My bed and breakfast kept me busy all day Saturday, then Sunday I was booked solid all day at the studio. The worst part about each day is the driving home from the BNB, I always end up on the dirt road. I never get out of the car, I just sit there reliving Friday night. I've kept Tyler's hoodie in my car in case I run into him I can return it, I guess. Today I brought my camera. I decided while at the studio today I would go film the dock and clearing maybe it will help me get over it. Document all the places we shared a moment, maybe facing this head on I will be free of a lifetime of feelings for someone I can never have, and return this place to my place of peace, my secret escape from reality. I get out of the car and start walking down the dirt road. I make it to the opening of the bush where the trail will lead to the dock. I stop for a minute recalling our private dance we shared right here. I collect some rocks, make a circle, then set the camera on the ground, set the timer and go stand in the circle to capture my feet without his. I pick up my camera and head down the trail. When I approach the dock, I snap a wide lens shot of the scene. I step up onto the dock, there is something sitting in the spot where we sat on Friday. Realising quickly, it's a bouquet of flowers. I walk over and pick them up. They are beautiful wild flowers, with a note inside. I pull the card out to read it. All it says is

I'm Sorry!

- Tyler

I put the card back inside then lay the flowers back on the dock. Tyler left them . . . for me ... here... he's come back here. Panic sets in that he could have been here when I was. I back away from the bouquet and decide to continue with my plan. I came here to document our past so I can release it. I lay down to take a picture of the flowers with the pond in the background, then I sat on the edge of the dock to take a picture of what we would have seen. I get up, walk back to the trail, take one last look at the flowers then head to the clearing. Surprised again when I got there to see the same bouquet of flowers laid on the ground. It too has a card inside this time all that's written on it is

905-834-9585

His number. I take the card and put it in my pocket. Undecided if I will call him. I lay the flowers down, just like at the dock I take a picture. I stand here looking at the sun dropping remembering how he held me, wishing I didn't care. I close my eyes, take a deep breath then get an idea. I pick up the flowers, head back to the dock, get the second bouquet, sit down and quickly make two crowns with the flowers. I place one on my head and set the other beside me on the dock then set the timer and take a picture of me next to the crown. I grab my camera, throw the crown into the water and capture it floating away. This is my way to set Tyler free. I walk back down the trail and hang mine on a tree at the entrance to the trail. Feeling freed I head home.

Tyler:

I am on my way back to the pond for the eighth time in 4 days. Today is the first time it appears someone else has been out here. There is a circle of rocks on the road. I quickly make my way to the dock. Praying she'll be here but sadly I am alone. The bouquet of flowers I left are ripped apart. Was it Maddie? Is she mad? I'm not stopping this time. I make an Inuktitut with rocks and write the word 'sorry' on it. For the first time all week I have hope. Maybe she'll call me. Maybe she'll come back to the pond. It's Friday again. An entire week has passed and I haven't heard from Maddie. Haven't run into her around town or at the pond. I almost went to her BNB just to see her. Make sure she's okay. I don't even think she's been back to the pond but I won't stop leaving her messages here. Today's message is an 'I'm sorry' balloon. I tie to the dock then have a seat. This isn't working. I need to come up with a better plan. While thinking of what else I could do to get her attention I hear someone step onto the dock.