A Love Story that Turned Ugly

Chapter 5

        Clearly, he was mad at me. He had ignored me for the rest of the day. Even when we were sitting next to each other at the parenting seminar (I actually didn't need that yet! It was all about general rule number thirteen), he totally didn't say anything to me. I had no idea of what he was mad about. I might have bought the same bracelet in any store, right?

       Our activities today ended at 8 pm. I didn't know with the children. We were parted after lunchtime and hadn't met since. Amanda told me they were going to have a music class and so on. Abby was really good at music. She could already read musical notes at five year-old. She must have a great time in the camp. I couldn't wait to see what she would perform at talent show since she didn't bring her cello.

       Anyway, I was in the bedroom now. I just finished taking a shower. My hair was still wet and they smelled like a fresh strawberry. Julia gave me a bottle of natural herbal shampoo. She ran a kind of natural cosmetic company.

       "It is good, isn't it?" she asked cheerfully, delighted that I used the product.

       "Really good. Thank you." I smiled at her. Julia took her towel and went to the bathroom. Mrs. Jones, my other roommate, was already deep-sleeping. I turned off the light and sat on the bed. Suddenly my cell phone rang. It was mom.

       "Hello Mom. I miss you already."

       "Miss you too, Honey. And Abby of course. Anyway how's it going?"

       "It's been great so far. Abby likes it here. You good? You sound tired."

       "Well, yes I am. I actually just got home from picking up your dad at the airport. You wanna talk to him? He said he missed you. Oh, wait, he's taking a shower."

       "It's okay Mom. I'll call him later. So are you still busy?"

       "Yes, as always. Tomorrow I still have to talk with my client, the judge, and everything. This murder case drives me crazy, you know. But don't worry I'll be free the day after tomorrow. I'll be there soon. Would you like to stay or back home when I arrive there?"

       "I haven't decided yet. It's quite fun here."

       "Okay then. I'll call to the camp office to talk with Abby. They said children can't bring a phone, right? Have a good sleep, dear."

        "You too."

       I hung up and stored my phone inside the desk. I plopped down on the bed, hugging the bolster. At first I didn't expect much of this camp. But I kinda liked it now. It didn't matter even though I was in the middle of adults. I still had a lot of fun. I rolled over, looking at the bracelet on my wrist. I hadn't decided what to do with it. Sighing, I turned off the table lamp and fell asleep.

       I woke up early again the next morning. It had become a habit. I thought my body clock was set like that. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then made a hot cocoa. I decided to enjoy the sunrise again at the balcony. I brought my novel with me. I was reading when someone approached me.

       "Good morning," he said. I knew it was Bradley.

       "Morning," I replied coldly. I didn't lift my head. My eyes were glued on the pages.

      "How are you?" he asked again.

       "Fine," I answered briefly. Bradley seized my book.

       "Hey!" I yelled.

       "Please don't ignore me. I'm here to apologize for my behavior yesterday," he said, giving me a nice smile.

       "Apology accepted. Now give back my book." I tried to reach it. But Bradley hid it behind his back.

       "You can read another time. I need to ask you something," he said, rather insisted. He sounded friendly again today. His face softened, not like yesterday.

       "Okay. Go on."

       Bradley took a deep breath and asked politely.

       "May I see your bracelet?"

       I knew he was going to ask about that.

       "Sure.” I showed my arm to him. He scrutinized the bracelet carefully.

       "Does that mean anything to you?" I asked curiously. He gave me a suspicious look.

       "Where did you get this?" he asked.

       "Why are you asking?" I asked him back, trying to trick him. He was quiet for a second, then said,

       "Because it's exactly the same bracelet I gave to someone. I designed it by myself, so you couldn't have bought it anywhere" He told me. "And look." Bradley showed me the bracelet, to look at it closer. Behind the little butterfly pendant, it had an initial crafted on it.

       "BC...TN?" I mumbled.

       "So would you tell me where you got this?" he asked. I nodded and told him about what I had seen in the cafe a week ago. He paid full attention to every word I said.

       "That's it," I ended my story.

       "So you don't know anything about the woman?" he asked. I shook my head, and he exhaled.

      "Okay, then. Good," he muttered.

       "Good what?"

       "Good that...we meet here. Isn't it like a destiny?" Bradley gave me a wide smile, making me nervous.

       "Let me have this." He grabbed my mug and drank its content without permission.

       "Hey! It's mine," I yelled at him.

       "It's not coffee," He said, frowning.

       "Once again, I didn't say it was." I laughed. He laughed. I was glad finally the awkward moments were over and we could talk casually again like before. Honestly I still didn't get what had happened at the cafe. I didn't understand Bradley's love story at all. He didn't explain anything, either. We talked about the camp instead. For now I just didn't want to mess the things up.