Wings Of A Nightingale

A single word was all she needed to jumpstart her creative imagination. But nothing came… She had been staring at the blank screen of her laptop for the longest time she can remember.

*****

Five years ago, Summer left Carmel, California for New York to pursue her dream as a romance novelist. Her first written novel “Whisper Of The Waves” published by Skylark Publishing Company gained commercial success. Two other best sellers followed.

Her next book was due in a couple of months. But somehow, her creative juices stopped to flow. Her agent may be right. A change of scenery and ambiance was what she needed. A familiar place that she deliberately avoided to revisit could be the key to unlock an inspiration.

Summer decided to leave New York and headed back home to Carmel.

Sitting in her writing nook overlooking the vast ocean, she watched in awe the rhythmic rising and falling of the waves as they danced their way ashore. She felt the urge to wet her feet and bury her toes in the sand. Closing her laptop, she hastily treaded the wooden steps down towards the beach. As the gentle touch of the breeze caressed her face, vivid memory flashed back.

When and how Antoni De Marco fit into her life? Both of them grew up in Carmel. They were inseparable, happy, and in love. She graduated with a degree in English Literature, he became a Physical Therapist.

An opportunity of a lifetime came when her first novel was accepted for publication thus, she had to leave home. Toni supported her aspiration to chase her dream and succeed, though he wanted her to stay. He was willing to put their plans for the future on hold.

While she was in New York, Toni accepted a job as a Physical Therapist in a hospital in the Middle East. Long distance relationship did not play well in their favor. Their personal and professional priorities changed with the passing of time. Five years went by…

Summer was craving for her favorite crabmeat sandwich and clam chowder so she drove along the picturesque coastal highway to Nick’s seafood Bistro.

“Hello, Summer. I heard you’re back.” The greeting came from a person she very well knew and longed to see again. Toni! He was at the corner table where they used to sit. It seemed that this meeting was destined to happen.

He walked towards her. His tall, lithe, muscular physique, bi-dimpled smile, and deep blue eyes still possessed the power to make her heart shift into overdrive. She needed to calm down her nerves. This would be the opportune moment to clear and settle whatever misunderstanding and misgivings between them. To meet and talk to him was one of the main reasons why she returned to Carmel.

When they stood close to each other, Toni caught her hands with a firm yet gentle grip. Without saying a word, he ushered her back to where he was sitting. As soon as they were settled, Summer summoned up her train of thought to air out her feelings.

“Toni, I’m glad that we had this chance to talk. But before you say anything, please hear me out… You supported me when I followed my dream, and understood the pressures I went through on the process. I accept that I was partly to blame why our communication started to dwindle and finally stopped. But please believe me that it was never my intention to hurt you nor took your feelings for granted. Honestly, the reason why I kept my silence was…I could not trust myself on what to do or say. I was afraid of rejection. I sincerely apologize for the consequences of my shortcomings. If you can find it in your heart to still consider me even as a friend, I would be grateful.”

All the bottled emotion suddenly kept flowing. She could no longer control her tears. Toni just looked at her, his own emotion building up, constricting his chest. He truly love her despite everything they’d been through.

“Please don’t look at me like that. Say something!” Summer begged.

Toni slowly pulled her close, looked tenderly and lovingly into her eyes, and said: “Woman, seriously? A romance novelist was running out of words that’s why she kept silent and stayed out of touch?” He smiled and eased her closer. His kiss was full of love and passion.

“Oh, Summer. I missed you so much. I loved you then, I love you now and for the rest of my life. Now that you’re back in my arms again, there is no way I will ever let you go! “

She looked at him, her whole body radiating with love. A love so deeply rooted and nurtured, that no time or distance could forestall.

This was her inspiration. Her book of life and love waiting to be written.

-©Lark-

(2018)2024