Randi’s cell phone rang as she turned into the drive Thursday evening. Glancing at the caller ID, she touched the Talk button and silenced a sigh. “Hello, Crystal.”
“Everything still on go for your trip tomorrow?” Crystal asked excitedly.
”Yeah…everything is still on go,” Randi answered, sounding far less enthusiastic than Crystal.
“Hey, cheer up. You’re gonna have a great time, Randi. I just know you will,” Crystal said, trying to encourage her friend. “I’ll come over around six thirty tonight and help you pack.”
“Okay,” Randi said, then hesitated. “Crystal, could I ask you a question?”
“Sure,” Crystal answered. “Ask.”
Randi hesitated again. “No, never mind,” she said.
“Oh, Randi. Just ask me,” Crystal said. “We’re friends, we can talk about anything.”
“Well, it’s rather personal…and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to,” Randi hedged, feeling embarrassed.
“Okay.” Crystal laughed. “I won’t answer if it’s too personal.”
Randi held the phone for a long moment. Payton had begged her repeatedly to ask Crystal about their relationship, but now she realized she didn’t want to hear the answer. She had seen with her own eyes what was going on the day she went to Payton’s house. Hearing Crystal confirm it now would only add to her pain.
“Randi, are you still there?” Crystal asked.
“Yeah, I’m here,” she said hesitantly.
“Randi, go ahead and ask me.” Crystal laughed. “If it’s too personal, I’ll tell you.”
“Okay,” Randi said, taking a deep breath. “Last week you said you wanted to take your relationship with Payton to the next level. What is the next level in your relationship?” Randi gripped the phone, her heart pounding while she waited for Crystal’s answer, wishing she could take the question back.
“Oh, that’s not too personal, Randi. I just meant a physical relationship would be the next natural step in our relationship, but Payton never takes it beyond an occasional kiss. I just thought that a weekend out of town might encourage him to take it to the next level,” she explained.
“So, you’ve never had sex with Payton?” Randi asked.
“No,” Crystal answered on a sigh of regret. “But, believe me, it’s not because I haven’t tried. I guess Payton’s just one of those men who move really slowly in a relationship…either that or he’s in love with another woman.” She laughed. “You’re so lucky to have Jason,” she continued with a sigh. “He’s so obviously excited about taking you out of town this weekend.”
For a long moment Randi held the phone, unable to draw a full breath. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re right, Crystal,” she finally managed. After another moment of silence, she stammered. “Listen…I’ve got to run…I’ll see you this evening.”
Ending the call, she dropped her head back on the headrest. “Oh, God. What have I done?” she whispered. “Payton was telling the truth.” She covered her face with her hands as tears filled her eyes. “Payton…I am so sorry.”
The shrill ring of the cell phone grabbed her attention, Jason’s name showing on the caller ID.
“Jason.” She breathed out his name in a whisper as she stared at the phone. “Oh no.” A jolt of panic hit her stomach as the full spectrum of the situation became clear in her mind. She flashed a look at her watch. “Oh God. Crystal will be here in two hours—Jason has already made reservations for the weekend in Houston. And Payton—oh, Payton. I’m so sorry—I’m so sorry.”
“What am I going to do?” she cried, feeling the panic soar. “How can I fix this?” She felt her heart pounding in her chest as adrenaline pumped through her veins and panic clouded her thoughts.
Pushing out of the car, she rushed to the kitchen door and opened it. “Mom, I’m going horseback riding,” she called through the opening. “Crystal will be here around six thirty. I’ll be back by then.”
“Okay, dear,” her mom answered as Randi closed the door and broke into a full run across the yard. Horseback riding was her only hope of calming her thoughts and clearing her mind. With so many hearts and emotions to consider, she needed to settle her jumbled thoughts before she talked to anyone.
She rushed into the barn, readied her horse and swung into the saddle. Spurring the horse into a full gallop, she crossed the field. After an hour of hard riding, she began to calm. “There is a solution to this…there has to be,” she told herself.
She brought the horse to a halt in front of the cabin. She dismounted and looped the reins over the hitching post. As she climbed the steps, she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. She crossed the porch and stepped inside.
For several minutes, she didn’t move, letting her eyes roam over the surroundings. A lifetime of memories, old and new, wrapped around her like a blanket of comfort. She closed the door, then walked to the sofa and dropped down.
Payton’s pain-filled eyes flashed in her mind, causing a pain so intense she doubled over, tears flooding her eyes. Overwhelmed by the pain and heartache and the enormity of what lay ahead, she simply let go, crying until she was empty of both tears and emotions. Only then did she clearly understand what she must do. She would go to each of them…with the truth. She was in love with Payton, and she cared deeply for Crystal and Jason. They deserved the truth. How they chose to deal with it would be up to them. But she was confident together they would find a way.
Pushing off the sofa, she dried her face and glanced around the room, again. “Thanks, Dad,” she whispered, grateful for the comfort and love she felt each time she returned to the cabin. She pulled in a deep and calming breath and walked out, closing the door behind her.
Facing Crystal and the two men with the truth would not be easy, but she was confident that it was the right thing to do. The heavy weight she’d felt when she first arrived at the cabin was gone.