Death has a way of bringing people back to where they said they would never go. I couldn't believe it had been twelve years since I set foot in that small town in Alabama. Denise and I were best friends ever since we could walk. Even though I hadn't seen her in years, we stayed in touch via email and phone. In all that time, she didn't let me know she was terminally ill. If I'd known, I would have been there for her, no matter what. Two days ago, after learning she died from breast cancer, I hopped on the first thing smoking out of JFK in New York.
After landing at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, I rented a car and drove to Auburn, Alabama where I would be staying at the Hilton in Auburn. I wanted to get checked in and freshened up before heading over to see Weston, who was Denise's husband and also a good friend of mine. They had two daughters and my heart was just broken for their devastating loss. I wished I hadn't stayed away so long. I should have been there for her. All of the should-have, could-have and would-have emotions ran through me.
Reaching my destination, I parked and grabbed my piece of luggage and shoulder bag. Thankfully, I had registered online, so all I had to do was go to the front desk to retrieve my passkey. Rejecting the offer of help from the bellhop, I made my way over to the bank of elevators that would carry me to my room on the third floor.
Once I found my room, I inserted the electronic key and let myself in. The shower was my first destination. The warm water was somewhat refreshing. Exiting the shower, I opened my luggage and took out a fresh pair of matching undies, a pair of faded jeans, and my favorite Auburn Tigers T-shirt. Sliding my feet into a pair of sandals, I was ready to head out the door. I grabbed my key and purse and the door automatically locked behind me.
As I pulled out of the hotel parking lot, memories of the past assailed me. I thought back to when my mom was alive, and how she used to say, 'Alyssa, if I didn't know any better, I would think you and Denise were conjoined twins.' That was because when we were growing up, you could hardly find one without the other. That was why when Denise started dating Weston Kingsly as a freshman in college, I started dating his best friend about six months later.
When I first met Drake, I was not looking for love. I had my four-year plan laid out in black and white. Ever since I was ten years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. And my father expected excellence from me, so I didn't want to let him down. Most of all, I didn't want to let myself down. I didn't want or need any distractions, but life had a way of changing the best laid out plans.