The Day to Remember Read Online Free PDF Page A

admitting, “And we were each other’s first love.” I saw the unease in Emma’s face at those words. “It was puppy love,” I explained. “We were young and we were there for one another during that time. But when we graduated high school, I moved to Boston for college and she moved to L.A. We tried to stay together, but we grew apart.” I paused and looked at Emma. She was deep in thought, and I wished I knew what she was thinking.
    “How long were you guys together for?”
    “We started dating at the beginning of our junior year in high school. We did the long-distance dating thing all through college, but I’m not sure that counted. We broke up a number of times and barely saw each other. We also casually dated other people between each break-up.”
    “When was the last time you guys were together?”
    I thought about my answer before saying, “We officially broke up shortly after we graduated from college. Our relationship during college was rocky. We were long distance the entire time, and with summer internships and studying abroad, we never saw each other for more than a week or two at time.”
    “So when was that?”
    I wasn’t sure why she wanted to know the details, and I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “Um, about three years ago.”
    “So why was she in town? I still don’t get it.”
    “Emma, I really don’t want to talk about the past. I want to talk about us and our relationship.” I wanted her to drop this line of questioning. I wanted her to see me the way she did before Des showed up.
    “Brandon, I need to know. I’m sorry if I’m prying, but please see this from my perspective. I’ve had one of the worst few days of my life after the best night of my life with you. I need to understand why your ex would just show up at your place and tell me she’s your girlfri end. You owe me at least that.”
    I could hear the hurt in her voice, and feelings of guilt and fear washed over me. I wanted to tell her everything, but I was afraid that if I did, she would never look at me the way she used to—like I was the perfect man who could do no wrong, like I was the one for her. I wanted—no, I needed her to look at me that way.
    “Emma, I do want to tell you everything—”
    “So are you saying that you’re not telling me everything?”
    I took a deep breath. How am I going to explain this? “No, that’s not what I was saying. Emma, please understand that I do have a long history with Des. She was there for me when I went through a dark period of my life during high school. Well recently, she was going through some things of her own, and I knew I needed to be there for her. She didn’t have anyone else to turn to.”
    “Oh,” she said quietly and her expression softened. “What dark period of your life? Is she okay?”
    I looked at her with pleading eyes. I wanted this to be a happy lunch for us, not something so heavy. I didn’t want to think about my past, about a time when I was at my lowest. But I knew I had to tell her. If I wanted to keep Emma in my life, I had to fight against my urge to close her out and share my pain with her. I took both her hands and squeezed it. She looked at me with concern and love, and I realized how much I needed her in my life—how much I needed her innocence and love.
    “This was not how I had wanted to tell you about this part of my past. I haven’t shared this with many people. Actually, I haven’t told anyone who didn’t already know because they were in my life during that time.” I paused and looked at her, and the reassuring look in her eyes made me feel more relaxed.
    I took a deep breath before continuing, “ I lost my mom when I was 16.” My heart twisted in pain from saying this out loud, from admitting it had happened. It had been almost 11 years since I’ve lost her, but time had not made it easier. Time had not healed those wounds.
    “ Oh, Brandon. I’m so sorry,” Emma whispered softly and I saw the sadness in her