Short Story: Old Flame
By: Rysa James

“Chris, why didn’t you tell me Taryn was back in town?” Dale Riley asked his best friend.
“I swear man, I thought you knew. Sorry,” Chris replied.
“I haven’t seen her for the past six and a half years and probably heard from her once or twice during that time, and she decides to show up in Citrus Cove two weeks before my wedding!” Dale said almost hyperventilating.
“Don’t sweat it D, you’ll be fine,” Chris reassured.
Taryn Sommers was Dale’s ex-girlfriend whom he’d never actually gotten over. They had dated towards the ending of high school and all throughout college. She was 5ft 5’’, light skinned with piercing hazel eyes. She was known back in the day for her long black hair but this time around, Taryn looked different. Her hair was in a layered bob and she wore a little more makeup, which made her look even more beautiful.
Dale thought Taryn was the best thing that had happened to him. She was everything he wasn’t. Taryn was vibrant and full of drive. She made him want to do things, set goals for himself and accomplish them. She just complimented him perfectly and when she broke off their relationship to start medical school, Dale was crushed.
He never thought he would have been able to move on, not until he met Samantha Rhodes, daughter of Jim Rhodes, one of the state’s biggest lawyers. She too worked for her dad at his firm, in the city. Samantha was the total opposite of Taryn. She was tall, dark skinned with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Dale knew he found his new love once they got together but he still felt like something was missing.
“Man, I just can’t believe it, she’s really here,” Dale said still bugging out.
“Yo Chris, I went to gym this morning and I took a familiar smell. I was like nah it can’t be. Then the scent of vanilla, jasmine and rose petals filled the air like a great mist. I thought I was dreaming until a voice called out ‘Hi Dale, what’s up? How have you been?’ When I turned around it was Taryn,” said Dale.
“So dude, what did you do?” asked Chris.
“I stood there like a deer caught in the head lights. I was stunned. After I regained my composure, I finally got some words out. “Hey Taryn, didn’t know you were in town. What’ve you been up to? Haven’t seen or heard from you in a while.”
“Well I’ve been here just a few days you know. I’m trying to get settled in, especially with my office and stuff,’ she replied.
“Oh okay. So where’s your office gonna be doc?” Dale asked chuckling.
“It’s actually in the Mecha Building, right across from here,” she answered.
“Wow! I see you mean business,” he said laughing.
Though he smiled throughout the conversation, Dale knew he was going to be in trouble. Taryn looked even more beautiful than he remembered. Her short hair accentuated her round face perfectly. Dale felt his old feeling resurfacing and to think he would be walking down the aisle in two weeks. Would he be able to go through with it knowing his first love was back in town?
As his wedding day grew closer, the harder it was for Dale to get Taryn’s beautiful face out of his mind. Samantha realised something was different about him. Ever since Taryn came back to town, Dale had seemed distant, as if he was pulling himself away from her. Despite that, she still had confidence in their love and she believed they would overcome anything.

****

“Chris my man, that bachelor party was the bomb. I couldn’t ask for a better best man. You did the damn thing dude!” Dale said bumping fist with his best man. He then suddenly got distracted by a lingering scent of vanilla, jasmine and rose petals. Was it really Taryn? It was after eleven and the night before Dale’s wedding.
“Excuse me,” someone said tapping his shoulder. It was Taryn.
“Um...Dale, can I speak to you for a moment please?” Taryn said softly.
“Hey man, handle your biz. We’ll catch up in the hotel room.” Chris said as he left.
“Hey Taryn, what’s up?” Dale asked her.
“Um...I don’t know where to start,” she said as tears filled her eyes.
“What’s wrong Taryn?” Dale asked concerned.
“Dale, I really thought I could handle you getting married but I can’t. I thought about just getting you a present but I didn’t know what to get. I think you should have this,” she said placing and envelope in his hand.
“What’s this?” he asked curious.
“Just promise me you will open it before you go to sleep tonight,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Dale, I’m sorry I didn’t call as often as I should have when I was away but you must know there wasn’t a day that passed that I didn’t think about you. I still love you Dale.” Taryn said as she walked away crying.
Dale felt like he’d gone deaf for a moment. Those words he’d long to hear from Taryn, to know that she still felt that way about him, finally pieced his life puzzle. All this time he felt something had been missing in his life, it had been her. All he had wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss her but she was long gone.
Dale stood outside the hotel as he opened the envelope in his hand. Inside, was a photo of their first college date and ‘ten kisses’ a poem Taryn wrote him years ago with the distinct smell of vanilla, jasmine and rose petals – her Old Flame perfume.

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