The Destiny Tree
Shelley sat in the shade of a willow tree at the edge of a grassy field and watched the man approach. A man she had not seen in twelve years. As he approached, Shelley asked, "How did you know I would be here?"
Adrian replied, "I just knew."
“You remembered the tree; after all these years,” Shelley said as she lifted herself from the grass. She straightened her knee-length black dress, and her eyes glanced over the man standing in front of her. Adrian stood five feet away, wearing his dress Air Force uniform, which accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular build. His blonde hair was cropped short. He exuded strength and confidence. Except for the piercing blue eyes and sensuous smile, he was no longer the eighteen-year-old teenager she remembered. "It's sad it took a funeral to bring us together again. I am so sorry about your dad. He always made me laugh."
"Dad thought of you as a daughter,” Adrian said, trying to stifle a laugh without success, “You did spend a lot of time at our house.”
“Those were fun times. Too bad we had to grow up and become responsible adults. What drew you back to the tree?" Shelley asked.
"I saw you in church. There was such sadness in your eyes, but when you caught me looking your way, you smiled. Your smile hasn't changed. It’s the same smile you had every time we met here under the tree. I have so many memories, and I’m sure you do too. That’s why I had a gut feeling you would be here.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“Do you remember the first time I saw you?” Adrian asked, “You were sitting under this tree; my tree. We were nine years old, and you had just moved to town. I was so angry you had invaded my private sanctuary."
Shelley laughed as she remembered that day, "You ran straight toward me, shouting and waving your arms. I was so scared, I scampered up the tree. You stood at the bottom of the tree trunk, bobbing your head, trying to see me through the leaves. You ordered me to get down and leave. The tree belonged to you."
“Did I ever tell you what I was thinking while yelling at you?”
“I don’t remember you telling me.”
Adrian grinned, “I thought any girl who could climb a willow tree that fast was someone I knew would be a friend forever.”
“We were inseparable. We played together, went to the movies, and rode our bikes all around town. I'm sure people who didn't know us thought we were brother and sister. Then we became teenagers.” Shelley paused, “Do you remember our first kiss? How old were we?"
“Fifteen,” Adrian said, “being here brings back the anxiety of that moment.”
“I never thought you would get up the nerve,” Shelley giggled, feeling like a teenager again.
“It’s where I asked you to the senior prom three years later. I remember the twinkle in your blue eyes when you said yes. You wore a light blue gown that flowed from your neck to your feet, and a white shawl that gently hung over your shoulders. You were the most glamorous girl at the prom.”
Shelley recalled that evening. It was magical. She was reluctant to broach a different subject, but she had to clear the air. Her tone turned somber. “Not every moment under the tree was joyful. Remember the last time we stood under the tree, the evening before you left for the Air Force Academy. I knew the day was coming for years. You dreamed of flying jets since sixth grade, and, if I remember correctly, we were high school freshmen when you said, ‘I’m going to the Air Force Academy.' I wasn't surprised, but the reality of you leaving and knowing we were beginning separate lives hit me hard that night. While I was with you, I tried to keep my composure. I knew you were pursuing your dream, but after we parted, I went home and cried in bed most of the night. My Mom came to my bedroom twice that evening to console me. Somehow, I allowed my sadness to turn to anger. I hated you for deserting me. For running off and beginning a new life without me. I didn't want you to leave.”
“I'm so sorry. I knew it would be hard. That night, my emotions pushed me in multiple directions. Leaving Atlanta. Leaving You. Flying off to what I knew would be the worst summer of my life. Why didn’t you see me off at the airport?”
“I couldn’t face seeing you again. If I saw you off, I didn’t know if I would burst into tears or beat your chest. I didn’t want to take the chance my anger would ruin what seemed like a lifetime friendship.”
“That’s why I didn’t get any letters?”
"I wrote a waste basket full of letters. You told me how tough the first year would be, and I didn't want to make it worse. I know now I had no right to be angry. After all, in the fall I’d be at Emery beginning my journey toward a law degree, but I wasn’t thinking logically.”
Shelley saw Adrian’s face droop.
Adrian whispered, “I’m sorry. I planned to write to you. I wrote a letter to my Mom and Dad during my first week of basic training. When I gave it to an upperclassman to mail, he yelled at me for five minutes about how I spent my time. There were more important things I needed to do, like polishing my boots, cleaning my rifle, and memorizing the chain of command. After that, I didn’t dare write another letter.” Adrian paused, "Halfway through my first year, my mom told me you were dating someone at school. I don’t think she meant to. It just slipped out. It was hard, and it took me time to accept that not only our career goals, but also our personal lives were heading in different directions."
“It was only a couple of dates. He was a jerk. Is that why you didn’t call me over Christmas Break?”
“Yes,” Adrian confessed, “I was afraid you would tell me you were busy and had other plans. Hard to believe an Air Force cadet could be a coward.”
There was an awkward silence. Shelley stared at the ground. This wasn't the reunion she envisioned. She regretted bringing up past wounds.
Shelley broke the stillness, "I don't see a ring. Do you have anyone special in your life?"
"No. I've been married to my career. I was married to my fighter jet. After all, it had my name on it,” Adrian laughed. “Besides, I was never in one place long enough to meet anyone. I don't see a ring on your finger either."
"Some dates here and there; nothing serious," Shelley said, stopping short of saying not one of them measured up to him. "I’ve been busy with work too."
"I want to show you something," Adrian said, pulling a tattered, faded picture from his wallet. "I still have your high school photo. I took it everywhere I went. I pulled it out and kissed it before all my exams at the Academy, and after graduation, I kissed it before all my flights.”
“You still have my picture!” Shelley exclaimed, “I have yours in a box at my condo. I confess, I took it out more than a few times, wondering where you were and what you were doing.”
“I did whatever the Air Force told me to do—mostly flying my F-16 jet or teaching other pilots how to fly the aircraft. Unfortunately, I started having blurry eyes. The doctor diagnosed a nerve disorder as the cause. He grounded me. My days as a fighter pilot were over. The Air Force was nice enough to allow me to continue wearing my wings on my uniform, but I would never fly again.” Adrian said, then changed the subject, “How is your legal career going?”
"Good, if long hours and over-demanding corporate clients can be considered good. Two months ago, I decided it was time to leave the ivory tower in downtown Atlanta. A colleague approached me about forming a partnership focused on family law. We haven't finished all the paperwork, but I'll be leaving downtown for the burbs.” Shelley paused and said, “I’m sorry you can’t fly anymore. That was always your dream. Where are you stationed now?"
"I'm teaching aeronautical engineering at the Academy. Been teaching for two years, and I love it.” Adrian paused, "Then I heard rumors about a new assignment. I was tired of constantly moving, so I scheduled a meeting with the Academy Superintendent to discuss resigning from the Air Force. I had enough years in. He offered an alternative. At the end of this academic year, I will be packing and moving to Atlanta."
Shelley’s eyes went wide. She hoped Adrian hadn’t noticed. She didn’t want him to think she was overeager to have him back in town.
“I will command the Air Force ROTC program at Georgia Tech for the next three years and teach an entry-level class in Aeronautical Engineering. After three years, I will be resigning my commission from the Air Force and staying on as an associate professor.
“You’re coming home. I can't believe it!" Shelley's heart skipped two beats.
“So, I was wondering, can you help me find an apartment close to campus?”
“Are you kidding. I’d love to.”
“I have until Saturday to find an apartment and sign a lease. I need to fly back to the Academy on Sunday. I have a class to teach on Monday morning.”
"It will be great to have you back in Atlanta again. We can start your search tomorrow,” Shelley said, "I know some lovely places near Georgia Tech.”
Adrian smiled, then asked, “Shelley, do you know what the willow tree symbolizes? It symbolizes inspiration, healing, and love. I know a lot has happened over the past twelve years. You and I have grown and pursued successful careers, our dream careers. I was hoping to start fresh. Have dinner with me tonight."
Shelley took his hand, kissed him on the cheek, and said, "I'd love to.”
Shelley, excited as a teenager just asked to the prom, looked into Adrian’s eyes, and welcomed his kiss.
After 12 years, nothing had changed. Not in any way that mattered, at least. We were destined to remain soulmates forever.
Lawrence Fronk
Larry started writing after retiring from a 36-year career in public service. After taking a creative writing course at the University of Cincinnati – Clermont, he was motivated to join a writing group at the local library. The group’s encouragement inspired Larry to submit his short story, Bad Soldiers, to literary magazines for publication. Larry’s stories speak to human suffering, grief, and love lost and found. His work can be found in the Writing Disorder, Indiana Voice Journal, and Ariel Chart (His Irresistible Smile, published January 2021).