At fourteen, I was far too young for my mom's twenty-one year old server. Jake and I knew this, and agreed friends was all that we were allowed to be for the time. The friendship would end though, and we would lose touch.
Why did it end? Scribbling my name with his last name on my notebook was cute, until mom found out. Just like that, my mom left her job to go to a new company, and deleted his number from my phone and told him not to call or text me again.
Sadly, Jake knew he had no choice but to listen. He couldn't throw his life away for me, and I wouldn't have let him. I won't lie, it hurt, a lot. I never forgot him, and those feelings never left me. I just had to see him again one day, hopefully I would get a chance one day. I did understand that with seven years between us that when I did turn eighteen there was a chance he'd be married and had kids already, but I had to stay positive.
Fast-forward eight years.
Craving salt and vinegar chips, I got in my car and drove to Walmart. This was strange since I generally didn't eat chips, and if I craved them, I would not indulge in it, but after a long day in a backroom processing a truck order, I decided I had earned it. I walked down the chip aisle and saw the Frito-lay guy stocking the company shelves.
He looked familiar, and I took a double look. He saw me and asked, "Ali?"
Not a doubt in my mind, it was Jake! Even before I realized, it was him, I thought he was cute. My feelings never faded. We stood there five minutes playing catch up. I looked down and told him I had to go. As I turned to walk away, he called after me, "Hey, are you seeing anyone? If not can I take you out to do more catching up. Maybe..." he paused a moment before continuing, "Maybe, we can see if the feelings from before still exist?"
I spun around, feeling like a truck had just hit me. I wasted no time saying, "I'm single. I'd like to go catch up, but I must warn you, the last guy I dated did a number on me, and because of him I have bad trust issues in men."
"I understand, I can respect your pace. I am still the same gentleman I was back then. You will find I will protect you, you won't be hurt. I promise." We exchanged numbers, and agreed to meet at the local bar that night.
I went home and I told my mom that I was going out that night. My mom shot the, 'Really? Someone convinced you to go out with them?' look, and said, "About time, it's been three years since you dated. Do I know this guy?"
I lit up with a huge smile on my face. I wasn't sure how she would react, after all, she's the one who prevented Jake and me from talking all these years. I took a deep breath in, and exhaled, "You do. It's Jake Mullins."
I stood there, bracing for her comeback. I was fully expecting her to tell me that if I go on this date, I wasn't welcomed back. She was surpringly willing to allow me to go. All she had to say was, "I kept you apart because I didn't want him to ruin his life. Have fun, tell him I said hi."
I did my hair and make up, and headed out the door. I arrived at the bar just after eight, and scanned the room. Sitting in the corner was Jake, and an empty seat. I walked over and playfully asked, "Is this seat taken?"
He smiled, getting up and holding the chair for me he said, "It is now."
Jake and I ordered a round of drinks, and talked. We had so much to talk about, from hunting, to family, to a range of other topics. My heart was full, and I'm pretty sure it was skipping every few beats.
Throughout the night, I couldn't stop smiling. I just couldn't believe after all these years, this was my reality. The night was winding down, but I didn't want to leave. Something was pulling me to him.
The bartender called last call, and Jake and I walked out the door. He walked me to my car, and leaned into kiss me. 'Oh my God! I have to be in heaven right now.' All I was thinking was, this could very well be my last first kiss, and it was amazing.
Jake ended the kiss, and tried to apologize. I shrugged it off, telling him that I enjoyed it. Kissing him again. Jake pulled away, saying, "Let's go back to my place, okay?"
I thought a moment, eventually agreeing to go back to his place. I said, "I'll follow you." He agreed and led the way back to his parents' place. We parked our cars and exited.
"I didn't know you still lived at home. I'm dishing on it, just saying I didn't know. Please tell me Justin moved out so you at least have your own room. After all, we don't need an audience tonight."
He laughed, "No worries, Justin got married and moved out."
I was wrapped in his arms. The crisp cool autumn air surrounded us. I shook my head in disbelief, I said, "Wow, I knew it had been eight years, but I didn't realize so much could happen in eight years."
He kissed my forehead, reassuring me he understood just how I felt.