Running Into Love by Katie T.

Jenna’s life has always been predictable. Good things have always happened to her until death crossed her path. She understands things happen for a reason and she has been waiting twenty-eight years now for something to happen. She lives in an apartment in Boston with her seven year old daughter. She moved away after college and is trying to find her new soul mate. Being a 28-year old mother in a big city is hard enough as it is.

Jenna was good at most of the things she has done. She is an editor for Seventeen magazine, and knew most of the hottest celebrities. One thing that always got her through the day was her daughter Sarah. Adam was Sarah’s father. Jenna and Adam were madly in love, however a few years after Sarah was born; he died in a tragic car accident. For a few years now, Jenna has put Adam’s death in her own hands. The death was not her fault, but she has acted as though it was. She has been depressed for a while now, and has been waiting for something good to come her way again.

It has been three years now since his death and Jenna was now ready to get back out on the dating field. Jenna wanted to just go out and find someone to love. Adam was the kind of guy Jenna usually didn’t go for. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing though. Jenna needed to stop thinking about the past and start thinking about herself more. There was only one thing stopping her from dating again and it was her little girl. She didn’t want Sarah to think that she was trying to replace her father. Adam was Sarah’s hero, he played such a big role in her life and now he was gone. Sarah meant the world to Jenna and she didn’t want to do something to hurt her.

***

Jenna got out of work early for personal reasons, and took Sarah with her to Quincy Market. They were walking until they spotted a frozen Lemonade stand.

“Hey Mommy, hey Mommy, look what I found!” Sarah shouted with such delight.

“What is it dear?” Jenna said without paying attention.

“LEMONADE! LEMONADE! I want lemonade! Please mommy?” Sarah begged.

“Oh. Sure babygirl, anything that will make you happy. Now you go wait in line and I will be over in a second.” Jenna said laughing.

They couldn’t believe that so many people wanted this famous lemonade. The line was very long, almost too long. As the man at the stand asked them for the money, Jenna had realized that she had left her bag in the apartment. Sarah was very upset and stated to cry! But with their luck, there was a man behind them, a very handsome man that was willing to buy one for Sarah.

He handed Sarah the drink and said “I know what it feels like to want something really bad and knowing you can never have it.”

Jenna responded and said” Yeah, I know what you mean. Thank you again sir.”

The handsome man smiled and said “It’s Eric.”

Jenna reached out her hand to meet with his, “Jenna”.

***

The day Jenna and Eric met was the best day either of them have had in a very long time.

Ever since the day they met, everywhere they went they kept running into each other. They agreed to go on a date together. So, Jenna hired a babysitter for Sarah, so she could have a night of peace with a very nice guy. Sarah absolutely dispised babysitters and she had a fit. Although Jenna felt bad, there was nothing that was going to get in her way of going out with Eric.

“When will mommy be home? I want my mommy! I want my mommy!” Sarah cried to the babysitter.

“In a little bit babes, now go to bed, it’s getting late.” The babysitter told her.

Sarah had pretended that she had fallen asleep just to make the babysitter go back downstairs. Sarah was up for a few more hours than usual. She was waiting for her mom to get home, until she saw a car pull up the driveway. Sarah noticed that familiar face of the man come out of the car and opens the door for Jenna. They were both smiling as they walked up the steps. Right before Sarah’s eyes they lean into each other and kissed. Sarah couldn’t believe her eyes. She was very upset at her mother. How could she do that to her? This was a true nightmare!

By the time her mother actually got home, Sarah was fast asleep. She sent the babysitter home and went to bed herself. The next morning Sarah gave her mother the silent treatment. Jenna figured that it was because of Eric. She they had a big talked.

“Baby, he’s a really ice guy and he really cares about me. And I really care about him as well.” She explained.

“I can’t believe you would to that to dad! It’s so hard.” Sarah cried.

“Sarah you have to understand dad is gone now. I still love him dearly, but sometimes you have to let go of the things you love. Plus he is in a safer place now. I have to start searching for someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.” She tried gaining her daughters respect, “Sarah, I’m not trying to replace your father. If that’s what you think I’m trying to do. Nobody could ever replace him.”

“I know and it’s just hard for me because it’s hard to let go of the things you love. But I will give Eric a chance I promise. Now let’s go down town.”

***

It was a very special evening, Eric had a surprise for Jenna and Sarah was in on it. They all went out to a fancy dinner together, looking their finest. When the clock struck 11:11, Eric pulled out his chair and got down on one knee. Eric explained to her how much he loved her and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

“…So Jenna Callaway will you do me the honor by marrying me. We will live a great life and our love is everlasting. So will you?”

All Sarah could say was, “I love you so much!” Eric took that as a yes and Sarah was very happy.

***

Sarah was now ten years old living in an apartment in Boston. A new apartment, with her new family, with no problems. This was the first time her life where she truly felt at home. Jenna and Eric got married last year and were expecting a baby. There life was a fantasy. Who knew, if you want something really badly, go for it and you might end up getting what you want.