It had been eight years since my fiancé, Daniel, disappeared on our wedding day. I never thought I would see him again, much less as a destitute man living on the streets. I felt a rush of incredulity hit me when our eyes met. I was left doubting my understanding of my past and the individuals I had once trusted after his sudden visit and startling explanation. “Hey, Nina, will you please have one more slice of pizza before you leave?” my old friend Eric asked with a cheeky smile. I laughed and said, “No way. I have to go to my flight.” Do you still want to stroll across Central Park?
Eric rolled his eyes and waved me off. “Alright, but when you are back in boring old St. Louis, you will regret not getting to try another slice of real New York pizza,” he joked. I hugged him, laughed quietly, and started walking toward Central Park, relishing the remaining bits of this wonderful journey. New York usually gave me a boost of energy, but it also brought back memories, mostly of Daniel. I felt strange and uneasy as memories of him remained in the recesses of my memory.
The weekend had flown by quickly. I lost hours browsing the SoHo boutiques, splurging on opulent clothing and unusual accessories. I could still smell the luxurious leather of the expensive purses. The highlight of the day was an amazing avocado toast I had at a fashionable café. Eating supper with Eric at a chic rooftop bar while taking in the city’s spectacular skyline was the ideal way to round off the day. I was totally engrossed in the sights, sounds, and tastes of New York, capturing its bright vitality.
I believed that eight years ago, on that tragic day, I had moved on. But then I noticed him. There he was, looking disheveled and sitting on a seat, pleading like a ghost from the past. My heart broke. My long-lost fiancé Jacob, is he really there? I have to be conscious of this. “Jacob?” I proceeded with caution. His eyes widened with recognition as he looked up. “Nina? Whoa, it’s you again.” “Yeah, it’s me,” I answered, attempting to maintain my composure. “What happened to you?” His eyes fell, humiliation on his face. “The tale is lengthy. Is it possible for us to speak?”
After a moment of hesitation, I nodded as my curiosity overcame me. “All right. Let’s grab a bite to eat. With every step we took towards a local café, our uneasy silence grew. I looked at Jacob, who appeared to be deep in contemplation, and placed an order for two coffees and two burgers. I gave him his cup and felt a flash of memory go through me as our fingers briefly touched. Stepping back into the park, we discovered a bench beneath a massive oak tree and took a seat, with the city erupting all around us. Begin at the beginning,” I remarked while sipping my coffee.