Chapter II

I loved Easthaven. It was my ideal home. A small, relaxed beach town full of kind, suntanned people and the smell of sunscreen. How could you ask for anything more?  I breathed in the fresh ocean air as I walked through Sunset Palm Park, one of my favorite places to go when I wanted to get my fill of nature. It was a decent sized park complete with a picnic area and a nature trail through the seaside brush. My favorite spot was a bench on the trail where I could see the ocean through the trees. Sometimes I would sit there for hours just praying and thinking. It seemed nature was always there to refresh my spirit when I needed to get away. I could easily see and feel God in it. Nature made me think often about the vast and ineffable creativity of God. He didn’t have to make millions and millions of types of plants and animals, but he did. He didn’t have to give us an eye for beauty and art nature, but he did. He didn’t have to give us a sense of smell, but he did. Why? Maybe He wants to give us joy and beauty because of His immense love for us. Maybe he wants us to get a microscopic glimpse into his incomprehensible nature- full of beauty, love, and mystery. Maybe He wanted nature to be a metaphor somehow.  

Buzz buzz. My phone interrupted my thoughts. I slipped it out of my pocket.

Landon King: I can’t wait until tonight! Pick you up at 6?

“Yep! I can’t wait either!” I texted back. I wasn’t really in the mood to be excited but thankfully texting made it easy to seem like I was. My phone bringing me back into reality, I decided to head back home and relax. It was a long day of therapy sessions and it was Thursday, which meant I led a music therapy group with the homeless population around the area. I loved it but it sure was draining work. Buzz buzz. I picked up my phone again.

Landon King: I have a surprise for you tonight. You will die of happiness. ;)

I furrowed my brows and started at my phone, straining my mind to think of anything my surprise could possibly be. “He wouldn’t ask me to marry him… no way. It’s only been a year… wait… a whole year?? Maybe he will ask me… oh, no. No, no, no. I am not ready for this not at all.” I suddenly went from confusion to complete terror. I was not ready to get married. My thoughts continued to race as I walked back through town towards my apartment. My mind immediately went to my sister Lavonne, as it does when anything at all happens to me. I shot her a text.

“Lavonne… Landon said he has a surprise for me tonight and that I will die of happiness. What the heck does that mean??”

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and my thoughts continued to race as I walked. “I love Landon. I love him with all of my heart, but is he the one? The one I want to spend the rest of my life with? That kind of commitment scares me. What if there is someone better out there for me… There I go again with my stupid idealistic self. Nothing well ever be good enough for me will it? I’m just a stupid, no good-” Before my negative thoughts could spiral down the rabbit hole, I arrived at the café. Seeing Jasmine and entering the cozy atmosphere almost immediately calmed my nerves. Oh how quickly my emotions swayed back and forth. How easily the environment effected me.

“Lyla!” Jasmines face lit up and she quickly left her spot behind the counter and began to head towards me. “How was your new patient? How did it go this morning?”

“Oh it was great! Jasmine, I really think this is going to be good for her. Really, I’m so excited.”

“Ah I’m so glad!” She smiled radiantly. Jasmine has always been so supportive. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated it.

“Jasmine. Can we talk about something?”

“Sure,” she stated while sitting down at a nearby table next to a bookshelf full of old used books. I opened up my texts from Landon and handed over my phone to Jasmine. She took the phone and read the messages.

“What? What about it?”

“Jasmine… Do you think he’s going to…”

“Propose?” Jasmines face suddenly lit up.

“Yeah…”

“Oh my goodness! Lyla! That’s so-“

“Shhh! I don’t think I-“ Jasmine noticed my worried expression.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I’m not ready.” I looked down at the table. “I’m not ready for that!”

Jasmines face shifted from excited to serious in a matter of milliseconds. “Why?”

“I just… I’m so confused. What if he’s not the one?”

“Don’t be silly. You guys are perfect for each other! Can’t you see that? You’re absolutely head over heels in love with this guy! It’s been a whole year, and you’re both still absolutely head over heels in love! Come on!” Jasmine placed her hand on my arm as she spoke.

“Yeah, yeah you’re right. I’m just getting cold feet. I do love him… I really do.”

“I know you do.” Jasmine smiled at me. “Why do you think you’re not ready?”

“I think I’m just too idealistic. I’m trying to be more rational.”

“I do not understand you sometimes Lyla,” Jasmine chuckled. I laughed and added “I don’t understand me either.”

“Well, you’re the only one who has the final say, but I really think you guys are perfect. Landon is a wonderful Christian man. I can see God shining through your relationship. Really. You know how you can get caught up in irrational thinking. I’m trying to put you back in your place!”

“I know, thanks. Maybe you’re right.” I smiled at Jasmine.

“Of course I am,” Jasmine laughed. “Tell me how it goes tonight, alright?” Jasmine got up and encouragingly touched my shoulder. “I need to get back to work, but I’m so excited for you!” She left to help out with serving the few customers waiting to order their coffee. Jasmines demeanor was contagious and I began to feel more and more excited about that evening. “Jasmine is right. I’m just making things up in my head.” Buzz Buzz.

Lavonne Porte: Well… It has been a year, Lyla. What do you think??

vvv

            “Riiinnngggg!” The doorbell rang and I put on my last touch of makeup before grabbing my purse and saying goodbye to Jasmine.

“Good luck!” Jasmine said in a sing-songy voice as I walked out the door. “Thanks!” I echoed back. I shut the door, ran down the steps and opened the door. There to greet me was a handsome smiling face.

“Hi sweetheart.” Landon smiled and pecked me on me cheek. “You look beautiful!”

“Thanks! I tried. Just for you.” Landon laughed. He offered his arm. “Shall we?” I smiled at him and took his arm.

“We shall.”

            “This isn’t Nomads!” I looked over to the drivers seat to see Landon’s smirking face as he pulled into a parking spot. “What are you- Aqua? This place is expensive!”

“Okay.” Landon replied, still smirking.

“What are you doing? What’s going on?”

“Nothing! I just wanted to mix it up a little. I can’t take my girlfriend out for a nice meal? Geez!”

“Okay then…” I said questionably. Landon looked over at me and rubbed my back. “You deserve a nice meal every once in a while!”

“Well, if you absolutely insist…” Landon laughed as I grabbed my purse and opened the door. We walked in to a view of a large wall aquarium and a nicely dressed greeter. After being seated and ordering our drinks, I noticed that Landon seemed restless.

“So… what are you going to get?” Landon asked me while scanning the menu. I eyed him for a few seconds before questioning him.

“Landon what is going on? You obviously have something to tell me.”

“I do?” He asked, still staring at the menu. I glared at him and he looked up. “Okay, okay.” Landon put his menu down. “Whatever, I was going to wait but I’m just so excited!” My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed. “Okay so this is real. He really does have something to tell me.” Landon smiled at me excitedly. “I know you’ve been wanting this for a long time… so for the most wonderful, beautiful girl in the world, I am making it happen. He reached into his pocket, obviously unable to contain his excitement. “He’s going to ask me… this is happening… I can’t believe this is happening…”