The rest of the party, until midnight, I had socialized with everyone and danced 
with a few people. I haven't had so much fun in five years. Then when the party 
ended, James walked me out to my car.

I looked at him and could tell that he was tired. "What town do you live in?" I 
asked him as we walked to my car. I opened the door and began warming up the 
car.

"Mahogany Town." He said. I paused.

"That's like three hours of driving. Do you wanna stay at my house or 
something?" I asked, wondering what he'd say. James looked surprised.

"Sure." He said quickly. "Um, I came with Bob, he lives in Mahogany Town, I'll 
tell him that I'm going with you. I'll be right back." And he ran back inside 
the house. I put in a cd which had old school rap (romantic hip-hop) and turned 
the volume a little. James came running out a minute later and hopped into the 
passenger seat of the car.

"That was fun." I said as I pulled out of the driveway and down a long, dark 
highway.

"Yeah. So, like, where do you live?" He agreed.

"Cedar Springs. It's an hour from here." I told him.

We talked for a little while about more stuff that's happened over the years. We 
talked about family, or what we had left of them, events in our own lives and so 
much more.

"Jessie." He said, clearing his throat. I glanced over at him. He looked up at 
me and finally continued. "I've missed you so much. It's been five long years. 
There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't regret leaving you. I love you, I 
always did and I always will." He took my right hand and held it. Tears filled 
my eyes but I held back.

"I love you too, James." I choked.

"I um, knew that you were coming to that party, and that's pretty much why I 
wanted to go. I had to reconcile. Life just hasn't been the same, you know?" I 
nodded.

"I had no idea you were going there." I said stupidly. James nodded too.

"I told Elle and Morty not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Well, it worked." I told him. James nodded.

And so we talked about what has happened over the year as we drove down the dark 
road.

Finally we pulled into my driveway, headed by a nice, two-story home with a 
porch and balcony. Although you couldn't see it, there was a pool and jaccuzi in 
the backyard and a nice view of a large field with an old barn.

"Wow, you have done pretty good for yourself." He exclaimed as I led him up the 
walkway to the porch.

"Thanks. I try." I said, opening the door and turning the light on. As we walked 
into the house we were in the living room, a couch, loveseat and a one-person 
couch. There was a large tv and stereo, coffeetable, fireplace and bookshelf. 
And in a corner, a large Christmas Tree stood, decorated with white lights, 
ornaments, and bows. There weren't many presents under the tree, just ones a few 
friends had given me, that I was waiting until opening.

"Okay, I'll give you the grand tour. Here's the living room, obviously. Here's 
the kitchen, bathroom, dining room, stairs, bathroom, my room.." I lead him into 
my room, which had a king sized bed, tv, bureau, closet, mirror, two nightstands 
and a radio. Then there was the office, and second bedroom and third bedroom. 
When we were done, we went downstairs, where I got him some water (he asked for 
it) and we sat down and watched alittle tv with the fireplace going.

We talked after we realized nothing was on the tv, and then we kissed. As his 
lips touched mine I felt like I used to, when we went out before, wonderful. But 
I couldn't help wondering if he was going to leave me again.

That night we slept in my room and after we were just talking about what dreams 
we still had and what life would be like from now on. I was in love, again, but 
would he ever leave me again?