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marriage to Samuel was not an easy one to be in. We seemed to keep it going for appearance sakes and for our daughter, but Nana knew I wanted out. With Riley going off to school, this was my time to leave once and for all. I did try once, a long time ago, but he convinced me to stay, and he would be better. It was okay for a while, and then he left me alone again while he focused on his work. This had been our life for many years now, and I was just playing my part.
    “Nana, I have to go now, but I promise to call you soon.”
    “Reese, may I say something first?”
    “As if I could stop you.” I smiled as I listened.
    “Reese, I hope you know I would never encourage one to divorce and abandon their marriage, but you know this marriage has not brought you the happiness that you should have had with…” She stopped before mentioning his name.
    “Nana, what are you trying to say?”
    “Oh hell! I’m trying to say that you need to find what makes you happy. A husband can’t just make a guest appearance once in a while. He needs to be in it—all in it—forever. If you know deep down in your heart that Samuel is not that man, then you need to stiffen that backbone of yours and finally set yourself free.”
    I knew the hidden message Nana was trying to get me to understand, but she never mentioned his name. My true love who I had been separated from all of these years.
    “I love you, Nana, so very much. I promise to see you soon.”
    “I love you too, my sweet granddaughter.”
    Our call ended, but my sadness remained. She was the only one who could see right through me, and yet I kept her and Granddaddy in the dark all of these years, never explaining why I left Walker. What would be the point after all of those years anyway? They were happily retired and enjoying their golden years together. Thank god they were both in good health. We still owned Mitchell’s Café and Book Depot. Of course it was run by a younger staff that could handle the day to day operations, but Nana still liked to make her presence known. She also still baked her famous apple pies that the town loved. I sacrificed my own happiness for the two people who never let me down, and they still have what I fought for them to keep. Somehow knowing that made the bitter pill of my past a little easier to swallow.
    I was hopeful that the trip to New York would ultimately change my life. I’d been in contact with Marsha, my agent back in New York when I modeled and signed on with Elite. She was still in the game but on a smaller scale. Her daughter and son ran her office, while she travelled and kept her feet wet in the fashion scene. She was one of many friends from my past who I just simply walked away from when I said goodbye to my old life.
    What the hell what I was thinking back then? And Freddy…my poor Freddy. He must have hated me for abandoning our friendship the way I did. Our last goodbye was in the hospital after I miscarried my baby. I promised I would stay in touch, but I broke that promise and never looked back. Marsha once told me how heartbroken Freddy was with the loss of what we had personally and professionally. While I was encouraged by Samuel to leave it all behind, including my modeling work, Freddy was one of the wounded I had hurt. I convinced myself that leaving Walker to save my family was the right thing to do, but I never had to leave my friends. But I did. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make, and I regretted losing touch with everyone after all of these years.
    The trip to New York could possibly reunite me with my best friend. Marsha had phoned me a few weeks back and told me that Freddy was doing a fundraiser fashion show in Central Park. I was beyond excited when I heard the news. Central Park held many amazing memories for me and Freddy. It was our favorite place, but also I would never forget my handsome stranger at the base of the catwalk as I walked toward him. My memory took me back to my first