Hidden Truth

The package was shoved into my mailbox. I almost needed a crowbar to get it out. It was a plain-manilla envelope with nothing on it but Tayla Reynolds in big black letters. No return address.

Ok, then. Upon opening, a moleskin little black book slid out. Very cool. I opened the cover and on the very first page was what appeared to be a poem.

'There is a place where you can hear the ocean roaring in your ears. Go to this place that you hold so dear. There is $20,000 that would be acquired, if you do what is desired. The sixth at noon you shall appear and the answer will become clear.'

That was it? I flipped through the book and there was no other writing to be found. What the hell did this mean? Was it meant for me? As I turned the book over and over, I thought I saw some writing on the very back page. There was one sentence. Yes, this is for you, Tayla Reynolds. Okay, that was just creepy. It was as if someone was reading my mind. Ok, once again, what the hell was going on, I turned back to the poem, a very bad poem. The thing that really stumped me was the $20,000 comment. What was that? It would be nice if I actually acquired $20,000 doing what they desired. I knew I would do as the poem asked. I had to, who could resist. I just hoped I didn't regret it.

I stood on the pier looking out over the ocean. The memories were bittersweet. The last time I was here was with my best friend, Gayle. The one I thought would always have my back. I was wrong. The hurt and anger was about to consume me again, I could not let that happen. I shook it off and buried those memories in a locked channber never to be opened. The place I needed to be, according to the poem, was where I actually held dear. It was underneath the pier.

I stood there listening to the ocean. It was calming and soothing. How could I have forgotten how that sound made me feel. A voice penetrated my serenity.

"Wow, is that really you?"

No! I turned and there she stood, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was led here."

The memories swept over me like a typhoon. Ryan...I was completely and absolutely in love with him. I thought he was the one, my soul mate. We were going to live in a beautiful house with the white-picket fence and 2.5 kids. Live happily ever after. Until that day. I walked upon my Ryan and my best friend in an intimate embrace. I wasn't proud of the scene I made. I screamed, cried, threw things. Ryan, acted as if nothing happened and didn't understand why I was so upset. That should have clued me in. Gayle never said a word. I didn't speak to either one again.

Her words finally penetrated, "What do you mean you were led here?"

"$20,000" We said in unison. I couldn't help but smile.

"But, why? Why would someone do this?"

"The note said all would be clear. There has to be something more." Gayle was right. There had to be something. I started looking around the pier. Gayle following suit.

"I think I've got something," Gayle reached up and pulled a note that had been taped underneath the pier. In big black letters, the words Gayle and Tayla were written on the paper.

Another poem:

'Now, that you're together, the two of you shall appear at the 16th Lounge where you will sit, listen and hear.'

Gayle rolled her eyes, "Okee, dokee, then." Without another word, she grabbed my arm and started pulling me down the street.

"It's good to see you, Tayla."

I made no comment. I just wanted to get whatever the hell this was over with.

We entered the 16th lounge. I sat down at the nearest table and waited. What I was waiting for, I didn't have a clue.

I heard before I saw. I would never forget that voice. Someone was clearly making me earn that $20,000 by putting me through hell. I started to get up and walk out the door. Gayle reached her hand out and stopped me.

"Tayla, you need to go say something to him."

"Are you crazy? Why would I do that?"

"Closure" Was all Gayle said. And she was right. It took every shred of courage I had to walk over to him. Damn, he was just as good-looking.

"Hi, Ryan."

The look on his face spoke volumes. I stumbled back and would have fallen if Gayle hadn't been there. "I've got you."

Tears blurred my eyesight as I stumpled to the door. I had to get out of here. Gayle caught me as I raced out the door. By this time, I was sobbing uncontrollably. In between my sobbing, I heard Gayle saying over and over, "I'm so sorry."

"Gayle, he didn't even know who I was. He had been my world. I was a stranger to him."

"I know, sweetie."

Everything started to become crystal clear. I had been a fool.

"Uncle Rubert" Gayle exclaimed.

"Well, there you two are finally together. I knew it would work. " Gayle's Uncle Rupert replied as he walked up to them. At our expected look. He continued, "Because of someone being hard headed and stubborn. I had to find a way to get the two of you together. Because clearly you were both very unhappy not being around each other. So, lucky enough, I have a long-lost cousin who inheritied me a little bit of money. I don't need it and you both do. So, hence, I came up with a plan. And obvicely it worked. You see, Tayla, that Ryan was nothing what you thought he was. Gayle knew that, but you saw him through rose-colored glasses and he could do no wrong, Gayle knew that she would probably lose you, but she chanced it so you wouldn't get stuck with someone like him who would have broken you. So she staged it so you would catch him and her.

Look, long story short. You two have a once in a lifetime friendship. Someone who would be there no matter what. Through your entire lives, no matter what happens, you know there will always be someone in your corner. I recognize this bond every time I saw you together. I know because I had that bond also with your uncle, Tayla.

My world had become complete. I had my best friend back and I was $20,000 richer.