Decisions

482 days. That’s how long it had been since Megan Mulvaney met Jared Rushworth. That day was still vivid in her mind. It was nearing the summer of their sophomore year at JMU. Megan was having the day from hell. She was sure that she had just failed her calc class, was late for work, and had managed to lock herself out of her own car at the gas station. Sadly this wasn’t the first time this had ever happened to her. She leaned against the front door window of her Toyota Camry banging her head lightly against the glass and staring at her keys and cell phone lying a mere 2 feet away on the front seat when she felt a hand tap her shoulder.

“Um hey are you alright?” asked a voice behind her.

Megan stared with big doe eyes at the tall, tan, blue eyed guy before her and stuttered over her words as she tried to explain her predicament. He’d lent her his cell to call the local cops to break into her car and then written her number on his forearm. 4 dinner dates, 2 movies, and one bowling night later they became an official couple and had been inseparable ever since.

4 days. That’s how long it had been since Jared got the call. Since Megan had watched that amazing smile that was ever present on his face change to an expression of pain and anguish. Since she had watched the phone fall from his hand as he crumpled to the ground before her. Mrs. Rushworth was like a second mother to Megan and her funeral was the most difficult experience of Megan’s life thus far. She watched the tears streak down Jared’s face as he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “ I don’t think I could ever make it through this without you.” Megan squeezed his hand gently.

She held the phone to her ear and listened to the third ring. “Hello Parker and Wright Graphic Design,” echoed the secretary on the other end of the line. Her dream job, all the way across the country in L.A. “Hi this is Megan Mulvaney calling regarding the job I was offered for next spring. I really appreciate the offer but due to personal issues at home I’m not going to be able to take it.” She hung up the phone and dropped her head to her hands on the kitchen counter. She knew she had done the right thing. He needed her here. So why was she on the verge tears?