She was on a cruise ship in a cabin hallway. The hall stretched far into the distance with a curve so she couldn’t see the end. Val was rushing along until she realized the cabin doors were unlocked. She stopped and began opening doors. She was looking for something, someone. She wasn’t finding what she wanted and kept opening door after door. She was frustrated and growing worried. How could she find the one she was looking for?

Val opened her eyes. She looked out the window to the trees outside. Her dream had her searching for something, but she never found it. She didn’t know what she was looking for, but she was lost and becoming hopeless. Val frequently had vivid dreams, but lately, they had been more about searching or looking for something. She was sure it was related to her search for answers related to Adam and Jared in her real life.

This was her last week before she left on her trip. The days were speeding by as she wrapped things up before leaving for vacation. Work was busy as John needed reports and Steve needed numbers. She was trying to finish her projects to get things off her plate for Friday. She was a little nervous about the trip but work kept her mostly distracted.

After work, she packed. Val had been collecting the things she needed for the trip, but now she was putting them in order and into her suitcase. After talking to Adam and the people in the ESAG office, Valentina had decided to leave the clothes she bought at the thrift store at the ESAG office in Rwanda at the end of the trip. They could give them to needy people in the community. It would also make her bag a lot lighter on the way back.

She also packed items for children in the communities. The group was scheduled to visit schools and community groups, and Valentina had found some soccer balls to donate. She couldn’t wait to see the kids’ faces when she used the small hand pump to inflate the balls in front of them. She could easily see that the kids she met might be the best part of the whole trip. Kids could be so full of joy, and Val hoped that some would rub off on her.

Wednesday at lunch she got a text from Jared.

Hey. Was thinking about you today, he texted.

Really?

Yes. Want to get a drink tonight? I know it’s short notice, but I thought we might fit it in before you leave on your trip.

I can do tonight. After work at 6?

Sure. Let’s meet at Highline. It’s in Arlington by the mall.

Sounds good. See you then.

Valentina was happy about the texts. She looked forward to seeing Jared again tonight. Between her trip coming up, the workdays flying by, and her packing, this week was a happy difference from last week. She wasn’t moping. She wasn’t crying. Was it because she was closer to seeing Adam again? Or was it because of Jared?

She arrived in Arlington early and decided to wait inside. She

climbed the stairs to the main bar area and picked a small table by a wall of tall windows so she could look out. She scrolled through Facebook on her phone and looked out the window while she waited. Jared arrived right on time, walking confidently through the bar. He saw her right away and came to sit down. She stood up, and they hugged quickly before taking their seats at the little table. They both ordered a beer when the waiter came by.

Jared sat awkwardly while they waited for the waiter to bring their drink order. Once their beers were dropped off on the table, he looked down and began twisting his glass nervously. Val was about to ask him what was going on when he piped up.

“Val, I think we need to talk,” Jared said. “I know this seems sudden, but I’ve been thinking a lot since we met up last Friday.”

“Ok,” said Val warily. This could go any number of ways, she thought. “What do you want to talk about?” She shifted in her seat.

“About us. I don’t think I can be friends with you. Friends talk about work and dating adventures and sports. Well, maybe yours talk about shopping more than sports, but my point is that I don’t want to hear about you dating anyone else. I don’t want to just hear about your life outside of our friendship. I want to be a part of that life. I want to be the one you talk about with the girls at brunch.

“Val, I want you to give us another shot.” He looked into her eyes.

Val sat in silence. She looked down at her beer. Is this something she could do? Did she want to? Was this what she wanted for her life? She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, taking a moment to compose herself.

“Look, I know this is a lot to spring on you, especially as you leave to go on your big trip,” Jared added. “Just tell me that you’ll think about it while you’re gone. Take some time and consider it. I’m not terribly patient, but I can wait for you.” He looked so earnest and honest that her heart softened. She admired his direct ways.

“Jared, I don’t know,” Val said kindly. “I just got dumped by someone I thought was going to turn into a real relationship. I don’t want to rebound. I’m not even sure what I want right now. I’m trying to revive the daring side of my personality. Maybe that means moving to a new country, maybe that means more travel. Even without the drama of my recent relationship, I want to give myself time to figure out myself.”

“I know. I hear you. That’s why I want you to think about it,” he said. “I know that you thought I wasn’t exciting enough for the life you wanted and that’s why we broke up, but I think I understand that a little better now. I don’t dream about adventure and excitement like you do. I don’t need new places and crazy activities. But I do need you. I want to do all those things—with you. I am more than happy to travel, take a class, eat a new food—with you.

He went on saying, “Just because I don’t need those things on my own doesn’t mean that I won’t do all of that and more for you.”

Val was speechless. Jared sounded like he was answering all the questions the girls had brought up at brunch. He was the one to settle down with, but now he was saying that he was also the one to be daring. Could it be true?

It was too much to consider now. She needed time. Time to think and time to figure out what she wanted, from herself and from her life. “I’ll think about it, Jared,” said Val. She forced a little smile.

“I’m sorry to put this on you suddenly before you leave, but this is really important to me. You are important to me,” he said. “Think about it. I hope I hear from you soon.”

He put money on the table, enough to cover the cost of both of their beers, stood up, and left without a backward glance.

Val downed her beer in one last gulp. She was a mess of emotions on the inside. Now she had to figure out her feelings about Adam and about Jared, all while figuring out what she wanted for herself and her future.

Their talk had turned Val’s mood somber. She would now have a serious cloud hanging over her head while in Africa. What would she tell Jared when she returned? How would she feel once she saw Adam again?

Tomorrow was the big day, and Jared’s ultimatum didn’t help her already tangled nerves.