Chapter Twelve.

The days blended together and another week vanished. 

Lina's anticipation to the end of her stay only grew stronger.

And she was most excited to help when Natalie asked her to help pick up a package at the post office in town.

Going to the town of Benton County was kind of an escape for her, so she gladly agreed to pick up the package. 

Christopher had her old car in her grandmother's garage repaired the previous week, so she went to town in it.

Driving down to town sent her down memory lane. 

She reminisced over the countless times that she had drove to town with her siblings, and Arnold too.

The memory that clung in the air long enough was that of Arnold's. 

She could still recall returning back home with him after spending summer holidays with her grandmother. 

Arnold's country house was in a nearby county.

It was his grandparent's home, so he stayed with them whenever he came to the country side with Lina. 

Their love was naive and it is one of the most beautiful memories Lina has, but it was best for them to go their separate ways. 

Lina has spent years of her life convincing herself that being with Arnold wasn't going to do him any good.

After all, she was wrecked beyond repair back then and she wasn't any better currently. 

'Gosh, why do I keep thinking about this?' She muttered as she parked across the post office. 

'Arnold is better off without me." She said to herself and alighted her car.

Then walked into the post office and informed the postal staff she saw by the counter, that she wanted to pick up a package. 

She was still giving information about the sender and address when someone else walked in.

The postal staff gave her a form to fill, so she could attend to the person who just walked in.

Lina didn't lift her gaze until she heard a voice so familiar. 

Then she turned towards the direction of the new entrant and saw it was Arnold. 

His gaze met hers just before she could look away and he was just as surprised as she was to see him.

'Lina?!' He muttered and moved closer to her.

'Fancy seeing you here.' He added.

'Hello, Arnold.' Lina said to him with a bright smile. 

'Hi.' Arnold replied. 

'Official business?' He asked. 

'No, mom asked me to pick up a package.' Lina replied.

'I'm surprised you're still in town.' Arnold said, after taking a form from the postal staff also.

'I could say the same about you.' Lina replied. 

'I thought you lived in New Jersey now.' She added.

'I did. I got back in town a couple of months ago.' Arnold said. 

Although Lina knew that it was none of her business, she couldn't help but ask. 

'Why?'

'Well, I relocated back here.' 

Lina noticed the hesitation in his tone at first, before he replied and she absolutely loathed the fact that she asked in the first place.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.'

That was something she shouldn't have said also but she didn't want Arnold to think she was prying into his personal life.

'No, it's fine.' Arnold said and reached for his breast pocket to get a pen, since Lina was already using the only one available at the counter. 

As he set his hand back to the form on the counter, Lina noticed the pale white line encircling his ring finger. 

And the absence of the ring sent different thoughts into her head, so she blurted. 

'I heard you married Lori Sean.'

'Or should I say Lori Simmons now?' She added, awkwardly. 

'Yeah.' Arnold replied subtly.

'Why aren't you wearing your wedding band?' Lina blurted again to her own surprise. 

And wished she could take back her words.

Arnold not wearing his ring was definitely not her concern.

So she would totally understand if he decides not to give her a response.

Arnold stared in the air for a moment before he spoke.

'I don't feel I should be wearing the ring anymore, since our divorce was final months ago.' 

'Oh, what happened?' Lina asked out of sheer concern this time, but Arnold shot her a quick glance.

Lina got the impression that she was trespassing.

'Forget it. I'm sorry.' She said and Arnold nodded and returned to his form, which made her dread ever asking even more.

Shortly after, Lina handed her form to the postal staff and she left the counter to fetch Lina's package. 

'I guess we just grew apart.' Arnold muttered and Lina was surprised when he talked about it.

'Anyways, she still lives in New Jersey but I couldn't find my home there, so here I am.' He added.

'I'm sorry.' Lina offered sincerely. 

'It's fine, Lina.' Arnold said. 

'And I'm glad that something good came out of it. I mean I have my son.' He added.

'Son?' Lina blurted, a bit thrown off balance. 

'You have a son?' She asked, trying to sound as polite as possible. 

'Yes.' Arnold replied with pride in his eyes and joy in his heart.

'What's his name?' Lina asked. 

'Frederick. He's 10.' Arnold replied and Lina smiled. 

'I honestly thought you wanted more children, Arnold.' Lina said. 

'I still recall how much you talked about wanting a houseful of sons and daughters.' She added, and her lips curved into a smile.

'Well, Lori didn't want more kids.' Arnold said.

'And with a kid like Freddie, I couldn't have asked for more.' He added. 

'That's beautiful.' Lina said and diverted her gaze to the door the postal staff went through to see if she was coming back.

'And you?' Arnold uttered setting his form aside.

Seemed he was done filling it.

'What have you been up to?' He asked and turned to lean his back on the counter.

'Nothing much. Just work.' Lina replied. 

'I heard you're out there saving the world, though.' He teased and Lina giggled. 

His heart felt a joyous warmth when he heard the sound of her laughter after all these years.

'I'm not saving the world, Arnold.' Lina countered. 

'I only work with an NGO that anyone can be a part of.' She added. 

'But for real, you're doing a commendable work for the girls over there?' Arnold said.

'Thank you.' Lina muttered. 

'I always knew you were going to do great things. Turns out I was not wrong after all.' Arnold said and the sound of pride in his voice made Lina feel special.

The postal staff returned with Lina's package and she signed on an entry book.

'I'd head back to Bentonville now.' Lina said to Arnold. 

'I could drive you back.' Arnold offered.

'I came with my car. Thank you.' Lina said.

'Alright.' Arnold replied. 

'I'd see you around then.' He added.

'See you around.' Lina muttered and headed out of the post office. 

Seeing her again sprang out emotions that Arnold didn't even know existed anymore. 

But he knew better than trying to fall in love again.

A relationship wasn't what he needed right now.