Finding Love

By Geoffrey Foose

Can a man truly be happy and meet the woman he is meant to be with? For some meeting “the one” and finding their soulmate may seem to be impossible. Luckily for William Byerly, he was able to experience both. Merely looking for a second chance at love, he received something even greater.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796062649

Geoffrey Foose

Geoffrey Foose is the author of The Leap Forward, TheSkilled Nut House, and Finding Love. Born and raised in Florida, Geoffrey attended the University of Central Florida, where he earned a degree in psychology. His passion for writing developed during his time at the university. Geoffrey has three children: Kasey, Caitlyn, and Cameron, and he currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

W ILL’S FRIEND LARRY looked at him saying, Dude are you okay, you look distracted. Will turned to his friend and said, Do you see her? Larry looked at his friend like he was crazy, Please don’t tell me you want me to look at the fatty who is too scared to dress out. No the blonde standing in the middle of the court with the beautiful smile and please stop, that was mean. Will informed his friend he was going over to introduce himself to the pretty blonde and soon she would be his first girlfriend. Larry said, Good luck with that, she is completely out of your league. Will started walking toward the center of the court thinking to himself, challenge accepted. He absolutely enjoyed proving people wrong.

Will walked up to the cute girl and introduced himself, asking for her name. She immediately said, I’m Tara; I’m new to the area. Tara asked him in a southern accent, What made you come over here to talk to me? I was drawn to your bright and beautiful smile. She laughed and said, So my lips called you over here without even saying a single word. Not knowing what to say next Will just nodded and said, Yes exactly, how did you know? Tara smiled again and said, Come sit by me in health class later so you can be my lab partner. High school physical education was a two-part class, forty minutes apiece for the health class portion, then the gym participation. Will walked back over to Larry and said, Sorry man; you need to find a different lab partner for health class. As Larry shook his head, Dude seriously, you are abandoning me already over a girl? Yes I am, would you say no to a female that pretty? Larry said, Fine I will remember this when you ask for a ride home later. He liked to brag that he had turned sixteen over the summer and now had his driver’s license.

Health class was worse than listening to your parents lecture you on how important it is to fully care for yourself: physically and mentally. The coach taught us the importance of eating right, staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, and the dangers that drugs can have on the human body. Will probably heard every other word as he was focusing his attention on Tara. The coach informed the class that every Friday there would be a quiz because he didn’t have time for any damn tests. He also instructed everyone there would be a group project due each quarter. Tara looked over to Will and said, That makes us partners, so you better help me come up with an excellent idea. Will responded back, Sure if you will see a movie with me Saturday night. Tara smiled back and said, Yes, of course, a movie would be great if you allow me to choose the film. He smiled and said, Sounds good, it’s a date.

Will left class feeling like his first day was a success. He just wished he had more classes with Tara. Will went to go find his friend Larry, but as promised he left Will behind, forcing him to take the bus home. As Will arrived home, he saw his best friend cutting through the neighborhood walking home from school. His friend’s name was Phillip Foreman and the two of them had been friends since grade school. Phillip still went to the same private Christian school Will had attended the year before. His friend’s mom and step-dad made him play football in the fall, wrestle in the winter and run track in the spring. The only sport he enjoyed playing was football, but his step-dad thought it was good self-discipline to be active in sports year around. The only sport he could not go out for was basketball because it interfered with wrestling. Phillip had to go to practice, do his homework, sustain honor roll, and be involved in all church activities. Will said, Let’s go down the street and play the Franklin brothers two on two. Man you know I need to get my ass home right away, I will stop by after school on Friday. Phillip went further down the road yelling back to Will; Hope you had an awesome day. It was weird not having you at school with me; it felt as if my day would never end.

The next day Will was on a mission to learn more about Tara. She came by to say hello to him as he was getting his books from his locker. She told Will how her dad brings her to school in the morning and she takes the bus home every afternoon. A few minutes later she ran off to class telling him to sit with her at lunch. As Will was walking to class, Larry stopped him, Thanks buddy, I got stuck with fatty as my lab partner. Will laughed and said; I know she watches your every move. I think she likes you and wants you for your body. Larry responded, Man don’t be a dick, are we getting pizza this afternoon? Will replied, Not today, my grandfather is picking me up for church tonight. You can come if you like; I think you need some Jesus in your life. Larry said, I can’t tonight, I’m helping my pop work at the shop tonight. You know my Volkswagen Beetle won’t fix itself right. Will questioned him, I don’t know why you like Volkswagens so much. Larry frowned and said, Because they are classic cars, you wouldn’t understand.

During lunch, Tara told Will she had moved to Jacksonville, Florida from Norfolk, Virginia because her father was an officer in the Navy; however they were originally from Nashville, Tennessee. He now knew where she got that amazing southern ascent. She said she preferred living in Tennessee but always tried to make the best of the situation when her father was assigned to a new location. Tara said there were times she felt out of place and really missed living in Nashville. Will leaned over and whispered in her ear, I’m sorry you miss Nashville but if you did not move here then we never would have met. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek saying, Thanks for the sweet words I appreciate it", as she went to her next class. Will got up a few minutes later and thought to himself, not bad for my second day. Now he had to get through Algebra class and then end the day with graphic design, the fun class where students designed cool T-shirts or just sat around playing cards. After school as Will was waiting for his grandfather to pick him up, he wondered what sitcom they would watch when they got to his grandparent’s house. It probably would be the television show the A-team or Matlock unless his grandmother was already watching The Walton’s.

After Will and Logan watched some television and finished their homework, it was time to leave for church. His grandparents did not like to be late for the Wednesday night supper. As Logan and he arrived at church they were curious to see what was on the menu. They usually served spaghetti or country fried steak for dinner. Will went to sit with his grandparents when he noticed Tara a few tables over. Will immediately walked over to say hello and caught her by surprise. She told him her family was visiting different churches. Tara’s mom was very sweet and her dad just looked at Will as he shook my hand. Will informed Tara and her parents that he and his brother attended church with their grandparents on Wednesday nights. Mrs. Barnes said, It is a pleasure to meet you Will as her dad looked at him saying, Likewise William. Mr. Barnes then asked him if he was the one who asked his daughter to the movie on Saturday. He hesitantly said, Yes sir I am. He thought for a minute then said, Okay, you seem to be a nice young man, just be respectful of my daughter. Will said, Yes sir I will, it was a pleasure to meet both of you and Tara, I will see you tomorrow. As Will walked back to his table he felt he had just been integrated and was now on Mr. Barnes’s radar.

The next two days went by extremely fast, not sure if it was because of the excitement of the first week of school or if he was just anxious for the weekend to come. As Will was headed home from school on Friday, he knew Phillip would be stopping by because he didn’t have a game that week. Phillip showed up about half an hour after Will arrived home. As always Phillip asked, What do you have to eat? Will informed his friend there were leftover meatloaf and spaghetti in the fridge. Sounds good; I have two hours until I have to be home. They both went into the house and finished off the leftovers before heading out to challenge the Franklin brothers in a game of two on two. They could not stop Will from shooting his jump shot and were no match for Phillip under the boards. The brothers played a tough game but once again Will and Phillip were victorious. After the game, Will told Phillip about Tara and that he was seeing a movie with her on Saturday. Phillip’s obnoxious response was, Does she have nice breasts, if not just stay home. Will was used to his friend’s inappropriate comments and informed him that Tara was absolutely gorgeous; she was a perfect ten. Phillip just looked at him saying, So you don’t have a chance in hell with this girl. Will shook his head, Why are you like that if you would stop being a dick you could get a date too. Phillip said, Well man good luck tomorrow, I need to head home before my mom sends her husband out looking for me.

CHAPTER 2

T HE DAY OF the big date had finally arrived and Will was beyond nervous. Will’s mom thought he was meeting his friends at the theater to see a movie. He was not one to lie but he didn’t know how his mother would respond if she knew he was meeting a girl at the mall. Will waited for Tara to arrive at the theater before he ordered the tickets so he could ask her what movie she wanted to see. She arrived a few minutes later and suggested they see The Next Karate Kid. He thought it was a great choice as he ordered the tickets. Tara said, she would buy the popcorn since he bought the tickets. He thought it was strange for her to pay, but he knew better than to argue with her. They definitely enjoyed spending time together away from school even though they were watching an unnecessary sequel. They held hands during the movie while she ate most of the popcorn. After the movie was over, he waited outside with her until her father arrived. Will kissed Tara as he walked her to the car. He remembered her dad looking at him as if he was a criminal. Years later, Will learned why fathers were so protective of their daughters, but for now, he thought it best to behave himself.

Will and Tara started seeing a lot of each other. It wasn’t long before Will’s mom realized he had a girlfriend, he wasn’t sure if she overheard Phillip and him talking at church or if his grandparents had told her. Regardless, Joy was a smart woman and Will should have just told his mother about Tara. The two of them enjoyed spending time together at church, going out for pizza, or just going out to sporting events. The following weekend, Tara asked Will if he wanted to go to the beach with her and her family. It was the beginning of October but in Florida, summers could last until the holidays. It was a nice day and Will enjoyed spending time with Tara and her family even though she had an annoying little brother. Tara asked Will if he was having a good time, Of course, I’m at the beach with you, could it get any better. Tara whispered in his ear and said, Well I could be wearing a bikini but my dad is here with us. Will replied back You are right that would top off our day, but you are absolutely gorgeous no matter what you have wear. She kissed him and said, Thank you Will you are incredibly sweet.

The holidays were fast approaching and Will wanted to buy Tara something special for Christmas but needed a good idea. Will also worried about the Christmas banquet at church which was in a few weeks and the church ski trip right before New Year’s. Phillip told Will that he was asking a girl named Rebecca to the banquet. He kept bragging about how big her breasts were and how she wanted him. Phillip was too much at times; Will usually just let his friend talk. He could run his damn mouth for hours if he let him. Will told Phillip numerous times it was not always about a girl’s body, it was about their entire character. Phillip would tell him, You know I still have not met the girl you are dating. Will turned around and said, I know I haven’t introduced you to her because I don’t want you scaring her away. Laughing Phillip said, Don’t you mean you are afraid I will steal her away from you. Will looked at his friend and said, Are you finished being stupid yet? Will was hoping Tara would not break up with him after meeting Phillip. Most people didn’t like him after meeting him for the first time.

The last day before winter break was upon them and the only thing Will could think about was the Christmas banquet which was in a few days. Tara informed Will that her parents would be dropping her off at the church, but wanted to know if he could get there early so her mother could take pictures. Will said, Sure no problem, I’m sure my mom will be taking photos of us as well. She arrived at the church and Tara looked absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a red dress that was off the shoulders with her hair curled and halfway pulled back. Will was wearing a black suit with a red shirt; their parents thought it was adorable that they wore matching colors. After their mothers took a dozen photos, he took Tara by the hand as they went inside to find a table.

They walk into the dining hall and the first person Will saw was his friend Phillip with his date. His other friend Chris Richardson and girlfriend Shelly Jones came over to say hello to them as well. Tara insisted they all sit together because she really wanted to get to know Will’s friends. Chris leaned over to Will and asked him if he knew Phillip’s date. Will replied, I have no idea who she is, this is the first time I have seen her. Chris looked at Will and said, It’s probably best we don’t know where Phillip found his new victim, I mean date. Will told Tara he had known Phillip since grade school and the two of them met Chris during their first year of middle school. They all talked and had a great time together. They served prime rib at the banquet and had live music playing in the background. The three of them all got up to dance with their dates but the chaperones quickly stopped them saying it wasn’t appropriate at the church. Which was a buzz kill but they didn’t let it ruin their evening. At the end of the banquet, Will said goodbye to Chris and Shelly and gave Tara a kiss goodnight. His mom arrived and told him they were taking Phillip home also since it was late and his mother didn’t like to drive after dark. He asked Phillip where Rebecca had gone and he simply said, I don’t know, I guess her dad picked her up; it’s okay she was extremely boring anyway.

Christmas finally arrived and Will gave Tara her present which was an angel charm for her necklace. He had planned to give it to her at church since it would be the last time he would see her until they returned to school in early January. Will would be leaving to go on his ski trip soon and Tara was going home to visit her grandparents for the holiday. It would be