The outdoor concert was packed with people. Despite there being no walls to contain the crowd it was so many people deep and wide it felt like claustrophobic.  I moved the back to take a break.

Where are you? The text from an ex read.

I decided to ignore it. I liked the shift in the tide.  I had chased him for so long.  Suddenly after no contact for years he was pursuing me.  I couldn’t decide how I felt about him, someone I was once so in love with.  I really didn’t think I felt the same on one hand but on the other I didn’t want to put myself in the position I was in before.  What if I gave him another chance and he left me brokenhearted again?

My phone sprang to life as it vibrated on silent.  I was surprised to see his name on the screen. What if I didn’t answer it and I missed an opportunity? He wasn’t the phone type so I wondered if what he had to say was important.

I slid my finger across my phone to answer it, “Hey,” I said just as the band began to play. It was so loud I couldn’t hear anything he said.  I hung up.

I’m sorry I can’t get to a place that’s quiet right now. I can’t hear you at all. I typed.

Well that’s awful convenient. He wrote back. I felt for him on some level but a part of me got a satisfaction out of the exchange.  How many times in the past had he done something similar to me?

I stood there feeling uneasy after. I debated leaving the show to call him back.  The wind started to change direction and a cold breeze blew over the crowd. Reaching for my sweatshirt I barely got it on before the skies opened up and rain started pouring down.

I tried to make my way off to the side where the masses were crowding under a small half room near the restrooms.  Sideways rain flew in.  Maybe this was a metaphor?  You can’t escape the storm.

My stomach was forming knots.  Could one decision like answering the phone or not answering the phone really change the outcome of a situation?  Or on some level were events in your life predestined?  Sooner or later whatever was meant to be would be-no matter what.

I noticed the infinity tattoo on his triceps first as he held a coat over her head.  She reached up to kiss him when I noticed a matching tattoo on her triceps.  Infinity symbols had always been one of my favorites.  I found it comforting to think that something could go on without end.

“I like your tattoo,” I said pointing to her arm.

“Oh, thank you! They go together,” She said holding their arms at the same height.

“It’s always been a favorite symbol of mine,” I said with a smile starting to feel a little better as the rain quieted to a sprinkle.

“We got them when we got married.  We were together before but then we both married other people and got divorced. I moved after my divorce and one day I walked in the gym and he was there,” she said affectionately squeezing her husband’s arm.

My throat burned as tears filled my eyes. “I love that story,” I said turning away wondering if that somehow answered my question of fate versus choice.

Maybe decisions you make will affect your outcome, but not forever.  Not permanently.  If something was really meant to be it found its way no matter the space and time in between.