When Two Hearts Collide (COMPLETED ✔️)

10.💛

  When she was well enough to walk again, Raymond took Stacey on a road trip to two states, between Virginia and West Virginia. She was now in two places at once, after seeing the most magnificent solar eclipse, and getting a tattoo, on her arm. 

   However, she wanted to read all of the Bibles and make a medical discovery, help the Red Cross for extra credit, and join a band.

    "Well, my cousin has this band, The Rogues, where you can join as lead singer for one night, as their lead singer is sick with the flu, and she would just adore it if you would join." Raymond explained, taking her hand.

   "Thank you." Stacey said,  a little weakly. She was dying, and she needed to have her life back in order just in time before the year was up.

   "No problem. You're the best thing that ever happened to me." Raymond said, with a  smile. With a little laugh, Stacey and Raymond began to dance under the stars and the moonlight, as the night went on. It was still young, with a cricket choir in the background to the sound of Raymond's heartbeat.

     Under the harvest moon, they finally kissed and Raymond and Stacey watched the end of the year fireworks from that area as he laughed and danced to their heartbeats.

  "This is the best night ever, thank you so much, Raymond." Stacey said, smiling. It was the first time she had smiled for a while. 

   "Nice tattoo." Raymond said, admiring it on her shoulder. It was washable of course. 

    "Just a little something to remind me of you." Stacey said, with a little smile. 

"Did you really break up with Brenda?'' Stacey added.

 "Yeah, she wasn't worth my time. Not like you." Raymond said.

 "Here's a little cider." Raymond opened it up and they drank from two plastic cups.

 "So, what college are you applying to?'' Raymond asked.

 "I'm not applying to college." Stacey said, frowning.

  "My asthma is terminal, Raymond." Stacey added.

  "I know, I know, it's just that you may...I mean, you might make it to next year, right?'' Raymond stuttered.

 "Why?'' Stacey said gently. "I'm not responding to treatment anymore." Stacey said, sadly.

    "I know, Stacey, it's just that you may be able to go to college..." Raymond stammered, trying not to cry. 

   "Oh, Raymond, don't worry. I've been told to live my life the best that I can." Stacey said, opening up her Bible.

 "Is that the King James version?'' Raymond replied, changing the subject.

  "Yeah, however, I want to read all the versions of the Bible. The Revised Standard Version, The King James version, and from the different perspective viewpoints of all the prophets."Stacey added. 

  "I want to finish my bucket list." Stacey said, with a laugh. 

 "You will. I'll make sure of that." Raymond said, smiling back at her.

   "Thanks, Raymond." Stacey said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

   "Once the fireworks are done, let's go to my place. My mom makes a mean good hamburger." Raymond explained. 

 "Yes, that would be awesome. With extra fries?'' Stacey said, laughing.

  "Whatever you'd like." Raymond said. "We even have ketchup too if you'd like." Raymond joked. 

Stacey just laughed, having a real good time like she hadn't had in years.

 "Come on, let's go," Raymond said ,as the rain started coming down, like rain on a roof. Between the windshield wipers, she could barely see the stars. "You know, I've been meaning to see a meteor shower or a conjunction of two planets for some time now." Stacey said. 

 "Now you have a telescope that you got for your birthday. Use it well, grasshopper." Raymond joked again.

  Stacey burst out laughing, again.

   "Well, I've had my memory recollected for quite some time now.. and I just want to be someone other than that sick, young girl in bed all the time." Stacey explained seriously. 

"You are, Stacey. You're the religious, faithful, beautiful woman that I've had my eye on for a while."

   Stacey smiled at the ground again and said. "Really?''

  "Really." Raymond took her hand and they drove off into the misty night...