Aperture

Chapter 18

Ronnie

The definition of aperture is an opening ,hole or gap. When I think back to when Bridge called me his aperture at the end of his journey he was completely right. I am the opening at the end of it all and the light at the end of the tunnel. Why then did he tell me to leave?

I sit on the couch for the whole morning while River and Aaron reunite in the other room. I heard them talking and when the obvious noises started I decided I needed to get out. I got dressed and grabbed my bag and camera and left to go for a walk. I stop and get my iced coffee and listen to my music play some songs from the seventies I realized I walked to the park.

I was lost in a sea of brain fog thinking about Bridge and how it didnt work the way I wanted it to. I wanted to walk in and tell him how I felt and he said yes to me too and we were together. I wasn't expecting the rejection. As I get to my spot in the park I lay out my blanket under the red maple tree. I love the red leaves and the way the light shines through them. I lay down and get lost in my thoughts again.

What did River mean when he said Bridge wrote a song last night? That had to have been the quickest song ever written for him. But then again the first one he wrote for me. My favorite song didn't take long either. I hold my camera up and take some photos of the leaves. Then sitting up I feel the pain of not being able to touch him. I take a few photos of people that look interesting in their own beauty.

Closing my eyes I feel the tiredness set in. So I lay back down on my blanket and let the drift of sleep take me.

I feel something hit my leg and I wake up. Looking it was a frisbee and I grab it and throw it back to the owner. Looking at my watch I realize it's been two hours so I decide to pack up and head home. They have to be done by now. At least I hope so. I push my blanket back into the bag and zip it closed. I drink the last bit of my drink and throw it in the trash can that is closest.

I wanted one last scan to see if there are any good photos I can get before I leave. I scan the crowd and see a few. Then I see the stones of the arch. I see a white square and focus my camera. It is Bridge holding a sign. The sign says. Come home!

I take a few photos and drop the camera. I can feel the tears welling up in my ears burning and I sit on the bench. When I open my eyes I see the familiar boots of Bridge Kelly, the love of my life. He kneels down in front of me and takes my hands away from my face.

" Veronica May Sullivan, I have been in love with you since the moment you took my photo on that very same spot. I am still madly in love with you and I need you. I can't live without you. I don't want a life without you in it. Come home. Please come home." he pleads

"Bridge, I was so scared you hated me. I didn't think I would see you again." i tell him

" I couldn't hate you enough to never see you again. If only you knew over these years the times I have seen you without notice. I have been without your love enough. I can't imagine loving another. Please come home. Love me. be with me. Marry me?" he says I wipe my eyes and see a black box with gold letters. He takes it out and opens it. " Now before you panic I say I bought a ring. I didn't say I bought it for her. I bought this ring a few days after you told me you loved me. Before I went on tour. I carried it around everywhere. It's vintage and gold with an emerald in the middle. I remembered how you told me about your mom's ring and how you always loved her emerald. I thought I could give you your emerald."

I can't form my works and capture the words that he is telling me. I just listen to his sexy accent and listen to the words I have been dying to hear for so long.

"Marry me Veronica May Sullivan. Come live in the house I built for us. Help me make babies and raise them there. I don't want that with anyone else.

I reach out and pull him in for a hug and I whisper " What took so long?"