The car crash

chapter 10

"Eighty million dollars is a fortune, Wyatt. Just think of all the possibilities," Jolica exclaimed, as she got ready for bed. I watched as she gracefully slipped into a black, silk nightgown, with delicate spaghetti straps that hugged her curves. She pulled her long, Blonde up into a high ponytail, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she continued her rant.

"And why should we save it all? Don't you want the finer things in life, Wyatt?" Jolica turned to me, her eyes blazing with intensity.

"Private jets, exotic vacations, designer shoes... We could have it all!" She continued, as I simply shook my head, disapprovingly.

"You want all those things?" I ask, astonished. She turns to me with a look that makes me feel like I should have known better. The way her eyes bore into mine made me feel small and insignificant.

"Since when?" I push my finger back through my hair, struggling to comprehend what I'm hearing.

"Before I went into a coma, you were satisfied. We didn't have private jets, but we were happy."

"You were happy - I wasn't," she retorts with an unrelenting glare. "I want the grander things in life than being some stay-at-home mom." She pouts as if being a stay-at-home mom is a fate worse than death. "And if you don't give them to me, then I'll get them from someone else."

I can't help but laugh at her threat. After all, we've been together for twelve years and she knows me better than anyone.

Smiling nostalgically, I reach into my wallet and my fingers brush against a picture of my boys. My heart swells as I remember the day of their first snowfall. Jolica had dressed them up in those old people's clothes,

Matthew with his short brown waves and bangs framing his bright blue eyes, and Michael, rocking his surfer-style blonde hair with the same eye color as Jolica and I, black. As I gaze at the photo, I can feel the warmth of their love, their small arms wrapped around each other. My reverie is interrupted by Jolica's outstretched hand, waiting for something.

"What?" I ask, lifting my eyebrows.

"Aren't you going to leave me some money?" she asks.

Without a word, I take Jolica's hand and pull her closer into bed with me. "No, but it'll give you something else," I say, tucking her under the sheets

***
That was an absolutely terrible idea. I knew deep down that I wasn't emotionally ready to make love to her, and as my body betrayed me, I could feel my heart pounding like a hammer in my chest. I cursed my own stupidity and the stubbornness of my flesh as I lay there, unable to sleep, watching the relentless, demonic glow of the red alarm clock counting down the minutes. Suddenly, I felt her gently slip out of bed, and I sat up, my eyes following her every move. Where was she going at this hour of the night?

I rolled out of bed, my feet searching for the ground. As I stood up, the world began to sway and spin around me. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, and I stumbled forward, using them to steady myself, holding on for dear life. It felt as if I was in some kind of never-ending abyss, and I was desperately searching for something to cling onto.

Just when I thought I'd lost my sense of direction, a distant humming sound caught my attention. Like a moth to a flame, I followed it, using the sound as my guide. The humming became louder and more distinct, leading me to a creaking door. I hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

To my surprise, there was Amanda, her belongings hanging in the closet. I watched her for a moment, admiring her with every breath; the way she meticulously arranged her clothes on hangers, and how her hair fell effortlessly around her shoulders. I wished I could just stand there, etching every detail of her into my mind, but knew I couldn't stare forever.

"That song, what was it?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. She flinched at the sudden sound, clearly caught off guard by my question.
"Jesus," she breathed out, the word coming out in almost a whisper. I smiled, taking a step closer into the room. But in my excitement, I let go of the wall I was holding on to and stumbled forward. Just before I fell, she caught me, her quick reflexes saving me from a painful tumble.

"Th-Thanks," I stammered, feeling a little embarrassed at almost losing my balance. She gently sat me down on her bed, and I couldn't help but marvel at her strength. For someone who looked petite, she was surprisingly sturdy.

"Where is your walker?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice. I felt my cheeks flush at her question -
was she worried about my mobility?

"I left it in the room," I admitted, feeling a little sheepish. But instead of scolding me, she just chuckled and shook her head.

"Look, I know you're amazing and all, but don't push your luck," she teased, her chuckle turning into a warm smile. The next thing I knew, she was sitting beside me, shoulder to shoulder.

"That song...what were you humming?" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us. I realize that I've been staring at her side profile for the past few minutes.

"Dream A Little Dream of Me- by Doris Day," she replies, her eyes meeting mine. I feel my tongue dart out to wet my lips, eager to say something but not quite sure what.

"Sing it for me," I ask impulsively, wanting to hear her melodic voice fill the air.

"Absolutely not," she laughs, but I can see the corners of her lips curling upwards. I nudge her shoulder lightly, teasingly.

"Don't be shy- just sing a small part of it," I urge gently, my hand still resting on her shoulder. Finally, she relents, taking a deep breath.

"Stars shining bright above you
night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore trees,
dream a little dream of me,"

she sings softly, her voice carrying a dream-like quality that matches the lyrics perfectly. It's as if we're the only two people in the world, lost in a moment of pure magic.

I did a small clap, my hands coming together with a soft whisper that reverberated through the air, but it still wasn't enough to express my awe. "I don't know why the hell you aren't a singer," I joked, although there was a ring of seriousness to my words.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement and she chuckled softly, a melody that tinkled warmly in my ears. "Because I like to help people," she replied, her voice pure and selfless, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to her in a way that I couldn't explain.
Damn, this girl was something else. She was too good to be real, and I found myself leaning in closer to her, trying to guard her face closer to mine. Our foreheads touched, and our breaths mingled together in a heady mixture of warmth and desire.

"We can't," she denied, but I knew that her words were hollow. Her eyes gave her away, and I could see the yearning in them, the same longing that burned within me.

Soon, our noses brushed together, and I could feel the tension crackling between us, hot and intense. It was like a storm brewing in the distance, and I knew that it was only a matter of time before we were consumed by its wild passion.

"Would you let me corrupt you?" I whisper, my voice barely above a breath. In response, her eyes lock onto mine, filled with a desire that could set the world ablaze. Her soft hands rest themselves on my chest, pulsing with excitement as she eagerly leans into the embrace. As our lips meet, a rush of electricity courses through us, sending shivers down our spines. With a gentle touch, my hand slowly slides down to her waist, drawing her closer, as the intensity of our kiss deepens, igniting a wildfire between us.