How We Met

Chapter 24

Etho's Perspective-

It was a normal day.

One of the happiest days.

I had been married to the love of my life for four days.

I was at the grocery store right now to buy food to make one of Joel's favorite breakfast meals.

It was going to be a nice surprise for him.

Well,

Little did I know I was going to be the one with the surprise.

-

"Thank you." I said, grabbing my bags.

The cashier nodded, "Have a good day!" She called.

I smiled back and walked out of the store.

I was imaging Joel's reaction to breakfast in bed.

I knew he would love it.

I pushed the button and waited.

The light changed and I started to walk across the street.

As I did, I was lost in my own world and wasn't paying attention.

I wish I was.

I wish I was looking both ways.

I wish I noticed the car.

But I didn't.

It honked loud, making me jump.

I saw it and froze.

My brain was shouting at me to move, but the panic was too much, causing me to stand there, petrified.

And before I knew it,

I died.

I didn't know what had happened.

I opened my eyes and saw all the food I had just bought scattered across the street.

The car pulled over, crashed into a nearby electrical poll and dented its doors.

I watched as someone called the police, and I was rushed off to the hospital.

I watched as my parents came running into the room the hospital had given me.

I watched as Joel ran in crying.

I watched as the doctors ushered them out so they could try and help me.

I watched as the doctors tried everything they could to help me live.

I watched as they walked out to my family and husband and told them that I was dead.

I watched as Joel started crying and shouting that it wasn't true.

I watched as he barged past the doctors to see my dead body.

I watched as he started crying on the bed, shouting that I was still alive.

I watched as my mother came in, crying.

I watched as the doctors and my mother tried to calm Joel down.

I watched as Joel shook them off, saying that I just couldn't be dead.

Not now.

Not after our wedding.

Not after the happiest day of our lives.

Not after everything we've been through together.

It just couldn't be true.

We were supposed to live and grow old together.

But here we are.

I couldn't believe what had happened.

I was left alone.

And had no one.

I always thought I would have Joel, but I had died.

I hugged Joel and kissed his cheek.

Joel, of course, didn't feel anything and continued to cry.

"I'm so sorry." I said, holding onto Joel's hand.

"I will always love you, Etho, and nothing will ever change that."

"And I will never leave you." I said, trying to hold back my tears.

I then kissed Joel again and looked around.

Another ghost had appeared, and she smiled as she walked up to me.

"Hello Etho, I'm Cleo." She said, stretching out her hand.

I nodded, looking back at Joel.

"I heard what you said." She said, watching me, "About how you'll always love him."

"I will. No matter what." I said, my voice shaking.

She smiled softly.

"Do you want to stay for a bit?" She asked.

I shook my head.

She nodded and we flew off.