For the next several months, Caleah was always acting odd. She would have withdrawals and would be throwing up all over the place sometimes. She would lay in her bed depressed and wouldn't eat anything. I would try and take care of her as best as I could. Her mother would check in on her alot to make sure she was doing ok. I was worried about Caleah. She was dropping weight like crazy and her face was somewhat pale.
"You look sick," I said putting my hand on her forehead.
Her forehead was cold as ice.
"I'm fine," she says giving me a weak smile.
I kissed her on her face and looked her. I didn't care what state she was at the moment she was still beautiful to me. She was in one of my old t shirts. She loved wearing my t shirts around the house. It was just her.
I caressed her face a little and she closed her eyes for a moment.
"I love you," I say softly.
"I love you too," she says weakly.
"You know how much I love you?" I whispered into her ear.
"Hmm?"
"I want you to be my wife," I said.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Zach I don't know," she says nervously.
"I'd make a great fiancé," I said wiggling my eyebrows. "Think about it baby. Please do."
"So you bought her a ring yet?" My friend Jake asked me.
We were in his garage playing guitars. I haven't seen him in a long time.
"Nope," I said playing a few notes on my guitar.
"Why do you want to marry her?" He asked me.
"She's a lovely girl," I said. "She's just different."
"But like you in a way?"
I nodded. We were different with each other but similar. She was the innocent church girl who's daddy was a preacher why I was the boy on drugs with a fucked up life.
"How was rehab?" He asked changing the subject.
"It was good," I said. "I had withdrawals a lot."
"Hey it's like that. How did Caleah like it?"
"She checked out the first week," I said.
"It's like that man," he says.
We just played around with our guitars for a little longer, discussing everything and reflecting on old times.
"I'm thinking about marrying her," I said.
"Who?" Jake chuckled.
"Caleah," I say. "I want to marry her."
"Go for it man," he says. "No one's stopping you."
"I want to marry your daughter," I say to Caleah's parents.
They gave me a weird worried look with a pained smile.
"Why?" Mike, Caleah's father asked me. "Why do you want to marry my daughter?"
"I love her," I said and Mike chuckled.
"Love her?" He repeated after me. "Why do you love my daughter?"
"Because I'll do anything for her, I'll take care of her, I'm in love with her and I'll do anything to make her my wife," I said. "And I don't care if you say no I'll marry her anyways."
They both gave me a concerned look and turned towards each other. They turned their backs on me for a second.
I was scared they were going to say no. I hope not. Me and Caleah were dating for nearly a year and just for them to say no would upset me. I hope Loraine didn't say anything to Mike about Caleah's rehab trip and how I got her hooked on that stuff. She wouldn't tell would she?
"You have our blessing," Mike says turning around.
I smiled and hugged them both tightly.
"Thank you," I say. "Thank you so much!"
I was going to propose to Caleah today but I was scared. It's been a couple weeks since I asked her parents for her hand in marriage. What if she says no? What if she backs out? What if she laughs at me?
"Babe you ok?" Caleah says grabbing my hands.
I winced at how cold and boney they were. I looked up and was met with her funny green eyes that sparkled.
I took her to a nice restaurant since we haven't ate out in a while.
"Yeah I'm fine," I said and laughed nervously.
This shit was going to go south too quick if I didn't act now.
We started having a casual conversation with each other and we ordered food. She didn't really eat much but I sure as hell did. Towards the end of our meal I decided to ask the big question.
"Caleah," I started to say. "You know I love you right?"
"Of course Zach," she says smiling at me.
What if she says no? That question kept nerving me in my head. I was sweating bullets.
"Good," I say nervously laughing.
I pulled out the ring box, got up from my chair and got down on one knee.
"Caleah Grant I love you, and I don't know what life is like without you. I know we've had some rough times together but we got through it. I took care of you, cried for you and was worried that you'll leave me. But I realized God gave me you and that's a blessing. But will you marry me?"
She say in shock in her chair. Her jaw dropped and her hands covered her mouth.
And started tearing a little while a crowd formed around us.
"Yes Zach," she says. "I'll marry you."
