Back to Reality

~Chapter Twenty-Six~

It's been six months. I am all healed up except for a limp. One that may last forever, but is a small price to pay for being alive. I decided to get my GED instead of finishing school next year. I already had took off the year my parents died from school, I couldn't take off another one. Graduating as a twenty year old wouldn't have been great. I basically live at Asher's. His parents really have taken me in as one of their own. I really only go home to sleep. The house has too many bad memories anyway. Seth is in prison for attempted murder. Apparently his father hanged himself in prison because somebody introduced him to God and the Bible. Instead of praying for forgiveness, he was disgusted with himself and decided he couldn't live with what he had done. I guess Seth couldn't come to terms with the fact that his father killed himself, so he decided to come after me -- though his father's intention wasn't even to kill me in the first place. He obviously thinks I am at fault for his father's death. All things considered, I feel slightly guilty, but there is nothing I actually did wrong. Other than that I am doing wonderful. Asher invited me to his house tonight for our six month anniversary. I can't believe it's been half a year already. We've been getting to know each other. Lots of questions. We aren't afraid to share anything with each other because we've already been through some pretty weird stuff together, it's hard to imagine anything that would be surprising. I've asked him questions about tonight, but apparently he's feeling romantic so he won't tell me a thing. Guess I'll have to improvise.

I bought a dress for tonight and I really feel beautiful in it. Asher's mom showed me how to use make-up -- and that was slightly embarrassing. It should've been easy to figure out, but I was clueless. Tonight Asher will see me at my best, Lord knows he's seen me at my worst.

I finish putting on eyeliner and mascara and put on my dress. It's mint green on the top and creamy lace on the bottom with a bow in the back. For the first time in my life, I really feel beautiful. I think Asher has something to do with that because he tells me every day.

I love him so much.

I just grab my purse and coat when my phone chimes.

There's a car waiting outside. Hurry up and get in. Have mercy on me, I've been waiting so patiently.

It hasn't been that long, he's being melodramatic.

I walk outside and there is a bright blue 1968 Camaro parked in my driveway. A chauffer is standing against the door with a sign that says, "Get in."

Seems a little bossy. We're going to have a talk later.

That's a lie Samantha, you're just thrilled he cares.

Yup.

The chauffer opens my door and I get in. When he starts driving I ask him where we're going, but he won't say a word.

Apparently he's been sworn to secrecy.

He suddenly stops the car and points at the shop we're stopped next to. I take the hint and get out of the car.

It turns out that it's a flower shop. The second I walk in, a woman greets me with a massive bouquet of white roses, my favorite.

The card attached to them says:

You probably think I'm being bossy, but I can't wait to see you. Excuse my impatience, but you're going to have to get back in.

At least he knew what I was thinking, but men . . . they think manners are overrated.

This is more than I ever could have asked for.

I'm so elated and excited that I completely forgive his awful manners. This is the romantic date I always dreamed of, except I never would've thought someone would do so much for me.

I do as he says -- of course -- and get back in the car.

The chauffer hands me an envelope. I open it and the note inside says:

This date will be the best one yet, but you must return to where first we met.

It is a rhyming scavenger hunt. I think I might die of happiness.

Good thing we first met in a hospital, huh?

The chauffer -- I'm going to call him Giles -- seems to know where we're going because about ten minutes later we pull into the hospital parking lot. I literally run inside like a little kid because I'm practically living my dreams here. I walk in in a somewhat civilized manner and a nurse smiles and retrieves another envelope.

I rip it open.

Thankfully this time danger does not loom, but can you now remember the room?

I assume he's talking about my hospital room. Thankfully I had the same room both times. It's not visiting hours, I'm not sure how I'm going to get away with this, or more importantly how Asher came up with this . . . in a hospital no less.

I do remember the room. Room 1083. I walk there cautiously, expecting to be stopped, but all the staff smile when they see me, so they must all be in on it.

The door is open, but I peek my head around the corner before I walk in.

There's no patient, but there is a box of chocolates and another envelope.

I know that this is a terrible rhyme, but it's Sunday, isn't it hamburger time?

He's right, that was awful, but I'll allow it.

I rush -- without running -- to the cafeteria. There is no envelope anywhere.

"Would you like something to eat?" Asks the woman serving food.

"Umm, no, I'm looking for something," I reply.

Did he want me to go to the Burger Palace instead?

"You sure you don't want a hamburger?" She asks.

That gets my attention and I turn around. She is holding up a wrapped up hamburger with an envelope taped to the top.

"Yes!" I exclaim. I pull out my wallet to pay for it, but she waves me away.

"What kind of date do you think he is? He's already paid for it darling. Run along."

I open the envelope, planning to do just that.

The waiting room is dark and dreary, I think that we should make them cheery.

I've never actually been in the waiting room, so I have to ask cafeteria lady how to get back to it. I remember that this is a hospital full of grieving people and manage to restrain myself. I walk there.

When I turn the corner, there he is. Wearing a tux in the very middle of the waiting room. His cheery plan seems to be working because everyone is too preoccupied with staring at the gorgeous but strange man in the room to be worrying too much about whatever is going on in their lives.

I start toward him, but as soon as he sees me, he drops to one knee.

I think I'm going to cry.

Everyone's definitely watching now.

He's just smiling his cheesy smile and when I finally choke back the tears and walk over to him, he starts to speak.

"Samantha Reed, we've spent a lot of time in this place. If it were any other place it would be romantic, but this is a hospital, so I don't think romantic is quite the right word."

This earns several laughs from our audience and a great big smile from me.

"This is where we met, this is where we fell in love, and this is where you came back to me. As much as I would like to prolong this as long as possible to keep these people's thoughts from the dark places I know all too well, I am a selfish man. Samantha, what I want to know is, can this be the place where we promise ourselves to each other, forever?"

The tears are flowing freely now. I realize now how truly blessed I am. My cup runneth over . . . it's leaking right out of my eyes. I am overflowing with happiness.

"Samantha Anne Reed,

Will you marry me?"

"Well duh, silly."