With Love, Silvia. [✔️]

Chapter 18 Snow Kisses

      "What??" I asked in horror. I didn't even have to look in the mirror to know that all of the color had drained from my face.

     "I'm sorry." The doctor said glumly.

      It had just been announced that Rodger fell into a coma. I felt like I had fallen into an icy pond and the cold shock was ferocious. I had no words. I had no feelings. I was angry with myself.

   How can you not feel a single thing, Silvia? Why do you feel so heartless!?

  I wanted to cry along with everyone, and worry. But I couldn't, all my tears were gone and I had that haunting numbing feeling.

   I watched as Erica ran into his room along with the rest of the family. I sat there feeling nothing at all. Finally, I couldn't take it. I ran outside of the hospital, through the parking lot and let the frigid air whip my face and I breathed heavily. I had no idea where I was headed, I just needed to get away from it all.

 Somehow I found myself opening the glass door to the Sweetie Bean Café, relived by it's warmth and pungent smell of coffee beans. I had no money, but I wasn't planning on buying anything. I sat at my usual table and rested my head on the cool table, picking at a stray piece of yarn on my sweater. I'm not sure how long I sat like this, but after what felt like hours the familiar face of Wes Biano filled the seat next to me.

  "Knew I'd find you here." He said looking out the window. I noticed tiny white flakes fluttering around in the air. Snow.

  I adjusted my head to look at the beautiful flakes pooling around the lampposts. I sat in silence.

 "I heard about Rodger." He said breaking the icy silence.

 "How?" I asked only half interested in what he had to say.

  "Swung by the hospital to check in and found everyone in tears. I knew that you would be here." He said turning his gaze towards me.

  "You know me so well..." I said lazily.

  "Aw, come one Silvia. Pick your head up. Let's do something fun." Wes said gently smacking me in the arm.

   "I'd rather not." I moaned as Wes's smile stayed put.

    "Afraid you don't have a choice." He said and grabbed my arm pulling me up.

    "It's the first snow of the season. This calls for something special." Wes said. I sadly followed him out the door and my face practically froze when I stepped outside.

   "Ok, follow me." He said cheerily.

   Snow flakes splattered my face and I wished I'd brought a warmer jacket. After a long walk in the snow, we arrived at a frozen pond.

    "And here we are." He smiled and stepped onto the ice.

   "Wow, this place is so cool." I said in awe.

    Icicles hung from the trees, and lots of frozen plants surrounded the pond. It had rained a little and froze over a few days ago, so it provided the perfect scenery.

    "Aren't you going to join me?" He asked sliding around.

    "I have to warn you, I'm no figure skater..." I said taking uneasy steps onto the ice and immediately fell on my butt.

    "Don't we need ice skates?" I grumbled trying to stand, but fell again.

    "Need some help?" Wes laughed pulling me up. I shed a smile.

    "So the key factor is to stay balanced, and shift your weight back in forth, side to side. Not front to back." He explained steadying my wobbly legs.

    I felt like a baby horse.

    After lots of falls, I finally had a good laugh. I'd never laughed like this since Mom passed. It felt good. Like the final rubber band replaced itself.

    Soon I was gliding around on the ice almost as good as Wes himself.

    "You look like a figure skater." He said spinning around.

    "Why thank you." I said trying to spin, but I tripped over myself and landed onto the ice with a hearty thud. I'm surprised the ice didn't crack....

    I stood up and looked at my watch.

    5:30 pm. Geez, I'd been out here for 2 and a half hours!

    Then I remembered why I had left in the first place. All my carefree happiness faded away in a quick swipe, and the rubber band sprung off.

    "Uh, I have to go." I said sadly.

    "Well, I guess that's only fair." Wes said stepping onto the ground with was piled with snow.

     We stood there for a second just looking at each other, and then the unthinkable happened.

     He kissed me! Well, on the cheek, but it was the closest I've ever gotten to a kiss in my life!!!

     I blushed, then without thinking I ran off. With a big smile on my face. I turned around for a split second and I saw him smile too.

    And that small gesture made me feel all warm inside, even with the storm raging on.