Pulse

Delivery

      I wake up in a panic; hot and sweaty. I look around my room wildly, trying to calm myself from my nightmare. In my dream I was reliving when Josh attacked me. Only this time, he didn't stop. Josh didn't stop and Asher never came to help me. My clock on my bedside table reads 4:20 am. My stomach rolls over and I feel bile in the back of my throat as my dream is on replay in my mind. I jump out of bed and barely make it to the bathroom in time.

      After I am done dry heaving into the toilet, I quickly strip out of my clothes and step into a scalding shower, washing the sweat and the nightmare off of me.

   I busy myself the rest of the day, cleaning the house and giving Charlie a bath. I had been unable to fall back asleep after my shower and now exhaustion overwhelms me. I lay on the couch with Charlie, turning on the TV. I don't even have a chance to register what is on before I lose the battle with my heavy eyelids and drift to sleep.

   I awaken to arms lifting me up. My eyes fly open and my body stiffens. "No! No!" I use my arms to push against the chest I am being held up against, but it is useless. The body doesn't budge. Memories of my nightmare are flashing through my mind as a scream is working its way up my throat.  A husky voice invades my ears. "It's me Cars. I got you. You're safe." It's then I notice the familiar scent as I inhale, relief flooding through me as I lean against Asher's strong muscular chest. I don't know how Asher got into the house, but all I can focus on is how grateful I am to have him with me. My eyes remain closed as I feel myself being lowered, the softness of my bed enveloping me.

    When I awake, I look around and discover Asher is gone, but the pillow beside me holds a flower from my yard. A smile works its way across my face as I grab the flower and inhale its scent, daydreaming about the next time I will see him.

    I am sitting at the nurses station on a Wednesday night. It is a slow night. It is 9:00 pm when I hear a voice calling my name. "I'm looking for a Carson Gilmore." My head snaps up and I see an older man dressed in a uniform holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Hi. I'm Carson." I get up and walk over towards him. He hands me the roses and wishes me a good night before I am able to ask any questions. I walk back to the nurses station confused.

    Bethany comes rushing over. "Please tell me those aren't from Josh." I told Bethany what had happened after the incident. I had attempted to cover up the marks with make up but they were still noticeable. I had no choice but to explain the marks to Bethany. I scoff at her statement. "If they are from that asshole I am throwing them out." I sit there staring at the roses momentarily before I grab the card attached to them. I open the card and read I'm picking you up at 7 on Friday. Be ready. - Asher.

    A slow smile creeps across my face. Bethany rips the card out of my hand and reads it. "So what are you wearing on your date? Isn't this that dream boat cop that came in not too long ago that we coded? Why haven't you told me about him?" I roll my eyes at her. I didn't tell her about him, because I don't exactly know what is going on between us. I quickly give her the rundown of what's been going on, knowing she won't stop asking. "It's not a date. Calm down."

Bethany gives me a knowing glance. "It is too a date. Trust me. After work we are going shopping to find you an outfit." She gets up and walks away before I have the chance to argue. I absolutely hate shopping, but knowing I am going shopping to look nice for Asher will make it tolerable.

    "So. Tell me what you think." Yesterday and today have flown by and before I know it, it is 6:55 Friday night. I am starting to get butterflies in my stomach. Bethany has invited herself over and decided I need a make over. I had shaved my legs before she got here, but she proceeded to go even further and tweeze my eyebrows. Then I sit in my chair for two hours while Bethany does my hair and make up. I want to look beautiful for Asher. Sure I put make up on before to look nice, but for Asher I want to be perfect.