A Chance Meeting

Epilogue

Chance stood up, grabbed his coat, and walked to his car as he finished grieving for his loss. He tossed the coat onto the passenger seat, surprised when he heard a slight crinkle from within one of the pockets. He picked it back up and stuck one of his hands into one of the inside pockets. His prize was only some empty gum wrappers. A little disappointed, he tossed them into a cup holder, then tried another pocket. He was lucky this time.

Wrapping his fingers around an envelope, he paused only for a second before pulling it out. His fingers trembled a little as he opened it and pulled out a couple sheets of pristine lined paper, covered with neat cursive handwriting. He absentmindedly placed his coat and the envelope on the seat next to him. Then, one hundred percent of his attention was focused upon her letter to him.

Dear Chance,

You better appreciate the envelope- the nosey nurses made me promise to tease you so I could get it. (Although it was a little entertaining to hear all their theories on what we were going to do- like kiss, haha, what a crazy idea.)

Anywho, thank you for the wonderful last few days you have given to me- without you, who knows how I may have died: alone, scared, confused, and probably more than slightly self-pitying.

But you...

You have made me feel more alive in these past few weeks than I have ever felt. My coma-like days were no more as soon as you set one foot into 'my' hospital room and I am, and will forever be, grateful to you for that. With you, I am so awake and warm and happy- for one in two years, I am finally, delightfully happy to be awake. You were like the sun after a dark, story week- you lit up my world and showed me the glistening drops of rain on the green shoots of grass; not everything is black, there has to be white too. It's like I existed in a black and white film and then you brought color to it (even though that sounds cheesy, and I have being so cheesy.)

To get back on track (I'm so easily distracted), you're a wonderful person, just to put it simply. You're kind and caring, with just the right dash of teasing and the complimenting scoopload of fun. You are so charming, stealing my heart away with your first smile. (Okay, it may have been the second, because, let's face it, the first one was a little awkward.) One day, probably someday soon, you are going to make some girl (or boy, if you swing that way, although that's not the vibe you've been giving off if you catch my drift) very happy, even happier than you've made me.

Maybe it'll just be your sister (but gross, not like that Chance). I'm so overjoyed for both you and your sister; please tell her how much you love her and how proud of her you are every day. No matter how annoyed she may get, be there for her- she will need you more than she will be able to say.

I remember...

His eyes skimmed over the rest, reading quickly so he wouldn't drip tears onto her beautiful, looping handwriting. One arm reached up to brush off the impending drippers, the other still clutching the precious sheets of paper.

Eventually, he arrived at the last page, which only had three short paragraphs on it. He reread them each twice before setting them down on the console and putting his arms on the steering wheel so he could rest his head on them. The words echoed in his head, and a new wave of tears threatened to run away from his control if he couldn't get rid of them fast enough.

Even after she'd died, she still knew exactly what to say.

Chance- Just remember that no matter what you do, I will always be proud of the person you truly are, and that my love for you (how startling- I guess I really am in love with you) is everlasting.

Always yours,

Sara.