Black & White

I saw the world in only black and white until I met my lovely wife in my highschool english class. I knew she was the one when we locked eye contact. That's when I discovered her bright brown eyes and her luscious brown hair. I watched her curls bounce as she walked past me to find her seat. The more I saw her, the more vibrant my world became. The booger green chalkboard my english teacher wrote on, the dull red chairs we had to sit in, and the blue sky I always found myself staring at when I tried to figure out a way I can get closer to her. I was shocked when she approached me during a lunch break.

She grabbed me by my sweater and pulled me into an isolated area, which was known then as the kissing spot. "Your eyes..." she gasped as she looked me up and down. "Your blue eyes...blond hair, green sweater, poop brown shoes..." Poop brown?! I thought. "Hey!" I cut her off. "These shoes were passed down from my great great grandpa. Poop, is not the word that..." I stopped. I gaped at how she could see color just like me. It was rare for people in highschool, no less freshmen, to find their soulmates. Since you're so young, your views can change. But for us, we knew right then and there, at that kissing spot, we were meant to be.

A couple months later we got engaged.

Got married and lived together.

Then we had a baby on the way.

I couldn't believe life was so perfect. I had a beautiful wife and we were making a family.

We began to have a routine. Every morning when I went off to work, I would kiss my wife goodbye on her sun-kissed skin and kiss our soon to be daughter as she kicks her mommy's belly as if she is impatiently trying to get out. And every morning my wife would say something silly. "I feel like she is going to come out alien style, just come right out of me." She would laugh and I would chuckle and respond with something just as silly. "Then that would mean one of us is an alien and I have a sneaking suspicion it's you." I would give her a teethy grin, kiss her once more, and head out. I loved to see the scarlet roses we've planted in our garden and our pink picket fence stretched around our bright yellow house. My wife begged me to get a pink one specifically because we were done with the black and white scenery and I couldn't agree more.

My workplace was at least 1 hour away and not a very direct route, but I found myself taking the train more even if it did take longer than using my car. I would pray to get a window seat just so I can stare out the window. I loved to see the sparkling blue river as it hopped happily over rocks and how the wind danced through the viridescent leaves that flew off the tall trees. I especially loved how some of the train riders wore mismatched clothing items that didn't go well at all like a bright orange coat with light blue boots. That was one way you can tell that someone hasn't found their soulmate. However,  the most dreadful way was the look in their eyes. They looked so dreary. There was no glint in their eyes like what I remembered when my wife discovered I was her soulmate nor the excitement. Fortunately, there were exceptions. A few colleagues of mine haven't found their soulmates yet but they were still a happy bunch. Some of them were dating even if there boyfriends/girlfriends weren't the one. Even if they see no color in the world. I guess it was to fill the void, but I always told them that one day they will meet their true love and their life will change.

And Change did happen.

Once again.

When I received a phone call from my wife.

I was on my way home on the train from a busy day at work when my wife's water broke. She had to call the ambulance since I was quite a ways from home. I tried to remain calm and make my way back to get my car, but the closer I got home, the more frantic I became. I can't believe I'm going to be a father. I thought, as I got up from my window seat and paced back and forth while I held on to the railings. My thoughts were flowing in and out my head, which were being drowned out by the heavy beating of my heart and the loud tapping of raindrops.

I shielded my face with the sleeve of my arm as I began to run down my road soaked in rain. I heard a faint ringtone in one of the pockets of my jacket. I fumbled as I tried to simultaneously shield my eyes from the rain and look for my phone. Boy, do I wish I listened when she said to bring an umbrella.

"Hello?" I answered as I opened our white picket fence.

"Yes, hello. Is this-"

"...what..." The doctor's voice on the other end turned to mumbles. White...fence?

I didn't need to hear what the doctor said. I knew something terrible had happened when I caught a glimpse of the black and white roses right behind our white picket fence.