The Things You'll Do For Love

The Things You'll Do For Love written by Taylor Cimone Tompkins

At rise, a sickly older woman of brown skin is seen lying helplessly in her hospital bed.

Oh, I was young and foolish then. Let me tell you.. But she was the light of my world... of my life. She walked into that store.. My goodness!
*43 years prior*

*A young white girl with golden hair walks into a library introverted and shy *

It was a warm New York summer day in '68 and I'd been in the library looking for a book to help me write a 20 page essay on the importance of social sciences, the day before it was due might I add! Some scholar I was.

*attempts to laugh but is limited when she begins to cough very sickly*

I found the book, yes, and while I stood in line she walked by. This perfect woman. She had radiant glistening skin and walked with intention. She walked by, and I'll swear by this until the day I die that she gave me a subtle wink and a smirk and continued towards the back of the library.
Intoxicated by her elegance I began to stare, drool even. I checked my book out half way day-dreaming. I walked out those doors hearing Etta James' "At Last" in the back of my mind as if someone was holding a cassette player to my ear.

I ran home and found my mother sitting on the couch, assuming I went off the rails, she left me to be the passionate eighteen year old girl i had desired to be. I ran into my room and shut the door. Fell into my bed and imagined her. Then through old broken floors I heard, "Maybe if you'd find yourself a husband you'd know what to do with all that energy." Little did she know I was putting my energy to great use. The very next day I got up as early as possible to head right back to the library, completely forgetting about my assignment. I waited for almost ten hours until I realised I looked quite foolish. I did get to read some fascinating fiction though so I guess it wasn't a total waste. However, I concluded I had a brain defect because for the next two weeks i would get up to do the exact same thing, chasing a woman I didn't know,
*smiling and grinning.*
Simply to catch another glance at her i knew my life would be complete.

*back to present day in the hospital*

"And did you ever catch her, Ms. Martin?" asks the entertained nurse, and irritably I reply, "Child, let me finish my story."

Almost a month after our "encounter" I could be found walking home from school deciding to stop for a milkshake.

And there she was. My mystery woman. My SuperNova. My everything. Although She stood no more than five feet way I'd never planned how I would go up to her, but only how to find her.

"I know I know, but in my defense I couldn't even think straight. Who would have time to think about anything else?" I said justifyingly.

I stood, frozen. Suddenly she turned, and our eyes met. This was the moment I had waited for! My palms began to sweat, and my body trembled. You'd think I was having an upright seizure.
She walked closer to me, and the words i'd waited to hear all my life...
"Excuse me," she said
"Those were your dream words BAHH HAHAHA" the nurse exclaimed
"No dear the words after those." I said.
"Aren't you that girl from the library?" she asked.
"Yyy-es that's me," I replied, while my face lit up.
"Far out! I'll see you around, Bookworm! Let's catch a picture sometime." she said as she cracked a beaming smirk
She looked confused by my still and shocked face
"Oh right, books are your thing. Maybe you could recommend one? I love getting consumed in a good book. Anyway, I'll see you around" she said walking into the distance.
" Yeah.. see you!" I replied
I was sure I'd died and gone to heaven!
I stood for a moment and simply felt.. I just felt.
That night I went home and collapsed into a feeling I dont know I've ever felt. I felt... Oh I, I don't know what I felt. I had fallen madly in love with this mystery woman whose name i still didn't know. So much I just didn't know.