Wilder Dreams

Chapter 69

"Thank you!" I tell the bartender who let me barrow his charger. I gave it back to him, leaving him a good tip. As I go through my contacts again, I debate on calling Carli. What if she hangs up on me like Alex. I hit call on Carli's name, I have to try. It rings 4 times, until finally the line goes through.

"Carli?...... it's Sage"

The line goes dead.

"Oh my gosh, are you Sage Wilder?" A girl who looks about the age of 17. I nod and she gasps, what's with everyone.

"You're alive"

"Uh yeah? I've just been in a coma for 2 years" I tell her and she scrambles through her phone, she then shows me an article.

Family and Friends gather in Medford, New Jersey to hold a vigil and memorial for late Sage Wilder

"That explains why.. Tobin and Alex didn't think it was me.. holy shit everyone thinks I'm dead" I whisper to myself. I give the girl her phone back, and she looks just as distraught as I probably do.

"Thank you" I tell her and she gives me a sad smile. I walk through the streets, I have no where to go because I can't just barge into someone's house and tell them I'm alive after all the things they've been through when they thought I was gone. I dial Carli's number again.

"Look whoever you are, this is very disre-"

"Carli, it's really me. I promise you, I uh.. here's something only you and I know. Back when we were playing for Houston, we were chilling at your apartment, I was telling you I was heading out. You leaned
to kiss my cheek goodbye but I didn't know what way you were going and we ended up kissing." I tell her, the reason no one else knows is because it just never resurfaced, it never had too.. until now. The other side of the line is quiet, I then hear a light sniffle.

"This doesn't make any.. We buried Sage unless.."

"Carli Anne Lloyd, I am very much alive. In fact I'll book a ticket to where you are, where are you exactly? And where are my kids?"

"Me.. they're with me in Delran. I'm so confused.. who did we bury? I mean if you're alive.. this changes everything.."

"Yeah hey I'm going to have let you go. I'm taking a flight, I'll text you when I get there. Have a goodnight, don't tell anyone just yet. It's a lot to take in...and Carli ... I love you okay?" I tell her before I hung up, and I go through my phone to take the earliest flight to New Jersey. I'm just glad I was able to get to somebody.

.............................................

Me: I'm at terminal 9

As I sit on a seat, waiting for Carli. Bracing for what may come, it's been 2 years and everyone thought I died. How does someone come back from that kind of pain?

As I spot her within the crowd, looking around nervously. I get up, and she turns the other way. I speed walk to catch up to her, and when I finally am in arm reach. I tap her shoulder, and she turns around. On cue the airports music starts playing a very sentimental song. Carli looks at me speechless, as her eyes start to water.

It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

"You have no idea, how happy I am to see you" I tell her before she yanks me into a bone crushing hug. I hug her back tighter as she sobs on my shoulder.

Damn, who knew all the planes we flew
Good things we've been through
That I'll be standing right here
Talking to you about another path

"It's okay now, I'm here" I tell her as I rub her back, and she holds on to me like God had gifted her a chance to apologize to me before I finally descended into heaven. "I'm not going anywhere" I whisper.

Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gonna be with me for the last ride
It's been a long day without you, my friend

"I can't believe you're alive... Sage.. I'm sorry about what I did too you before all this happened. I hurt you, and -"

"I forgave you the second I told you to leave" I tell her as we pull apart, and I give her small smile.

"Now what are we going to do? This is news for everyone.. cause.. you're alive" she tells me wiping her eyes, and searching for a tissue in her pockets.

"Right now? I just want to see my family" I tell her, and I grab my small duffel. We walk hand in hand out of the airport, I can tell she's hesitant on letting me go in anyway. Like I'm a ghost and I have only one hour with her. I squeeze her hand.

"As much as I appreciate you holding my hand as we cross the street, I'm not going anywhere. This isn't some second chance thing for you to have with me, I'm alive Carli" I tell her and her hold on my hand loosens. She nods while looking for her car. She grabs my duffle putting it in the back seat, and we hop in. Having a silent but completely drive to Delran, she doenst have much to say.. because who would? When someone you thought you lost forever, suddenly comes back? And turns out she was never gone.

"Thank you for taking your chance on me Car" I break the silence as we take our exit.

"I'd take my chances on you anyday"