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Chapter 2: Spoken Words with a Smile |
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Disclaimer: I own all characters and story ideas. Please respect this and don’t steal my work. Thanks!
A/N: This is my first creative story and I appreciate any comments and constructive criticism. Thanks for reading!
Spoken Words with a Smile
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! My hand slams on the alarm clock as I slowly start to wake. I roll over and stroke the now empty side of the bed, which was surprisingly still warm. Drake was off at work already doing is business duties, which I realized that I have no clue what he does in his office all day. He tends not to want to discuss work when we are together, and I respect his wishes. Who really wants to listen about work after working themselves anyway?
I stretch my arms up to great the lovely morning sun. It had been a few days since I saw the mysterious man in the park, and he hasn’t returned since. I can’t help but to check everyday. Even though I go there for my breaks; deep down I’m searching for him. Searching for him without reason, at least no sense of reasoning comes to mind to explain my curiosity. Oh well I guess I should get ready for work. It’s going to be a short day for a change, since I have to go to mine and Drake’s engagement party. Gag me! I have never been into fancy dinner parties or anything high class; and high strung. The thought of dressing up and having to impress the “best of the best” makes me feel queasy inside. I would be happy if Drake and I just eloped somewhere quiet, but instead both him and our family’s wish is to have this big wedding. I just want the occasion to be relaxing and peaceful where we can enjoy each other and our love. But I just tell myself to grin and bare it. The sooner the wedding is over the faster my life will return to normal and Drake and I will be us again.
I finish up with my morning routine and I’m soon out the door. As usual I am always thinking. Drake use to say that I think way too much for my own good. Use to say, sigh. Ever since we got engaged things have changed. With both of us working we barely say anything to each other at all. I miss the long nights of idle chatter as I lay in his arms upon our bed. Now it is like there is an invisible fence between us, where if one were to touch it they would get shocked. Probably stunned from the idea that the fence truly is an intangible object. When we do get to see each other, and exchange words with one another, the topic consists of the wedding; another reason I want the day to be done and over with. It’s times like these where I wish I had friends to talk to, but my work schedule has pretty much drove them away as well. Even at work it’s not like anyone really has time to talk with one another. Too many patients, and not enough doctors with the time to treat them all.
The day goes by quickly and as I dread more on tonight’s event, I head out to the park for break. I suddenly stop and have to catch my breath. I had almost forgotten my encounter three days ago, and there he was, leaning against the same tree dazing off into the distance. My heart starts to race from the excitement of actually seeing him again, and I wonder to myself if I should approach him. Before I even come to a decision my legs are already walking towards him. “What should I say,” I think to myself as I blurt out “Hello again.”
All that could be heard was the wind rustling the leaves nearby; even though I swear everyone could hear my heart beating. No response.
I then wander to the other side of the tree and sit with my back leaning against it, when out of the blue I start talking again, as if my lips were doing the thinking for me.
“It’s a nice day out today don’t you think?” No response. “You can definitely tell that summer is on its way, the days just keep getting warmer and warmer. Soon it’s going to be fall in a snap of a finger. I don’t mind that, I love fall, it’s the best time of year. Just cool enough to take relaxing strolls and admire God’s choice of colors.”
Still no response, but I didn’t seem to care. It felt good being able to actually just talk to someone; to talk about anything and everything, the way it was with Drake. The only difference was Drake at least talked back, but at the moment I didn’t mind the silence coming from the other side of the tree. I just enjoyed the subtle companionship for the brief moment.
I took a deep breath as I took in the lovely sent of the apple blossoms that sprinkled occasionally upon me and the dark stranger. I start to rise so I could return back to the hustle and bustle that is work. “Well it’s been nice talking to you,” I say as I start walking back towards the hospital. Before I entered, I looked back and I think I saw a slight smile on the mysterious stranger’s face, and I lit up inside.
That unexplainable sense of euphoria carried on throughout the rest of the day; I even felt good about going to the gala that evening. I just couldn’t get the image of him smiling out of my mind. I was so proud of myself for being able to make him smile. It seemed like he was in such a dark place, and by me just helping easy his troubles; which I assume he had, made me feel warm inside. This is probably the reason I got into this profession, to help people, yet the hospital work was in no comparison to what I felt when I saw his smile.
As I traveled home for work that afternoon, I felt so alive that I was practically skipping home; like a school girl. At least I felt that way until I got home.
“There you are. I thought you were going to be back a half a hour ago. You best hurry and get ready or we are going to be late and then I will have to listen to your mother bicker to me about your punctuality problems,” Drake said with a slight annoyance in his voice as he hands me my dress for the evening.
“I’m sorry Drake, there was this last minute emergency that needed my assistance,” I lied, I knew the real reason I was late, the thing that always makes me late; the dreamer in me.
Drake rolled his eyes slightly as if he didn’t quite believe me. Where did he lose the trust in me, but more importantly when did I start lying to him. I know we both love each other; it’s probably this whole wedding that is stressing us both out. I go and take the dress from his hands and head to the bathroom.
“Please try and hurry. I know it’s hard you being the bride and all, needing to look picture perfect” he states loudly so I could hear him from the bathroom. I get dressed and start to do my hair and makeup, when I begin to feel the return of the tension in my gut. I just kept saying to myself just grin and bare it, what’s one night going to hurt. I finish up and head out into the main room of our apartment.
Drake smiles at me, a smile I hadn’t seen in a long time and my heart melts, just like the first time we met. “You look radiant tonight my darling.”
I blush slightly and he takes me in his arms for a deep, passionate kiss and it feels like everything is back the way it was. All my thoughts of earlier that day vanished with one kiss from my beloved, reestablishing my love for him all over.
“Let’s hurry,” He takes my hand as we head out the door. The butterflies a bit calmer now, but the sense of dread of facing all the people there that night still hung over me.
We arrive with perfect timing, making one of the stressors fly free from my shoulders. I great my mother, Isabella Richards, gossip queen of upper class Chicago, with a kiss on each cheek.
“You look absolutely marvelous,” she stated out loud, which she then whispered to me, “but you could have chosen a dress that was a little less revealing, don’t you think dear?” That was my mother, look good for the audience and reveal your true feelings backstage.
I whisper back, “well I was a little pressed for time. I didn’t get back from work till later than expected; lives to save and all.”
“Oh don’t be silly” she then got site of one of her special guests and took off to do some much needed gossiping; which gave me some relief. Drake had already left my side as soon as my mother came over. He had found some of his business friends to mingle with leaving me alone. I started to feel trapped as I looked around the large hall filled with faces that I had no names for. I needed air. I hurried out onto the balcony, which to my surprise was empty despite the clear spring night. The moon shone with all its brilliance on the pond below and I finally felt at peace. How could I be so talkative with someone I didn’t know earlier that day and come here and practically have a panic attack? Why couldn’t I be more like them, the elitists in the ballroom who can spark up a conversation with ease.
“It’s a lovely spring night don’t you think,” said a strange voice behind me. I turned around and my eyes widen as I look upon the stranger from the park; smiling at me.
 eimichan · Wed Nov 29, 2006 @ 10:26pm · 0 Comments |
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