Angry Night
He
led me over to the couch and we sat down in each others arms.
“Alex,
why are you here?” I asked softly as I leaned my head against his shoulder.
“For
two reasons. The first one is to apologize.”
“Apologize?”
I repeated lifting my head.
“That
day at the cabin I didn’t exactly treat you the way that I should have. I
mean it was our last day together and I was a total jerk. You don’t know
how much I regret that,” he replied looking so sad.
“A.J.,
don’t worry about it. I hadn’t even thought of it. I forgave you
for that a long time ago.”
“Good,”
he said looking relieved.
Then
he smirked that classic A.J. smirk.
“And
the second is about that little rendezvous you had with Kevin.”
I
recoiled a little, panic running through my body.
“Um,
A.J., how did you know?” I squeaked.
He
laughed lightly. Well at least he didn’t seem angry.
“I’m
an angel. I know everything,” he said simply. “But I’m glad it
happened.”
“You’re
WHAT?” I gasped.
That
was not what I’d expected.
“Kevin
loves you,” he shrugged, “And he always has.”
“He
has?!” I asked.
Man
was I confused.
A.J.
nodded.
“You
got it. You know the entire time we were going out I always thought he
might have had a little crush on you. I guess I was right. But Kev
is such the gentleman and was such a good friend he just never did anything
about it.”
“Wow,”
I murmured.
Now
when I thought about it I could see how A.J. was right. Just little
incidents came to mind that I never would have given a second thought, until
now.
“And
Anita I know that you have feelings for him too. No matter how hard you
have been trying to deny them.”
At
that moment I felt so guilty.
“I’m
so sorry.”
“Don’t
be. I don’t want you to sit around and mope about me your entire
life. You have got to move on. And I can’t think of a person I’d
rather you be with than Kevin. So I guess in a way you could say I’m
giving you my blessing.”
He
smiled gently stroking my cheek.
“A.J.,
why can’t you just stay. It would be so much easier. Kevin or no
Kevin I still love you so much.”
“I
know, Anita. I love you too and I always will,” he said holding me tight.
I
cried into his shoulder for awhile. How could I not? He was going
to go again. And once again I’d be without him.
“Please
don’t go,” I pleaded through the tears.
He
stood up and offered his hand. I took it and stood up too.
“As
much as I’d love to we both know that I can’t. I’m in enough trouble
already. I wasn’t exactly supposed to cure your blindness. But consider
it my going away present to you.”
“Thank
you,” I choked out.
I
knew the time was coming to a close. He gently cupped my face in his
hands and kissed me one last time. The kiss ended and he held me.
As we embraced a song I hadn’t heard for a long time floated into my
head. Without even really realizing it I began to sing it under my
breath.
“And
I know you’re shining down on me from heaven. Like so many friends we’ve
lost along the way. And I know eventually we’ll be together . . . One
Sweet Day.”
As
the last words escaped my lips he pulled away and smiled.
“See
you later,” he said and faded into nothing.
“See
you later,” I repeated.
And
I knew I would, one sweet day.
“Anita!!”
a voice called from behind me.
Kevin
came hurtling into the room.
“Thank
God you’re okay,” he gasped pulling me into his arms. “We heard you
screaming and I thought something might have happened to you.”
“I’m
all right,” I replied.
And
for once I spoke those words in truth. For the first time since the
kidnapping I was all right. I was going to be okay.
“Yo,
Kevin, did you find her?” Howie raced into the doorway.
“Hey,
Howie!” I peeked over Kevin’s shoulder.
He
chuckled.
“Well
looks like you did. I’ll head back to the desk then.”
Howie
turned around and left. I looked at Kevin.
“Are
those tears?” I asked raising an eyebrow.
“No
. . . well, I mean . . . I guess,” he stuttered.
I
stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He brought a hand up to that cheek where
I’d kissed him looking a little surprised.
“Don’t
cry, Kev, there have been enough tears already,” I said placing my hand in his
and leading him out the doorway.
“Anita
. . . I . . . what?” he was stuttering again looking alternately from our hands
to the place I’d kissed him.
“Kevin,
no words. For once don’t look for an explanation or any logic. Just
go with it,” I said making my way back to the nurse’s desk. And for once
he didn’t say a thing.
***
