by NORA HALE
kissed her fingers and touched them to the paper.
The sound of the phone ringing from across the
room disturbed her peaceful thoughts.
Looking through, Gabby realized that it was her
mother.
"Hi, Mom!". Merry Christmas… Yeah, I slept next to
the Christmas tree… Wait, your flight's here
already? Fantastic! I'll be dressed in a minute. I love
you too. Bye."
******.
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CHAPTER 6
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Ken arrived at his mom's house at seven that
morning in a taxi. Before even halfway up the
driveway, Helen had already raced out to the car to
give her son a warm embrace.
"Ah!" Thank God that you are okay. "
"I'm fine, mom." Don't worry."
Taking him by the hand, she told him, "Uncle Lee
wants to see you. He's in your room."
Ken slowly ascended the stairs, thinking about the
kind of discussion that might await him. While
entering his room, he closed the door behind him.
Uncle Lee sat in a corner.
"Ken."
"Uncle Lee."
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The two old friends stared at each other for several
minutes.
"Mom told me you would like to speak to me," Ken
said, sitting down on his bed.
"Oh yes, I do. Ken… I let you down yesterday."
"That's not fair!"
"No." Actually, it is. You were exactly right. A true
man loves his family and helps anyone who is being
bullied. The truth is…I was a little afraid of getting
involved. I was afraid that you would never learn to
take care of yourself. Unfortunately, I am a
coward—Matter of factly.
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Ken responded, "It's alright, Uncle Lee. We are all
family, after all.”
"I am happy to hear that," Lee said, shaking his
nephew's hand. As an act of goodwill, how about we
visit this Jason character? Ensure that he knows
what's happened.
"It's really kind of you, but I'm not interested in
getting involved."
"Uninterested?" "
"Jason Brown is an idiot." "Ken laughed with a
warm smile." It is verified that he has exceeded his
limits. It's all downhill for him, as a matter of fact.
I am going somewhere already. I study at MIT and
then go to Harvard Medical College in the future.
Why should I care what some jock feels about me? "
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Lee studied him for a while. "There's something
unusual about you, Ken." You have become an
enthusiastic person. From what it looks like, I think
that you are going to kick a lot of balls. What's new?
Tell me about last night. "
Just... took some time alone, got some rest and
quiet. That's the place where I spend the majority of
my time thinking. It helped me discover what was
most important to me
"Huh?" I appreciate it, no matter what you did. You
remain as smart as ever, but somehow more
assured.
"Thanks."
"So what did Jason want anyway?"
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"Ah, he saw me chatting with his sister, Jacqueline.
She was in the same class as me in school, and we
used to converse from time to time. He hated that.
"Looks like none of his ass' business…".
Yeah, but she's just as rude and mean as her
brother. She just hid her feeling until the right time.
"She shot you in more ways than one, huh?" "Lee
came to realize that.
"Yes," Ken replied! recalling his toughest moment
last night. "But her loss."
"Hell yup!" "For sure!" "Come on, we have to open
presents," Lee joyfully said, leading down the stairs.
******.
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EPILOGUE
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"Well, come on, Tiffany." This is the way."
"Where are we headed, Ken?" What is so important
that we need to wait until tomorrow to go on our
honeymoon? "
Just ahead. Our patients are in safe hands with Dr.
Nguyen. We have all the time we need.
"So hopelessly romantic…".
Ken continued to embrace the hot babe
accompanying him as his eyes perused the jewelry
on her hands. The pair stayed vigilant, always
keeping watch in case they tripped on a hidden tree
root. They eventually arrived at their destination.
"And here she is," said Ken.
The pair stood in front of a small headstone, modest
and elegant. Tiffany appeared puzzled. So, she
started to read the inscription.
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Gabrielle Dorothy Libertine. 22nd of February 1993
to 29th of April 2017. Beloved friend, caring
daughter, sweet sister.
Ken… who was she? "
I told you about that night when I almost killed
myself. Do you remember what I said? I have a
couple more tidbits that I haven't told you yet. "
Yes, of course.
"This is the best part of the story, Tiff.
10 years ago, Gabrielle arrived exactly when I
needed her most. If it hadn't been for her, I
wouldn't have been alive today. I would have killed
myself. She had no skin in the game, and some
months later, she was to die of cancer, but she still
felt called to help me."
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Turning to the headstone, he continued, "It's me,
Gabby. I achieved it. I did everything you said I was
going to do. From being a brain surgeon, I have
significantly contributed to many children's lives,
and I did find the love of my life.
This is Tiffany Dix. We met each other at Harvard.
We work together and support people. She is
everything I ever wanted. Because of everything you
did for me, I succeeded. You saved my life, made me
see the worth in myself, showed me the purpose of
my life, taught me about God, and you took my
virginity. Gabby, I just don't know what to say to
you. I am grateful to you.
Upon seeing the headstone, Tiffany dropped to her
knees, touch-ing the letters with her fingertips.
"You saved my husband's life? You used up all of
your remaining time on earth supporting him.
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My Goodness, after all, miracles happen. I do love
him, Gabrielle. I truly do. He completes me. Ken's
constantly in question, but I know there is a God.
Yeah, there is a Heaven. And if all Ken said is
accurate, that's exactly where you are now. Please
look after us. I hope to say thank you in person one
day.
Ken softly patted his wife and comforted her.
Tiffany started to rise to her feet, embracing her
husband tightly. They shared a lengthy, pa
ssionate
kiss while remembering nothing but each other.
They eventually parted, their eyes locked together.
"Are you ready to start our life together?" Ken
asked.
"Yeah... more than ever."
******.
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THE END
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