I Need You Always

by Cynthia P. O'Neill

  “Miss, if you could come back into his line of sight so his agitation level decreases. His blood pressure is skyrocketing.”

  I sat back down to his side, opposite of the firemen, and he seemed to calm down and focus his eyes on me. I heard a faint whisper and realized it was the 911 operator. “Both departments just arrived and he’s being treated.” I hung up with the operator and began scanning through his contact list for his mom’s number.

  “Sir, can you tell us your name?” I watched as he whispered something, but I couldn’t hear anything. The fireman had to lean down to finally hear what he was saying. Did he finally tell them his name and why wasn’t he letting me hear it? I was curious to find out who he was. What’s weird is the fireman looking up at me and telling him, “No problem, sir.”

  Damn, I still didn’t know his name.

  “He said you were looking up his parent’s number so they could be called. When you find it, we’d like to let them know we’re transporting him to the hospital and where to meet us.”

  I nodded, but felt defeated in not knowing who this man was. Why was he being so secretive?

  The police pulled me over to the side, but kept me in direct line of sight of the man. For some reason, he still freaked out whenever I was out of view. After a few more minutes, one of the EMT’s came over to let the officer know they were ready to transport.

  I didn’t know if I was allowed to ask, but needed to know, for my own peace of mind. “How is he?”

  “He doesn’t have any serious injuries, possibly some bruised ribs and a broken nose. He’s had a lot to drink, but he should be just fine, thanks to your quick thinking. Where he was laying in the street and the lighting in the area . . .” the EMT paused for a moment, “Let’s just say, he’d of likely been struck by a car, without being seen. You saved his life miss and we let his parents know that. They asked me to express their gratitude and see if I can get your information so they can repay you in some way.”

  The officer seemed to nod in agreement to what the EMT had just said. “I’ll be happy to take her information and will meet you at the hospital to do a final report.” Then he looked at me. “You should consider yourself a hero, miss. Do you mind if I share your name and address with his parents so they can be in touch?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not a hero by any means. I just merely saw him pass out in the street and realized he might be in trouble. While I’m happy to be of assistance, I don’t need any type of reward or acknowledgment. Please tell them I’ll be sending out healing thoughts for their son.”

  The officer looked at me a bit strange, before I heard the man scream out. “Where are YOU?!” The paramedics were trying to load him into the ambulance. “I need to see you!”

  I ran over to his stretcher. “I’m here. But, I can’t go with you.”

  “Why?” His eyes were full of panic and sadness.

  “I need to stay here and wait for my roommate to get home. Besides, I don’t even know you. But, I’ll hold you in my heart tonight and hope that you are feeling better soon.” My words seemed to calm him as he reached one of his hands to cup my face. The feel of his skin made my heart rate increase. Why was he having such an effect on me?

  “I need you, always! Mi Amore!” His voice pleaded.

  I didn’t want to lead him on, not knowing who he was, but somewhere in my mind I heard a woman’s voice tell me, “Please watch over my brother. He needs you.”

  My heritage brought me up to believe that sometimes people call from beyond to bring people together who are lost and need help. I couldn’t deny the desire to aide him anyway I could.

  I leaned into his touch, putting my hand over his and giving it a squeeze. “I’ll be here waiting for you to get well.”

  I hated giving the man a sense of false hope, but if he needed the words to encourage him to get better, then I’d do what was needed.

  THE AMBULANCE DROVE OFF with him inside and as the taillights faded into non-existence; my mind came back to the present and saw both Ashley and Dawn shedding a few tears.

  “Hey, no crying or you’re both going to make me cry again.” I grabbed some tissues and passed them around to each of us.

  Dawn spoke up and told Ashley. “I must’ve just missed all of the commotion. I found her here on the sofa hugging her legs to her chest and crying. I’ve been trying to get the full story out of her and almost did, until you arrived home. But, I could listen to it again and again.”

  Ashley nodded toward me. “I’m not a big believer in destiny and fate, but Marissa, this seems like kismet working in your favor.” She chewed on her lip for a moment and then added, “It’s either destiny or he’s a loon and you’ll hopefully never see him again.”

  I laughed at her last statement. “That would be my luck, right? I just got rid of a controlling freak of a boyfriend and then this happens. I just hope he’s a sincere guy who’s just lost in life and will find his way back. If our paths cross, so be it. If not, then it never was a possibility. The same goes for the elevator guy, too.”

  I began to yawn and could finally feel the exhaustion the day had provided. I needed some sleep since I had a class late morning, followed by my intern hours for a half day in the afternoon. How I was going to manage this, I didn’t know, but I’d probably be crashing hard the following night.

  I said goodnight to my roommates and pulled off my robe and threw it in the hamper, not sure if it would come clean or was a lost cause. Before my head even hit the pillow, I was down for the count.

  A couple days later, I awoke to the smells of various coffees and pastries filling the air. As I walked into the kitchen, there were several carafes of different flavored coffees, creamers, and a whole tray of fruits and pastries to snack on. “Where did all this come from?”

  Dawn smiled and handed me a card. “You were still sleeping when all this was delivered to you this morning. I refused to wake you up, so you could get some extra sleep, so the delivery guy brought everything in and set it up. He said he’d be back later today to pick the carafes up. Ashley said she’d be home to let him in.”

  “Why would anyone be sending all this to me?” Either I wasn’t fully awake with all my faculties running at full power or I’d just entered the Twilight zone. My parents would occasionally do special things like this, when they had money, but I knew this was beyond their current means.

  “Open the card.” Dawn encouraged.

  I opened it cautiously. It read:

  The doorbell rang, just as I was wrapping my mind around the card. How in the heck did they find out where I lived? Did that cop rat me out, when I asked him not to?

  I hadn’t noticed that Ashley had gone to the door and returned with two dozen of the most beautiful roses I’d ever seen. Her eyes were watering. “Did Brian send those to you?” I asked.

  Her head shook as she held out the flowers to me. “They’re for you, hon.”

  No one has ever sent me flowers, not even my cheap two-timing, no good ex-boyfriend. He always claimed they were a waste of his money.

  I took the flowers and placed them on our dining room table. The color was beyond this world, soft pink on the outside with a darker pink outlining the edges of the petals. The smell was incredible. I was lost in the aroma when I heard, “Read the card.”

  I pulled out the card and read:

  I looked up, a little perplexed by all the attention and gifts. “I guess the gifts are from his parents?”

  I had to sit down at the table and just think for a second. All of this was feeling a bit overwhelming for me. Who exactly was this guy that I saved? His parents were going overboard on me. And why did I still feel such a strong connection to him, as though I know him?

  Dawn brought over a cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant. I lifted the mug and inhaled the aroma of the coffee to discover one of my favorites, caramel flavored. When I took a sip, I instantly recognized the flavors being that of the coffee shop around the corner from work. I loved going there on
breaks, sometimes to get a cup of coffee. But, how did they? I shook my head dispelling the notion. There were several carafes of coffee, so the odds of knowing which one was my favorite were just uncanny, only my friends and family would know that.

  Breakfast was a true feast. I was used to either a piece of toast and peanut butter or a bowl of cereal, but today I took my time and enjoyed my coffee and every crumb of my croissant.

  The rest of the day seemed to run smoothly. For some reason Conner finally stopped bugging me for new ideas at work and left me to handle the items I’d been assigned by our new intern supervisor, Ms. Tanner. I was still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that Mr. Heath had decided to take a position in the accounting department. It was a blessing to no longer work for him, knowing how he gave preferential treatment towards all the guys and more work for the rest of us to handle. I’d basically been told to shut up and put up with things when I’d tried to argue that Conner was stealing my ideas; and yet they wondered why I’d become reserved.

  Robin seemed to be whistling that little tune of “I know something you don’t know,” and wouldn’t bother to spill anything, no matter how much I bugged her. She just kept commenting, “I have a feeling your life is about to change for the better.” I could only hope so.

  That night proved to be a disaster of monstrous proportions. I’d already started boxing up some of my belongings, mainly the clothes that were out of season or I couldn’t wear to work, so I could move out of the house when our lease was up in a few weeks. Little did I know that our house would be broken into while I was out with Dawn for some fro-yo, and all of the boxes and their items would be torn to shreds. But, it didn’t stop there. My car had been keyed with the words, “Whore,” “Slut,” and “Two Timing Bitch,” etched perfectly into the red paint, with the front and rear window smashed and all my tires slashed.

  I called the police and the same policeman I’d talked with a few nights ago, arrived to take my statement, photos, and file a report. To our surprise, there were no fingerprints or sign of forced entry, so that only left someone who had a key or had made a copy of one. I’d been ready to kick myself when I realized that Tom still had a key and only my stuff had been messed with. I broke down crying in front of everyone. All I could think about was how I would get to my internship so I wouldn’t get fired and fail to graduate. At least most of my work clothes had been at the cleaners. Thankfully, I had some things to wear.

  “Miss Lawson?” The officer asked.

  “Yes?”

  “Do you have any idea who might be responsible for all this?” His eyes held concern for my current situation.

  I nodded. “My ex-boyfriend Tom Reynolds. He’d stated that I hadn’t seen the last of him.” I looked around to see that Dawn was busy talking with Ashley and Brian, before whispering, “He called me earlier today yelling about how I was unappreciative of all he’d done for me. How he’d helped me get into the internship program. How I still owed him and was not respectful of his feelings, replacing him within weeks of our break-up.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know why he’d say those things. I don’t have a new boyfriend, unless he’s watching the house lately and saw the deliveries that have been coming.” I started crying and shaking, as the officer tried to get Dawn to comfort me. “Why can’t he just leave me alone?!”

  “The bad news is that we can’t seem to find any fingerprints on anything to implicate him. If you happened to have a picture of him, we can ask around the neighborhood to see if anyone has seen him around or witnessed the crime.”

  “Thank you.”

  Dawn spoke up. “Could she get a restraining order on the asshole?”

  “Since there’s no evidence of him committing the crime, a judge wouldn’t grant one unless . . . Has he shown any act of physical violence or made any threats of that nature towards you Ms. Lawson?” His voice was laden with concern.

  I shook my head, not wanting to admit how he’d made a few threats when we broke up and a month earlier he’d slapped me in the face, when I finally gave into his sexual advances and then was unable to perform up to his standards, so to speak. I was too embarrassed to admit I was apparently the “frigid bitch” he proclaimed me to be.

  My internship would be up before long, my lease would end as soon as I graduated, and my time in Orlando looked to be coming to a close. I’d wanted to stay in the area, since my brother, Nate, lived here with some of his former college buddies, and all my friends were here, but I still had no hope of a permanent job, no finances to live on, and no place to stay. My brother had offered me his room, while he was traveling, but the idea of sharing an apartment with several young men, just didn’t sit well with me.

  I’d almost believed Robin when she mentioned things would be looking up, but from the view I had; I was sinking further into the depths of an unending rabbit hole that was swallowing me whole. How far would I fall before some sunshine finally entered my life?

  THE FIRST WEEK I was able to get rides to school with Dawn and rides into town with Ashley. They claimed they were headed my direction, but I knew they were going out of their way for me. I just hoped some day I could repay their kindness.

  That Friday afternoon, I was starting to close down my computer and clock out for the week, when Ms. Tanner came to my cubicle. “Marissa, before you leave, Mr. Prescott would like a word with you in his office.” Her smile was warm, but the idea of being called to the President’s office was a bit intimidating.

  I swallowed hard as I collected my things and proceeded to the top floor, where I was greeted by his assistant, Marjorie. She watched as I exited the elevator. “You must be Marissa.” She stuck her hand out to shake mine. “Mr. Prescott is expecting you, please go on in. Can I get you any water or anything to drink?”

  “No ma’am. I’m fine.” My voice shook, not knowing what all this was about.

  “I’ll be out here if you should change your mind.”

  I approached the door and knocked.

  “Come in, Marissa.” I’d never meet Mr. Prescott, but his voice already had a warmth to it that made me relax.

  He stood up from his desk and walked toward me. He was a tall man, at least six feet, light brown hair, slight tan, with the most amazing emerald green eyes, rimmed around the edges in gold. His hand came out and took mine in a gentle handshake before he waved toward the chairs in front of his desk, indicating I should have a seat. I was surprised when he took one next to me, instead of across the desk.

  I sat there, probably looking like a deer caught in the headlights, not knowing what to say or do. I swallowed hard as he began to talk. Please don’t tell me I’m getting kicked out of the internship program.

  Mr. Prescott patted the hand I had resting on the arm of the chair. “Don’t be so tense, Marissa. There’s nothing to worry about, in fact I’d like to make you an offer to join our company.”

  I released the breath I’d been holding, not realizing I’d been that scared. “A job, sir?”

  He smiled warmly at me. “I’d like to apologize on behalf of the company when I state that we should’ve been more proactive in listening to the complaints of you and Robin. If it wasn’t for that little spitfire, insisting that I’d listen to her or she’d have to be forcefully removed from my office . . .” we both laughed at the notion, “I wouldn’t know the injustice that was going on in the intern department.

  “I’d wondered why you came in here so vivacious with your personality and, as of late, it’s been non-existent. I should’ve inquired more, but have been busy expanding our services overseas. So, my sincerest apologies for any discomfort that Connor and Mr. Heath have brought you. Mr. Heath is a good worker and has been demoted within the company for his behavior towards women within the intern program. We have a standing policy that we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind toward any intern or member of our staff. Conner has been signed with the company and we can’t rescind his offer of employment, but he’s been given
fair warning that he must perform and come up with creative ideas within the marketing department or he’s out of here.”

  I hated that I was smiling, but it felt good to know that someone was listening and to know the work I’d actually done for this place. Before I could comment on anything, he asked. “You haven’t found another job offer yet?”

  I shook my head. “No, sir. I have resumes out, but so far not even a nibble.”

  He leaned back in his chair, a big smile spreading across his face. “In that case, I’d like to offer you an entry-level management position working alongside one of my sons.”

  Oh, my god! An entry level management position, this sounds too good to be true! I nodded. “I’d love that sir.”

  “Before you accept, I have to admit that some of the job is a bit out of our normal standard of ethics, so you might want to hear me out, before accepting.” His face held some concern.

  “Out of ethical standards, sir? I’m not sure I follow.”

  “The position would be working with my eldest son, Dane, who heads up the sales and acquisitions division for our upscale shop owners and buyers around the world. He procures the items that your spreadsheets indicate will be excellent sales for various buying groups. He’ll teach you the ins and outs of the job, but in turn I need you to teach him how you create your spreadsheets and analyze data. I’d also like you to go over everything you learned in the internship program in regards to public relations, marketing, and so forth.”

  The position didn’t sound unethical to me, so far. I couldn’t imagine why he’d think I’d be hesitant to accept. “Everything you’ve stated sounds amazing so far and I have no problem with the job duties. But, I still don’t understand how this would be unethical?”

  Mr. Prescott placed his arms on his legs and leaned forward. “The hours Dane runs, has him flying all over the country and world. He has to take some calls in the wee hours of the morning in order to connect with Greece, Italy, France, and other countries wanting to conduct early morning business. His schedule floats all over the place as a result, which would require you to live in close proximity of him.”