by K. J. Dahlen
"You’re not the same person you were in high school. Time changes people, for better and for worse." She reiterated their words from the previous day. "It might be just as well that you might not be staying in town for long," Laurie said, her words piercing her heart as she voiced them. Oh, how she longed to be with him again! But she had to remember that he was a changed man now, with more cause for anger and resentment, two things that Laurie never would have associated with the carefree, fun-loving Gary of old. Despite this obvious change, Laurie still felt certain that they, at the very least, would always be friends. She damn well wanted to give it another go.
"Or I might have a reason to stick around. We’ll just have to wait and see." Gary smiled, a light came over his face, and Laurie could practically see how peaceful and happy he was for what was probably the first time in awhile. She was determined to keep that light shining on him.
~ * ~
Gary could not remember the last time that he felt so content. Eating dinner with his high school sweetheart, good food, quiet atmosphere, the night was going really well. Although he couldn’t believe that he had already confided his infertility to her, Gary knew that he still wanted to share everything with the gorgeous woman in front of him.
I always thought she was beautiful, but now… wow! Gary could not believe the quiet grace that Laurie now possessed. She had a dignity that she had lacked in high school. Her hair was falling from her bun and framed her face with soft curls. And her eyes, smoky gray, passionate… was it his imagination or did they mirror the hope that he was feeling too?
Gary hadn’t come back to town to find a wife. He had needed a place to stay, far from Pennsylvania. And Alice. He needed a job. But if Laurie was right and fate was shoving them back together again….
Gary ate more of his chicken parmesan. The perfect blend of chicken and cheese and homemade sauce was delicious. Gary had never cared for Italian food until meeting Laurie. She had been such a huge influential part of his life and he now hoped that she always would be.
Yet one thing nagged him. He knew how much family meant to Laurie. After all, family was why they had broken up in the first place; she had needed to stay behind to spend the last few years of her grandmother’s life with her. And Gary respected that. Admired it. Her spunk and determination were two of the reasons he had fallen in love with her in the first place. But now he could never give her a family of her own. And that bothered him as much as it would bother her, if she had even thought that far ahead.
Not that she should have. She was right; they were both different people now. But that didn’t matter to him. He wanted to know all about her life, her time spent on earth when he hadn’t been by her side. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her; he now wondered how he could have ever left her side.
"The food is delicious," Laurie said softly, her eyes sparkling. Ever since their food had been served, the two had not spoken much, instead concentrating on the task at hand: enjoying the marvelous meal.
"Divine," Gary agreed. "Just like you." He reached across the table and gently held her hand. Her skin was just as smooth as it had been years ago and Gary’s hand was burning. Her skin, her touch was more intoxicating than the two glasses of wine he had drank.
Laurie smiled, a gentle, teasing smile. Her cheeks were rosy and added to her beauty. She glanced away and Gary noticed her slender neck, snow white, innocent and pure.
"Should I be getting the young school teacher back to her place? Is it almost her curfew?"
She grinned, a reckless curve of her lips that sent Gary’s heart for a loop and left him breathless. "I really should."
"May I see you again?"
"That depends." She tilted her head to the side and gave him a puzzling glance.
"Depends?" Any conditions, any terms… he would satisfy them.
"Would it still be for old time’s sake?"
Gary just stared at her, at her beauty, at the woman that time had changed and matured. She may not be little Laurie anymore but she still had his heart captivated. "No." Gary cleared his throat. "No. For young time, new memories, old flames but new fire."
Laurie’s face lit up and Gary smiled. He could just stare at her for hours. "Come on, let me take you home."
~ * ~
Chivalry wasn’t completely dead. Gary held out her chair for her and walked her, arm-in-arm, to the car. She carried the bottle of wine, minus four glasses, as if it was a trophy for how well the night had gone. "I had such a great time," Laurie said, not caring that she was gushing. She felt as if nothing could harm her, nothing could cause the night to end other than perfectly.
Gary glanced over as he started the ignition. "So did I." He winked at her, that light on his face illuminating the car and Laurie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. She could not be happier.
Or more tired. She yawned and Gary laughed. "Go ahead, close your eyes. I’ll get you home safely."
"I’m fine, I’m fine." She yawned again. "It must be the wine."
He grinned and pulled out of the parking lot.
As the car sped along in the darkness, Laurie was tempted to close her eyes but she refused, instead wanting to enjoy just spending time with him. She glanced at his side profile and wanted to trace his jawbone, kiss his neck, and just be held by those strong arms.
Just then, Gary sat up straighter, his back rigid. Laurie glanced ahead and saw a car in the other lane bearing down on them, driving much too fast, skating across the center line. "Watch out!" she cried but there wasn’t time for Gary to react and the two cars collided, head on.
~ * ~
Laurie woke up first. "Ga-ry?" she croaked, her throat so dry that the name hardly was pronounced.
"He’s fine. Has a sore noggin’ from his forehead hitting the windshield but other than that, he’s just fine. You are too, just some bruises."
"And the other driver?" Laurie asked, glancing around. She saw Gary, his head wrapped in gauze, talking earnestly to another EMT and some police officers. He turned and smiled and waved when he saw her. Laurie smiled back and winced; her ribs were sore.
"From the seat belt. Just some bruises, like I said. It’s a good thing that you both were wearing them." The EMT sighed. Maybe twenty years Laurie’s senior, the lady was slightly plump but worked with ease and grace that belied her size. Laurie liked her immediately, but couldn’t help but feel as though she was avoiding her question.
"The other driver?" Laurie asked again.
"Didn’t make it," the woman said finally. Her dark eyes were furious. "Stupid moron. Should never have been out on the road. His blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal amount! And he wasn’t wearing a belt, let me tell you. Went right through the windshield and bounced off your car." She muttered to herself as she examined Laurie for any more bruises than her ribs. "I hate drunk drivers. Not only put themselves in trouble but everyone else too!"
Laurie smiled in agreement but glanced over at Gary. She was so relieved that he was all right. He mattered so much to her that she now knew that she could never be parted from him again. She had loved him once, had never truly stopped, and would always love him.
She had been silent during dinner, worrying about their future, if they should decide to have one. And Laurie had to confess that she had been selfish, wishing that Gary had never had his incident, that he could still sire children. But now, after their brush with death, Laurie knew that she just wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, as his wife, even if she could never be the mother of his children.
After what felt like an eternity, Gary came over to her and wrapped her in his arms. She felt searing pain through her ribs but the pain meant nothing, all that mattered was Gary.
"I couldn’t avoid it," Gary whispered in her hair. "I would have hit a tree if I veered. It all happened so fast."
"Gary, it wasn’t your fault."
He stared at her, at her light gray eyes so full of hope and love. His mouth found hers and their hearts spoke
in the tongues of angels. "Marry me," he said when they finally needed to catch their breath. "I know I can’t support us yet, I need a job, and I know I can’t give you children…"
"There are plenty of jobs in the area," Laurie said, her voice husky. "And we have all the time in the world to spend together, might as well use some of it to adopt."
Gary slowly got down on one knee; it was obvious that his sore and aching body did not agree with the movement. "I’ll buy you the largest diamond you want. You pick the ring. Only marry me. Be my wife."
"Time won’t ever part us again," Laurie said as she helped him to his feet. "Yes. Oh, yes, Gary!" They kissed again and Laurie knew that her happiness was with Gary, her high school sweetheart, her fiancé.
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