In the Park
Jack Walters was a man of many doubts unless it came down to one specific thing. He loved Allison more than anything, even more so when she gently took control of his mind.
They were sitting on the same park bench where they had first laid eyes on one another ten years ago. For their last date, she was wearing the same gray cashmere dress of the early days too, a lovely yet bittersweet memory of what had been. He shivered as he gazed into her inviting emerald eyes. It was only 10 pm, too soon for the inevitable.
“It looks like you’re getting cold,” Allison remarked, wrapping her arms around his dismayed shoulders. “Are you ready to go?”
The lamp above them flickered slightly. “No, not yet,” He responded.
“Okay then,” she smiled, gleefully. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Well… This might sound stupid, but do you know what I could go for right now? An ice cream.”
“Nothing stupid about that.” She smiled. “Just wait here, and I’ll get you one.”
“That might prove hard seeing we’re the only ones around tonight.”
“I’m a pretty resourceful girl, remember? I’ll think of something. Hold on tight!”
“Okay.” He nodded as she waltzed away into the encroaching darkness. Had ten years really gone by so quickly? Why? Why couldn’t he have more time? As he lingered in extraneous thoughts, the love of his life returned with a delicacy not even the cold of Winter could take away from him.
“Oh, my God!” His eyes suddenly lit up. “A Lemon Swirl? Everything is closed! Where did you…?”
“I told you I’m resourceful,” she giggled. “Now, have a go at it while you can. Just because it’s chilly, that doesn’t mean it won’t start melting.”
“Thank you.” He gladly took the cup from her hands.
“Anytime.”
“Do you remember when you used to trance me with these?” He took the first bite and winked.
“How could I forget? You’ve always loved that syrup spiral.”
“I still do. And I love you.”
“I know you do.”
“I don’t want to do this, Ally, but…”
“Shh, I know. It’s okay. I’m here for you. I’m always here for you.”
He lowered his gaze to the sweet vanilla and lemon combo. The spiral was still intact.
“Do you think you could… you know…?”
“No need, sweetie.” She leaned toward him to kiss his right earlobe. “It’s already happening. We’re here.”
“Oh, I see.” The lamp flickered again after his sudden moment of realization. “It’s been quite the night, hasn’t it?”
“It sure has. I’m glad we could have it.”
“Me too.”
“Tell me when you’re ready to go.”
“I’ll never be ready but… maybe we should do it now while the memory is still fresh…”
“I understand.” She let out a barely audible sigh as silver tears rolled down. “In that case, I’ll walk you.”
“You don’t have to. You’ve done so much already just being here.”
“But I want to. Come on, Jack, let’s hold hands just one more time.”
He reached out for her warm fingers, locking onto them as if they were too precious to be out of his grasp. She got up, helped him do the same, and both began the long journey back, every single light going down behind them with every trembling step.
* * *
Beyond the threshold of consciousness, in the world that would never feel real without him, Allison took one last look at her terminal state lover and pocketed the crystal pendant before motioning the doctors outside the hospital room. One last fantasy, one final altered state of mind before turning off life support. It was the end, but not really. As long as she remembered for him, they would always be together in the park.
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