Open Your Eyes

                                                                        Open Your Eyes

                       He was trying to be honest but failing miserably, the fact was that he had fallen desperately in love with the idea that she’d always be available only to discover she was engaged to a loser named Buck who looked like road kill. Now, because he drove for a limousine service, she was asking the guy she’d thought of as a really good friend to participate in the service by driving road kill’s Lincoln Continental. Actually the car belonged to road kill’s old man (a rotund sort that was no prize either) and was all set up to look like a Duke’s chariot.

　

                      It was a beautiful spring day in the mid-west as the perfumed lady of this poor man’s dream smiled brightly and asked whether or not he’d like to wear a tux. He wasn’t sure if he should just come right out and tell her she was making a mistake or keep his trap shut and agree to show up wearing a penguin suit. That’s when she put her hands to her face and laughed a little. “Who would’ve thought that you’d be my driver? After the crush I had on you when we were in high school and the goofy way we’ve always managed to be good friends, my mom thinks-get this: you and I were meant for each other. Do you believe that?”

　

                      He could feel his face warm as her laughter trailed off. Angry that the idea the two of them never really made, it as a couple and angrier that she deemed the whole thing as nothing more than a bad joke, he was certain of the last thing she wanted to hear. So he just grinned peacefully which she took to mean he would do what ever she wanted.


                      A slight breeze picked up and he turned to the sky. After a shudder, “We better not stay here, it looks like it’ll rain in a few seconds,” he helped her stand and they made their way from the trees in the small common toward the gazebo that was in the center of the park. By the time they made it to shelter the rain had become a mess. Dropping down in sheets as he thought about the drought the local farmers were complaining of.

　

                     He let go a deep breath as the ground drank in the sky’s gift and caught a glimpse of her face in the mist. She was breathtaking at that moment and the way her smile changed from jovial to serious told him there was maybe a chance they could become an item after all. She found her spine tingling as the cool wind shot at her and she shivered a little. Her arms wrapped around her body and he moved. Without knowing why his impulses and desires had become so clear, and not even questioning, he held her and she dropped her face into his chest.

　

                   For a moment, the world was perfect in his arms and she could no longer resist the urge to kiss him. They’d known each other for years and, despite the hints both of their parents had given, never truly considered the real possibilities that existed. Sometimes people are so blinded by life they miss what’s right in front of their eyes. Their lips met and the sky exploded in a terrific display of fireworks.

　

                 The whole world became a spectacular playground of love, hope, and the splendor of passion. As if they were always meant to be together, the young couple intertwined their bodies and became as one. After what seemed an eternal second was ended as the thunderstorm passed. Still in each others arms, they stopped kissing and stared at each other.

　

                 She spoke first, “Oh wow, um. . . Sorry?”

　

               “Sorry for what? I don’t know words that well,” he was stunned as his mind raced in search of what to say next, closing his eyes and praying to himself, he continued, “I am in love with you and don’t think you should marry that road kill. What the hell, we’ve come this far, marry me and I’ll show you life and love the way it’s supposed to be,” he finished with his breath behind him.

　

                She squeezed him more tightly, “I really hate when my mother is right about something,” she looked up at him and his eyes opened, “but yeah, let’s do that.”

　

                They hugged each other then laughed merrily.


                Soon they stepped down from the gazebo and she grabbed his hand, “Road kill, you think Buck looks like road kill?” her laughter was infectious, “You know something, my dad does too?”

　

                The common’s trees seemed to give each other high-fives as the young couple made their way to his car. Sometimes all it takes is one thing for you to open your eyes, you know?

　

                                                                       End.