Can their love endure?
Nicole Storm
Grandpa Buck had always been my rock, teaching me to
believe in myself and see the world as conquerable. I longed to be that little
girl again, sitting on his lap, soaking in his wisdom and stories. Life felt
simpler back then.
He filled my world with love and lessons, showing me
kindness even towards the unkind and instilling a love for life's simple
pleasures like books, cooking, hiking, and stargazing in the snow.
I’m all grown-up now… and alone. I worked as a hairstylist
in a place called Hair and Flare. I enjoyed my job. Talking to people took
skill and patience, and I was good at making them look their best. It was
satisfying.
When Grandpa Buck fell ill two years ago, I feared the
worst, especially given his age. I sat by his hospital bed, holding his hand as
he slipped away, leaving a void in my heart that nothing could fill. He was my
everything, the only one who loved me unconditionally. My own mother didn’t
want me. She was a wild cat, as Grandpa used to say… and then one day she
overdosed. That had been a hard time for Grandpa and me, but we were there for
each other.
Grandpa Buck had left me a cabin in Big Bear. I loved living
here. I cherished every moment in the cabin, a place filled with memories of the
only person who ever showed me love.
Life can play jokes sometimes. I found out I had breast
cancer a few weeks ago. The chemotherapy wasn’t easy. I felt drained and sick,
barely able to move around.
I bought a lovely brown wig and headed to dinner at the
village. I was tired almost all the time. It was starting to snow, and I put my
arms up in the air and swirled. My boots sank in the snow, making me lose my
balance, and I fell hard, knocking myself out. Someone poked me on the side of
my back. My eyes opened to a handsome man smiling, and then the embarrassment
happened… I felt the cold air on my bald head.
“Are you all right?” the cute guy said.
“Yes, I'm fine.”
“Wait… here… is this your wig?”
“Give me that!” I snatched it and placed it on my bald head.
“I think it’s backwards.” He smiled.
I was mortified. My face was beet red as he helped me up. I
thanked him, put on my wig the right way, and slowly approached the restaurant.
I ordered a glass of wine, hoping to dull the chaos and awkwardness.
Then, the handsome man walked in and kissed the waitress on
the cheek. Too bad he was taken. He took a seat at my table. The man was
full of surprises, and his baby blue eyes watched my every move.
“Hi, I didn't tell you my name. It's Noah Campbell.”
“Nice name. My name is Nicole Storm.” I shyly said.
He kept smiling, and he ordered a beer. We started to get
acquainted, and finally, Noah walked me home. I couldn't believe he was
spending time with someone like me. At the door, he hugged me and asked if I
wanted to go for coffee in the morning. I said yes of course.
The next morning, we met at Starbucks, drank extra hot
coffee and ate blueberry muffins, and talked.
“This is really nice, Noah. But why me?” I asked.
“Because you are lovely. Don't you believe in being in the
right place at the right time?” he answered.
That night, before I went to bed, I wrote in my journal
about what a great day I had. I wanted Noah to like me.
Months passed swiftly, like a gust of wind. My hair, though
short, was slowly regaining its length, and I had returned to work after
enduring the ravages of chemotherapy, which had taken a toll on my body,
causing me to lose a lot of weight. Despite the lingering effects, I was
feeling better each day.
Noah had been a constant presence in my life during this
time. Despite his demanding schedule as a paramedic, he made time to visit me.
Witnessing the pain and tragedies in his line of work had motivated him to
pursue a career dedicated to saving lives. His dedication and compassion
touched me deeply, and I found myself falling for him, though it stirred a
sense of fear within me.
When he wasn’t around, or he didn’t call, I missed him, and
my anxiety soared. But when I caught sight of him, my heart fluttered with
anticipation, even though we hadn't even shared a kiss yet! I wondered if he
only saw me as a friend. I have to be careful. After all, I was battling cancer
and undergoing chemotherapy. Rushing into things wasn't an option. But still, I
couldn't deny the allure of his tall, tanned body and piercing blue eyes.
Noah and I had our regular Friday night dinner. I wore a red
dress and a wig because my hair was short and thin. I felt shy about my looks,
but Noah didn't seem to mind. We went to Captain's Anchorage, a cozy and
romantic restaurant. We had wine, talked, and held hands. With him by my side,
I felt like the prettiest woman in the world, and it seemed like no other women
mattered.
“Nicole, we're moving fast, but I love you. I don't want to
waste any time. I'm going to Africa for two months. Can we spend tonight
together and get married when I return? Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I exclaimed, filled with joy.
We embraced and walked to my place. He spent the night, and
we made sweet love. Everything was happening quickly, but with Noah leaving on
Monday, I knew life was too short to hesitate.
Read the full story in the book:
https://books2read.com/u/m27NQd
What if you think the known world isn’t strange enough? Embark on a journey that pushes the boundaries, challenges your perception, and questions reason, logic, and established beliefs.
