It was a Tuesday when I got the news. It was supposed to be a normal visit to the doctor. I had planned to be home around noon, enough time to get to my shift at the local bookstore. The appointment started out normal, and then my doctor asked if she could run some additional tests. Of course, I agreed.

She asked my to wait in the lobby while she got the results from the lab. I was curious as to why, but I didn't say anything. I went and sat like I was supposed to, worry starting to worm its way into my mind.

She returned and showed me the results, smiling. Everything was completely normal. I let out a breath I wasn't aware I had been holding. I thanked her and left, driving to Bibliophilia, the bookstore that I worked at. I parked my car and removed my seatbelt. I was about to open the door when I caught a glimpse of something in my rear-view mirror. A big SUV, spinning rapidly. Headed straight for me. It slammed into my tiny car, and my head collided with the side of my door, even though the airbags went off. Everything blurred, and then it went dark.

I woke up in the hospital. A kind nurse asked me what I remembered. I told her all of it, seeing the SUV in the mirror and hitting my head on the door. She nodded and went to speak to the doctor. I waited, noticing the dull pain in my head. I shrugged it off. It'd been hit pretty hard.

The doctor did a few scans and went to get the results from the lab. I fell asleep a bit after that, and woke seven hours later. The doctor came in and showed me the results. He started talking about how much time I had left, and how to make it better. Apparently the hit had jarred my brain, and they were worried about aneurysms. One could show up at any moment, and then I'd be done for. I thanked him for telling me, my voice lifeless to my ears. My mind was spinning for a few minutes, then I became rational. I had two years to live, tops. That was if no aneurysms popped but before then. I planned out the next few months in that hospital bed, and I never looked back.

A Saturday downpour carved out rivers in the sand
She said it was her first time to see the sea
Helping her climb across those jetty rocks
Was the first time I touched her hand
The rain and the way that felt never let up all week

- Seven Days by Kenny Chesney

I made it to my destination late the next day: the coast of Oregon. I'd always wanted to see the ocean, but had never had the chance. Now, I figured I might as well. I went into the local real estate agent's office and asked about a short-term rental. She informed my that a house on the beach could be rented for a minimum time of a week. I signed a contract, and she handed me the keys to my temporary home. I thanked her, and she gave me directions to it. Apparently I 'couldn't miss it'.

I got settled into the house, smiling even though it had started raining. It was small, a perfect size for me. I didn't bother unpacking, just bringing my bags up to my new bedroom. I stood in front of the mirror and twisted my chestnut brown hair into a ponytail. I studied my reflection. Why me? I thought. I was normal. I didn't do anything horrible to deserve this. My hazel eyes blinked, but didn't offer any answers. I sighed and grabbed my keys. I locked up the house and walked down to the beach.

Since it was raining, there weren't that many people there. I walked up to the edge of the sand, watching the water level rise and fall with each wave. I looked up and saw a break wall not that much farther down the beach. I grinned and walked over to it. I climbed the stairs at its beginning and headed out into the water. I stood about halfway out for a bit, and noticed someone was behind me. I turned and smiled.

It was a dark-haired man who was enjoying the ocean like I was. He looked relaxed, not minding the rain soaking his clothes and hair.

I decided on a whim to go out farther, to the lighthouse. The path was much harder to navigate there, just a bunch of boulders piled up to make a way to access the lighthouse. I made it a few yards before slipping, and I nearly fell into the deep, icy water.

But I didn't. The man who'd been standing near me grabbed my sliding hand and helped haul me up. "I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that these rocks are kind of slippery."

I grinned. "Yeah, they are. Thank you. I'm Lilian."

He nodded in acknowledgement. "I'm Tony." He shook the hand still holding mine.

I pulled back my hand, blushing a little. "I'm sorry. I should've been more careful. I never knew ocean water could make rocks so slippery."

"I'll take it then that you're not from around here."

I nodded. "It's my first time seeing the ocean. I've wanted to for a while." We stood in silence for a moment. "Well, thanks again for catching me. I'm sorry I bothered you." I turned and ventured out farther. I wobbled a bit, and was surprised when I was steadied. I turned to see that he hadn't left. I gave him a slight questioning look.

He smirked. "Can't have you falling, now can we?" Then he got serious. "Really, though. With the waves, it would not be good if you fell in. They're really rough today. I'll walk with you."

I shrugged and accepted it. Slowly but surely, with only a few close calls, we headed towards the lighthouse. Finally, we arrived on the solid ground and Tony fell to his knees dramatically. "We're alive!"

I started laughing, and pretty soon he was too. "So, Lily, are you ready to head back?"

"Lily?" I'd never had a nickname before. Well, not one that wasn't an insult to throw in my face.

"Yeah. Lilian is kind of long, so I'm going to call you Lily."

"Okay. Yes, I'm ready to go back."

We made it back to the beach with no problem, and it started raining harder, drenching us to the bone. I started to walk home, but then Tony drove by. He stopped and got out, grabbing my hand and pulling me over to the passenger side. He tried to help me inside, but I stood my ground. "I don't want to get your car all wet."

"It's just a car. It'll dry. You look like you need a ride."

I shrugged. "I'll be fine."

He shot me a look and folded his arms. "I'm not getting in until you do."

I sigh and relent. Fine. If he wanted to make sure I got home all right, that was okay. I smiled slightly. He barely even knew me, and he truly cared.