Disclaimer: Contrary to my own belief, I do NOT own anybody in this story. To make things even worse, I'm not making any money, either.

bOur Last Kiss/b

That day seemed so innocent. It was a warm spring Saturday. The sky was a perfect blue with just the right amount of fluffy white clouds. The grass was a wonderful healthy-looking green. Trees were just starting to grow new leaves and flowers were beginning to bloom into beautiful colors. Who could have known that such a painful tragedy lay ahead?

*****

Scott and I were in the kitchen letting our lunch settle and arguing over who was going to do the grocery shopping that desperately needed to be done.

I did it last time, I complained from my seat at the table.

That's because you're picky. When I do the shopping all you do is complain about what I buy, Scott countered. He was leaning against the refrigerator several feet from me.

I promise I won't complain this time.



Come on, baby. It's your turn, I whined.

Scott gave in.

I smiled at him, happy that I got my way. Scott smiled back at me and said, I love you too much.

Scott then walked out of the kitchen and upstairs to get his wallet and keys. When he returned I walked him to our front door.

No, don't forget my shampoo, I told Scott.

I won't, Scott said with a laugh. He always thought that my obsession with my hair was funny.

I smiled at him and bent down to kiss him good-bye, even though he was planning to be gone for no more than half an hour. It was a short simple kiss on the lips. No tongue or anything passionate. Just a quick peck to show that we loved each other. Even if it wasn't meant to be special, it was to me. I loved the feel of Scott's lips against mine in any fashion.

I love you, Scott said quickly and jogged to the driveway where he jumped into our dark green SUV.

I love you, too, I said after he rolled down the window. I could hear him change the radio from my rap station to his country one.

He backed down the driveway slowly. I called out.

Bye, Kev! Scott shouted at me just before he reached the street. He gave me a quick wave of his hand before he drove off.

*****

Back in the house I made myself useful by cleaning our bedroom. I vacuumed our blue carpet and dusted the furniture. Dusting Scott's dresser was slightly challenging; he always let things clutter. I straightened all of our pictures that decorated the room. Our favorite picture hung on the wall above the headboard of our big bed. In that picture Scott and I had our arms wrapped around each other, with the happiest smiles on our faces.

Just as I finished cleaning, I heard the telephone ring. I ran downstairs to answer it. I stopped when I reached the bottom, because I had no idea where the phone was. I followed the ringing into the living room. I found it half-covered by a pillow on the couch.

I grabbed it, and answered,

May I speak with Mr. Kevin Nash, please? a woman's serious voice asked.

That's me, I said.

I am Nurse Nancy Greene from Memorial Hospital, and we need you to get here as soon as you can.

I said while my heart raced with sudden worry.

Scott Hall has been hospitalized here after being in a car accident, she replied.

Immediately, my stomach lurched and my hand gripped at the phone with white-knuckle strength. Is he okay? I managed to ask.

He's alive.

There was something in her voice that made me think Scott was far from okay. How bad is he? I had to ask.

You can discuss his condition with the doctor when you get to the hospital, she said.

That didn't sound good to me. Okay, thanks, I said and hung up.

I took a deep breath before I ran upstairs to get the keys to the car. During the drive to the hospital I tried to convince myself that Scott was just fine, that the nurse was mean and got kicks out of worrying the families of her patients. However, something deep inside told me that Scott really was not okay.



TBC