It was around 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night, at the beginning of February. Alicia, Merrill, Graham and Colleen sat at a table at Pineville Tavern, a historic restaurant right outside of Newtown. They were enjoying a night without the kids- who were at their grandparents' house. Even though they had been finished with their meal for a while, they were still sitting at the table- laughing and reminiscing about different events from the past.
Colleen looked at Merrill and asked, "Have you ever heard Alicia's 'Good Ship Lollipop' disaster story?"
"No, she hasn't told me."
Alicia glared at Colleen and said, "I'll kill you."
"Oh come on, it's hysterical."
Alicia linked her arm with Merrill's and leaned her head on his shoulder, saying, "Fine…whatever makes you happy."
Colleen could barely keep from laughing, even as she began the story.
"OK..so Mom entered Alicia into this talent competition when she was 4. She was gonna sing 'On the Good Ship Lollipop' and had practiced it over and over again. She looked so cute- with these bouncy Shirley Temple curls and a big pink dress..she even had a big lollipop in one hand. So on the day of the show, little Miss Alicia was so excited and when it was her turn, she walked onto the stage- she stood in front of the microphone with that huge lollipop and started singing at the top of her lungs. Before she even finished the first sentenced, she dropped the lollipop and it shattered on the stage into a million pieces. The music kept playing and she was standing there, just frozen. We were all whispering, 'Keep singing! Keep singing!' But.."
Colleen broke apart laughing and then continued with the story.
"She…she just started bawling her eyes out. But what's funny is that Ali's always been a trooper- while she was crying, she was still singing the song! Mom had to drag her off of the stage because she was in hysterics. I felt so bad, but it was so funny!"
Everyone at the table was doubled over in laughter, except for Alicia.
She replied, "Go ahead and laugh. I'm glad you got a kick out of it! I was traumatized for life and I'm still scared to even get up and sing karaoke!"
"I don't know why- you've always had such a fantastic voice."
Merrill said, "Oh really? I never knew you could sing, Al."
"Seriously, I'm not that great."
Graham asked, "Didn't you two always used to sing some song together..it's that song by Bette Midler."
" 'The Rose,'" Colleen replied, "We haven't sung that in years."
Merrill looked at Alicia and nudged her.
"I think that you two should serenade us when we get back to Newtown."
"Sorry hon, my serenading days are long gone."
"Oh, I'm sure I could get it out of you."
They looked at each other and met for a quick peck on the lips.
Graham said, "Well, I think we should all get going. We should appreciate the house being empty while we can."
"I'm so glad that you two are spending the night," Colleen added, "It feels like we never see each other anymore."
As they all stood up, Alicia said, "We've both been so busy. Tomorrow is the first day off we've had together in almost two weeks."
"Excuses, excuses."
Alicia nudged Colleen and said, "You just want me around so I'll babysit."
"That's not true! Oh, I meant to ask you…are you really gonna be that busy tomorrow? Because I'd love to go to the mall and if you could watch the kids…"
"If you value your life, don't finish that sentence."
Colleen giggled and said, "Come on, let's get out of here."
When they got outside, Alicia said, "Merrill, I'm gonna ride back to the house with Colleen in their car. You and Graham take our car. We're gonna spend some quality sister time together."
"Fine by me. Besides, Graham and I could use some brotherly love time too."
"I'll see you later."
"Ditto, kid."
Merrill kissed Alicia's cheek and winked at her as she left with Colleen. Then he watched as she latched onto her older sister's arm and laugh like a little kid.
Graham called, "Merrill, you coming?"
"Right behind you, bro."
Meanwhile, Alicia held tighter to Colleen and said, "It wasn't supposed to be this cold tonight!"
"Maybe if you wore more clothes out, you'd be a little warmer!"
"Oh shut up! You make me sound like a two-cent floozy."
"Well…"
They looked at each other and burst into laughter. They finally arrived at the car and as soon as they got in, Colleen turned on the engine and let the heat circulate for a moment or so. Then she looked at Alicia and sighed.
"What is it, Coll?"
"I was thinking about the story I was telling at dinner."
"You told more than one story tonight."
"I'm talking about the lollipop story…and how adorable you were when you were little. And how much I hate you now."
"Excuse me?"
"I wish that when I was 22, I was as gorgeous as you are. You got all the good features- the naturally blinding white teeth, the eyelashes that look false, the green eyes…no wonder Merrill fell so hard for you."
"Colleen, what are you talking about? You're the most beautiful person I know! If I'm half as pretty when I'm your age as you are now, I'll be beyond lucky."
"Now I know you're patronizing me."
"I'm not! I've always envied everything about you…the life you have with Graham and the kids, your career…everything."
"You can have that too, Ali. I fell back a few steps just like you did in the past, and it made me work harder. You've already got an amazing guy, so you're halfway there."
"I definitely wouldn't mind Merrill being the father of my kids one day. I know it sounds like I'm rushing things, but he would be such an amazing dad."
"Yeah, but if things keep going the way they are, he'll be on the road a lot- it'll prove to be a bit of a challenge. But if you keep loving each other the way that you do, you'll be fine. Well, I guess I should actually start driving the car- it's warm enough now."
Meanwhile, Graham and Merrill were already well on their way back to Newtown. For the first 10 minutes of the drive, they hadn't said anything to each other. Finally, Graham started a conversation.
"So how have your practices been going?"
"Good. But it's the first time I've had to concentrate so hard on the game."
"Why? Oh, I know why. Is it because of a certain lady in your life?"
Merrill nodded and replied, "No matter how hard I try, I can't get Ali out of my brain. It was never like this with Lottie or any other woman I've been with. For the first time in my life, I'm starting to think about kids and marriage…anything involving committing myself to her. She said that if I asked her to marry me, she'd say yes."
"Hmm…my little brother married and a father. It doesn't seem real. But what about your baseball career?"
"I'm just gonna play everything by ear. Right now, all I want to concentrate on is making Ali happy."
Graham looked at Merrill and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Merrill asked.
"Nothing. It's just so odd to see you so…so smitten. Willing to do anything for her. You do realize what context the actual word 'love' has, right? It means that you would die for that person."
"I know that."
Ever since they were kids, Graham could instantly tell when Merrill was joking about a serious issue. However, hearing the way he talked about Alicia made Graham realize that Merrill was completely genuine about his feelings for Alicia.
About 20 minutes later, Merrill sat on the front porch of the main house alone. He lit up a cigarette and waited for Alicia and Colleen. Finally, they pulled into the driveway and Alicia got out of the car first.
"Did you two take the long way home?" Merrill asked.
Colleen got out and said, "I guess you could say that. We stayed another ten or fifteen minutes in the parking lot of the restaurant after you guys left, just talking."
"I see."
Colleen went inside the house, but Alicia stayed outside with Merrill. She took his cigarette and took a long drag from it.
"You should really quit before the season starts," she said.
"You sound like my mother."
"What can I say? We both love you desperately."
Merrill tossed the cigarette into the melting blanket of snow in the front yard. Then he pulled Alicia into his arms.
He kissed her and said, "You looked so beautiful tonight. But then again, you always do."
"Thanks. I had a great time tonight. I love spending time together with my three favorite people on the face of the planet."
Suddenly, Colleen appeared at the front door and asked, "Are you two ever gonna come in?"
"Yeah, yeah," Alicia said, "Give us a minute."
"Alright. I made some hot cocoa if you want some."
"Definitely. Thanks, sis."
Merrill said, "That hot cocoa sounds like a great idea right about now- are you as cold as I am?"
"Yeah. I'll meet you inside. I'm gonna get our stuff out of the car and bring it to the garage house."
"Here, I'll help you."
"No, it's OK. I wanna have a cigarette anyway."
"Is someone throwing stones in a glass house?"
"I'm not a studly baseball player, am I?"
Merrill snickered and replied, "Hurry up, OK?"
"I will."
He tossed Alicia the car keys and went into the house. She got their overnight bags and trudged to the stairs of the garage house. She climbed them, put the bags inside, and then came back out. Reaching into her coat pocket, she grabbed her cigarettes and lighter. After lighting a cigarette and taking the first drag, she looked over at the main house. She could see Merrill and Colleen laughing in the kitchen and she smiled.
"This all feels too good to be true," she whispered to herself, "I'm never this happy for this long without something bad happening."
"Alicia!! What's taking so long?!"
Alicia had become so lost in thought that she didn't even see Merrill come out of the main house.
"I'm coming!" she yelled back.
"You better, or I'll drink your cocoa!"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Then hurry up!"
Alicia took one last drag and then threw the cigarette out as she went down the stairs. When she got inside, no one was in the kitchen or living room. However, she heard piano music coming from Colleen's workroom.
"Are you guys upstairs?"
"Yeah!" Colleen called, "Come up here!"
Alicia went up to the workroom and saw Colleen sitting at the piano. She immediately recognized the song that Colleen was playing.
Colleen sang, "Some say love, it is a river; that drowns the tender reed…"
Then she looked at Alicia to finish off the verse, but there was no response.
"Ali, that's where you come in."
"I'm enjoying my cocoa, thank you very much."
"Come on, Al. We haven't done this forever."
Merrill added, "Besides, I've never heard you really sing."
"And that makes me even more nervous."
"Please, Ali? For me."
Alicia sighed and placed her cup down.
"You better make blueberry pancakes in the morning, Coll."
"For you, anything."
Alicia sat besides Colleen at the piano and turned the music to its first page.
"Ready?" Colleen asked.
"Ready."
Colleen began playing the first few notes of the song. Then, in a flowing and sweet voice, she sang the first part of the beginning verse.
"Some say love, it is a river; that drowns the tender reed…"
Timidly, Alicia opened her mouth and quietly sang, "Some say love, it is a razor; that leaves your soul to bleed.."
"Some say love, it is a hunger; an endless, aching need.."
"I say love, it is a flower; and you, its only seed…"
Then in seamless harmony, they sang together.
"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live…"
As Alicia sang the last verse with Colleen, she looked directly into Merrill's eyes.
"When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose…"
Colleen finished the last notes of the song and then leaned her head on top of Alicia's. Both Graham and Merrill were awestruck by the beautiful simplicity of the song.
Graham said, "Where did that voice come from, Ali?"
"I was asking myself the same thing."
Merrill held out his arms and said, "Look. I have goosebumps. That was incredible."
The four of them spent another half hour or so in the room, talking and listening to Colleen play various songs on the piano.
Then Graham said, "How about we go downstairs and watch a movie on TV."
"Sounds good to me," Colleen said.
As Merrill and Graham headed down the staircase, Colleen and Alicia stayed in the room.
Colleen said, "Ali, promise me something."
"What is it?"
"Promise me that when we're in our 80s, with grandchildren running around and everything- that 'The Rose' will always be our song. Promise me that you'll always wanna sit with me at this piano and sing it."
Alicia replied, "You know I will."
They embraced each other and Colleen kissed the top of Alicia's head.
"Love you, big sis," Alicia said.
"Ditto, kid."
Alicia went to leave the room, but Colleen didn't follow her.
"Are you coming?"
"I'll be right down. I'm just gonna clean up a little in here."
"Alright. I'll see you downstairs."
Alicia jogged down the stairs and met up with Graham and Merrill in the living room.
"Colleen's gonna be down in a minute. What are you guys watching?"
"Deep Impact," Merrill said, making room for Alicia to sit next to him.
"That's with Ben Affleck, right?"
"No, that's Armageddon."
"Oh. Sorry, I get my killer meteor movies mixed up."
A few minutes later, Colleen came down the stairs and sat next to Graham.
"Ooh, Deep Impact," she said, "Oscar-worthy acting in this one, huh?"
Graham replied, "It was either this or a Lifetime movie."
"And what's wrong with a Lifetime movie?"
Alicia stood up and said, "While you guys debate over quality cinema, I'm gonna run to the garage house and get my cell phone. Ellen's supposed to call me sometime tonight."
"Hurry back," Merrill said.
"I will."
Alicia put on her coat and left out through the back door. She quickly walked across the yard and up the stairs of the garage house.
The stairs normally aren't this icy…strange, she thought to herself.
She went inside, dug through her purse, and found her cell phone.
"Hmm..she hasn't called yet. I wonder if she's still on her date with that guy."
Almost as fast as she went in, Alicia left. Without remembering the fact that the stairs were icy, she jogged down them like she normally did. As she approached the last three steps, she lost her balance and slipped. Her ankle lodged itself into an unnatural angle and she felt a painful pop. After she landed from the fall, it looks as if she was sitting at the bottom of the stairs.
"Please don't tell me I sprained it..please."
Alicia tried to move, but as soon as the slightest pressure was on her ankle area, a sharp and unbearable pain made her almost cry.
"There's no way I can walk. How are they gonna know I'm out here? My cell.."
Her cell phone had been in her hands when she slipped, but had flown out of her hands during the slip- it was lying in the snow a few yards ahead of her.
"Damn it! Merrill!! Colleen!! Graham?!! Anyone!!"
Alicia's cries just echoed in the frigid air.
"Merrill will wonder where I am in the next few minutes- he always does."
Meanwhile, in the house, Merrill was so into the movie that he didn't realize how long Alicia had been gone. Almost 15 minutes later, he finally became conscious of the fact that Alicia hadn't returned.
"That's strange," he said, "Ali's been gone for almost 20 minutes now."
"I was beginning to think the same thing," Colleen replied.
"I'll go see what she's up to. She's probably gossiping on the phone with Ellen."
Merrill got up and went to the back door. After looking around for a second, he spotted her near the garage house.
"Is that her? Why is she sitting on the stairs?"
He went outside and called, "Ali, is that you?"
"Merrill, help me! I think I sprained my ankle!"
Merrill ran as fast as he could to where Alicia was and knelt beside her.
"Baby, how long ago did you fall?"
"About 15 minutes ago. I can't feel my fingers or toes."
"Which ankle did you hurt? The right one?"
"Yeah."
Merrill rolled up the bottom of Alicia's jeans and examined her ankle. He touched it and she flinched violently.
"Come on, let's go inside before you get frostbite."
Merrill picked up Alicia and carried her across the yard and into the main house. When they got inside, he brought her into the living room.
"Oh my God, what happened?" Colleen asked in a frantic tone.
"I slipped on the stairs of the garage house," Alicia replied, "I hurt my ankle."
Merrill covered Alicia in blankets and looked at her ankle again.
"You more than hurt it- I think it's fractured because I can feel a crack in the bone."
"I'm not gonna be able to work."
"Don't worry about that right now, sweetie. You need to go to the hospital to get that ankle checked out."
"Merrill, it's almost midnight. I can wait until morning."
"No you can't."
"Do you want us to go with you to the medical center?" Graham asked.
"That's OK. Hopefully it won't take too long. I'll be right back- I'll pull the car around. Colleen, will you get some more blankets so that she can warm up a little more?"
"Sure."
Graham put Alicia's arms around him and helped her limp to the driveway. Merrill brought the car around and with Graham's help, laid Alicia in the backseat. Colleen came out and handed her some blankets.
"Bundle up in these. You were out here in the cold for a while. Call us as soon as you get to the medical center, OK?"
"We will," Merrill replied.
About two hours later, Colleen sat in the windowsill of her and Graham's bedroom. She gazed out into the seemingly endless fields of corn, which were all dusted white with snow.
"Coll, why are you up?"
Colleen turned around and saw Graham sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"I couldn't sleep. I'm worried about Alicia."
"Merrill called as soon as they got there. They probably had to wait to see a doctor."
"Yeah, you're right."
"It seems like something else is on your mind though. What is it?"
Colleen got up from the windowsill and went back to the bed.
"Graham, I can't shake this feeling."
"What feeling?"
"I can't really describe it. I know they say that you should live every moment like it was your last, but something is telling me that I should really concentrate on doing just that. For some reason, I need to really appreciate the time that I spend with you and the kids and Alicia and Merrill..it's the strangest feeling."
"Come here."
Colleen let herself wind up in Graham's embrace as he said, "You shouldn't be so worried about this. Everyone gets feelings like this at one point or another. It's just a phase you're going through."
"I don't know, honey."
"You know what? I think you need some sleep. We'll talk more about this-"
The phone interrupted was Graham was about to say. He reached across the bed and answered it.
"Hello? Hey Merrill. Is everything OK? Crutches, huh? For how long? That's not too bad. Are you on your way home now? OK. We're in bed already- just call us when you're in the garage house. Alright. Bye."
Graham hung up the phone and Colleen asked, "Is Ali alright?"
"Yeah. Merrill was right- she fractured her ankle and is gonna have to stay on crutches for six weeks."
"Poor Ali. That's gonna kill her not to be on her feet."
"I'm sure she'll tough it out- she's a Spencer, remember?"
"Very true."
Colleen closed her eyes and tightened her embrace around Graham.
"Thank you for making me feel better," she said.
"That's my job. I love you."
"I love you too."
Even though Colleen was temporarily soothed by Graham's words, she still couldn't shake the odd feelings that she was having.
Graham's probably right, she thought to herself, I probably just need a good night's sleep. All this worrying about Ali is what's contributing to this.
20 minutes later, Colleen broke out of her light sleep when she heard the sound of a car door shut. She got out of bed and put on shoes and a sweatshirt. She went downstairs and to the back door.
"Hey!" she said, "Where's Ali?"
Merrill replied, "She's asleep in the backseat. She was in so much pain that they gave her a sedative and she's been knocked out ever since we left the medical center."
"I'll help you get her in the house."
Colleen met Merrill outside and grabbed Alicia's crutches. Merrill picked up Alicia and followed Colleen up the stairs and into the garage house. He carefully placed her on the bed and then looked at Colleen.
"Should I wake her up?"
"Yeah- just so that she can make herself comfortable."
Merrill ran his hand along Alicia's shoulder and whispered, "Ali? We're home. Wake up."
She fluttered her eyelids open and then went to sit up.
"Ow! Damn it, I forgot about my ankle."
"How are you feeling?" Colleen asked.
"I can't keep my eyes open. I remember the doctor giving me pain medication…I think that's why I'm so sleepy. How am I supposed to sleep tonight without hurting my ankle?"
"We'll find a way," Merrill said, getting out her favorite pajamas, "Change into these."
"Can't I just sleep in my clothes? Just for tonight?"
Merrill sighed and said, "Fine."
Colleen bundled up her coat and said, "Well, I'm gonna go back to bed. I just wanted to make sure you were all right, Ali."
"I'm better. Thanks for worrying."
"That's what I do best."
Colleen kissed Alicia on the forehead and replied, "Goodnight, little sis."
"Night."
After Colleen left, Merrill talked to Ali while he was shaving and getting ready for bed.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw you out there tonight. I thought that you were joking around or something. I guess we're gonna have to throw salt on the stairs from now on."
"Guess…guess so."
"I've never done anything to my ankle or leg. I dislocated my shoulder once. Graham and I were kids- we were at our grandma's house and there was this chocolate bar that I really wanted. But it was before dinner and Graham was playing policeman. I went to grab it and he pulled me away…my arm popped and it freaked him out. You would think that I would be the one to cry, but I didn't. He was hysterical and I was the one who had to comfort him. When I got to the hospital, they had to pop my arm back into place- and that's when I cried because it was the most awkward pain you could imagine experiencing. What about you? Didn't you say that you sprained your wrist once or something- sneaking out of your house?"
There was no answer from Alicia.
"Hello? Miss Alicia, are you awake?"
Merrill dried his face off and went to the bed. Alicia was sound asleep, with her mouth hanging open.
"Even like that, you're still the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid on eyes on."
He pulled the covers over her body and kissed the side of her face.
"Goodnight, beautiful."
Two weeks later, Alicia was still hobbling around on her crutches. It was Valentine's Day, and she was stuck at work until 8:00 that evening. Ever since her injury, she had been confined to administrative work at LaStalla. She didn't mind it, but she missed getting tips and being on her feet. Merrill had been in training since 5:00 that morning and had finished up around 1:00 in the afternoon. Alicia had tried calling him, but it had gone straight to voicemail every time. So for the umpteenth time, she attempted to call Merrill's cell phone- only this time, the message had changed.
"Hey, you've reached Merrill Hess. Ali, if that's you, don't worry- the reason I'm not answering is because I'm preparing my Valentine's Day surprise for you. If you're not my Ali, leave a message and I'll get back to you…probably tomorrow."
Alicia giggled and hung up the phone. Slowly, 8:00 came around. She was in the middle of helping out with payroll when one of the hosts came into the back office.
"Hey Ali, your boyfriend is sitting at the bar and waiting for you."
"OK. Tell him I'll be right there."
Alicia finished up was she was doing, then she grabbed her crutches and purse. She staggered her way to the bar and met up with Merrill.
She gave him a kiss and said, "I like your new voicemail message- it was cute. So what's my big surprise, cowboy?"
"Close your eyes and open your hands."
"You're not gonna spit on me, are you?"
"Just close them, baby."
Alicia reluctantly followed Merrill's instructions until he said, "Now open them."
She looked down and saw a key in the palm of her hand.
"A key. What's this for?"
"Oh, nothing- it's just for our room at the Bridgeton House."
"Honey, the Bridgeton House?! I've wanted to stay there since I was a kid!"
"I know. Colleen and your mom told me. Happy Valentine's Day, baby."
Alicia threw her arms around Merrill and said, "I love you, I love you, I love you!"
Merrill gave her a kiss and said, "I love you too. You ready to go?"
"I don't have any clothes. I need to go back-"
Merrill interrupted her and said, "I packed an overnight bag for you- without pajamas."
"But what am I gonna sleep in?"
He gave Alicia a wily smile.
"So you think you're gonna get in my pants, huh?"
"I don't think- I know. Now come on- I'll race you to the car."
Merrill ran ahead of her as she yelled, "That's not fair! I have crutches!"
Alicia hobbled as fast as she could behind Merrill and then met him outside. The sky was already dark and it felt like snow could start at any second. He had already opened the car door for her, and on the seat were lilies and a box of chocolates.
"You got me lilies? I love lilies..and I love chocolate. This is gonna be the perfect night."
Merrill helped Alicia into the car and leaned down as he closed the door.
"That's my precise intention, sweetheart."
He closed the door and came around to the driver's side. Within a few minutes, they were well on their way to the inn. Suddenly, they began to lose power in the car.
"Merrill, what's going on?"
"I have no idea.."
"Did you ever go to get the battery like I told you to?"
As the car came to a complete stop, he replied, "I knew there was something I forgot to do this week.
Merrill tried starting the car again, with no success.
"You have got to be kidding me," Alicia groaned.
"Give it a minute..this baby's never let me down."
He waited a while, and tried to start it again- to no avail.
"This battery's toast," he mumbled.
They were pulled over on the side of a road that didn't even have streetlights, on the outskirts of Newtown.
"And we broke down in the boonies, of all places. There's not even a single building around. Wait a second…oh my God."
"What's wrong?"
"Look over there."
Alicia pointed at a tree down the road that had a tiny white cross below it.
"This is where that girl was murdered a few years ago. Haven't you heard the hitchhiking ghost story?"
"Ali, that's just made up bullshit."
"I don't think so. One of the girls at work was driving home and said she saw someone."
"You're gonna scare yourself to death- stop."
"Why did we have to break down here of all places?"
"Sorry. If I had known, I would've broken down a few miles down the road. Next time I'll ask you before I decide where the car dies."
"Merrill, come on. I'm not in the mood."
Alicia got her cell phone out of her bag and tried dialing Colleen's cell phone.
"Damn it! I've got no reception. What about you?"
Merrill took out his phone and said, "Me neither."
"What the hell are we supposed to do?"
"I don't know- wait for someone to drive by. If someone jumps our battery, we'll at least be able to make it back to Trenton."
Alicia zipped her coat back up and sighed. Then she gasped.
"Merrill, did you see that?"
"See what?"
"Something was just floating in the road. It was white."
"Alicia, you're seeing things. Have you been taking the right dosages of your pain pills?"
"Shut up, Merrill. I did see something!"
"You're imagining things. I don't believe-"
Suddenly, something white brushed the windshield and they both screamed at the top of their lungs. Then they realized what it was.
"A trash bag," Alicia said.
"Trash bag."
"I think you were more scared than I was. You screamed louder."
"No, you did."
"Will you stop being such a macho man and admit that you were scared for a second?"
"You scared me. That's why I yelled."
They looked at each other and then burst into hysterical laughter.
"I really did think it was a ghost!" Alicia said.
Their laughter died down and then Merrill placed his hand on Alicia's leg.
"Are you mad at me?" he asked.
"Why would I be? This isn't your fault. I'm mad at this car though."
"You're not the only one."
A few minutes of silence passed by and then Merrill looked over at Alicia. She had been quietly gazing out the window for some time. He reached over and ran a few strands of her hair through his fingers.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"A little bit of everything. Nothing bad though."
"You know what I'm thinking about right now?"
"What?"
"How beautiful you're going to look on our wedding day. And how cute our kids are gonna be."
"Wedding? Kids?"
"Come on, I know you think about it too."
Alicia kissed Merrill's cheek and replied,"Of course I do, baby."
She reached into her pockets and pulled out her gloves. About ten minutes passed and she looked over at Merrill.
"Are you still awake?" she asked.
"Yeah. It's freakin freezing in this car."
"You're telling me. And no cars have been around in like, the last 15 minutes."
Merrill pulled his hat lower on his head and replied, "Someone will come along- don't worry."
"I can't believe my stupid cell phone's not working. Nationwide reception my ass."
"So…how's your ankle feeling?"
"OK."
Alicia reached down and got the box of chocolates that Merrill had given her.
"I'm starving," so this'll have to do."
"Baby, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault for not getting that new battery."
"Don't blame yourself. I don't need you to take me somewhere like the Bridgeton House to know that you love me. Being in this freezing car and having nothing to eat but chocolates sucks- but just the fact that you're here with me makes it all so much better."
Merrill leaned towards Alicia and gave her a soft, lingering peck on her lips.
"Your nose is so cold," she whispered.
Suddenly, they saw headlights in the distance.
"There's a car coming!" Alicia exclaimed.
"You stay here. I don't want you hurting your ankle."
Merrill quickly got out of the car and started waving his hands in the air.
At the top of his lungs, he yelled, "Hey!! Stop!! We need help!!"
The car came closer and closer, and then sped right on by.
"Damn it!" Merrill yelled, "Son of a bitch didn't even slow down."
He opened the door and poked his head in.
"Well, if we're gonna be out here for a while, we might as well be comfortable. Let's get in the backseat."
Alicia got out of the passenger seat and Merrill helped her into the back. He sat on one side while she sat on the other, resting her ankle on his lap.
"Are you working tomorrow?" he asked.
"Just during the day- from 9-6."
"We could take a raincheck and go to Bridgeton tomorrow night."
"That sounds good."
She stuffed her mouth with chocolates again and then asked, "Merrill, what if we have to sleep here overnight?"
"We won't, baby. It's only 8:45. Someone's bound to drive by anytime now. Hey, do you mind sharing your chocolate?"
"Not at all. You just have to come and get it."
Alicia held one of the chocolates between her teeth and grinned.
Merrill moved towards her and said, "Oh, you're asking for trouble, aren't you?"
She giggled as he bit off half of the chocolate and ate it. Then he pressed his lips upon hers and slipped his tongue past them. Resting one hand between her legs and the other behind her neck, he delved deeper into her mouth and her breathing became heavier. As he re-adjusted his body, his leg brushed against her ankle and she yelped.
"I'm sorry!" he said.
"It's OK. I think we both kinda got lost in the moment and forgot about the bum ankle."
Merrill wiped Alicia's lip gloss from his lips and sighed.
"If only I hadn't have put off getting that battery…then we could've been doing what we just did in a warm bedroom. I've gotta stop procrastinating when it comes to-"
Out of the corner of her eye, Alicia saw headlights again.
She interrupted him and yelled, "Car!!"
Merrill quickly opened the car door while Alicia stayed inside. He started waving and screaming again, and it worked- the headlights came closer and an SUV stopped behind them. A man got out and walked towards Merrill. Even though the windows were up, Alicia could hear the conversation outside.
The man said, "You're Merrill Hess, right? You play professional baseball and Father Hess is your brother."
"Yeah..but I don't know if you would call it professional baseball. Hey, you're the town veterinarian. I'm sorry, but I'm terrible with names."
"Ray Reddy."
"That's right. Listen- my girlfriend and I…our car broke down and the battery's dead. We have jumper cables but no cars have been around. Can you give us a jump?"
"Sure."
Ray opened the hood of his car and Merrill did the same to the convertible. After they got the cables connected, Merrill got back into the car and tried to re-start the engine. After a few attempts, the car was alive again."
Alicia rolled down the window and said, "Thank you so much. We appreciate this more than you'll ever know."
"It was no problem. If you don't mind, I have to get going- I hate leaving my animals alone at night."
Merrill shook Ray's hand and said, "Thanks again, man. Have a great night."
"You too."
Merrill and Alicia waved at Ray as he got in his car and drove off.
"Nice guy," she said, "but he's so strange."
"Yeah, but at least we have a temporarily charged battery and heat. I think that since we already had overnight bags packed and we're right outside of Newtown, we should just go to the house. I'm sure Graham and Colleen wouldn't mind. Plus, we could use their car to buy a new battery in the morning."
"Good idea."
As they started driving back towards Newtown, the reception on Alicia's cell phone came in clear again.
"I'm gonna call Colleen and tell her we're coming."
"OK."
Alicia dialed the number and waited as the call went through.
"Coll? Hey, it's me. You'll never guess what happened to Merrill and I. So you've known about this whole Bridgeton House thing for two weeks and never gave me any hints? That's so shady! So anyway, our battery died right outside of Newtown. And we were right by the woods where that murder supposedly took place a few years back- no lights or anything. And remember the story about the ghost? Yeah, whatever- Merrill said the same thing. So finally, Ray Reddy of all people..yeah, that's him. Anyway, he drove by and saw us. We figured since we're already close to Newtown, we'd just crash at the garage house. Maybe we can have a little Valentine's Day party in the house when the kids go to bed. But no more stories about me, OK? Whatever. We'll be there in like, 10 minutes. Alright. Love you too. Bye."
Merrill asked, "So it's OK?"
"Of course. She can never say no to me- I'm the little sister, remember?"
He smiled as she took his hand off of the steering wheel, wrapping her fingers in his.
"Happy Valentine's Day," she cooed.
"Ditto, kid."
"By the way, you did scream louder than me."
"Ali, shut up…"