Words of comfort, sympathy, and forced optimism are what I heard around me. I had to get away from it. I excused myself out of the room, but I left the house. I went outside and just rolled down the sidewalk. I kept going until I made it to the park. I looked around and no one was here. I sat there in my chair for 10 more minutes. Why now? Why do I have to go through this? My life was okay, I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life. Even through my thoughts racing in my mind, I managed to call the number I saved in my phone the previous day. I could barely make out the ringing, but I very much so heard the voice on the other end when they answered.
When the person on the other end said hello, I broke. I cried and barely got out, "Park," to say where I'm at. Not even ten minutes later I felt two arms around me hugging me close to their body.
"What happened Grace, are you okay?" Justin's worried voice shook me out of my crying fest. I suddenly felt very embarrassed.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Justin I didn't mean to- I just got overwhelmed with everything. I didn't know who else to call. It finally hit me that I'm-," I rambled but then stopped pushing myself away from the comfort of his arms. He looked at me wondering what I was going to say. "Yesterday when you dropped me off, the reason why my mom was crying was because the doctor called to tell us they set a date for my surgery," I looked down at the floor. I didn't want to seem like I was over exaggerating, but to me it as a big deal.
"Why do you have to have surgery?" Justin questioned.
"I-, my spine is curved, and they have to fix it. And in order to do that they have to use metal rods to straighten it out. I'm scared; this is going to change everything. And it had to happen now. I finally knew what I wanted, and this happens..." I trailed off and looked up to see Justin in deep thought. I pulled away from him completely and rolled myself to where the swings were. I got on a swing and started pumping my legs to make myself go higher and higher.
"Was there anything that could have been done to prevent it?" Justin's question threw me off. I slowed down and stared out across the park.
"I don't know. I could have worn a back brace, but we didn't have the money. We just hoped that it wouldn't get so bad," a few more tears fell out as I talked. I closed my eyes tight hoping I could wake up from this bad dream, only keeping the time I spent with Justin. I suddenly felt my swing stop completely. I open my eyes to see Justin staring at me. I looked in his eyes, and in the sunlight they were even more beautiful. I could feel my face get closer to his, so close I could feel his breath on my face. I looked down at his lips before looking in his eyes again. Ladies say I'm your girl, you're my man. Promise to love you the best I can- my phone knocked my senses back in working order.
"Hello...I'm at the park...No I'm not alone...I'm with um, Justin...Damn can you say deaf? You just blew my eardrum out!...I gotta go, I'll be back in 10 minutes...Do not touch my stuff or you die, bye," I hung out partially deaf from Jane's sudden reaction. She always had impeccable timing. I roll my eyes.
"Um, is everything okay?" Justin looked a little worried as I held my ear.
"Oh yeah, it was just Jane. She um, kinda freaked when I said you were here with me," I blushed embarrassed about my friend's reaction. "I should go; everyone is probably going to call a search party soon," I get off the swing and into my wheelchair and look up at Justin. "I'm sorry for being such an emotional wreck. I-"Justin cuts me off.
"It's okay; you have the right to be scared and emotional. I know I would be if I were in your situation," Justin dazzles me with his smile and I lose all brain function. Justin comes closer to me and pulls me in for a hug. By then I was a pile of goop sitting. He whispers in my ear, "If you ever need someone to talk to you can always call me."
He pulls away from me and starts walking away from me. I had a goofy smile on my face after. I turn to go home but turn back.
"Justin! How'd you find me?" I wondered how he found me.
"You were the only one in the park. Besides I could never forget how beautiful your hair looks, especially now that I've seen it in the sun light," he winks at me and gets into the car waiting for him.
If it was even possible I felt my smile grow even more. I go through the library of music I had in my head and found the perfect song to fit my mood. I open my mouth and sung all the way home, "You're so hypnotizing, you got me laughing while I sing. You've got me smiling in my sleep."