The next day, I went to the nearest newsstand and got a copy of the local paper. I went through the classifieds and decided to look for part-time jobs. Anything that would accept a sixteen-year-old girl.
I spent the day calling firms hoping to land a job. Meredith needed help. I wanted to give it to her. I’m fine now. As in, ‘really-okay’. Not ‘bottled-up-pretending-to-be-fine-okay’.
It was already late when I went to CRC to see Hunter. He was playing his guitar, sitting on the bench in our garden. When I approached him, I saw his mouth curve into a smile.
“There you are,” he said. “I was afraid you weren’t coming.” He put the guitar aside and reached out for my hand. He pulled me to him and made me sit on his lap. Hunter was not all muscular, but he wasn’t skinny either. He was lean, his muscles were surprisingly well-toned, and his shoulders were broad. I fit perfectly in his arms with my small, petite frame.
I rested my head on his shoulder, as if it was the most natural thing for me in the world. He kissed the top of my head and inhaled through my hair.
I giggled. “You love doing that, don’t you?”
“Hmmm… you smell like strawberries. You have this sweet scent that is engraved in my mind now. I would recognize you anywhere.”
“Did I keep you waiting for long?”
“I would wait for you until midnight if I have to.” Then in a somewhat sad voice, he said, “I would freeze this moment if I have a choice.”
I giggled and pulled away from him. “We do this every day. I was afraid you would have gotten tired of me already.”
He shook his head. “I would never get tired of you, angel.”
I squeezed his nose and he squirmed a bit. I laughed and then I rested my head on his shoulder again.
“Meredith looked up your profile.”
“Investigating on who you’re dating already?” he asked, amusement all over his voice.
“She was just curious.”
“And worried,” he added.
I giggled. “I’m sure she would never admit that. But yeah. I think so, too.”
“So what did she find out?”
“Nothing bad. Apparently, you were the high school sweetheart in Jacksonville. A lot of girls must be pining for your attention, huh,” I replied.
“Jealous?” he asked, a crooked smile spreading over his face.
“No.” That was a lie. I would probably be jealous if I saw him with somebody else. Some other girl who was flawless… beautiful… unscarred… unbroken. But then again… if he wasn’t blind, he probably wouldn’t see me, which I think was quite the irony.
“What else did she see on my file?”
“What your parents did. You weren’t kidding about the Chess Master bit.”
“You thought I was? After I beat you… twice… without looking?”
I pinched his side and he laughed.
“Wow! Hunter, you have an IQ of one-sixty? You’re like… Einstein-smart!”
“Some would debate that Einstein’s IQ would be more than that,” he said. “I think I’m alright.”
“Humility doesn’t suit you!” I teased. “So what subjects were you good at?”
“Math,” he replied. “Science. Literature. Music.”
“And you don’t even look like a nerd.”
“I know. I look hot, don’t I?” He grinned.
I laughed. “Oh my God! You’re humble about your brains and conceited about your looks? You should seriously know what your assets are. Brag about what you have… keep quiet about what you don’t.”
He laughed. “Oh my God! I can’t believe the first girl I dated seriously wouldn’t even think I’m at least cute!”
I blinked back at him. “You… never dated anybody seriously before?”
He nodded. “Like you said… nerd!” he replied. “And you never dated anybody before me?”
“Like you know… broken. Scarred,” I said in a sober voice.
He took a deep breath. He didn’t say anything. He just pulled me to him and kissed my temple. “Beautiful,” he whispered.
“If you weren’t blind… do you think you would even notice me?”
“Do you think I’m shallow and I only care about the looks and fancy clothes?”
I shrugged. I wouldn’t know. I didn’t know him before he was blind.
“I’m sure I would notice you immediately. Your scent would draw me in. And if you play a song and sing for me… then I’m gone! It’s over. Your every wish would be my command. I have a certain weakness for kick-ass chicks who can challenge my guitar prowess,” he said, grinning at me. Then he shook his head. “There are many, many things about you that a guy would kill for, angel. Don’t let any other girl make you feel small about yourself.”
I smiled at his words. They meant a lot to me. I didn’t have many friends and I wasn’t always appreciated. So when I heard those words from Hunter, I couldn’t help being touched. I couldn’t help feeling that I was… worth looking at.
We stayed there, cuddled in each other’s arms until sunset. It was getting dark, but somehow, Hunter refused to let me go. He kept holding me, caressing my arms, kissing the top of my head.
“Shall we go?” I asked.
“Wait for a while,” he whispered.
I rested my head back on his shoulder and I stared at the last rays of the sun. It was getting darker but we still sat there, locked in each other’s arms.
“It’s getting dark, Hunter,” I said.
“And you’re scared?”
“We might not find our way back,” I replied.
He laughed. “You’re with me. And whether it’s day or night does not make a difference to me. This time… let me have the unfair advantage.”
I giggled. “You’re right. Just make sure you don’t make me trip or something.”
“Impossible. You’re clumsy,” he teased. Then his face turned serious. “Is it dark enough?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Look around, angel. Do you see them?” he whispered.
I pulled away from him and looked around us and up above the branches over us. Suddenly, I could see what he wanted me to see. My breath caught in my throat and I gasped. I was speechless as I watch the magnificent creatures flying around us, emitting glowing lights and making our garden… even more magical than it already is.
“Hunter…” I whispered.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?”
“Wonderful,” I said. “How did you know…”
“A bird told me. Figured I’d surprise you.” He grinned. “Do you like them?”
“Love them,” I whispered. “If you could only see them too.” Tears welled up in my eyes. I really wished he could see where we are right now. It was a place as magnificent and as perfect as he was.
“I would rather see your face as you look at them. What I wouldn’t give to see it right now,” he said in a sad voice.
I leaned forward and gave him a hug. “Thank you!” I whispered. Then I reached up and found his lips. He kissed me thoroughly... right there… in the middle of the fireflies.
We stayed there for a little while more. Just then, Hunter’s watch beeped.
“Eight o’clock,” he groaned.
“Which means?”
“Means one hour before lights out. As if that would be a problem for me, right?”
When I thought he would normally feel angry about that, he actually looked amused with his own joke. I think Hunter was beginning to accept his condition… embrace it even. He was beginning to find happiness after the storm. And I felt good thinking that I was part of his change. I was part of his reason to smile again… laugh again… live again.
I stood up from the bench and pulled him to his feet. He put an arm around my shoulders. “Stay close to me, if you don’t want to lose your…”
“Life?” I supplied for him.
“Your shoe.” He grinned.
I laughed. “You’re not even funny.”
“Charming, though,” he said smugly.
“Alright, Prince Charming, lead the way.”
We walked out the path quietly. Hunter walked the same way he always does. With quiet precision, you won’t even think he’s blind if it weren’t for the walking stick in his hand.
“Is Meredith going to pick you up?” he asked.
“Yes. She’s probably here already. Wonder why she hasn’t called me up yet.”
We walked slowly, still savoring our time with each other. I had my arm around Hunter’s waist. There were fireflies all over us, keeping our path illuminated. It was amazing.
Hunter walked me all the way to the parking lot where Meredith’s car was, but without signs of her.
“I’ll be okay. You can go in now,” I said to Hunter.
“I will not leave you until she comes… until I know you’re gonna be safely home.”
“Protective, aren’t we?”
He smiled ruefully. “I just wish I could do more for you, you know.”
“You are,” I assured him. “Since I met you… I can sleep better at nights.”
He grinned smugly. “You’re saying you’re thinking about me before you go to sleep and you dream about me?”
“No. I’m saying you’re hideous enough, even my nightmares went running scared.”
He laughed heartily. “Unbelievable! Allison Harley… your sense of humor alone got me wrapped around your little finger.” Then his face turned serious. “As long as you think of me often… that would be enough.” And then he leaned forward and kissed me. He kissed me like he would never be able to kiss me again.