Life

Life
“He did it again, I can’t stand this anymore!” He could barley understand what she was saying because her sobs and gasps overpowered most of the words coming through the receiver.
“Just calm down, Gabby, do you want to talk about it?”
“Can I just come over?”She said still crying.
“Sure, I’ll be waiting.” He said in the calmest tone he could come up with. He stood on the porch waiting for only about five minutes before he saw her running out the door, slamming it on her way out. She was carrying her backpack and a duffle bag; he figured she had enough clothes for tomorrow, and what she would need for the night. He walked slowly off the porch, onto the sidewalk and waited for her to make her way to him. His arms were open before she reached him, and he simply hugged her, waiting for her to stop shaking and to start breath normally.
Once she lifted her head from his shirt was soaked with her tears, but not for a second did he even seem to notice.
“Are you ready?”
“I guess.” She said shaking her head. “Thank you Alik.” He responded by swinging both her bags over his shoulders and walked up the steps. She held the door open for him and managed to plaster a half smile across her when she walked through the door.
“Hello, Gabby, doing alright?” Alik’s mother asked when they got to the kitchen.
“Trying and thank you Mrs. Edwards, for letting me stay again.”
“No problem we love having you, even if I was only informed five minutes ago.” She was completely used to Gabby coming over in the evenings and spending the night on the couch. She was not lying when she said she loved having her over, ever since Gabby and Alik were six years old they had been best friends and did everything together. Three years ago when Gabby’s mother died her father picked up drinking and would often get drunk in the evenings. She like knowing that she could provide a safe place for Gabby to be, even if it was only her couch.
Alik trotted up the stairs, quicker than usual, and it took everything in her, for Gabby to keep up. When she realized that, he was not headed to his room, but to the restroom two doors down, she slowed her pace and made her way into his room and onto the floor leaning against his bed. When he walked through the door, he had two Tylenol, a glass of water, and a wet washcloth, she looked up and just stared.
“ I hate this, you should not have to go through this every time he decides to get drunk, you shouldn’t have to wait on me hand and foot because I can’t handle staying in my own home,” and with that the tears started rolling once again.
“It’s not a problem, stop looking it as a burden on me, and just see this as me being here for you as your best friend.” He slid down next to her and handed her the Tylenol and water, and when she was finished, he laid the cloth over her head. Instead of leaving it there, she grabbed it and used it to wipe the fresh tears rolling down her face. She set it on her knee, and shifted her body so she look see his face.
As she looked him in the eyes, his heart broke once again, he hated more than anything, to see her perfect bright blue eyes, red and swollen. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she leaded into him.
“Thank you for being here for me.” She said a few minutes after the tears finally subsided.
“You’re welcome.” He hated answering her, because he did not want her to feel as if she needed to keep thanking him, but he also knew that if he did not answer her she would feel even worse.

“Feeling better?”
“A little.”
“Good. Is there anything you would like to do? Watch a movie, read a book, make something to eat?”
“Can we just sit for a while longer?”
“Sure whatever you want.”
“I feel so selfish, it’s not the end of the world just because he is drunk again; what do you want to do?”
“You have a right to be selfish sometimes, you know most people are sometime in their life and you are not excluded, but if you don’t mind I was just about to start Great Expectations, would you like to listen?” She smiled willingly for the first time that night, and her response sent him walking to his bookshelf across the room. She could not ask for a better friend, he always had a way of making her feel important when everything else around her was pushing her down. Great Expectations was her favorite book and she had a feeling that he was not about to start reading it or planning to do so anytime soon.
“I did not give you an answer.” She meant to sound sarcastic but her voice cracked at the end and dulled the sting of her remark.
“Are you planning to object?” he said looking over his shoulder smiling.
“Well, no, but I still wish you wouldn’t act like you know me so well.”
“Why, I do know you.”
“That’s not my point.”
“Then what is?”
“That I am too tired to argue with you.”
“Then stop complaining and just listen,” he said sliding back into his previous position. She leaded against his side and closed her eyes when he started reading. He was only able to get to the third chapter before she was sound asleep. He set the book aside and lifted her off the ground and into his bed. He creped out of the room and down the stairs were he found a bed made out on the couch. He crawled under the blankets and quickly drifted off to sleep. 
A sudden pressure on his chest awakened him, when he was finally conscious; he realized that Gabby decided it would be nice to sit on him.
“Morning, sleeping beauty.”
“Good morning to you too, Gabby. Is there some reason why you choose to wake me up?”
“I had no intention of waking you up, but I wanted to sit on the couch, so I did.”
“Oh, I see how it is, I give up my bed, and then you want to come and steal my couch too.”
“Exactly,” she said with a smirk.
“Well as much as I enjoyed being squished by 100 pounds of teenage girl, may I please sit up?”
“Sure!” She stood just long enough for him to move his legs, before she let herself plot right back where she was. She pulled her legs under her and sat directly on her feet, she had forgotten socks and they were freezing. Her foot touched his bare leg and he jumped.
“Your feet are freezing, what is the matter with you, do you want to die of pneumonia?”
“Oh yes, I’m going to catch pneumonia, in your house, in the middle of spring.” She said while giving him a look. He swiftly pulled off his own socks, grabbed her feet and slipped them on; he did this so fast she had no time to object before her feet immediately felt better.
“Thanks.”
“No problem,” he said pleased with her reaction. They just sat staring ahead, for a few moments, until she slowly turned her head to the side to look into his face. He did not react and she just sat memorizing his features once again, looking for changes, she soon found a new freckle that had not been there last week. She lightly pressed her index finger against his cheekbone.
“I found a new beauty mark.”
“Sleeping beauty, beauty mark, what’s next a pink fluffy dress?”
“Fine, I found a new freckle.”
“Thank you.” He with his nose pointed upward.
“You’re welcome your highness.”
“Oh, don’t flatter yourself; you are cool enough to know royalty.” He said chuckling.
“How did this get turned on me?” She said smiling at his sly way of making her feel just so important.
“The second you turned it on me.”
“Fine then,” she said crossing her arms around her chest, pouting. He nudged her shoulder, and then stood from the couch walking towards the kitchen,
“Come on my beauty queen.” My beauty queen, she never found it strange when he referred to her as his, but why did if feel so different now? She sat awestruck by his word choice; he took only a few more steps until he realized she was following. He turned and looked back at her,
“Well, would you like breakfast or not?”
“Oh, sorry,” she said shaking the dazed feeling off. After breakfast, they both showered and finished getting ready for school. It was a Friday and that meant neither were expected home until 10 o’clock, and they planned on heading to mall and seeing a movie with a couple friends right after school. Once they arrived at school, they headed for their lockers,
“Just think, in a week will be high school graduates,” Alik said with enthusiasm.
“Great,” was all Gabby was able to get out, she did not try to hide the fear she felt of the event that was staring her right in the eyes. Ugh, graduation was all she could think.
“Don’t sound too excited.”
“I’m not, and you know I’m not. It’s not like I like the fact that I’m going to moving 500 miles from the only place I’ve ever lived, I mean I do have friends you know.”
“Just look at the bright side, I’ll be there.” They had both been accepted into the same college on the east coast, and that fact alone was the only thing that allowed her to go to NYU. If Alik had been accepted she would have chosen the University of Michigan, which was only 75 miles from their home. Now she found herself only weeks away from the most terrifying event in her life, moving from home.
The bell rang, signaling the start of first period, “We better get going, don’t want to be late,” she said slamming her locker.   
“Yeah,” Alik said in an agreement, he was somewhat disappointed that she changed the subject, but did not press any further on the subject knowing that it would only upset her even more. The day passed relatively quickly, no homework was assigned, only suggested to study for finals. Having their last class together Gabby and Alik waited in the parking lot until the rest of their friends migrated to their location.
“Do you still what to go see a movie, we can do something else if you like,” Alik said slanting his neck while leaning against his knees, to look into her face.
Something jumped inside her, something that wanted to scream yes, simply because she would be alone with him. That she would spend time talking to him outside of his house, that he asked her to go out. Still she kept her voice soft, trying not to sound too eager. “Like, what,” she said looking back into his eyes. 
“I don’t know what do you feel like doing?”
“You ask me out, and then don’t even know what you want to do,” she said still staring at his face.
“I did have something in mind, but I wanted to see if you wanted to do anything tonight.”
“Stop being so selfless, you make me look like a selfish monster,” she said frowning. At this, he laughed harder than he had in weeks, by the time he was finished she felt horrible, because she thought he had been laughing in agreement, to her comment. “See you agree with me, and all you can do to hind the truth is to laugh at me.”
“I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at the fact that you’re so naïve and you don’t even know it. You are not a selfish monster, I wanted to take you out to dinner; I was casually trying to get to that conclusion, by making small talk, not trying to be selfless.”
“Oh, well then, I would love to go to dinner,” Gabby said with even more enthusiasm.
“I was hoping you would say that,” he said still chuckling.
“How are you going to break it to Jenny and Ralph that we won’t be going to the mall with them?”
“Me?”
“Yes you, it was your idea to go out to dinner, that gives you honor of telling our friends that we’re breaking our plans.” 
“How about we compromise, I tell Jenny you tell Ralph?” he said hoping she would agree.
“Not, fair, it was Ralph’s idea, he is going to be more disappointed than Jenny,” she said pouting.
“I’m taking you out to dinner remember, the least you could do is help out a little.”
“You act like you’re doing me a favor by escorting me to a restaurant,” she said with the most sarcastic tone that she could conjure up while still trying to sound playful.
“Fine, then, I’ll talk to them,” he said trying to look hurt.
“I will help it is not that big of a deal.”
“Good, thank you,” Alik said sitting up straight, smiling.
“That was an awful fast mood change.”   
“It’s that time of the month,” he said mocking her.
“Whatever,” Gabby said rolling her eyes. At that moment Jenny and Ralph walked up to them,
“Hey, you guys, Gabby has something to tell you,” Alik pronounced smirking. She shot him back a look that confirmed his suspicions that he would be in trouble with her, later on that night. 
“Umm, yeah,” her voice cracked from the nervousness that was shooting inside of her, “Would you guys mind if we changed our movie night to next week?”                   
Jenny spoke up first, “Sure, its fine we were actually going to ask the same thing.”
“Oh, that’s great, well not great but, you know what I mean,” Alik said so fast he ended up slurring.
“Yes, we know, have fun with whatever you are doing, see you later,” Ralph said with a genuine smile laid across his face.
“You, too, bye,” Gabby smiled back and waited for them to leave. The first second that they were out of hearing range, she hit Alik’s arm with all the force she could muster up,
“You stupid, jerk!” Gabby, shouted. She picked up her things, turned on the balls of her feet and started to walk away.
“Hey, wait,” he said grabbing her wrist pulling her to his chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that was going to upset you so, or I would not have done it.”
“Yeah well you should have thought of that before you did it,” she said refusing to make eye contact.
“Yes I should have, can you ever forgive me?” he said puckering his lower lip.         
“One condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You tell me where you are taking me.”
“I guess I will never receive forgiveness.”
“Fine, then, I guess we’re not going.”
“Guess not,” he said smiling at her.
“Would you mind letting me go now?” Gabby said looking at Alik’s arms that were still wrapped around her.
“Not until you agree to go with me.”
“Then you better pick me up and start walking home,” she raised her brows and looked directly into his eyes. Before she realized what was happening, she was in his arms and they were headed in the direction of their street. “Put me down, you crazy, person.”
“I may be crazy, but you know you love me anyways,” the biggest smile she had ever seen was on his face and it was practically contagious. She had a light smile gently placed on her face when she finally gave in,
“Fine, I will go out with you, just put me down.” He set her on her feet, saying nothing. They walked in silence the rest of the way home. Their houses are only a ten-minute walk from the school, by the time she regained herself from his childish action, they were already walking down their street. She could see him before they were 100 feet from her house. Her father was sitting on the porch, looking as drunk as ever.
Seeing her face wince at the sight of the man sitting on guard in the front of her house, Alik stated, “We can leave as soon as you are ready and you’re welcome to stay over again.”
“Ok,” was all she could make her mouth say, but her heart was screaming thank you, for loving me so much! “I’ll be over in a few minutes with my things.”
“Ok, I’ll be waiting,” he said with forced a smile. She trotted up the steps, not making eye contact,
“I’m going to go out with Alik, tonight, and stay over at his house tonight,” she said in a solitary tone.
“Humph,” was his only sign of acknowledgement, towards his daughter, as usual she took it as a yes, and made her way inside. She took a quick shower, and found something nice to wear. After throwing a few items into a bag, she was running down the stairs, and was threw the door, with a couple of seconds. He still sat on the porch, and not to offend him, even if she wanted nothing to do with him, she said goodbye.
“Now will you tell me where we’re going?” she said whiningly after while they were in the car headed to their destination. 
“Man, it’s really hard to say I love you when, you talk like that.”
“Ah, you love me?” “Stop changing the subject, are you going to tell me or not?” After his laughing subdued, he was able to respond,
“No, I’m not going to tell you, a little surprise in your life with not hurt you.”
“You don’t know that, I could die, without this information, my heart just won’t be able to take the suspense,” she said clutching her heart as dramatically as she could manage without laughing.
“If you die, I promise to bury you in that T-shirt I bought you for your birthday last year, the one you just could not take off.”
“What does that have to do with me dying of suspense, you try so hard to change the subject of our conversations constantly, but you do such a poor job it really is a useless habit.” Gabby folded her arms across her chest and positioned herself in her seat so that her whole body was directly facing him, she stare directly at his face and would not look away until he met her gaze.
“You realize I am driving.” He said realizing she wanted him to look at her.
“Yes, I am well aware,” her eyes still searching for his. She finally gave up when he refused to meet her request. 15 minutes later, they pulled off to the side of the road and he parked under a street light.
“Now I can look at you all I want,” he said finally meeting her eyes.
“Where are we?” she said whipping her head around in both directions.
“Are you up for walking, it’s not too far?”
“Sure,” she said surprised, but not unhappy, she loving walking, especially in this weather. It was a brisk night, not cold enough for a heavy jacket, but a person outside would defiantly need a thick sweater. She stepped out and felt a light breeze flow through her hair; it gave her a refreshed feeling and braced her for the short trip ahead. Alik walked around the car to find her side and lead the way. Their shoulders were touching for the first five minutes, until she gave in and grabbed his hand; he smiled to himself and tightened the grip.
After walking for some time, a smile brightened his face and she wondered what she was not getting. She figured she would know soon enough, so did not press him for any information. Finally, after a 20-minute walk she saw the sign from a distance. She read Roberto’s she stopped walking and let go of his hand,
“Alik, oh my gosh, I cannot believe this.” This was the restaurant that Gabby’s father took her mother on their first date. They grew up in this same town and were friends, they eventually dated and got married, just as Gabby, and Alik were now doing. Gabby had never been to this restaurant or was even award of its location until now. After her mother told her, the story of their first date, Gabby went on and on about it to Alik the next day, after that day he fixed it in his memory that he would eventually take her there one day.
He grabbed her waist to move her along with him, “See, now aren’t you happy I did not tell you where we are going?”
“No,” she said obviously lying. He looked at her and she knew that he attempted to fool him failed miserably just as she thought it would. “Fine, I’m happy about it. I can’t believe you are taking me here, thank you.”
“You are welcome,” he said smiling at her apparent excitement. They were led to their table, and spent the night in light conversation that ranged from feelings about college, to thoughts about the future, to friends.  They both had a great time simply absorbing each other’s presences, the only thought’s they had were each other; nothing else mattered.
The next week took on those same qualities; they spent every available moment they had together. Gabby was feeling on edge and spending time with Alik relaxed her to a certain degree, so he thought it best that he stay be her side as much as possible; she had no objections and loved the fact that he just would not lever her alone. As graduation slowly approached, hours at a time, she found herself thinking more and more about the actual ceremony and if He was going to be there; sober.
“Is there something bothering you?” Alik asked after finding her staring at the ground for the past ten minutes.
“It is nothing.”
“If the ground can keep you in such a daze there has to be something that is on your mind.”
Still she just denied it in a monotone, “It’s not important.”
“If it’s making you this upset, it’s important to me, even if it seems irrelevant to you,” he said giving her a half, crooked smile.
“How is it when I just look at something you can read my mind and tell that I’m upset?” she said smiling back. 
“Because you may just think that you’re looking at something, but actually your zoning out the world, and putting yourself in a bubble that I can’t even pop, and plus your very easy to read.”
“Well then,” she looked as baffled as she sounded. At that, he laughed and it immediately lighted both their moods.
“Please tell me,” he pleaded.
“What if he shows up drunk, what if he causes a huge scene, what if he doesn’t show up, what if,” she trailed off, and he pulled her into his arms. He tears dampened his shirt, but he did not notice, his only thoughts were on her and how to comfort her at this moment.
“It will be fine no matter what happens; no matter who shows up, or who doesn’t the day will be perfect, just as it is meant to be.” He had a look of pain on his face, but was not frowning, he felt helpless trying to cheer her up, only wondering if she was actually hearing anything he was saying.
“You cannot guarantee that,” she said looking doubtfully at him.
“The day will be what you make it, only you can choose to have a marvelous day, or you can let the people around you ruin it, it is your choice,” the pain now completely gone, only reassurance left to help brighten her mood.
“You are right, and I am going to choose to have a good day.”
“Of course I am,” he said now smiling.

She woke an hour before her alarm was suppose to go off, and she decided on starting the day a bit earlier, rather than just laying in bed waiting for the hour to pass at a painstaking speed. It was her last day of high school, the thought made her sick to her stomach, the thought of never going back to Westmount High as a student gave her an uncanny feeling that she hated.  She supposed it was just the fact that her life was about to change in a way that she could not stop, and that frightened her.
“Are you up?”
Alik sighed rubbing his eyes, “I am now, what is it?”
“I could not sleep any longer; can I come over once I’m ready?” She tried to keep her voice sweet hoping her would not mind her waking him up two hours before the sun would even rise and awaken.
“Sure, why not,” he said once again sighing.
“Ok, see you then.”
“See you.” He hit the end call button and fall right back into the place he had been before he was interrupted at 4:30a.m., that girl is crazy, and she sounded like she had been up for a while, I just do not understand her sometimes, were only some of the thoughts running through his head when he decided to get up out of bed and shower.
She chose a t-shirt and jeans with her hair in a loose bun, something simple, since she was just going to come home and get ready for the ceremony, why spend time getting ready twice? As she made her way down to the kitchen to fix her a quick breakfast, a waft of air smelling like pancakes made its way to her nose. Her pace quickened, when she realized the six seconds it was going to take her at normal speed to reach the kitchen was just not fast enough. She walked in to find Him standing over the stove with a pan in hand, slipping a pancake on a plate.
“Ready for today?” He asked.
“Umm, yeah, thanks.” She sat in front of the plate full of pancakes but could not manage a smile.
“I heard you in your room and figured you would like a nice breakfast figuring it will be the last time you eat breakfast as a high school student,” His tone very calm and caring. Every fear she had had in the last week vanished, every worry she had about the day, was completely gone, as she realized that his speaking abilities meant he had not drank for at least 48 hours.
“Since I was up so early I was planning on heading over to Alik’s before school, if that is alright?”
“That is fine, I figured as much.” He always had a way of speaking that made her feel that he was truly sincere in everything he said. When he was sober, he was a very intelligent man who loved reading novels and watching baseball. He was just an average 45-year-old male.
“I’ll be back about an hour after to school, to get ready,” she said staring down at her plate.
“Do I get the honor of driving you, or were you planning on riding with Alik?” he said with no sarcasm in his voice. 
She sighed, smiled, and answered calmly, “I would love if you drove me.”
“What time do we need to leave?”
“About 4:30.”
“Ok.”
“Ok.” After finishing her breakfast, she practically floated over to Alik’s house. A smile never cease to leave her face, and she had a bounce in her step as she walked through the door.
“Someone’s happy this morning.”
“Yes I am,” she said walking passed him, kissing him on the cheek on her way by. She walked up the stairs and into his room, knowing he would follow. When he got to his room, he found her running her fingers along his suit that was lying over his bed.
“He’s sober and he’s coming.” He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. She laid her head against his chest and she felt as if she could stay in that position forever. “I love you,” she said not moving. He wrapped one arm around her waist and moved his other hand under her chin to lift her face to his.
“I love you, too.” He refused to let go of her gaze, but moved his head back when she leaned forward.
“When I kiss you, you’ll be standing at the altar.” She stared at him looking perplexed. “I never told you this before, but it is a tradition in my family for the first kiss to be the one on the wedding day. I know it sounds kind of old fashion, but I have always thought that if I wait to kiss the women I love, I will know, that if she is standing by me at the altar she must truly love me back.”
She moved her chin from his grasp and laid her head back on his chest, “Ok.”
“Ok, what does that mean?”
“It means that I am willing to wait for the altar to kiss you, ok,” she said throwing a playful smile at him.

The day, went by very quickly, everyone was hyped up for the event that was only hours away. There few tears shed but plenty of smiles and laughs to go around. Pictures snapped, signing of yearbooks, and telling of wonderful memories took most of the day, and it when by faster than any other. Alik stayed close to Gabby the whole day, hoping the emotion-filled day would not overwhelm her. To his surprise she did marvelously well, she chatted with all of her friends, cry in small intervals, and laughed with every memory shared.
“Did you have a good time?” he asked on their way home.
“Yes,” she said looking like she felt the exact opposite.
“Really?”
“I’m just sad now that it is over.” She said still staring at the ground.
“Ok.” Nothing else was said but she grabbed his hand about half ways through their journey. He felt like wrapping her in his arms and make all her sadness wash away, but he figured that holding her hand would have to suffice.
“Are you coming over for a bit?”
“I told Him that I was going to go straight home, but you are welcome to over.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not all, I wish you would,” she said now looking at him.
“Good, because I was planning on coming over even if you did mind.”
“Oh?” his laugh was his only response to her sarcastic remark.

They spent the next hour just talking about the fears and excitements about the future, what their looking forward to in college, and nervousness about the next big event in their life, graduation. Most of the fears anxiety came from Gabby, and the excitement from Alik.
“There’s really nothing to be scared about we will have each other and I will never leave you, so you don’t have to worry about being alone. Some people leave from high school and go to a strange city knowing not a single soul; you should feel lucky, having me there with you compared to those people.”
“I know and you are right but it still is frightening, it’s only bearable because I will have you.” She stood and reached for the closet door,
“Do you want me to leave so you can get ready?” he asked already walking towards her bedroom door.
“You don’t have too,” her expression showing that she wanted her privacy despite her words.
“That is alright, I need to start getting ready myself.”
“Okay, see you later on tonight.”

She walked into the living room to find him in an old, worn out gray suit, which looked as if it had been in his closet for more than ten years. Despite his decrepit clothes and unkempt hair, she could not get past the single yellow roes that he was holding. He smiled awkwardly and lifted his arm motioning for her to take the blooming flower. She walked towards him, took the rose from his hand, and thanked him.
They arrived at the school right on time, even though they were there an hour before the ceremony actually started, it was the time all the graduates were told to be there. She thanked him for the ride and told him she was supposed to meet in the cafeteria, and he was to go to the gymnasium.  He nodded and then walked towards the gym.
Gabby spotted Alik from across the room and waved to him, she was stopped by six different familiar faces with nice words about the past, congratulations about NYU, and two of the girls actually started crying while talking faster than a cheetah can run. She simply nodded, smiled, and tried her best to get around them without damaging any of their fragile emotions. It took almost 15 minutes for her to reach Alik, and by the time she actually did, she was already exhausted from the conversation. 
“People talk so much,” she whined before she even reached where he was standing.
“Sounds like someone I know.”
“I don’t talk in excess, cry, and go on and on about unimportant things.”
“Memories and going to college are not unimportant.”
“Well, you know what I mean.”
“No I don’t.” he was more serious now. Her expression immediately changed when their playfulness was turned into a solitary conversation, with one comment. She was now standing in front of him, but refused to meet his eyes as she look around his right arm to stare at the back of the room.
“You are right, and I know you are, but this day is hard enough for me, I am just trying to get through it without actually thinking about what it means. I hate having to go through this change and I wish this would all just be finished. I am sorry I’m acting this way but please try and understand that you are the only thing that is keeping me from running out that door and crying until this all goes away.”
He grabbed her hand and started walking towards the nearest exit, pulling her along through the mass of red gowns. Once they were outside the doors he pulled her to him, wrapping one arm around her waist and using the other hand to place on her head that was placed against his chest. He stroked her hair saying,
“I understand, and I am sorry for being so pushy.” Tears were now streaming down her face and she nodded to acknowledge him. “Today will go great, just let it, we’ll get through it together and after today is over we will move on and get on with our lives. We will go off to college; meet new people experience new things. This is not the end, only the beginning, and I realize that is such a cliché, but it is true.” His words were somehow making her feel better and making her want to be strong if not for herself but for him; be strong so his day will not suffer along with hers. She wiped her eyes and wrapped both of her arms around his stomach and squeezed,
“I love you, Alik, thank you.”       
“I know you do, now let’s go get this thing over with.”
“No, you we are going to enjoy ourselves, we are not going to just get it over with, and we will have a good time.” she said marching back to the cafeteria with his hand. He laughed walking to her side and then picking up the pace when he heard the principal starting to get things in order.

“Alik Edwards.”
“Gabriella Holland”
They walked across the stage, shook the hands of the mentors that had been teaching them for the past four years, and stepped off the stage as high school graduates. Gabby could not stop smiling; she took Alik’s hand and started jumping up and down.
“I did it, we did it Alik”
“I know we did,” he said catching her contagious smile. “I think there is someone else who wants to congratulate you.” He said motion towards her father as he stood awkwardly, shifting his weight for one leg to the other. She walked towards him and could not hide her excitement. He simply nodded when she walked up to him saying,
“Good job,” his hands place carefully in his pockets she did not want to make a scene she merely nodded along with him not letting the moment become uncomfortable. “You have done a marvelous job I cannot believe four years has gone by so quick.” He said with a childish smile on his face, not knowing what else to say. Gabby was also lost for words, she and her father had no once talked about her schooling since her mother died and she had no idea what he had been thinking of how he felt since then. He neither knew anything she was thinking.
“Well, I am going to go say goodbye to a couple more people, I’ll meet you at the car in about a half an hour, or I can just get a ride with Alik his parents are throwing a party and you are invited if you would like to come, but if not that is also fine.”
“Ok, I’ll see you later.” He said as he turned towards the car. She knew by his response that he was not coming to the party and that she would most likely find him drunk as ever when she went home. She was determined to not let this get to her, she would finish off this day with a smile on her face, she knew this could only last so long and never really expected him to show in the first place. She made her way to Alik and held his hand the rest of the night, and when she did finally fall asleep on his couch the event was not without tears. 

The summer passed by quicker than either of them intended. They spent a great deal of time preparing for their move to New York City, and into their new school, NYU. Gabby finally accepted that life would go on even if she were 500 miles from the only place she had ever lived. They made two visits to the campus and became relatively familiar with the surrounding area. They spent two weeks each trip simply trying to memorize the entire city of New York.
The day finally came where they would pack their bags, drive to the airport, and leave what they both called home. Gabby woke not knowing what to expect, she had reminded him three times in the past week that they were to leave today but she could not shake the feeling that she would find him in his usual state; drunk. She shower, dressed, and finished collecting her things. She flew down the stairs to find the house completely empty. No sign of any living being, apart from the half-drunk can of beer sitting on the kitchen counter.
Just as she figured, he was in his room snoring off his latest buzz. She did not let a single tear move down her cheek, this was going to be a good day and nothing is going to change that. She would be with Alik in a matter of minutes and she did not have to deal with this any longer. She made a quick breakfast, which she barely touched.  Alik walked in to find her picking at the oatmeal and banana that was on the table in front of her.
“You ready,” he said sitting next to her while grabbing her hand.
“As I’ll ever be,” she said with a pained smile across her face.
“Don’t worry about anything, you can always write letters, just because he’s not here to say goodbye does not mean this will be the last time you see or communicate with him.” She looked up surprise by his answer. “It’ll be fine, just don’t dwell on the past; take steps towards the future.”
“Since when did you become so wise?” Gabby said glancing up at him, loving him more and more every time he found a way to make her feel important.
“Maybe you are finally rubbing off on me?” he said shrugging.
“I love you.” He pulled her hand off the table and kept pulling until she stood and was sitting in his lap.
“I love you too, and you can trust me when I say everything will be fine, it may not be easy at first or even in the middle, but we can get through anything.”She started laughing and he pondered over her response very carefully wondering if there was something bothering her and this was her way of hiding. He could no longer bare it. “What is so funny?”
“I am sorry; I just cannot get over the use of your constant clichés.” He did not know whether to take offence or to simply let it go. When he did not start laughing with her, or even smile she realized he did not find the humor, and she knew she needed to stop and apologize.
“Oh, I’m sorry Alik, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, it was rude of me to change a serious moment into something so childish,” she said wholeheartedly.
“It’s okay, really.” Still she could tell he was upset.
She placed her hand on his cheek and moved his face to her direction, “This just shows that we still have a lot to learn about each other, I love you so very much, and nothing will ever change that. I may even know you better than your own mother may, but there is still a lot to be discovered about you. I can state, poetically, your likes and dislikes, your preferences, and I can even sometimes read your mind, but it will take a life time until I truly can say I know you, so please forgive me, for I did not know that this would upset you as it has.”
“And you ask me, when I’ve become so wise.” He said with a slight chuckle. “I forgive you.”
“Thank you.”

“Isn’t you father going to see you off?”
“No.”
“Mom,” Alik’s tone ended the conversation. Gabby and Alik sat in the back seat of his mom’s car, with little conversation on the way to the airport. They sat waiting only for ten minutes; they said their goodbyes and were on their way. The plain was not crowed only a few people scattered among the rows of seats. They easily made their way to their seats, buckled and prepared themselves for the trip ahead.
Gabby found herself overwhelmed by the events of the day, and in the middle of the trip, she ran to the restroom, crying uncontrollably. She was only gone for 15 minutes, while Alik was sleeping, so she guessed that he did not notice her absence. Her hopes were crushed when he grabbed her hand after she returned. He did not say a word, and she was finally able to relax and fall asleep. 
She did not sleep for long a dream shook her awake. A loud gasp woke Alik and he insisted that she tell him what was bothering her.
Gabby sighed again before telling him, she tired and frustrated and she knew the only way she would get some peace is if he gave him his way and just tell him. “I was six years old again, and it was our graduation for kindergarten. Things were different, they were how they are now, and he was in his usual drunken state. Your mom came over to see if I needed a ride. I nodded, wiping away tears. The day went by perfectly fine, until I got home to find that he hung himself from the stair railing.”
Alik just stared, he did not know how to react, all he wanted to do was hold her, but he knew she needed him to be strong. “Has this ever happened before?”
“Nightmares or this specific one?”
“Nightmares like this one?”
“Yes, plenty of times. I just shake it off and get on with my life. I guess that one was one for the road.”
He was happy that she was able to still be her humorous self, but was worried even more when she started making jokes. “There is a new life ahead of us both and we will not take for granted the peace in our lives.”
“Speak for yourself budding.” She said poking his shoulder. “Come on it was a joke, I am just happy that you can still read my mind.”
“You are the one having nightmares and then you tell me I’m the one who’s too serious?”
“Yup, I am so very glad that we are going to start a new life together, and that the stress and anxiety that he brought upon me will be gone. This is the only way I know how to make myself feel better.”
“So you are coving your feeling with humor?”
She looked down, feeling defeated, “Yes.”
“I just wanted to make sure that when you cracking jokes and flashing your gorgeous smile, that it is all to hide the pain.” He looked at her face that was still locked on the ground. “Am I right because I deserve to know if your expressions have been lying to me?”
“Yes you are right, would you like it if I don’t try and feel better and just let pain ooze through my pores?” she said now looking directly into his eyes.
“No, I simply wanted to know the best time for me to hold you, and now I know it’s when you’re cracking jokes.” He said with the corner of his mouth curling upward. With this, she just stared. She finally turned her head and looked forward, without actually looking at anything in particular. She unconsciously reached for his hand, and when she found it, something jumped inside her. She fell back asleep for the rest of the trip without any disturbances. The only thought that crept into her dreams was one with her in a beautiful white dress.
“Gabby. We’re here.” He placed a hand on her cheek. She stirred and finally opened her eyes.
“Have we landed?”
“Yes, we are just waiting for the signal to leave the plane.” She lifted her head from his shoulder and stretched.
The rest of the day passed in a kind of blur. After getting off the plane, they caught a taxi to the school. They filled out some papers and were given a map of the campus, each with a circled building. Pure luck had their dorms within 100 feet of each other’s. They unpacked and prepared themselves for what lie ahead. 

The semester started and ended just as fast, then came the second semester and before either of them could blink, it was summer vacation. They packed and were headed home before 24 hours could pass after the semester ended. As much as Alik hated to admit, he was just as eager to head home as Gabby was. She found it very amusing to tease him about it, often. 
The trip home was nice for both parties, Alik was able to visit all his old friends and Gabby, well Gabby just absorbed as much of the town as she could. Gabby decided to make permanent residence in Alik’s home after the day of their arrival. She walked through the door of her home to find Him passed out on the couch, looking as if He had not showered in a week. His breath and clothes reeked of alcohol and she wanted nothing to do with Him. He knew the date she was to come home and if He wanted to see her, He knew where to find her. 
Gabby saw this as nothing more than a minor inconvenience and thought nothing more of it. They continued their vacation as just that, a vacation. They spent time doing every little thing they did as children. They went to the park, mall, and ate at all their favorite restaurants. They even took a few trips down to the lake. The two months passed quickly and within the whole time, she did not see Him again. They made the trip back to the school and started on another, year of adventures.
The second year of their schooling, did not pass as fast as the first. The weeks and months seemed to pass by at a normal speed, but the days just crawled along. March finally rolled around, and on the first day of spring, Alik took Gabby on a picnic.
“That was wonderful,” Gabby, said laying on her back after eating the meal Alik prepared for them.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Alik said looking truly pleased. “Close your eyes.” Gabby did as he said and a moment later, she felt slight pressure against her chest. “You can open them now.” Gabby now stared at a small black velvet box placed on her chest.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.” She shook her head, refusing to move her hands. “Please.” Still she did not move, but her eyes to look at him. Alik sighed, and then opened the box to show a glittering ring,
“Gabriella Wilson, will you marry me?”
Tears already streaming down her cheeks, “Yes.”
He was now propped on one elbow; he took the ring from the box and placed it on her finger. “Perfect.” He started to wipe her tears away with a light brush of his fingers. “Let’s set a date.”
“Now?” she sounded surprised.
“Yes right now.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“July.”
“Really? That soon?”
“Yes, then we can go on our honeymoon, in August and be back in time for the next semester. Are you up for planning a wedding in four months or would you weather wait until next year and have a long engagement?”
“No, July is fine. This doesn’t have to be a grand affair; I was thinking small, close friends and family.”
“So you have been thinking about this?”
“Of course, what girl wouldn’t?”
“Oh ok.” He said nodding his head.
“Don’t mock me,” she started to laugh, “You are the one who kept hinting around all the time.”
“I think a small wedding at home will be just fine.” She whipped her head around to stare at him. “I knew you’d like that.”
“Really, Alik? We can get married at home?”
“You ask as if I have a say in it.”
“No, you do have a say, you are not going to be one of those let the bride do everything kind of fiancés. I want you to be a part of this just as much as I am.”
“Good, because I was planning on it.”

The semester ended peacefully and Gabby and Alik were as busy as ever, trying to get things done for the wedding. The location was booked, flowers, photographer, and food ordered, and invitations sent out. Both tried to keep the stress at a minimum. Of course, there was the occasional mishap, but nothing too serious. The plans were on their way and things seemed to be going smoothly.
The few months they had passed by rapidly and before they knew it, they had less than a week before they would walk down the aisle. Even though the stress was piled on as each day passed, everything seemed to fit into place just the way it is supposed to. Ninety-nine of the hundred invitations were responded too with an RSVP. The hundredth was not bothered with, Gabby figured if he showed that would be fine but if he did not, Alik’s older brother, had already agreed to walk her down the aisle.
“Gabby, Gabby, wake up,” Alik shook her shoulders.
“What is it?” she asked wide-eyed.
“It’s your father.”
“What’s happened?”
“I went over to talk to him, and before I even got through the door I heard a loud crash. He passed out and was not breathing. I called 911 and an ambulance is on its way, my dad is over there with him now.”
She jumped off bed, threw on a sweatshirt and shoes and ran out the door.
“Gabby!” Alik yelled chasing after her. “Gabby, wait!” Alik caught up with her right before she got to her front door, he grabbed her arm and swung her around.
“Let go of me!” she screamed
“Just wait, listen to me.” Alik said putting her face in-between his hands. “He does not look the same; he looks as if he’s been drunk nonstop for the past month. The house is a mess, and it reeks of alcohol. I just want you to be prepared when you go in, and have the choice, to wait and see him at the hospital.”
She slipped onto her knees and sobbed into her hands. Alik bent down and wrapped his arms around her whole body. “It’s going to be fine, they’ll take care of him, and He’s going to be fine.” They sat in the same position, until the ambulance arrived. Alik carried her back to his house until it left and then they walked to the car and followed it to the hospital.
Hours later, they were called out of the emergency room’s waiting room and brought into a private vacant room, where they were told, it would only be a few more minutes before they could see Him. An hour later, a doctor walked through the door and took a seat across from Alik and Gabby.
“Miss Wilson, your father is in critical condition. We have been monitoring him very closely for the past couple of hours and we have discovered that he is going into liver failure, and with his history, I do not think we will be able to get him a transplant. I’m very sorry but there is really nothing left for us to do, but make him comfortable.” The doctor stood, “I know this is a lot to handle all at once but would you like to come see him?”
Alik placed his hand on the small of her back, “Are you ready?” Gabby shook her head, tears started to fill her eyes.
“I think we’ll wait a bit, do we just come in when were ready?” Alik asked the doctor.
“Just head straight through those doors and make an immediate right, the nurse will direct you to the room, take your time, and once again I’m truly sorry.” His face looking genuinely concerned.
Gabby placed her face in her hands for the second time, that morning, but this time her sobs were filled with pain, instead of simply sadness. Alik did not know if she needed him to hold her and if she wanted her space, did she need words of encouragement, or a gentle silence? He did not know, and decided to give her space if she wanted him, he would be there. He began to stand from his seat, when she softly shrieked,
“Don’t go,” she gasped and they let out a shaky breath, he sat back down facing her, asking what she wanted him to do with his eyes. She threw her arms around his neck and wept into his neck, her words were muffled by the cries, but she continued to mumble. “What am I going to do,” was what Alik heard repeated enough to finally make the statement out.
“We will get through this, you will get through this.” He tightened his grip around her body pulling her closed to him, trying to protect her from this awful pain, shield her from what was to come. She nodded her head still buried in his neck. She stood up straight, composed herself, and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. Taking a few staggered breaths, she finally was able to calm down enough for her speech to be audible. 
“I can do this, I’m not a child I will get a hold of myself and get through this like any sensible adult would do.” She strode through the doors and went directly where the doctor, told them. “Can you direct us to Caleb Wilson’s room?”
“Right this way.” The nurse was a short, 60 something year old woman, with white hair in a neatly placed bun atop her head. She seemed worn out, as if she had been working a double shift. Her eyes a bit glazed over and there were purple bags underneath both. “Straight down this hall and to your left, room 206.”
“Thank you,” Alik was able to manage, while still keeping up with Gabby’s pace. He knew asking her to slow down would be a waste of time, so he simply caught up with her and grabbed her hand. She let go of it and grabbed his arm, slowing so he could lead the way through the door. She hid behind his shoulder, peeking into the room and looking at her father, as she did many times when she was a child, but then her mother and not Alik hid her.
“Hey,” she said walking around Alik but still not letting go of his arm. Caleb sat up in the bed, looking his normal self, nothing seriously different about him, except a few needles in his arms.
“Hi,” he said in a shy tone, Gabby knew all too well.
“How are you feeling?” Alik asked dryly, but without sarcasm.
“Better, than before, and thanks for calling that ambulance.”
“No problem.”
“So I hear you guys are planning on getting married.”
“Yes it’s tomorrow.” Gabby said quickly.
“I got the invitation, sorry I did not reply.” Neither of them knew how to respond, Gabby was stunned, and Alik was furious that he would even bring it up when it was clear that Gabby was in no condition to talk about it. 
“I hope you are feeling better, but I think it will be best if we get going, there is still stuff to be done before tomorrow.” Alik said trying his best to hold back his anger, knowing that Gabby was on the verge of hysteria.
“I understand.” Caleb said nodding. Alik shifted his body and turned, but Gabby did not follow his movements.
“Gabby, let’s go,” he said in the sweetest voice he could direct. She finally turned her body and they left the room, with tears running down both their cheeks.

The day ended smoothly, but neither Gabby nor Alik were able to sleep, instead they spend the night in the backyard on a blanket in each other’s arms. They watched the sunrise and both headed inside to start getting ready for this glorious day. They decided not to keep tradition and spent every moment with each other that they could before it was time for the wedding dress to come on; that is when they finally parted.
Gabby was now standing behind the closed doors of the church, with Alik’s niece in front of her and his brother at her side. Gabby was very calm, she was even surprising herself. Her breathing was steadying her hands were not shaking and she could not wipe the smile off her face.
“You look beautiful, my brother is very lucky.”
“Thank you Charles.” Gabby said blushing. Charles was three years older than his brother and even though Gabby was desperately in love with the man at the end of the aisle, she had always found Charles very handsome.
Gabby heard the door open from behind her, and someone clear their throat. Her heart nearly stopped as she whipped her head around. Her jaw fell open so wide, Isabella, Alik’s niece, swears she heard it hit the ground.  Gabby was staring at a middle-aged man, with a worn gray suit, whose face matched the pale white walls behind him.
“Nothing and I mean nothing could have ever stopped me from being her to give away my one and only daughter away at her wedding.” Caleb stared directly into Gabby’s eyes, pleading with her to allow him the honor.
Gabby turned towards Charles but without a word out of her mouth, he answered her question, “I’ll head around back and creep in through the side no one will even notice.”
“Thank you, thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome,” he said kissing her forehead. Charles winked at Isabella, she giggled at her father, and it lightened all their moods, nothing light the sound of a child’s laughter to ease the shoulders of much stressed adults.
The doors were opened and the wedding march began. Isabella walked two paces ahead of them and Gabby and Caleb glided after her. Every person in the church knew of Caleb’s condition, and were all just as shocked as Gabby had been moments before. She simply kept an effortless smile on her face and braced herself for the most memorable moment in her life to date.
When they got to the alter Alik stood waiting with a grin that stretched for miles. He honestly did not care if Gabby’s father showed up, but he knew that if he did it would complete Gabby’s day, so based upon that reason and that reason alone he was eternally grateful that Caleb Wilson decided to be unselfish for one day of his life.
The service went just as planned, absolutely marvelous. The small reception followed and went just as well. Gabby and Alik decided to wait until all the guests were gone to set sail on their honeymoon. The only people who remained were Alik’s close family and Gabby’s father and maid of honor. The reception was held at Alik’s home and the cleaning process was just about to make way, when a loud crash was heard from the upstairs bathroom.
Alik and Gabby both rushed up to see what had happened and they found Caleb lying on the bathroom floor clutching his chest. Alik dragged him out and into the hallway.
He gasped for air, “Gabby?”
“Yes I’m here.” Tears already flowing.
“They told me if I left, I wouldn’t make it past the night, I guess they were right, huh?” Gabby’s tears came by the gallon, her eyes were swelling, and her vision was becoming blurred. “I’m sorry…”
“Stop,” she pleaded cutting him off.
“No, let me speak, I am your father I have that right.”
This time Alik interrupted, “You lost that long ago.”
“Please.” He begged staring at Gabby’s face. Neither answered but neither objected any further.
“Gabby I’m sorry, I know that I do not deserve you to listen to me, I don’t deserve, your time of day,” Alik snorted, “There is absolutely nothing that can replace the years that I have taken away from you with this addiction, nothing I can do to erase the past, but I ask, I beg that you can somehow forgive me? It is unfair for me to even ask but I am going to die very soon, and I wish that not only for myself but for you that you will forgive me.”
Gabby now sobbing, she leaned into Alik, and cried into his shirt. She lifted her head and looked into her father eyes, “Yes, I forgive you.” Her sobs, stressed each syllable.
“Thank you Gabs, I love you, and I’m sorry.”
Gabby started wailing, she fell to the floor and brought her knees to chin and starting shaking. Alik put her into his lap and held her, his mind was racing, but all he could think to do was to hold his wife. Suddenly Gabby’s cries ceased, and her body stopped quivering. She stared at the ground, and when Alik realized she was holding her breath he started to shake her yelling at her to take a breath. Gabby did not listen she had blocked everything out; just had she had always done when something was upsetting her.
“Gabby, breath!” Alik continued. Finally, she took a breath, but only enough to keep herself from suffocating. She went right back to her previous state, holding her breath. Alik picked her off the floor and started to walk away from her father that was now lying with his eyes closed and her arms at his side,
“No, Dad!” Gabby screamed. Her sobs did nothing to her speech; her words were clear as day. “Dad, Dad,” she continued. She squirmed in Alik’s arms, trying her best to get on her feet. “No, no, no!” Gabby’s shirks filled throughout the whole house, and Alik’s mother began crying the moment Gabby’s’ first cries were let out. Gabby was finally able to get to the floor. On her knees, she began crawling towards her father, “No,” she whispered to herself.
Alik walked over to her to three long strides. He knelt down and put his hands on her shoulders,
“Gabby he’s gone.”
“No, he can’t be, he just can’t!” she cried.
“You need to let him go.”
“I can’t.” her sobs hiding the pleading in her tone; the only thing heard was pain.
“I know you can’t but you have to.”
“No,” whispered to herself once more. Gabby crawled to her father’s side and touched his arm. She started shaking his body and when there was no response, she hung her head. Gabby slowly lifted his arms and lied down next to him; she placed the arm around her shoulder and laid her head on his chest. Her sobs now stopped. The only sign of life in her was the silent tears streaming down her face.


“Mama?”
“Yes,” Gabby answered looking into her daughter’s sleepy eyes. 
“Can you tell me about Papa and Grandma again?” Gabby looked at Alik who was lying next to her. He shrugged as if telling her that she is four, it is just a phase.
“Sure, why don’t you come up here and sit with me and daddy.” She watched as her baby sluggishly walk towards their bed dragging her blanket and in the other hand carrying a framed photograph of her parents. Alik picked her up and held her against his side with one arm around her.
“Now let me see,” Gabby said adjusting the frame so she could look at the picture. “Your grandma had beautiful long brown hair, just like yours, and Papa, well papa loved reading books…”
“Did he read you stories, like when daddy reads to me before bedtime?”
“Yes he did, every night.” This made Elizabeth smile; her favorite part of the day was lying with daddy right before bedtime to hear a story. “He was just a normal man, your Papa.”
“No Mama, I think he was the best Papa in the whole world.”
“I think you might just be right,” Alik said kissing the top of his daughter’s head.