I nodded, trailing my tongue from her bare shoulder up the side of her neck and she sighed, dreamily.
“It could be fun, I guess.”
“Sex with you is always fun,” I replied, continuing my licking and tasting.
She giggled. “But on the counter? Really?”
“This time. When we’re finished, here we’ll move to the table and after that, maybe on the floor.”
“Wow. You intend to keep me busy tonight, don’t you?”
“Very.”
***
Brittney stretched languidly in the bed beside me and I drank the sight of her in. She always looked so beautiful after we made love, her long hair tousled, lips a little swollen from kissing, and her skin flushed with a rosy glow.
“Good morning,” she said, sliding closer, so our nude bodies were pressed together. She started laughing.
“What?” I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
“Feels like someone is ready for a repeat performance of last night.” She trailed a hand down my body and I groaned.
“What did you expect to happen when you cuddled your naked body against mine? I’m only human.” She giggled again, running her hand over me.
“Too bad I’ve got to get up and get ready to leave.” She made a pouty face, but didn’t stop stroking me.
“You’re not being nice. You can’t get me all hot and bothered like this and then say you’re going to leave. That’s just wrong.”
Laughing, she rolled away from me, taking the delicious heat of her body with her. “I guess you’ll have to join me in the shower.”
“Not so fast,” I replied, grabbing her arm and pulling her back toward me. I rolled over on top of her, pinning her to the bed. “I’m not letting you get away that easily.”
She laughed. “Chase, I’m going to be late.”
Smiling, I pressed my face against her neck. “Tell them your invalid husband needed some extra care this morning.”
“You’re not an invalid,” she replied. “I think you proved exactly how healthy you are, last night.”
“They don’t know that. Besides, I didn’t hear you complaining. Though the neighbors might have heard your enjoyment.”
She slapped my butt and laughed. “I wasn’t that bad.”
“Yeah you were. Now slap my butt again, I like where that was headed.”
She sighed, shaking her head, but still grinning. “You’re not going to let me up, are you?”
“Not a chance,” I replied. “You’re going to finish what you started.”
“Yes, master,” she said teasingly.
“That’s more like it.”
***
When I answered the doorbell that afternoon, I never expected to find Nikki’s mom on the other side. “Hi, Justine. This is a surprise.” I always felt like I stared at her too long. She had such a resemblance to Nikki that I constantly found myself trying to imagine it was her. “Come in.” I held the door and gestured for her to enter.
“Is Brittney home?” she asked, as she moved toward the couch.
“No, she had to work today. She’ll be sad she missed you. What’re you in town for?”
Smiling, a slight blush crossed her face. “I’m meeting,” she paused. “Someone.”
“Someone? Like a guy someone?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “Exactly like that.”
I was pleasantly surprised by this news. Justine had never gotten over her husband’s death after a battle with cancer. She’d shown no interest in dating.
“Tell me about this guy. Is it serious?”
She shrugged. “Your mom and Greg are the ones who set me up with him. He’s come to see me twice, in Silver Creek, but he lives here, so I’m returning the favor. I like him so far, though. I figured it was time to move on and try new things. I can’t just sit around and mourn my losses. Plus, Clara and Timmy are getting so much older. It would be nice for them to have a father figure around the house.”
“Well, I think this is great news. I’m happy for you.”
“I stopped by because your mom asked me to give this to you.” Reaching into her purse she pulled out a large envelope and handed it to me. I glanced at it, confused when I saw it was from a lawyer, but addressed to my grandma.
“Do you know what this is about?” Flipping the letter over, I saw it was open.
“Yes, I do. But you should read it.”
Hesitating for a moment, I took in a deep breath, not sure what was going on. I slowly looked inside and found another envelope. This one was addressed to me and my breath caught as I read the words: To be delivered to Chase Walker in the event of Warren Johnson’s death.
This was something to do with my grandpa. I quickly tore the envelope and retrieved the paper inside.
I, Warren Johnson, being of sound mind, do bequeath one half of my ranchland to my grandson, Chase Walker, as his inheritance.
I was stunned. A few brief details explained the location of the land and I saw it included the area by the creek where Nikki and I loved to go to. My eyes watered and I blinked quickly.
“I can’t believe this.” My hands were shaking as I turned to the second page of the document, finding a letter in my grandpa’s handwriting.
Dear Chase,
Well, boy, if you’re reading this I guess that means I finally kicked the bucket. But don’t you cry for me, son, I’m in a better place; and I’ll be sure to tell your daddy and your girl how much you miss them. Guess you’ll have three guardian angels watching out for you, now.
I snorted. Don’t cry . . . yeah right. A few tears were already leaking down my face.
I know you’ve had some tough experiences with death in your short life, but I want you to know how proud I am of you. You’ve grown so strong and learned to handle things, even when it was difficult. I’ve been so proud to call you my boy.
I wanted you to have some of my land. I have great memories of working the ranch with your help, and I know there are special places you hold dear. I can see you have the same love for it as I do. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed having you in my life. Keep your chin up.
Love,
Grandpa
I was overwhelmed. Never had I ever expected something like this. I was speechless, sitting dumbfounded as I held the letter.
“The lawyer for your grandpa’s estate told your grandma and your mom what was in the letter. They felt it was best for you to hear the news straight from the source. I volunteered to drop it off.”
I was shocked. “I don’t know what to say. I certainly never thought he’d give me anything—not like this. I guess I never even thought about wills and such. My mom said he’d left my grandma well taken care of, so I just assumed he’d left everything to her. I even talked to Brittney about moving back there so we could help Grandma out.”
“Well, I’m sure she would love that. Maybe you could build a house there, too. It was nice of him to remember Nikki.”
“He gave me the land where I always used to take her, down by the creek.” I paused and set the letter aside. “I’ve been thinking about Nikki so much, lately. I don’t know why, but it’s like I can’t get her out of my head.” I was staring again, eyes roaming over Justine’s features that were so reminiscent of Nikki’s. “I miss her so much; but it makes me feel like an awful husband every time I feel this way.”
“Chase, Brittney knows you love her. And she knows how much you loved Nikki, too. I’m sure she understands your loss. It’s okay to grieve. Look how many years it’s taken me to get past losing my husband? And that’s not even the right way to say it. I’ll never get past it. I will love him with every breath I take. But, I know he wants me to be happy. Nikki would want that for you, too.”
“I am happy. Brittney is an amazing wife; and now we have a baby on the way. I don’t know what I did to deserve all this, but I’m truly blessed.”
“Congratulations on that, by the way. You’re mom is very excited.”
I chuckled. �
��Yeah, I kind of got that when she was squealing in my ear on the phone. My ear was ringing for hours, afterward.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I can see her doing that.” Glancing down at her watch, she patted her arm. “I hate to deliver and run, but I’ve got to get going or I’m going to be late.”
She stood and enveloped me in a hug. “I love you, Chase.”
“Love you, too. Thanks so much—for everything.”
“I hope you’ll come back to us,” she said softly. “All of us at home miss you.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Chase.”
I awakened, again, to Nikki’s voice. The horrible headache and ringing in my ears was back, but this time much worse. Holding my head between my hands, I pushed, trying to ease some of the tension. My head felt like it was going to explode. Standing, I stumbled toward the bathroom to get more painkillers, the room spinning violently around me. I needed to throw up. My limbs were shaking and I felt weak all over. Opening the medicine cabinet, I grabbed the bottle, trying to remove the lid, but couldn’t.
“Brittney,” I called, hoping she could open it for me.
“What is it?” she replied, groggily.
“Help me. Something’s wrong.” Unable to stand, I fell to the floor, an agonizing scream escaping me as I held my head.
“Chase?” Flipping on the light, she jumped out of bed in alarm, rushing to my side. “What is it? What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know.” I groaned in agony as I writhed on the floor. “My head. Something’s wrong with my head!” Nausea rolled through me heavily. “I think I’m going to puke.” I hollered again, as another pain stabbed through me. “I think . . . I think I’m having a stroke,” I stuttered.
“Don’t you leave me, Chase! I mean it!” Brittney shouted, the color draining from her face. “I’m calling 911.”
“Hurry!”
That was the last thing I remembered before everything went black.
***
“Someone,” I tried to say, but the word was garbled. My eyelids were heavy. So heavy, it was as if they were made of brick. I struggled to open them, but I couldn’t. Exhausted, I went back to sleep.
***
There was a bright light shining. I tried to turn my head away, but it felt like lead. This time, though, I was able to open my eyes a sliver. Light was coming in through a window, threatening to blind me. Rolling my head to the side, I saw tubes and bags of stuff hanging beside me. Their names niggled at my mind—I should know what they were, but I couldn’t quite get the word for it. Darkness consumed me.
***
“Chase. My name is Chase.” My voice was raspy and I didn’t know to whom I was speaking, or why. Could anyone hear me? I clenched at the fabric I felt beneath my fingertips, but even my fingers didn’t seem to work right. I faded under again.
***
Time. Time was passing me by. I couldn’t stop it, but I could feel it passing in the rustles and garbled voices that frequently moved around me. What were they saying? What was happening?
***
The incessant beeping wouldn’t go away and I struggled to focus on what was making the sound. Slowly, I opened my eyes, staring about at the unfamiliar room, realizing I was in the hospital. Thankfully, my headache was gone. And I was obviously alive, so that was a plus; but my knee was aching again. Something bad had happened, but I didn’t know what.
Raising my arm, it felt weak, as I rubbed my hand over my face, surprised to find I was in really great need of a shave. What the hell? How long have I been out of it, I thought, wishing I could talk with someone—anyone. As if I had conjured her up, Brittney appeared in the doorway.
“Britt.” I was relieved to see her. “What happened?” I asked, my voice raspy. She jumped and dropped the book she was carrying.
“Oh my gosh!” She seemed completely stunned. “You’re awake!” Running toward me she threw her arms around me. “We’ve all been so worried.”
I let her hug me to her, enjoying the familiarity of being in her arms. “What happened?” I asked, basking in the smell of her perfume. “How long have I been out?”
She pulled away, biting at her lip for a moment. “You really don’t remember anything?”
My limbs were so heavy. “I remember my head hurting and falling on the floor. You were calling for an ambulance. Then I woke up. Here.”
A confused look crossed her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She stared at me for a moment.
“What do you mean, you don’t know? You were with me.”
“Chase, you were in a car accident after Homecoming. Brett told us you were sneaking out to meet Nikki. They think you fell asleep at the wheel or something. You rolled your truck. They had to cut you out of the vehicle and life flight you to the hospital.” She hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching mine. “You suffered a traumatic brain injury and you’ve been in a coma for the past nine months. We were starting to lose hope that you’d ever wake up.”
I started shaking, my mind a mass of confusion. This was not right. “What do you mean? Nikki was the one in the car accident that night. She died shortly afterward.”
“Oh, Chase.” Brittney placed her hand in mine and squeezed it gently. “I don’t know how things got scrambled up for you, but I promise you. Nikki is very much alive.” She cast a look at the clock on the wall. “She visits you around this time every day, without fail.”
My breaths came short and fast and I felt agitated. “I don’t believe you. I’m . . . dreaming, or hallucinating, or something. Nikki died and her death almost killed me in the process.” I glanced toward her stomach, which showed a slightly rounded baby bump. “You and I are married now, and we’re having a baby.”
She glanced down at her stomach, placing a hand on it protectively. “I am pregnant, but this is Matt’s baby, Chase. You and I have never . . . .” Glancing at the door, she stood. “I think I need to go get the doctor for you.”
She hurried out and I watched her leave, my mind racing with a billion thoughts. I didn’t know what was happening to me. Nothing made sense. I could recall the last several years with perfect clarity. At least, I thought it was perfect clarity; but what if I was messed up in the head?
Lowering my gaze, I stared at my arms, seeing how thin they looked. Gone were the strong muscles that had once been there, as if they’d wasted away. I tried to sit up, but I was too weak to move myself.
What the hell was going on?
“Chase?” I froze. And all my previous thoughts were suspended. I recognized that voice. If I were deaf, I’d still recognize it. Slowly, I lifted my head.
There she was, eyes wide with disbelief, looking as perfect and whole as ever. “Nikki?” I breathed out softly, unable to believe what I was seeing.
She ran toward me, crawling on the bed and throwing her arms around me. “You’re awake!” She could barely choke the words out as she sobbed against my chest. “You’re awake!” Her hands curled into the hospital gown I was wearing, bunching it into her fists.
Slowly, I lifted my shaky hand, moving so carefully, completely afraid she’d disappear. Then I touched her, my fingers running through edges of her dark hair, and the scent of her perfume wafting up, filling my nostrils with the smell that was uniquely her. Her body was molded to mine—every curve as familiar to me as my own.
“You’re awake!” she cried again, wracked with tears.
Wrapping my arms around her, I held on as tightly as I could, casting my gaze heavenward, my own tears dripping into her hair. “Dear God, if this is a dream, please don’t ever let me wake up!”
***
“I just don’t understand,” I said for the millionth time, looking at the neurologist, Dr. Kennish. Focusing was difficult; and combined with the confusion going on around me, I was more than a little lost.
My whole family was in the room, weeping and hugging each other, and smiling at me. Grandpa had both his arms extended, one draped around my mom, and the othe
r around Grandma. Brett, Brittney, and Tana stood huddled together in the corner with big grins on their faces. Nikki held my hand in a death grip, squeezing so hard it was almost painful, but I understood. I was afraid to let go of her, as well. I was afraid to blink, to close my eyes, fearful I would find myself gone again.
“When dealing with a traumatic brain injury, it’s very common for injured people to experience some sort of an alternate reality. The brain can still hear what’s going on around it and it struggles to make sense of things. What you’ve described to me could easily be explained by conversations taking place in this room. Take your knee for instance. It was injured in the accident and you had a fracture that required surgery. You’re mind twisted that around so it made sense to you.”
I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. “I don’t see how that’s possible. I remember these things—I felt real pain, smelled real smells, and tasted real food. I can remember distinct minute details, and I remember the depression I suffered on multiple occasions because of what happened. I’m telling you. It was real.”
Dr. Kennish pursed his lips together for a few moments. “Then let me ask you couple a more questions. Did you ever suffer from headaches, or maybe hear voices you couldn’t explain?”
I had. I knew I had, on multiple occasions. “Well, yeah, but still.”
“How about the sequences of events? Were they always in order? Or did things seem out of place—disjointed so to speak.”
I pondered on this for a few minutes, going back over the last several years, or what I thought was years, of my life. “I remember playing in a college championship game after Nikki died, but it was several years later. But then I remember going back and starting college again. But then I got married to Brittney and . . . .” I dwindled to a stop, concentrating on pulling up the memories, but I noticed Nikki’s hand tightening at my words.
“And what?” my mom encouraged me to continue.
“I remember having a baby with Brittney. It was a little girl, and we named her after Nikki. But right before all of this happened, she’d just told me she was pregnant and we hadn’t had the baby yet.” Damn it to hell if anyone else could follow this. I was confusing myself. “I also remember having weird dreams. Seeing people from my past who are dead, or even being in my own past like when I was a kid playing pee wee football.” I sighed, frustrated. What had seemed so incredibly clear was now sounding like a fragmented mess.
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