Say Yes by Mellie George Read Free Book Online

me
before I went on my first spring break without them.  They were almost here
when they were hit by a drunk driver.”
                I
instinctively placed my hand on top of his. “Oh, Luke, no.”
                After a
moment, he cleared his throat again and continued. “Dad was killed instantly. 
Mom was in a coma for three weeks after the accident, but her internal injuries
were too severe, and she was taken off life support. I never left her side the
whole time.”  He paused for a long moment, and I just sat there holding onto
his hand.  Eventually he spoke again.  “After that, I vowed to myself that I
would do whatever I could to save every life I could.  So that no person would
ever have to feel the pain that I felt. I chose pediatrics because in that
moment, when I lost my mom after I’d already lost my dad, I felt like a
helpless child.  I was scared and alone, and I knew that I didn’t want another
child to feel like I did.  I know that probably doesn’t make any sense and must
seem childish and silly, but-”
                “It’s not
childish or silly at all. Luke, I am so, so sorry,” I said. We sat in silence
for a moment, and I was stunned.  A single tear slid down my cheek. I can’t
believe Rob and Maggie were gone. They were such amazing people…my heart was
broken for Luke.  How did I not know this?  Why didn’t someone tell me?  “Why
didn’t you call me?”
                He sighed. 
“Lilly, you were out on your own.  This wasn’t your life anymore.  Besides,
honestly, at the time, if I’d seen you then I think it would have just added to
my pain.  I don’t mean to hurt your feelings by saying that, it’s just the
truth.”
                “Well, I would
have come anyway.  Despite what you might have wanted back then, I would have
been there for you because after all, you were still my friend if nothing
else.”
                He smiled at
me. “I know you would have.  You always were a stubborn girl.  And a good
friend.”  We sat there on the porch swing for a moment, just looking at each
other.  Just then, Luke seemed to realize that I had touched his hand, and he
turned his over to lock his fingers with mine.  I felt like I had been mildly
electrocuted; I could feel the electricity shooting through me down to my
fingertips.  With the thumb of his other hand, he began to lightly trace the
back of my hand that he was holding.  I felt my pulse begin to race, and it
suddenly felt very warm to me again.  And we were sitting outside, in December.
In my mind, I felt embarrassed at how my body was reacting to him.  How can
this man do this to me after all this time?  I felt as nervous as I did that
night, and we were only sitting side by side.  Just then, Luke’s pager beeped. 
He reluctantly took his eyes off mine, and looked at his beeper.  “That’s the
hospital.  I have to return this call, would you excuse me?”
                “Oh sure, no
problem,” I said, and he quickly got out his cell phone and dialed the number
on his pager. I wiped my tear stained cheeks with my hands, and I took a deep
relaxing breath.  Come on Lilly, I thought, get it together.  I was so
surprised that someone I hadn’t thought of in a long time could still make my
blood race like this. My body was betraying me, and I hated it.  Of course I could
never forget Luke, but I was just so wrapped up in my life and what I wanted
that I just didn’t want to stop and think about him.  I wouldn’t let myself. 
If I had gone down that road mentally I was afraid I might second guess myself
or the choices I had made.  I don’t regret any of my decisions since leaving
home because they have made me the woman I am today.  I just wish that after
eleven years of thinking of myself as a self sufficient and independent woman,
I wouldn’t immediately start to get weak in the knees around the only
man I have ever