- 5.
Emily’s laughter followed me as I left the B&B.
She was telling Lisa about David’s proposal. I
quickened my pace, as if running from a ghost.
I found a spot to set up my easel. As I reached
for my palette, dizziness washed over me. I fumbled for my pills, swallowing them, the nausea slowly subsiding.
I’d never been lucky. No parents, no close friends, never won anything. I figured Lady Luck had a vendetta against me. Until that day.
I won the stuffed animal I’d always wanted, got a free iced tea, won $500 in a supermarket
raffle, and even the soda I bought for my friend
<
Sarah came with another one free.
Sarah grinned. “Lucky you! I’m living vicariously
through you.”
I couldn’t believe it. Me, lucky? Then, as we
rounded a corner, our car spun out of control,
hurtling towards a wall. I screamed, squeezing
my eyes shut.
Crash.
The car broke through the wall, but the impact
was strangely gentle. I peeked through my
fingers, seeing a flicker of orange light and
smelling flowers. The light and scent settled on
a figure in a suit.
David stood in a sea of flowers, impeccably
dressed. Our friends and family, all dressed up, surrounded him. Even Buddy, our cat, was
there, sporting a tiny tuxedo.
I’ll never forget what he said.
“Nina, it’s time.”
Our code. Time to eat. Time to go home. Time
to kiss. Time to get married.
He lifted me out of the car. Applause erupted.
David, a man who faced danger without
flinching, was speechless with nerves.
“Nina, did you have a good day?”
I choked back tears, nodding. He grinned, mischievous. “Nina, there’s something very, very important I need you to do. Only you can do it.”
I looked at him. “What?”
“Be my wife.”
“Marry me, and I’ll make sure you’re this lucky
every day.”
<
“And, you get a two–for–one deal. Maybe even
three–for–one!”
So many things with David had just…
happened. No grand pronouncements, no
hypothetical scenarios. I knew he would marry
- me. He knew I would marry him.
After he proposed, he bought a lottery ticket. “If
I win,” he said, “the whole thirty million is yours.”
“And if you don’t?” I asked.
“Then it means I spent all my luck on marrying you.”
I laughed. “I always thought I was unlucky. Turns out, I was just saving it all for you.”
“Damn right! Eighteen years of luck just to meet me. I hope you appreciate it.”
I kissed him, serious. “I do.”
Now, watching the sunset paint the sky
crimson, his words echoed in my ears. He was
gone.
I returned to the B&B, its lights twinkling. A
figure stood by the door, a red pinpoint glowing
in the dusk. The scent of nicotine drifted
towards me. I frowned, recognizing him.
He turned as I approached. For a fleeting
moment, I saw panic in his eyes. He quickly
extinguished his cigarette, rubbing the back of
his neck, just like David used to when I caught
him smoking.
I walked past, ignoring him with every ounce of
strength I possessed. But as we passed, he
spoke.
“Nina Mitchell. I remember you.”
